trans-Bis(perchlorato-κO)tetra­kis(1H-pyrazole-κN 2)copper(II)

The title compound, [Cu(ClO4)2(C3H4N2)4], was obtained unexpectedly by the reaction of copper(II) perchlorate hexa­hydrate with equimolar amounts of 1-chloro-1-nitro-2,2,2-tripyrazolylethane in methanol solution. The crystal structure comprises octa­hedrally coordinated Cu2+ ions, located on an inversion centre, with four pyrazole ligands in the equatorial plane. The average Cu—N distance is 2.000 (1) Å. Two perchlorate ions are coordinated to copper in trans positions [Cu—O = 2.4163 (11) Å]

Conventional and UAV-Based Aerial Surveys for Long-Term Monitoring (1954–2020) of a Highly Active Rock Glacier in Austria

Rock glaciers are creep phenomena of mountain permafrost. Speed-up has been observed on several rock glaciers in recent years and attributed to climate change. Although rare, related long-term studies are nevertheless essential to bring a climate perspective to creep velocity changes. In the present study, we focused on changes both in the surface creep velocity and volume of the Leibnitzkopf rock glacier (Hohe Tauern Range, Austria) in the period 1954–2020. We applied 3D change detection using aerial images of both conventional (12 epochs between 1954 and 2018) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based aerial surveys (2 epochs, 2019 and 2020), and combined this with ground and air temperature data. Photogrammetric processing (structure-from-motion, multi-view stereo) of the multi-temporal dataset resulted in high-resolution digital orthophotos/DOPs (5–50 cm spatial resolution) and digital elevation models/DEMs (10–50 cm grid spacing). Georeferencing was supported by five externally triangulated images from 2018, bi-temporal aerial triangulation of the image data relying on stable ground around the rock glacier, measured ground control points (2019 and 2020), and measured camera locations (PPK-GNSS) of the UAV flight in 2020. 2D displacement vectors based on the multi-temporal DOPs and/or DEMs were computed. Accuracy analyses were conducted based on geodetic measurements (2010–2020) and airborne laser scanning data (2009). Our analyses show high multi-annual and inter-annual creep velocity variabilities with maxima between 12 (1974–1981) and 576 cm/year (2019–2020), always detected in the same area of the rock glacier where surface disintegration was first observed in 2018. Our volume change analyses of the entire landform for the period 1954–2018 do not indicate any significant changes. This suggests little permafrost ice melt and/or general low ice content of the rock glacier. Analyses of the temperature data reveal a close relationship between higher temperatures and rock glacier acceleration despite the high probability of low ice content. This suggests that hydrogeological changes play an important role in the rock glacier system. The paper concludes with a summary of technical improvements and recommendations useful for rock glacier monitoring and a general view on the kinematic state of the Leibnitzkopf rock glacier

Panta Rhei: Movement Change of Tschadinhorn Rock Glacier (Hohe Tauern Range, Austria), 1954–2017

U radu se prikazuje rekonstrukcija kinematike kamenog glečera Tschadinhorn upotrebom viševremenskih konvencionalnih (mjernih) fotografija snimljenih iz zraka (1954–2015) i dodatnih nemjernih fotografija snimljenih iz zraka (2016, 2017) bespilotnim letjelicama (unmanned aerial vehicles – UAV). Letjelica s rotirajućim krilima (hexacopter twinHEX v.3.0) upotrebljena je 2016. godine, a letjelica s nepokretnim krilima (QuestUAV) upotrebljena je 2017. Povijesni slikovni podaci dobiveni su od Austri­jskog federalnog ureda za metrologiju i izmjeru (Bundesamt für Eich- und Vermessungswesen – BEV). Za svako su razdoblje izračunani digitalni ortofoto (DOP) i digitalni model reljefa (digital relief model – DTM). Precizno geo­re­­­­­­ferenciranje slikovnih podataka provedeno je u austrijskom koordinatnom su­­stavu Gauss- Krüger M31 upotrebom aerotriangulacija (AT) do­bi­venih od BEV-a i dodatnim kontrolnim točkama na tlu (ground control point – GCP) geodetski izmje­re­nih tijekom obaju izmje­ra bespilotnim letjelicama. Analiza otkrivanja promjena rezultirala je viševremenskim dvo­di­menzi­ona­lnim poljem brzina kre­tanja. Nakon toga, podaci su sređeni kako bi se dobio jednostavniji grafički prikaz brzine koji jasno po­kazuje razvoj brzine kretanja kamenog glečera. Najveća prosječna godišnja brzina kretanja od 3,28 metra u godini dobivena je u razdoblju 2014– 2015, dok je najmanja godišnja brzina od 0,16 metra u godini opažena u razdoblju 1969–1974. Na grafičkom prikazu brzine također se vidi da je razdoblje 1954–2009 bilo karakterizirano uglavnom umjerenom aktivnošću (0,16 – 0,79 metra u godini) te da od 2009. prevladavaju mnogo veće brzine kretanja. Trenutačna vrijednost za 2016–2017 iznosi 1,92 metra u godini.In this paper we present a reconstruction of the kinematics of the Tschadinhorn rock glacier using multi-temporal conventional (metric) aerial photographs (1954–2015) and additional non-metric aerial photographs (2016, 2017) taken with in-house unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A rotary-wing aircraft (hexacopter twinHEX v.3.0) was used in 2016 and a fixed-wing aircraft (QuestUAV) in 2017. The historical image data was acquired from the Austrian Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying (BEV). Both a digital orthophoto (DOP) and a digital terrain model (DTM) were computed for each given epoch. Precise georeferencing of the image data was carried out in the Austrian Gauss-Krüger M31 coordinate system using available aerotriangulations (ATs) of BEV and additional ground control points (GCPs) measured geodetically during both UAV campaigns. Change detection analysis provided multi-temporal 2D flow velocity fields. Subsequently, these data were collated to produce a simpler velocity graph showing clearly the temporal evolution of the flow velocity of Tschadinhorn rock glacier: A maximum mean annual flow velocity of 3.28 m/year was obtained for 2014–2015, while the lowest annual flow velocity of 0.16 m/year was observed for 1969–1974. The velocity graph also revealed that 1954–2009 was characterized by generally moderate activity (0.16 – 0.79 m/year) and that much higher flow velocities have prevailed since 2009. The present value for 2016–2017 is 1.92 m/year

Post COVID-19 condition after Wildtype, Delta, and Omicron variant SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination: pooled analysis of two population-based cohorts

Background Post COVID-19 condition (PCC) is an important complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection, affecting millions worldwide. Further evidence is needed on the risk of PCC after vaccination and infection with newer variants. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of PCC across different variants and vaccination histories. Methods We used pooled data from 1350 SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals from two representative population-based cohorts in Switzerland, diagnosed between Aug 5, 2020, and Feb 25, 2022. We descriptively analysed the prevalence and severity of PCC, defined as the presence and frequency of PCC-related symptoms six months after infection, among vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals infected with Wildtype, Delta, and Omicron SARS-CoV-2. We used multivariable logistic regression models to assess the association and estimate the risk reduction of PCC after infection with newer variants and prior vaccination. We further assessed associations with the severity of PCC using multinomial logistic regression. To identify groups of individuals with similar symptom patterns and evaluate differences in the presentation of PCC across variants, we performed exploratory hierarchical cluster analyses. Findings We found strong evidence that vaccinated individuals infected with Omicron had a reduced risk of developing PCC compared to non-vaccinated Wildtype-infected individuals (odds ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.24–0.68). The risk among non-vaccinated individuals was similar after infection with Delta or Omicron compared to Wildtype SARS-CoV-2. We found no differences in PCC prevalence with respect to the number of received vaccine doses or timing of last vaccination. The prevalence of PCC-related symptoms among vaccinated, Omicron-infected individuals was lower across severity levels. In cluster analyses, we identified four clusters of diverse systemic, neurocognitive, cardiorespiratory, and musculoskeletal symptoms, with similar patterns across variants. Interpretation The risk of PCC appears to be lowered with infection by the Omicron variant and after prior vaccination. This evidence is crucial to guide future public health measures and vaccination strategies. Funding Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), University of Zurich Foundation, Cantonal Department of Health Zurich, Swiss Federal Office of Public Health Study registrations ISRCTN14990068, ISRCTN1818186

The Corona Immunitas Digital Follow-Up eCohort to Monitor Impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Switzerland: Study Protocol and First Results

Objectives: To describe the rationale, organization, and procedures of the Corona Immunitas Digital Follow-Up (CI-DFU) eCohort and to characterize participants at baseline. Methods: Participants of Corona Immunitas, a population-based nationwide SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study in Switzerland, were invited to join the CI-DFU eCohort in 11 study centres. Weekly online questonnaires cover health status changes, prevention measures adherence, and social impacts. Monthly questionnaires cover additional prevention adherence, contact tracing apps use, vaccination and vaccine hesitancy, and socio-economic changes. Results: We report data from the 5 centres that enrolled in the CI-DFU between June and October 2020 (covering Basel City/Land, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Ticino, Zurich). As of February 2021, 4636 participants were enrolled and 85,693 weekly and 27,817 monthly questionnaires were collected. Design-based oversampling led to overrepresentation of individuals aged 65+ years. People with higher education and income were more likely to enroll and be retained. Conclusion: Broad enrolment and robust retention of participants enables scientifically sound monitoring of pandemic impacts, prevention, and vaccination progress. The CI-DFU eCohort demonstrates proof-of-principle for large-scale, federated eCohort study designs based on jointly agreed principles and transparent governance. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; digital follow-up; eCohort; population-based study; prevention; public health surveillanc

Electronic Health Diary Campaigns to Complement Longitudinal Assessments in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Nested Observational Study

BACKGROUND Electronic health diaries hold promise in complementing standardized surveys in prospective health studies but are fraught with numerous methodological challenges. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to investigate participant characteristics and other factors associated with response to an electronic health diary campaign in persons with multiple sclerosis, identify recurrent topics in free-text diary entries, and assess the added value of structured diary entries with regard to current symptoms and medication intake when compared with survey-collected information. METHODS Data were collected by the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry during a nested electronic health diary campaign and during a regular semiannual Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry follow-up survey serving as comparator. The characteristics of campaign participants were descriptively compared with those of nonparticipants. Diary content was analyzed using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count 2015 software (Pennebaker Conglomerates, Inc) and descriptive keyword analyses. The similarities between structured diary data and follow-up survey data on health-related quality of life, symptoms, and medication intake were examined using the Jaccard index. RESULTS Campaign participants (n=134; diary entries: n=815) were more often women, were not working full time, did not have a higher education degree, had a more advanced gait impairment, and were on average 5 years older (median age 52.5, IQR 43.25-59.75 years) than eligible nonparticipants (median age 47, IQR 38-55 years; n=524). Diary free-text entries (n=632; participants: n=100) most often contained references to the following standard Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count word categories: negative emotion (193/632, 30.5%), body parts or body functioning (191/632, 30.2%), health (94/632, 14.9%), or work (67/632, 10.6%). Analogously, the most frequently mentioned keywords (diary entries: n=526; participants: n=93) were "good," "day," and "work." Similarities between diary data and follow-up survey data, collected 14 months apart (median), were high for health-related quality of life and stable for slow-changing symptoms such as fatigue or gait disorder. Similarities were also comparatively high for drugs requiring a regular application, including interferon beta-1a (Avonex) and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), and for modern oral therapies such as fingolimod (Gilenya) and teriflunomide (Aubagio). CONCLUSIONS Diary campaign participation seemed dependent on time availability and symptom burden and was enhanced by reminder emails. Electronic health diaries are a meaningful complement to regular structured surveys and can provide more detailed information regarding medication use and symptoms. However, they should ideally be embedded into promotional activities or tied to concrete research study tasks to enhance regular and long-term participation

Electronic Health Diary Campaigns to Complement Longitudinal Assessments in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Nested Observational Study.

BACKGROUND Electronic health diaries hold promise in complementing standardized surveys in prospective health studies but are fraught with numerous methodological challenges. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to investigate participant characteristics and other factors associated with response to an electronic health diary campaign in persons with multiple sclerosis, identify recurrent topics in free-text diary entries, and assess the added value of structured diary entries with regard to current symptoms and medication intake when compared with survey-collected information. METHODS Data were collected by the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry during a nested electronic health diary campaign and during a regular semiannual Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry follow-up survey serving as comparator. The characteristics of campaign participants were descriptively compared with those of nonparticipants. Diary content was analyzed using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count 2015 software (Pennebaker Conglomerates, Inc) and descriptive keyword analyses. The similarities between structured diary data and follow-up survey data on health-related quality of life, symptoms, and medication intake were examined using the Jaccard index. RESULTS Campaign participants (n=134; diary entries: n=815) were more often women, were not working full time, did not have a higher education degree, had a more advanced gait impairment, and were on average 5 years older (median age 52.5, IQR 43.25-59.75 years) than eligible nonparticipants (median age 47, IQR 38-55 years; n=524). Diary free-text entries (n=632; participants: n=100) most often contained references to the following standard Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count word categories: negative emotion (193/632, 30.5%), body parts or body functioning (191/632, 30.2%), health (94/632, 14.9%), or work (67/632, 10.6%). Analogously, the most frequently mentioned keywords (diary entries: n=526; participants: n=93) were "good," "day," and "work." Similarities between diary data and follow-up survey data, collected 14 months apart (median), were high for health-related quality of life and stable for slow-changing symptoms such as fatigue or gait disorder. Similarities were also comparatively high for drugs requiring a regular application, including interferon beta-1a (Avonex) and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), and for modern oral therapies such as fingolimod (Gilenya) and teriflunomide (Aubagio). CONCLUSIONS Diary campaign participation seemed dependent on time availability and symptom burden and was enhanced by reminder emails. Electronic health diaries are a meaningful complement to regular structured surveys and can provide more detailed information regarding medication use and symptoms. However, they should ideally be embedded into promotional activities or tied to concrete research study tasks to enhance regular and long-term participation

Real-world disease-modifying therapy usage in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Cross-sectional data from the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry.

INTRODUCTION Several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), covering a broad spectrum of mechanisms of action, have been approved by regulatory agencies for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, only little is known about the current real-world treatment situation in Switzerland. Based on data from a diverse population of 668 persons with RRMS from the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry (SMSR), the present study aims to fill this gap with a descriptive, cross-sectional approach. METHODS Data originated from the SMSR baseline questionnaire and follow-up surveys. Data on current health status and life situation in the last 6 months were extracted from the survey distributed throughout 2020 and 2021, while data on disease-modifying therapy (DMT) histories were included from preceding surveys. Initially, data was stratified into three DMT groups according to the current DMT status (NO (No DMT), CONTINUED (DMT started more than 6 months ago), and NEW (DMT started less than 6 months ago)). In a subsequent analysis, the sample was stratified into groups corresponding to the five most frequently prescribed DMTs. Self-reported outcomes including therapy discontinuation or interruption, relapses and side-effects in the last 6 months were analyzed per group. Life and health situation parameters were also determined and analyzed. RESULTS The study population consisted of 445 (66.6%) individuals belonging to the CONTINUED, 84 (12.6%) to the NEW, and 139 (20.8%) to the NO group. Within the NO group, 24 (17.3%) reported relapses. Furthermore, self-reported relapses (28 (33.3%)), side-effects (39 (46.4%)), and treatment discontinuations or interruptions (30 (35.7%)) occurred more frequently in the NEW compared to the CONTINUED group (37 (8.3%), 125 (28.1%), 8 (1.8%), respectively). The three groups also differed with respect to age, time since diagnosis, number of symptoms, DMT history, and health-related quality of life. The five most frequently prescribed DMTs included fingolimod (33.4%), dimethyl fumarate (25.0%), ocrelizumab (23.6%), natalizumab (10.6%) and teriflunomide (7.5%). The frequency of self-reported relapses ranged from 9.7% to 13.6%. Notable differences were found in the number of self-reported side-effects, ranging from 9.1% with natalizumab to 56.7% with dimethyl fumarate. DISCUSSION This cross-sectional analysis suggested that the majority of individuals with RRMS in Switzerland continuously receive tolerable DMT. However, groups not receiving DMT or struggling with side-effects or continued disease worsening while on DMT still persist. It is conceivable that the number of self-reported symptoms indicates the need for more detailed clarification of the DMT characteristics and expectations of treatment outcomes. Injectable DMTs no longer play a major role in the treatment of RRMS in Switzerland and a trend toward an early use of potent drugs is emerging

High-throughput screening and whole genome sequencing identifies an antimicrobially active inhibitor of Vibrio cholerae

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic serotypes of Vibrio cholerae cause the life-threatening diarrheal disease cholera. The increasing development of bacterial resistances against the known antibiotics necessitates the search for new antimicrobial compounds and targets for this pathogen. RESULTS: A high-throughput screening assay with a Vibrio cholerae reporter strain constitutively expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) was developed and applied in the investigation of the growth inhibitory effect of approximately 28,300 structurally diverse natural compounds and synthetic small molecules. Several compounds with activities in the low micromolar concentration range were identified. The most active structure, designated vz0825, displayed a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.6 μM and a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 3.2 μM against several strains of V. cholerae and was specific for this pathogen. Mutants with reduced sensitivity against vz0825 were generated and whole genome sequencing of 15 pooled mutants was carried out. Comparison with the genome of the wild type strain identified the gene VC_A0531 (GenBank: AE003853.1) as the major site of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the resistant mutants. VC_A0531 is located on the small chromosome of V. cholerae and encodes the osmosensitive K(+)-channel sensor histidine kinase (KdpD). Nucleotide exchange of the major mutation site in the wild type strain confirmed the sensitive phenotype. CONCLUSION: The reporter strain MO10 pG13 was successfully used for the identification of new antibacterial compounds against V. cholerae. Generation of resistant mutants and whole genome sequencing was carried out to identify the histidine kinase KdpD as a novel antimicrobial target

Detection of atomic spin labels in a lipid bi-layer using a single-spin nanodiamond probe

Magnetic field fluctuations arising from fundamental spins are ubiquitous in nanoscale biology, and are a rich source of information about the processes that generate them. However, the ability to detect the few spins involved without averaging over large ensembles has remained elusive. Here we demonstrate the detection of gadolinium spin labels in an artificial cell membrane under ambient conditions using a single-spin nanodiamond sensor. Changes in the spin relaxation time of the sensor located in the lipid bilayer were optically detected and found to be sensitive to near-individual proximal gadolinium atomic labels. The detection of such small numbers of spins in a model biological setting, with projected detection times of one second, opens a new pathway for in-situ nanoscale detection of dynamical processes in biology.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figure