A Novel Approach for the Assessment of Cities through Ecosystem Integrity

To tackle urban heterogeneity and complexity, several indices have been proposed, commonly aiming to provide information for decision-makers. In this study, we propose a novel and customizable procedure for quantifying urban ecosystem integrity. Based on a citywide approach, we developed an easy-to-use index that contrasts physical and biological variables of urban ecosystems with a given reference system. The Urban Ecosystem Integrity Index (UEII) is the sum of the averages from the variables that make up its intensity of urbanization and biological components. We applied the UEII in a Mexican tropical city using land surface temperature, built cover, and the richness of native plants and birds. The overall ecosystem integrity of the city, having montane cloud, tropical dry, and temperate forests as reference systems, was low (−0.34 ± SD 0.32), showing that, beyond its biodiverse greenspace network, the built-up structure highly differs from the ecosystems of reference. The UEII showed to be a flexible and easy-to-calculate tool to evaluate ecosystem integrity for cities, allowing for comparisons between or among cities, as well as the sectors/regions within cities. If used properly, the index could become a useful tool for decision making and resource allocation at a city level.

Relationship Between Plasma Cell-Free DNA Changes and Lysyl Oxidase During the Treatment and Prognosis of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor

BackgroundTransmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT) is a wide tumor of canine, there are no effective markers to monitor the therapeutic response in real-time. Circulating biomarkers may be valuable for the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancers, so in this study, we aimed to investigate the significance of the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and cfDNA integrity index to monitor the response of TVT to vincristine and compare them with lysyl oxidase activity. Plasma and sera were collected before drug administration within four weeks from fifteen male dogs. The analytical method was mainly based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction for short and long cfDNA, and lysyl oxidase activity was measured in serum.ResultsThe results of cfDNA integrity index showed significant (p<0.05) difference in a baseline to 2nd and 3rd week (with cut-off value 1.118 and 93.33% specificity). We found that the cfDNA integrity index was increased during weeks due to the reduction of shorts cfDNA in the 1st week after treatment. lysyl Oxidase activity was increased during the 4th week (p<0.001) but there were no significant differences in the other weeks compared to baseline. ROC analysis of lysyl Oxidase revealed high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (93%) 2nd, 3rd weeks on comparison between Baseline. Multivariate analysis between cfDNA integrity index and lysyl Oxidase showed significant correlation (p<0.05) only baseline results. ConclusionsTaken together, we propose short cfDNA, cfDNA integrity index, and lysyl Oxidase activity as a diagnostic biomarker and a putative prognostic candidate in TVT patients. These biomarkers could be used simultaneously for quickly diagnose TVT in combination with cytology.

Association of plasma DNA integrity and long fragment ALU247 in the diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer

DNA Integrity index (DNA Int) and cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) represent promising biomarkers for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) detection. Tumor necrosis produces DNA fractions of different sizes, which contrasts apoptosis in normal tissue that releases smaller and more regular DNA fragments. Using ALU gene primers in quantitative PCR, the amplified cf-DNA is supposed to be either short fragments of 115 bp (ALU 115) or long fragments of 247 bp (ALU 247). ALU levels and DNA Int were determined in the plasma of 30 EOC patients, 30 benign cysts, and 15 healthy individuals. The mean values of DNA Int, ALU115, and ALU247 were elevated in malignant patients (0.51±0.09, 3.93 ng/ul ±1.93, 2.35 ng/ul ±1.1) respectively in comparison to healthy females (0.37±0.05; p < 0.001, 2.56 ng/ul ±0.9; p=0.027, 1.26±0.44; p< 0.01). A significant increase was shown in the mean values of DNA Int and ALU247 of EOC patients compared to those with benign cysts (0.4±0.06, p <0.001; 1.69±0.66, p =0.008) respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) for EOC versus healthy females achieved 0.913 (DNA Int), 0.696 (ALU115), and 0.809 (ALU247) with sensitivities and specificities were (86.7% and 93.3%) for DNA Int, (63.3% and 86.7%) for ALU115 and (76.7% and 86.7%) for ALU247 respectively. Furthermore, comparing patients with EOC versus those with benign cysts gave AUC of 0.834 (DNA Int), 0.564 (ALU115), and 0.681 (ALU247) with sensitivities and specificities were (80% and 80%) for DNA Int, (63.3% and 60%) for ALU115 and (60% and 80%) for ALU247 respectively. Higher DNA Int and plasma ALU247 could help in the assessment of EOC, and their measurements seem to have clinical value in diagnosis.

Mechanical Parameters of Deep-Buried Coal Goaf Rock Mass Based on Optimized GSI Quantitative Analysis

In order to obtain the accurate mechanical parameters of deep-buried coal goaf rock mass, the limitation of geological strength index (GSI) in concealed rock mass is analyzed. Based on the test result and analysis of the current normative standards, the classification indexes of rock mass structural are optimized based on discontinuity distance d and rock mass integrity index K v . The ratio of rock mass saturated strength to dry strength, η, is introduced, quantization formula of structural surface conditions is proposed, and the influence of groundwater and rock types is included in structural surface condition classification. The GSI system is improved to better suit all types of deep-buried and water-rich rock masses. Furthermore, the rock mass disturbance factor D’s quantitative formula is listed according to the Hoek–Brown (HB) criterion. Taking the goaf roof under railway as an example, the parameters of deep-buried rock mass are obtained based on the improved quantitative GSI system and HB criterion. This research provides a scientific reference for achieving geological parameters and engineering designing in goaf areas.

Cognitive Trajectories and Dementia Risk: A Comparison of Two Cognitive Reserve Measures

Background and ObjectivesCognitive reserve (CR) is meant to account for the mismatch between brain damage and cognitive decline or dementia. Generally, CR has been operationalized using proxy variables indicating exposure to enriching activities (activity-based CR). An alternative approach defines CR as residual variance in cognition, not explained by the brain status (residual-based CR). The aim of this study is to compare activity-based and residual-based CR measures in their association with cognitive trajectories and dementia. Furthermore, we seek to examine if the two measures modify the impact of brain integrity on cognitive trajectories and if they predict dementia incidence independent of brain status.MethodsWe used data on 430 older adults aged 60+ from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen, followed for 12 years. Residual-based reserve was computed from a regression predicting episodic memory with a brain-integrity index incorporating six structural neuroimaging markers (white-matter hyperintensities volume, whole-brain gray matter volume, hippocampal volume, lateral ventricular volume, lacunes, and perivascular spaces), age, and sex. Activity-based reserve incorporated education, work complexity, social network, and leisure activities. Cognition was assessed with a composite of perceptual speed, semantic memory, letter-, and category fluency. Dementia was clinically diagnosed in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. Linear mixed models were used for cognitive change analyses. Interactions tested if reserve measures modified the association between brain-integrity and cognitive change. Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for brain-integrity index, assessed dementia risk.ResultsBoth reserve measures were associated with cognitive trajectories [β × time (top tertile, ref.: bottom tertile) = 0.013; 95% CI: –0.126, –0.004 (residual-based) and 0.011; 95% CI: –0.001, 0.024, (activity-based)]. Residual-based, but not activity-based reserve mitigated the impact of brain integrity on cognitive decline [β (top tertile × time × brain integrity) = –0.021; 95% CI: –0.043, 0.001] and predicted 12-year dementia incidence, after accounting for the brain-integrity status [HR (top tertile) = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.58].InterpretationThe operationalization of reserve based on residual cognitive performance may represent a more direct measure of CR than an activity-based approach. Ultimately, the two models of CR serve largely different aims. Accounting for brain integrity is essential in any model of reserve.

Microperimetry-Assessed Functional Alterations and OCT-Changes in Patients after Retinal Detachment Surgery Using Pars Plana Vitrectomy and SF6 Tamponade

Background: We study the retinal function measured by macular integrity assessment microperimetry (MAIA) and structural changes assessed by scanning swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) between healthy individuals and patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: Cross-sectional study. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grids were measured by SS-OCT and compared with the MAIA parameters. Results: Thirty-eight eyes with RRD (19 macula-on and 19 macula-off) were compared with 113 healthy eyes. The retinal sensitivity and average total threshold were reduced in all sectors in the RRD group; macular integrity index was increased. Macular thicknesses in total retina and ganglion cell layer (GCL)++ protocols were higher in the RRD group in nasal outer (NO) and central (C) sectors and only in C sector for GCL+ protocol. Thicknesses were lower in total retina, GCL++ protocols in the temporal outer (TO) sector and in the GCL+ protocol in NO sector. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) correlated moderately with retinal sensitivity in all sectors and in just several sectors with time between the date of surgery and the test. The central nasal (CN) sector thickness and the average total threshold were higher in the macula-on subgroup. Conclusions: RRD and subsequent surgery results in functional and structural changes, especially in individuals with macular detachment.

Plasma DNA Integrity as a Prognostic Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy

Objectives. To verify whether the concentrations and integrity index of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in serum may be clinically useful for the progression monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods. Serum samples were collected from 76 primary CRC patients who underwent surgery, including 60 with chemotherapy and 43 with follow-up. Long (247 bp) and short (115 bp) DNA fragments in serum were detected by real-time quantitative PCR by amplifying the ALU repeats. Ten serum traditional biomarkers levels were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay assay. Results. The median DNA integrity index (ALU247/ALU115) of serum DNA in the preoperative group was significantly higher than those in the postchemotherapy and the follow-up groups, while cfDNA concentration (ALU115) was significantly lower in the preoperative group compared with the postchemotherapy and the follow-up groups. CEA and CA242 were significantly lower in the postoperative group than in the preoperative group. Conclusions. Serum DNA integrity index (ALU247/115) may prove to be a promising candidate biomarker for prognostic prediction of CRC who underwent chemotherapy and during short-term follow-up.