Gradients in urban material composition: A new concept to map cities with spaceborne imaging spectroscopy data

To understand processes in urban environments, such as urban energy fluxes or surface temperature patterns, it is important to map urban surface materials. Airborne imaging spectroscopy data have been successfully used to identify urban surface materials mainly based on unmixing algorithms. Upcoming spaceborne Imaging Spectrometers (IS), such as the Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP), will reduce the time and cost-critical limitations of airborne systems for Earth Observation (EO). However, the spatial resolution of all operated and planned IS in space will not be higher than 20 to 30 m and, thus, the detection of pure Endmember (EM) candidates in urban areas, a requirement for spectral unmixing, is very limited. Gradient analysis could be an alternative method for retrieving urban surface material compositions in pixels from spaceborne IS. The gradient concept is well known in ecology to identify plant species assemblages formed by similar environmental conditions but has never been tested for urban materials. However, urban areas also contain neighbourhoods with similar physical, compositional and structural characteristics. Based on this assumption, this study investigated (1) whether cover fractions of surface materials change gradually in urban areas and (2) whether these gradients can be adequately mapped and interpreted using imaging spectroscopy data (e.g. EnMAP) with 30 m spatial resolution. Similarities of material compositions were analysed on the basis of 153 systematically distributed samples on a detailed surface material map using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). Determined gradient scores for the first two gradients were regressed against the corresponding mean reflectance of simulated EnMAP spectra using Partial Least Square regression models. Results show strong correlations with R2 = 0.85 and R2 = 0.71 and an RMSE of 0.24 and 0.21 for the first and second axis, respectively. The subsequent mapping of the first gradient reveals patterns that correspond to the transition from predominantly vegetation classes to the dominance of artificial materials. Patterns resulting from the second gradient are associated with surface material compositions that are related to finer structural differences in urban structures. The composite gradient map shows patterns of common surface material compositions that can be related to urban land use classes such as Urban Structure Types (UST). By linking the knowledge of typical material compositions with urban structures, gradient analysis seems to be a powerful tool to map characteristic material compositions in 30 m imaging spectroscopy data of urban areas

Frequent Pet Contact as Risk Factor for Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis in Cystic Fibrosis

Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) frequently colonizes the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Af is associated with loss of pulmonary function and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), a hypersensitivity fungal lung disease. Environmental factors have impact on CF patients' lung function variation. The aim of this nationwide questionnaire survey was to investigate the amount of CF patients with frequent pet contact including pet species and to examine the potential impact of frequent pet contact on the occurrence of Af colonization and ABPA diagnosis in these patients. The survey was carried out in 31 German CF centers in 2018. A total of 1232 who completed the surveys were included, and statistical analysis was performed by chi-squared test. Within the study cohort 49.8% of subjects (n = 614; CF patients < 18years: 49.4%, n = 234; ≥ 18years: 50.1%, n = 380) reported frequent contact to pets, of which 60.7% reported frequent contact to dogs, 42.3% to cats and other animals. Of those with frequent pet contact, 71.8% (n = 441) had contact to one pet or more pets from the same family. Af colonization was not significantly associated with frequent pet contact. ABPA diagnosis was documented in 16.7% (n = 206) of all included CF patients and was significantly associated with frequent pet contact (18.9%, n = 116, p = 0.042), confirming previous single center examinations. Particularly, patients with frequent contact to dogs showed an increased ABPA prevalence of 21.3%. Frequent pet contact might be a risk factor for ABPA. CF patients who are sensitized to Af should be informed about the increased risk to develop an ABPA by frequent pet contact. Patients with recurrent onset of ABPA should be evaluated in terms of frequent pet contact

Urban Life as Risk Factor for Aspergillosis

Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) frequently colonizes the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and can cause severe diseases, such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, Af bronchitis or even Af pneumonia. However, risk factors, including environmental factors, for acquiring Af in the respiratory tract of patients with CF are rarely studied and described. The aim of this study was to investigate whether urban or rural life could affect colonization with Af in the respiratory tract of patients with CF. Due to privacy policy, registry data are usually not linked to patients ' home addresses. It is therefore very difficult to analyze the influence of the patient ' s residential environment. This prospective questionnaire survey was carried out in 31 German CF centers in 2018. Only completed surveys, including a clearly assigned type of residential area were included. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-squared test and logistic regression models. A total of 1016 questionnaires were analyzed (Patients` age: 23 ± 13; 0-88 years; female gender: n=492; 48%). The majority of patients with CF live in large cities (n =314; 30.9%) or urban districts (n=461; 45.4%). Prevalence of 30.2% was found for Af, within the 12 months of investigation period. Af colonization was significantly associated with urban life (p=0.004). Urban live should be considered as possible new risk factor for colonization with Af in the respiratory tract of patients with CF. These new results may raise the awareness of the influence of environmental factors on patient outcomes and should be included in patient guidance and preventive measures

Reduce and refine: Plasma treated water vs conventional disinfectants for conveyor-belt cleaning in sustainable food-production lines

Sustainable and microbiologically secure foodstuff production lines are of increasing scientific interest and are in the focus of recent research programs. Additionally, they are of great importance for the production industry due to the prevention of food-borne illnesses caused by pathogens such as Salmonella sp., Listeria monocytogenes, or Escherichia coli. These pathogens are responsible for production losses, loss of customer acceptance, and severe food-borne illnesses. A pathogenic threat is frequently combated with sanitizing steps of the production lines. For conveyor band cleaning, this study compares the cleaning abilities of nitric acid (HNO3) and plasma treated water (PTW), which have been sprayed via a commercially available nozzle on two different polymeric surfaces (polysiloxane and polyurethane). Additionally, the cleaning agents HNO3 and PTW have been characterized through their pH and their conductivity. These findings have been underpinned by experiments that focus on a possible influence of nozzle abrasion, such as brass and stainless-steel nanoparticles, on the antimicrobial potential of PTW and HNO3. Adversely acting effects like an enhanced abrasion of conveyer band materials due to PTW or HNO3 treatment have been checked by using light microscopic micrographs and topographic scans in high-resolution mode. Based on the presented results of the experiments, the suitability of an in-place sanitation step in foodstuff production lines has been demonstrated on a laboratory scale

Prenatal dexamethasone treatment for classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency in Europe

Dexamethasone; PrenatalDexametasona; PrenatalDexametasona; PrenatalObjective To assess the current medical practice in Europe regarding prenatal dexamethasone (Pdex) treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Design and methods A questionnaire was designed and distributed, including 17 questions collecting quantitative and qualitative data. Thirty-six medical centres from 14 European countries responded and 30 out of 36 centres were reference centres of the European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions, EndoERN. Results Pdex treatment is currently provided by 36% of the surveyed centres. The treatment is initiated by different specialties, that is paediatricians, endocrinologists, gynaecologists or geneticists. Regarding the starting point of Pdex, 23% stated to initiate therapy at 4–5 weeks postconception (wpc), 31% at 6 wpc and 46 % as early as pregnancy is confirmed and before 7 wpc at the latest. A dose of 20 µg/kg/day is used. Dose distribution among the centres varies from once to thrice daily. Prenatal diagnostics for treated cases are conducted in 72% of the responding centres. Cases treated per country and year vary between 0.5 and 8.25. Registries for long-term follow-up are only available at 46% of the centres that are using Pdex treatment. National registries are only available in Sweden and France. Conclusions This study reveals a high international variability and discrepancy in the use of Pdex treatment across Europe. It highlights the importance of a European cooperation initiative for a joint international prospective trial to establish evidence-based guidelines on prenatal diagnostics, treatment and follow-up of pregnancies at risk for CAH.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Heisenberg Professorship, 325768017 to N R and 314061271-TRR205 to N R and A H), the European Commission for funding EndoERN CHAFEA FPA grant no. 739527, the Eva Luise und Horst Köhler Stiftung & Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (2019_KollegSE.03 to H N) and the Stockholm County Council (Senior clinical research fellowship dnr RS 2019-1140 to S L), Stiftelsen Frimurare Barnhuset i Stockholm and Lisa and Johan Grönbergs Stiftelse

Data Stewardship im Forschungsdatenmanagement - Rollen, Aufgabenprofile, Einsatzgebiete

Forschungsdatenmanagement in Institutionen und Forschungsverbünden bringt neue Rollen, Aufgaben- und Berufsprofile hervor, die bisher ganz unterschiedlich realisiert sind. Eins dieser neuen Berufsprofile ist die Position des sogenannten 'Data Stewards'. Mit diesem Arbeitsbereich werden eine große Bandbreite an Tätigkeiten und Verantwortlichkeiten verknüpft. Oftmals werden spezielle Aufgaben übernommen, ohne explizite Arbeitstitel dafür zu vergeben. Im 11. Workshop der DINI/nestor AG Forschungsdaten “Data Stewardship im Forschungsdatenmanagement - Was ist das? Rollen, Aufgabenprofile, Einsatzgebiete” am 16./17.11.2020 wurden die inhaltlichen Aufgabenfelder und Rollen, die sich zurzeit im institutionellen und institutionsübergreifenden Kontext entwickeln, gesammelt, diskutiert und eingeordnet. Ziele des Workshops waren, eine Bestandsaufnahme für den deutschsprachigen Raum anhand zahlreicher Fallbeispiele zu präsentieren und erste Antworten auf Fragen zur praktischen Umsetzung von Data Stewardship-Konzepten aufzuzeigen. Der Workshop wurde von der DINI/nestor-AG Forschungsdaten in Kooperation mit der Universität zu Köln und dem ZB MED Informationszentrum Lebenswissenschaften organisiert und virtuell als Online-Workshop durchgeführt

Model-Informed Target Morning 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone Concentrations in Dried Blood Spots for Pediatric Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Patients

Monitoring cortisol replacement therapy in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) patients is vital to avoid serious adverse events such as adrenal crises due to cortisol underexposure or metabolic consequences due to cortisol overexposure. The less invasive dried blood spot (DBS) sampling is an advantageous alternative to traditional plasma sampling, especially in pediatric patients. However, target concentrations for important disease biomarkers such as 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) are unknown using DBS. Therefore, a modeling and simulation framework, including a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model linking plasma cortisol concentrations to DBS 17-OHP concentrations, was used to derive a target morning DBS 17-OHP concentration range of 2–8 nmol/L in pediatric CAH patients. Since either capillary or venous DBS sampling is becoming more common in the clinics, the clinical applicability of this work was shown by demonstrating the comparability of capillary and venous cortisol and 17-OHP concentrations collected by DBS sampling, using a Bland-Altman and Passing-Bablok analysis. The derived target morning DBS 17-OHP concentration range is a first step towards providing improved therapy monitoring using DBS sampling and adjusting hydrocortisone (synthetic cortisol) dosing in children with CAH. In the future, this framework can be used to assess further research questions, e.g., target replacement ranges for the entire day

Feasibility and Efficacy of Adjuvant Chemotherapy With Gemcitabine After Liver Transplantation for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Controlled Trial (pro-duct001)

Background Liver transplantation (LT) is considered a therapeutic option for unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) within defined criteria. It remains uncertain whether patients can safely receive adjuvant chemotherapy after LT. Methods We performed a prospective, multi-center, randomized, non-blinded two-arm trial (pro-duct001). Patients after LT for unresectable PHC within defined criteria were randomized to adjuvant gemcitabine (LT-Gem group) and LT alone (LT alone group). The primary objective was to investigate if adjuvant chemotherapy is feasible in ≥ 85% of patients after LT. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients completing the 24 weeks course of adjuvant chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and disease-free (DFS), and complication rates. Results Twelve patients underwent LT for PHC, of which six (50%) were eligible for randomization (LT-Gem: three patients, LT alone: three patients). Two out of three patients discontinued adjuvant chemotherapy after LT due to intolerance. The study was prematurely terminated due to slow enrollment. One patient with PHC had underlying primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Tumor-free margins could be achieved in all patients. In both the LT-Gem and the LT alone group, the cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and DFS rates were 100%, 100%, 67%, and 100%, 67% and 67%, respectively. Conclusions This prospective, multi-center study was prematurely terminated due to slow enrollment and a statement on the defined endpoints cannot be made. Nevertheless, long-term survival data are consistent with available retrospective data and confirm defined criteria for LT. Since more evidence of LT per se in unresectable PHC is urgently needed, a prospective, non-randomized follow-up study (pro-duct002) has since been launched