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The Weddell Sea is susceptible to the ongoing climate change and experiences a reduction in an overall increase in the sea-ice extent (SIE). The nature of sea-ice in the Weddell Sea is largely associated with its geographical setup that determines the seasonal and decadal sea-ice variability. The study analysed long-term sea ice-ocean-atmosphere variability and trends (1979-2019) based on satellite and reanalysis measurements. The result shows the expansion of yearly SIE is 2.5 ± 3.5 × 103 km2 yr−1 with a significant increase in the austral summer (12.4 ± 4.6 × 103 km2 yr−1), whereas a decrease in the spring SIE (−4.8 ± 5.0 × 103 km2 yr−1) over the last four decades. Seasonal sea-ice concentration (SIC) variations in the Weddell Sea are associated with latitudinal thermal differences and westerlies intensification, culminating in the weakening or strengthening of the Weddell Gyre. The SIC recorded significant positive trends in the western and eastern parts of the Weddell Sea during the austral summer and autumn, respectively. These changes are consistent with the prevailing wind patterns and Weddell Gyre intensification in the respective seasons. During the austral winter and spring, significant negative SIC trends (north of 65° S) were recorded due to the easterlies intensification and weakening of the Weddell Gyre. While, the significant positive trends observed along the coast are linked with the easterlies intensification and sea-ice advection. Composite analysis reveals that the SIC variability is related to the sea surface temperature (SST) during austral summer and spring, whereas SST and net heat flux both regulate the SIC in the Weddell Sea during the austral winter and autumn. The positive Southern Annular Mode is associated with an increase in sea-ice during austral summer, while sea-ice decreases during the winter in the Weddell Sea. The present study reveals a strong relationship between the sea-ice variability and ocean-atmospheric forcings, but these relationships are not constant over time; therefore, continuous monitoring is required.

The 2023 Antarctic sea ice extent (SIE) maximum on 7 September was the lowest annual maximum in the satellite era (16.98 × 106 km2), with the largest contributions to the anomaly coming from the Ross (37.7%, −0.57 × 106 km2) and Weddell (32.9%, −0.49 × 106 km2) Seas. The SIE was low due to anomalously warm (>0.3°C) upper‐ocean temperatures combined with anomalously strong northerly winds impeding the ice advance during the fall and winter. Northerly winds of >12 ms−1 in the Weddell Sea occurred because of negative pressure anomalies over the Antarctic Peninsula, while those in the Ross Sea were associated with extreme blocking episodes off the Ross Ice Shelf. The Ross Sea experienced an unprecedented SIE decrease of −1.08 × 103 km2 d−1 from 1 June till the annual maximum. The passage of quasi‐stationary and explosive polar cyclones contributed to periods of southward ice‐edge shift in both sectors. Plain Language Summary Sea ice provides a vital habitat for life in the Southern Ocean, and plays an important role in the ocean circulation, the dynamics of the Earth's climate, the biogeochemical cycle, and the regional ecosystem. Climatologically, Antarctic sea ice expands northwards from the continent each autumn and winter. However, in 2023 an unprecedented slow ice expansion occurred in the Southern Ocean ahead of the annual maximum on 7 September of 16.98 × 106 km2, which was 1.46 × 106 km2 below the long‐term average. In fact, the area covered by ice remained at a record low level every day from 21 April 2023 until 11 November 2023. Our findings suggest that an impact of upper‐ocean warming and changes in winds, combined with heat and moisture fluxes, extreme winds and high ocean waves associated with polar cyclones (storms), contributed to these record low ice conditions. In particular, cyclones caused episodes of exceptional slow ice expansion or even retreat, leading to negative ice anomalies. For instance, the ice‐edge in the Weddell Sea was moved southwards quickly in a few days (up to 256 km southward) with an ice area loss of ∼2.3 × 105 km2, equivalent to the size of United Kingdom. Key Points The 2023 Antarctic sea ice extent maximum on 7 September (16.98 × 106 km2) was the lowest annual maximum in the satellite era Anomalous upper‐ocean warming and strong northerly winds contributed to impeding the ice expansion in the Ross and Weddell Seas Quasi‐stationary and explosive polar cyclones contributed to periods of southward ice‐edge shift in both sectors

Historically, cannabis has been valued for its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and calming properties. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese medicines recognized their therapeutic potential. The discovery of the endocannabinoid system, which interacts with cannabis phytoconstituents, has scientifically explained how cannabis affects the human immune system, including the central nervous system (CNS). This review explores the evolving world of cannabis-based treatments, spotlighting its diverse applications. By researching current research and clinical studies, we probe into how cannabinoids like Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) help to manage conditions ranging from chronic pain, persistent inflammation, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and neurological disorders to even viral diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), SARS-CoV-2. and the emerging monkeypox. The long-term recreational use of cannabis can develop into cannabis use disorder (CUD), and therefore, understanding the factors contributing to the development and maintenance of cannabis addiction, including genetic predisposition, neurobiological mechanisms, and environmental influences, will be timely. Shedding light on the adverse impacts of CUD underscores the importance of early intervention, effective treatment approaches, and public health initiatives to address this complex issue in an evolving landscape of cannabis policies and perceptions.

Coastal lakes in Antarctica provide exceptional archives of past climatic and environmental change. Their evolution is closely linked to variations in relative sea level (RSL) driven by deglaciation, making them ideal natural laboratories for investigating marine-lacustrine transitions and reconstructing ancient sea levels. This study presents a high-resolution reconstruction of mid- to late-Holocene paleoenvironmental changes from Heart Lake, a low-elevation coastal lake in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. Multiple proxies, including diatom assemblages, environmental magnetic parameters, geochemical indicators, and sedimentological features, were employed to decipher the regional paleoclimate and environmental history. The lake existed as a submarine basin from approximately 6.37 to 3.07 cal ka BP. Around 4.3 cal ka BP, increasing chemical weathering indices suggest a trend toward warmer conditions in the lake. The first appearance of lacustrine diatoms around 3.07 cal ka BP marks the onset of environmental transition within the basin. By ~ 1.75 cal ka BP, the lake had become an isolated freshwater system. This shift from a marine to a lacustrine environment was likely driven by a post-glacial isostatic rebound and the consequent uplift of the land surface.

Research Type: Level 3 - Retrospective cohort study, Case-control study, Meta-analysis of Level 3 studies Introduction/Purpose: Medial wall blowout (MWB) fractures of the ankle have not previously been described in the literature. Our aim in this study was to analyse the morphology of medial wall blowout fractures and their radiological outcomes. Methods: This was a multicentre historic cohort study. The MWB fracture fragments were characterised into four groups. A type 1A fracture was described as an anteromedial column fragmentation. Type 1B fractures consisted of posteromedial column fragmentation. Type 2 fracture consisted of both column wall fragmentation and type 3, any medial wall fragmentation with medial joint impaction. Results: A total of 2,304 patients were screened, with 196 meeting inclusion criteria. There were 95 type 1A (48.5%), 31 type 1B (15.8%), 40 type 2 (20.4%), and 30 type 3 fractures (15.3%). MWB fractures were most associated with pronation external rotation (PER) mechanisms, except type 2, which occurred more with supination external rotation (SER). Posterior malleolar fractures (PMF) were present in 82.4% of MWB cases. Tibialis posterior tendon entrapment was seen in 47.34% of cases, most commonly in type 2 fractures. The overall malreduction rate was 11.8%, highest in type 1B fractures (22.6%, p=.041). On multivariable analysis, only tibialis posterior tendon entrapment remained significantly associated with malreduction (p=.015, OR 5.91). Conclusion: The MWB fractures are an under investigated subtype of ankle fractures. Classifying the fractures by morphology has shown specific associations, with an increase in rate of malunion in type 1B fractures. The tibialis posterior tendon needs specific attention with these fracture types, especially the type 2 fractures, as there is a statistical increase in malunion

Metal contamination in the Arctic region has increased over the years despite its remote and isolated location. Thus, to evaluate the bioavailable fractions of various metals and their effects on sediment-associated biota, the surface sediments from the fjords were analyzed for bulk concentration of metals and their speciation in different fractions. Metals concentrations were higher in the inner fjord region and decreased towards the outer fjord, supported by the terrigenous influence (TI%) calculated. Cr and Pb showed higher excess values attributed to their additional source other than the catchment rocks. So, to assess the metal-related ecological risk, the bulk concentration of metals was compared with Arctic sediment quality guidelines (ASQGs). Cr, Cd, and Pb concentrations were high, indicating potential adverse biological effects in the study. To avoid the risk of overestimation, metal speciation was conducted, showing that overall metal concentrations were higher in the residual fraction; however, higher concentrations of Mn in labile phases pose a moderate risk to the sediment-associated biota. Additionally, the population density of foraminifera in the sediments was calculated to assess the influence of bioavailable metal on benthic foraminifera. It was found that the presence of metals in bioavailable fractions affected the abundance of the foraminifera. However, no morphological abnormalities were observed in the species.

An objective of the study is to get new biogeographic information on the modern polycystine radiolarians from the high-latitude North Atlantic. The quantitative radiolarian dataset was compiled from publications and own micropaleontological counts from samples of the bottom surface sediments of the North Atlantic north of 40°N and Nordic Seas. Standard statistical treatment of micropaleontological data by factor analysis reveals five radiolarian assemblages which have their highest load at the specific temperature range in agreement with the oceanographic setting. An occurrence of radiolarian assemblages reflects extension and interaction of the warm North Atlantic and cold Polar/Arctic waters. Radiolarian distribution exhibits good correlation with the climatically averaged summer sea temperature on depth level of 200 m.

Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), previously classified as environmental microbes, have emerged as opportunistic pathogens causing pulmonary infections in immunocompromised hosts. The formation of the biofilm empowers NTM pathogens to escape from the immune response and antibiotic action, leading to treatment failures. NF1001 is a novel thiopeptide antibiotic first-in-class compound with potent activity against planktonic/replicating and biofilm forms of various NTM species. It is potent against both drug-sensitive and -resistant NTM. It has demonstrated a concentration-dependent killing of replicating and intracellularly growing NTM, and has inhibited and reduced the viability of NTM in biofilms. Combination studies using standard-of-care (SoC) drugs for NTM exhibited synergetic/additive effects, but no antagonism against both planktonic and biofilm populations of Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium avium. In summary, the activity of NF1001 alone or in combination with SoC drugs projects NF1001 as a promising candidate for the treatment of difficult-to-treat NTM pulmonary diseases (NTM-PD) and cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients.

The sense of body ownership can be easily disrupted during illusions and the most common illusion is the rubber hand illusion. An idea that is rapidly gaining popularity in clinical pain medicine is that body ownership illusions can be used to modify pathological pain sensations and induce analgesia. However, this idea has not been empirically evaluated. Two separate research laboratories undertook independent randomized repeated measures experiments, both designed to detect an effect of the rubber hand illusion on experimentally induced hand pain. In Experiment 1, 16 healthy volunteers rated the pain evoked by noxious heat stimuli (5 s duration; interstimulus interval 25 s) of set temperatures (47°, 48° and 49°C) during the rubber hand illusion or during a control condition. There was a main effect of stimulus temperature on pain ratings, but no main effect of condition (p = 0.32), nor a condition x temperature interaction (p = 0.31). In Experiment 2, 20 healthy volunteers underwent quantitative sensory testing to determine heat and cold pain thresholds during the rubber hand illusion or during a control condition. Secondary analyses involved heat and cold detection thresholds and paradoxical heat sensations. Again, there was no main effect of condition on heat pain threshold (p = 0.17), nor on cold pain threshold (p = 0.65), nor on any of the secondary measures (p<0.56 for all). We conclude that the rubber hand illusion does not induce analgesia.

Movement protein (MP) of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) belongs to “30 K” superfamily of proteins and members of this family are known to show a wide array of functions. In the present study this gene was found to be genetically unstable in E. coli when transformed DH5α cells were grown at 28 °C and 37 °C. However, genetic instability was not encountered at 20 °C. Heterologous over expression failed despite the use of different transcriptional promoters and translational fusion constructs. Total cell lysate when subjected to western blotting using anti-ACLSV MP antibodies, showed degradation/cleavage of the expressed full-length protein. This degradation pointed at severe proteolysis or instability of the corresponding mRNA. Predicted secondary structure analysis of the transcript revealed a potential cleavage site for an endoribonuclease (RNase E) of E. coli . The negating effect of RNase E on transcript stability and expression was confirmed by northern blotting and quantitative RT-PCR of the RNA extracted from RNase E temperature sensitive mutant (strain N3431). The five fold accumulation of transcripts at non-permissive temperature (43 °C) suggests the direct role of RNase E in regulating the expression of ACLSV MP in E. coli .