Severe Wind Research Articles

Sensitivity Simulations of Wind-driven Water Circulation in İzmit Bay

İzmit Bay, a 50 km long inlet at the eastern end of the Marmara Sea, is crucial for the region’s economy, culture, and marine ecosystem. The bay’s water circulation regulates nutrient distribution, stratification, sedimentation, oxygen levels, heat, and pollution levels. It is also influenced by meteorological events, such as short-term moderate to strong wind conditions. This study investigated the sensitivity of İzmit Bay Water Circulation to wind speed, direction, and duration using the MITgcm model with Orlanski boundary conditions and process-oriented modeling. The simulations showed that under weak forcing conditions, seawater temperature, salinity, and stratification do not significantly vary. However, strong forcing and wind speeds (statistically defined by percentiles of observation data) of 4.9 m/s (75%), 6.7 m/s (90%), and 10.1 m/s (99%) generate significant mesoscale and sub-mesoscale processes, depending on the direction. Westerly component winds cause downwelling at the eastern coastline, while easterly component winds bring sub-surface water to the surface. Strong winds from N, NE, and E sectors lead to the rise in lower-layer waters in the western basin, forcing them to overflow through the Hersek Delta sill into the central basin. Overall, severe wind events greater than 4.9 m/s (75%) significantly affect the bay’s hydrography by transforming the upper layer, with a decrease in temperature up to 5 °C and an increase in salinity up to 10 ppt.

Superoxide Dismutase Mimetic Avasopasem Manganese Enhances Radiation Therapy Effectiveness in Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Accelerates Wound Healing.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are mesenchymal malignant lesions that develop in soft tissues. Despite current treatments, including radiation therapy (RT) and surgery, STSs can be associated with poor patient outcomes and metastatic recurrences. Neoadjuvant radiation therapy (nRT), while effective, is often accompanied by severe postoperative wound healing complications due to damage to the surrounding normal tissues. Thus, there is a need to develop therapeutic approaches to reduce nRT toxicities. Avasopasem manganese (AVA) is a selective superoxide dismutase mimetic that protects against IR-induced oral mucositis and lung fibrosis. We tested the efficacy of AVA in enhancing RT in STSs and in promoting wound healing. Using colony formation assays and alkaline comet assays, we report that AVA selectively enhanced the STS (liposarcoma, fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and MPNST) cellular response to radiation compared to normal dermal fibroblasts (NDFs). AVA is believed to selectively enhance radiation therapy by targeting differential hydrogen peroxide clearance in tumor cells compared to non-malignant cells. STS cells demonstrated increased catalase protein levels and activity compared to normal fibroblasts. Additionally, NDFs showed significantly higher levels of GPx1 activity compared to STSs. The depletion of glutathione using buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) sensitized the NDF cells to AVA, suggesting that GPx1 may, in part, facilitate the selective toxicity of AVA. Finally, AVA significantly accelerated wound closure in a murine model of wound healing post RT. Our data suggest that AVA may be a promising combination strategy for nRT therapy in STSs.

Visible-Light Cross-Linkable Multifunctional Hydrogels Loaded with Exosomes Facilitate Full-Thickness Skin Defect Wound Healing through Participating in the Entire Healing Process.

The management of severe full-thickness skin defect wounds remains a challenge due to their irregular shape, uncontrollable bleeding, high risk of infection, and prolonged healing period. Herein, an all-in-one OD/GM/QCS@Exo hydrogel was prepared with catechol-modified oxidized hyaluronic acid (OD), methylacrylylated gelatin (GM), and quaternized chitosan (QCS) and loaded with adipose mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (Exos). Cross-linking of the hydrogel was achieved using visible light instead of ultraviolet light irradiation, providing injectability and good biocompatibility. Notably, the incorporation of catechol groups and multicross-linked networks in the hydrogels conferred strong adhesion properties and mechanical strength against external forces such as tensile and compressive stress. Furthermore, our hydrogel exhibited antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties along with wound-healing promotion effects. Our results demonstrated that the hydrogel-mediated release of Exos significantly promotes cellular proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, thereby accelerating skin structure reconstruction and functional recovery during the wound-healing process. Overall, the all-in-one OD/GM/QCS@Exo hydrogel provided a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of full-thickness skin defect wounds through actively participating in the entire process of wound healing.

Treatment of hard-to-heal wounds in ischaemic lower extremities with a novel fish skin-derived matrix.

To evaluate the efficacy of treatment of hard-to-heal wounds of patients with ischaemia of the lower extremities, and compare an omega-3 wound matrix product (Kerecis, Iceland) with a standard dressing. A single-centre, prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial of patients with hard-to-heal wounds following three weeks of standard care was undertaken. The ischaemic condition of the wound was confirmed as a decreased transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) of <40mmHg. After randomising patients into either a case (omega-3 dressing) or a control group (standard dressing), the weekly decrease in wound area over 12 weeks and the number of patients that achieved complete wound closure were compared between the two groups. Patients with a TcPO2 of ≤32mmHg were taken for further analysis of their wound in a severe ischaemic context. A total of 28 patients were assigned to the case group and 22 patients to the control group. Over the course of 12 weeks, the wound area decreased more rapidly in the case group than the control group. Complete wound healing occurred in 82% of patients in the case group and 45% in the control group. Even in patients with a severe ischaemic wound with a TcPO2 value of <32 mmHg, wound area decreased more rapidly in the case group than the control group. The proportions of re-epithelialised area in the case and control groups were 80.24% and 57.44%, respectively. Considering the more rapid decrease in wound area and complete healing ratio in the case group, application of a fish skin-derived matrix for treating lower-extremity hard-to-heal wounds, especially with impaired vascularity, would appear to be a good treatment option.

A nox2/cybb zebrafish mutant with defective myeloid cell reactive oxygen species production displays normal initial neutrophil recruitment to sterile tail injuries.

Reactive oxygen species are important effectors and modifiers of the acute inflammatory response, recruiting phagocytes including neutrophils to sites of tissue injury. In turn, phagocytes such as neutrophils are both consumers and producers of reactive oxygen species. Phagocytes including neutrophils generate reactive oxygen species in an oxidative burst through the activity of a multimeric phagocytic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase complex. Mutations in the NOX2/CYBB (previously gp91phox) nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase subunit are the commonest cause of chronic granulomatous disease, a disease characterized by infection susceptibility and an inflammatory phenotype. To model chronic granulomatous disease, we made a nox2/cybb zebrafish (Danio rerio) mutant and demonstrated it to have severely impaired myeloid cell reactive oxygen species production. Reduced early survival of nox2 mutant embryos indicated an essential requirement for nox2 during early development. In nox2/cybb zebrafish mutants, the dynamics of initial neutrophil recruitment to both mild and severe surgical tailfin wounds was normal, suggesting that excessive neutrophil recruitment at the initiation of inflammation is not the primary cause of the "sterile" inflammatory phenotype of chronic granulomatous disease patients. This nox2 zebrafish mutant adds to existing in vivo models for studying reactive oxygen species function in myeloid cells including neutrophils in development and disease.

Tibial Cortex Transverse Transport Facilitates Severe Diabetic Foot Wound Healing via HIF-1α-Induced Angiogenesis.

Management of severe diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) remains challenging. Tibial cortex transverse transport (TTT) facilitates healing and limb salvage in patients with recalcitrant DFUs. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown, necessitating the establishment of an animal model and mechanism exploration. Severe DFUs were induced in rats, then assigned to TTT, sham, or control groups (n=16/group). The TTT group underwent a tibial corticotomy, with 6 days each of medial and lateral transport; the sham group had a corticotomy without transport. Ulcer healing was assessed through Laser Doppler, CT angiography, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Serum HIF-1α, PDGF-BB, SDF-1, and VEGF levels were measured by ELISA. The TTT group showed lower percentages of wound area, higher dermis thickness (all p < 0.001 expect for p = 0.001 for TTT vs Sham at day 6) and percentage of collagen content (all p < 0.001) than the other two groups. The TTT group had higher perfusion and vessel volume in the hindlimb (all p < 0.001). The number of CD31+ cells (all p < 0.001) and VEGFR2+ cells (at day 6, TTT vs Control, p = 0.001, TTT vs Sham, p = 0.006; at day 12, TTT vs Control, p = 0.003, TTT vs Sham, p = 0.01) were higher in the TTT group. The activity of HIF-1α, PDGF-BB, and SDF-1 was increased in the TTT group (all p < 0.001 except for SDF-1 at day 12, TTT vs Sham, p = 0.005). The TTT group had higher levels of HIF-1α, PDGF-BB, SDF-1, and VEGF in serum than the other groups (all p < 0.001). TTT enhanced neovascularization and perfusion at the hindlimb and accelerated healing of the severe DFUs. The underlying mechanism is related to HIF-1α-induced angiogenesis.

Seven-year review of emergency peripartum hysterectomy in a tertiary hospital in northern Nigeria

Background: Emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) is surgical removal of the uterus during childbirth or within its immediate 24 hours, a lifesaving procedure done as the last resort to control obstetric haemorrhage. Objectives: To determine the incidence, indications, and complications of peripartum hysterectomy. Methods: The study is a retrospective review of emergency peripartum hysterectomies performed at the Centre from 1st January, 2015 to 31st December, 2021. The patients’ case folders were retrieved from the medical records department and relevant information obtained using a structured data extraction format. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Means, frequency, and percentages were used to present the significance of the results. Results: A total of 46 EPH were performed between January 2015 and December 2021 out of 20,832 deliveries within the same period, giving an incidence of 0.22% (2.2 per thousand deliveries). Indications were uterine rupture (78.2%), uterine atony (10.9%), abruptio placentae (4.3%), placenta previa (4.3%) and placenta accreta spectrum (2.2%). Subtotal hysterectomy was performed in most cases (39/46; 84.8%). The most common complication was intraoperative haemorrhage requiring blood transfusion (100%). Other complications included severe post-operative anaemia, wound sepsis, paralytic ileus and enterocutaneous fistula. The maternal case fatality was 4 (8.7%) and all the mortality cases were unbooked patients. Conclusion: The incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy is relatively low in our study and uterine rupture is the most common indication. EPH is associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality, and this is related to booking status. Hence, enlightening women on antenatal care and hospital delivery will help in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.

Lipase and Protease Production Ability of Multi-drug Resistant Bacteria Worsens the Outcomes of Wound Infections.

Surgical site infections are one of the major clinical problems in surgical departments that cost hundreds of millions of dollars to healthcare systems around the world. The study aimed to address the pressing issue of surgical site infections, which pose significant clinical and financial burdens on healthcare systems globally. Recognizing the substantial costs incurred due to these infections, the research has focused on understanding the role of lipase and protease production by multi-drug resistant bacteria isolated from surgical wounds in the development of post-surgical wound infections. For these purposes, 153 pus specimens were collected from patients with severe post-surgical wound infections having prolonged hospital stays. The specimens were inoculated on appropriate culture media. Gram staining and biochemical tests were used for the identification of bacterial growth on suitable culture media after 24 hours of incubation. The isolated pathogens were then applied for lipase and protease, key enzymes that could contribute to wound development, on tributyrin and skimmed milk agar, respectively. Following the CSLI guidelines, the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to assess antibiotic susceptibility patterns. The results revealed that a significant proportion of the samples (127 out of 153) showed bacterial growth of Gram-negative (n = 66) and Gram-positive (n = 61) bacteria. In total, isolated 37 subjects were declared MDR due to their resistance to three or more than three antimicrobial agents. The most prevalent bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (29.13%), followed by S. epidermidis (18.89%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.89%), Escherichia coli (14.96%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.23%), and Proteus mirabilis (7.87%). Moreover, a considerable number of these bacteria exhibited lipase and protease activity with 70 bacterial strains as lipase positive on tributyrin agar, whereas 74 bacteria showed protease activity on skimmed milk agar with P. aeruginosa as the highest lipase (69.23%) and protease (76.92%) producer, followed by S. aureus (lipase 62.16% and protease 70.27%). The antimicrobial resistance was evaluated among enzyme producers and non-producers and it was found that the lipase and protease-producing bacteria revealed higher resistance to selected antibiotics than non-producers. Notably, fosfomycin and carbapenem were identified as effective antibiotics against the isolated bacterial strains. However, gram-positive bacteria displayed high resistance to lincomycin and clindamycin, while gram-negative bacteria were more resistant to cefuroxime and gentamicin. In conclusion, the findings suggest that lipases and proteases produced by bacteria could contribute to drug resistance and act as virulence factors in the development of surgical site infections. Understanding the role of these enzymes may inform strategies for preventing and managing post-surgical wound infections more effectively.

Full‐scale measurements of thunderstorm outflows in the Northern Mediterranean

AbstractDownbursts are severe wind systems originating from thunderstorm clouds, and their strong horizontal outflows can pose serious hazards to natural and built environments. In the context of the activities of the European project THUNDERR—Detection, simulation, modelling and loading of thunderstorm outflows to design wind‐safer and cost‐efficient structures—a comprehensive database of full‐scale downburst measurements was built. All records were acquired by bi‐ or tri‐axial ultrasonic anemometers installed in the main ports of the High Tyrrhenian Sea, namely Genova, Livorno and La Spezia, within the European projects ‘Wind and Ports’ and ‘Wind, Ports and Sea’. The very limited space and time structure of downburst outflows makes the available records in nature inadequate for developing models that could be used in the atmospheric science and engineering communities. The database described herein represents a step forward in attempting to fill this gap. The downburst nature of all events contained in the dataset was verified through detailed meteorological analyses, including comparisons with radar and satellite images and lightning recordings. The wind speed records associated with the events detected by the anemometric network are made publicly available through the online repository Zenodo and can be reused for multiple purposes. The dataset is expected to convey an important impulse towards the physical characterization and modelling of downburst winds and their codification into design tools for the assessment of wind loading and its effects on structures and infrastructure. Furthermore, it could serve as a promising, essential tool for researchers and risk‐related insurance companies.

Lymphatic Interventional Radiology for Postoperative Lymphatic Leakage

AbstractLymphatic leakage is a relatively rare complication following various surgical procedures. Occasionally, conservative treatments fail to control postoperative lymphatic leakage. Refractory lymphatic leakage causes severe morbidities, including malnutrition, immunodeficiency, and impaired wound healing. Lymphangiography is a useful method for identifying various types of lymphatic leakage. Recently, lipiodol lymphangiography has been popular for its potential therapeutic effects on refractory lymphatic leakage, but this technique remains underdeveloped. This review discusses lymphatic interventional radiology for postoperative lymphatic leakage.

Microneedle Patch for Transdermal Sequential Delivery of KGF-2 and aFGF to Enhance Burn Wound Therapy.

Severe burn wounds usually destroy key cells' functions of the skin resulting in delayed re-epithelization and wound regeneration. Promoting key cells' activities is crucial for burn wound repair. It is well known that keratinocyte growth factor-2 (KGF-2) participates in the proliferation and morphogenesis of epithelial cells while acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF)is a key mediator for fibroblast and endothelial cell growth and differentiation. However, thick eschar and the harsh environment of a burn wound often decrease the delivery efficiency of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to the wound site. Therefore, herein a novel microneedle patch for sequential transdermal delivery of KGF-2 and aFGF is fabricated to enhance burn wound therapy. aFGF is first loaded in the nanoparticle (NPaFGF) and then encapsulated NPaFGF with KGF-2 in the microneedle patch (KGF-2/NPaFGF@MN). The result shows that KGF-2/NPaFGF@MN can successfully get across the eschar and sequentially release KGF-2 and aFGF. Additional data demonstrated that KGF-2/NPaFGF@MN achieved a quicker wound closure rate with reduced necrotic tissues, faster re-epithelialization, enhanced collagen deposition, and increased neo-vascularization. Further evidence suggests that improved wound healing is regulated by significantly elevated expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha(HIF-1ɑ) and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in burn wounds. All these data proved that KGF-2/NPaFGF@MN is an effective treatment for wound healing of burns.

The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Post-Operative Outcomes in Abdominal Body Contouring: A Propensity Score-Matched Nationwide Analysis

Abstract Goals/Purpose Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents cardiometabolic dysregulation, defined by hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Its prevalence is on the rise, affecting approximately 47.3% of U.S. adults. In recent years, MetS has been associated with an elevated risk of postoperative complications. However, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of how patients with MetS fare after abdominal body contouring procedures. The objective of this study is to assess the influence of MetS on postoperative outcomes of abdominal body contouring by concurrent abdominoplasty and panniculectomy. Methods/Technique The ACS-NSQIP database was utilized to identify patients who underwent concurrent abdominoplasty and panniculectomy procedures from 2015 to 2021. Through propensity score matching, distinct cohorts were established based on the presence of MetS, characterized by patients receiving medical interventions for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, with a body mass index exceeding 30kg/m2. Disparities among groups were assessed via unpaired T-tests and Fisher's Exact tests. Logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the occurrence of mild and severe systemic complications, reoperation rates, and wound complications between these groups. Results/Complications A total of 13,346 patients underwent abdominal body contouring. Following propensity score matching, 586 patients were included in the analysis, with 293 in each group (MetS vs. non-MetS). Bivariate analysis revealed a longer hospital length of stay (2.4 vs. 1.7 days; p=0.002) and higher readmission rates (11.9 vs. 6.5; p=0.031) in the MetS group in comparison to the non-MetS cohort. While surgical-related reasons for readmission were predominant across both groups, statistically significant differences were observed only for medical-related reasons (p=0.028). Logistic regression models demonstrated a statistically significant elevated likelihood of 30-day readmission in the MetS group (OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.091-3.507; p=0.024). No noteworthy disparities were observed in the rates of 30-day wound complications, mild systemic, and severe systemic complications between the groups. Conclusion Our findings revealed no increase in postoperative wound and systemic complications among patients with MetS who underwent concurrent abdominoplasty and panniculectomy. This suggests that abdominal body contouring remains a secure option for patients with MetS. Nonetheless, the higher readmission rates and longer hospital length stays observed in patients with MetS may potentially translate to increased overall costs. Continued research is warranted to comprehensively assess the economic implications of MetS in the context of abdominal body contouring.

Safety and Effectiveness of Meatal Mobilization (MEMO) Technique for Glandular, Coronal, and Subcoronal Hypospadias Repair in Children: A 5-Year Single-Center Study with 105 Hypospadias.

This study aims to compare outcomes of treatment, in terms of early and late complications, between the Snodgrass and meatal mobilization (MEMO) techniques in children operated on because of distal hypospadias. The medical records of 127 children who underwent glandular, coronal, or subcoronal hypospadias repair between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 105 children met the inclusion criteria and were included in further analysis. The inclusion criteria were pediatric patients who underwent glandular, coronal, or subcoronal hypospadias repair using MEMO (n = 49) or the Snodgrass technique (n = 56) as a comparative group. The primary outcome of this study was the incidence of early and late complications with two different surgical techniques. Secondary outcomes were the duration of surgery, the length of hospital stay, the number of readmissions or unplanned returns to the operating room, and repeat surgeries between groups. The median age of all patients was 17 (interquartile range, IQR 13, 29) months, with a median follow-up of 26 (IQR 17, 34) months. Regarding the type of hypospadias, the majority of patients in both groups were categorized as coronal and subroronal hypospadias. Regarding the incidence of postoperative complications, a significantly lower incidence of postoperative complications was found in the MEMO group compared to the Snodgrass group (n = 4; 8.2% vs. n = 14; 25%; p = 0.037). An urethrocutaneous fistula was the most common complication in the Snodgrass group (n = 8; 14.3%), while in the MEMO group, only one patient (2%) developed a fistula (p = 0.034). The incidence of meatal stenosis (p = 0.621) and wound infections (p > 0.999) was low in both groups. No further complications were recorded during the follow-up period. Duration of surgery (41 min (IQR 38, 47) vs. 51 min (IQR 45.5, 61); p < 0.001), duration of hospitalization (1 day (IQR 1, 2) vs. 3 days (IQR 2, 6); p < 0.001), and time to catheter removal (3 days (IQR 2.5, 5) vs. 6 days (IQR 6, 8); p < 0.001) were significantly lower in patients operated on with MEMO compared to the Snodgrass technique. Only one case of readmission due to severe wound infection which led to suturing line dehiscence was recorded in the Snodgrass group. The incidence of redo surgery was significantly lower in the MEMO group than in the Snodgrass group (n = 3; 6.1% vs. n = 11; 19.6%; p = 0.048). MEMO is a safe and effective technique that can be used for the treatment of distal hypospadias. It showed excellent outcomes, cosmetic results, and a low incidence of complications as well as a significantly shorter duration of surgery compared to the Snodgrass technique.

Care of the postpartum patient after premature rupture of membranes

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) represents between 8 and 10% of pregnancies, being common the conclusion of the same in a cesarean section, through which the fetus is extracted through the abdominal route, this can generate complications such as acute postoperative pain in the incision area. Objective: To expose the nursing care in a post-cesarean patient due to PROM. Methodology: Qualitative clinical case research, represented by a 31-year-old patient selected for convenience. The assessment method is the nursing care process and the data collection instrument is constituted by the 11 patterns of Marjory Gordon. Results: Eight nursing diagnoses were identified, of which acute pain R/C, physical injurious agent (surgical procedure) secondary to severe oligohydramnios and/or operative wound, gesture of pain, VAS 8 was selected as the main one. From the main diagnosis, nursing interventions were proposed taking into account the NOC and NIC taxonomy. Likewise, the main CR, uterine atony, still has no clear results, since the risk will continue in the following hours. Conclusions: Nursing care had a favorable effect on altered functional patterns, achieving an optimal score according to the NANDA, NIC and NOC taxonomy. However, the patient remains hospitalized to continue providing nursing care, favoring the recovery of her health. However, the outcome of the interventions in the main CR remains to be determined.

Resistance Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Diabetic Wounds: Phytochemicals and Antibacterial Studies of Eriosema robustum Leaf Extracts

Resistance Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Diabetic Wounds: Phytochemicals and Antibacterial Studies of Eriosema robustum Leaf Extracts

Episodic sediment accumulation linked to global change in the endorheic Qaidam Basin of the Tibetan Plateau revealed by feldspar luminescence dating

Given its high accumulation rate in sediments, the endorheic basin in arid regions plays a crucial role in reconstructing paleo-environment. However, it would not provide high-resolution climatic records if significant wind-eroded depositional hiatuses were inevitable within a severe wind environment. Unconformable contacts have been found during field survey in the top part of the stratigraphy in the Qaidam Basin, a prototypical endorheic basin in central Asia. To elucidate whether the sediment is continuous, we employed luminescence dating methods of feldspar pIR200IR250 and quartz OSL to date sediments, including lacustrine sediments and salt crusts, from the Qarhan Playa that is the Quaternary depositional center of the Qaidam Basin. Various experiment tests, including preheat plateau, dose recovery, and residual dose, were conducted. The dating results show that the feldspar pIR200IR250 can provide dependable ages with negligible residual doses. The pIR200IR250 dating ages within the last glacial cycle reveal several environmental shifts. A Qarhan paleolake in Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 was demonstrated by the cluster ages of ∼140–80 ka of lacustrine sediments. The salt crust ages of 136 ± 10 ka and 97 ± 6 ka indicate that, before completely disappeared, the paleolake with shallow dish-shape depression had been dried up more than once, illustrating “shallow——dry——shallow” cycles. The playa in the eastern Qaidam Basin evolved mainly in warm periods, such as MIS 5 and MIS 1, supported by the salt crust ages of MIS 5 (136 ± 10 ka and 97 ± 6 ka) and MIS 1 (10 ± 1 ka and 0.6 ± 0.1 ka). Depositional hiatus in the last glacial cycle were identified by unconformable contacts in three sections between the lacustrine strata and their overlying playa strata, with corresponding age gaps of 158 ± 20–97 ± 6 ka, 131 ± 10–10 ± 1 ka, and 84 ± 7–0.6 ± 0.1 ka, respectively. In all the three sections the sediments for the whole of the last glacial period is missing, eroded by wind. This process should have occurred periodically during the glacial-interglacial cycles of the orbital global climatic changes. The results also show that hiatuses are common for endorheic basins on the Earth with age gaps of up to ∼100 ka, suggesting that robust chronology should be established before any climatic correlation due to severe wind erosion leading to episodic sediment accumulation.

Óleo de semente de uva no tratamento de ferida grave em cão - relato de caso

The aim of this study is to describe, for the first time, the use of grape seed oil in the treatment of a severe wound in a dog. A 10-year-old Dalmatian female dog presented with an abscess in the cervical region that progressed to cutaneous necrosis, resulting in a large wound. Samples were collected for culture and antimicrobial sensitivity testing (TSA). Staphylococcus pseudointermedius and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli were isolated from the wound. The lesion was surgically debrided, and topical treatment with grape seed oil was initiated. The patient was followed until complete healing, which occurred in 28 days. The wound area was measured at seven-day intervals until complete healing (D0, D7, D14, D21, and D28), with the respective measurements being 11204.8 mm2, 4348.0 mm2, 2414.9 mm2, 120.2 mm2, and 0.00 mm2. The wound contraction potential was calculated for the intervals of 0 to 7, 7 to 14, 14 to 21, and 21 to 28 days, and it was -61.19%, -44.45%, -95.02%, and -100.00%, respectively. The complete healing of the wound at 28 days post-debridement indicates that grape seed oil is an alternative for wound treatment in dogs.

Preconvective environments of severe convective winds over North China and South China

This study aimed to identify the environmental discrepancy between severe convective wind (SCW) and climate background over North China and South China and between SCW occurring in these two regions, which were prone to SCW in China. 17 parameters from 11,727 (13130) climate background soundings and 4404 (2513) SCW soundings in North (South) China were quantitatively investigated. These parameters were grouped as significant important parameters (SIP), moderate important parameters (MIP), and weak important parameters (WIP). The skill in discriminating the environments between SCW and climate background steadily decreased from SIP to MIP and then to WIP. In North China, SCW typically occurred under moderate to severe deep wind shear and low convective available potential energy (CAPE) conditions. However, in South China, SCW tended to occur at low CAPE and moderate deep wind shear, as well as moderate CAPE and moderate to severe deep wind shear. Compared to the background climate, the SCW environment was associated with considerable instability, high shear, and dry and cold air in the middle layer over both North and South China. A substantial variation in wind shear was identified between the SCW and background in North China, whereas a considerable difference in comprehensive conditions involving CAPE and wind shear was detected in South China. The SCW environment is characterized by a steeper lapse rate in the middle layer as well as a higher Total Totals index in North China than in South China, while the opposite was true for CAPE between two regions. In general, the thermal parameter discrimination was larger than the shear metric discrimination when comparing the soundings for the two regions.

Non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae bacteraemia and cholangitis: An unusual case in an oncological patient in Lecco Hospital, Italy

Vibrio species are curved, motile, aerobic and facultative anaerobic, Gram-negative bacilli that are widely distributed in aquatic environments, especially marine and estuarine waters. Vibrios of primary concern in human pathology are essentially represented by the species Vibrio cholerae. Classification of Vibrio cholerae is based on the O-antigen polysaccharide type, with over 200 serogroups described. Historically, only toxigenic serogroups O1 and O139 have been associated with widespread cholera epidemics. Other serogroups can cause small outbreaks that spread via contaminated raw seafood (primarily shellfish and molluscs) and seawater exposure, and they are collectively termed Non-O1/Non-O139 Vibrio Cholerae (NOVC). NOVC, occasionally detected also in the Mediterranean Sea, most often causes sporadic gastrointestinal manifestations requiring supportive therapy. However, rarely the V. cholerae non-O1/ non-O139 serotype can result in extraintestinal manifestations such as severe wound infections, soft tissue infections and sepsis in immunocompromised patients that represent a therapeutic challenge. In particular, NOVC bacteraemia is a rare event but has the highest mortality rates among NOVC infections (almost 33%) and usually occurs in certain immunosuppressed populations, such as patients with haematologic and solid malignancies, and those with underlying liver disease.

Damage prediction for planted longleaf pine in extreme winds

Severe wind disturbances are forecast to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change putting forest trees at greater risk of wind damage. Of particular concern are mature and old-growth forests of wind-prone regions which host considerable biodiversity. Landscape configuration, stand structure, and tree characteristics affect susceptibility to wind damage. In managed forests and restoration contexts, these factors could be manipulated to enhance resistance to severe wind events. We measured landscape, stand, and tree characteristics, and damage in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests in southwest Georgia and Northwest Florida affected by Hurricane Michael (2018) and used these data to model wind damage. We hypothesized that wind damage would increase with wind exposure and decrease with diameter-to-height ratio (taper). We found that lower wind exposure and higher taper resulted in substantially lower wind damage. We conclude that maintaining lower stand density during stand development could reduce wind damage by increasing individual tree resistance to wind. Management and restoration activities that increase resilience to threats from extreme weather can help maintain persistence and landscape restoration of global biodiversity hotspots in wind-prone regions.