Process-based models and empirical modelling techniques are frequently used to (i) explore the sensitivity of tree growth to environmental variables, and (ii) predict the future growth of trees and forest stands under climate change scenarios. However, modelling approaches substantially influence predictions of the sensitivity of trees to environmental factors. Here, we used tree-ring width (TRW) data from 1630 beech trees from a network of 70 plots established across European mountains to build empirical predictive growth models using various modelling approaches. In addition, we used 3-PG and Biome-BGCMuSo process-based models to compare growth predictions with derived empirical models. Results revealed similar prediction errors (RMSE) across models ranging between 3.71 and 7.54 cm2 of basal area increment (BAI). The models explained most of the variability in BAI ranging from 54 % to 87 %. Selected explanatory variables (despite being statistically highly significant) and the pattern of the growth sensitivity differed between models substantially. We identified only five factors with the same effect and the same sensitivity pattern in all empirical models: tree DBH, competition index, elevation, Gini index of DBH, and soil silt content. However, the sensitivity to most of the climate variables was low and inconsistent among the empirical models. Both empirical and process-based models suggest that beech in European mountains will, on average, likely experience better growth conditions under both 4.5 and 8.5 RCP scenarios. The process-based models indicated that beech may grow better across European mountains by 1.05 to 1.4 times in warmer conditions. The empirical models identified several drivers of tree growth that are not included in the current process-based models (e.g., different nutrients) but may have a substantial effect on final results, particularly if they are limiting factors. Hence, future development of process-based models may build upon our findings to increase their ability to correctly capture ecosystem dynamics.

Context: Rivaroxaban is an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor reducing the risk of systemic embolism and stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Aims: The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of rivaroxaban therapy in reducing the risk of systemic embolism and stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, whereas secondary objectives were to monitor therapy safety and the patients' adherence to treatment. Settings and Design: The prospective, postmarketing clinical trial was conducted on patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation with one or more risk factors, such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, who suffered a stroke or a transient ischemic attack. Subjects and Methods: At the baseline visit, the CHA2DS2 score was determined, and therapy was introduced. At three control visits (1, 3, and 6 months after baseline), systemic embolism, stroke, bruises, or bleeding occurrences were recorded. Furthemore, adverse events were monitored, and the Morisky score (MMAS-8) for treatment compliance was determined. Results were compared to previous studies. Results: The study included 471 patients. The incidence rate in events per 100 patient-years (95% confidence interval) was 2.6 (0.1–5.1) for systemic embolism and 4.3 (1.6–7.0) for stroke. The most common form of bleeding during rivaroxaban therapy was epistaxis. Adverse events were reported in 12 (2.7%) patients. Therapy adherence was in the range of medium adherence for the entire study period, with the average score decreasing significantly from the 1st to 6th months (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Rivaroxaban showed good efficacy and safety in reducing the risk of systemic embolism and stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation including patients with comorbidities.

(1) Background: Viral hepatitis C (HCV) and viral hepatitis B (HBV) are common co-infections in people living with HIV (PLWH). All PLWH should be vaccinated against HBV and hepatitis A (HAV) and treated for HBV and HCV. We aimed to compare testing, prophylaxis and treatment of viral hepatitis in PLWH in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in 2019 and 2022. (2) Methods: Data was collected through two on-line surveys conducted in 2019 and 2022 among 18 countries of the Euroguidelines in CEE (ECEE) Network Group. (3) Results: In all 18 countries the standard of care was to screen all PLWH for HBV and HCV both years; screening of HAV was routine in 2019 in 54.5% and in 2022 47.4% of clinics. Vaccination of PLWH against HAV was available in 2019 in 16.7%, in 2022 in 22.2% countries. Vaccination against HBV was available routinely and free of charge in 50% of clinics both in 2019 and 2022. In HIV/HBV co-infected the choice of NRTI was tenofovir-based in 94.4% of countries in both years. All clinics that responded had access to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) but 50% still had limitations for treatment. (4) Conclusions: Although testing for HBV and HCV was good, testing for HAV is insufficient. Vaccination against HBV and especially against HAV has room for improvement; furthermore, HCV treatment access needs to overcome restrictions.

Background Mpox is a rare zoonotic disease caused by the Mpox virus. On May 21, 2022, WHO announced the emergence of confirmed Mpox cases in countries outside the endemic areas in Central and West Africa. Methods This multicentre study was performed through the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative network. Nineteen collaborating centres in 16 countries participated in the study. Consecutive cases with positive Mpoxv-DNA results by the polymerase chain reaction test were included in the study. Results The mean age of 647 patients included in the study was 34.5.98.6% of cases were males, 95.3% were homosexual-bisexual, and 92.2% had a history of sexual contact. History of smallpox vaccination was present in 3.4% of cases. The median incubation period was 7.0 days. The most common symptoms and signs were rashes in 99.5%, lymphadenopathy in 65.1%, and fever in 54.9%. HIV infection was present in 93.8% of cases, and 17.8% were followed up in the hospital for further treatment. In the two weeks before the rash, prodromal symptoms occurred in 52.8% of cases. The incubation period was 3.5 days shorter in HIV-infected Mpox cases with CD4 count <200/μL, we disclosed the presence of lymphadenopathy, a characteristic finding for Mpox, accompanied the disease to a lesser extent in cases with smallpox vaccination. Conclusions Mpox disseminates globally, not just in the endemic areas. Knowledge of clinical features, disease transmission kinetics, and rapid and effective implementation of public health measures are paramount, as reflected by our findings in this study.

Soluble-Klotho (sKl) is the shed ectodomain of the transmembrane protein-Klotho (mKl) that exhibits pleiotropic actions, including lifespan extension, mineral metabolism, slowing-down kidney diseases and cardioprotection. The sKl is derived from the kidneys, but what type/s of renal cells secrete it is unknown. Secondly the respective roles of mKl versus sKl in regulating mineral metabolism is unclear due to the lack of appropriate in vivo models. Here, using scRNA-seq of renal distal-convolution (DC) cells, we found an unexpected pattern revealing that Klotho transcripts ( Kl) are moderately expressed in overall distal convoluted tubule (DCT), but highly enriched in the end of DCT and in connecting tubule (CNT). Immunohistochemistry further confirmed this pattern for mKl protein as well. Next, Kl was knocked-out only in renal DC to check if it affects sKl production. Interestingly, deleting Kl in the DCT and late-DCT+CNT in mice showed ~20% and ~80% reduction in sKl levels, respectively. Expectedly, knocking-out Kl along the entire DC in mice (Kl-KODC) abolished sKl levels. Furthermore, we found that compared to control mice, Kl-KODC mice exhibited reduced renal TRPV5-Ca2+ channel expression, profound calciuria, and loss of bone mineral density. The RNA-seq of automated-sorted DC cells from Kl-KODC mice revealed enhanced caveolae-mediated endocytosis of TRPV5. On the other hand, Kl-KODC mice had normal phosphate metabolism as confirmed by unchanged serum FGF23, serum phosphate, urinary phosphate excretion, and renal NaPi-IIa expression. Our findings reveal that a small population of renal DC cells accounts for the sKl levels. The lack of sKl may leads to disturbed Ca2+ homeostasis and bone loss without affecting phosphate balance in mice. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Abstract This paper aims to provide objective quality metrics assessment for cloud gaming using machine learning algorithms. Three classification algorithms (i.e., Random Forest, Random Three and J-48) have been used for the development of models for objective quality assessment of two metrics: blurriness and blockiness. The results indicate that Random Forest has the best performance in this experimental case of objective quality metrics assessment for cloud gaming. Future research activities will cover comparison of a broad range of objective quality metrics and machine learning algorithms while using larger dataset to enhance the results significance.

Fermentation is a crucial process in the production of alcoholic beverages such as spirits, which produces a number of volatile compounds due to the metabolic activities of yeast. These volatile compounds, together with the volatile components of the raw materials and the volatile compounds produced during the distillation and aging process, play a crucial role in determining the final flavor and aroma of spirits. In this manuscript, we provide a comprehensive overview of yeast fermentation and the volatile compounds produced during alcoholic fermentation. We will establish a link between the microbiome and volatile compounds during alcoholic fermentation and describe the various factors that influence volatile compound production, including yeast strain, temperature, pH, and nutrient availability. We will also discuss the effects of these volatile compounds on the sensory properties of spirits and describe the major aroma compounds in these alcoholic beverages.