Global forecasting of thermal health hazards: the skill of probabilistic predictions of the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI).

Although over a hundred thermal indices can be used for assessing thermal health hazards, many ignore the human heat budget, physiology and clothing. The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) addresses these shortcomings by using an advanced thermo-physiological model. This paper assesses the potential of using the UTCI for forecasting thermal health hazards. Traditionally, such hazard forecasting has had two further limitations: it has been narrowly focused on a particular region or nation and has relied on the use of single 'deterministic' forecasts. Here, the UTCI is computed on a global scale, which is essential for international health-hazard warnings and disaster preparedness, and it is provided as a probabilistic forecast. It is shown that probabilistic UTCI forecasts are superior in skill to deterministic forecasts and that despite global variations, the UTCI forecast is skilful for lead times up to 10 days. The paper also demonstrates the utility of probabilistic UTCI forecasts on the example of the 2010 heat wave in Russia.

Cryopreservation effects on Wharton's Jelly Stem Cells proteome.

Cryopreservation is the only method for long-term storage of viable cells and tissues used for cellular therapy, stem cell transplantation and/or tissue engineering. However, the freeze-thaw process strongly contributes to cell and tissue damage through several mechanisms, including oxidative stress, cell injury from intracellular ice formation and altered physical cellular properties. Our previous proteomics investigation was carried out on Wharton's Jelly Stem Cells (WJSCs) having similar properties to adult mesenchymal stem cells and thus representing a rich source of primitive cells to be potentially used in regenerative medicine. The aim of the present work was to investigate molecular changes that occur in WJSCs proteome in different experimental conditions: fresh primary cell culture and frozen cell. To analyze changes in protein expression of WJSCs undergoing different culturing procedures, we performed a comparative proteomic analysis (2DE followed by MALDI-TOF MS/MS nanoESI-Q-TOF MS coupled with nanoLC) between WJSCs from fresh and frozen cell culturing, respectively. Frozen WJSCs showed qualitative and quantitative changes compared to cells from fresh preparation, expressing proteins involved in replication, cellular defence mechanism and metabolism, that could ensure freeze-thaw survival. The results of this study could play a key role in elucidating possible mechanisms related to maintaining active proliferation and maximal cellular plasticity and thus making the use of WJSCs in cell therapy safe following bio-banking.

Proteomic analysis of the carotid body: a preliminary study.

We present a proteomic analysis of the rat carotid body (CB) preparation by comparison between normoxia and hypoxia. Proteomic investigation would be helpful to identify the stress-induced protein during hypoxia and to know what O(2) species are being sensed by CB cells. Adult Wistar rats were used, one group was kept in room air (21% O(2)) as control, and the other was kept in a Plexiglas chamber for 12 days in chronic hypoxia (10-11% inspired oxygen). A total protein extract for each lysated tissue was separated using a broad pH range no-linear IPG strip (3-10) and the second dimension was performed on a 9-16% polyacrylamide gel. Exposure to hypoxia for 12 days produced significant changes in protein expression, providing an initial insight into the mechanism underlying differences in susceptibility to hypoxia. Further investigation is needed to have an overview of the specific set of proteins present in the CB and the functions of such proteins in signal transduction and adaptation during hypoxia.