Learning from Alfred Wegener's pioneering field observations in West Greenland after a century of climate change

The cryosphere in Greenland is currently undergoing strong changes. While remote sensing improves our understanding of spatial and temporal changes across scales, particularly our knowledge of conditions during the pre-satellite era is fragmented. Therefore, high-quality field data from that period can be particularly valuable to better understand changes of the cryosphere in Greenland at climate time scales. At Graz University, the last work-place of Alfred Wegener we have access to the extensive expedition results from their epic 1929-1931 expedition to Greenland. The expedition coincides with the warmest phase of the Arctic early twentieth century warm period. We present an overview of the main findings of the Wegener expedition archive and set it into context with further monitoring activities that occurred since, as well as the results from reanalysis products and satellite imagery. We find that firn temperatures have increased significantly, while snow and firn densities and have remained similar or decreased since. Local conditions at the Qaamarujup Sermia have changed strongly, with a reduction in length of more than 2 km, in thickness by up to 120 m and a rise in terminus position of approximately 300 m. The elevation of the snow line of the years 1929 and 1930 was similar to the one from the extreme years 2012 and 2019. Compared to the satellite era, we find that during the time of the Wegener expedition fjord ice extent was smaller in early spring and larger in late spring. We demonstrate that a well-documented snapshot of archival data can provide a local and regional context for contemporary climate change and that it can serve as the basis for process-based studies on the atmospheric drivers of glacier changes.

Biallelic Loss-of-Function Variants in BICD1 Are Associated with Peripheral Neuropathy and Hearing Loss

Hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy are two clinical entities that are genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous and sometimes co-occurring. Using exome sequencing and targeted segregation analysis, we investigated the genetic etiology of peripheral neuropathy and hearing loss in a large Ashkenazi Jewish family. Moreover, we assessed the production of the candidate protein via western blotting of lysates from fibroblasts from an affected individual and an unaffected control. Pathogenic variants in known disease genes associated with hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy were excluded. A homozygous frameshift variant in the BICD1 gene, c.1683dup (p.(Arg562Thrfs*18)), was identified in the proband and segregated with hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy in the family. The BIDC1 RNA analysis from patient fibroblasts showed a modest reduction in gene transcripts compared to the controls. In contrast, protein could not be detected in fibroblasts from a homozygous c.1683dup individual, whereas BICD1 was detected in an unaffected individual. Our findings indicate that bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in BICD1 are associated with hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy. Definitive evidence that bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in BICD1 cause peripheral neuropathy and hearing loss will require the identification of other families and individuals with similar variants with the same phenotype.

VAC14 syndrome in two siblings with retinitis pigmentosa and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation

Whole-exome sequencing was used to identify the genetic etiology of a rapidly progressing neurological disease present in two of six siblings with early childhood onset of severe progressive spastic paraparesis and learning disabilities. A homozygous mutation (c.2005G>T, p, V669L) was found in VAC14, and the clinical phenotype is consistent with the recently described VAC14-related striatonigral degeneration, childhood-onset syndrome (SNDC) (MIM#617054). However, the phenotype includes a distinct clinical presentation of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which has not previously been reported in association with VAC14 mutations. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormal magnetic susceptibility in the globus pallidus, which can be seen in neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). RP is a group of inherited retinal diseases with phenotypic/genetic heterogeneity, and the pathophysiologic basis of RP is not completely understood but is thought to be due to a primary retinal photoreceptor cell degenerative process. Most cases of RP are seen in isolation (nonsyndromic); this is a report of RP in two siblings with VAC14-associated syndrome, and it is suggested that a connection between RP and VAC14-associated syndrome should be explored in future studies.

Biological contamination of Mars. I. Survival of terrestrial microorganisms in simulated Martian environments

It has been postulated that the accidental introduction of terrestrial microorganisms to other planets during the course of space exploration might impede or bias the detection of organic matter and possible indigenous organisms, and thereby confuse subsequent studies of extraterrestrial life. To assess the likelihood of biological contamination of Mars, we have applied the principle of natural selection on a laboratory scale. Terrestrial microorganisms were collected from a variety of environments, including regions of high alkalinity, low mean daily temperature, and low annual rainfall. The air-dried soils were then subjected to a simulated Martian environment involving 12-hour freeze-thaw cycles from about -60 degrees C to about +20 degrees C; atmospheres of 95 per cent nitrogen, 5 percent carbon dioxide and low moisture content: < or = 0.1 atm pressure; and a total ultraviolet dose at 2537 angstrom of 10(9) erg cm-2. In some experiments, organic supplements were provided. Survivors were scored on supplemented agar. Preliminary results indicate a wide variety of survivors, even when no organic supplements were introduced. Survivors included obligate and facultative anaerobic spore-formers and non-spore-forming facultative anaerobic bacteria. Diurnal freezing and thawing was continued for six months. There was no significant loss of viability after the first freeze-thaw cycle. An extensive literature survey shows that survival of terrestrial microorganisms under individual simulated Martian conditions has been known for decades. The present investigation shows the absence of pronounced synergistic effects inhibiting survival. The probable existence of organic matter and moisture on Mars, at least in restricted locales and times, makes it especially likely that terrestrial microorganisms can also reproduce on Mars. The demonstration that all samples of terrestrial soil tested contain a population of microorganisms which survive in simulated Martian environments strongly underscores the need for scrupulous sterilization of all spacecraft intended for Mars landing.

Resolving and avoiding conflict with the professional staff

The professional staff perspective radically diverges from that of management. Whereas the professional staff sees the hospital in terms of its providing quality health care to each individual patient, hospital executives see the hospital in terms of its financial and systemwide performance. Unless these divergent perspectives are effectively integrated to solve problems and formulate hospital policies, chronic conflict between hospital management and the professional staff is inevitable.

The parasitic ecology of the rodent mite, Myobia musculi. III. Lesions in certain host strains

Mice (C57BL/6N) from a commercial production colony with ulcerative skin lesions were shown to have low level infestations with Myobia musculi. Lesions were abolished by exposure to dichlorvos-impregnated plastic strips. Experimental reinfestation with M musculi resulted in prompt exacerbation of lesions in previously healed mice. Exacerbated lesions were again abolished by subsequent dichlorvos treatments. The histopathology of such lesions was shown to be similar to those in cats allergic to Otodectes cynotis; and a morphologic basis for an allergic interpretation of the myobic lesions in the C57BL/6 mice was described. Other evidence supporting an allergic interpretation included the heritability of susceptibility to such lesions in certain strains, the paucity of mites required for extensive lesions, the chronic duration of infestation required prior to lesion development, and the apparent anamnesis to experimental reinfestation. A large commercial hybrid production colony requiring C57BL/6 females had an incidence of ulcerative lesions (in females) of 20% and depressed reproductive indices. Two 48 hour treatments at an interval of 14 days utilizing dichlorvos-impregnated strips (1 square inch per cage) abolished lesions and elevated production indices for a period of 5 months.

Naturally occurring hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in the domestic rabbit

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis was observed to occur naturally in laboratory rabbits. Three cases in juvenile and adult rabbits and their antemortem histories were examined. The gross and microscopic pathology were studied. It was shown that not only the pylorus, but the stomach as a whole was increased in size both relatively and absolutely. The thickness of the pylorus was doubled, but its circumference was not increased, in hypertrophic stenosis. The chief histologic finding was hypertrophy of circular and longitudinal smooth muscles and their enveloping fascia. The myenteric plexi were essentially normal in appearance. The literature on a similar condition in man, dog, and cat was reviewed.

Fatal intussusception associated with intestinal coccidiosis (Eimeria perforans) in a rabbit

Fatal intussusception was observed to be the proximate cause of death in a young (14 wk old) pet male New Zealand white rabbit. The intussusception was ileo-ileal, and this region was shown to be extensively parasitized by Eimeria perforans. It was concluded that the intussusception was consequent to hyperperistalsis induced by the coccidial infection of the intestines.