First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow

In recent years, airborne microplastics have been identified in a range of remote environments. However, data throughout the Southern Hemisphere, in particular Antarctica, are largely absent to date. We collected snow samples from 19 sites across the Ross Island region of Antarctica. Suspected microplastic particles were isolated and their composition confirmed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR). We identified microplastics in all Antarctic snow samples at an average concentration of 29 particles L−1, with fibres the most common morphotype and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) the most common polymer. To investigate sources, backward air mass trajectories were run from the time of sampling. These indicate potential long-range transportation of up to 6000 km, assuming a residence time of 6.5 d. Local sources were also identified as potential inputs into the environment as the polymers identified were consistent with those used in clothing and equipment from nearby research stations. This study adds to the growing body of literature regarding microplastics as a ubiquitous airborne pollutant and establishes their presence in Antarctica

Genetic Background Can Result in a Marked or Minimal Effect of Gene Knockout (GPR55 and CB2 Receptor) in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Models of Multiple Sclerosis

PMCID: PMC379391

The rs5743836 polymorphism in TLR9 confers a population-based increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

We are grateful to Paulo Vieira, Cecília Leão, Manuel T. Silva, Nuno Sousa, Jorge Correia- Pinto, Joana Palha, Margarida Correia-Neves, Margarida Lima and Matthew Berry for all their input throughout these studies and critical reading of the manuscript. We are grateful to the patients who joint this study as well as to all members of the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute and School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, who contributed in any way to the development of this workNon-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been associated with immunological defects, chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Given the link between immune dysfunction and NHL, genetic variants in toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been regarded as potential predictive factors of susceptibility to NHL. Adequate anti-tumoral responses are known to depend on TLR9 function, such that the use of its synthetic ligand is being targeted as a therapeutic strategy. We investigated the association between the functional rs5743836 polymorphism in the TLR9 promoter and risk for B-cell NHL and its major subtypes in three independent case-control association studies from Portugal (1160 controls, 797 patients), Italy (468 controls, 494 patients) and the US (972 controls, 868 patients). We found that the rs5743836 polymorphism was significantly overtransmitted in both Portuguese (odds ratio (OR), 1.85; P=7.3E-9) and Italian (OR, 1.84; P=6.0E-5) and not in the US cohort of NHL patients. Moreover, the increased transcriptional activity of TLR9 in mononuclear cells from patients harboring rs5743836 further supports a functional effect of this polymorphism on NHL susceptibility in a population-dependent manner.AC, NSO, MTC, and AJA were financially supported by a fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal. MS is a Ciência 2007 fellow. This study was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal (PIC/IC/83313/2007) and by Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Serviço de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Portugal (Grant Number:Proc/60666-MM/734). CFS, PB and LC were supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants CA122663 and CA104682, and PB also by NIH grants CA45614 and CA89745

Atmosphere‐Ocean Feedback From Wind‐Driven Sea Spray Aerosol Production

Marine aerosol production is influenced by wind speed, particularly over the Southern Ocean which is the windiest region on Earth year-round. Using climate model simulations with artificially enhanced sea spray aerosol (SSA), we show that Southern Ocean wind speeds are sensitive to SSA via surface cooling resulting from enhanced aerosol concentrations. The near-surface westerly jet weakens, therefore reducing SSA production. Comparing coupled and atmosphere-only simulations indicates that SSA partially regulates its own production via a feedback between the atmosphere and ocean. The decrease in radiative forcing in the coupled model is approximately one-quarter of that simulated by the atmosphere-only model, and the extent of the feedback also depends on the SSA source function used. Our results highlight the importance of understanding SSA emissions and their parameterization in climate models. Including a temperature dependence in SSA parameterizations can play a large role in the climate feedback, but further investigation is needed. Plain Language Summary Atmospheric aerosols can have a cooling influence on Earth's climate by scattering sunlight and seeding cloud formation. Over oceans, aerosols often contain a high fraction of sea spray, and their abundance is strongly dependent on wind speed. High wind speeds cause wave breaking and bubble bursting, which emit sea spray aerosol (SSA). Previously SSA has been shown to have a cooling influence on surface climate. We show that when we artificially enhance SSA emissions in a coupled Earth system model that about half of the cooling influence is offset by the ocean response; more SSA emitted from the ocean leads to surface cooling, and therefore wind speeds weaken and produce less SSA. This is particularly important over the Southern Ocean which is the windiest region on Earth year-round. We show that, in a climate model, the strength of the feedback depends on how SSA emission is represented by the model. Therefore in a warmer, windier climate, simulating SSA accurately will be critical for understanding natural versus human influences on climate

Genomic analysis of marginal zone and lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas identified common and disease-specific abnormalities

10.1038/modpathol.2011.213Modern Pathology255651-660MODP

Street, Chepstow. 1/2 miles

Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales, Great Britai