Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College

Bacteria frequently colonize natural microcavities such as gut crypts, plant apoplasts, and soil pores. Recent studies have shown that the physical structure of these spaces plays a crucial role in shaping the stability and resilience of microbial populations (Karita et al., PNAS 2022, Postek et al. PNAS 2024). Here, we demonstrate that protected microhabitats can emerge dynamically, even in the absence of physical barriers. Interactions with surface features -- such as roughness or friction -- lead microbial populations to self-organize into effectively segregated subpopulations. Our numerical and analytical models reveal that this self-organization persists even when strains have different growth rates, allowing slower-growing strains to avoid competitive exclusion. These findings suggest that emergent spatial structuring can serve as a fundamental mechanism for maintaining microbial diversity, despite selection pressures, competition, and genetic drift.

Epistasis is caused by genetic interactions among mutations that affect fitness. To characterize properties and potential mechanisms of epistasis, we engineered eight double mutants that combined mutations from the rho and rpoB genes of Escherichia coli. The two genes encode essential functions for transcription, and the mutations in each gene were chosen because they were beneficial for adaptation to thermal stress (42.2 °C). The double mutants exhibited patterns of fitness epistasis that included diminishing returns epistasis at 42.2 °C, stronger diminishing returns between mutations with larger beneficial effects and both negative and positive (sign) epistasis across environments (20.0 °C and 37.0 °C). By assessing gene expression between single and double mutants, we detected hundreds of genes with gene expression epistasis. Previous work postulated that highly connected hub genes in coexpression networks have low epistasis, but we found the opposite: hub genes had high epistasis values in both coexpression and protein-protein interaction networks. We hypothesized that elevated epistasis in hub genes reflected that they were enriched for targets of Rho termination but that was not the case. Altogether, gene expression and coexpression analyses revealed that thermal adaptation occurred in modules, through modulation of ribonucleotide biosynthetic processes and ribosome assembly, the attenuation of expression in genes related to heat shock and stress responses, and with an overall trend toward restoring gene expression toward the unstressed state.

We present a case report of diagnosis of cervical spine multiple sclerosis by a chiropractic physician. This unique case contributes an account of a challenging differential diagnosis to the literature. A 30-year-old male presented with a three-year history of diffuse left upper extremity motor strength deficits and paresthesia (numbness and tingling). The patient had seen multiple physicians for these symptoms with no diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and no advanced imaging. The differential diagnosis included lower cervical spine nerve root compression or neurological disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral lesion, motor neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord lesion. MRI of the cervical spine with and without IV contrast revealed evidence of spinal cord multiple sclerosis. The patient was referred to a neurologist where the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was confirmed. A 10-year follow-up showed the patient was controlling his condition with medications and had no disability. This case underscores the importance for physicians to consider neurological conditions and advanced imaging in the presence of diffuse motor strength deficits and paresthesia in the absence of injury, pain, or any other symptoms.

SummaryOur ability to predict drought stress across the landscape remains limited. This uncertainty stems in part from an incomplete understanding of within-species variation in hydraulic physiology, particularly coordinated variation across multiple traits. This variation reflects genetic differentiation among populations (ecotypic variation) and phenotypic plasticity. We examined among-population differentiation in morphological and hydraulic traits in California blue oak (Quercus douglasii) using a 30 year-old common garden. We compared trait differentiation and trait-trait coordination in the garden to wild phenotypes from the original source populations. We found remarkably limited among-population differentiation in all traits in the common garden but considerable site-to-site variation in the field that could rarely be explained with site climate variables. Trait-trait relationships were also stronger in the field than in the garden, particularly links between leaf morphology, leaf hydraulic efficiency and stem hydraulic efficiency. Only four trait-trait relationship were present in both the wild and garden, but 12 of 45 relationships showed significant wild phenotypic correlations, with strong coordination among leaf and stem hydraulic efficiency apparently mediated by leaf size. Ultimately, we found limited evidence for ecotypic variation but considerable geographic in phenotypic integration in the wild, suggesting considerable acclimation potential in the face of climate change.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is on rise and is proven to be a known factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, its association with chronic kidney disease is also emerging which can accentuate the risk of cardiovascular events in patients of CKD. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its related factors among patients with chronic kidney disease presenting to the Nephrology outdoor.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: it was a cross sectional study conducted at Nephrology department Jinnah hospital Lahore. About 110 patients of CKD diagnosed for atleast 6 months, aged 18-60 and fulfilling the selection criteria were enrolled after an informed consent by non-probability consecutive sampling. Measurement of blood pressure and central obesity was done as per standard protocol and all the information was recorded in proforma. A 5 ml of blood sample was taken for triglyceride, HDL, and fasting blood sugar levels after ensuring overnight fasting. Frequency percentages were calculated for qualitative variables by using SPSS26. Chi-square test was applied to check statistical significance between metabolic syndrome and effect modifiers.
 RESULTS: The Mean age of patients was 42.46 + 5.580 with about 63(57%) being male. Majority had CKD stage-V 64(58%), and had the disease for more than 5 years i.e. 75(68%). The frequency of MetS was 39(35%) with that of high blood pressure 68(62%) being the most common among all components, followed by high fasting plasma glucose levels 52(47%), high triglyceride levels 35(32%), high HDL levels 32(29%) and central obesity 30(27%). A statistically insignificant relationship of MetS was seen on stratification for age, gender, duration, and stage of CKD.
 CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that a considerable frequency of MetS 35% is present among patients with CKD. Thus, there is a dire need to screen all the patients with CKD for the presence of MetS as an essential component of their routine follow up. This will help in its early diagnosis and management which may halt the disease progression and decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with this lethal but manageable double burden of disease.

Background and Objective: The rise in incidence and prevalence of cases of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has made it a disease of public health concern especially in under-developed countries. Timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment, the only effective strategy to break the chain of transmission in the community, is a caveat in the measures taken for its prevention. The objective of this study was to determine frequency and the reasons behind delay in initiating treatment after being diagnosed with HIV among patients presenting to a public sector hospital.
 Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the HIV center of Aziz Bhatti Hospital, Gujrat for six months after approval from ERB. About 200 diagnosed HIV patients fulfilling the selection criteria were included in the study after an informed consent. Data were collected by personal interviews and information regarding their timing of initiation of therapy and reasons behind delay in treatment were noted in a questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0 and cross tabulation was done keeping p-value <0.05 as significant.
 Results: Among 200 study participants, mean age was 26.5 ± 5.68 years including 126 (63%) males and 74 (27%) females. About 34 (17%) of patients were found to have a delay in initiation of treatment for more than 6 months. Patients reported multiple reasons behind the delay in initiation of treatment the most frequent was being in denial in which they did not believe the test results 32 (94%) followed by difficulty in accessing health care 28 (82.3%). Age was found to be significantly related with delay (p= <0.001) while relationship of gender with delay in treatment was found to be insignificant.
 Conclusion: It can be concluded that a considerable proportion of patients diagnosed with HIV delay their treatment because of lack of acceptance of results or access to health care. Proper educational session of these patients along with increasing the accessibility to health care facilities can result in timely management and better outcomes in these patients.

Traditional & Kampo MedicineVolume 9, Issue 2 p. 142-143 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Clinical practice and safety of acupuncture in the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons for the next pandemic — have there been any changes in the empirical knowledge of acupuncturists and physicians practicing traditional medicine since the outbreak of COVID-19? “1st International Symposium on Kampo Medicine” Shoko Masuyama, Corresponding Author Shoko Masuyama masuyama@morinomiya-u.ac.jp orcid.org/0000-0003-4273-331X Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences, Osaka, Japan Correspondence Shoko Masuyama, Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences, 1-26-16 Nankokita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka 559-8611, Japan. Email: masuyama@morinomiya-u.ac.jpSearch for more papers by this authorAtsuko Fritz, Atsuko Fritz Acupuncture & Kampo Clinic, London, UKSearch for more papers by this authorSetsuko Pitschmann, Setsuko Pitschmann Naturheilpraxis Setsuko Pitschmann, Aspach, Baden-Württemberg, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorHideko Pelzer, Hideko Pelzer Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley (AIMC), Berkeley, California, USASearch for more papers by this authorJun-Yong Choi, Jun-Yong Choi Korean Medicine Hospital of Pusan National University, Kumjeong-ku, Yangsan-si, South KoreaSearch for more papers by this author Shoko Masuyama, Corresponding Author Shoko Masuyama masuyama@morinomiya-u.ac.jp orcid.org/0000-0003-4273-331X Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences, Osaka, Japan Correspondence Shoko Masuyama, Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences, 1-26-16 Nankokita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka 559-8611, Japan. Email: masuyama@morinomiya-u.ac.jpSearch for more papers by this authorAtsuko Fritz, Atsuko Fritz Acupuncture & Kampo Clinic, London, UKSearch for more papers by this authorSetsuko Pitschmann, Setsuko Pitschmann Naturheilpraxis Setsuko Pitschmann, Aspach, Baden-Württemberg, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorHideko Pelzer, Hideko Pelzer Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley (AIMC), Berkeley, California, USASearch for more papers by this authorJun-Yong Choi, Jun-Yong Choi Korean Medicine Hospital of Pusan National University, Kumjeong-ku, Yangsan-si, South KoreaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 11 August 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/tkm2.1337Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume9, Issue2August 2022Pages 142-143 RelatedInformation

While plant–animal interactions occur fundamentally at the individual level, the bulk of research examining the mechanisms that drive interaction patterns has focused on species or population levels. In seed‐dispersal mutualisms between frugivores and plants, little is known about the role of space and individual‐level variation among plants in structuring patterns of frugivory and seed dispersal in a plant community. Here we use a zoocentric approach to examine how space and variation between individual plants affect movement and visitation by frugivores foraging on individual fruiting plants. To do this, we used a spatially explicit network approach informed by observations of the movement and foraging of a frugivorous lemur species Eulemur rubriventer among individual plants in a diverse plant community in Madagascar. The resulting hierarchical networks show a few individual plants receiving the bulk of the interactions, demonstrating that a generalist frugivore species could act as an individual‐plant specialist within a plant community. The few individual plants that dominated interactions with lemurs shaped the modular spatial structure of frugivory interactions in the community and facilitated visitation to near neighbors. This interaction structure was primarily driven by extrinsic factors, as lemur movements among plants were significantly influenced by the individual plant's spatial position and the fruiting plant richness in its immediate neighborhood. Individual plants in central spatial locations with large fruit crops received the most visits. The observed inequality in the interactions of a generalist frugivore within a highly diverse plant community highlights the importance of considering individual‐level variation for essential ecosystem processes such as seed dispersal.

The brain’s capacity to respond to changing environments via hormonal signaling is critical to fine-tuned function. An emerging body of literature highlights a role for myelin plasticity as a prominent type of experience-dependent plasticity in the adult brain. Myelin plasticity is driven by oligodendrocytes (OLs) and their precursor cells (OPCs). OPC differentiation regulates the trajectory of myelin production throughout development, and importantly, OPCs maintain the ability to proliferate and generate new OLs throughout adulthood. The process of oligodendrogenesis (OLgenesis), the creation of new OLs, can be dramatically influenced during early development and in adulthood by internal and environmental conditions such as hormones. Here, we review the current literature describing hormonal regulation of OLgenesis within physiological conditions, focusing on several classes of hormones: steroid, peptide, and thyroid hormones. We discuss hormonal regulation at each stage of OLgenesis and describe mechanisms of action, where known. Overall, the majority of hormones enhance OLgenesis, increasing OPC differentiation and inducing maturation and myelin production in OLs. The mechanisms underlying these processes vary for each hormone but may ultimately converge upon common signaling pathways, mediated by specific receptors expressed across the OL lineage. However, not all of the mechanisms have been fully elucidated, and here, we note the remaining gaps in the literature, including the complex interactions between hormonal systems and with the immune system. In the companion manuscript in this issue [1], we discuss the implications of hormonal regulation of OLgenesis for neurological and psychiatric disorders characterized by white matter loss. Ultimately, a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of hormonal regulation of OLgenesis across the entire lifespan, especially in vivo, will progress both basic and translational research.

The availability of sufficient and diverse resources across time is important for maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In this study, we examine the potential for variation in environmental conditions across topographic gradients to extend floral resource timing. Flowering time on a landscape may vary across topography due to differences in abiotic factors, species turnover, or genotypic differences. However, the extent to which this variation in phenology affects overall flowering duration on a landscape, and the components of diversity that influence flowering duration, are unexplored. We investigate whether differences in flowering time due to topography yield an overall extension in duration of flowering resources in a northern California grassland. We recorded flowering time of pollinator resource species across four successive spring growing seasons (2015–2018) on paired north and south aspects. Flowering time differences were evaluated both at the community level and within species present on both paired aspects. The role of plasticity was examined in an experimental case study using genotypes of Lasthenia gracilis. We found that aspect is a strong determinant of phenology, with earlier flowering on warmer south‐facing slopes. Aspect differences resulted in complementarity in timing of flowering resources across sites, as aspects that started flowering earlier also ended earlier. Complementarity between north and south aspects served to extend the flowering time of pollinator resources by an average of 4–8 days (8%–15%), depending on the year. This extension can be attributed to both within‐species responses to aspect differences and species turnover. Flowering of L. gracilis genotypes was distinct across aspects, demonstrating that plasticity can drive the extension of flowering duration. Our findings indicate that heterogeneous topography can extend overall flowering time of pollinator resources, which may support pollinator biodiversity. Extension was most pronounced at the community level, which incorporates species turnover as well as plastic and genotypic differences within species.