Mesophyll conductance (gm) limits CO2 diffusion from sub-stomatal internal cavities to the sites of RuBP carboxylation. However, the response of gm to light intensity remains controversial. Furthermore, little is known about the light response of relative mesophyll conductance limitation (lm) and its effect on photosynthesis. In this study, we measured chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange in nine evergreen sclerophyllous Rhododendron species. gm was maintained stable across light intensities from 300 to 1500 μmol photons m-2 s-1 in all these species, indicating that gm did not respond to the change in illumination in them. With an increase in light intensity, lm gradually increased, making gm the major limiting factor for area-based photosynthesis (AN) under saturating light. A strong negative relationship between lm and AN was found at 300 μmol photons m-2 s-1 but disappeared at 1500 μmol photons m-2 s-1, suggesting an important role for lm in determining AN at sub-saturating light. Furthermore, the light-dependent increase in lm led to a decrease in chloroplast CO2 concentration (Cc), inducing the gradual increase of photorespiration. A higher lm under saturating light made AN more limited by RuBP carboxylation. These results indicate that the light response of lm plays significant roles in determining Cc, photorespiration, and the rate-limiting step of AN.

Children with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus (SB&/H) often experience difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs) due to impaired executive functioning, increasing sedentary behaviours. The HeyJoy Octopus watch, a child-friendly icon-based smartwatch could be used as an enabler to promote purposeful ADLs (i.e., goal-orientated ADLs).

to investigate the effectiveness of the Octopus watch in promoting purposeful ADLs for children living with SB&/H (<8 years).

Mixed-methods engaging parents and children in four phases (1) Administered demographic questionnaire, semi-structured interview, childhood executive functioning inventory (CHEXI) and the Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM); focus group one introducing the study, information pack using smartwatch and photovoice data collection methods. (2) Measured baseline movement for four days with smartwatch without using functions. (3) Measured activity for 16-days while using the smartwatch. (4) Re-administered assessments and conducted a second focus group based on photovoice narratives.

movement data recorded for four participants, three of four showed mean activity increase (36%). N-of-1 analyses found one participant showed clear improvement (

= 0.021,

= 0.28). Mean inhibition decreased by 16.4%, and mean change in COPM performance and satisfaction scores were 2.1 and 2.4, respectively. The photovoice narrative focus group supports findings evidenced with improved daily routines.

The Octopus watch is an innovative early intervention that can promote purposeful ADLs, fostering family resilience by enhancing occupational engagement. Further research is required.

The Octopus watch is an innovative early intervention that can promote purposeful ADLs, fostering family resilience by enhancing occupational engagement. Further research is required.Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease of high complexity and of multifactorial origin. Understanding the effects of nutrition on childhood obesity metabolism remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid (FA) profile of red blood cell (RBC) membranes as a comprehensive biomarker of children’s obesity metabolism, together with the evaluation of their dietary intake. An observational study was carried out on 209 children (107 healthy controls, 41 who were overweight and 61 with obesity) between 6 and 16 years of age. Mature RBC membrane phospholipids were analyzed for FA composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Dietary habits were evaluated using validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children (KIDMED) test. Compared to children with normal weight, children with obesity showed an inflammatory profile in mature RBC FAs, evidenced by higher levels of ω-6 polyunsaturated FAs (mainly arachidonic acid, p less then 0.001). Children who were overweight or obese presented lower levels of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) compared to children with normal weight (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively), resulting in an increased saturated fatty acid (SFA)/MUFA ratio. A lower intake of nuts was observed for children with obesity. A comprehensive membrane lipidomic profile approach in children with obesity will contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic differences present in these individuals.High-porosity monolithic composite aerogels of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) containing reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) were prepared and characterized. The composite aerogels obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) extraction of sPS/r-GO and PPO/r-GO gels were characterized by a fibrillar morphology, which ensured good handling properties. The polymer nanoporous crystalline phases obtained within the aerogels led to high surface areas with values up to 440 m2 g-1. The role of r-GO in aerogels was studied in terms of catalytic activity by exploring the oxidation capacity of composite PPO and sPS aerogels toward benzyl alcohol in diluted aqueous solutions. The results showed that, unlike sPS/r-GO aerogels, PPO/r-GO aerogels were capable of absorbing benzyl alcohol from the diluted solutions, and that oxidation of c.a. 50% of the sorbed benzyl alcohol molecules into benzoic acid occurred.Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF/KLF1) was identified initially as a critical erythroid-specific transcription factor and was later found to be also expressed in other types of hematopoietic cells, including megakaryocytes and several progenitors. In this study, we have examined the regulatory effects of EKLF on hematopoiesis by comparative analysis of E14.5 fetal livers from wild-type and Eklf gene knockout (KO) mouse embryos. Depletion of EKLF expression greatly changes the populations of different types of hematopoietic cells, including, unexpectedly, the long-term hematopoietic stem cells Flk2- CD34- Lin- Sca1+ c-Kit+ (LSK)-HSC. In an interesting correlation, Eklf is expressed at a relatively high level in multipotent progenitor (MPP). Furthermore, EKLF appears to repress the expression of the colony-stimulating factor 2 receptor β subunit (CSF2RB). Ruboxistaurin nmr As a result, Flk2- CD34- LSK-HSC gains increased differentiation capability upon depletion of EKLF, as demonstrated by the methylcellulose colony formation assay and by serial transplantation experiments in vivo.