Clarifying the role of key genes in the early stage of speciation is critical to understand the origin and evolution of species. Aquilegia viridiflora, in the early stage of speciation, has a wide distribution range, and shows obvious phenotypic variation among its different populations. Here, we analyzed the adaptive evolution mechanism of phenotypic differences in the early stages of speciation using the phenotypes, genomes, and transcriptomes of different populations of A. viridiflora. Our results indicated that A. viridiflora originated in northwestern China, and the environmental changes caused by the uplift of the northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in the late Miocene may have caused its differentiation. Within its distribution range, flower size was significantly negatively correlated with the inflorescence number and leaf area. Aqcoe5G459400 expression was reduced in environments with large temperature differences between day and night, possibly resulting in longer spurs and promoting the formation of reproductive isolation. Additionally, the cytochrome P450 (CYP 450) superfamily may have driven species differentiation in the early stage of speciation. Our study reveals the genetic basis of the adaptive evolution of the phenotype in the early stage of speciation and provides new evidence of the rapid evolution of angiosperms.

In this work, we describe the results obtained in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, to investigate the transgenerational phenotypic effects of chromium (Cr) stress. F1 generation from parents grown in both acute and chronic stress showed significant higher levels of the maximal effective concentration (EC50) than F1 from unstressed parents. In addition, both F1 from Cr stressed parents showed higher germination rate under Cr presence and F1 from parents cultivated under chronic stress displayed reduction of hydroxide peroxide levels under Cr stress compared to control. At lower Cr stress level, F1 resulted to promptly activate more genes involved in Cr stress responses than F0 implying a memory linked to a transgenerational priming. F1 modulated significantly less genes than F0 at later stage and at higher Cr levels implying a memory leading to Cr stress adaptation. Several members of bHlH transcription factors were induced by Cr stress in F1 and not in F0, such as bHlH100, ORG2 and ORG3. F1 optimized gene expression towards pathways linked to iron starvation response. A model of transcriptional regulation of transgenerational memory to Cr stress was developed and eventually applied for other heavy metal stresses.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the intake of vitamin D (VD) has increased. Vitamin D has multiple regulatory effects in the human body, including immunological. Evidence accentuates the generation of a pro-tolerogenic T helper (Th) 2 cell state with VD, suppressing a Th1 inflammatory response. Th2 cell polarization is characteristic of atopy. However, VD promotes a balanced state through the action of regulatory T cells, controlling cytokines, both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory, and by reducing B cell proliferation and differentiation, thus preventing the development of atopy.

COVID-19 vaccine side effects are still a hot area under study, Many side effects have been identified, and others are still under study. Herein, we are reporting a patient who developed Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis due to anti-GBM disease two days after receiving the COVI-19 vaccine.

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) threatens maize, sorghum, and millet production in Africa. Despite rigorous work done to reduce FAW prevalence, the dynamics and invasion mechanisms are still poorly understood. This study applied interdisciplinary tools, analytics, and algorithms on a FAW dataset to provide insights and projections on the intensity of FAW infestation across Africa. The data collected between January 2018 and December 2020 were matched with the monthly average data of the climatic and environmental variables. The multilevel analytics identified the key factors that influence the dynamics of spatial and temporal pest density and occurrence at a 2 km x 2 km grid resolution. The seasonal variations of the identified factors and dynamics were used to calibrate rule-based analytics employed to simulate the monthly densities and occurrence of the FAW for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020. Three FAW density level classes were inferred, i.e., low (0–10), moderate (11–30), and high (>30). Results show that monthly density projections were sensitive to the type of FAW host vegetation and the seasonal variability of climatic factors. Moreover, the diversity in the climate patterns and cropping systems across the African sub-regions are considered the main drivers of FAW abundance and variation. An optimum overall accuracy of 53% was obtained across the three years and at a continental scale, however, a gradual increase in prediction accuracy was observed among the years, with 2020 predictions providing accuracies greater than 70%. Apart from the low amount of data in 2018 and 2019, the average level of accuracy obtained could also be explained by the non-inclusion of data related to certain key factors such as the influence of natural enemies into the analysis. Further detailed data on the occurrence and efficiency of FAW natural enemies in the region may help to complete the tri-trophic

Objective: The study investigated isthmocele rate, residual myometrium thickness, blood loss, and closure lengths by comparing the classical primary continuous(CPCS) and novel technique uterine suturing (NTUS) after caesarian. Design: All patients were divided into two groups according to suture technique. Setting: CPCS was applied to the patients in Group-1, while the NTUS was applied in Group-2 as Z suture on both corners and 8 sutures in the remaining middle part incision closure. Population: A total of 402 C/S patients were included in this single-center prospective clinical study. Main Outcome Measures: Patients in the NTUS group bleed lesser than in the CPCS groups (p<0.0001). Incision length after closure was longer in the CPCS than in the NTUS (p<0.0001). Similarly, the number of sutures we applied was higher in the CPCS (p<0.0001). In the comparison of residual myometrium thickness, the mean values measured 197±50 mm in the NTUS and 146±39 mm in the CPCS (p<0.0001). Results: Residual myometrium thickness showed a negative strong correlation with incision length after closure (r=-0,436; p<0.0001), how many times the needles have been passed (r=-0,423; p<0.0001) and time for suturing (r=-0,237; p<0.0001). NTUS and CPCS groups were similar in comparison to isthmocele. Conclusions: The NTUS, termed Erkayiran’s suture, showed a successful reflection in our surgical cesarean section application compared to the classical suture. Although the occurrence of isthmocele in patients was similar, results were quite successful operationally in terms of both minimal blood loss and increased residual myometrium thickness.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of cervicovaginal cytokines to describe and predict the inflammatory processes associated to spontaneous labor onset both, term and preterm. Design: Pseudo-longitudinal study. Setting: Two Ministry of Health-affiliated hospitals in Mexico City from 2018 to 2020. Population or Sample: Women with singleton pregnancies at different moments during spontaneous onset of first stage of labor between 12 and 41 weeks of gestation. Methods: Women were grouped in five stages going from the absence of uterine activity and cervical changes (Stage 0) to the regular uterine contractions with cervix dilation >3 cm (Stage 4 or established labor). Main Outcome Measures: Cervicovaginal cytokine concentrations between term and preterm labor, cytokine trajectories throughout spontaneous labor onset and predictive accuracy of IL-6 for spontaneous labor. Results: Of 144 women with spontaneous labor 96 delivered at term and 48 preterm, both groups displayed similar cytokine concentrations. We found positive correlations between pro-inflammatory cytokines and clinical manifestations of labor (study stages) using individual cytokines and score-based data by principal-component analysis (IFN-ϒ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) as dependent variables. The risk of delivery increased as IL-6 concentrations increased (HR 202.09, 95% CI 24.57-1662.49, P<0.001). IL-6 was a significant predictor for spontaneous labor within 12 days (AUC=0.785, 95% CI 0.693-0.877) regardless of gestational age. Conclusions: Cervicovaginal cytokines, particularly IL-6, reflect and predict the intrauterine inflammatory sequence associated to initial labor progression. This study provides a new insight into cervicovaginal inflammatory biomarkers usability for labor diagnosis and birth prediction. Keywords: Labor, cytokines, preterm birth, IL-6.

Objective: Determine the effects of cancer treatment in pregnancy. Design: Observational retrospective cohort study. Setting: 7 Chinese tertiary A hospitals during 2003–2021. Population: Pregnant patients with cancer. Methods: We conducted multiple logistic regression to determine the influence of various factors on preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age infants, log-binomial regression to analyze temporal changes, and chi-square tests to explore the effects of cancer type/treatment. Main outcome measures: Obstetric outcomes; Neonatal outcomes. Results: Of 204 women, 17% terminated pregnancies; 59% received pre-delivery treatment. Rates of pregnancy termination ([RR]: 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35–0.67) and iatrogenic preterm births (RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54–0.98) reduced, and that of pre-delivery treatment increased, mainly due to increased rates of surgery (RR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.31–2.67). Maternal systemic diseases were related to a higher risk of small-for-gestational-age infants ([OR]: 12.02, 95% CI: 1.82–79.43). Chemotherapy with taxanes plus platinum-based agents was related to adverse obstetric outcomes (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.42–2.46, P < 0.05). Thyroid (OR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.22–0.57) and ovarian cancer (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50–0.98) were associated with fewer cesarean sections. Thyroid cancer was associated with fetal growth restriction (OR: 5.21, 95% CI: 1.21–22.55). Conclusions: Rates of pregnancy termination in cancer have declined. Taxane plus platinum-based chemotherapy was associated with adverse obstetric outcomes. Cancer type influenced outcomes. Funding: Special Project for clinical Research in health industry of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission; Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. Tweetable abstract: Cancer in pregnancy on obstetric and neonatal outcomes: higher risks of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

Spike proteins are heavily glycosylated, small protrusions located on the envelops of coronavirus. These proteins are the characteristic morphological features of coronavirus that give the virus family its name, and are alone responsible for the virulence, pathogenicity, and evolving tropism of these viruses. SARS-CoV-2 shows higher affinity towards its target, ACE-2 receptors in human subjects. This affinity is the result of mutations in its spike protein gene – as revealed through genomic sequencing. Being central to the viral structure, SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and their receptor binding domains are the preferred platforms for vaccine development. The administration of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies is also being employed along with vaccines to accelerate viral shedding. Various expression and purification strategies are discussed in the paper to provide an updated overview of the SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic landscape. The development of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is still a possible risk linked to the newly developed vaccines and needs to be studied. These challenges demand further research and an innovative approach to expand the therapeutic utility of coronavirus spike proteins.

Water stress is a major environmental factor affecting Citrus spp. and Rangpur lime is a drought-tolerant rootstock used to improve orange yield in rainfed orchards. Aiming a comprehensive spatio-temporal evaluation of citrus responses to drought, we combined morpho-physiological analyses with metabolic profiling of roots and leaves of Valencia orange scions grafted onto Rangpur lime, Swingle citrumelo or Sunki mandarin rootstocks under water deficit. Plant responses were evaluated during the initial phase of reduction in water availability, when water deficit was maximum and after rehydration. Fifty-eight primary metabolites were modulated by water deficit, mainly amino acids, organic acids and sugars. Metabolic changes indicated adjustments related to osmotic, energetic and redox processes under low water availability, which were dependent on rootstock and varied between roots and leaves and along the experimental period. Water deficit induced minor metabolic changes in Swingle citrumelo rootstock, while Sunki mandarin invested more energy in protective compounds. Regarding the drought tolerant rootstock, our data revealed a more advantageous strategy of Rangpur lime when facing water deficit, which combines cell protection through the reinforcement of antioxidant metabolism and the maintenance of energy supply to first improve root growth during water shortage and then shoot growth just after rewatering.

For the leakage of water pollution sources, a novel optimized solution to trace the source of pollution in water pollution sources accidents is provided on the basis of the traditional hexagon path algorithm. In specific, the newly proposed solution effectively solves the inherent defects of traditional methods, such as, fixed step size, large number of convergence steps and high cost of traceability points. Subsequently, the core innovation can be summarized as the Triangle Traceability Method. Thereinto, the Traceability points adopt regular triangle layout, but the traceability step size is adjusted according to the concentration of real-time detectors to the traditional hexagon traceability, which corrects and accelerates the traceability process. In addition, the construction and calculation of pollutant water source diffusion models with three working conditions and two pollutants are carried out to simulate the real water situation for traceability.

Transseptal sheath crossing sometimes can be challenging. We present the shoehorn technique to solve this situation. This maneuver consists of removing back a tetrapolar electrode previously placed in the left atrium through the transseptal puncture hole while we try to progress the sheath through it as well, expanding the hole and permitting the sheath to cross safely the transseptal puncture.

Chronic complications of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) are yet being investigated. We present a case of a patient with a bulla in the right lung as a SARS-CoV2 complication prompting segmentectomy. After surgery, and despite thromboprophylaxis, patient developed acute massive pulmonary embolism documented by point of care ultrasound. Our case highlights that in these patients, early diagnosis and treatment by percutaneous interventionism can alleviate volume and pressure overload and help in an overall improvement in right ventricular function.

The non-isothermal kinetics of non-elementary chemical reaction is usually expressed by a unique set of Arrhenius parameters although they should not be. This embarrassment results from the vague evaluation of the integral of Boltzmann factor, which has been always regarded as a ‘devil’. This paper shows a method to provide the true numerical value of the integral. According to this method and the mathematical limit concept, the consistency of instantaneous activation-energy-track is discovered. The activation-energy-track performs as the intrinsic gene code of chemical reactions and interprets the paradox described at the beginning. This discovery is expected to be applicable to a wide range of chemistry and relevant disciplines, and to promote unexplored mechanism understanding of physiochemical processes.

Coke quenching process has the characteristics of complex pollutant composition and serious environmental pollution. So, the SO2 must be desulfurized. In this paper, halloysite with natural nanotube structure is selected as carrier, transition metal manganese is supported. The activated halloysite is formed by chitosan gel microspheres, and the experimental on sulfur dioxide treatment is carried. The results show that co-processing of halloysite@chitosan desulfurizer significantly improves the efficiency of dry desulfurization and reduces by-products. The desulfurizer is loaded with manganese by hydrothermal metal, and its oxides are mainly MnO2, Mn2O3, MnO. When hydrothermal temperature is 180 ℃, metal loading ratio is 5%, reaction is 24 h, the desulfurization rate is 79.47%. Compared with unloaded, it is as high as 3.05 times. The halloysite modified by molten salt etching undergoes hydrothermal metal loading, showing excellent ability. The desulfurization rate was as high as 95.49%, and 87.98 mg of SO2 was removed cumulatively.

Background: A critical challenge in HCV therapy is managing patients who undergo solid organ transplantation. Elbasvir/grazoprevir, a combination of NS5A inhibitor and NS3/4A protease inhibitor, is considered a first-line treatment for chronic HCV infection. Elbasvir/grazoprevir is a newly approved treatment administered as a fixed-dose combination of NS5A inhibitor and NS3/4A protease inhibitor. It has been widely explored in patients with HCV GT 1 and 4 infections, and the combination is recommended for HCV treatment by the American Association of the study of liver disease. However, to date, clinical experience with grazoprevir/elbasvir in the post-transplant setting is limited. In this retrospective observational study, we aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of elbasvir and grazoprevir in a real-world, difficult to treat, post solid organ transplant setting. Material and Methods: The study involved evaluation of the patients with HCV infection post solid organ transplantation and administered elbasvir/grazoprevir with/without sofosbuvir in retrospective manner. Results: Forty-six patients were enrolled in the study. Of those, 27 (58.69%) were men; 17 (37%) had genotype 1 and 22 (47.8%) had genotype 4 HCV infections, and 30 (65.2%) were treatment experienced. The intention-to-treat analysis revealed that 45 (97%) achieved SVR12 and 44 (95%) achieved SVR24. No treatment-related adverse effects were identified. Conclusion: elbasvir/grazoprevir is safe and effective for treating patients with HCV infection post solid organ transplantation, which is on the most difficult to treat population, at reduced cost in comparison to other available direct acting antiviral.

Objective: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is administered for protection against tuberculosis and may also have beneficial effects against some viral respiratory tract infections. The low incidence and mortality of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in countries that have BCG vaccination program is impressive, and some studies have shared contradictory results. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between BCG vaccination which is confirmed by BCG scar, and the frequency and course of COVID-19. Methods: Among 490 patients who applied to the outpatient clinic for Pulmonary and Enfectious Diseases between March 2021 and June 2021, 400 patients who accepted to participate in the study were included. After the consent of patients; age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, smoking, history and the progress of COVID-19 of these patients were investigated; presence and number of BCG scar were recorded by physician. Data from groups with and without COVID-19 history were compared. Results: Of the 400 patients 228 (57%) were female. Mean age was 39.65 ± 13.53. 188 (47%) patients had a history of COVID-19. There was no relation between presence and number of the BCG scar and COVID-19 related hospitalization and intensive care unit admission. When groups with and without COVID-19 history compared, no statistically significant difference was found with the presence and number of BCG scars (p>0,05). Conclusion: No association was found between the presence or number of BCG scars and the frequency and course of COVID-19 in individuals with BCG vaccination history confirmed by the presence of BCG vaccine scars.

Atrial tachycardia from the left atrium is well recognized, the common origin was identified at mitral annulus, left atrial appendage (LAA) and pulmonary vein (PV). However, there is no report about AT in patient with anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. We report one case with focal AT originating from the ostium of anomalous drainage between left interior PV and LAA.

Background The objective of this study was to assess the impact of steerable sheath on the procedural outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation compared with fixed-curve sheath guided by remote magnetic navigation (RMN). Methods and results In this study, 110 patients scheduled for AF catheter ablation were enrolled and divided into two groups. 55 patients (paroxysmal, 70%) were performed with steerable sheath and another 55 patients (paroxysmal, 70%) were completed with fixed-curve sheath. Clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. Compared with fixed-curve sheath group, the procedure time (111.9±25.2 vs. 90.4±20.7 mins, P＜0.001) and radiofrequency (RF) time (35.9±9.0 vs. 30.5±7.4 mins, P＜0.001) were significantly shortened, additionally, the navigation index value was improved greatly (0.41 ± 0.06 vs. 0.48 ± 0.08, P＜0.001) in the steerable sheath group. By means of a big loop for targeting the right pulmonary vein (PV), the steerable sheath group significantly reduced the RF delivery time (15.0±3.0 vs. 12.0±2.1 mins, P＜0.001) during the right-side PV isolation (PVI). However, total fluoroscopy time was similar between the two groups (5.6±2.6 vs. 4.97±2.0 mins, P＞0.05). Acute PVI success rate were similar between the two groups. No major or minor complications occurred in all the patients. Conclusion Appropriate utilization of steerable sheath technology can improve the efficacy of AF ablation guided by RMN, majorly by reducing the procedure and RF delivery time of right-side PVI without compromising safety.

Objectives: Insurance status has been shown to impact survival outcomes. We sought to determine whether insurance affects the choice of treatment modality among patients with advanced (T4) oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). Design: Retrospective, population-based cohort study Setting: The Survival, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program database Participants: The population included all adult (age > 18) patients with advanced (T4a or T4b) OCSCC diagnosed from 2007 to 2016. Main outcome measures: The main outcome measure was the odds of receiving definitive treatment, defined as primary surgical resection. Insurance status was categorized into uninsured, any Medicaid, and insured groups. Univariable, multivariable, and subgroup analyses were performed. Results: The study population consisted of 2628 patients, of whom 1915 (72.9%) were insured, 561 (21.3%) had Medicaid, and 152 (5.8%) were uninsured. The multivariable model showed that patients who were 80 years or older, unmarried, with T4b disease, received treatment in the pre-Affordable Care Act (ACA) period, and who were on Medicaid or uninsured were significantly less likely to receive definitive treatment. Among patients with T4a disease, insured patients were significantly more likely to receive definitive treatment compared to those on Medicaid or uninsured (OR=0.69, 95% CI 0.54-0.88, p<0.0001 [Medicaid vs. Insured]; and OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.43-0.98, p=0.001 [Uninsured vs. Insured]), however these differences did not persist when considering only those patients treated following the 2014 expansion of the ACA. Conclusions: Insurance status is significantly associated with treatment modality among adults with advanced stage (T4a) OCSCC. These findings support the premise of expanding insurance coverage in the United States.

Background: The safety of preoperative chemoprophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prevention in patients undergoing head and neck oncologic surgery with free tissue transfer (HNS-FTT) remains undetermined. Methods: Retrospective chart review of HNS-FTT patients receiving versus not receiving intraoperative subcutaneous enoxaparin (Px-LMWH) was performed. Outcomes included estimated blood loss (EBL), hematoma, flap compromise, DVT or pulmonary embolus (PE). Fisher’s exact test and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test were performed between groups (p-value < 0.05). Results: 44 of 134 patients (33%) received Px-LMWH. There was no significant difference in EBL, hematoma, or flap complications between groups. Patients without Px-LMWH had higher rates of DVT and PE (p = 0.999, 0.09, respectively). Conclusion: Px-LMWH can be used in major head and neck reconstructive surgery without increased intraoperative blood loss or postoperative complications. Larger studies will need to be done to determine the impact of Px-LMWH on DVT and PE in this patient population.

Introduction - The second wave of COVID 19 lead to resurgence of opportunistic infections due to injudicious use of steroids. Sinonasal Mucormycosis was declared as an epidemic during the pandemic. The mucormycosis was managed effectively by surgical debridement along with systemic amphotericin B. Now, following the initial treatment of mucormycosis there is a resurgence, in the form of fungal osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. Methods – the prospective study included the cases from ten patients with fungal osteomyelitis of frontal bone due to mucormycosis, all the patients underwent surgical debridement of sequestrum and involucrum with systemic antifungals. Results - The average duration of the recurrence was 22 days following the initial treatment Range (10 days to 33 days). Extracranial bossing following outer frontal cortex erosion in 30% of cases, bicortical erosion in 30%, bifrontal involvement (20%), dural involvement (30%), brain parenchymal involvement and prefrontal cortex (20%) case. All cases underwent debridement of entire sequestrous bone and involucrum till normal bone was identified. The mean duration of admission was 4 weeks (3 to 6 weeks). All treated patients are currently alive without disease, confirmed by CECT. Conclusion - The successful treatment of fungal osteomyelitis due to mucormycosis requires four pronged approach (1) early detection (2) multidisciplinary management of comorbidities (3) surgical debridement of necrotic bone and (4) adequate systemic antifungal therapy. Long term outcomes of fungal osteomyelitis of frontal bone are yet to be established

Objectives: To investigate a method for predicting postoperative facial nerve palsy during parotid surgery using facial nerve monitoring. Design and setting: This was a prospective study of diagnostic tests performed from 2015 to 2018. Participants: We included adult patients who were underwent parotid surgery. Main outcome measure: We assessed prediction for postoperative facial nerve palsy by using intraoperative facial nerve monitoring, comparing between facial nerve trunk stimulation before and after tumor resection and between stimulation in the facial nerve trunk and each branch by using facial nerve monitoring. The amplitude response ratio (ARR) was calculated for the nerve trunk before/after surgery (ARR1) and for the trunk/periphery (ARR2). We compared these data in each group. In addition, we then examined the correlation between ARR and time to recovery of paralyzed branches. Results: A total of 113 patients were included. Among the 113 patients, 372 branches of 93 patients did not develop facial nerve palsy and were classified as group A. Among 20 patients who developed paralysis, 51 branches without paralysis were classified as group B, and 29 branches with paralysis were classified as group C. In patients with postoperative facial nerve palsy, the potential of the main stimulus was lower after removal than before removal. Similarly, the main trunk stimulation was lower than the peripheral stimulation after tumor extraction. When cut-off values for ARR1 and ARR2 were set to 0.63 and 0.55, respectively, the accuracy of postoperative facial nerve palsy diagnosis was 91.7% and 96.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Using FNM during parotid surgery enables easy prediction of postoperative facial nerve palsy.

In this work, a new extended shallow water wave equation in (3+1) dimensions is studied, which represents abundant physical meaning in nonlinear shallow water wave. We discuss the interaction between lump wave and single solitary wave, which is an inelastic collision. Further, the interaction between lump wave and two solitary waves, and the interaction between lump wave and periodic wave are also studied. Finally, the interaction among lump, periodic and one solitary waves is investigated. The dynamic properties of the obtained results are shown and analyzed by some three-dimensional images.