From MASK-air and SILAM to CATALYSE (Climate Action To Advance HeaLthY Societies in Europe).

Plant species vary under different climatic conditions and the distribution of pollen in the air. Trends in pollen distribution can be used to assess the impact of climate change on public health. In 2015, the Mobile Airways Sentinel networK for rhinitis and asthma (MASK-air®) was launched as a project of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP-on-AHA, DG Santé and DG CONNECT). This project aimed to develop a warning system to inform patients about the onset of the pollen season, namely, the System for Integrated modeLling of Atmospheric coMposition (SILAM). A global-to-meso-scale dispersion model was developed by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). It provides quantitative information on atmospheric pollution of anthropogenic and natural origins, particularly on allergenic pollens. Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma and Rhinitis (POLLAR, EIT Health) has combined MASK-air clinical data with SILAM forecasts. A new Horizon Europe grant (Climate Action to Advance HeaLthY Societies in Europe [CATALYSE]; grant agreement number 101057131), which came into force in September 2022, aims to improve our understanding of climate change and help us find ways to counteractit. One objective of this project is to develop early warning systems and predictive models to improve the effectiveness of strategies for adapting to climate change. One of the warning systems is focused on allergic rhinitis (CATALYSE Task 3.2), with a collaboration between the FMI (Finland), Porto University (Portugal), MASK-air SAS (France), ISGlobal (Spain), Hertie School (Germany), and the University of Zurich (Switzerland). It is to be implemented with the support of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. This paper reports the planning of CATALYSE Task 3.2.

Water-driven microbial nitrogen transformations in biological soil crusts causing atmospheric nitrous acid and nitric oxide emissions.

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) release the reactive nitrogen gases (Nr) nitrous acid (HONO) and nitric oxide (NO) into the atmosphere, but the underlying microbial process controls have not yet been resolved. In this study, we analyzed the activity of microbial consortia relevant in Nr emissions during desiccation using transcriptome and proteome profiling and fluorescence in situ hybridization. We observed that < 30 min after wetting, genes encoding for all relevant nitrogen (N) cycling processes were expressed. The most abundant transcriptionally active N-transforming microorganisms in the investigated biocrusts were affiliated with Rhodobacteraceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae within the Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria. Upon desiccation, the nitrite (NO2-) content of the biocrusts increased significantly, which was not the case when microbial activity was inhibited. Our results confirm that NO2- is the key precursor for biocrust emissions of HONO and NO. This NO2- accumulation likely involves two processes related to the transition from oxygen-limited to oxic conditions in the course of desiccation: (i) a differential regulation of the expression of denitrification genes; and (ii) a physiological response of ammonia-oxidizing organisms to changing oxygen conditions. Thus, our findings suggest that the activity of N-cycling microorganisms determines the process rates and overall quantity of Nr emissions.

A multivariate analysis of clinicians' perceptions of supervisory effectiveness.

The study was designed to identify and structure supervisory behaviors that speech clinicians perceive as critical to the process of supervision. A total of 164 student clinicians in 37 Midwestern clinical facilities evaluated the behavior of 87 clinical supervisors. Factor analysis yielded two distinct dimensions, interpersonal and administrative factors, and indicated that eight variables contributed most significantly to the evaluative process. When the variables were regressed against the supervisors' overall effectiveness ratings, a three-variable prediction system resulted. "Respect for the student clinician" was the single most valid predictor of perceived supervisory effectiveness, followed by "confrontation" and "empathy" variables. Implications for training supervisors in interactive skills are discussed, along with recommendations for future research.

Inhibition of cell adhesion to glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix by peptides corresponding to serum amyloid A. Toward understanding the physiological role of an enigmatic protein.

Synthetic peptides related to amino acid residues 29-42 of human serum amyloid A (SAA), Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Asp-Lys-Tyr-Phe-His-Ala-Arg-Gly-Asn-Tyr, were found to inhibit the adhesion of human T-lymphocytes and of mouse M4 melanoma cells to surfaces coated with the major cell adhesive glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix, laminin or fibronectin. Correspondingly inhibitory activity was manifested by the entire 14-residue peptide, by its YIGSD laminin-related domain, and by RGN, the fibronectin-related domain. Intact recombinant SAA (rSAA) and its 1-76 fragment, an amyloid A (AA) protein, also inhibited cell adhesion. The peptides did not inhibit collagen and ADP-induced aggregation of human platelets. Proteolysis of SAA by lysosomal enzymes originating from human neutrophils led to generation of specific peptide segments some of which pertain to the 29-42 domain. It is suggested that the acute-phase protein SAA might be involved, either directly or via its peptide fragments, in inhibition of inflammatory reactions or metastatic processes which depend on integrin and possibly other extracellular-matrix-specific receptors mediated specific recognition and interactions with immobilized components of blood-vessel walls.

Adult-onset Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter presenting with dementia.

We report on a case of dementia and extensive cerebral white matter abnormalities seen on magnetic resonance-images which meet the criteria for leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter. This is an inherited condition that was first thought to occur only in children. Our patient shows that vanishing white matter should be considered in adult patients with early-onset dementia and extensive white matter changes seen on magnetic resonance images.