Chlorophyll-a, total suspended matter and sea surface temperature maps of the North Sea available through the BELCOLOUR project

Since the launch of the first Ocean Colour sensors at the end of the previous century, much research has been devoted to transform Top of Atmosphere radiance measurements into reliable concentration maps of oceanographic parameters at the sea surface like e.g. chlorophyll content, total amount of suspended matter, sea surface temperature. While algorithms to determine chlorophyll in clear open water (so-called case 1 waters) are well established because this is the only parameter changing the spectral signal, they fail in coastal and turbid waters where the spectral signal is the result of the optical properties of a variety of constituents. The BELCOLOUR project improved the theoretical base for establishing concentration maps in coastal waters and developed quality control algorithms. Non reliable or unrealistic data are masked out in the final products to avoid misinterpretation of the data. The BELCOLOUR project worked mainly on satellite imagery from the Ocean Colour sensors SeaWiFS, MERIS and MODIS. All satellite data of the North Sea of these sensors (if not completely clouded) have been processed and transformed into quasi-true colour (RGB), chlorophyll (CHL), total suspended matter (TSM) and, for MODIS, sea surface temperature (SST) maps and made available for public through an easy browsing system on http://www.mumm.ac.be/BELCOLOUR. The satellite data of MERIS and MODIS are processed in near real time in an automated way and the products are presented one day after the acquisition in the Near Real Time Database on the BELCOLOUR website (http://www.mumm.ac.be/BELCOLOUR/EN/Products/NRT/index.php), where they stay for 14 days. Later the data are reprocessed and archived in the BELCOLOUR Image Database (http://www.mumm.ac.be/BELCOLOUR/EN/OCDB/browse.php), also accessible through the BELCOLOUR website. The images are available for different standard geographical areas (North Sea, Southern North Sea and the Channel, Southern North Sea) with both linear and logarithmical scales and are presented as jpeg-files. Different areas and file-formats can be processed by the Remote Sensing and Ecosystem Modelling team of MUMM on request

Ecology, behaviour and management of the European catfish

The extreme body sizes of ‘megafishes’ associated with their high commercial values and recreational interests have made them highly threatened in their native range worldwide by human-induced impacts such as overexploitation. Meanwhile, and because of the aforementioned interests, some megafishes have been introduced outside of their native range. A notable exampled is the European catfish (Silurus glanis), one of the few siluriforms native from western Europe and among the 10 largest freshwater fish worldwide, attaining a total length over 2.7 m and a documented mass of 130 kg. Its distinct phylogeny and extreme size imply many features rare among other European fish such as peculiar behaviours (massive aggregations, beaching), consumption of large bodied prey, fast growth rate, long lifespan, high fecundity, nest guarding and large eggs. The spread of the species is likely to continue due to illegal introduction coupled with natural range extension due to current and future climate change. Based on these attributes and potential future risks, this introduced giant predator in European fresh waters could provide a novel model species of high utility for testing aspects of ecological and invasion theory and associated hypotheses. Here, we reviewed the most recent knowledge on the current distribution and the ecology of the species to understand how this can help advance our understanding of biological invasions. We also identified key research questions that should help stimulating new research on this intriguing, yet largely unknown, species and, more generally, on the ecology of invasive species

Dinámica del consumo y aporte de nutrientes de fitoplancton, dominado por Microcystis sp. (Cyanophyceae) del lago de Amatitlán

El impacto antrópico cercano al lago de Amatitlán ha generado niveles altos de eutrofización que conllevan cambios en la dinámica del ecosistema. Uno de ellos es la proliferación de cianobacterias del género Microcystis que pueden llegar a ser perjudiciales para la fauna y flora de lugar e incluso para los seres humanos. Se presenta el caso de cultivo de un consorcio de fitoplancton, tomado directamente del lago y llevado al laboratorio en condiciones controladas, para medir su consumo y aporte de nitrógeno y fósforo, además de los cambios en los factores fisicoquímicos y la biomasa. Se observó la presencia de diatomeas del genero Nitszchia y cianobacterias como Dolichospermum, con una marcada dominancia de Microcystis sp. Se analizó el porcentaje de cambio en la concentración de nutrientes. Los resultados indican que hubo un aumento en las concentraciones de amonio, nitrato y nitrógeno inorgánico disuelto, mientras que disminuyó el nitrógeno total, el fósforo total y los ortofosfatos. Esto indica que hay aporte de nitrógeno inorgánico, consumo de fósforo y nitrógeno orgánico. El fósforo parece ser el nutriente limitante, ya que, al consumirse en un 90 % la biomasa empieza a decrecer

Current status of Melcor 2.2 for fusion safety analyses

MELCOR is an integral code developed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) to perform severe accident analyses of Light Water Reactors (LWR). More recently, MELCOR capabilities are being extended also to analyze non-LWR fission technologies. Within the European MELCOR User Group (EMUG), organized in the framework of the USNRC Cooperative Severe Accident Research Program (CSARP), an activity on the evaluation of the applicability of MELCOR 2.2 for fusion safety analyses has been launched and it has been coordinated by ENEA. The aim of the activity was to identify the physical models to be possibly implemented in MELCOR 2.2 necessary for fusion safety analyses, and to check if those models are already available in MELCOR 1.8.6 fusion version, developed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL). From this activity, a list of modeling needs that emerged from the safety analyses of fusion-related installations has been identified and described. Then, the importance of the various needs, intended as the priority for model implementation in the MELCOR 2.2 code, has been evaluated according to the technical expert judgment of the authors. In the present paper, the identified modeling needs are discussed. The ultimate goal would be to propose to have a single integrated MELCOR 2.2 code release capable to cover both fission and fusion applications

Clinical characteristics and evaluation of LDL-cholesterol treatment of the Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolemia Longitudinal Cohort Study (SAFEHEART)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients are at high risk for premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Despite the use of statins, most patients do not achieve an optimal LDL-cholesterol goal. The aims of this study are to describe baseline characteristics and to evaluate Lipid Lowering Therapy (LLT) in FH patients recruited in SAFEHEART.</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>A cross-sectional analysis of cases recruited in the Spanish FH cohort at inclusion was performed. Demographic, lifestyle, medical and therapeutic data were collected by specific surveys. Blood samples for lipid profile and DNA were obtained. Genetic test for FH was performed through DNA-microarray. Data from 1852 subjects (47.5% males) over 19 years old were analyzed: 1262 (68.1%, mean age 45.6 years) had genetic diagnosis of FH and 590 (31.9%, mean age 41.3 years) were non-FH. Cardiovascular disease was present in 14% of FH and in 3.2% of non-FH subjects (P < 0.001), and was significantly higher in patients carrying a null mutation compared with those carrying a defective mutation (14.87% vs. 10.6%, respectively, P < 0.05). Prevalence of current smokers was 28.4% in FH subjects. Most FH cases were receiving LLT (84%). Although 51.5% were receiving treatment expected to reduce LDL-c levels at least 50%, only 13.6% were on maximum statin dose combined with ezetimibe. Mean LDL-c level in treated FH cases was 186.5 mg/dl (SD: 65.6) and only 3.4% of patients reached and LDL-c under 100 mg/dl. The best predictor for LDL-c goal attainment was the use of combined therapy with statin and ezetimibe.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although most of this high risk population is receiving LLT, prevalence of cardiovascular disease and LDL-c levels are still high and far from the optimum LDL-c therapeutic goal. However, LDL-c levels could be reduced by using more intensive LLT such as combined therapy with maximum statin dose and ezetimibe.</p

Clinical characteristics and evaluation of LDL-cholesterol treatment of the Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolemia Longitudinal Cohort Study (SAFEHEART)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients are at high risk for premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Despite the use of statins, most patients do not achieve an optimal LDL-cholesterol goal. The aims of this study are to describe baseline characteristics and to evaluate Lipid Lowering Therapy (LLT) in FH patients recruited in SAFEHEART.</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>A cross-sectional analysis of cases recruited in the Spanish FH cohort at inclusion was performed. Demographic, lifestyle, medical and therapeutic data were collected by specific surveys. Blood samples for lipid profile and DNA were obtained. Genetic test for FH was performed through DNA-microarray. Data from 1852 subjects (47.5% males) over 19 years old were analyzed: 1262 (68.1%, mean age 45.6 years) had genetic diagnosis of FH and 590 (31.9%, mean age 41.3 years) were non-FH. Cardiovascular disease was present in 14% of FH and in 3.2% of non-FH subjects (P < 0.001), and was significantly higher in patients carrying a null mutation compared with those carrying a defective mutation (14.87% vs. 10.6%, respectively, P < 0.05). Prevalence of current smokers was 28.4% in FH subjects. Most FH cases were receiving LLT (84%). Although 51.5% were receiving treatment expected to reduce LDL-c levels at least 50%, only 13.6% were on maximum statin dose combined with ezetimibe. Mean LDL-c level in treated FH cases was 186.5 mg/dl (SD: 65.6) and only 3.4% of patients reached and LDL-c under 100 mg/dl. The best predictor for LDL-c goal attainment was the use of combined therapy with statin and ezetimibe.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although most of this high risk population is receiving LLT, prevalence of cardiovascular disease and LDL-c levels are still high and far from the optimum LDL-c therapeutic goal. However, LDL-c levels could be reduced by using more intensive LLT such as combined therapy with maximum statin dose and ezetimibe.</p

Normothermic Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (Novel) as an Assessment of Extended Criteria Donor Lungs: A Prospective Multi-Center Clinical Trial

Purpose: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) allows re-evaluation of extended criteria/marginal donor lungs. This can increase the number of lung transplants. However, the long-term outcomes of transplanting EVLP-screened lungs in a multicenter setting are unknown. We proposed to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of EVLP performed at multiple centers. Methods: This is a prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. Seventeen lung transplant centers in the United States. Adult patients with end-stage pulmonary disease requiring lung transplant from May 2011 to December 2017 were eligible. Lung allografts initially deemed extended criteria/marginal (n=216) were placed on EVLP and re-evaluated prior to transplant. Patients received either standard donors (n=116) or lungs screened with EVLP (n=110). Results: Half of the lung grafts (110/216, 50.9%) placed on EVLP were transplanted. The incidence of primary graft dysfunction 24 hours post-transplant was higher in the EVLP group (25.5% vs 10.3%, p=0.003), but was not significantly different 48 hours (EVLP: 15.5%, control: 9.5%, p=0.49) and 72 hours (13.6% vs 6.9%, p=0.34) post-transplant. Survival was not significantly different between the 2 groups 1 year (n=226, EVLP: 86%, control: 94%, p=0.06), 3 years (n=226, EVLP: 68%, control: 76%, p=0.16, Figure), or 5 years (n=159, EVLP: 59%, control: 65%, p=0.68) post-transplant. There were also no differences in pulmonary function, the incidence of chronic lung allograft dysfunction or quality of life measures post-transplant. Conclusion: In this multicenter study, recipients of lungs that were re-evaluated on EVLP and deemed suitable for transplant had similar outcomes as a recipients of a standard lung transplants. EVLP offers the opportunity to screen donated lungs initially considered high risk and can safely increase the availability of transplantable lungs without compromising outcomes

Age- and sex-based heterogeneity in coronary artery plaque presence and burden in familial hypercholesterolemia:A multi-national study

Objectives: Individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at an increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). While prior research has shown variability in coronary artery calcification (CAC) among those with FH, studies with small sample sizes and single-center recruitment have been limited in their ability to characterize CAC and plaque burden in subgroups based on age and sex. Understanding the spectrum of atherosclerosis may result in personalized risk assessment and tailored allocation of costly add-on, non-statin lipid-lowering therapies. We aimed to characterize the presence and burden of CAC and coronary plaque on computed tomography angiography (CTA) across age- and sex-stratified subgroups of individuals with FH who were without CAD at baseline. Methods: We pooled 1,011 patients from six cohorts across Brazil, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Australia. Our main measures of subclinical atherosclerosis included CAC ranges (i.e., 0, 1–100, 101–400, &gt;400) and CTA-derived plaque burden (i.e., no plaque, non-obstructive CAD, obstructive CAD). Results: Ninety-five percent of individuals with FH (mean age: 48 years; 54% female; treated LDL-C: 154 mg/dL) had a molecular diagnosis and 899 (89%) were on statin therapy. Overall, 423 (42%) had CAC=0, 329 (33%) had CAC 1–100, 160 (16%) had CAC 101–400, and 99 (10%) had CAC &gt;400. Compared to males, female patients were more likely to have CAC=0 (48% [n = 262] vs 35% [n = 161]) and no plaque on CTA (39% [n = 215] vs 26% [n = 120]). Among patients with CAC=0, 85 (20%) had non-obstructive CAD. Females also had a lower prevalence of obstructive CAD in CAC 1–100 (8% [n = 15] vs 18% [n = 26]), CAC 101–400 (32% [n = 22] vs 40% [n = 36]), and CAC &gt;400 (52% [n = 16] vs 65% [n = 44]). Female patients aged 50–59 years were less likely to have obstructive CAD in CAC &gt;400 (55% [n = 6] vs 70% [n = 19]). Conclusion: In this large, multi-national study, we found substantial age- and sex-based heterogeneity in CAC and plaque burden in a cohort of predominantly statin-treated individuals with FH, with evidence for a less pronounced increase in atherosclerosis among female patients. Future studies should examine the predictors of resilience to and long-term implications of the differential burden of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in this higher risk population.</p