BVLOS UAV missions for vegetation mapping in maritime Antarctic

Polar areas are among the regions where climate change occurs faster than on most of the other areas on Earth. To study the effects of climate change on vegetation, there is a need for knowledge on its current status and properties. Both classic field observation methods and remote sensing methods based on manned aircraft or satellite image analysis have limitations. These include high logistic operation costs, limited research areas, high safety risks, direct human impact, and insufficient resolution of satellite images. Fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle beyond the visual line of sight (UAV BVLOS) missions can bridge the scale gap between field-based observations and full-scale airborne or satellite surveys. In this study the two operations of the UAV BVLOS, at an altitude of 350m ASL, have been successfully performed in Antarctic conditions. Maps of the vegetation of the western shore of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, South Shetlands, Western Antarctic) that included the Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 128 (ASPA 128) were designed. The vegetation in the 7.5 km2 area was mapped in ultra-high-resolution(<5cm and DEM of 0.25m GSD), and from the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), four broad vegetation units were extracted: “dense moss carpets” (covering 0.14 km2 ,0.8%ofASPA128), “Sanionia uncinata moss bed” (0.31 km2 , 1.7% of ASPA 128), “Deschampsia antarctica grass meadow” (0.24 km2,1.3% of ASPA 128), and “Deschampsia antarctica–Usnea antarctica heath” (1.66 km2,9.4% of ASPA 128). Our results demonstrate that the presented UAV BVLOS–based surveys are time-effective (single flight lasting 2.5 h on a distance of 300 km) and cost-effective when compared to classical field-based observations and are less invasive for the ecosystem. Moreover, unmanned airborne vehicles significantly improve security, which is of particular interest in polar region research. Therefore, their development is highly recommended for monitoring areas in remote and fragile environments. KEYWORD

Effect of acetylcholine on vascular smooth muscle contraction induced by phenylephrine, angiotensin II and mastoparan-7

Background. The reactivity of blood vessels depends on their structure and the presence of calcium ions. It is modulated by numerous factors which activate specific signalling pathways leading to contraction or relaxation of smooth muscle. The action of various vasodilatation substances may be altered under the influence of similar or quite different modulators. Main aim of this study was to assess the role of acetylcholine and calcium ions in modulating the contraction induced by angiotensin II (ANG II), phenylephrine (PHE) and mastoparan-7, a direct activator of G-protein. Material and methods. Experiments were performed on isolated and perfused tail arteries of Wistar rats. Contraction force in our model was measured by increased level of perfusion pressure with a constant flow. Results. ANG II caused an increase in perfusion pressure in physiological salt solution (PSS) and calcium free PSS (FPSS).Under the influence of increasing concentrations of acetylcholine, a statistically significant reduction in perfusion pressure in both types of fluid was noted. In the presence of nitro-L-arginine (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NNA) in both solutions, no changes in contraction stimulated by ANG II or spasmolytic effect of acetylcholine were observed. PHE, in a similar manner to ANG II, caused contraction in FPSS and PSS, which was similarly modulated by acetylcholine. In the mastoparan-7 induced contraction, the pattern of tissue response was similar. For all groups, maximal perfusion pressure in PSS was higher than for FPSS. Conclusions. The results of our experiments suggest that acetylcholine by activation of vascular endothelium is able to induce dose-dependent vasodilatation not only in contraction related to typical metabotropic receptor agonists, but also after direct stimulation of G-protein with mastoparan-7. This effect may be reversed in the presence of inhibitors of endothelial synthase of nitric oxide

Exploitation of biotechnology by Polish plant breeding

W ramach koordynacji projektu badawczego zamawianego PBZ-MNiSW-2/3/2006 pt. „Nowe metody genetyki molekularnej i genomiki służące doskonaleniu odmian roślin uprawnych” przeprowadzono badania ankietowe wśród krajowych ośrodków hodowli roślin na temat wykorzystania biotechnologii w procesie hodowlanym roślin uprawnych. W badaniach wzięło udział 18 krajowych ośrodków hodowli roślin. Ankieta obejmowała 14 rozbudowanych pytań, ukazujących obecny stan wykorzystania biotechnologii w hodowli twórczej, trudności w uzyskaniu oczekiwanego postępu hodowlanego, znacznie pożądanych kierunków hodowli w poszczególnych gatunkach, obecne i przyszłe zastosowanie markerów molekularnych, zainteresowanie firm hodowlanych w szkoleniu własnego personelu, celowości prowadzenia programu hodowli wstępnej przez wyspecjalizowane ośrodki oraz korzystania z usług biotechnologicznych oferowanych hodowcom.Survey on application of biotechnology in the breeding process of cultivated plants was organized in the frame of coordination of the PBZ-MNiSW-2/3/2006 project entitled: “New methods of molecular genetics and genomics served to variety improvement in cultivated plants”. All of the eighteen invited domestic breeding centers took part in the survey. Fourteen extended questions were focused on current status of biotechnology application to plant breeding, difficulties in achieving expected breeding progress, importance of desired directions in breeding of respective plant species, use of molecular markers — currently and in the future, interest of breeding companies in training of their own staff, necessity of pre-breeding program realization by specialized centers and use of biotechnological services offered to breeders

Pembrolizumab monotherapy survival benefits in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review of real-world data

Abstract The efficacy of pembrolizumab in the treatment-naïve non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients was proved in the KEYNOTE-024 randomized trial. The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify and summarize the real world evidence (RWE) of overall survival (OS) in previously untreated patients with NSCLC receiving pembrolizumab monotherapy. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE®) and EMBASE databases. Analyses were focused on survival data (median OS and survival rates at specific time points). To explore the population comparable with the KEYNOTE-024 study, we focused on studies enrolling at least 50% of patients at stage IV of cancer and ECOG performance status 0–2. A total of 41 RWE studies covering over 7600 advanced NSCLC patients naïve to systemic treatment were identified. Overall, survival outcomes reported in those studies vary considerably (median OS range: 3.0–34.6 months). Most RWE studies reported median OS shorter to that reported in KEYNOTE-024 (26.3 months), but about half of reported OS medians were in range of 95% confidence interval for OS as reported in KEYNOTE-024 trial (18.3–40.4 months). Patients with similar characteristics of stage and performance status to those of KEYNOTE-024 trial benefited the same with pembrolizumab monotherapy as their survival outcomes (18.9–22.8 months) were consistent with those reported in the clinical trial. RWE data showed substantially worse outcomes in patients with ECOG-PS 2+ compared to ECOG-PS 0–1 patients

In Vitro Influence of Extracts from Snail Helix aspersa Müller on the Colon Cancer Cell Line Caco-2

Colorectal cancer is the third most widely diagnosed cancer. Extracts from snails may modulate growth and development of colorectal cancer cells. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition of tissues derived from Helix aspersa Müller and red-ox properties of tissue extracts. Then, the influence of extracts and their fractions of different molecular weights on viability of Caco-2 cells was examined. Tissue lyophilisates contained antioxidants that could be important in the prevention of colorectal cancer. Moreover, we confirmed the presence of a wide array of compounds that might be used in treatment of this disease. The decrease of cell viability after the application of extracts from lyophilized mucus and foot tissues was affirmed. The effect of extract from mucus could be related to the content of some proteins and peptides, proper essential amino acids (EAA)/non-essential amino acids (NEAA) ratio, Met restriction and the presence of Cu, Ca, Zn, Se. The influence of the extract from foot tissues could be assigned additionally to the presence of eicosapentaenoic, α-linolenic, linoleic and γ-linolenic acids. The opposite effect was demonstrated by extract from lyophilized shells which increased cell viability. Further studies are needed to know whether dietary supplying of H. aspersa Müller tissues can be used as an approach in colorectal cancer management

Boosting Humoral Immunity from mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Introduction: The immune response to the primary (two-dose) series of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is very weak. We conducted a longitudinal observational study to compare the humoral response to a third, additional primary dose of mRNA vaccines between infection-na&iuml;ve (IN-KTRs) and previously infected KTRs (PI-KTRs). Methods: We measured the levels of anti-spike (anti-s) IgG antibodies before and 14&ndash;21 days after the third dose and, in the secondary analysis, we compared the antibody response to BNT162b2 versus mRNA-1273. The reactogenicity assessment included solicited local and systemic reactions. Results: A total of 112 KTRs were enrolled, including 83 IN-KTR and 29 PI-KTR, among whom seroconversion in anti-s antibodies after the primary two-dose vaccination was achieved in 45.78% and 100% of cases, respectively. After three months, a waning antibodies titer by 67.4% (IN-KTR) and 7.5% (PI-KTR) was observed. After the third dose of the mRNA vaccine, 71.08% (59/83) of IN-KTR and 96.5% (28/29) of PI-KTR samples were seroconverted with a median anti-s titer of 468.0 (195.0&ndash;1620.0) BAU/mL and 1629.0 (1205&ndash;1815) BAU/mL, respectively. Of those IN-KTR in whom the primary vaccination failed, 46.67% (21/45) of patients achieved seroconversion after the third dose. No serious adverse events after the third dose were reported. In strata analyses, after the third dose, 66% (40/60) of patients vaccinated with BNT162b2 and 82.6% (19/23) of patients vaccinated with mRNA-1273 seroconverted with a median anti-s titer of 384.5 (144&ndash;837) BAU/mL and 1620 (671&ndash;2040) BAU/mL, respectively. Conclusions: The use of a third dose of mRNA vaccine may be of benefit for KTR, especially for those in whom the primary vaccination failed. Vaccines with a higher dose of mRNA and a longer interval between doses of the primary vaccination, such as mRNA-1273, seem to be the preparations of choice in immunocompromised individuals

Fe(III) and Cu(II) Complexes of Chlorogenic Acid: Spectroscopic, Thermal, Anti-/Pro-Oxidant, and Cytotoxic Studies

Complexes of chlorogenic acid (5-CQA) with copper(II) and iron(III) were synthesized in a solid state and examined by means of FT-IR, thermogravimetric, and elemental analyses. The molar stoichiometric ratios of metal:ligand for the solid forms of the complexes were established as Cu(II):L = 1:2 and Fe(III):L = 2:3 (L: 5-CQA), with the possible coordination through the carboxylate group and the hydroxyl group from the catechol moiety. In an aqueous solution at pH = 7.4, the composition of the complexes was Cu(II):L = 1:1, and Fe(III):L = 1:1 and 1:2. The Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes with 5-CQA showed lower antioxidant properties, as estimated by the spectrophotometric methods with DPPH&bull;, ABTS&bull;+, and HO&bull; radicals, than the ligand alone, whereas in the lipid peroxidation inhibition assay, the metal complexes revealed a higher antioxidant activity than 5-CQA. Cu(II) 5-CQA showed the highest pro-oxidant activity in the Trolox oxidation assays compared to the other studied compounds. The lipophilic parameters of the compounds were estimated using the HPLC method. 5-CQA and its complexes with Fe(III) and Cu(II) were not toxic to HaCaT cells in a tested concentration range of 0.15&ndash;1000 nM after a 24 h incubation time

A decade of invasive meningococcal disease surveillance in Poland.

Neisseria meningitidis is a leading etiologic agent of severe invasive disease. The objective of the study was to characterise invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) epidemiology in Poland during the last decade, based on laboratory confirmed cases.The study encompassed all invasive meningococci collected between 2002 and 2011 in the National Reference Centre for Bacterial Meningitis. The isolates were re-identified and characterised by susceptibility testing, MLST analysis, porA and fetA sequencing. A PCR technique was used for meningococcal identification directly from clinical materials.In the period studied, 1936 cases of IMD were confirmed, including 75.6% identified by culture. Seven IMD outbreaks, affecting mostly adolescents, were reported; all were caused by serogroup C meningococci of ST-11. The highest incidence was observed among children under one year of age (15.71/100,000 in 2011). The general case fatality rate in the years 2010-2011 was 10.0%. Meningococci of serogroup B, C, Y and W-135 were responsible for 48.8%, 36.6%, 1.2% and 1.2% of cases, respectively. All isolates were susceptible to third generation cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and 84.2% were susceptible to penicillin. MLST analysis (2009-2011) revealed that among serogroup B isolates the most represented were clonal complexes (CC) ST-32CC, ST-18CC, ST-41/44CC, ST-213CC and ST-269CC, and among serogroup C: ST-103CC, ST-41/44CC and ST-11CC.The detection of IMD in Poland has changed over time, but observed increase in the incidence of the disease was mostly attributed to changes in the surveillance system including an expanded case definition and inclusion of data from non-culture diagnostics

Serogroup distribution of meningococci responsible for invasive infections in Poland, 2002–2011.

<p>(n = 1936; UNK - cases with unknown serogroup).</p

The total annual incidence rates (/100,000) of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)/meningitis rates in age groups in Poland based on laboratory-confirmed cases, including culture- and PCR-positive samples, 2002–2011 (only cases with known age were included when calculating the incidence) and total annual incidence rates of IMD registered by the compulsory notification system (NIPH-NIH).

a<p>%Cases <b>-</b> percentage of IMD cases in age group among all cases;</p>b<p>No cases - total number of cases in a particular year;</p>c<p>percentage of cases identified by PCR in a particular year;</p>d<p>Men-cult. - incidence rates of meningitis confirmed by culture only;</p>e<p>NIPH-NIH – total incidence of invasive meningococcal disease for all age groups registered by compulsory notification system run by the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene (Available: <a href="http://www.pzh.gov.pl/oldpage/epimeld/index_p.html" target="_blank">http://www.pzh.gov.pl/oldpage/epimeld/index_p.html</a>. Accessed 2013 May 24).</p