Given increasing forest disturbances, novel solutions are needed to rapidly recover ecosystem services such as carbon storage, while bolstering climate change adaptation. Reforestation with single-species mixed-provenance plantings is an emerging strategy that may enhance stand productivity and disturbance resistance, while assisted gene flow is a potentially powerful tool for matching seed-source with future planting-site climate. We investigated the potential of mixed-provenance plantings and assisted gene flow for maximizing early growth using a historical dataset for knobcone-Monterey pine (Pinus x attenuradiata), a fire-resilient hybrid developed for low-elevation sites in California, USA. We examined (1) 9-year individual-tree relative growth rate (RGR) in response to neighborhood seed-parent provenance diversity at two test sites and (2) 3-year RGR and survival as functions of parent seed-source climate at 4 test sites. We found 9-year RGR varied with seed provenance diversity, with 3 of 5 provenances showing a positive RGR-diversity relationship. Parent seed-source climate affected 3-year RGR but not survival. Closer climate matches in terms of precipitation as snow (PAS) showed fastest growth. Our results suggest careful selection and arrangement of genetically diverse stock may improve carbon sequestration and initial planting success in a hybrid conifer, with implications for reforestation under climate change and reburn risk.

The harsh inflammatory environment associated with injured and arthritic joints represents a major challenge to articular cartilage repair. In this study, we report the effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles, or nanoceria, in modulating development of engineered cartilage and in combating the deleterious effects of interleukin-1α. Nanoceria was found to be biocompatible with bovine chondrocytes up to a concentration of 1000 μg/mL (60,000 cells/μg of nanoceria), and its presence significantly improved compressive mechanical properties and biochemical composition (i.e., glycosaminoglycans) of engineered cartilage. Raman microspectroscopy revealed that individual chondrocytes with internalized nanoceria have increased concentrations of proline, procollagen, and glycogen as compared with cells without the nanoparticles in their vicinity. The inflammatory response due to physiologically relevant quantities of interluekin-1α (0.5 ng/mL) is partially inhibited by nanoceria. To the best of the authors' knowledge, these results are the first to demonstrate a high potential for nanoceria to improve articular cartilage tissue properties and for their long-term treatment against an inflammatory reaction.

BACKGROUND: The use of a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in patients with advanced heart failure refractory to optimal medical management has progressed steadily over the past two decades. Data have demonstrated reduced LVAD efficacy, worse clinical outcome, and higher mortality for patients who experience significant ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA). We hypothesize that a novel prophylactic intra-operative VTA ablation protocol at the time of LVAD implantation may reduce the recurrent VTA and adverse events postimplant. METHODS: We designed a prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized-controlled clinical trial enrolling 100 patients who are LVAD candidates with a history of VTA in the previous 5 years. Enrolled patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to intra-operative VTA ablation (n = 50) versus conventional medical management (n = 50) with LVAD implant. Arrhythmia outcomes data will be captured by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to monitor VTA events, with a uniform ICD programming protocol. Patients will be followed prospectively over a mean of 18 months (with a minimum of 9 months) after LVAD implantation to evaluate recurrent VTA, adverse events, and procedural outcomes. Secondary endpoints include right heart function/hemodynamics, healthcare utilization, and quality of life. CONCLUSION: The primary aim of this first-ever randomized trial is to assess the efficacy of intra-operative ablation during LVAD surgery in reducing VTA recurrence and improving clinical outcomes for patients with a history of VTA.