Long-term trends in Swiss rivers sampled continuously over 39 years reflect changes in geochemical processes and pollution.

Long-term changes of 14 water constituents measured in continuously and water discharge proportionally collected samples of four Swiss rivers over a period of 39 years are analyzed using several statistical techniques. Possible drivers and causes for the identified trends and shifts are explained by consideration of catchment characteristics and anthropogenic activities. Water temperatures increased by 0.

Forecasting Groundwater Temperature with Linear Regression Models Using Historical Data.

Although temperature is an important determinant of many biogeochemical processes in groundwater, very few studies have attempted to forecast the response of groundwater temperature to future climate warming. Using a composite linear regression model based on the lagged relationship between historical groundwater and regional air temperature data, empirical forecasts were made of groundwater temperature in several aquifers in Switzerland up to the end of the current century. The model was fed with regional air temperature projections calculated for greenhouse-gas emissions scenarios A2, A1B, and RCP3PD.

Ear2 deletion causes early memory and learning deficits in APP/PS1 mice.

To assess the consequences of locus ceruleus (LC) degeneration and subsequent noradrenaline (NA) deficiency in early Alzheimer's disease (AD), mice overexpressing mutant amyloid precursor protein and presenilin-1 (APP/PS1) were crossed with Ear2(-/-) mice that have a severe loss of LC neurons projecting to the hippocampus and neocortex. Testing spatial memory and hippocampal long-term potentiation revealed an impairment in APP/PS1 Ear2(-/-) mice, whereas APP/PS1 or Ear2(-/-) mice showed only minor changes. These deficits were associated with distinct synaptic changes including reduced expression of the NMDA 2A subunit and increased levels of NMDA receptor 2B in APP/PS1 Ear2(-/-) mice.

Gp130-dependent release of acute phase proteins is linked to the activation of innate immune signaling pathways.

Background: Elevated levels of acute phase proteins (APP) are often found in patients with cardiovascular diseases. In a previous study, we demonstrated the importance of the IL-6-gp130 axis -as a key regulator of inflammatory acute phase signaling in hepatocytes-for the development of atherosclerosis.

Background/principal Findings: Gp130-dependent gene expression was analyzed in a previously established hepatocyte-specific gp130 knockout mouse model.

Safety and feasibility of radiotherapy treatment in elderly non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and activity of radiotherapy (RT) treatment in elderly patients with locally advanced lung cancer. From January 2002 to December 2007, 51 consecutive patients (43 men and 8 women) aged > or = 65 received RT for locally advanced lung cancer, 22 with radical intent and 16 in adjuvant setting. Thirty-six patients received chemotherapy.