Climate control on sulphate and nitrate concentrations in alpine streams of Northern Italy along a nitrogen saturation gradient

International audienceThe role of meteorology, hydrology and atmospheric deposition on the temporal pattern of SO4 and NO3 concentrations was investigated for three streams draining alpine catchments in Northern Italy. The study sites lie on a gradient of atmospheric fluxes of SO4 and NO3 (from about 50 to 80 meq m?2 y?1, and from 40 to 90 meq m?2 y?1, respectively). As a consequence of the increasing N input, the three catchments are also representative of aggrading levels of N saturation. Different methods of statistical analysis were applied to monthly data for the period 1997?2005 to identify which variables (temperature, precipitation, hydrology, SO4 and NO3 deposition) were the main predictors of water chemistry and its change in time. Hydrological changes and snow cover proved to be the main confounding factors in the response to atmospheric deposition in the River Masino catchment. Its particular characteristics (small catchment area, rapid flushing during runoff and thin soil cover) meant that this site responded without a significant delay to SO4 deposition decrease. It also showed a clear seasonal pattern of NO3 concentration, in response to hydrology and biological uptake in the growing season. The selected driving variables failed to model the water chemistry at the other study sites. Nevertheless, temperature, especially extreme values, turned out to be important in both SO4 and NO3 export from the catchments. This result might be largely explained by the effect of warm periods on temperature-dependent processes such as mineralization, nitrification and S desorption. Our findings suggest that surface waters in the alpine area will be extremely sensitive to a climate warming scenario: higher temperatures and increasing frequency of drought could exacerbate the effects of high chronic N deposition

The impact of COVID‐19 in Dravet syndrome: A UK survey

OBJECTIVES: To understand the risks, impact and outcome of COVID-19 in people affected by Dravet Syndrome (DS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted between June 17 and July 13, 2020, addressed to families of people with DS. RESULTS: A total of 116 responses were collected, from families of children (n = 86; 74%) and adults (30; 26%) with DS. The majority (106; 91%) were shielded at the family home during lockdown. Symptoms compatible with COVID-19 were reported in 22 (19%) individuals. Only four individuals with symptoms had a PCR swab test, none of which was positive. Only one symptomatic person had antibody testing (but not swab testing), which was positive. One person had repeatedly positive swab tests whilst in hospital for renal failure, but had no typical symptoms of COVID-19. In 50% of people with DS who developed possible or probable COVID-19 symptoms, seizure worsening was reported, in terms of increased seizure frequency or duration or both. Medical attention was required in 9/22 (41%), all of whom were children. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of people with DS, we observed an infection rate, determined by compatible symptoms, of 19%, with no deaths and benign outcome in most cases despite the underlying complex epilepsy although children often required medical attention. Early adoption of preventative measures, including testing of symptomatic individuals, regular surveillance for people living in residential care facilities, and shielding of individuals with comorbidities increasing the risk of severe outcome, may limit the impact of COVID-19

Maker Movements, Do-It-Yourself Cultures and Participatory Design: Implications for HCI Research

Falling costs and the wider availability of computational components, platforms and ecosystems have enabled the expansion of maker movements and DIY cultures. This can be considered as a form of democratization of technology systems design, in alignment with the aims of Participatory Design approaches. However, this landscape is constantly evolving, and long-term implications for the HCI community are far from clear. The organizers of this one-day workshop invite participants to present their case studies, experiences and perspectives on the topic with the goal of increasing understanding within this area of research. The outcomes of the workshop will include the articulation of future research directions with the purpose of informing a research agenda, as well as the establishment of new collaborations and networks

Sterilization of lung matrices by supercritical carbon dioxide

Lung engineering is a potential alternative to transplantation for patients with end-stage pulmonary failure. Two challenges critical to the successful development of an engineered lung developed from a decellularized scaffold include (i) the suppression of resident infectious bioburden in the lung matrix, and (ii) the ability to sterilize decellularized tissues while preserving the essential biological and mechanical features intact. To date, the majority of lungs are sterilized using high concentrations of peracetic acid (PAA) resulting in extracellular matrix (ECM) depletion. These mechanically altered tissues have little to no storage potential. In this study, we report a sterilizing technique using supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO(2)) that can achieve a sterility assurance level 10(−6) in decellularized lung matrix. The effects of ScCO(2) treatment on the histological, mechanical, and biochemical properties of the sterile decellularized lung were evaluated and compared with those of freshly decellularized lung matrix and with PAA-treated acellular lung. Exposure of the decellularized tissue to ScCO(2) did not significantly alter tissue architecture, ECM content or organization (glycosaminoglycans, elastin, collagen, and laminin), observations of cell engraftment, or mechanical integrity of the tissue. Furthermore, these attributes of lung matrix did not change after 6 months in sterile buffer following sterilization with ScCO(2), indicating that ScCO(2) produces a matrix that is stable during storage. The current study's results indicate that ScCO(2) can be used to sterilize acellular lung tissue while simultaneously preserving key biological components required for the function of the scaffold for regenerative medicine purposes

Truffle genomics and post-genomics to understand the symbiotc life-style

International audienc

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Dravet Syndrome: A UK survey

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the urgent need for accelerated vaccine development. Approved vaccines have proved to be safe and well tolerated across millions of people in the general population. Dravet Syndrome (DS) is a severe, early onset, developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Vaccination is a precipitating factor for seizures. Whilst there is no evidence that vaccine-precipitated seizures lead to adverse outcomes in people with DS, fear surrounding vaccination can remain for caregivers of people with DS, in some cases resulting in rejection of recommended vaccinations, leaving individuals more vulnerable to the relevant infections. A greater understanding of the safety profile of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination in this vulnerable group will help provide guidance for caregivers and clinicians when considering vaccination. / Methods: A cross‐sectional survey regarding COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, in people with DS, was conducted by Dravet Syndrome UK (DSUK). Concomitantly, a review of individuals with DS who had recently received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and who are resident at the Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy (CCE), or attend epilepsy clinics at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), was undertaken. / Results: 38 people completed the DSUK survey. 37% of caregivers reported being concerned about someone with DS receiving the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine; with some reporting that they would decline a vaccine when offered. 77% had not received any advice from a health care professional about the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. 18/38 were eligible for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, of whom nine had received their first vaccine dose. Combining the results of the DSUK survey and the review of individuals monitored at CCE or NHNN, fifteen people with DS had received their first dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. 11/15 (73%) reported at least one side effect, the most common being fatigue (6/15; 40%) and fever (6/15; 40%). Three individuals (20%) reported an increase in seizure frequency after the first vaccine dose. No increase in seizure frequency or duration was reported after the second dose. / Conclusion: Overall, these results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are safe and well tolerated in individuals with DS, as they are in most people without DS. In most people with DS, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine does not appear to be associated with an increase in the frequency or duration of seizures, even in those who develop fever post-vaccination. Many caregivers are concerned about a person with DS receiving a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, with some reporting that they would decline a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine when offered. It is crucial that healthcare professionals are proactive in providing accurate information regarding the risks and benefits of vaccination in this population, given the potential for serious outcomes from infection

Catchment features controlling nitrogen dynamics in running waters above the tree line (central Italian Alps)

The study of nitrogen cycling in mountain areas has a long tradition, as it was applied to better understand and describe ecosystem functioning, as well as to quantify long-distance effects of human activities on remote environments. Nonetheless, very few studies, especially in Europe, have considered catchment features controlling nitrogen dynamics above the tree line with focus on running waters. In this study, relationships between some water chemistry descriptors – including nitrogen species and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) – and catchment characteristics were evaluated for a range of sites located above the tree line (1950–2650 m a.s.l.) at Val Masino, in the central Italian Alps. Land cover categories as well as elevation and slope were assessed at each site. Water samples were collected during the 2007 and 2008 snow free periods, with a nearly monthly frequency. In contrast to dissolved organic nitrogen, nitrate concentrations in running waters showed a spatial pattern strictly connected to the fractional extension of tundra and talus in each basin. Exponential models significantly described the relationships between maximum NO3 and the fraction of vegetated soil cover (negative relation) and talus (positive relation), explaining almost 90% of nitrate variation in running waters. Similarly to nitrate but with an opposite behavior, DOC was positively correlated with vegetated soil cover and negatively correlated with talus. Therefore, land cover can be considered one of the most important factors affecting water quality in high-elevation catchments with contrasting effects on N and C pools

Late diagnoses of Dravet syndrome: How many individuals are we missing?

We report new genetic diagnoses of Dravet syndrome in a group of adults with complex epilepsy of unknown cause, under follow up at a tertiary epilepsy centre. Individuals with epilepsy and other features of unknown cause from our unit underwent whole genome sequencing through the 100,000 Genomes Project. Virtual gene panels were applied to frequency-filtered variants based on phenotype summary. Of 1078 individuals recruited, 8 (0.74%) were identified to have a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in SCN1A. Variant types were: nonsense (stopgain) in five (62.5%) and missense in three (37.5%). Detailed review of childhood history confirmed a phenotype compatible with Dravet syndrome. Median age at genetic diagnosis was 44.5 years (range 28-52 years). Tonic-clonic seizures were ongoing in all despite polytherapy including valproate. All had a history of fever sensitivity and myoclonic seizures, which were ongoing in two (25%) and three (37.5%) individuals, respectively. Salient features of Dravet syndrome may be less apparent in adulthood, making clinical diagnosis difficult. Regardless of age, benefits of a genetic diagnosis include access to syndrome-specific treatment options, avoidance of harmful drugs, and monitoring for common complications

Autonomic Dysregulation in Adolescent Concussion Is Sex- and Posture-Dependent

Objective: To study autonomic responses to postural changes in concussed adolescents. The influence of sex was also studied. Design: Longitudinal cohort observational study. Participants: Concussed adolescents (CONC; n = 65; 26 male adolescents; age 15 ± 1 years, range = 12-18 years) and a control (CTRL) group of nonconcussed adolescents of similar age and sport (CTRL; n = 54; 29 male adolescents; age 14 ± 1 years, range = 12-18 years). Interventions: Concussed participants were monitored through 6 weekly visits throughout usual physician care. Control participants underwent 2 visits separated by at least 1 week to account for intrapersonal variation in testing measures. Main Outcome Measures: Heart rate variability as the root mean square of successive differences in R–R intervals (RMSSD), heart rate (HR), and blood pressure [mean arterial pressure (MAP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)] were measured in supine, sitting, and standing postures. Results: A mixed analysis of variance revealed a group 3 sex 3 posture interaction (P = 0.04) where seated values of RMSSD were less in concussed female participants versus control female participants (42 ± 4 vs 61 ± 7 ms; P = 0.01; Mann–Whitney rank test). Compared with CTRL, CONC exhibited increased pretesting seated DBP (69 ± 1 vs 74 ± 1 mm Hg; P\u3c 0.01), MAP (83 ± 1 vs 86 ± 1 mm Hg; P = 0.02), and baseline seated HR (72 ± 1 vs 77 ± 2 bpm; P = 0.03). Values of DBP (P = 0.03) and MAP (P, 0.01) improved at clinical discharge, whereas the RMSSD in female participants did not (P \u3e 0.5). Data are mean ± SEM. Conclusions: A modest reduction in female cardiac autonomic regulation was observed during seated postures. Alterations in seated concussed DBP and MAP, but not RMSSD, resolved at clinical discharge (median = 37 days). The results indicate that, in adolescents, concussion may impair cardiovagal function in a sex- and posture-dependent manner. The findings also suggest that BP metrics, but not RMSSD, are associated with clinical concussion recovery

Autonomic Dysregulation in Adolescent Concussion Is Sex- and Posture-Dependent

Objective: To study autonomic responses to postural changes in concussed adolescents. The influence of sex was also studied. Design: Longitudinal cohort observational study. Participants: Concussed adolescents (CONC; n = 65; 26 male adolescents; age 15 ± 1 years, range = 12-18 years) and a control (CTRL) group of nonconcussed adolescents of similar age and sport (CTRL; n = 54; 29 male adolescents; age 14 ± 1 years, range = 12-18 years). Interventions: Concussed participants were monitored through 6 weekly visits throughout usual physician care. Control participants underwent 2 visits separated by at least 1 week to account for intrapersonal variation in testing measures. Main Outcome Measures: Heart rate variability as the root mean square of successive differences in R–R intervals (RMSSD), heart rate (HR), and blood pressure [mean arterial pressure (MAP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)] were measured in supine, sitting, and standing postures. Results: A mixed analysis of variance revealed a group 3 sex 3 posture interaction (P = 0.04) where seated values of RMSSD were less in concussed female participants versus control female participants (42 ± 4 vs 61 ± 7 ms; P = 0.01; Mann–Whitney rank test). Compared with CTRL, CONC exhibited increased pretesting seated DBP (69 ± 1 vs 74 ± 1 mm Hg; P\u3c 0.01), MAP (83 ± 1 vs 86 ± 1 mm Hg; P = 0.02), and baseline seated HR (72 ± 1 vs 77 ± 2 bpm; P = 0.03). Values of DBP (P = 0.03) and MAP (P, 0.01) improved at clinical discharge, whereas the RMSSD in female participants did not (P \u3e 0.5). Data are mean ± SEM. Conclusions: A modest reduction in female cardiac autonomic regulation was observed during seated postures. Alterations in seated concussed DBP and MAP, but not RMSSD, resolved at clinical discharge (median = 37 days). The results indicate that, in adolescents, concussion may impair cardiovagal function in a sex- and posture-dependent manner. The findings also suggest that BP metrics, but not RMSSD, are associated with clinical concussion recovery