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Drone technology has undoubtedly become an integral part of our everyday life in recent years. The business and industrial use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can provide advantageous solutions in many areas of life, and they are also optimal for emergency situations and for accessing hard-to-reach places. However, their application poses numerous technological and regulatory challenges to be overcome. One of the weak links in the operation of UAVs is the limited availability of energy. In order to address this issue, the authors developed a novel trajectory planning method for UAVs to optimize energy consumption during flight. First, an "energy map" was created, which was the basis for trajectory planning, i.e., determining the energy consumption of the individual components. This was followed by configuring the 3D environment including partitioning of the work space (WS), i.e., defining the free spaces, occupied spaces (obstacles), and semi-occupied/free spaces. Then, the corresponding graph-like path(s) were generated on the basis of the partitioned space, where a graph search-based heuristic trajectory planning was initiated, taking into account the most important wind conditions including velocity and direction. Finally, in order to test the theoretical results, some sample environments were created to test and analyze the proposed path generations. The method eventually proposed was able to determine the optimal path in terms of energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background We published the Canadian 2003 International Consensus Algorithm for the Diagnosis, Therapy, and Management of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE; C1 inhibitor [C1-INH] deficiency) and updated this as Hereditary angioedema: a current state-of-the-art review: Canadian Hungarian 2007 International Consensus Algorithm for the Diagnosis, Therapy, and Management of Hereditary Angioedema. Objective To update the International Consensus Algorithm for the Diagnosis, Therapy and Management of Hereditary Angioedema (circa 2010). Methods The Canadian Hereditary Angioedema Network (CHAEN)/Réseau Canadien d'angioédème héréditaire (RCAH) http://www.haecanada.com and cosponsors University of Calgary and the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (with an unrestricted educational grant from CSL Behring) held our third Conference May 15th to 16th, 2010 in Toronto Canada to update our consensus approach. The Consensus document was reviewed at the meeting and then circulated for review. Results This manuscript is the 2010 International Consensus Algorithm for the Diagnosis, Therapy and Management of Hereditary Angioedema that resulted from that conference. Conclusions Consensus approach is only an interim guide to a complex disorder such as HAE and should be replaced as soon as possible with large phase III and IV clinical trials, meta analyses, and using data base registry validation of approaches including quality of life and cost benefit analyses, followed by large head-to-head clinical trials and then evidence-based guidelines and standards for HAE disease management.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is profoundly changing, data on the effect of vaccination and duration of protection against infection and severe disease can still be advantageous, especially for patients with COPD, who are more vulnerable to respiratory infections. The Hungarian COVID-19 registry was retrospectively investigated for risk of infection and hospitalization by time since the last vaccination, and vaccine effectiveness (VE) was calculated in adults with COPD diagnosis and an exact-matched control group during the Delta variant of concern (VOC) wave in Hungary (September–December 2021). For the matching, sex, age, major co-morbidities, vaccination status, and prior infection data were obtained on 23 August 2021. The study population included 373,962 cases divided into COPD patients (age: 66.67 ± 12.66) and a 1:1 matched group (age: 66.73 ± 12.67). In both groups, the female/male ratio was 52.2:47.7, respectively. Among the unvaccinated, there was no difference between groups in risk for infection or hospitalization. Regarding vaccinated cases, in the COPD group, a slightly faster decline in effectiveness was noted for hospitalization prevention, although in both groups, the vaccine lost its significant effect between 215 and 240 days after the last dose of vaccination. Based on a time-stratified multivariate Cox analysis of the vaccinated cases, the hazard was constantly higher in the COPD group, with an HR of 1.09 (95%: 1.05–1.14) for infection and 1.87 (95% CI: 1.59–2.19) for hospitalization. In our study, COPD patients displayed lower vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization but a similar waning trajectory, as vaccines lost their preventive effect after 215 days. These data emphasize revaccination measures in the COPD patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epichloë spp. often formmutualistic interactions with cool-season grasses, such as Lolium perenne. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed reduced representation bisulfite sequencing method (epiGBS) to investigate the impact of the Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37 on the methylome of L. perenne across multiple grass generations and under drought stress conditions. Our results showed that the presence of the endophyte leads to a decrease in DNAmethylation across genomic features, with differentially methylated regions primarily located in intergenic regions and CHH contexts. The presence of the endophyte was consistently associated with hypomethylation in plants across generations. This research sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms governing the mutualistic interaction between Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37 and L. perenne. It underscores the role of methylation changes associated with endophyte infection and suggests that the observed global DNA hypomethylation in L. perennemay be influenced by factors such as the duration of the endophyte-plant association and the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epichloë spp. often formmutualistic interactions with cool-season grasses, such as Lolium perenne. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this interaction remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed reduced representation bisulfite sequencing method (epiGBS) to investigate the impact of the Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37 on the methylome of L. perenne across multiple grass generations and under drought stress conditions. Our results showed that the presence of the endophyte leads to a decrease in DNAmethylation across genomic features, with differentially methylated regions primarily located in intergenic regions and CHH contexts. The presence of the endophyte was consistently associated with hypomethylation in plants across generations. This research sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms governing the mutualistic interaction between Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37 and L. perenne. It underscores the role of methylation changes associated with endophyte infection and suggests that the observed global DNA hypomethylation in L. perennemay be influenced by factors such as the duration of the endophyte-plant association and the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient receptor potential ion channel, vanilloid subfamily, type 1 (TRPV1) cation channel, and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) are essential in the modulation of nociceptive signaling in the spinal cord dorsal horn that underlies different pathological pain states. TRPV1 and CB1 receptors share the endogenous agonist anandamide (AEA), produced from N-arachidonoylphosphatidylethanolamine (20:4-NAPE). We investigated the effect of the anandamide precursor 20:4-NAPE on synaptic activity in naive and inflammatory conditions. Patch-clamp recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) from superficial dorsal horn neurons in rat acute spinal cord slices were used. Peripheral inflammation was induced by subcutaneous injection of carrageenan. Under naive conditions, mEPSCs frequency (0.96 ± 0.11 Hz) was significantly decreased after 20 μM 20:4- NAPE application (55.3 ± 7.4%). This 20:4-NAPE-induced inhibition was blocked by anandamide-synthesizing enzyme N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) inhibitor LEI-401. In addition, the inhibition was prevented by the CB1 receptor antagonist PF 514273 (0.2 μM) but not by the TRPV1 receptor antagonist SB 366791 (10 μM). Under inflammatory conditions, 20:4-NAPE (20 μM) also exhibited a significant inhibitory effect (74.5 ± 8.9%) on the mEPSCs frequency that was prevented by the TRPV1 receptor antagonist SB 366791 but not by PF 514273 application. Our results show that 20:4-NAPE application has a significant modulatory effect on spinal cord nociceptive signaling that is mediated by both TRPV1 and CB1 presynaptic receptors, whereas peripheral inflammation changes the underlying mechanism. The switch between TRPV1 and CB1 receptor activation by the AEA precursor 20:4-NAPE during inflammation may play an important role in nociceptive processing, hence the development of pathological pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss-of-function mutations of the KCNJ2 gene encoding for the inward rectifier potassium channel subunit Kir2.1 cause Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS), a rare genetic disorder characterised by periodic paralysis, ventricular arrhythmias, and dysmorphic features. Clinical manifestations of the disease appear to vary greatly with the nature of mutation, therefore, functional characterisation of ATS-causing mutations is of clinical importance. In this study, we describe the identification and functional analysis of a novel KCNJ2 mutation, Val302del, identified in a patient with ATS. Heterologously expressed wild type (WT) and Val302del mutant alleles showed similar subcellular distribution of the Kir2.1 protein with high intensity labelling from the membrane region, demonstrating normal membrane trafficking of the Val302del Kir2.1 variant. Cells transfected with the WT allele displayed a robust current with strong inward rectification, while no current above background was detected in cells expressing the Val302del Kir2.1 subunit. Co-transfection of CHO cells with the WT and the Val302del Kir2.1 revealed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of the Val302del Kir2.1 mutant subunit on WT Kir2.1 currents. These observations indicate that the WT and the Val302del mutant subunits co-assemble in the cell membrane and that the mutation affects potassium conductivity and (or) gating of the WT/Val302del heteromeric Kir2.1 channels. Key words: Andersen-Tawil Syndrome, KCNJ2 mutation, KCNJ2 gene, inward rectifier potassium channel, Kir2.1 subunit. Les mutations associees a une perte fonctionnelle du gene KCNJ2 codant la sous-unite Kir2.1 du canal potassique a rectification entrante causent le syndrome d'Andersen-Tawil, un trouble genetique rare associe a une paralysie periodique, des arythmies ventriculaires et des caracteristiques dysmorphiques. Les manifestations cliniques de la maladie semblent varier largement selon la nature de la mutation: la caracterisation fonctionnelle des mutations responsables du syndrome d'Andersen-Tawil revet une importance clinique. Dans le cadre de ces travaux, nous decrivons l'identification et l'analyse fonctionnelle de Val302del, une nouvelle mutation du gene KCNJ2 identifiee chez un patient atteint du syndrome d'Andersen-Tawil. Les distributions infracellulaires de la proteine Kir2.1 dans des alleles de type sauvages et portant la mutation Val302del--exprimes de maniere heterologue--etaient similaires et presentaient un marquage a haute intensite de la region membranaire, ce qui montre que la variante Val302del de la proteine Kir2.1 est associee a un trafic membranaire normal. Le courant rectificateur entrant des cellules transfectees avec l'allele de type sauvage etait puissant, alors que celui des cellules exprimant la mutation Val302del de la sous-unite Kir2.1 ne depassait pas le courant de base. La cotransfection de cellules d'ovaires de hamster chinois avec le Kir2.1 de type sauvage et le Kir2.1 de type Val302del a revele un effet inhibiteur de la sous-unite mutante de Kir2.1 (Val302del), dans une mesure proportionnelle a la dose, sur les courants associes au Kir2.1 de type sauvage. Ces observations indiquent que les sous-unites de type sauvage et presentant la mutation Val302del s'assemblent dans la membrane cellulaire et que la mutation affecte la conductivite des canaux potassiques ou la fonction d'ouverture des canaux Kir2.1 heteromeriques de type sauvage/Val302del. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: syndrome d'Andersen-Tawil, mutation du gene KCNJ2, gene KCNJ2, canal potassique rectificateur entrant, sous-unite Kir2.1., Introduction Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS) is a rare and unique genetic disorder characterised by a triad of clinical manifestations: periodic paralysis, ventricular arrhythmias, and dysmorphic features that include cranial, facial, and [...]