Flowers occupy color‐space extremes: an anthocyanin‐derived theoretical floral color‐space approach

Abstract Premise Floral color is a stunning, complex trait that has long served as a model for connecting genetics, development, evolution, and ecology. Nevertheless, few mechanistic models relate flower color to the pigments that produce variation, nor has there been much exploration into theoretically possible flower color variation. Here we explored these topics using an anthocyanin‐derived theoretical color‐space approach. Methods We characterized flower color, floral anthocyanin concentrations, evolutionary history, and biogeography for 51 species of neotropical Ruellia to compare extant color diversity to an anthocyanin‐derived theoretical color space and analyzed potential drivers of variation. To build the color space, we utilized reflectance spectrometry, HPLC, double‐digest restriction‐site‐associated next‐generation sequencing, and an extensive data set of Ruellia occurrences. Results An anthocyanin floral color model predicted a significant portion of the observed variation in reflectance spectra. Flowers spanned most of the theoretically possible color space, but with phenotypes clustered at the extreme edges of the space. Species of Ruellia exhibited less biochemical constraint than other well‐studied lineages, commonly producing three or more types of anthocyanins (39%), but still showed evidence of constraint. Shared evolutionary history and biogeographical overlap were not strong predictors of color disparity between species pairs. Conclusions Anthocyanins were primary predictors of flower color in Ruellia , but a significant portion of variation remained unexplained by our model, implicating additional mechanisms (e.g., co‐pigmentation and pH) underlying flower color. Modeling color space provided a powerful framework for quantifying evolutionary constraints, offering insights into the mechanisms shaping phenotypic diversity.

Spring ephemeral Erythronium umbilicatum may not be vulnerable to phenological mismatch with overstory trees

Abstract Premise The defining life history strategy of spring ephemeral wildflowers is their avoidance of shading by trees during the brief, high‐light period before canopy leaf out. Studies suggest that spring ephemerals will experience increased light competition because canopy leaf out is more sensitive to warming than is the phenology of spring ephemerals. However, it remains unclear how longer durations of shade will alter the population dynamics of spring ephemerals and whether all populations are at risk. Methods We experimentally shaded Erythronium umbilicatum for one to six additional weeks before canopy leaf out to test for immediate and lagged effects of early shading on the timing of senescence and the probability of survival and flowering. To predict the potential for earlier shading, we combined long‐term time series of spring air temperature, remotely sensed tree leaf out, and E. umbilicatum flowering phenology in North Carolina, United States. Results Early shading did not alter E. umbilicatum until the following year, when more‐shaded plants senesced later. Year‐to‐year survival did not change, and the probability of flowering was reduced only when plants experienced extremely early shading. Moreover, E. umbilicatum phenology was more sensitive than tree leaf out to warming temperatures. We project that, under climate warming, E. umbilicatum is unlikely to experience shortened periods of high light. Conclusions Our findings show that a plant species’ defining life history strategy does not necessarily predict their sensitivity to phenological mismatches. This incongruity complicates, but also underscores the importance of identifying the most vulnerable species and directing our research efforts accordingly.

Erythropoietin Expression and Regulation: Piecing Together Known Mechanisms and Emerging Insights

ABSTRACT Erythropoietin (EPO) is a circulating glycoprotein hormone essential for red blood cell production. The history of EPO stretches from early observations of hypoxia in the mid‐19th century to its gene cloning and the clinical use of recombinant forms. Structurally, EPO's extensive glycosylation shapes stability, receptor binding, and therapeutic potential, inspiring engineered analogs with distinct pharmacokinetics. Developmentally, EPO expression shifts from embryonic neural crest and fetal hepatocytes to renal interstitial fibroblasts after birth. EPO gene regulation integrates hypoxia‐inducible factors, transcriptional repressors, enhancers, with HIF‐2α as the principal activator, and post‐translational mechanisms. Recent findings reveal genetic variants within the EPO gene in patients with erythrocytosis. Isoelectric focusing profiles of EPO in these patients was similar to the hepatic‐derived EPO profiles in premature newborns, highlighting a dynamic and context‐dependent regulation. These findings suggest that reactivation of EPO expression in the liver could be therapeutically valuable, given that hepatic‐derived EPO exhibits enhanced activity. Clinically, erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents transformed anemia management but raised safety concerns, leading to refined guidelines. The recent introduction of hypoxia‐inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors represents a new strategy that restores endogenous EPO production and coordinates iron metabolism through transient HIF stabilization. Outstanding challenges include the absence of faithful human EPO‐producing cell models and incomplete understanding of the full molecular mechanisms controlling EPO expression and production. Combining insights from developmental biology, genetics, and epigenomics may open new avenues for therapies targeting disorders of erythropoiesis and oxygen homeostasis.

Incidence, Characteristics, and Management of Venous Thrombosis in Adult Patients With Immune Thrombocytopenia: Results From the Multicenter, Prospective Registry CARMEN‐France

ABSTRACT Adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have an increased risk of venous thrombosis as compared to the general population. The management of ITP in the context of anticoagulation is challenging. We conducted an observational study in the prospective, multicenter, national CARMEN‐France registry. Adult patients with newly diagnosed ITP between June 2013 and May 2022 were selected. We assessed the cumulative incidence of venous thrombosis during follow‐up with death as a competing event, described these events, and assessed patient outcomes depending on management strategies, with a focus on thromboses that occurred during treatment with thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO‐RA). Among the 1303 patients selected for this study, 53 experienced venous thrombosis. The cumulative incidence of venous thrombosis was 2.6% (95% CI: 1.8–3.7) at 1 year and 8.6% (95% CI: 5.8–12.0) at 5 years. In patients exposed to TPO‐RA, the cumulative incidence was 9.3% (95% CI: 6.2–13.2) and 13.4% (95% CI: 8.6–19.2) at 1 and 5 years of exposure, respectively. Patients who experienced thrombosis were older, had more frequently a history of venous thrombosis and secondary ITP, a more severe ITP, and were more frequently treated with TPO‐RAs. Twenty (37.7%) of the 53 events were atypical, including five cerebral venous thromboses. Four patients died, and seven experienced major bleeding. The analysis of different managements of ITP after the thrombotic event suggested that the safest strategy was to promptly control ITP to enable early anticoagulation, including using TPO‐RAs. Long‐term anticoagulation therapy should be considered in patients treated with TPO‐RAs and persistent risk factors for thrombosis.

Genetic and Phenotypic Associations of the Polygenic Score of Delay Discounting and Life History Traits

ABSTRACT Objectives Delay discounting reflects individual differences in future orientation and impulsivity and may relate to life‐history strategies. Because delay discounting has a substantial genetic basis, we investigated whether the polygenic score (PGS) for delay discounting is associated with genetic predispositions for key life‐history traits—education, age at first birth, and number of children—and whether these relationships are reflected phenotypically. Methods We used data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, including 2713 men and 2980 women of European ancestry with available genetic data. Linear regressions examined associations between the delay‐discounting PGS and PGSs for educational attainment, age at first birth, and number of children. Parallel models assessed phenotypic associations with years of postsecondary education, age at first birth, and number of children. All models controlled for birth year and the first 10 genomic principal components. Results In both sexes, the delay‐discounting PGS was strongly negatively associated with the PGSs for educational attainment and age at first birth, and positively associated with the PGS for number of children. Phenotypic associations were directionally consistent but substantially smaller: higher delay‐discounting PGSs predicted fewer years of education, earlier first birth, and (marginally) more children. Explained variance ranged from approximately 4%–5% for education to 1%–2% for reproductive traits. Conclusion Genetic and phenotypic associations between delay discounting, education, and reproductive timing align with predictions from fast–slow life‐history theory. These findings suggest that behavioral tendencies related to impulsivity and future orientation share molecular genetic foundations with key life‐history traits while leaving substantial scope for environmental influences.

The Shuar Health and Life History Project: Overview at 20 Years and Introduction to the Special Issue

ABSTRACT The Shuar Health and Life History Project (established in 2005) is an interdisciplinary, integrated field and laboratory research project with the Indigenous Shuar population in Amazonian Ecuador. Grounded in human biology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary psychology, evolutionary medicine, and global health, the SHLHP has three key research foci: (1) To identify how market integration (via effects on diet, pathogen exposure, lifestyle, etc.) impacts Shuar health and well‐being; (2) To investigate (using evolutionary life history theory) how lifetime phenotype and health are shaped by adaptive energy allocation between competing life tasks; and (3) To test hypothesized human psychological and demographic adaptations, including aspects of sociality that are central to the evolutionary success of our species. To address these foci, the SHLHP has established long‐term and mutually beneficial relationships with the Shuar and local collaborators, resulting in community‐engaged data collection with more than 3500 participants and a wide range of research publications and policy contributions over the past 20 years. This special issue of the American Journal of Human Biology showcases 10 original SHLHP articles that span much of the project's intellectual breadth and represent important advances for understanding human biology, life history, and health. To serve as an introduction, here we provide essential background on the Shuar and the SHLHP, overview the ten included special issue articles, and discuss key research and impact goals for the next 20 years of the SHLHP.

Reproductive Ecology and Evolutionary Anthropology: Foundations, Unanswered Questions, and Future Directions

ABSTRACT The research field of reproductive ecology continues to be a major contributor to the scientific advancement of evolutionary anthropology and human biology in general. Primary contributions to human evolutionary biology include a greater understanding of the physiological mechanisms that manage lifetime reproductive effort, resource allocation, life history trade‐offs, demographic variation in fertility, the adaptive traits that define humans ( Homo sapiens ), non‐human primates, and our hominid ancestors as well as novel insights into reproductive health challenges such as cancer. Here we present a brief overview of the foundation on which this research path is based, including a summary of current research advances in human reproductive ecology, particularly within the scope of human variation. Future research directions, unanswered questions, and engagement with reproductive health challenges are discussed.

Distinguishing Biological Predisposition From Genetic Nurture in Life History Strategies

Nested Case‐Control Study of Incident Prostate Cancer in Danish Male Military Pilots

ABSTRACT Objectives Pilots may have an increased risk of prostate cancer, potentially linked to circadian rhythm disruptions from crossing time zones, prolonged sedentary work, and ionizing radiation. However, existing research on associations presents inconsistent findings, likely attributable to methodological limitations, such as using the general population as a reference group and reliance on mortality as the primary outcome measure. This study aimed to contribute to understanding of the incidence of prostate cancer in pilots. Methods This nested case‐control study included 54 male prostate cancer cases diagnosed between 1990 and 2003, along with 1126 cancer‐free male controls, selected from a large Danish military population. Comprehensive data on military service, occupational history, exposures, and socioeconomic status (SES) were collected through a structured questionnaire. Among the cases, 7 individuals had previously worked onboard aircraft. Results Adjusted results indicated a positive association between working onboard aircraft and the risk of prostate cancer (OR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.28–9.11). The risk was even more pronounced among individuals working as pilots. Conclusions The findings from this study of Danish military personnel indicate that pilots may have an elevated risk of prostate cancer, even after adjusting for SES. Future large‐scale studies are needed to investigate this association further, incorporating detailed, objective data on exposure factors such as circadian rhythm disruptions and potential confounders.

Chemical Pneumonitis Following Inhalation of Fluoride‐Based Waterproofing Agent: A Case Series

ABSTRACT This study retrospectively analyzed seven cases of acute chemical pneumonitis caused by inhalation of fluoride‐based waterproofing agents, that were admitted to Ningbo Second Hospital in September 2025. We summarize their clinical features, treatment strategies and outcomes. All patients had a clear history of occupational exposure to fluoride‐containing gases. Early manifestations primarily consisted of respiratory irritation symptoms, with one critically‐ill patient progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) complicated by multiple organ failure within 24 h of exposure. Chest CT scans revealed characteristic acute lung injury changes. Case 7 exhibited elevated white blood cell counts, inflammatory markers, and significantly increased blood and urinary fluoride levels. All received comprehensive treatment, with respiratory support and corticosteroids as the core therapy. This case series indicates that this type of poisoning progresses rapidly. Early recognition, stepwise respiratory support based on oxygenation index, and early administration of high‐dose corticosteroids are crucial for improving prognosis. These findings provide a reference for the clinical management of this rare but critical form of toxic lung injury.