Cold Spring Research Articles

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma nationwide analysis: Comparing sociodemographic and survival outcomes among Hispanics and non-Hispanics in the United States.

e19505 Background: In essence, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are the same , CLL being the most common leukemia in Western countries. (Blood PMID 29540348, CA Cancer J Clin PMID 35020204) Survival outcomes in CLL/SLL among Hispanics (HI) and Non-Hispanics (NH) have been controversial. (Cancer Causes Control PMID 34677741, Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud PMID 33593728) This analysis attempts to clarify if sociodemographic characteristics influence survival of HI diagnosed with CLL/SLL in the United States (US). Methods: Retrospective data analysis on CLL/SLL patients in the US reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 database from 2000-2018. Demographics, disease characteristics, and survival patterns were analyzed across ethnic groups, HI vs NH. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to compare overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis and propensity score matching was performed, adjusting for age, stage, and B-symptoms. Results: 98884 CLL/SLL patients were included, 5012 HI. Males predominated in both HI and NH. HI compared to NH, were diagnosed at a younger median age, 68 years vs 70 years, respectively [p<0.001]. Majority of patients belonged to the age bracket of 60-80 years; favoring a younger age distribution in HI. Most patients were white, and NH had greater heterogeneity [p<0.001]. Unknown stage at diagnosis followed by advance stage (III/IV) prevailed for both ethnicities [p=0.075]. B-symptoms were mostly unknown in both groups. The tendency was towards not receiving radiation as part of the treatment. Survival probability at 2, 5 and 10 years for HI (0.829, 0.677, and 0.474) was similar compared to NH (0.831, 0.664 and 0.437), respectively. The median survival time was 9.3 years for HI vs 8.5 years for NH, with a statistically significant difference in OS favoring HI [p=0.0045] On multivariate analysis, patients older than 80 years and between 60-80, had worse OS than those less than 60, with hazard ratio (HR) 7.5 [95% CI: 7 – 8.1] and 2.5 [95% CI: 2.4-2.7], respectively. Also, stage III and IV, had inferior OS than those at early stages, with HR 1.4 [95% CI: 1.1 – 1.6] and HR 1.2 [95% CI: 1 – 1.4], respectively. Conclusions: In this analysis, HI with CLL/SLL have a superior OS, which was noted to be statistically significant. Also, multivariate analysis showed correlation of better OS when CLL/SLL was identified at a younger age and early stages. Although demographic differences may be driving the survival effect in HI as they were noted to be younger; identification and better understanding of intrinsic disease characteristics, treatment patterns, and biological variables; may aid in the understanding on how these factors contribute and impact the survival advantage in this ethnic group.

Morphology Study of Hydrate Shell Crystal Growth on a Microbubble Interface in the Presence of Additives

Bubble dispersions in water can be observed in both wellbore or subsea piping as well as subsea gas seepages. The hydrate risk in subsea pipelines or methane leaks from the cold spring into seawater can be strongly influenced by the hydrate crystal growth on bubbles. In addition, the bubbling method has been proven to be an effective method to enhance the gas–liquid mixing pathway and promote hydrate’s rapid formation in the application of hydrate-based technologies, yet the microscopic mechanism of hydrate film growth on the bubbles still needs to be further clarified. In this study, the hydrate crystal growth morphology evolution at the microbubble interface was investigated by a high-resolution microscope combined with the temperature-controlled stage. The results showed that the hydrate crystals nucleated rapidly at the bubble interface to form a hydrate shell-coated structure in a pure water system. The defect growth mechanism dominated the hydrate crystals growth at the bubble interface in additive solutions. Hydrate did not nucleate directly on the surface of bubbles but by trapping guest molecules around the shrinking bubbles to form aggregated hydrate agglomeration in the presence of surfactants. In addition, the bubbles tend to provide a steady stream of gas source for hydrate formation. The growth of hydrate shells contributed to a normal distribution of bubble shrinking rates, with an average rate of 9 μm/s in 0.5 wt % NaCl solution. The existence of a high concentration of ions or organic molecules at the microbubbles’ interface and the exclusive effect played a dominant role in the process of hydrate formation. In addition, it was found that the repulsive effect of ions at the bubble interface on hydrate formation was weak under a high subcooling degree. However, other organic molecule promoters still accelerated the hydrate’s formation rate because they increased the dissolution and diffusion rate of gas in solution. The results are expected to strengthen further the applications relating to hydrate-based phase transition promotion technology in the industry in energy storage, gas separation, or inhibition techniques in flow assurance of the offshore industry.

Abstract 4616: Automated multiplex immunofluorescence enables single cell analysis of tumor stroma

Abstract Background: The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of malignant cells and supporting non-malignant cellular and non-cellular components that form the tumor stroma. The tumor stroma plays an important role in tumor progression and has emerged as a modulator of anti-tumor immunity (Salmon et al., Nat Rev Cancer 2019) and responses to therapy (Hirata and Sahai, Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017). As such, several therapeutic approaches have recently been developed to target stromal cells as anti-cancer treatments (Valkenburg et al., Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2018, Bejarano et al., Cancer Discov 2021). In addition, the composition of the TME has been recognized as a prognostic factor for survival in cancer patients (Pagès et al., Oncogene 2011). Current protein-based approaches to characterize and better understand the cell composition of the tumor stroma face many limitations such as reagent availability and lengthy protocols. In this study, we identified a list of 22 markers to characterize non-tumoral immune cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells in the TME, in a single tissue slide. We propose an approach that overcomes reagent incompatibility and opens new avenues of research of tumor stroma. Method: Multiorgan Tumor Microarray (TMA) was interrogated with a sequential immunofluorescence (seqIF™) panel encompassing protein markers enabling characterization of TME. A 22-plex panel was created based on expanding an already established 13-plex panel (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD11c, CD20, CD45, CD56, CD68, aSMA, FoxP3, Ki67, PD1, PD-L1) by adding 9 additional antibodies (CD11b, CD14, CD31, CD47, CK, FAP, LaminB1, SIRPα, Vimentin). Hyperplex immunofluorescent staining was performed using automated staining-imaging COMET™ platform generating ome-tiff images containing 25 layers: DAPI, 2 autofluorescent and 22 marker channels. Postprocessing of images was done with HORIZON™ image analysis software. Results: We established a panel of 22 markers that can be analyzed simultaneously on a single tissue slide despite limited variability in primary antibody species. Using seqIF™ protocol allowed the study of colocalization and co-expression of markers not compatible to study simultaneously in the traditional immunofluorescence approach. Our hyperplex data revealed distinct composition of the stromal compartment between different tumor types, highlighting high heterogeneity in the tissue composition and stromal architecture. Conclusion: COMET™ platform enabled studying in detail TME components and highlighted heterogeneity of tumor stroma across different tissue types. SeqIF™ protocol lifted the limitation imposed by same species antibodies and allowed simultaneous interrogation of markers’ expression preserving their spatial relationship. Citation Format: François Rivest, Victor de Gautard, Vytautas Navikas, Nadine Nelson, Bastian Nicolai, Joanna Kowal, Saska Brajkovic. Automated multiplex immunofluorescence enables single cell analysis of tumor stroma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4616.

Real‐Time Monitoring and Postprocessing of Thermal Infrared Video Images for Sampling and Mapping Groundwater Discharge

AbstractGroundwater discharge along channels can affect stream discharge, chemistry, and ecological communities. Although the spatial distribution of groundwater springs along wide rivers can be investigated by areal thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing, this technique is difficult to apply to mapping at a high spatial resolution and under riparian tree canopies. We present a real‐time monitoring and postprocessing method of ground‐based TIR video for determining groundwater discharge sampling points and mapping the surface water temperature. We applied this method to mapping two headwater streams in Hokkaido, Japan, in the summer. The first site was a 1.3‐km‐long reach underlain by Pleistocene andesite lava. Almost all of the springs were colder and had a different chemistry compared to that of the stream water, which supports the usefulness of TIR monitoring for determining groundwater discharge zones. Video postprocessing showed that cold groundwater springs were spaced every ∼100 m, and their distribution did not follow the topography. At the second site, cold and warm springs were underlain by Holocene volcanic ash. The cold springs mainly seeped from hyporheic and riparian zones downstream, while warm springs were at the footslope. Some cold springs had much higher solute concentrations than the stream and warm springs, which suggests that the water temperature is useful for inferring sources of groundwater discharge. At this site, the video postprocessing could map not only the locations of the cold springs but also the spatial heterogeneity of the stream temperature associated with groundwater inputs.

Assessing the Deep Carbon Release in an Active Volcanic Field Using Hydrochemistry, δ13CDIC and Δ14CDIC

AbstractVolcanic activities have great implications on the geological carbon cycle, and ascertaining the deep carbon contribution in the Earth's surface that runs along the volcanic edifices is important to understand the relationship between solid Earth degassing and global climate change. This study reports analytical results of major dissolved ions concentrations, carbon isotopic compositions (δ13CDIC and Δ14CDIC) of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) of rivers, cold springs, and hot springs from Changbaishan volcanic area, Northeast China. The hydrothermal fluids had a significant impact on solutes budgets, as well as carbon isotopes for the rivers. The changes in concentrations of major ions are mainly controlled by mixing of high‐temperature water/rock interaction and low‐temperature water/rock interaction, and low‐temperature water/rock interaction can be explained by the change of chemical composition between volcanic cone (trachyte) and basaltic shield. Because Δ14CDIC is conservative to CO2 outgassing, we used Δ14CDIC to figure out the contributions of deep carbon and surface carbon. While δ13CDIC is sensitive to CO2 outgassing, we thus estimated the minimum deep CO2 outgassing yield (1.24 × 104 t C yr−1) based on DIC flux corrected for outgassing by a Rayleigh model. In the Changbaishan volcanic area, deep carbon release flux was higher than CO2 consumption flux by silicate weathering, while the deep CO2 outgassing flux was an underestimate, consistent with the hypothesis that deep CO2 release regulates climate on geological timescales. This study calls for a better understanding of the effects of volcanic activities on Earth's surface carbon cycling, which has great implications on studying global climate change.

Anzalone Prime: An Interview with Prime Editing Developer Andrew Anzalone

Anzalone Prime: An Interview with Prime Editing Developer Andrew Anzalone

Geological constraints on volcanic-fluid pathways at the Maruyamasawa-Fumarolic-Geothermal-Area, and its relation to the present magmatic-hydrothermal activity in Zao Volcano, Tohoku, Japan

A field survey based on outcrop and hand-dug trench observations was conducted in the Maruyamasawa-Fumarolic-Geothermal-Area (MFG) of the Zao Volcano. Powder X-ray diffraction and microscopic analyses of samples collected from the MFG provide new possible links between underground magmatic–hydrothermal activity and fumaroles in the volcanic system. The MFG is a fumarolic area (solfatara) with evidence of intense geothermal activity, such as hot and cold springs, fumaroles precipitating native sulfur, and ongoing fumarolic alteration. The MFG occurs on a talus slope that mainly comprises detritus from Late Cretaceous granitoids mixed with blocks of the ca. 1 Ma Robanomimiiwa Pyrocalstics (Rmp). The Rmp is well exposed on a cliff behind the talus slope, and it unconformably overlies the granitoids with a NW-striking, SW-dipping contact. The southwestward extension of the Rmp-granitoids unconformity is projected laying approximately 500 m below the Okama crater, which is 800–1000 masl. The mineral assemblages of the MFG altered rocks are mainly 1) cristobalite + native sulfur ± pyrite, 2) cristobalite + quartz + alunite + kaolin-group minerals + smectite, and 3) quartz-only (intensely silicified) rocks. These mineral associations indicate a typical shallow acidic environment between steam-heated and fumarolic alteration zones. Three sandy layers (Layers 1 to 3 from bottom to top) are recognized in the hand-dug trench: Layer 1 is brown, poorly sorted and well-consolidated, Layer 2 is pale gray to gray and moderately sorted, and Layer 3 is pale gray and poorly sorted. The 14C dating of a paleosol underlying Layer 3 constrains the deposition event to around 437 ± 20 yrBP (2σ: 1429–1470). The presence of gray basaltic andesite (Rmp), granitic fragments (granitoids), and altered rocks (MFG constituent) in these layers suggests detrital remobilization from the MFG talus slope by rainfall (snowmelt) that emplaced thin lahar deposits. Furthermore, the detrital cristobalite and alunite in the L1-L3 matrix are minerals of fumarolic origin contained in the MFG altered rocks. These results indicate that the fumarolic activity and alteration of the MFG occurred before the deposition of these layers.Based on this information, we propose the following model for the MFG activity: (1) The Rmp-granitoids unconformity behaves as an open pathway for ascending volcanic fluids and controls the MFG geothermal features. (2) The MFG was formed over 600 years ago, probably during early Okama crater activity at the 1200s CE. (3) Volcanic fluids have ascended through the unconformity over the last several hundred years. Therefore, careful monitoring of the MFG is crucial for detecting surface anomalies that could indicate imminent eruptions of the Zao Volcano.

Alum reduced phosphorus release from flooded soils under cold spring weather conditions.

The effectiveness of amendments such as alum [Al2 (SO4 )3 ·18H2 O] in reducing phosphorus (P) loss to floodwater has been reported under summer conditions and laboratory-controlled environments, but not under actual spring weather conditions in cold climate regions with high diurnal temperature variations when potential for P losses is high. The effectiveness of alum in reducing P release under Manitoba spring weather conditions was evaluated in a 42-day experiment using 15-cm soil monoliths from eight agricultural soils, which were unamended or alum-amended (5 Mg ha-1 ) and flooded to a 10-cm head. Dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentrations and pH of porewater and floodwater were determined on flooding day and every 7 days after flooding (DAF). Porewater and floodwater DRP concentrations in unamended soils increased 1.4- to 4.5-fold, and 1.8- to 15.3-fold, respectively, from 7 to 42 DAF. In alum-amended soils, DRP concentrations averaged across soils was 43%-73% (1.0-2.0mg L-1 ) lower in porewater, and 27%-64% (0.1-1.2mg L-1 ) lower in floodwater than unamended soils during the flooding period. The reduction of DRP by alum was more pronounced under high fluctuating diurnal spring air temperature than with controlled air temperature (4°C) in a previous similar study. Acidic pH in porewater and floodwater due to alum did not persist over 7 days. This study showed that alum application is a viable option in reducing P released to floodwater in agricultural soils of cold regions where flooding-induced P loss is prevalent in the spring.

Bacterial Community Structure of Two Cold Sulfur Springs in Slovakia (Central Europe).

Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, especially those from hot springs, have attracted the attention of microbiologists for more than 150years. In contrast, the microbial diversity of cold sulfur springs remains largely unrecognized. Culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches were used to study the diversity of sulfur-oxidizing bacterial communities in two cold sulfur springs in Slovakia. Geological conditions and resulting spring water chemistry appear to be major factors influencing the composition of the sulfur-oxidizing bacterial community. Bacterial communities in both springs were found to be dominated by Proteobacteria with Epsilonproteobacteria being prevalent in the high-salinity Stankovany spring and Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria in the low-salinity Jovsa spring. Limited overlap was found between culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches with multiple taxa of cultivated sulfur-oxidizing bacteria not being detected by the culture-independent metagenomics approach. Moreover, four cultivated bacterial isolates could represent novel taxa based on the low similarity of their 16S rRNA gene sequence (similarity lower than 98%) to sequences of known bacteria. Our study supports the current view that multiple approaches are required to assess the bacterial diversity in natural habitats and indicates that sulfur springs in Slovakia harbor unique, yet-undescribed microorganisms.

Embracing diversity: a genetic marker dataset with increased marker density facilitates association studies in maize

Embracing diversity: a genetic marker dataset with increased marker density facilitates association studies in maize

An extreme environment drives local adaptation ofGenista tinctoria(Fabaceae) from the Mefite (Ansanto Valley, southern Italy)

AbstractThe Mefite in the Ansanto Valley is one of the largest and oldest cold natural carbon dioxide springs (CNCDS) known in the world. This site is characterized by toxic concentrations of CO2 and other harmful gases, and few plant species can survive in this environment. Among these plants, there is an aberrant Genista tinctoria population previously described as G. anxantica. This study aims to advance understanding of evolution over small geographical scales in an extreme environment using G. tinctoria populations from low and high CO2 environments. To investigate differentiation of the Mefite population, we analysed plastid sequences and microsatellite data for populations in the surrounding area. Considering the genetic results, it is evident that the population of the Mefite has an exclusive genetic pattern from both plastid and nuclear points of view with the presence of significant genetic barriers for both genomes analysed, which would point to the isolation of this population from neighbouring G. tinctoria populations. The population of G. tinctoria from the Mefite shows evidence of genetic differentiation from the nearby populations and the genetic indices show discrete variation. Recruitment was confirmed in the Mefite population, an indication that fitness is maintained despite the extreme local conditions. Our results indicate that the potent selection pressure imposed by the Mefite atmosphere has driven genetic differentiation of the local population from nearby G. tinctoria populations. A correct taxonomic rank evaluation and some conservation remarks are also proposed. Our study demonstrates that CO2 concentrations can influence population differentiation and adaptation in plants in a similar way to atmospheric sulphur, herbicides or edaphic conditions.

Hugh John Forster Cairns. 21 November 1922—12 November 2018

John Cairns was a magnet for scientists (and non-scientists) of all types, from undergraduates to Nobel laureates. For him science was fun, and discussing science with others even more fun. Soon after finishing medical school (Oxford) at the end of the Second World War he gravitated towards research, his first publication linking the incidence of penicillin-resistant bacteria with long hospital stays. He then studied virology with Macfarlane Burnet FRS in Melbourne, Australia, after which he repaid his two years of National Service from the Second World War at the Virus Research Institute in Entebbe, Uganda. He returned to Australia (Canberra), continuing influenza virus research. However, while visiting Caltech in the 1950s, he was exposed to the emerging field of molecular biology, of which he became a pioneer. After returning to Canberra from a sabbatical with Alfred Hershey at Cold Spring Harbor in 1961, he showed that the Escherichia coli genome is circular, and demonstrated the replication fork. In 1963 he was appointed director of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL). He successfully saved CSHL from bankruptcy before handing over directorship to Jim Watson (ForMemRS 1981). At CSHL he proved that the so-called Kornberg DNA polymerase was not required for replication of the E. coli genome. In the 1970s Cairns turned his attention to understanding cancer and moved to North London to direct a small research institute in Mill Hill, a satellite of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund based in central London. Cairns wrote two influential reviews on cancer plus the book Cancer: science and society , seamlessly weaving together information across disciplines, from human population levels to molecular levels, plus everything in between. He fostered multi-disciplinary basic research at the Mill Hill labs, recruiting scientists who used model organisms such as bacteria, fruit flies, slime moulds, amphibians and mice as models to explore the determinants of cell fate during development; such pathways seemed likely to be involved in the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. Cairns created and fostered an exceptionally stimulating, interactive, nurturing and cutting-edge research environment that launched the careers of many scientists. In his own lab at Mill Hill, Cairns discovered new pathways for DNA alkylation repair in E. coli , and subsequently as professor of cancer biology at the Harvard School of Public Health he discovered what is now known as stress-induced mutagenesis, also in E. coli .

Georgi Bonchev’s paper “Contribution to the springs in Bulgaria”, 1939, and its significance for hydrogeology in Bulgaria

In 1939, one of the first summarizing works of the famous Bulgarian geologist Georgi Bonchev “Contribution to the springs in Bulgaria” related to groundwater in the country was published. In his field research, the author visited and described about 60 natural springs or groups of springs with temperatures from 20 °C to over 75 °C, attached to different tectonic zones, over 40 lukewarm and cold springs with mineralized waters and about 290 karst and other cold springs. This article is also relevant for modern hydrogeology. The presented general picture of the locations of the springs, the discharge and qualities of the waters from the natural springs before 1939 allows making comparisons of the occurred changes due to natural and anthropogenic factors.

Assessment of the biological water quality and response of freshwater macroinvertebrates to thermal stress in an Afrotropical warm spring.

Freshwater macroinvertebrates have been widely used as environmental stress indicators. However, information on their response to natural thermal stress is relatively scarce, particularly in the tropics. Using the multimetric macroinvertebrate approach, the biological water quality of the warm and cold springs of the Ikogosi Warm Spring in Nigeria was evaluated, with a view to ascertaining the response of freshwater macroinvertebrates to natural thermal stress. Macroinvertebrates and water samples were collected from the warm (stressed) and cold (less-stressed) springs, as well as the confluence stream, within the renowned Ikogosi Warm Spring of Southwest Nigeria. The less-stressed cold spring had much more dissolved oxygen than the warm spring and other thermally stressed stations but less than the warm spring and other thermally stressed stations for water temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, Ca2+, Mg2+, and water hardness. Generally, the macroinvertebrate taxonomic richness (30 species) and EPT richness (3 species) of the Ikogosi Warm Spring indicated an impaired freshwater system. Using the multimetric macroinvertebrate index (MMI), the warm spring was of poor biological water quality while the cold spring was of good biological water quality. At the confluence of both springs, the MMI declined to poor and moderate water quality. Although the thermal stress of the Ikogosi Warm Spring is natural, the government should take the necessary steps to regulate tourist activities so that the site's naturalness is preserved and the water quality is not further degraded on account of human-induced stressors such as deforestation, waste dumping, and washing activities.

Magmatic fluid input controlling the geochemical and isotopic characteristics of geothermal waters along the Yadong-Gulu rift, southern Tibetan Plateau

Geothermal resources, regarded as sustainable green energy, are attracting increasing attention. The southern Tibetan Plateau possesses the most abundant intermediate-high geothermal resources in China and has enormous potential for geothermal exploration. Geothermal waters from the Yadong-Gulu Rift (YGR), which is considered as the most active geothermal belt of the plateau, are studied based on hydrochemical and isotopic characteristics to understand the spatial variations of fluid origin, evolution, and circulation mechanism as well as heat sources. The hydrochemical characteristics of cold springs and surface waters are consistently characterized by Ca-HCO3 dominated (Ca-HCO3 and Ca-HCO3·SO4) waters while those of geothermal springs present extensive variability with Na-Cl dominated (Na-Cl·HCO3, Na-HCO3·Cl, Na·Ca-Cl·HCO3) and Na-HCO3 waters. The main geochemical processes controlling the geothermal springs are combinations of silicate weathering, carbonate dissolution, and cation exchange. The characteristics of trace alkali metals and B indicate they undergone common/similar deep process and the potential input of magmatic degassing. The δD and δ18O values suggest that cold springs and surface waters are recharged by meteoric water, and geothermal springs are replenished by meteoric water, snow-melt, and magmatic fluid. The mass balance model reveal that dominant carbon sources for geothermal waters can be deeply derived CO2 (i.e., magmatic source and metamorphic source), contributing from 77% to 99%. Based on empirical chemical geothermometers, Si-Enthalpy mixing model, and geothermometrical modelling, the calculated reservoir temperatures are highly variable (137-312 °C). The circulation depths of geothermal waters are 2.45-6.85 km. A conceptual model is proposed to reveal the deep groundwater circulation.

Geochemical characteristics and water quality assessment in the Mt. Changbai volcanic field, Northeastern China

The chemistry of groundwater is an important determinant of water quality, which is vital to human health and the ecosystem. It is estimated that 10% of the worldwide population lives in the vicinity of an active volcano; in these regions, the quality of the water could greatly affect crop yield and soil fertility. The Mt. Changbai volcanic field (CVF), located on the border between China and North Korea, is the most well-preserved typical forest ecosystem in eastern Asia, providing various ecological services to human beings. Many types of water bodies, including hot springs, cold springs, and surface water bodies (e.g. rivers and pools) are distributed in the volcanic field. In this study, the geochemical characteristics of these water types, the quality of the water for irrigation purposes, as well as the water quality-related natural mechanism of the water chemistry in the CVF were systematically studied. The results indicate that the hydrochemical characteristics of the water samples in the CVF show the obvious difference between the volcanic cone and the peripheral areas. Significant spatial variation in the water quality was found in the CVF, where water in the peripheral areas was found to be of better water quality than that in the volcanic cone. The hot spring water in the CVF is not only unsuitable for drinking, but also unsuitable for irrigation. Water-rock interactions, ion exchange, and the addition of magmatic volatiles as well as atmospheric and anthropogenic sources are the main source and controlling factors of ions in the water in the CVF. The results of this study can be used as a reference for the sustainable management of groundwater resources in dormant volcanoes.

How to Develop a Rare Disease Treatment

How to Develop a Rare Disease Treatment

Surface Urban Heat Island In Moscow During The COID-19 Pandemic Lockdown In 2020

The influence of the COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown (the period of strict quarantine measures) in the spring of 2020 on the ‘Surface Urban Heat Island’ (SUHI) geographical phenomenon in Moscow has been studied. For this purpose, we used the measurements of the surface temperature TS made by Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) radiometer installed on Terra and Aqua satellites. As a result, TS during the 2020 lockdown, both in the city and surrounding rural zone, was found lower than at the same calendar time in the previous 20 years due to the relatively cold spring. The SUHI intensity as the difference between TS inside Moscow and the surrounding rural zone around it during the lockdown was also lower than usual (on average in the previous 20 years), but this decrease is relatively small and nonsignificant. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in Moscow and Moscow region during the lockdown was close to its usual values, but the leaf area index (LAI) was significantly lower than its average values in the previous 20 years. Thus, the weakening of the SUHI during the lockdown in 2020 was caused mostly by lower heat loss due to transpiration in the rural zone. This was associated with the slowdown in vegetation development as a result of the cold spring. Besides, an additional possible reason was the reduction of human activity due to the collapse of many anthropogenic heat sources in the city. According to long-term MODIS data, the SUHI intensity in Moscow and the surface temperature in Moscow region, as well as the NDVI and LAI values, do not demonstrate statistically significant long-term trends in the spring season over the past 21 years, despite climate changes. In spring, during faster snow melting in cities, when it still persists in the rural zone, the SUHI intensity can be record high (up to 8 ºC).

Unique Populations of Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria in Natural Cold Sulfur Springs in Slovakia

Currently, there are over 200 officially registered sulfur springs in Slovakia, most of which are cold hydrogen sulfide springs with a characteristic strong odor of rotten eggs. Their typical inhabitants are filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. The aim of this study was to identify the major bacterial populations inhabiting sulfur springs in Slovakia using a combination of non-cultivation and cultivation approaches. Non-cultivation analyses revealed high variability of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in Slovak springs. Sulfur mats were usually dominated by chemolithotrophic sulfur-oxidizers from the phylum Proteobacteria (more than 87%), followed by photoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizers of the phylum Chlorobi. The group of nonsulfur-oxidizers was composed of typical freshwater species and bacteria with genetic potential for sulfur oxidation. The low similarity in the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the sequenced DGGE bands indicates that about half of the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria identified represent new species/genera of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. In attempts to cultivate potential new species of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, a very low overlap was observed between non-cultivation and cultivation analyses, and a new species of the Thiofaba genus was cultivated. Our results expand knowledge on the diversity of sulfur bacteria in cold sulfur springs in Slovakia and indicate that the diversity of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria is significantly underestimated and that sulfur springs could be inhabited by unique bacterial populations.

Hydrochemical and stable isotopes (δ2H and δ18O) changes of groundwater from a spring induced by local earthquakes, Northwest China

It has been well reported that earthquakes can cause changes in groundwater chemistry and isotopes, and much of those changes were occurred in wells or hot springs; however, changes in cold spring caused by local small earthquakes have received less attention. Here, we collected continuous monitoring of the X10 spring (September 2018 to December 2019), investigated the hydrogeochemical characteristics of the spring by using water chemistry analysis and isotope methods. We compared the changes in water chemical ion concentrations and hydrogen-oxygen isotope ratios with the surrounding seismic activity, and the results show that 1) major chemical ion concentrations in X10 springs have an annual dynamic pattern of being high in winter and low in summer, and this change may be related to the seasonal effect of snowmelt; 2) the spring water originates from long-distant meteoric water, snowmelt, and bedrock fissure water and is affected by rock weathering and evaporation; 3) the hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope ratios and HCO3− concentration in groundwater are sensitive to local small seismic activity. We considered that small earthquakes can change the permeability in fault zones or aquifers, leading to mixing of groundwater with different chemical composition and isotopes. Our study demonstrates that the hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes are more sensitive to seismic activity than the commonly used chemical constitutents, and that the sensitive constitutents vary in different observation wells or springs; therefore, combined monitoring of isotopes and water chemistry should be considered in the future to capture hydrogeochemical precursor signals caused by earthquakes.