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Abstract Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is an abundant antioxidant in the lung and vascular walls. Previous studies have shown that EC-SOD attenuates lung injury in a diverse variety of lung injury models. In this study, we examined the role of EC-SOD in mediating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation. We found that LPS-induced neutrophilic lung inflammation was exaggerated in EC-SOD–deficient mice and diminished in mice that overexpressed EC-SOD specifically in the lung. Similar patterns were seen for bronchoalveolar lavage cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor–α, keratinocyte-derived chemokines, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 as well as expression of lung intercellular adhesion molecule–1, vascular cell adhesion molecule–1, endothelial cell selectin, and platelet selectin. In a macrophage cell line, EC-SOD inhibited LPS-induced macrophage cytokine release, but did not alter expression of intercellular adhesion molecules in endothelial cells. These results suggest that EC-SOD plays an important role in attenuating the inflammatory response in the lung most likely by decreasing release of proinflammatory cytokines from phagocytes.

The FERC's NOPR seems to have gone a long way toward diagnosing and disposing of the stranded investment issue. The FERC appears to have done so without digesting much of the discussion of stranded investment that has taken place before the state PUCs and in the industry literature.

Enhanced tropical forest productivity, facilitated by increasing carbon dioxide concentrations, could act as a substantial carbon sink. However, a long-term field experiment shows that increased leaf-litter inputs to the soil as productivity rises could stimulate the release of significant amounts of soil carbon, partially offsetting predicted gains in carbon storage. Tropical forests are a critical component of the global carbon cycle 1 and their response to environmental change will play a key role in determining future concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) 1 , 2 . Increasing primary productivity in tropical forests over recent decades has been attributed to CO 2 fertilization 3 , and greater biomass in tropical forests could represent a substantial sink for carbon in the future 3 , 4 . However, the carbon sequestration capacity of tropical forest soils is uncertain and feedbacks between increased plant productivity and soil carbon dynamics remain unexplored 5 , 6 . Here, we show that experimentally increasing litterfall in a lowland tropical forest enhanced carbon release from the soil. Using a large-scale litter manipulation experiment combined with carbon isotope measurements, we found that the efflux of CO 2 derived from soil organic carbon was significantly increased by litter addition. Furthermore, this effect was sustained over several years. We predict that a future increase in litterfall of 30% with an increase in atmospheric CO 2 concentrations of 150 ppm could release about 0.6 t C ha −1  yr −1 from the soil, partially offsetting predicted net gains in carbon storage. Thus, it is essential that plant–soil feedbacks are taken into account in predictions of the carbon sequestration potential of tropical forests.

Late adolescence is a time of increased drinking, and alcohol plays a predominant role in college social experiences. Colleges seeking to prevent students’ hazardous drinking may elect to implement brief alcohol interventions (BAIs). However, numerous manualized BAIs exist, so an important question remains regarding the comparative effectiveness of these different types of BAIs for college students. This study uses network meta-analyses (NMA) to compare seven manualized BAIs for reducing problematic alcohol use among college students. We systematically searched multiple sources for literature, and we screened studies and extracted data in duplicate. For the quantitative synthesis, we employed a random-effects frequentist NMA to determine the effectiveness of different BAIs compared to controls and estimated the relative effectiveness ranking of each BAI. A systematic literature search resulted in 52 included studies: On average, 58% of participants were male, 75% were binge drinkers, and 20% were fraternity/sorority-affiliated students. Consistency models demonstrated that BASICS was consistently effective in reducing students’ problematic alcohol use (ES range: g = − 0.23, 95%CI [− 0.36, − 0.16] to g = − 0.36, 95% CI [− 0.55, − 0.18]), but AlcoholEDU (g = − 0.13, 95%CI [− 0.22, − 0.04]), e-CHUG (g = − 0.35, 95%CI [− 0.45, − 0.05]), and THRIVE (g = − 0.47, 95%CI [− 0.60, − 0.33]) were also effective for some outcomes. Intervention rankings indicated that BASICS, THRIVE, and AlcoholEDU hold the most promise for future trials. Several BAIs appear effective for college students. BASICS was the most effective but is resource intensive and may be better suited for higher risk students; THRIVE and e-CHUG are less resource intensive and show promise for universal prevention efforts.

A recently developed preparation of C1 inhibitor concentrate was evaluated in patients with hereditary angioedema in two trials. In the acute-attack treatment trial, the time to relief of an acute attack of angioedema was significantly shorter with the C1 inhibitor than with placebo. In the prophylaxis trial, the attack rate over a 12-week period was significantly lower with the C1 inhibitor than with placebo. Hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of angioedema that typically involve the extremities, abdomen, external genitalia, face, or oropharynx. 1 Abdominal attacks of angioedema, which are caused by local mucosal swelling, are often associated with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Such attacks frequently lead to hospitalization and occasionally to unnecessary exploratory surgery. 2 Laryngeal attacks are associated with a substantial risk of death. 2 Two forms of hereditary angioedema have been defined: type I (accounting for 85% of cases) is characterized by low antigenic and functional levels of C1 inhibitor, whereas type . . .

The Winkie Drill is an agile, commercially available rock coring system. The U.S. Ice Drilling Program has modified a Winkie Drill for subglacial rock and ice/rock interface coring, as well as drilling and coring access holes through ice. The original gasoline engine was replaced with an electric motor though the two-speed gear reducer and Unipress hand feed system were maintained. Using standard aluminum AW34 drill rod (for 33.5 mm diameter core), the system has a depth capability of 120 m. The drill uses forward fluid circulation in a closed loop system. The drilling fluid is Isopar K, selected for favorable properties in polar environment. When firn or snow is present at the drill site, casing with an inflatable packer can be deployed to contain the drill fluid. The Winkie Drill will operate from sea level to high altitudes and operation results in minimal environmental impact. The drill can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled in the field by two people. All components can be transported by Twin Otter or helicopter to the field site.

In this study, we assessed six Oklahoma streams for Enterococcus sediment and water concentrations along with water quality, sediment, hydrologic and geographical factors. We also conducted a microcosm experiment from two stream sediments to evaluate Enterococcus survivability under stable laboratory conditions. Stream sites exhibited common relationships between Enterococcus and other environmental factors, including significant correlations to antecedent dry period, Escherichia coli, impervious area, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. These correlations were found for Enterococcus in both water and sediment. Specifically for Enterococcus in sediment, concentrations were also significantly correlated to turbidity and sediment percent organic matter, but not to hydrological conditions. Conversely, concentrations of Enterococcus in water exhibited significant moderate correlations to precipitation, antecedent dry period, drainage area, impervious area, and discharge, as well as streambed particle size. High variability between geographical attributes and stream conditions increased uncertainties and relationships between Enterococcus concentrations in the stream among most factors. However, when grouping sites by similar watershed and sediment characteristics, strong significant relationships for water-quality parameters and Enterococcus concentrations in water and sediment were observed. The microcosm study indicated that sediment Enterococcus concentrations for two streams with contrasting sediment properties were stable, except for a considerable increase between day 0 and day 1, with no decay shown for a 31 day period. Collectively, our field and laboratory results revealed that Enterococcus can survive for extended periods under both dynamic and stable sediment and water conditions, and that environmental factors can be used to characterize freshwater streams and rivers for Enterococcus concentrations in freshwater streams and rivers.

PurposeMagnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has been increasingly used to treat a number of intracranial pathologies, though its use in the posterior fossa has been limited to a few small series. We performed a multi-institutional review of targets in the posterior fossa, reporting the efficacy and safety profile associated with laser ablation in this region of the brain.MethodsA retrospective review of patients undergoing LITT in the posterior fossa was performed from August 2010 to March 2020. Patient demographic information was collected alongside the operative parameters and patient outcomes. Reported outcomes included local control of the lesion, postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, and steroid requirements.Results58 patients across four institutions underwent LITT in the posterior fossa for 60 tumors. The median pre-ablation tumor volume was 2.24 cm3. 48 patients (50 tumors) were available for follow-up. An 84% (42/50) overall local control rate was achieved at 9.5 months median follow up. There were two procedural complications, including insertional hemorrhage and laser misplacement and 12/58 (21%) patients developed new neurological deficits. There was one procedure related death. The median length of hospital stay was 1 day, with 20.7% of patients requiring discharge to a rehabilitation facility.ConclusionsLITT is an effective approach for treating pathology in the posterior fossa. The average target size is smaller than what has been reported in the supratentorial space. Care must be taken to prevent injury to surrounding structures given the close proximity of critical structures in this region.

A new drilling system was developed by the US Ice Drilling Program (IDP) to rapidly drill through overlying ice to collect subglacial rock cores. The Agile Sub-Ice Geological (ASIG) Drill system is capable of drilling up to 700 m of ice in a continuous manner. Intermittent ice core samples can be taken as needed. Ten-plus meters of subglacial bedrock and unconsolidated, frozen sediment cores can be drilled with wireline core retrieval. The functionality of the drill system was demonstrated in 2016–17 at the Pirrit Hills, Antarctica where 8 m of high-quality, continuous granite core was retrieved beneath 150 m of ice. The particulars of the drill system development, features and performance are discussed.

Meta-analyses that statistically synthesize evidence from multiple research studies can play an important role in advancing evidence-informed prevention science. When done in the context of a well-conducted systematic review, meta-analysis is a powerful tool for synthesizing evidence and exploring research questions that are difficult to address in individual studies, such as the association of individual study limitations on intervention effect estimates, replicability of empirical findings, and variation of effect estimates across populations and settings. Alongside the rapid growth in the number of published reviews and meta-analyses, there has been a parallel growth in the development of meta-analytic techniques to handle the increasingly complex types of questions and types of evidence relevant to prevention science. Despite this rapid evolution of meta-analytic techniques and approaches, there is still a lag between the development of new techniques and their uptake by researchers in the field. This paper serves as a brief introduction to this special issue of Prevention Science, entitled “Modern Meta-Analytic Methods in Prevention Science,” which highlights recent developments in meta-analytic methods and demonstrates their application to prevention research. This special issue makes an important contribution to the field by ensuring these methodological advances are widely accessible to prevention science researchers, thereby improving their uptake and utilization, and ultimately improving the utility and rigor of research syntheses for informing evidence-based decision making in prevention.