Observation-constrained projections reveal longer-than-expected dry spells.

Climate models indicate that dry extremes will be exacerbated in many regions of the world. However, confidence in the magnitude and timing of these projected changes remains low, leaving societies largely unprepared. Here we show that constraining model projections with observations using a newly proposed emergent constraint (EC) reduces the uncertainty in predictions of a core drought indicator, the longest annual dry spell (LAD), by 10-26% globally.

Soil drought can mitigate deadly heat stress thanks to a reduction of air humidity.

Global warming increases the number and severity of deadly heatwaves. Recent heatwaves often coincided with soil droughts that intensify air temperature but lower air humidity. Since lowering air humidity may reduce human heat stress, the net impact of soil desiccation on the morbidity and mortality of heatwaves remains unclear.

Mannan-binding lectin of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus.

A novel lectin specific to low-branched mannans (MBL-SN) was isolated from coelomic plasma of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus by combining anion-exchange liquid chromatography on DEAE Toyopearl 650 M, affinity chromatography on mannan-Sepharose and gel filtration on the Sephacryl S-200. The molecular mass of MBL-SN was estimated by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions to be about 34 kDa. MBL-SN was shown to be a dimer with two identical subunits of about 17 kDa.

Molecular and biological characterization of a mannan-binding lectin from the holothurian Apostichopus japonicus.

To elucidate the origin and evolution of mannan-binding lectins (MBL), a new C-type lectin (CTL) specific for high-mannose glycans (MBL-AJ) was isolated from the coelomic plasma of the holothurian Apostichopus japonicus. MBL-AJ has oligomeric forms with identical 17-kDa subunits on SDS-PAGE. Among natural ligands, lectin hemagglutination activity was competitively inhibited by extracellular low-branched, but not high-branched, alpha-D-mannans isolated from marine halophilic bacteria and composed of alpha-1,2 and alpha-1,6 linked D-mannose residues.

Monte Carlo modeling of optoacoustic signals from human internal jugular veins.

Monitoring of blood oxygenation, in particular, cerebral venous oxygenation, is necessary for management of a variety of life-threatening conditions. An optoacoustic technique can be used for noninvasive monitoring of blood oxygenation in blood vessels, including large veins. We calculated optoacoustic signals from a cylinder mimicking a blood vessel using a modified Monte Carlo code and analyzed their temporal profiles.

Multiwavelength optoacoustic system for noninvasive monitoring of cerebral venous oxygenation: a pilot clinical test in the internal jugular vein.

A noninvasive, high-resolution optoacoustic technique is a promising alternative to currently used invasive methods of brain oxygenation monitoring. We present the results of our pilot clinical test of this technique in healthy volunteers. Multiwavelength optoacoustic measurements (with nanosecond optical parametric oscillator as a source of radiation) were performed on the area of the neck overlying the internal jugular vein, a deeply located large vein that drains blood from the brain and from extracranial tissues.

Optoacoustic monitoring of blood hemoglobin concentration: a pilot clinical study.

The optoacoustic technique is noninvasive, has high spatial resolution, and potentially can be used to measure the total hemoglobin concentration ([THb]) continuously and accurately. We performed in vitro measurements in blood and in vivo tests in healthy volunteers. Our clinical protocol included rapid infusion of intravenous saline to simulate rapid change in the [THb] during fluid therapy or surgery.

Monitoring of rabbit cornea response to dehydration stress by optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To evaluate the application of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for continuous noninvasive monitoring and quantification of the dynamics of corneal response after exposure of the cornea to dehydrating stress.

Methods: The changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) and scattering properties of the cornea were monitored with OCT in rabbit cornea in vivo after topical application of a glycerin-based hypertonic agent (HA) or prolonged surface evaporation of the cornea. The observed changes in backscatter were correlated with the changes in corneal hydration.

Precision of measurement of tissue optical properties with optical coherence tomography.

Accurate and noninvasive measurement of tissue optical properties can be used for biomedical diagnostics and monitoring of tissue analytes. Noninvasive measurement of tissue optical properties (total attenuation and scattering coefficients, optical thickness, etc.) can be performed with the optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique.