Surface drifters deployed in the subtropical and subpolar North Atlantic from 1990 to 2002 show almost no connection between the subtropical and subpolar gyres; only one drifter crosses the intergyre ...boundary even though other data types (e.g., dynamic topography and tracers) suggest a major connection. Two of several possible causes for the lack of intergyre connectivity in this two‐dimensional data set are examined: (1) undersampling and short drifter lifetime leading to underestimation of the northward flow, and (2) the southward mean Ekman velocity. Advection of a large number of long‐lived synthetic drifters through the observed mean velocity results in a 5% increase in cross‐gyre flux compared with that for synthetic drifters with realistic lifetimes. By further advecting synthetic drifters through the observed mean velocity field with and without the Ekman component, estimated from the wind field associated with the actual drifters, it is shown that removal of the Ekman component further increases the intergyre flux by up to 6%. With a turbulent component added to the mean velocity field to simulate the eddy field, there is a further increase in connection by 5%. Thus the Ekman and eddy contributions to the drifter trajectories nearly cancel each other. Consideration of three‐dimensional processes (subduction and obduction) is reserved for complete modeling studies.
This study systematically summarizes the extant literature on the impacts of immersive virtual nature (IVN) on nature connectedness in the general population.
Papers were considered eligible if ...peer-reviewed, in English language, comprising experimental or quasi-experimental trials, including at least one outcome relative to nature connectedness in the general population. Database search was conducted on Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Medline, and GreenFILE (22-28 November 2021). Risk of bias was established by the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Data synthesis was conducted through meta-analysis according with the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Group guidelines.
Six eligible papers (9 studies; n = 730) were selected, in which IVN was compared to
non-immersive virtual nature,
immersive virtual built environments,
non-immersive virtual built environments, and
actual nature. The risk of bias was predominantly "low" or of "some concerns." Meta-analyses showed a statistically significant overall effect for the first (
= 0.26;
= 0.06-0.45;
= 35%) and fourth group (
= -1.98;
= -3.21 to -0.75;
= 96%), the former in favor of IVN and the latter in favor of actual nature. Subgroup analyses were conducted for the first and second groups of studies to explore possible sources of heterogeneity. The small number of studies available limits the validity of the outcomes of the meta-analyses.
The findings indicate that IVN may be an effective tool for the promotion of nature connectedness, although the evidence in this field is still limited and largely mixed. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
This is a multicentric investigation involving two Italian centers that examined the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients receiving biological therapy targeting type 2 inflammation and those not ...receiving biologicals. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the management of respiratory and allergic disorders and the potential impact of biological therapy in the most severe forms has been a point of uncertainty. Our multicentric investigation aimed to compare the clinical course of COVID-19 and the impact of vaccination in an Italian cohort of patients with atopic disorders caused by a type 2 inflammation, such as eosinophilic asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), atopic dermatitis (AD), and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). A questionnaire was given to patients coming to our outpatient clinic for the first evaluation or follow-up visit, asking for the clinical characteristics of the infection, the ongoing therapy during the infection, any relevant change, and the patient's vaccination status. We enrolled 132 atopic patients from two Italian centers; 62 patients were on biological therapy at the time of infection (omalizumab 31%, mepolizumab 26%, benralizumab 19%, and dupilumab 24%). The median age was 56 (IQR 22.8) for patients on biologicals and 48 (IQR 26.5) for those not on biologicals (
= 0.028). The two groups were comparable in terms of sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, and systemic oral corticosteroid use (OCS). There were no significant differences in non-biological therapy and comorbidity between the two groups. The patients not on biological therapy had a prevalence of 87% for asthma, 52% for CRSwNP, 10% for CSU, and 6% for AD. The patients on biologicals had a prevalence of 93% for asthma, 17% for CRSwNP, and 10% for CSU. In our work, we observed that mAbs targeting type 2 inflammation in patients with COVID-19 appeared to be safe, with no worsening of symptoms, prolongation of infection, or increase in hospitalizations. Between the two groups, there were no significant differences in the duration of swab positivity (
= 0.45) and duration of symptoms (
= 0.38). During COVID-19, patients on biologicals experienced a significant increase in common cold-like symptoms (
= 0.038), dyspnea (
= 0.016), and more, but not significant, asthma exacerbations, with no significant differences between the different biologicals. Regarding the vaccination status, we observed that there was an increased number of hospitalizations among unvaccinated patients in both groups, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. No patients on biologicals reported safety issues or adverse effects associated with the use of biological treatments during COVID-19. Our investigation showed that mAbs against type 2 inflammation given during Coronavirus Disease 2019 are safe and do not impact the clinical course or main outcomes. Therefore, we found no signals suggesting that anti-Th2 biological therapy should be discontinued during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Controlled studies and analysis, including data from registries and real-life studies, are required to draw firm conclusions regarding the safety or possible advantages that anti-type 2 mAbs could offer in particular clinical contexts, such as infections.
The systemic injection of neural stem/precursor cells (NPCs) provides remarkable amelioration of the clinico-pathological features of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). This is ...dependent on the capacity of transplanted NPCs to engage concurrent mechanisms of action within specific microenvironments in vivo. Among a wide range of therapeutic actions alternative to cell replacement, neuroprotective and immune modulatory capacities of transplanted NPCs have been described. However, lacking is a detailed understanding of the mechanisms by which NPCs exert their therapeutic plasticity. This study was designed to identify the first candidate that exemplifies and sustains the immune modulatory capacity of transplanted NPCs.
To achieve the exclusive targeting of the peripheral immune system, SJL mice with PLP-induced EAE were injected subcutaneously with NPCs and the treatment commenced prior to disease onset. NPC-injected EAE mice showed significant clinical improvement, as compared to controls. Exogenous NPCs lacking the expression of major neural antigens were reliably (and for long-term) found at the level of draining lymph nodes, while establishing sophisticated anatomical interactions with lymph node cells. Importantly, injected NPCs were never found in organs other than lymph nodes, including the brain and the spinal cord. Draining lymph nodes from transplanted mice showed focal up-regulation of major developmental stem cell regulators, such as BMP-4, Noggin and Sonic hedgehog. In lymph nodes, injected NPCs hampered the activation of myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) and steadily restrained the expansion of antigen-specific encephalitogenic T cells. Both ex vivo and in vitro experiments identified a novel highly NPC-specific-BMP-4-dependent-mechanism hindering the DC maturation.
The study described herein, identifies the first member of the TGF beta/BMP family of stem cell regulators as a novel tolerogenic factor released by NPCs. Full exploitation of this pathway as an efficient tool for vaccination therapy in autoimmune inflammatory conditions is underway.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Objective
Nature Connectedness, an individual’s cognitive, affective, and behavioral connection with the natural world, has been linked to various health and well-being outcomes. As Nature ...Connectedness can be elicited and strengthened through direct contact with nature, in the past decade studies have investigated whether similar effects can be achieved through technologies that simulate highly immersive and realistic experiences of nature, such as Immersive Virtual Nature. This protocol describes the methodology for a systematic review that will summarize the existing evidence on the effects of Immersive Virtual Nature on Nature Connectedness in non-clinical populations.
Methods
The review will be conducted following the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses. Terms such as “immersive virtual environment,” “natural setting*,” and “contact with nature” were searched in Scopus, WebOfScience, GoogleScholar, Medline, and GreenFILE (22–28 November 2021). Papers in English, describing experimental studies, with or without control/comparison, and testing the effects of Immersive Virtual Nature interventions on Nature Connectedness outcomes in non-clinical populations were included. The risk of bias will be assessed using Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2 for randomized studies, and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions. The data synthesis will be performed through meta-analysis, assuming that the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Group guidelines are met.
Conclusion
The findings will be relevant for understanding the potential and challenges of Immersive Virtual Nature as a tool to promote health and well-being in the general population, providing information on the consistency and limitations of the existing literature and recommendations for future research.
SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and the related coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hit Europe in February 2020 1, raising issues on acute phase management and, later on, ...the management of its long-term sequelae. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), which is the gold standard for the evaluation of exercise capacity, is included in the list of examinations of the European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society task force for the follow-up of COVID-19 patients 2. However, it is not performed in every clinical centre, as it requires specific technical skills. The objective of this observational, prospective study was to evaluate the sequelae of COVID-19 by assessing exercise performance during incremental CPET.
CPET reveals only a mild impairment of exercise capacity, with preserved ventilatory and gas exchange response at 3 months follow-up in COVID-19 survivors, due to deconditioning
https://bit.ly/3sI8e0Y
Abstract
Purpose
Human-nature interactions, including visitation of nature and nature connectedness (NC), a psychological construct defining an individual’s cognitive and affective connection with ...the natural world, are associated with a variety of health and well-being indicators. University students often experience high levels of stress and mental health challenges, while having little access to and few opportunities to interact with nature. This randomized controlled trial explored the effectiveness of a virtual nature intervention, delivered either through two-dimensional (2D) or immersive virtual reality (VR) devices, in eliciting increased NC and the likelihood of visiting a naturalistic location among university students.
Methods
Thirty-eight university students (age 24.7±5.4 year) were randomized into two groups and viewed a video of a naturalistic location in the vicinity of the university campus either through VR or 2D devices. Further, participants received information about the naturalistic location and were invited to an organized hiking tour in that location. Pre- and post-assessment of NC, intention to engage in active nature visits, intention to visit the location viewed in VR or 2D, and intention to participate in the hiking tour were collected. Additionally, participation in the hiking tour was recorded.
Results
A mixed between-within subjects ANOVA showed that both conditions significantly improved NC (F1,35 = 293.302; p < 0.001), intention to visit the location (F1,36 = 18.848; p < 0.001), and intention to participate in the hiking tour (F1,36 = 12.450; p < 0.001), but did not improve intention to engage in active nature visits, with no significant differences between the type of virtual nature exposures (VR vs. 2D). Six (16.7%) students participated in the organized tour, three from each condition. The type of virtual nature exposure was not a significant predictor for participating in the tour.
Conclusions
This study provides evidence of the potential of virtual nature exposure in promoting NC and visitation of nature among university students, regardless of the technology employed (VR or 2D). More research is needed to better understand the impact of such types of intervention in supporting behavior changes and health in this population.
Myelin loss occurring in demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis, is the leading cause of long-lasting neurological disability in adults. While endogenous remyelination, driven by ...resident oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), might partially compensate myelin loss in the early phases of demyelinating disorders, this spontaneous reparative potential fails at later stages. To investigate the cellular mechanisms sustaining endogenous remyelination in demyelinating disorders, we focused our attention on endogenous neural precursor cells (eNPCs) located within the subventricular zone (SVZ) since this latter area is considered one of the primary sources of new OPCs in the adult forebrain. First, we fate mapped SVZ-eNPCs in cuprizone-induced demyelination and found that SVZ endogenous neural stem/precursor cells are recruited during the remyelination phase to the corpus callosum (CC) and are capable of forming new oligodendrocytes. When we ablated SVZ-derived eNPCs during cuprizone-induced demyelination in female mice, the animals displayed reduced numbers of oligodendrocytes within the lesioned CC. Although this reduction in oligodendrocytes did not impact the ensuing remyelination, eNPC-ablated mice experienced increased axonal loss. Our results indicate that, in toxic models of demyelination, SVZ-derived eNPCs contribute to support axonal survival.
One of the significant challenges in MS research is to understand the detrimental mechanisms leading to the failure of CNS tissue regeneration during disease progression. One possible explanation is the inability of recruited oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to complete remyelination and to sustain axonal survival. The contribution of endogenous neural precursor cells (eNPCs) located in the subventricular zone (SVZ) to generate new OPCs in the lesion site has been debated. Using transgenic mice to fate map and to selectively kill SVZ-derived eNPCs in the cuprizone demyelination model, we observed migration of SVZ-eNPCs after injury and their contribution to oligodendrogenesis and axonal survival. We found that eNPCs are dispensable for remyelination but protect partially from increased axonal loss.
Background: current data on the impact of acute illness severity on exercise capacity and ventilatory efficiency of COVID-19 survivors, evaluated at cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), are limited.
...Methods: in this post-hoc analysis of our previous observational, prospective, cohort study on mechanisms of exercise intolerance in COVID-19 survivors, we aimed at evaluating the impact of acute COVID-19 severity on exercise capacity, pulmonary function testing (PFT) and chest computed tomography (CT) outcomes.
Results: we enrolled 75 patients (18 with mild-to-moderate disease, 18 with severe disease, and 39 with critical disease). Mean (standard deviation – SD) follow-up time was 97 (26) days. Groups showed a similar PFT and CT residual involvement, featuring a mildly reduced exercise capacity with comparable mean (SD) values of peak oxygen consumption as percentage of predicted (83 (17) vs 82 (16) vs 84 (15), p = 0.895) among groups, as well as the median (interquartile range – IQR) alveolar-arterial gradient for O2 in mmHg at exercise peak (20 (15–28) vs 27 (18–31) vs 26 (21-21), p = 0.154), which was in the limit of normal. In addition, these patients featured a preserved mean ventilatory efficiency evaluated through the slope of the relation between ventilation and carbon dioxide output during exercise (27.1 (2.6) vs 29.8 (3.9) vs 28.3 (2.6), p = 0.028), without a clinically relevant difference.
Disease severity does not impact on exercise capacity in COVID-19 survivors at 3 months after discharge, including a ventilatory response still in the limit of normal.
•Severity of the acute disease does not affect exercise response in COVID-19 survivors.•Functional impairment is present at rest and during exercise at mid-term follow-up.•COVID-19 survivors exhibit a preserved exercise ventilatory response.•CPET provides useful information that integrate resting functional evaluation.
Discorsi sulla Carta d’Atene Brambilla, Elena
ZARCH : journal of interdisciplinary studies in architecture and urbanism,
12/2015
5
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Esiste un’eredità del Movimento Moderno che può costituire spunto di riflessione per la comprensione della città contemporanea? La domanda riporta immediatamente al IV Congresso dei CIAM a bordo del ...Patris II dove gli architetti moderni discussero e definirono i caratteri fondativi della nuova città, la città funzionalista. La diffusione dei risultati del IV Congresso avviene attraverso il testo Urbanisme des CIAM, La Chartes d’Athenes, per l’Editore Plon di Parigi, autore Le Corbusier, che pur connotandosi come un documento unanime, in realtà riduceva i contenuti del Congresso e le conclusioni mentre taceva, forse intenzionalmente, o forse con intento di semplificazione, sulla differenza di pensiero delle delegazioni, elemento che costituiva la ricchezza e il valore dei CIAM. Nelle considerazioni che seguono si tenta una lettura non convenzionale che, utilizzando analisi critiche già elaborate ma meno note, cerca di ristabilire il senso del documento e di approfondire la varietà dei contributi al IV Congresso, svelando visioni urbane non sempre omologhe a quella di città funzionale come usualmente intesa. Infine, prendendo spunto anche dalla recente versione della “Nuova Carta d’Atene”, nelle Conclusioni si avvia una rifles- sione su questioni spaziali già evidenti nella Carta del 1943 e oggi ancora più cogenti per il progetto urbano.
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