The relative contribution of free radicals to the oxidation chain of Dimethylsulphide in the marine boundary layer

Hydroxylradikale (OH) sind die dominierende photochemische Senke von Dimethylsulfid(DMS) in der reinen marinen Atmosphäre und beherrschen den globalen Abbau von DMS. In Gebieten mit starker Luftverschmutzung kann das Oxidationsvermögen von nächtlich gebildeten Nitratradikalen (NO3) jenes von OH am Tage bei Weitem übertreffen. Während so genannter �Bromexplosionen� kann Bromoxid (BrO) auf lokaler Ebene eine dominerende Senke für DMS darstellen. Der Abbau von DMS steht am Anfang eines komplexen Oxidationsmechanismus dessen Ablauf wesentlich durch die Mischungsverhältnisse von Sticktoffoxiden (NO,NO2,NO3), Ozon, OH und Peroxyradikalen bestimmt wird. Im Verlauf dieser Arbeit wurden drei Messkampagnen in der marinen Grenzschicht durchgeführt. Das Ziel war der Vergleich der Konzentration von Halogen- und Stickstoffoxiden, sowie weiterer Radikale mit denen von DMS und dessen Oxidationsprodukten DMSO und MSA. Die Ergebnisse der ersten Messstudie im östlichen Mittelmeer(Kreta) ermöglichen eine ausgiebige Untersuchung der Wechselwirkung von DMS und NO3. Anschliessende Messungen in der Hudson Bay (Kanada) stellen den ersten bodengestützen Nachweis von BrO in der subarktischen Grenzschicht dar. Die Ergebnisse weisen auf einen erheblichen Einfluss von Bromoxid auf den Oxidationsprozess von DMS in diesem Gebiet hin. Die gemessenen Mischungsverhältnisse von Halogen und Stickstoffradikalen während der dritten Messkampagne im südlichen Indischen Ozean sind zu gering um direkte Bezüge zum Abbauprozess von DMS zu erkennen. Die gemessen Iodoxid-Konzentrationen können jedoch einen zusätzlichen Beitrag zum Ozonabbau leisten und durch die Proportionalität der OH-Produktionsrate zur Ozonkonzentration zu einer verringerten OH Bildung führen

Insights on physical behavior while working from home:An ecological momentary assessment study

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home (WFH) has emerged as a common alternative work environment, but the possible influence on daily physical behavior (PB) (i.e., physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB)) remains unclear. This study aimed to examine daily associations between PB and the work environment (i.e., WFH, working at the office (WAO)), as well as to explore and identify patterns of PB within each work environment. An observational study using a dual-accelerometer system to continuously assess PB for at least 5 days was conducted. The sample consisted of 55 participants providing 276 days of assessment. Additional demographic, contextual, and psychological variables were measured via baseline questionnaire and several smartphone prompts per day. To analyze the effects of the work environment on PB, multilevel analyses were conducted. For the identification of patterns within each work environment, latent class trajectory modelling was applied. Associations between the work environment and various PA parameters were found, indicating that WFH has a negative effect on MVPA time, steps, and physical activity intensity (MET), but a positive effect on short PA bouts (≤5 min). No associations between the work environment and any SB parameter (i.e., SB time, SB breaks, SB bouts) were found. Latent class trajectory modelling revealed three MVPA patterns for days WFH, and two patterns for days WAO. Given the growing prevalence of WFH and the positive health effects associated with MVPA, daily-tailored solutions to enhance MPVA while WFH are urgently needed.</p

Injury mechanisms, patterns and outcomes of older polytrauma patients:An analysis of the Dutch Trauma Registry

BackgroundPolytrauma patients nowadays tend to be older due to the growth of the elderly population and its improved mobility. The aim of this study was to compare demographics, injury patterns, injury mechanisms and outcomes between younger and older polytrauma patients.MethodsData from polytrauma (ISS &gt;= 16) patients between 2009 and 2014 were extracted from the Dutch trauma registry (DTR). Younger (Group A: ages 18-59) and older (Group B: ages &gt;= 60) polytrauma patients were compared. Differences in injury severity, trauma mechanism (only data for the year 2014), vital signs, injury patterns, ICU characteristics and hospital mortality were analyzed.ResultsData of 25,304 polytrauma patients were analyzed. The older patients represented 47.8% of the polytrauma population. Trauma mechanism in the older patients was more likely to be a bicycle accident (A: 17%; B: 21%) or a low-energy fall (A: 13%; B: 43%). Younger polytrauma patients were more likely to have the worst scores on the Glasgow coma scale (EMV = 3, A: 20%, B: 13%). However, serious head injuries were seen more often in the older patients (A: 53%; B: 69%). The hospital mortality was doubled for the older polytrauma patients (19.8% vs. 9.6%).ConclusionElderly are involved more often in polytrauma. Although injury severity did not differ between groups, the older polytrauma patients were at a higher risk of dying than their younger counterparts despite sustaining less high-energy accidents.</p

Insights on physical behavior while working from home: An ecological momentary assessment study

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home (WFH) has emerged as a common alternative work environment, but the possible influence on daily physical behavior (PB) (i.e., physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB)) remains unclear. This study aimed to examine daily associations between PB and the work environment (i.e., WFH, working at the office (WAO)), as well as to explore and identify patterns of PB within each work environment. An observational study using a dual-accelerometer system to continuously assess PB for at least 5 days was conducted. The sample consisted of 55 participants providing 276 days of assessment. Additional demographic, contextual, and psychological variables were measured via baseline questionnaire and several smartphone prompts per day. To analyze the effects of the work environment on PB, multilevel analyses were conducted. For the identification of patterns within each work environment, latent class trajectory modelling was applied. Associations between the work environment and various PA parameters were found, indicating that WFH has a negative effect on MVPA time, steps, and physical activity intensity (MET), but a positive effect on short PA bouts (≤5 min). No associations between the work environment and any SB parameter (i.e., SB time, SB breaks, SB bouts) were found. Latent class trajectory modelling revealed three MVPA patterns for days WFH, and two patterns for days WAO. Given the growing prevalence of WFH and the positive health effects associated with MVPA, daily-tailored solutions to enhance MPVA while WFH are urgently needed

COPD-derived fibroblasts secrete higher levels of senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins.

COPD-derived fibroblasts have increased cellular senescence. Senescent cell accumulation can induce tissue dysfunction by their senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). We aimed to determine the SASP of senescent fibroblasts and COPD-derived lung fibroblasts, including severe, early-onset (SEO)-COPD. SASP protein secretion was measured after paraquat-induced senescence in lung fibroblasts using Olink Proteomics and compared between (SEO-)COPD-derived and control-derived fibroblasts. We identified 124 SASP proteins of senescent lung fibroblasts, of which 42 were secreted at higher levels by COPD-derived fibroblasts and 35 by SEO-COPD-derived fibroblasts compared with controls. Interestingly, the (SEO-)COPD-associated SASP included proteins involved in chronic inflammation, which may contribute to (SEO-)COPD pathogenesis

Policy makers, regulators and researchers’ perspectives on genomics research and the capacity of the National Health Research Act of 2013 to regulate genomics research in Zambia

Background: Health research in sub-Saharan Africa takes place against a lengthy history of exploitation and unfair collaboration. This has involved the export of samples and data from the continent for the benefit of institutions and researchers elsewhere. In this paper, we report the perspectives of people involved in conducting genomics research in Zambia and the capacity of the Health Research Act (HRA) of 2013 in regulating genomics research. Methods: We approached 14 purposively selected stakeholders involved in the development or implementation of the HRA in Zambia for in-depth interviews. These were members of research ethics committees, genomics researchers, Ministry of Health policy makers and institutional lawyers. Results: Participants reported that there are benefits in genomics research for Zambia such as diagnosing and treatment of diseases. Participants also expressed concerns, most of which were ethical in nature. Prominent concerns were on consent. Participants’ main concern was the possible misuse of samples in the future. These concerns resonated with the HRA, which prohibits the use of broad consent for the collection of samples and data for future unspecified research. The implications of this is that Zambians may not participate in any kind of health research for which the storage, sharing and re-use of data or samples is envisaged. The restrictive nature of HRA means that genomics research may be excluded from future health research collaborations, thus isolating the country from potentially beneficial health research. Some policy makers also worried the samples and data that comes from such research may be difficult to access by local scientists. Conclusion: In this article, we describe the views of Zambian policymakers on genomics research and the capacity of HRA in regulating genomics research. Our findings are relevant for the Zambian audience, and other African countries that are aiming to regulate health research, especially genomics research.</ns4:p