The collembolan Folsomia candida Willem, 1902, is an important representative soil arthropod that is widely distributed throughout the world and has been frequently used as a test organism in soil ecology and ecotoxicology studies. However, it is questioned as an ideal “standard” because of differences in reproductive modes and cryptic genetic diversity between strains from various geographical origins. In this study, we present two high-quality chromosome-level genomes of F. candida, for the parthenogenetic Danish strain (FCDK, 219.08 Mb, N50 of 38.47 Mb, 25,139 protein-coding genes) and the sexual Shanghai strain (FCSH, 153.09 Mb, N50 of 25.75 Mb, 21,609 protein-coding genes). The seven chromosomes of FCDK are each 25–54% larger than the corresponding chromosomes of FCSH, showing obvious repetitive element expansions and large-scale inversions and translocations but no whole-genome duplication. The strain-specific genes, expanded gene families and genes in nonsyntenic chromosomal regions identified in FCDK are highly related to its broader environmental adaptation. In addition, the overall sequence identity of the two mitogenomes is only 78.2%, and FCDK has fewer strain-specific microRNAs than FCSH. In conclusion, FCDK and FCSH have accumulated independent genetic changes and evolved into distinct species since diverging 10 Mya. Our work shows that F. candida represents a good model of rapidly cryptic speciation. Moreover, it provides important genomic resources for studying the mechanisms of species differentiation, soil arthropod adaptation to soil ecosystems, and Wolbachia-induced parthenogenesis as well as the evolution of Collembola, a pivotal phylogenetic clade between Crustacea and Insecta.

Soil water repellency (SWR) increases surface runoff and preferential flows. Thus, quantitative evaluation of SWR distribution is necessary to understand water movements. Because the variability of SWR distribution makes it difficult to measure directly, we developed a method for estimating an SWR distribution index, defined as the areal fraction of surface soil showing SWR (SWRarea). The theoretical basis of the method is as follows: (1) SWRarea is equivalent to the probability that a position on the soil surface is drier than the critical water content (CWC); SWR is present (droplets absorbed in >10 s) when the soil surface is drier than the CWC and absent when it is wetter. (2) CWC and soil moisture content (θ) are normally distributed independent variables. (3) Thus, based on probability theory, the cumulative normal distribution of θ – CWC (f(x)) can be obtained from the distributions of CWC and θ, and f(0), the cumulative probability that θ – CWC < 0, gives the SWRarea. To investigate whether the method gives reasonable results, we repeatedly measured θ at 0–5 cm depth and determined the water repellency of the soil surface at multiple points in fixed plots with different soils and topography in a humid-temperate forest. We then calculated the CWC from the observed θ–SWR relationship at each point. We tested the normality of the CWC and θ distributions and the correlation between CWC and θ. Then, we determined f(x) from the CWC and θ distributions and estimated the SWRarea on each measurement day. Although CWC and θ were both normally distributed, in many cases they were correlated. Nevertheless, the CWC–θ dependency had little effect on the estimation error, and f(x) explained 69% of the SWRarea variability. Our findings show that a stochastic approach is useful for estimating SWRarea.

Although the spleen is frequently enlarged in association with systemic infection, splenic abscesses are rare. They result from direct or haematogenous spread, or when a haematoma becomes infected. We present a case of the rare splenic abscess in a low resource setting.

Mechanisms of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS and ways to prevent these outcomes by knowing more about these mechanismsSedigheh Hantoushzadeh (1), Maasoumeh Saleh* (2), Sepehr Aghajanian (3), Mahboubeh Saleh (4)1-Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of medical sciences, Valiasr Hospital, Tehran, Iran.2-Fellowship of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati hospital, Tehran, Iran.3-Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.4-MD, Department of Urogynecology, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fars, Iran.Corresponding author*: Maasoumeh Saleh, E-Mail: salehmaasoumeh@yahoo.comDear editor,We have read the study by Valgeirsdottir et al. (1), and wanted to congratulate the authors for this prosperous article on risk of stillbirth in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women and make some minor contributions.PCOS is a complex disorder with unclear exact etiology. It involves cardiovascular (CV), metabolic, endocrine, and reproductive system. Several studies have reported an increase in adverse maternal and fetal outcomes for women with PCOS, independent of the use of reproductive technology or body mass index (BMI). PCOS is strongly associated with preeclampsia (PE), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), very preterm birth (PTB), large for gestational age fetuses (LGA), and asphyxia during labor (2). In the study by Valgeirsdottir et al. (1), PCOS had a 50% increased risk of stillbirth compared to women without PCOS, especially at term. In this study, the mechanisms of stillbirth are well explained, which include the following: 1-Hyperandrogenism and associated insulin resistance 2-Obesity 3-Hypertensive disorders 4-Placental diseases, fetal anomalies and umbilical cord abnormalities 5-Fetal growth restriction (FGR) 6-Gestational diabetes 7-Chronic inflammation, oxidative state and mitochondrial dysfunction.Serum concentration of homocysteine (Hcy) decreases during pregnancy due to physiologic fall in albumin, as well as folic acid supplementation (3). High serum Hcy level in PCOS women is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease and thromboembolic disorders (4) and it is associated with insulin resistance (5) and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including PE, PTB, and low birth weight (LBW) (6). Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels indicate a low-grade inflammation in PCOS, it is the most sensitive predictor of CV morbidity (7) and also it is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (8). These two important mechanisms, including high Hcy serum level and inflammation can play a role in the adverse pregnancy consequences. So, the measurement of serum Hcy level and CRP may be helpful in PCOS patient’s risk stratification for pregnancy complications.Another important issue is to suggest ways to prevent these adverse pregnancy consequences in PCOS patients. Possible options are: 1-Lifestyle modification 2-pharmacological options: metformin, statins, aspirin and high dose folic acid. The possible mechanisms by which aspirin prevents adverse pregnancy outcomes are: 1-improvement in the placentation 2-inhibition of platelet aggregation and its antithrombotic effect 3-antiinflammatory effects and endothelial stabilization (9). Metformin has beneficial effects on endothelial function and improve insulin resistance (10). Statins reverses the pregnancy-specific angiogenic imbalance and improve endothelial function (11). High dosage of folic acid reduces Hcy concentration (12), and through this mechanism may be effective in reducing pregnancy complications. Various studies have been performed with these goals. But in the future, more extensive studies on methods of preventing adverse pregnancy consequences by focusing on their mechanisms are recommended in PCOS women.

Candida osteomyelitis is a rare disorder. Its incidence has drastically risen during the last 3 decades. Diagnosis is delayed due to nonspecific symptoms. Thus its management is not done early which leads to increased morbidity. Here we report an immunocompetent case of candida osteomyelitis that presented with prolonged FUO.

Background The interconception period is considered a time when parents are likely to engage with health messages and are in frequent contact with healthcare professionals. Objectives Through this literature review and policy analysis, we synthesised articles and guidelines on interconception care to provide recommendations to improve health outcomes for parents, infants and future generations. Search Strategy Four databases were searched systematically, using MeSH and free-text terms based on ‘interconception’ and ‘postpartum’. Selection Criteria Selected articles included reviews, pilot studies and guidelines on interconception and postpartum interventions published in English by UK public health organisations and government agencies between 1st January 2010-12th January 2021. Data Collection and Analysis 30% of titles, abstracts and full-text papers were double-screened. The description table of identified guidelines were qualitatively analysed to generate categories, later developed into a framework of six domains. Findings are described using a narrative synthesis approach. Main Results We found 47 documents with guidelines, 29 reviews and six pilot studies on interconception and postpartum care. Interconception care opportunities include the postpartum period, family planning, routine practice, and risk assessments. Health and non-healthcare professionals have a role to play in the interconception period including GPs, health visitors, dieticians, nutritionists, health psychologists, community groups, local authorities and charities such as Tommy’s and First Step Nutrition. Conclusions The interconception and postpartum periods offer crucial opportunities to intervene to reduce possible long-term effects of suboptimal nutrition. Though the policy analysis for this review focused on the UK, the recommendations can have wider implications for other countries.

A document by Yuzhen Chen. Click on the document to view its contents.

In this case report, we present a 46-year-old lady who has developed a rapidly progressive heart failure after an episode of COVID-19. The pathologic examination of her endomyocardial biopsy specimens was compatible with GCM and she was successfully treated with a combined immunosuppressive therapy regimen.

Distinguishing between late-onset TINU syndrome and drug-induced AIN remains difficult given that patients with TINU syndrome may develop uveitis long after the onset of AIN. Therefore, ophthalmic examination is required not only upon diagnosis but also continuously or when eye symptoms, and relapse of urinary findings are observed.

A membrane adsorber with hierarchically porous HKUST-1 (HP-HKUST-1) immobilized in membrane pores has been fabricated by flowing synthesis. The XRD characteristics indicated that the structure integrity of the HP-HKUST-1 immobilized in the membrane pores can be kept after template agent removed. Other characteristics presented by XPS, FTIR, SEM, TEM and BET proved the effective immobilization of HP-HKUST-1 in membrane pores. Compared with hydrothermal HKUST-1 powder, the adsorption capacity for Congo red and Methylene blue adsorption can be increased several times by hydrothermal HP-HKUST-1 powder, owing to the mesopores with rich active sites for adsorption. When the solution was flowed through the membrane adsorber, the adsorption rate for these adsorbates increased significantly, owing to the enhanced mass transfer in the confined space of the membrane pores with micro or nano scale. After going through seven adsorption-desorption experiments, the membrane adsorber with HP-HKUST-1 immobilized in membrane pores shows a remarkable repeatability.

Isomerization of glucose to fructose was studied over activated hydrotalcite as a catalyst in a continuous-flow tubular reactor. The synthetic hydrotalcite (HT), calcined hydrotalcite (HT-C) and activated hydrotalcite (calcined-rehydrated hydrotalcite (HT-C-R)) were characterized by TGA, XRD, BET surface area, and FT-IR analyses. The effects of operating conditions, including reaction temperature and retention time (in terms of both catalyst loading and feeding flow rate) on the isomerization reaction, were investigated. Glucose conversion and fructose selectivity were found to be more strongly dependent on retention time than reaction temperature. The fructose yield was mostly dependent on the feeding flow rate, and its maximum value of 18% corresponded to the lowest flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. The regenerated hydrotalcite catalyst showed that the catalyst activity could be restored through the calcination-rehydration process, and it showed good potential for recycling and reusability.

An advanced comprehensive and transient multiphase model for a trickle bed reactor with solid foam packings was developed. A new simulation model for isothermal three-phase (gas–liquid–solid) catalytic tubular reactor models was presented where axial, radial and catalyst layer effects were included. The gas, liquid and solid phase mass balances included most of the individual terms for solid foam packing (e.g. kinetics, liquid-solid and intraparticle mass transfer effects). Hydrogenation of arabinose and galactose mixture on a ruthenium catalyst supported by carbon-coated aluminum foams was applied as a fundamentally and industrially relevant case study. Parameter estimations allowed to obtain reliable and significant parameters. To test the model performance, a sensitivity analysis was performed and the effect of the kinetic parameters and the operation conditions on the arabinose and galactose conversions was studied in detail. The model described here is applicable for other three-phase continuous catalytic reactors with solid foam packings.

Regularly spaced MWW nanosheets combined with single-unit-cell thickness and optimized Al species distribution are highly effective for the alkylation between benzene with 1-dodecene, high conversion of 1-dodecene (ca. 85 %) and selectivity of 2-LAB (ca. 80 %) can be obtained. Detailed studies of this MWW nanaosheets system reveal that ultra-thin MWW nanosheets with ordered arrangement can expose more accessible Brønsted acid sites (ca. ~89 %), and specially place framework Al species on the T2 sites (ca. ~13 %), in which the alkylation mainly occurred under the catalysis of accessible Brønsted acid sites. Besides, the desired 2-LAB is produced on the unique 12-MR hemicavities with solid binding energy and perfect steric configuration. As a proof-of-concept study, we integrate the highly exposed Brønsted acid sites and unrivalled shape-selectivity in the regularly spaced MWW nanosheets system with well characterized acid sites accessibility and pore adaptability, leading to the excellent catalytic performance.

A 60-years-old patient with sustained chest pain was referred to hypertension.The tertiary Troponin-I concentrations,namely the biomarker of myocardial injury,were 0.19ng per milliliter,1.288ng per milliliterand 16.698ng per milliliter,respectively.Electrocardiogram showed ST-segment and T wave dynamic changes.Type 2 MI was confirmed.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a highly aggressive tumor and mostly develops in children and young adults. PNETs of peripheral nerves are uncommon. Ulnar nerve, in particular, is an extremely peculiar origin for PNET and to the best of our knowledge only few well-documented cases have been yet reported.

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is one of the commonest neurological deficits. There is a well-known association between COVID-19 and stroke. We present a case series of Sudanese patients who developed CVA after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine suggesting a relationship between the vaccine and CVA.

Many species can dynamically alter their skin textures to enhance their motility and survivability. Despite the enormous efforts on designing bio-inspired materials with tunable surface textures, developing spatiotemporally programmable and reconfigurable textural morphing without complex control remains challenging. Here we propose a design strategy to achieve metasurfaces with such properties. The metasurfaces comprise an array of unit cells with broadly tailored temporal responses. By arranging the unit cells differently, the metasurfaces can exhibit various spatiotemporal responses, which can be easily reconfigured by disassembling and rearranging the unit cells. Specifically, we adopt viscoelastic shells as the unit cells, which can be pneumatically actuated to a concave state, and recover the initial convex state some time after the load is removed. We computationally and experimentally show that the recovery time can be widely tuned by the geometry and material viscoelasticity of the shells. By assembling such shells with different recovery time, we build metasurfaces with pre-programmed spatiotemporal textural morphing under simple pneumatic actuation, and demonstrate temporal evolution of patterns, such as digit numbers and emoji, and spatiotemporal control of friction. This work opens up new avenues in designing spatiotemporal morphing metasurfaces that could be employed for programming mechanical, optical and electrical properties. Corresponding author: Lihua Jin, Email:   lihuajin@seas.ucla.edu  

The etiology of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) has been frequently attributed to certain drugs. Anticonvulsive drugs are reported rarely in drug-induced HSP.We report a 5-year-old girl with a seizure treated with sodium valproate. we report a case of HSP due to the consumption of sodium valproate..

COVID-19 infections have been widespread in Bangladesh subsequently. We present the example of a 32-year-old Bangladeshi physician who worked in a hospital and was previously involved in collecting swabs for Covid19 patients, During the pandemic, he also traveled to a red-listed country and was continuously negative throughout the period.

We report the first case series of 14 children with intracranial germ cell tumour (iGCT) and concomitant central diabetes insipidus (DI), who developed hyponatremia secondary to renal salt wasting syndrome (RSWS) following the administration of carboplatin. Clinicians prescribing platinum-based chemotherapy for this group of patients should be alert to the risk of RSWS. Regular monitoring should be performed as hyponatraemia can be asymptomatic until it is severe.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate depression, burnout, attitude, and burden of caregivers of children with cystic fibrosis (CF), and especially caregivers of children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) due to limited number of studies on this topic, and to compare them according to their children’s clinical status. Methods: Clinical features and demographic data of children and their families were asked to caregivers in four pediatric pulmonology centers. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCBS), and Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI) were administered to caregivers in both groups. Results were compared between the two groups. Results: In total, 131 children with CF and 39 with PCD and their caregivers were involved in study. All primary caregivers were mothers in both groups. Depression, burnout, and burden scores of mothers of children with CF were significantly higher than mothers of children with PCD (p=0.017, p=0.024, p=0.038, respectively). Burnout was higher in both CF and PCD groups with low family income (p=0.022, p=0.034). Number of hospital visits in the previous six months was correlated with burnout in both CF and PCD groups (r=0.207, p=0.034; r=0.352, p=0.044). Conclusions: Although mothers of children with CF have higher depression, burnout, burden, and negative attitudes towards children than mothers of children with PCD, it is disregarded in mothers of children with PCD. Psychological problems of mothers of children with CF and PCD may increase with frequent hospital visits, hospitalizations, low family income, number of children, and chronic disease in another child.

Background and Purpose: In the context of inflammation and immunity, there are fragmented and observational studies relating to the pharmacological activity of Mangifera indica L. and its main active component mangiferin. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of this plant extract (MIE, 90% in mangiferin) in a mouse model of gouty arthritis, dissecting the cellular immune phenotypes and the biochemical mechanism/s beyond its activity. Experimental Approach: Gouty arthritis was induced by the intra-articular administration of MSU crystals (200 μg 20 μl-1). MIE (0.1-10 mg kg-1) or corresponding vehicle (DMSO/saline 1:3) were orally administrated concomitantly to MSU (time 0), 6 and 12 h after the stimulus. Thereafter, knee joint score and oedema were evaluated in addition to western blot analysis for several components of mPGES-1/PPARγ pathway. Moreover, the analysis of pro/anti-inflammatory cyto-chemokines coupled to the assessment of the cellular infiltrate’s phenotype was investigated. Key Results: Treatment with MIE revealed a dose-dependent reduction in joint inflammatory scores with maximal inhibition observed at 10 mg kg-1. MIE significantly reduced leukocyte infiltration and activation and the expression of different pro-inflammatory cyto-chemokines in inflamed tissues. Furthermore, biochemical analysis revealed that MIE modulated COX-2/mPGES-1 and mPGDS-1/PPARγ pathways. Flow cytometry analysis also highlighted a prominent modulation of infiltrating inflammatory monocytes (CD11b+ve/CD115+ve/LY6Chi), and (both infiltrated and circulating) Treg cells (CD4+ve/CD25+ve/FOXP3+ve) after MIE treatment. Conclusion and Implications: Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate a novel function of MIE to positively affect the local and systemic inflammatory/immunological perturbance in the onset and progression of gouty arthritis.

Background: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in combination with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an option in advanced peritoneal sarcomatosis. Nevertheless, CRS and HIPEC are not successful in all patients. An enhancement of HIPEC using photodynamic therapy might be beneficial. Therefore, a combination of the photosensitizer Hypericin (HYP) with HIPEC was evaluated in an animal model. Procedure: An established HIPEC animal model for rhabdomyosarcoma (NOD/LtSz-scid IL2Rγnullmice, n=80) was used. All groups received HYP (100 µg/200 µl) intraperitoneally with and without cisplatin-based (30 or 60 mg/m2) HIPEC (37 or 42 °C, for 60 min) (five groups, each n=16). Tumor dissemination was documented visually and by using HYP-based fluorescence guidance. HYP-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) of the tumor was performed. Finally, tissue samples were evaluated regarding proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (TUNEL). Results: HYP uptake even in smallest tumor nodes (< 1 mm) was found. HYP-based fluorescence guidance allowed a better tumor detection in comparison to visual inspection. Immunohistochemistry revealed HYP penetration across the tumor surface. HYP-based PDT without HIPEC induced marginal apoptotic effects at the tumor surface. Combining HYP with HIPEC revealed cisplatin concentration dependent decrease in proliferation capacity and induction of apoptosis across determined cell layers of the tumor surfaces. Conclusion: HYP as fluorescent photosensitizer offers an intraoperative diagnostic advantage detecting intraperitoneal tumor dissemination. The combination of HYP and cisplatin-based HIPEC was feasible in vivo showing enhanced effects on tumor proliferation and apoptosis induction across the tumor surface. Further studies combining HYP and HIPEC will follow to establish a clinical application.

We reported a case of oral overdose of Zanthoxylum bungeanum oil poisoning. This case indicates overdose of Zanthoxylum bungeanum oil can lead to human body poisoning and even death. At present, the poisoning mechanism and effective treatment are not clear.