Flood events caused by discharge from Qaanaaq Glacier, northwestern Greenland

As a result of climate warming, glacial meltwater discharge has been increasing in Greenland. During the summers of 2015 and 2016, there were rapid increases in discharge from Qaanaaq Glacier in northwestern Greenland. These discharges resulted in floods that destroyed the road linking the settlement of Qaanaaq to Qaanaaq Airport. Field measurements were performed and a numerical model of glacier runoff was developed to quantify these discharges. The high discharge associated with the 2015 flood, estimated at 9.1 m(3) s(-1) (hourly mean), resulted from intensive glacier melting due to warm air temperature and strong winds, while the high discharge associated with the 2016 flood resulted from heavy rainfall (90 mm d(-1)) that led to a peak discharge estimated at 19.9 m(3) s(-1). The developed model, when used to investigate future glacier runoff under warming conditions, revealed a nonlinear increase in glacial melt with increasing temperature. Additionally, the model forecasted a threefold increase in total summer discharge, owing to a 4 degrees C rise in temperature. Thus, this study quantified the impact of a changing climate on glacier runoff, which gives insight into future risks of flood hazards along the coast of Greenland

Possibility of Poor Outcomes after Treatment Using Teicoplanin at the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of > 2 mu g/mL in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia

Only minimal information exists regarding the treatment outcomes of patients suffering from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia treated with teicoplanin (TEIC) when the TEIC minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is close to the upper limit of the "susceptibility range" according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) . We investigated the outcome of TEIC-treated patients in MRSA bacteremia, focusing on TEIC MIC against MRSA. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with MRSA bacteremia. TEIC treatment failure was defined as any of the following: (1) all-cause 60-day mortality, (2) persistent bacteremia until the end of TEIC treatment, or (3) 30-day recurrence of MRSA bacteremia. Nineteen patients were enrolled, of whom 15 exhibited TEIC MICs 2 mu g/mL. The rate of treatment failure and all-cause 60-day mortality in patients with MIC >2 mu g/mL were significantly higher than those in patients with MIC 2 mu g/mL had persistent bacteremia, which was quantitatively higher than in patients with MIC 2 mu g/mL may be related to poor treatment outcome in MRSA bacteremia, and that TEIC should not be used in this case

Glacier mass change on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, from 2000 to 2016

On the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, 405 glaciers with an estimated total mass of 49 Gt were reported in the 1970s. These have been retreating at an accelerated rate since the start of the 21st century. Because glacier studies in this region are scarce, ice loss and its influence on sea level rise and regional environments is poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed satellite data to quantify glacier mass change from 2000 to 2016 in six major glacier-covered regions on the peninsula. The mean rate of the glacier mass change over the study period was -0.46 +/- 0.01 m w.e. a(-1) (total mass change was -4.9 +/- 0.1 Gt, -304.2 +/- 9.1 Mt a(-1)), which is slightly lower than other regions in mid-latitude and subarctic zones. The mass loss accelerated from >-0.33 +/- 0.02 m w.e. a(-1) in the period 2000-2006/2010 to <-1.65 +/- 0.12 m w.e. a(-1) in 2006/2010-2015/16. The increase in mass loss is attributed to a rise in average decadal summer temperatures observed in the region (+0.68 degrees C from 1987-99 to 2000-13). Moreover, a recent trend in Pacific decadal oscillation suggests future acceleration of mass loss due to a decline in winter precipitation

Brain p3-Alcβ peptide restores neuronal viability impaired by Alzheimer's amyloid β-peptide

We propose a new therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Brain peptide p3-Alc beta 37 is generated from the neuronal protein alcadein beta through cleavage of gamma-secretase, similar to the generation of amyloid beta (A beta) derived from A beta-protein precursor/APP. Neurotoxicity by A beta oligomers (A beta o) is the prime cause prior to the loss of brain function in AD. We found that p3-Alc beta 37 and its shorter peptide p3-Alc beta 9-19 enhanced the mitochondrial activity of neurons and protected neurons against A beta o-induced toxicity. This is due to the suppression of the A beta o-mediated excessive Ca2+ influx into neurons by p3-Alc beta. Successful transfer of p3-Alc beta 9-19 into the brain following peripheral administration improved the mitochondrial viability in the brain of AD mice model, in which the mitochondrial activity is attenuated by increasing the neurotoxic human A beta 42 burden, as revealed through brain PET imaging to monitor mitochondrial function. Because mitochondrial dysfunction is common in the brain of AD patients alongside increased A beta and reduced p3-Alc beta 37 levels, the administration of p3-Alc beta 9-19 may be a promising treatment for restoring, protecting, and promoting brain functions in patients with AD

Rapidly changing glaciers, ocean and coastal environments, and their impact on human society in the Qaanaaq region, northwestern Greenland

Environments along the coast of Greenland are rapidly changing under the influence of a warming climate in the Arctic. To better understand the changes in the coastal environments, we performed researches in the Qaanaaq region in northwestern Greenland as a part of the ArCS (Arctic Challenge for Sustainability) Project. Mass loss of ice caps and marine-terminating outlet glaciers were quantified by field and satellite observations. Measurements and sampling in fjords revealed the important role of glacial meltwater discharge in marine ecosystems. Flooding of a glacial stream in Qaanaaq and landslides in a nearby settlement were investigated to identify the drivers of the incidents. Our study observed rapid changes in the coastal environments, and their critical impact on the society in Qaanaaq. We organized workshops with the residents to absorb local and indigenous knowledge, as well as to share the results and data obtained in the project. Continuous effort towards obtaining long-term observations requiring involvement of local communities is crucial to contribute to a sustainable future in Greenland