Forests account for nearly 90 % of the world's terrestrial biomass in the form of carbon and they support 80 % of the global biodiversity. To understand the underlying forest dynamics, we need a long-term but also relatively high-frequency, networked monitoring system, as traditionally used in meteorology or hydrology. While there are numerous existing forest monitoring sites, particularly in temperate regions, the resulting data streams are rarely connected and do not provide information promptly, which hampers real-time assessments of forest responses to extreme climate events. The technology to build a better global forest monitoring network now exists. This white paper addresses the key structural components needed to achieve a novel meta-network. We propose to complement - rather than replace or unify - the existing heterogeneous infrastructure with standardized, quality-assured linking methods and interacting data processing centers to create an integrated forest monitoring network. These automated (research topic-dependent) linking methods in atmosphere, biosphere, and pedosphere play a key role in scaling site-specific results and processing them in a timely manner. To ensure broad participation from existing monitoring sites and to establish new sites, these linking methods must be as informative, reliable, affordable, and maintainable as possible, and should be supplemented by near real-time remote sensing data. The proposed novel meta-network will enable the detection of emergent patterns that would not be visible from isolated analyses of individual sites. In addition, the near real-time availability of data will facilitate predictions of current forest conditions (nowcasts), which are urgently needed for research and decision making in the face of rapid climate change. We call for international and interdisciplinary efforts in this direction.
The recent availability of genome information greatly facilitates the fundamental research on chicken. In different organs, gene expression patterns can provide clues to understanding the biological functions. For rapid and accurate quantification of gene expression, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) has become one of the most widely used methods. However, the success of qPCR data normalization depends on the use of a suitable reference gene and a single reference gene is not universally suitable for all the experiments. Therefore, reference gene validation is a crucial step for different organ tissues of chicken where suitable reference genes for qPCR analysis in varieties of tissues have not been investigated exhaustively so far. In this study, we have selected 30 Gallus gallus candidate reference genes from NCBI, amplified and studied their expression profiles by qPCR in different organ tissues (breast muscle, thigh muscle, heart, liver, spleen, gizzard, and bursa) of chicken. The result showed that, for breast muscle HSP10 and RPL23, thigh muscle RPL14 and RPL13, liver ALB and HSP70, spleen ALB and GAPDH, heart CYCS and TUBA8B, gizzard RPL5 and 18S rRNA, and bursa EEF1A1 and PGK2 are most stable genes respectively. The results also showed that for different organ tissues, individual or a combination of reference genes should be selected for data normalization. In this study, we have identified and validated 30 reference genes in seven different organ tissues to provide accurate transcript normalization and quantification, which can be useful for gene expression studies in other avian species.
- Keywords
- chicken, normalization, organ tissues, quantitative real-time PCR, reference gene,
- MeSH
- Gene Expression MeSH
- Muscle, Skeletal MeSH
- Chickens * genetics MeSH
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction veterinary MeSH
- Reference Standards MeSH
- Gene Expression Profiling * veterinary MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- MeSH
- Betacoronavirus MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- COVID-19 MeSH
- Coronavirus Infections mortality MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mortality * trends MeSH
- Pandemics MeSH
- Computer Systems MeSH
- Publishing MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
- Data Collection MeSH
- Information Dissemination * MeSH
- Population Surveillance * MeSH
- Public Health * MeSH
- Pneumonia, Viral mortality MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Letter MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Real-time PCR in nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) is becoming a well-established tool for the quantification of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, but this genomic region does not allow the specific amplification of closely related genotypes. The large subunit of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has a higher-resolution power, but mtDNA-based quantification has not been previously explored in AM fungi. We applied real-time PCR assays targeting the large subunit of mtDNA to monitor the DNA dynamics of two isolates of Glomus intraradices sensu lato coexisting in the roots of medic (Medicago sativa). The mtDNA-based quantification was compared to quantification in nrDNA. The ratio of copy numbers determined by the nrDNA- and mtDNA-based assays consistently differed between the two isolates. Within an isolate, copy numbers of the nuclear and the mitochondrial genes were closely correlated. The two quantification approaches revealed similar trends in the dynamics of both isolates, depending on whether they were inoculated alone or together. After 12 weeks of cultivation, competition between the two isolates was observed as a decrease in the mtDNA copy numbers of one of them. The coexistence of two closely related isolates, which cannot be discriminated by nrDNA-based assays, was thus identified as a factor influencing the dynamics of AM fungal DNA in roots. Taken together, the results of this study show that real-time PCR assays targeted to the large subunit of mtDNA may become useful tools for the study of coexisting AM fungi.
- MeSH
- DNA, Fungal chemistry genetics MeSH
- Glomeromycota genetics growth & development MeSH
- Plant Roots microbiology MeSH
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction methods MeSH
- Medicago sativa microbiology MeSH
- Microbial Interactions MeSH
- DNA, Mitochondrial genetics MeSH
- Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
- Colony Count, Microbial methods MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Evaluation Study MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
- Names of Substances
- DNA, Fungal MeSH
- DNA, Mitochondrial MeSH
OBJECTIVE: Glycemia management in critical care is posing a challenge in frequent measuring and adequate insulin dose adjustment. In recent years, continuous glucose measurement has gained accuracy and reliability in outpatient and inpatient settings. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in ICU patients after major abdominal surgery. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We included patients undergoing pancreatic surgery and solid organ transplantation (liver, pancreas, islets of Langerhans, kidney) requiring an ICU stay after surgery. We used a Dexcom G6 sensor, placed in the infraclavicular region, for real-time CGM. Arterial blood glucose measured by the amperometric principle (ABL 800; Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark) served as a reference value and for calibration. Blood glucose was also routinely monitored by a StatStrip bedside glucose meter. Sensor accuracy was assessed by mean absolute relative difference (MARD), bias, modified Bland-Altman plot, and surveillance error grid for paired samples of glucose values from CGM and acid-base analyzer (ABL). RESULTS: We analyzed data from 61 patients and obtained 1,546 paired glucose values from CGM and ABL. Active sensor use was 95.1%. MARD was 9.4%, relative bias was 1.4%, and 92.8% of values fell in zone A, 6.1% fell in zone B, and 1.2% fell in zone C of the surveillance error grid. Median time in range was 78%, with minimum (<1%) time spent in hypoglycemia. StatStrip glucose meter MARD compared with ABL was 5.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows clinically applicable accuracy and reliability of Dexcom G6 CGM in postoperative ICU patients and a feasible alternative sensor placement site.
- MeSH
- Abdomen surgery MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring MeSH
- Blood Glucose * analysis MeSH
- Critical Illness * MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Monitoring, Physiologic methods MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Feasibility Studies MeSH
- Organ Transplantation MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Data acquisition and analysis of the time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy is typically a time consuming process preventing usage of this experimental method for monitoring of time-dependent phenomena. We describe a method for pseudo real-time monitoring of the limiting fluorescence anisotropy r(infinity) allowing to track changes of the membrane order occurring on the time scale of minutes. Principle and performance of the method is demonstrated in the time domain with the time-correlated single photon counting detection. DMPC liposomes stained with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) have been used to test influence of the diffusion membrane potential on the membrane order during the temperature-induced phase transition in DMPC membranes. It has been found that the transmembrane field of the order of -70 mV increases the phase transition temperature by about 1.5 degrees C-2 degrees C. It is proposed that the full advantage of the method can be utilized with a gated detection, which besides a faster data acquisition brings additional advantage of excitation light suppression. The method can be also used for imaging.
- MeSH
- Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine chemistry MeSH
- Liposomes MeSH
- Membranes, Artificial * MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine MeSH
- Liposomes MeSH
- Membranes, Artificial * MeSH
We designed a simple, portable, low-cost and low-weight nondispersive infrared (NDIR) spectroscopy-based system for continuous remote sensing of atmospheric methane (CH4) with rapidly pulsed near-infrared light emitting diodes (NIR LED) at 1.65 μm. The use of a microcontroller with a field programmable gate array (μC-FPGA) enables on-the-fly and wireless streaming and processing of large data streams (~2 Gbit/s). The investigated NIR LED detection system offers favourable limits of detection (LOD) of 300 ppm (±5%) CH4,. All the generated raw data were processed automatically on-the-fly in the μC-FPGA and transferred wirelessly via a network connection. The sensing device was deployed for the portable sensing of atmospheric CH4 at a local landfill, resulting in quantified concentrations within the sampling area (ca 400 m2) in the range of 0.5%-3.35% CH4. This NIR LED-based sensor system offers a simple low-cost solution for continuous real-time, quantitative, and direct measurement of CH4 concentrations in indoor and outdoor environments, yet with the flexibility provided by the custom programmable software. It possesses future potential for remote monitoring of gases directly from mobile platforms such as smartphones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
In the Czech Republic, the strategic data-based and organizational support for individual regions and for providers of acute care at the nationwide level is coordinated by the Ministry of Health. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country needed to very quickly implement a system for the monitoring, reporting, and overall management of hospital capacities. The aim of this viewpoint is to describe the purpose and basic functions of a web-based application named "Control Centre for Intensive Care," which was developed and made available to meet the needs of systematic online technical support for the management of intensive inpatient care across the Czech Republic during the first wave of the pandemic in spring 2020. Two tools of key importance are described in the context of national methodology: one module for regular online updates and overall monitoring of currently free capacities of intensive care in real time, and a second module for online entering and overall record-keeping of requirements on medications for COVID-19 patients. A total of 134 intensive care providers and 927 users from hospitals across all 14 regions of the Czech Republic were registered in the central Control Centre for Intensive Care database as of March 31, 2021. This web-based application enabled continuous monitoring and decision-making during the mass surge of critical care from autumn 2020 to spring 2021. The Control Center for Intensive Care has become an indispensable part of a set of online tools that are employed on a regular basis for crisis management at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Keywords
- COVID-19, Czech Republic, ICU, app, coronavirus, crisis management, development, function, inpatient, inpatient care, intensive care, monitoring, online control center, open data, prescription, strategy,
- MeSH
- COVID-19 * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pandemics * prevention & control MeSH
- Critical Care MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
- Strategic Planning MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
We report a novel approach to biosensor-based observations of biomolecular interactions which enables real-time monitoring of biomolecular interactions in complex media. This approach is demonstrated by investigating the interaction between the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its antibody in blood plasma using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor and a dispersionless microfluidics system. The real-time binding data obtained in blood plasma are compared with those obtained in buffer and blood plasma using a conventional method. It is also demonstrated that the proposed approach can enhance the capability of the biosensor to detect biomolecules in complex samples in terms of detection time and sensitivity. In the model experiment, this approach is shown to enable direct detection of hCG in blood plasma at levels which are five times lower than those detected using the conventional detection approach.
- MeSH
- Biosensing Techniques methods MeSH
- Chorionic Gonadotropin blood chemistry MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microfluidics * MeSH
- Surface Plasmon Resonance methods MeSH
- Antibodies chemistry MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Chorionic Gonadotropin MeSH
- Antibodies MeSH
OBJECTIVE: The establishment of ongoing audits for first-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) measurements is of paramount importance. The exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) chart has been published as an efficient tool for NT quality control with the advantages of being suitable for real-time long-term monitoring. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of real-time NT quality control using EWMA charts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an ongoing prospective study conducted from January 2011 to December 2017 at the Centre for Fetal Medicine Gennet in Prague. The quality of NT measurements was assessed using the NT retrospective distribution parameters and EWMA charts, and the results were presented to the sonographers during collective meetings. RESULTS: Overall, 28,928 NT measurements obtained from six sonographers were eligible for the study. Looking at individual EWMA charts, we observed four main outcomes. First, there was a clear improvement in the performance of sonographers with initially poor performances. Second, the performance of sonographers with an initially satisfactory quality was maintained. Third, there was an observed deterioration of the performance without the audits. Last, the sonographers appreciated an unequivocal and straightforward graphical presentation of EWMA curves. CONCLUSION: EWMA proved to be an efficient and suitable tool for real-time monitoring of NT quality and led to an overall improvement of the sonographers' performance.
- Keywords
- Exponentially weighted moving average chart, First trimester, Nuchal translucency, Statistical quality control, Ultrasound,
- MeSH
- Data Interpretation, Statistical MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Nuchal Translucency Measurement standards MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Pregnancy Trimester, First MeSH
- Reference Standards MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Quality Control * MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
