Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-02-18DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104432
Helena S. Bayat , Sebastian Prati , Ralf B. Schäfer
Despite widespread popularity throughout the last century, thermal tolerance methods lack a standardized reporting format. A standardized reporting format streamlines the compilation, synthesis, and analysis of physiological measures of thermal tolerance across the literature, enabling large-scale analyses. These analyses are increasingly valuable in the context of accelerating global warming, as they provide the statistical power to address questions on the determinants and implications of thermal tolerance at scale. We fill this gap by providing a brief history of methods used to determine thermal tolerance, describing variables pertinent to each method, and proposing a reporting format for variables associated with each method.
{"title":"Synthesizing evidence to beat the heat: a guideline for thermal tolerance reporting","authors":"Helena S. Bayat , Sebastian Prati , Ralf B. Schäfer","doi":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104432","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104432","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite widespread popularity throughout the last century, thermal tolerance methods lack a standardized reporting format. A standardized reporting format streamlines the compilation, synthesis, and analysis of physiological measures of thermal tolerance across the literature, enabling large-scale analyses. These analyses are increasingly valuable in the context of accelerating global warming, as they provide the statistical power to address questions on the determinants and implications of thermal tolerance at scale. We fill this gap by providing a brief history of methods used to determine thermal tolerance, describing variables pertinent to each method, and proposing a reporting format for variables associated with each method.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17428,"journal":{"name":"Journal of thermal biology","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104432"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146776385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-02-20DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104431
Qingqing Chang , Haiyue Gong , Liying Pan , Zhaohong Pu , Jiaqi Zhang , Jianhong Li , Jun Bao , Runxiang Zhang
Chronic and multifactorial stressors, including low-temperature exposure, represent major challenges in modern poultry systems. This study evaluated the effects of a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model on growth performance and intestinal homeostasis in layer chicks. A total of 300 one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to either a control (CON) group or CUMS group for a 5-week trial. CUMS significantly reduced body weight (BW) and feed intake (ADFI) while increasing the feed conversion ratio (F/G) (P < 0.05). Serum biochemical alterations indicated disrupted protein and lipid metabolism and elevated liver enzyme activity. CUMS markedly increased serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactic acid (D-LA) levels (P < 0.05). Histological, ultrastructural and immunofluorescence analyses showed villus damage, reduced goblet cells, disrupted tight-junction proteins, and notable mitochondrial abnormalities, including swollen mitochondria, loss of cristae integrity, and increased ROS accumulation; ATP concentrations were significantly reduced across intestinal segments (P < 0.05). Mechanistically, CUMS suppressed humoral immunity and activated TLR4/p38MAPK/NF-κB signaling with increased pro-inflammatory and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05). Oxidative stress was evidenced by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities (P < 0.05), alongside inhibition of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Apoptosis was enhanced via mitochondrial and death receptor pathways, with reduced Bcl-2/Bax ratios and elevated cleaved Caspase-3 (P < 0.05). Additionally, the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway and mitochondrial biogenesis-related genes were significantly suppressed (P < 0.05). Overall, multi-stressor CUMS model compromises intestinal homeostasis and growth through convergent inflammatory, oxidative, apoptotic, and mitochondrial mechanisms.
{"title":"Multiple stressors, including cold exposure, disrupt growth and intestinal homeostasis via TLR4/p38MAPK/NF-κB and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathways in layer chicks","authors":"Qingqing Chang , Haiyue Gong , Liying Pan , Zhaohong Pu , Jiaqi Zhang , Jianhong Li , Jun Bao , Runxiang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104431","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104431","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic and multifactorial stressors, including low-temperature exposure, represent major challenges in modern poultry systems. This study evaluated the effects of a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model on growth performance and intestinal homeostasis in layer chicks. A total of 300 one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to either a control (CON) group or CUMS group for a 5-week trial. CUMS significantly reduced body weight (BW) and feed intake (ADFI) while increasing the feed conversion ratio (F/G) (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Serum biochemical alterations indicated disrupted protein and lipid metabolism and elevated liver enzyme activity. CUMS markedly increased serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactic acid (D-LA) levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Histological, ultrastructural and immunofluorescence analyses showed villus damage, reduced goblet cells, disrupted tight-junction proteins, and notable mitochondrial abnormalities, including swollen mitochondria, loss of cristae integrity, and increased ROS accumulation; ATP concentrations were significantly reduced across intestinal segments (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Mechanistically, CUMS suppressed humoral immunity and activated TLR4/p38MAPK/NF-κB signaling with increased pro-inflammatory and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Oxidative stress was evidenced by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities (<em>P</em> < 0.05), alongside inhibition of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Apoptosis was enhanced via mitochondrial and death receptor pathways, with reduced Bcl-2/Bax ratios and elevated cleaved Caspase-3 (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway and mitochondrial biogenesis-related genes were significantly suppressed (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Overall, multi-stressor CUMS model compromises intestinal homeostasis and growth through convergent inflammatory, oxidative, apoptotic, and mitochondrial mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17428,"journal":{"name":"Journal of thermal biology","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104431"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147271352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-02-17DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104424
Erik Hansson , Rachel E. Gilworth , Jason R. Glaser , Denis Chavarría , Bethany D. Skinner , Ilana Weiss , Richard J. Johnson , Magdalena Madero , Mårten Segelmark , David H. Wegman , Catharina Wesseling , Kristina Jakobsson , Rebekah A.I. Lucas
Introduction
Systemic inflammation is postulated to mediate heat stroke and heat-related organ injury, yet acute inflammatory responses among heat-stressed workers remains poorly understood. We aimed to describe neutrophil mobilisation and potential release of DNA during heat stress in multiple hot occupational settings and a controlled experimental setting.
Methods
Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was investigated in six sugarcane worker groups: Nicaraguan cohorts consisting of 1a) workers undergoing pre-employment screening (N = 5257), 1b) workers with acute kidney injury (AKI, N = 470); 2) Salvadoran cane cutters (N = 45) sampled pre/post-shift before and during a rest-shade-hydration intervention; 3) Mexican cane workers performing 3a) heavy (N = 148) and 3b) light-moderate (N = 24) work, sampled pre/post shift; and 4) Honduran cane cutters sampled pre/post-shift (N = 72). Cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) was measured in two cross-shift sugarcane worker groups (N = 26, El Salvador and N = 20, Nicaragua). NLR and cf-DNA was also measured in research participants (N = 10) exercising in temperate and hot conditions.
Results
NLR was elevated in sugarcane workers with AKI and increased during work shifts. Large positive NLR changes were associated with not having rest-shade-hydration, heavy workload, high environmental heat and high core body temperatures. cf-DNA increased across work-shifts in both cane cutter groups and after exercise in heat.
Conclusion
Neutrophil mobilisation was common among workers with AKI, and NLR and cf-DNA increased during and after field-based occupational and experimental heat stress. The findings indicate that acute systemic inflammation with neutrophil activation and destruction is common during excessive exertional heat stress.
{"title":"Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and cell-free DNA dynamics during excessive heat stress in occupational and experimental settings","authors":"Erik Hansson , Rachel E. Gilworth , Jason R. Glaser , Denis Chavarría , Bethany D. Skinner , Ilana Weiss , Richard J. Johnson , Magdalena Madero , Mårten Segelmark , David H. Wegman , Catharina Wesseling , Kristina Jakobsson , Rebekah A.I. Lucas","doi":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104424","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104424","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Systemic inflammation is postulated to mediate heat stroke and heat-related organ injury, yet acute inflammatory responses among heat-stressed workers remains poorly understood. We aimed to describe neutrophil mobilisation and potential release of DNA during heat stress in multiple hot occupational settings and a controlled experimental setting.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was investigated in six sugarcane worker groups: Nicaraguan cohorts consisting of 1a) workers undergoing pre-employment screening (N = 5257), 1b) workers with acute kidney injury (AKI, N = 470); 2) Salvadoran cane cutters (N = 45) sampled pre/post-shift before and during a rest-shade-hydration intervention; 3) Mexican cane workers performing 3a) heavy (N = 148) and 3b) light-moderate (N = 24) work, sampled pre/post shift; and 4) Honduran cane cutters sampled pre/post-shift (N = 72). Cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) was measured in two cross-shift sugarcane worker groups (N = 26, El Salvador and N = 20, Nicaragua). NLR and cf-DNA was also measured in research participants (N = 10) exercising in temperate and hot conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>NLR was elevated in sugarcane workers with AKI and increased during work shifts. Large positive NLR changes were associated with not having rest-shade-hydration, heavy workload, high environmental heat and high core body temperatures. cf-DNA increased across work-shifts in both cane cutter groups and after exercise in heat.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Neutrophil mobilisation was common among workers with AKI, and NLR and cf-DNA increased during and after field-based occupational and experimental heat stress. The findings indicate that acute systemic inflammation with neutrophil activation and destruction is common during excessive exertional heat stress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17428,"journal":{"name":"Journal of thermal biology","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104424"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147284271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104388
Matthew L. Keefer, Christopher C. Caudill
Migratory coldwater species like anadromous salmonids are highly sensitive to river temperatures and methods are needed for estimating their exposure and risk. We built an agent-based model (ABM) for a threatened spring-run Chinook salmon population over 220-km of their adult migration in Oregon’s Willamette and North Santiam River basins. Upstream movement rules for the ABM were derived from a companion study of 161 radio-tagged salmon that moved through five study reaches before reaching prespawn holding sites. Tagged fish moved faster when river temperatures were warmer in all reaches, informing movement rules. We used the ABM to simulate continuous thermal histories for salmon migrating in two years (2011, 2015) with sharply contrasting thermal regimes and used the simulations to address hypotheses about thermal exposure and prespawn mortality risks. In both cool (2011) and warm (2015) years, early-run salmon had high cumulative exposure, whereas late-run salmon encountered acutely high temperatures, indicating substantive risk trade-offs within annual runs. On average, total degree day (DD) accumulations during migration and holding were ∼1100 (2011) and ∼1500 DD (2015), with 56 % and 69 %, respectively, accruing during holding in the terminal reach. Approximately 3 % (2011) and 24 % (2015) of simulated salmon encountered temperature maxima ≥21 °C, a threshold with known behavioral and physiological impacts. Estimates of prespawn mortality from an independent carcass dataset were ∼29 % (2011) and ∼61 % (2015), but it is unknown whether cumulative or acute processes (or both) precipitated the mortality. ABMs can help fisheries managers quantify environmental exposure, identify risks, and develop temperature mitigation strategies.
{"title":"Migration phenology of adult Chinook salmon: tradeoffs among acute and cumulative thermal exposure risks","authors":"Matthew L. Keefer, Christopher C. Caudill","doi":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104388","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104388","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Migratory coldwater species like anadromous salmonids are highly sensitive to river temperatures and methods are needed for estimating their exposure and risk. We built an agent-based model (ABM) for a threatened spring-run Chinook salmon population over 220-km of their adult migration in Oregon’s Willamette and North Santiam River basins. Upstream movement rules for the ABM were derived from a companion study of 161 radio-tagged salmon that moved through five study reaches before reaching prespawn holding sites. Tagged fish moved faster when river temperatures were warmer in all reaches, informing movement rules. We used the ABM to simulate continuous thermal histories for salmon migrating in two years (2011, 2015) with sharply contrasting thermal regimes and used the simulations to address hypotheses about thermal exposure and prespawn mortality risks. In both cool (2011) and warm (2015) years, early-run salmon had high cumulative exposure, whereas late-run salmon encountered acutely high temperatures, indicating substantive risk trade-offs within annual runs. On average, total degree day (DD) accumulations during migration and holding were ∼1100 (2011) and ∼1500 DD (2015), with 56 % and 69 %, respectively, accruing during holding in the terminal reach. Approximately 3 % (2011) and 24 % (2015) of simulated salmon encountered temperature maxima ≥21 °C, a threshold with known behavioral and physiological impacts. Estimates of prespawn mortality from an independent carcass dataset were ∼29 % (2011) and ∼61 % (2015), but it is unknown whether cumulative or acute processes (or both) precipitated the mortality. ABMs can help fisheries managers quantify environmental exposure, identify risks, and develop temperature mitigation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17428,"journal":{"name":"Journal of thermal biology","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104388"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104389
Yan Cai , Jun-jun Chen , Lin-fei He , Yao Xu , Rui-qi Yang , Zhi-chun Yang
Objectives
Beige adipose tissue offers therapeutic potential for metabolic disorders. Notably, glycolytic beige adipocytes, which can be activated independently of β-adrenergic signaling, may provide unique advantages. This study aimed to investigate the role of p90 ribosomal S6 kinase-2 (RSK2) in both cold-induced and cold-independent glycolytic beige adipocyte formation.
Methods
We employed C57BL/6J mice subjected to cold exposure (4 °C) or high-fat diet (HFD) and analyzed adipose tissue for thermogenic and glycolytic markers. In vitro, subcutaneous adipose-derived stem cells (primary preadipocytes) were cultured at 28 °C to mimic cold exposure. RSK2 expression was manipulated via knockdown or overexpression to evaluate its functional role.
Results
Cold exposure upregulated uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) and RSK2 in vivo, while HFD suppressed RSK2, UCP1, enolase 1 (ENO1), and pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2). In primary preadipocytes, cold exposure induced UCP1 and RSK2 expression and reduced triglyceride accumulation. RSK2 knockdown suppressed UCP1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) but increased carnitine palmitoyl transferase expression. It also reduced PKM2, ENO1, and lactate production under normothermic conditions, whereas RSK2 overexpression had opposite effects. High-glucose and high-insulin treatment decreased RSK2, glycolytic and thermogenic markers, and insulin signaling, which were reversed by RSK2 overexpression. Conclusions: RSK2 plays a dual role in mediating cold-induced and cold-independent glycolytic beige adipocyte formation. It may serve as a promising target for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders.
{"title":"RSK2 facilitates beige fat formation through thermogenic and glycolytic pathways","authors":"Yan Cai , Jun-jun Chen , Lin-fei He , Yao Xu , Rui-qi Yang , Zhi-chun Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104389","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104389","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Beige adipose tissue offers therapeutic potential for metabolic disorders. Notably, glycolytic beige adipocytes, which can be activated independently of β-adrenergic signaling, may provide unique advantages. This study aimed to investigate the role of p90 ribosomal S6 kinase-2 (RSK2) in both cold-induced and cold-independent glycolytic beige adipocyte formation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We employed C57BL/6J mice subjected to cold exposure (4 °C) or high-fat diet (HFD) and analyzed adipose tissue for thermogenic and glycolytic markers. In vitro, subcutaneous adipose-derived stem cells (primary preadipocytes) were cultured at 28 °C to mimic cold exposure. RSK2 expression was manipulated via knockdown or overexpression to evaluate its functional role.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Cold exposure upregulated uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) and RSK2 in vivo, while HFD suppressed RSK2, UCP1, enolase 1 (ENO1), and pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2). In primary preadipocytes, cold exposure induced UCP1 and RSK2 expression and reduced triglyceride accumulation. RSK2 knockdown suppressed UCP1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) but increased carnitine palmitoyl transferase expression. It also reduced PKM2, ENO1, and lactate production under normothermic conditions, whereas RSK2 overexpression had opposite effects. High-glucose and high-insulin treatment decreased RSK2, glycolytic and thermogenic markers, and insulin signaling, which were reversed by RSK2 overexpression. <strong>Conclusions</strong>: RSK2 plays a dual role in mediating cold-induced and cold-independent glycolytic beige adipocyte formation. It may serve as a promising target for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17428,"journal":{"name":"Journal of thermal biology","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104389"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104393
Ioanna Gavriilidi , Elina Trafali , Panayiotis Pafilis , Raoul Van Damme
Behavioural thermoregulation is critical for reptiles, because it allows them to maintain their body temperatures within a range that optimizes physiological functions. Behavioural thermoregulation requires sensing, processing, and retaining information on the thermal environment, potentially involving several cognitive processes. Surprisingly, the relationship between cognitive performance and thermoregulatory behaviour and accuracy has hitherto remained virtually unstudied. Here we examined whether enhanced spatial cognition is correlated with more efficient thermoregulation, while also taking into account the possible confounding role of personality. To do that, we first assessed the spatial cognitive abilities of male common wall lizards in two different spatial learning tasks, as well as three personality traits (boldness, explorativeness, and sociability). We then recorded lizards' preferred body temperature range in a thermal gradient. We assessed the lizards’ thermoregulatory performance by recording their body surface temperatures and heat source use in a large enclosure with different types of heat sources (lamps, heating stones, thermal mats), mimicking a spatiotemporally heterogeneous thermal environment. We found that individuals that performed well in the spatial cognition tests switched more often between different heat sources and tended to use them more evenly, but maintained lower overall body temperatures and tended to thermoregulate less accurately than their slow learning conspecifics. Social, shy, and more explorative lizards were more often observed near activated heat sources than lizards with opposite personalities, but personality profiles did not affect body temperature or thermoregulatory accuracy. Overall, spatial cognition and personality may play a role in better exploiting the thermal heterogeneity of the environment, but interestingly this did not translate into more accurate thermoregulation.
{"title":"Relationship between cognitive and thermoregulatory performance in the common wall lizard","authors":"Ioanna Gavriilidi , Elina Trafali , Panayiotis Pafilis , Raoul Van Damme","doi":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104393","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104393","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Behavioural thermoregulation is critical for reptiles, because it allows them to maintain their body temperatures within a range that optimizes physiological functions. Behavioural thermoregulation requires sensing, processing, and retaining information on the thermal environment, potentially involving several cognitive processes. Surprisingly, the relationship between cognitive performance and thermoregulatory behaviour and accuracy has hitherto remained virtually unstudied. Here we examined whether enhanced spatial cognition is correlated with more efficient thermoregulation, while also taking into account the possible confounding role of personality. To do that, we first assessed the spatial cognitive abilities of male common wall lizards in two different spatial learning tasks, as well as three personality traits (boldness, explorativeness, and sociability). We then recorded lizards' preferred body temperature range in a thermal gradient. We assessed the lizards’ thermoregulatory performance by recording their body surface temperatures and heat source use in a large enclosure with different types of heat sources (lamps, heating stones, thermal mats), mimicking a spatiotemporally heterogeneous thermal environment. We found that individuals that performed well in the spatial cognition tests switched more often between different heat sources and tended to use them more evenly, but maintained lower overall body temperatures and tended to thermoregulate less accurately than their slow learning conspecifics. Social, shy, and more explorative lizards were more often observed near activated heat sources than lizards with opposite personalities, but personality profiles did not affect body temperature or thermoregulatory accuracy. Overall, spatial cognition and personality may play a role in better exploiting the thermal heterogeneity of the environment, but interestingly this did not translate into more accurate thermoregulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17428,"journal":{"name":"Journal of thermal biology","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104393"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146024148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104413
Zhaohui Mao , Hong Chen , Guangjun Wang , Zhenbiao Li
Invasive laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT) is an emerging minimally invasive technique for treating deep-seated tumors. Online estimation of the transient temperature field in target biological tissue is crucial for the research and development of LITT technology. Existing state estimation theories, which employ the state-space model to describe the system, essentially belong to coupled estimation methods. They cannot achieve decoupled estimation of system states, leading to numerous challenges in applying current state estimation methods to temperature field estimation during LITT procedures. This paper focuses on the online decoupled estimation of the temperature field in biological tissue during invasive LITT. By constructing an optimal estimation model and a spatiotemporal correlation model, it achieves online decoupled estimation of temperatures at critical discrete points throughout the invasive LITT process. This scheme effectively overcomes the difficulties inherent in existing temperature field estimation techniques based on state-space models. The reliability of the constructed biological model is validated using existing experimental data. Through numerical simulations, the impacts of the influence time domain, measurement noise, and model mismatch are analyzed. Comparison with the standard Kalman filter demonstrates that when only real-time temperature estimation of specific regions (such as tumor regions) is required, the decoupled estimation scheme proposed in this paper exhibits significant advantages in computational efficiency. This research provides reliable technical support for the online estimation of tissue temperature fields.
{"title":"Online decoupled estimation of temperature field in biological tissue during invasive laser thermal therapy","authors":"Zhaohui Mao , Hong Chen , Guangjun Wang , Zhenbiao Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104413","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104413","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Invasive laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT) is an emerging minimally invasive technique for treating deep-seated tumors. Online estimation of the transient temperature field in target biological tissue is crucial for the research and development of LITT technology. Existing state estimation theories, which employ the state-space model to describe the system, essentially belong to coupled estimation methods. They cannot achieve decoupled estimation of system states, leading to numerous challenges in applying current state estimation methods to temperature field estimation during LITT procedures. This paper focuses on the online decoupled estimation of the temperature field in biological tissue during invasive LITT. By constructing an optimal estimation model and a spatiotemporal correlation model, it achieves online decoupled estimation of temperatures at critical discrete points throughout the invasive LITT process. This scheme effectively overcomes the difficulties inherent in existing temperature field estimation techniques based on state-space models. The reliability of the constructed biological model is validated using existing experimental data. Through numerical simulations, the impacts of the influence time domain, measurement noise, and model mismatch are analyzed. Comparison with the standard Kalman filter demonstrates that when only real-time temperature estimation of specific regions (such as tumor regions) is required, the decoupled estimation scheme proposed in this paper exhibits significant advantages in computational efficiency. This research provides reliable technical support for the online estimation of tissue temperature fields.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17428,"journal":{"name":"Journal of thermal biology","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104413"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146170324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104412
Kosei Hayakawa , Ryo Takagi , Ayaka Tabuchi , Haruka Ugawa , Daiki Watanabe , Daisuke Hoshino , David C. Poole , Yutaka Kano
Intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) regulation in skeletal muscle may vary with sex and muscle fiber type, but the precise nature of its response to temperature changes and pharmacological caffeine stimulation is not fully understood. This study aimed to elucidate sex-dependent and muscle fiber type-specific characteristics of muscle cooling, caffeine stimulation, and their combined effects. We investigated the effects of cooling (30 °C to 0 °C) and caffeine stimulation (1.25–80 mM) separately and in combination (cooling + 1.25 mM caffeine) in fast-twitch (plantaris, PLA) and slow-twitch (soleus, SOL) muscles of male and female C57BL/6J mice. [Ca2+]i dynamics were analyzed using in vivo Fura-2 bioimaging under isoflurane anesthesia. The temperature threshold for the onset of [Ca2+]i accumulation was significantly higher in SOL than in PLA, with no significant difference between sexes (males: PLA 2.3 ± 0.9 °C, SOL 4.5 ± 2.2 °C; females: PLA 2.3 ± 0.8 °C, SOL 4.3 ± 1.3 °C). Conversely, the [Ca2+]i response to caffeine was significantly higher in females than in males at high concentrations (80 mM). Furthermore, the combined stimulation of cooling and caffeine had a greater effect on females than on males. Our findings also indicate that the phosphorylation response of ryanodine receptors to caffeine was significantly higher in females than in males. In conclusion, while no sex differences were observed in the [Ca2+]i response to cooling, clear sex-dependent differences (males < females) were observed in the response to caffeine.
骨骼肌细胞内钙离子浓度（[Ca2+]i）的调节可能因性别和肌纤维类型而异，但其对温度变化和药物咖啡因刺激的反应的确切性质尚不完全清楚。本研究旨在阐明肌肉冷却、咖啡因刺激及其联合效应的性别依赖性和肌纤维类型特异性特征。我们分别研究了冷却（30°C至0°C）和咖啡因刺激（1.25 - 80 mM）以及联合（冷却+ 1.25 mM咖啡因）对雄性和雌性C57BL/6J小鼠快肌（跖肌，PLA）和慢肌（比目鱼肌，SOL）的影响。在异氟醚麻醉下，用体内Fura-2生物显像分析[Ca2+]i动态。SOL中[Ca2+]i积累开始的温度阈值明显高于PLA，性别间无显著差异（男性：PLA 2.3±0.9°C, SOL 4.5±2.2°C；女性：PLA 2.3±0.8°C, SOL 4.3±1.3°C）。相反，在高浓度（80 mM）下，雌性对咖啡因的[Ca2+]i反应明显高于雄性。此外，冷却和咖啡因的联合刺激对女性的影响比男性更大。我们的研究结果还表明，ryanodine受体对咖啡因的磷酸化反应在女性中明显高于男性。总之，虽然在冷却反应中没有观察到性别差异，但在咖啡因反应中观察到明显的性别依赖差异（雄性和雌性）。
{"title":"Sex-dependent calcium dynamics in mouse skeletal muscle: Responses to cooling and caffeine","authors":"Kosei Hayakawa , Ryo Takagi , Ayaka Tabuchi , Haruka Ugawa , Daiki Watanabe , Daisuke Hoshino , David C. Poole , Yutaka Kano","doi":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104412","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104412","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca<sup>2+</sup>]i) regulation in skeletal muscle may vary with sex and muscle fiber type, but the precise nature of its response to temperature changes and pharmacological caffeine stimulation is not fully understood. This study aimed to elucidate sex-dependent and muscle fiber type-specific characteristics of muscle cooling, caffeine stimulation, and their combined effects. We investigated the effects of cooling (30 °C to 0 °C) and caffeine stimulation (1.25–80 mM) separately and in combination (cooling + 1.25 mM caffeine) in fast-twitch (plantaris, PLA) and slow-twitch (soleus, SOL) muscles of male and female C57BL/6J mice. [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]i dynamics were analyzed using <em>in vivo</em> Fura-2 bioimaging under isoflurane anesthesia. The temperature threshold for the onset of [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]i accumulation was significantly higher in SOL than in PLA, with no significant difference between sexes (males: PLA 2.3 ± 0.9 °C, SOL 4.5 ± 2.2 °C; females: PLA 2.3 ± 0.8 °C, SOL 4.3 ± 1.3 °C). Conversely, the [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]i response to caffeine was significantly higher in females than in males at high concentrations (80 mM). Furthermore, the combined stimulation of cooling and caffeine had a greater effect on females than on males. Our findings also indicate that the phosphorylation response of ryanodine receptors to caffeine was significantly higher in females than in males. In conclusion, while no sex differences were observed in the [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]i response to cooling, clear sex-dependent differences (males < females) were observed in the response to caffeine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17428,"journal":{"name":"Journal of thermal biology","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104412"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146170257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Climatological variations, triggered by global warming and rising temperatures, have become a growing concern, posing challenges to communities across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Earth heats, climate patterns shift, and the resulting climate instability triggers more persistent and powerful heatwaves, leading to significant ecological and health-related consequences. Disturbances in thermoregulation can lead to elevated core body temperature (CBT>39 °C); this typically occurs during heat stress (HS), a state wherein the body's capacity to cool itself is challenged by multiple external (environmental conditions, pathogens) or internal factors (inflammatory, metabolic, hormonal, and neurological), often precipitating systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure. HS pathological cascade involves different interconnected processes like oxidative stress, inflammation, compromised circulation, disrupted blood-brain barrier (BBB), coagulation irregularities, organ-specific responses, electrolyte imbalances, heat shock proteins (HSPs), and interactions with pre-existing conditions. To effectively address this emerging public health issue, a combined approach is needed, like incorporating pharmacological treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diuretics, muscle relaxants, vasodilators, beta-blockers, and anti-anxiety agents with essential non-pharmacological supports like public health education, cooling centres, early detection systems, and individualized plans specifically designed for high-risk groups. This review provides insight into the concept of heat-induced injury on the cellular level, the worldwide prevalence of HS, the pathogenic mechanisms behind Heat Stress-induced Multiple Organ Dysfunction (HS-MOD), and the various therapeutic strategies available.
{"title":"Heat waves and health crises: The unseen threat of heat stress on multiple organ systems","authors":"Priya Jaswal , Dhrubalochan Rana , Rishabh Chaudhary , Jhilli Basu , Nitin Bansal , Sumeet Gupta , Seema Bansal","doi":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104375","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104375","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climatological variations, triggered by global warming and rising temperatures, have become a growing concern, posing challenges to communities across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Earth heats, climate patterns shift, and the resulting climate instability triggers more persistent and powerful heatwaves, leading to significant ecological and health-related consequences. Disturbances in thermoregulation can lead to elevated core body temperature (CBT>39 °C); this typically occurs during heat stress (HS), a state wherein the body's capacity to cool itself is challenged by multiple external (environmental conditions, pathogens) or internal factors (inflammatory, metabolic, hormonal, and neurological), often precipitating systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure. HS pathological cascade involves different interconnected processes like oxidative stress, inflammation, compromised circulation, disrupted blood-brain barrier (BBB), coagulation irregularities, organ-specific responses, electrolyte imbalances, heat shock proteins (HSPs), and interactions with pre-existing conditions. To effectively address this emerging public health issue, a combined approach is needed, like incorporating pharmacological treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diuretics, muscle relaxants, vasodilators, beta-blockers, and anti-anxiety agents with essential non-pharmacological supports like public health education, cooling centres, early detection systems, and individualized plans specifically designed for high-risk groups. This review provides insight into the concept of heat-induced injury on the cellular level, the worldwide prevalence of HS, the pathogenic mechanisms behind Heat Stress-induced Multiple Organ Dysfunction (HS-MOD), and the various therapeutic strategies available.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17428,"journal":{"name":"Journal of thermal biology","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104375"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146202072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-02-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104415
Wenhan Geng , Tiantian Li , Jinglin Zhang , Muzheng Shen , Jinrui Zhang , Jinghan Li , Xiaojie Ma , Jian Chen , Haojin Sun , Xiaopeng Liu , Pengxiu Cao , Yumei Fan , Ke Tan
The heat shock response (HSR) is a conserved cellular mechanism that safeguards cells against various stressors by inducing heat shock proteins (HSPs). However, to date, no study has employed the HSR to develop a prognostic risk model aimed at predicting the outcomes and directing the treatment strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. In this study, we identified two distinct molecular subgroups of HCC patients based on the expression of 37 key HSR-related genes (HRGs). These subgroups exhibited significant differences in immune infiltration, drug responsiveness, and immunotherapy efficacy. Notably, cluster 1 (C1) patients showed greater sensitivity to chemotherapy, while C2 patients were more responsive to immunotherapy. Six core HRGs (CD4, CDK5, CDKN2A, DNAJB11, HBB and TRPV4) were identified as potential biomarkers through machine learning algorithms. A risk score model incorporating these HRGs was developed to predict HCC prognosis. The expression of these HRGs was validated using immunohistochemistry (IHC), single-cell RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics. Importantly, core HRGs were significantly correlated with ferroptosis, and RSL3 treatment markedly affected the expression levels of these HRGs in HCC cells. Moreover, knockdown of DNAJB11 significantly suppressed cell growth, inhibited migratory and invasive capacities, and enhanced RSL3-induced ferroptosis. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of HSR in HCC, offering a novel molecular classification and prognostic tool to guide personalized treatment strategies.
{"title":"Heat shock response-driven signature and DNAJB11 in HCC: A multifaceted role in prognosis, immune microenvironment, ferroptosis and therapeutic sensitivity","authors":"Wenhan Geng , Tiantian Li , Jinglin Zhang , Muzheng Shen , Jinrui Zhang , Jinghan Li , Xiaojie Ma , Jian Chen , Haojin Sun , Xiaopeng Liu , Pengxiu Cao , Yumei Fan , Ke Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104415","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104415","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The heat shock response (HSR) is a conserved cellular mechanism that safeguards cells against various stressors by inducing heat shock proteins (HSPs). However, to date, no study has employed the HSR to develop a prognostic risk model aimed at predicting the outcomes and directing the treatment strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. In this study, we identified two distinct molecular subgroups of HCC patients based on the expression of 37 key HSR-related genes (HRGs). These subgroups exhibited significant differences in immune infiltration, drug responsiveness, and immunotherapy efficacy. Notably, cluster 1 (C1) patients showed greater sensitivity to chemotherapy, while C2 patients were more responsive to immunotherapy. Six core HRGs (CD4, CDK5, CDKN2A, DNAJB11, HBB and TRPV4) were identified as potential biomarkers through machine learning algorithms. A risk score model incorporating these HRGs was developed to predict HCC prognosis. The expression of these HRGs was validated using immunohistochemistry (IHC), single-cell RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics. Importantly, core HRGs were significantly correlated with ferroptosis, and RSL3 treatment markedly affected the expression levels of these HRGs in HCC cells. Moreover, knockdown of DNAJB11 significantly suppressed cell growth, inhibited migratory and invasive capacities, and enhanced RSL3-induced ferroptosis. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of HSR in HCC, offering a novel molecular classification and prognostic tool to guide personalized treatment strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17428,"journal":{"name":"Journal of thermal biology","volume":"136 ","pages":"Article 104415"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146227521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号