Search Results (460)

Background: Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability, affecting over three billion people worldwide. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is among the most feared and uniformly fatal neurodegenerative diseases, with no therapy capable of restoring lost function. Methods: We report the first application of therapeutic fever to ALS using Computerized Brain-Guided Intelligent Thermofebrile Therapy (CBIT²). This fully noninvasive treatment, delivered through an FDA-approved computerized platform, digitally reengineers the 1927 Nobel Prize-recognized malarial fever therapy into a modern treatment guided by the Brain–Eyelid Thermoregulatory Tunnel. CBIT² induces therapeutic fever through synchronized hypothalamic feedback, activating heat shock proteins, which are known to restore proteostasis and neuronal function. Case presentation: A 56-year-old woman was diagnosed with progressive ALS at the Mayo Clinic, with electromyography (EMG) demonstrating fibrillation and fasciculation indicative of denervation corroborated by neurological and MRI findings; the patient was informed that she had an expected survival of three to five years. A neurologist from Northwestern University confirmed the diagnosis and thus maintained the patient on FDA-approved ALS drugs (riluzole and edaravone). Her condition rapidly worsened despite pharmacological treatment, and she underwent CBIT², resulting in (i) electrophysiological reversal with complete disappearance of denervation; (ii) biomarker correction, including reductions in neurofilament and homocysteine, IL-10 normalization (previously linked to mortality), and robust HSP70 induction; (iii) restoration of gait, swallowing, respiration, speech, and cognition; (iv) reconstitution of tongue structure; and (v) return to complex motor tasks, including golf, pickleball, and swimming. Discussion: This case provides the first documented evidence that ALS can be reversed through digitally reengineered fever therapy aligned with thermoregulation, which induces heat shock response and upregulates heat shock proteins, resulting in the patient no longer meeting diagnostic criteria for ALS and discontinuation of ALS-specific medications. Beyond ALS, shared protein-misfolding pathology suggests that CBIT² may extend to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related disorders. By modernizing this Nobel Prize-recognized therapeutic principle with computerized precision, CBIT² establishes a framework for large-scale clinical trials. A century after fever therapy restored lost brain function and so decisively reversed dementia paralytica such that it earned the 1927 Nobel Prize in Medicine, CBIT² now safely harnesses the therapeutic power of fever through noninvasive, intelligent, brain-guided thermal modulation. Amid a global brain health crisis, fever-based therapies may offer a path to preserve thought, memory, movement, and independence for the more than one-third of humanity currently affected by neurological disorders. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of limestone particle size and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation on performance, egg quality, digestive organ biometrics, bone characteristics, thermoregulatory responses, and behavior of brown laying hens reared under hot environmental conditions. The trial lasted five periods of 28 days. A total of 270 Lohmann Brown Lite hens (48 weeks old) were allocated in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement, comprising two limestone particle sizes (MGD 0.568 mm and MGD 1.943 mm) and two supplementation levels of vitamin D (2760 IU and 1380 IU), plus a control diet, totaling five treatments with six replicates each. The dietary treatments were as follows: (1) control diet without vitamin D supplementation; (2) 250 g vitamin D with 100% fine limestone; (3) 125 g vitamin D with 100% fine limestone; (4) 250 g vitamin D with 50% fine + 50% coarse limestone; and (5) 125 g vitamin D with 50% fine + 50% coarse limestone. Productive performance, egg quality, organ biometrics, bone traits, thermoregulatory variables, and behavioral indicators were measured. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by Tukey test (5%), considering the factorial model. There was no interaction between the factors for any parameter evaluated. There was an effect of shift on thermoregulatory variables. The other variables were not influenced by the treatments. These findings indicate that the tested limestone particle sizes can be incorporated in the diets of brown laying hens without affecting performance, egg quality, bone integrity, thermoregulation, or behavior, regardless of vitamin D supplementation, under hot climatic conditions. Full article

In birds, light can penetrate the cranial bones and reach deep brain regions, where non-visual photoreceptors, especially in the hypothalamus, detect spectral and photoperiodic cues. Alongside retinal photoreception, deep-brain light sensing contributes to circadian entrainment and regulates melatonin secretion by the pineal gland. These light-driven pathways modulate endocrine activity, playing a key role in muscle development. This review explores how monochromatic light-emitting diode (LED) illumination, particularly green and blue wavelengths, affects the somatotropic axis (growth hormone-releasing hormone [GHRH]-growth hormone [GH]-insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1]), the gonadal axis (gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH]-luteinizing hormone [LH]/follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]-sex steroids [testosterone, estrogen, progesterone]), the thyroid axis (thyrotropin-releasing hormone [TRH]-thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]-thyroxine [T₄]/triiodothyronine [T₃]), and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (corticotropin-releasing hormone [CRH]-adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH]-corticosterone). Green light enhances early-stage muscle growth via GHRH and IGF-1 upregulation, while blue light supports later myogenic activity and oxidative balance. Light schedules also influence melatonin dynamics, which in turn modulate endocrine axis responsiveness to photic cues. Furthermore, variations in photoperiod and exposure to artificial lights at night (ALAN) affect thyroid activity and HPA axis reactivity, influencing metabolism, thermoregulation, and stress resilience. Together, ocular and intracranial photoreception form a complex network that links environmental light to hormonal regulation and muscle growth. These insights support the strategic use of LED lighting to optimize broiler performance and welfare. Full article

Background: Exposure to heat is a growing health concern in the context of climate change. Older adults (people aged 600 years or older) are particularly vulnerable due to age-related physiological changes that compromise thermoregulation. Objective: To systematically review the evidence on thermoregulatory alterations in older adults exposed to heat and their association with adverse clinical outcomes. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Twenty-four original studies met the inclusion criteria, including experimental studies in controlled environments and epidemiological studies on heat-related outcomes. Data on study characteristics, thermophysiological responses, clinical outcomes, and methodological quality (assessed with JBI tools) were extracted and synthesized. Results: Experimental studies showed that older adults exhibit reduced sweating and cutaneous vasodilation, attenuated cardiovascular and autonomic adjustments, impaired hydration status, and altered thermal perception. These limitations resulted in greater heat storage, faster increases in core temperature, and a higher risk of dehydration and fatigue compared with younger adults. Epidemiological evidence confirmed a significant association between high ambient temperatures and increased hospitalizations and mortality among older populations, particularly at advanced ages, in women, and in those with comorbidities or socioeconomic vulnerability. Conclusions: Heat exposure and climatic conditions—particularly high ambient temperatures, humidity, and poor air quality—reduce thermoregulatory efficiency and increase risks of dehydration, cardiovascular strain, and mortality in older adults. Integrated public health actions addressing both environmental and physiological factors are essential for preventing heat-related illness among older adults. Full article

Great Grey Owl incubation patterns; knowledge of its breeding behaviour is limited. We used video recordings of a captive nesting female at the Poznań Zoological Garden to quantify incubation attentiveness (time on and off eggs) and other behaviours including egg-turning frequency, and the influence of ambient temperature on these behaviours. We also compared these behaviours for an unsuccessful nest (2008) and a partially successful (2009) nest. There were no significant differences between years for incubation duration (number of days) or egg-turning frequency. The female spent more time on eggs for the unsuccessful nest despite the total number of incubation days remaining unchanged. Ambient temperature influenced incubation behaviour, with the female adjusting its attentiveness (time on and off eggs) suggesting active thermoregulation. Our findings indicate that incubation in Great Grey Owls is instinctive and not affected by being held captive. Full article

Training on deep sand is commonly employed in endurance horses, but its physiological adaptation remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to characterize locomotor adaptations during a 7 km controlled-speed canter on deep sand in eighteen endurance horses, to identify heart rate variability (HRV) components, and to investigate changes in hematological variables before and after exercise. Stride frequency (SF) and stride length (SL), HRV, and hematological profiles were recorded during exercise and recovery with a fitness tracker. Associations between maximum speed and locomotor parameters were assessed by linear regression, while Pearson’s correlation assessed HRV relationships, also with physiological parameters. Hematological parameters were assessed with paired t-test before and after training. SL percentage change was the strongest predictor of speed (β = 0.677). HRV analysis revealed delayed parasympathetic reactivation; the parasympathetic recovery index (PNS REC) was correlated with mean RR interval on the ECG (r = 0.968) and heart rate (r = −0.964) during recovery. Post-exercise rectal temperature showed correlations with HRV recovery indices. Hematological evaluation revealed post-exercise increases in red blood cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and corpuscular indices. SL plays a predominant role in achieving higher speeds on deep sand, while PNS REC emerges as a practical and accessible marker of autonomic recovery and fatigue. Horses with enhanced thermoregulation recover better. Hematological results confirm a physiological stress response that may optimize oxygen delivery. Integrating locomotor, cardiovascular, and hematological monitoring may improve management and welfare in endurance training. Full article

Wild potato relatives are vital for breeding programs to tackle rising temperatures. This study proposes a methodological approach based on the examination of genetic variation among 19 accessions belonging to Solanum chacoense and Solanum commersonii from the Embrapa Potato Genebank under heat stress (HS). Heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) was calculated using genotypic values predicted through mixed models. After 15 days of heat stress (DHS), a significant variation in gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence indicates strong breeding potential and photosystem resilience. By 35 DHS, increased pigment variation suggests acclimation. Based on predicted genotypic values, S. chacoense outperforms S. commersonii in tuber production and gas exchange under HS, and principal component analysis (PCA) performed using the HTC shows early resistance driven by photosynthesis, mid-term by tuber yield, and long-term by gas exchange and tuber production. Genotypes BRA00167017-3, BRA00167023-1, BRA00167025-6, and BRA00167028-0 excel in heat comprehensive evaluation values (HCEVs)/comprehensive principal component value (F) rankings, demonstrating robust photosynthesis, thermoregulation, and tuber yield. Cluster analysis identifies these as highly tolerant, ideal for breeding heat-resilient potatoes. These PCA-derived weights and genotype clustering system provide a precise tool for selecting heat-tolerant wild potato germplasm, categorizing them into highly tolerant, moderately tolerant, sensitive with late recovery, and highly sensitive groups acquired for specific objectives of the breeding programs to climate change. Full article

This study investigates the effects of rising temperatures on photosynthetic efficiency and stress tolerance in major Greek grapevine cultivars by using Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot as references. Muscat and Assyrtiko displayed the most heat-tolerant photosynthetic apparatus among the white cultivars, while Mavrodafni was the most heat-tolerant among the red ones, by effectively managing excess light energy. Sauvignon Blanc, although exhibiting heat susceptibility, maintained high photosystem II (PSII) functionality under heat stress by activating photoprotective mechanisms. Savvatiano and Agiorgitiko were more vulnerable to photo-oxidative stress above 35 °C, while Agiorgitiko maintained a functional photosynthetic apparatus, even at 40 °C, by shifting to a more photoprotective strategy. In contrast, Merlot, despite its resistance to photo-oxidative stress, lacked photoprotective investment, resulting in suppressed PSII under heat stress. Moschofilero was the most susceptible cultivar to photo-oxidative stress. Leaf morphological traits also contributed to heat stress tolerance, with smaller, thicker leaves facilitating thermoregulation. The present results provide important insights into specific responses to heat stress of major Greek grapevine cultivars. This knowledge may aid in selecting heat-tolerant genotypes and optimizing vineyard site selection, thereby enhancing the sustainability and climate resilience of viticulture. Full article

Background/Objective: Sleep is a vital determinant of human health, where both its quantity and quality directly impact physical and mental well-being. Thermoregulation plays a pivotal role in sleep quality, as the body’s ability to regulate temperature varies across different sleep stages. This study examines the effects of a novel real-time temperature adjustment (RTA) mattress, which dynamically modulates temperature to align with sleep stage transitions, compared to constant temperature control (CTC). Through polysomnographic (PSG) assessments, this study evaluates how adaptive thermal regulation influences sleep architecture, aiming to identify its potential for optimizing restorative sleep. Methods: A prospective longitudinal cohort study involving 25 participants (13 males and 12 females; mean age: 39.7 years) evaluated sleep quality across three conditions: natural sleep (Control), CTC (33 °C constant mattress temperature), and RTA (temperature dynamically adjusted: 30 °C during REM sleep; 33 °C during non-REM sleep). Each participant completed three polysomnography (PSG) sessions. Sleep metrics, including total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep stage percentages, were assessed. Repeated-measures ANOVA and post hoc analyses were performed. Results: RTA significantly improved sleep quality metrics compared to Control and CTC. TST increased from 356.2 min (Control) to 383.2 min (RTA, p = 0.030), with sleep efficiency rising from 82.8% to 87.3% (p = 0.030). WASO decreased from 58.2 min (Control) and 64.6 min (CTC) to 49.0 min (RTA, p = 0.067). REM latency was notably reduced under RTA (110.4 min) compared to Control (141.8 min, p = 0.002). The REM sleep percentage increased under RTA (20.8%, p = 0.006), with significant subgroup-specific enhancements in males (p = 0.010). Females showed significant increases in deep sleep percentage under RTA (12.3%, p = 0.011). Conclusions: Adaptive thermal regulation enhances sleep quality by aligning mattress temperature with physiological needs during different sleep stages. These findings highlight the potential of RTA as a non-invasive intervention to optimize restorative sleep and promote overall well-being. Further research could explore long-term health benefits and broader applications. Full article

As adults, some newts exhibit a multiphasic lifestyle, switching between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Under laboratory conditions, we provided an experiment to expose newts, which were in their aquatic phase, to air as a surrounding medium. We studied how the body temperature changed when the ambient temperature increased. The thirteen specimens used in the study belonged to two species from the genus Triturus sp.—T. ivanbureschi and T. dobrogicus. For temperature measurements, we used a precise thermometer with a beaded thermocouple and an IR thermal camera. We started the experiment at 17 °C and increased the air temperature by approximately 1 °C every 10 min. The newts were exposed to the air until the first signs of physical exhaustion appeared. An increase of 1 °C in ambient temperature led to an average increase of 0.87 °C in the body temperature of the newts across the four experimental days. The measured body temperature showed a consistent increase during all experimental sessions, but it did not equalize with the environmental temperature. The body temperature in all specimens remained lower by an average of 2.24 (±0.02) °C. Full article

Ambient temperature and thermoregulation influence sleep quality. This study investigated the effects of a temperature-controlled mattress cover on sleep and perceptual outcomes in healthy adults. In a randomised, counterbalanced, crossover design, 34 healthy adults (20 F, 14 M; age, 30 ± 5 y) used a temperature-controlled mattress cover for 14 nights, following ≥3 nights of familiarisation. The temperature feature was on for 7 nights (POD) and off for 7 nights (CON). Sleep was assessed via wrist actigraphy, while heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded by embedded sensors in the mattress cover. Participants completed daily and weekly questionnaires evaluating sleep quality, thermal comfort, and thermal sensation. Linear mixed models showed significant main effects of condition favouring POD over CON for all daily perceived outcomes (all p < 0.05). A large, significant improvement in perceived sleep quality was observed (p = 0.001, d = 0.92). No significant differences were found in objective sleep metrics or biometric measures (all p ≥ 0.05). A temperature-controlled mattress cover was associated with improved subjective sleep quality and thermal-related perceptions despite minimal changes in objective or biometric outcomes, which may in part reflect expectancy, or placebo effects. Further research is needed to explore whether these perceptual benefits lead to physiological improvements over time. Full article

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine—5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter that exerts a remarkably large array of biological roles in the central nervous system and at the body level. It is involved in generating emotions, being a natural mood stabilizer; it reduces depression, anxiety, modulates sleep, and has many other effects. It is also involved in fetal and postnatal brain development. This variety of biological effects, particularly in the central nervous system, with influence on behavior and cognitive functions, relies on a large number of pre- and postsynaptic serotonin receptor (5-HTR) isoforms spread throughout the brain. They can be grouped in seven large families and include over 18 subtypes, identified based on gene sequences, expression patterns, and pharmacological responses. While in vertebrates these receptors have been properly characterized and described, their correspondents in invertebrates have been far less explored, despite the assumption that they may have similar properties to those described in vertebrates. This paper summarizes the current knowledge in several important areas that together define the entire scope of serotonin receptor research, with a particular emphasis on the role of serotonergic central pathways and circuitry in thermoregulation and correlations with neurologic and psychiatric pathology. Full article

Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) play a crucial role in the decomposition process and serve as important forensic indicators due to their predictable colonization patterns. This review focuses on the dynamics of maggot masses, highlighting their ecological roles, thermoregulation, and implications for forensics. We summarize data on the self-organizing behavior of maggot masses, which is influenced by chemical cues and environmental factors. These masses can generate internal temperatures that exceed ambient levels by 10–20 °C, accelerating larval growth and impacting competition among individuals. This localized heating complicates the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI), as traditional models may not take these thermal influences into account. Furthermore, maggot masses contribute significantly to nutrient cycling and soil enrichment, while the behavior of the larvae includes both cooperation and competition, which is influenced by the species composition present. This review highlights challenges in PMI estimation due to heat production but also discusses advancements in molecular tools and thermal modeling that enhance accuracy. Ultimately, we identify knowledge gaps regarding species diversity, microbial interactions, and environmental variability that impact mass dynamics, suggesting future research avenues that could enhance ecological understanding and forensic applications. Full article

Incorporating phase change materials into asphalt concrete and utilizing phase change heat transfer to control the temperature of asphalt pavement can effectively reduce the impact of high temperatures on the durability of asphalt pavement. In this study, microencapsulated composite phase change materials were prepared using calcium alginate and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1500 and mixed into SMA-13 Marshall specimens for indoor high-temperature tests. The test results show that the temperature of the specimen was reduced by about 1.5 °C when the doping amount of the composite phase change material was 2.4% and the oven temperature was 60 °C. In order to further investigate the application of phase change energy storage materials in asphalt pavement structure, this study used Comsol finite element software to simulate the summer temperature field of the asphalt surface layer. A three-layer asphalt pavement model consisting of 4 cm SMA-13, 6 cm AC-20, and 8 cm AC-25 was established to study the effect of phase change materials on the temperature change in the pavement. The results of this study show that adding 2.4% of the composite phase change material to each of the top and middle surface layers kept the temperature of all pavement layers outside of the temperature range in which the asphalt’s dynamic stability plunges. Full article

Skin, the largest organ of the human body, serves as a critical physico-chemical barrier against environmental insults and plays essential roles in hydration, thermoregulation, immune defense, and metabolic functions. Wound healing is a complex, multistage biological process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Hydrogels have emerged as a promising class of wound dressings due to their high moisture retention, biocompatibility, and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix, thereby supporting accelerated healing and controlled drug delivery. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current hydrogel types—classified by origin, crosslinking mechanisms, and responsiveness to stimuli—and evaluates their use in experimental research on in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo wound healing models. Furthermore, clinical applications of hydrogels in wound therapy are discussed. Advances in semisynthetic and stimuli-responsive hydrogels, along with improved testing models, offer enhanced therapeutic potential and underscore the need for continued innovation to optimize wound care outcomes and alleviate healthcare burdens. Full article