Seasonal variation of carbon monoxide in northern Japan: Fourier transform IR measurements and source-labeled model calculations

Tropospheric carbon monoxide (CO) was measured throughout 2001 using groundbased Fourier transform IR (FTIR) spectrometers at Moshiri 44.4N and Rikubetsu 43.5N) observatories in northern Japan, which are separated by 150 km. Seasonal and day-to-day variations of CO are studied using these data, and contributions from various CO sources are evaluated using three-dimensional global chemistry transport model (GEOS-CHEM) calculations. Seasonal maximum and minimum FTIR-derived tropospheric CO amounts occurred in April and September, respectively. The ratio of partial column amounts between the 0–4 and 0–12 km altitude ranges is found to be slightly greater in early spring. The GEOS-CHEM model calculations generally reproduce these observed features. Source-labeled CO model calculations suggest that the observed seasonal variation is caused by seasonal contributions from various sources, in addition to a seasonal change in chemical CO loss by OH. Changes in meteorological fields largely control the relative importance of various source contributions. The contributions from fossil fuel (FF) combustion in Asia and photochemical CO production have the greatest yearly averaged contribution at 1 km among the CO sources (31% each). The Asian FF contribution increases from winter to summer, because weak southwesterly wind in summer brings more Asian pollutants to the observation sites. The seasonal variation from photochemical CO production is small (±17% at 1 km), likely because of concurrent increases (decreases) of photochemical production and loss rates in summer (winter), with the largest contribution between August and December. The contribution from intercontinental transport of European FF combustion CO is found to be comparable to that of Asian FF sources in winter. Northwesterly wind around the Siberian high in this season brings pollutants from Europe directly to Japan, in addition to southward transport of accumulated pollution from higher latitudes. The influences are generally greater at lower altitudes, resulting in a vertical gradient in the CO profile during winter. The model underestimates total CO by 12–14% between March and June. Satellite-derived fire-count data and the relationship between FTIR-derived HCN and CO amounts are generally consistent with biomass burning influences, which could have been underestimated by the model calculations

Laboratories of Learning: Education, Learning and Knowledge-Making in Social Movements: Insights from Colombia, Nepal, South Africa and Turkey

This synthesis report brings together cross-case insights produced from four case studies of social movements in Colombia, Nepal, South Africa and Turkey. The research that was ably carried out by a committed group of researchers in collaboration with the movements themselves, their leaders and activists, in a dynamic process of research coproduction

Pentraxin 3 in cardiovascular disease

The long pentraxin PTX3 is a member of the pentraxin family produced locally by stromal and myeloid cells in response to proinflammatory signals and microbial moieties. The prototype of the pentraxin family is C reactive protein (CRP), a widely-used biomarker in human pathologies with an inflammatory or infectious origin. Data so far describe PTX3 as a multifunctional protein acting as a functional ancestor of antibodies and playing a regulatory role in inflammation. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and inflammation is crucial in promoting it. Data from animal models indicate that PTX3 can have cardioprotective and atheroprotective roles regulating inflammation. PTX3 has been investigated in several clinical settings as possible biomarker of CVD. Data collected so far indicate that PTX3 plasma levels rise rapidly in acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and cardiac arrest, reflecting the extent of tissue damage and predicting the risk of mortality

ISOLATION AND GENOTYPING OF AEROMONAS SPP. IN READY-TO-EAT FOODS. PRELIMINARY RESULTS

The taxonomy of the genus Aeromonas is constantly changing and it is important that strains are identified and carefully differentiate. The aim of this preliminary investigation was to assess the presence of Aeromonas spp. in RTE foods from supermarkets and sushi Take Away and stored at refrigeration temperature. Particular attention was given to the choice of culture media in order to assess their ability to differentiate Aeromonas spp. and to perform subsequent phylogenetic analysis and the characterization of the species isolated

VP39.01: Maternal hemodynamics and umbilical vein flow in fetal growth restriction

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VP39.04: Early/late‐IUGR treated with NO donors transdermal patches: prognostic and predictive value of maternal hemodynamic assessment at the onset of therapy

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Left ventricular midwall mechanics at 24 weeks' gestation in high-risk normotensive pregnant women: Relationship to placenta-related complications of pregnancy

Most studies during pregnancy have assessed maternal left ventricular (LV) function by load-dependent indices, assessing only chamber function. The aim of this study was to assess afterload-adjusted LV myocardial and chamber systolic function at 24 weeks' gestation and 6 months postpartum in high-risk normotensive pregnant women

Genetic and epigenetic factors of takotsubo syndrome: A systematic review

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), recognized as stress’s cardiomyopathy, or as left ventricular apical balloon syndrome in recent years, is a rare pathology, described for the first time by Japanese researchers in 1990. TTS is characterized by an interindividual heterogeneity in onset and progression, and by strong predominance in postmenopausal women. The clear causes of these TTS features are uncertain, given the limited understanding of this intriguing syndrome until now. However, the increasing frequency of TTS cases in recent years, and particularly correlated to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, leads us to the imperative necessity both of a complete knowledge of TTS pathophysiology for identifying biomarkers facilitating its management, and of targets for specific and effective treatments. The suspect of a genetic basis in TTS pathogenesis has been evidenced. Accordingly, familial forms of TTS have been described. However, a systematic and comprehensive characterization of the genetic or epigenetic factors significantly associated with TTS is lacking. Thus, we here conducted a systematic review of the literature before June 2021, to contribute to the identification of potential genetic and epigenetic factors associated with TTS. Interesting data were evidenced, but few in number and with diverse limitations. Consequently, we concluded that further work is needed to address the gaps discussed, and clear evidence may arrive by using multi-omics investigations

MARS therapy, the bridging to liver retransplantation-Three cases from the Hungarian liver transplant program

Besides orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) there is no long-term and effective replacement therapy for severe liver failure. Artificial extracorporeal liver supply devices are able to reduce blood toxin levels, but do not replace any synthetic function of the liver. Molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) is one of the methods that can be used to treat fulminant acute liver failure (ALF) or acute on chronic liver failure (AoCLF). The primary non-function (PNF) of the newly transplanted liver manifests in the clinical settings exactly like acute liver failure. MARS treatment can reduce the severity of complications by eliminating blood toxins, so that it can help hepatic encephalopathy (HE), hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), and the high rate mortality of cerebral herniation. This might serve as a bridging therapy before orthotopic liver retransplantation (reOLT). Three patients after a first liver transplantation became candidate for urgent MARS treatment as a bridging solution prior to reOLT in our center. Authors report these three cases, focusing on indications, MARS sessions, clinical courses, and final outcomes. © 2013 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest