Reply to Comment by Velasco on “High-Resolution, Multilayer Modeling of Singapore’s Urban Climate Incorporating Local Climate Zones”

In response to the comment on our paper “High‐resolution, multilayer modeling of Singapore's urban climate incorporating local climate zones,” we provide detailed response to each of the incorrect accusations with scientifically based evidence. We have evaluated our model using all the available observational data, and the results showed good agreement. Our modeling study includes assumptions, as all modeling work does, and we have discussed their rationales and possible implications

Proteome expression patterns in the stress tolerant evergreen Ammopiptanthus nanus under conditions of extreme cold

Low temperature is one of the important environmental changes that affect plant growth. The cold resistance capabilities of evergreen plants are the result of long-term adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. To investigate the responses of Ammopiptanthus nanus, a rare stress-tolerant evergreen plant, to extreme cold stress, we analyzed the proteome expression patterns of stressed plants; this is the first study to report these patterns for A. nanus. We collected adult A. nanus leaves under two conditions of cold stress: extreme cold (-29 degrees C) and relatively less extreme cold (-5 degrees C). Total crude proteins were extracted from leaf blades, separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and stained with Coomassie brilliant blue. Of the 500 protein spots detected in each of the samples, eight of the spots that exhibited clear changes under the different conditions were identified by MALDI-TOF analyses. Our results suggest that cold stress-related proteins may play diverse roles in the resistance to multiple environmental stresses

Availability, formulation, labelling, and price of low-sodium salts worldwide

BACKGROUND: Regular salt is about 100% sodium chloride (NaCl). Low-sodium salts have reduced sodium chloride content, most commonly through substitution with potassium chloride (KCl). Low-sodium salts have a potential role in reducing population sodium intake level and blood pressure, but its availability in global market was unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the availability, formulation, labelling, and price of low-sodium salts currently available to consumers around the world. METHODS: Low-sodium salts were identified through a systematic literature review, Google search, online shopping sites search, and inquiry of key informants. The keywords of "salt substitute", "low-sodium salt", "potassium salt", "mineral salt", and "sodium reduced salt" in six official languages of the United Nations were used for search. Information about the brand, formula, labelling, and price was extracted and analysed. RESULTS: Eighty-seven low-sodium salts were available in 47 out of 195 countries around the world (24%), including 28 high-income countries, 13 upper-middle-income countries, and six lower-middle-income countries. The proportion of sodium chloride varied from 0% (sodium-free) to 88% (as percent of weight, regular salt is 100% NaCl). Potassium chloride was the most frequent another component with levels ranging from 0% to 100% (potassium chloride salt). Forty-three (49%) had labels advising potential health risk, 33 (38%) labelling the advice of potential health benefits. The median price of low-sodium salts in high-income, upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income countries was USD 15.0/kg (IQR: 6.4 to 22.5), USD 2.7/kg (IQR: 1.7 to 5.5) and USD 2.9/kg (IQR: 0.50 to 22.2) respectively. The price of low-sodium salts was between 1.1 and 14.6 times that of regular salts. CONCLUSIONS: Low-sodium salts are not widely available and are commonly more expensive than regular salts. Policies that promote the availability, affordability and labelling of low-sodium salts should enhance appropriate uptake for blood pressure lowering and cardiovascular prevention. CLINICALTRIAL: INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT: RR2-10.1111/jch.14054

A Case Study of Crowdsourcing Imagery Coding in Natural Disasters

Crowdsourcing and open licensing allow more people to participate in research and humanitarian activities. Open data, such as geographic information shared through OpenStreetMap and image datasets from disasters, can be useful for disaster response and recovery work. This chapter shares a real-world case study of humanitarian-driven imagery analysis, using open-source crowdsourcing technology. Shared philosophies in open technologies and digital humanities, including remixing and the wisdom of the crowd, are reflected in this case study.This research was funded through the European Commission FP7-ICT project: Citizen Cyberlab: Technology Enhanced Creative Learning in the field of Citizen Cyberscience

Control of intestinal stem cell function and proliferation by mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism.

Most differentiated cells convert glucose to pyruvate in the cytosol through glycolysis, followed by pyruvate oxidation in the mitochondria. These processes are linked by the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), which is required for efficient mitochondrial pyruvate uptake. In contrast, proliferative cells, including many cancer and stem cells, perform glycolysis robustly but limit fractional mitochondrial pyruvate oxidation. We sought to understand the role this transition from glycolysis to pyruvate oxidation plays in stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Loss of the MPC in Lgr5-EGFP-positive stem cells, or treatment of intestinal organoids with an MPC inhibitor, increases proliferation and expands the stem cell compartment. Similarly, genetic deletion of the MPC in Drosophila intestinal stem cells also increases proliferation, whereas MPC overexpression suppresses stem cell proliferation. These data demonstrate that limiting mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism is necessary and sufficient to maintain the proliferation of intestinal stem cells

A systematic review of quality and consistency of clinical practice guidelines on the primary prevention of food allergy and atopic dermatitis

Background and aims: With an increasing number of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) addressing primary prevention of food allergy and atopic dermatitis, it is timely to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the quality and consistency of recommendations and evaluation of their implementability in different geographical settings. Methods: We systematically reviewed CPGs from 8 international databases and extensive website searches. Seven reviewers screened records in any language and then used the AGREE II and AGREE REX instruments to critically appraise CPGs published between January 2011 and April 2022. Results: Our search identified 2138 relevant articles, of which 30 CPGs were eventually included. Eight (27%) CPGs were shortlisted based on our predefined quality criteria of achieving scores \u3e70% in the “Scope and Purpose” and “Rigour of Development” domains of the AGREE II instrument. Among the shortlisted CPGs, scores on the “Applicability” domain were generally low, and only 3 CPGs rated highly in the “Implementability” domain of AGREE-REX, suggesting that the majority of CPGs fared poorly on global applicability. Recommendations on maternal diet and complementary feeding in infants were mostly consistent, but recommendations on use of hydrolysed formula and supplements varied considerably. Conclusion: The overall quality of a CPG for Food Allergy and Atopic Dermatitis prevention did not correlate well with its global applicability. It is imperative that CPG developers consider stakeholders’ preferences, local applicability, and adapt existing recommendations to each individual population and healthcare system to ensure successful implementation. There is a need for development of high-quality CPGs for allergy prevention outside of North America and Europe. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021265689

Is elevated SUA associated with a worse outcome in young Chinese patients with acute cerebral ischemic stroke?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels can enhance its antioxidant prosperities and reduce the occurrence of cerebral infarction. Significantly elevated SUA levels have been associated with a better prognosis in patients with cerebral infarction; however, the results from some studies on the relationship between SUA and the prognosis of patients with cerebral infarction remain controversial.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed the relationship between SUA and clinical prognosis of 585 young Chinese adults with acute ischemic stroke as determined by the modified Rankin Scale at discharge. Using multivariate logistic regression modeling, we explore the relationship between SUA levels and patient's clinical prognosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Lower SUA levels at time of admission were observed more frequently in the lowest quintile for patients with severe stroke (P = 0.02). Patients with cerebral infarction patients caused by small-vessel blockage had higher SUA concentrations (P = 0.01) and the lower mRS scores (P < 0.01) were observed in, while the lowest SUA concentrations and the highest mRS scores were seen in patients with cardiogenic cerebral infarction patients. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders confirmed the following independent predictors for young cerebral infarction: uric acid (-0.003: 95%CI 0.994 to 0.999) and platelet (0.004, 95%CI 0.993 to 0.996).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Elevated SUA is an independent predictor for good clinical outcome of acute cerebral infarction among young adults.</p

Effective Rheology of Bubbles Moving in a Capillary Tube

We calculate the average volumetric flux versus pressure drop of bubbles moving in a single capillary tube with varying diameter, finding a square-root relation from mapping the flow equations onto that of a driven overdamped pendulum. The calculation is based on a derivation of the equation of motion of a bubble train from considering the capillary forces and the entropy production associated with the viscous flow. We also calculate the configurational probability of the positions of the bubbles.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur