Considering an ecological Allee-like dynamics under linearly uncorrelated perturbations with random and nonrandom temporal arrangements we show that a complexity measure, rather than the standard autocorrelation function, is able to properly explain the fate of extinction and to what extent the threshold establishing the risk of extinction. Accordingly, these results allows comprehending \emph{how} randomness jeopardises the long-run proliferation of organisms.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a transboundary animal disease that has a major impact on livestock production, regional and international trade and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in endemic settings. Livestock movement is one of the most important ways of spreading infectious diseases including FMD. Many livestock diseases are transmitted through direct contact between animals, and thus between herds and flocks through animal movements. In this study, we described the pattern of livestock movements among smallholder farmers within a communal farming area in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 116 respondents, and 13 focus group discussions employing participatory mapping and semi-structured interviews were conducted among smallholder goat farmers. Data from the study reported 37 nodes and 78 ties with an overall network density of 0.059 (SD 0.235) for goats, and 42 nodes and 90 ties with an overall network density of 0.052 (SD 0.223) for cattle across the study area. The study identified several FMD high-risk locations to prioritise vaccination programmes and targeted disease surveillance. Four locations within the (former) FMD-free zone of the country were identified to have connections with movement of goats from the study area. Findings from this study further demonstrated that goats are moved without official movement permits to the FMD free zone of the country, with most farmers being ignorant of the need to obtain official veterinary movement permits. These animal movements put the country at risk of future FMD outbreaks within the free zone. We recommend that the relevant authorities implement risk-based control measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Background: Influenza is a common respiratory infectious disease that can be transmitted by respiratory droplets from person to person. There were few researches on influenza virus in exhaled breath. This study aimed to investigate the detection of influenza virus in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and conduct quantitative analysis to evaluate the existence and content of influenza virus in breath. Methods: We recruited 30 patients with respiratory tract infection in the 2019 influenza season. The clinical data and samples of nasal swabs were collected and rapid influenza diagnostic (antigen) tests (RIDTs) and EBC influenza virus nucleic acid detection were performed. Each sample was assessed thrice for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The patients were followed up after one month, and the EBC was assessed again. Results: The 30 cases were assessed for the presence of influenza virus nucleic acid in each EBC sample three times. The results showed that seven cases were positive for influenza A/ three times, seven cases were positive for influenza A twice, seven cases were positive for influenza A once, two cases were positive for influenza B once, and seven cases were negative for all three times. Furthermore, quantitative analysis showed that the influenza viral load in the EBC ranged from 103 to 107 copy/ml. Conclusion: The influenza virus can be detected using EBC and the concentration can be calculated. Thus, EBC can be used for molecular diagnosis of influenza.

Background Even though children seem to be less vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection, still a diverse range of clinical presentations and symptoms have been reported. We therefore aimed to have a comprehensive study on the evaluation of clinical and paraclinical characteristics of infected children. Methods We included all likely, suspected, and confirmed cases of COVID-19 referred to the Ali-ibn-Abitaleb Hospital of Zahedan. Patients were evaluated at admission time and during hospitalization. Clinical, imaging, and laboratory results were collected and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results Out of the 42 studied children, 32 cases (76% of patients) developed pneumonia. Fever (39 cases, 92.9% of patients), cough (26, 61.9%), tachypnea at admission (24, 57.1%), and pharyngeal erythema (22, 52.4%) were the most common clinical presentations seen in more than 50% of patients. Regarding the imaging findings, ground-glass opacity, seen in CT scan, was the most common (23, 54.8%). Chest X-ray also showed bilateral haziness in 19 patients (45.2%). The mean hospitalization duration was 7.55 nights, and patients on average had fever for 5.55 days. In laboratory findings, anomaly was more noticeable for CRP (79% of patients) and ESR (69% of patients). Conclusion Even though our population was small, most of the findings matched other studies conducted on pediatric cases in Iran or other countries. It was also found that some clinical features such as pneumonia, cough, diarrhea, and tachycardia at admission time were statistically different among age groups.

Background and Objective: Hearing loss, also termed as hearing impairment, is an ailment where hearing is impaired partially or fully. About 1 in 8 people suffer from hearing loss worldwide. The main aim of this current systematic review was to analyse the clinical effectiveness of CI surgery in paediatric and adult patients.

We reported a case of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection associated with a ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus for a 14-month-old female child without atrial septal defect.

Abstract Objective: the aim is to evaluate the incidence of postoperative throat pain, nausea and vomiting in patients that have been packed with either conventional gauze or pharyngeal tampons. Methods We included adult patients who were booked for a rhinology surgery that needed throat packs. They were allocated into two groups, pharyngeal tampons, and conventional ribbon gauze. They were then assessed using visual analog scales and PONV impact scale respectively in the 1st, 4th, and 24th –hour. Results VAS results show that tampons are better than gauze, with 25 out of 43 patients using tampons having low VAS scores after 24 hours whereas 23 out of 46 patients using gauze had low VAS scores after 24 hours. The data shows that tampons are equivalent to gauze in terms of PONV. Conclusion The study shows that the use of pharyngeal tampons is associated with decreased pain scores, however, it also shows that there no difference in postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Recently Frazier et al detected SARS-CoV-2 virus in autopsy samples from middle ear and mastoid of COVID-19 deceased. Our article presents an anatomical model for the possible route by which SARS-CoV-2 may pass into the middle ear cavity and hence to the mastoid cavity. The anatomic correlation explained in this article will not only help in explaining the pathological basis of the findings presented by Frazier et al but will also imply for the precautionary measures to be taken while dealing with COVID-19 patients with otolaryngeal problems.

Introduction: Fetal weight estimation remains a critical aspect of modern day obstetrics for monitoring the growth of fetus in-utero, specially in a high risk setting. The dilemma in clinical decision-making stems from the lack of accurate methods for fetal weight estimation, particularly in Low and Middle Income Countries. Objectives: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of newer method (Umbilical Cord Thickness) of fetal weight estimation with the conventional methods within limited resources. Design: Prospective cohort study Methods: A total of 190 consenting women in early/latent phase of labour were roped in for the study, and fetal weight was estimated for each, using three different available techniques, viz. clinical, conventional ultrasound and newer method, with the help of Johnson’s formula, Dare’s formula, Hadlock’s formula, and Cord circumference regression equation. Mean Percentage Error(MPE) was calculated for each method and a comparative analysis was done. Results: The analysis revealed MPE in decreasing order as: Dare> Johnson> Cord Circumference > Hadlock’s. The sensitivity of cord circumference method and Hadlock’s method was 91.2% and 91.7% respectively. However, both the sensitivity and specificity of Hadlock’s method increased drastically when combined with Umbilical Cord method. Conclusion: Thus, this study advocates the use of Umbilical Cord Circumference for estimation of fetal weight in conjunction with the conventional methods, specially in high risk areas, to reduce perinatal morbidities related to, or resulting from inaccurate fetal weight estimation. Keywords: cord circumference, Hadlock’s method, Fetal weight, Ultrasound

Objective To explore the reproductive concerns of women infected with human papillomavirus HPV Design Qualitative study with conventional content analysis approach Setting A large busy colposcopy clinic in Valiasr hospital (Tehran) Sample Twenty Iranian women tested positive for high-risk HPV types or both high-risk and low-risk HPV strains Methods In-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted transcribed verbatim and analysed using conventional content analysis approach with the aid of MAXQDA.10 software Main Outcome Measures HPV-positive women’s reproductive concerns Results Exploring participants’ concerns about fertility and childbearing, three main categories extracted from the interviews, namely: concerns about fertility potential, pregnancy concerns, and non-pregnancy reproductive concerns. Women were concerned about the impact of HPV on male/female fertility potential, fetal health, pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage and preterm delivery), and breastfeeding. Women with cervical abnormalities were anxious that becoming pregnant or taking hormonal contraception might worsen their condition. Most participants were reluctant to use a condom. Married women wanted to know why they were advised to use a condom when they already had HPV. Women also asked about the potential reproductive risks of the HPV vaccine. Conclusions HPV-positive women had some reproductive concerns that should be considered in the designing of educational-consulting interventions. Women need to be better understood and informed about the impact of HPV on their reproductive health. Health care providers may lack knowledge about these specific areas, and they could benefit from additional up-to-date information to address women’s reproductive concerns.

Background: Mast cells express multiple metabotropic purinergic receptor (P2YR) subtypes, however, only few studies have evaluated their role in human mast cells (HMC) allergic response as measured by degranulation resulting from FcεRI-activation. We have previously shown that extracellular nucleotides modify the FcεRI-activation-dependent degranulation in HMC derived from human lungs, but the mechanism of this action has not been fully delineated. The present study was undertaken to determine the mechanism of P2YR’s activation on HMC’s degranulation and elucidate the specific post-receptor mechanistic steps/pathways involved. Methods: Sensitized LAD2 cells, a human derived mast cell line, were subjected to a weak allergic stimulation (WAS) using a low concentration of antigen in the absence and presence of the P2Y11R agonist, ATPγS. Results: In the presence of ATPγS, WAS-induced degranulation was enhanced by 7-fold (N = 4, p < 0.01). None of the other P2YR agonists tested, including high concentrations of ATPγS (1000 μM), enhanced WAS-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, which is an important component of degranulation. Both a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor and the relevant gene knockout decreased the ATPγS-induced enhancement s of degranulation. ATPγS’ effect was associated with enhanced phosphorylation of PI3K type δ (PI3K(δ)) and protein kinase B (Akt), but not the phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1). The effects of ATPγS were dose dependently inhibited by NF157, a P2Y11R antagonist. Conclusion: We determined for the first time that at least one subtype of P2YR, i.e., P2Y11R is linked to enhancement of allergic degranulation in HMC independent of [Ca2+]i mobilization.

Microbial community analysis via marker gene amplicon sequencing has become a routine method in the field of soil research. In this perspective, we discuss technical challenges and limitations of amplicon sequencing studies in soil and present statistical and experimental approaches that can help addressing the spatio-temporal complexity of soil and the high diversity of organisms therein. We illustrate the impact of compositionality on the interpretation of relative abundance data and discuss effects of sample replication on the statistical power in soil community analysis. Additionally, we argue for the need of increased study reproducibility and data availability, as well as complementary techniques for generating deeper ecological insights into microbial roles and our understanding thereof in soil ecosystems. At this stage, we call upon researchers and specialized soil journals to consider the current state of data analysis, interpretation and availability to improve the rigor of future studies. 

Background and Purpose: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the leading cause of blindness in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Several studies reported increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from AMD patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the VEGF-A targeted peptide nucleic acid (PNA) drug, POL101 eyedrops, in retinal pigment epithelial cell and laser-induced CNV animal model. Experimental Approach: POL101 is a PNA based-Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drug which chemically improved properties for stability and delivery to tissue through nano-grade particle size. To evaluate the efficacy of POL101, we performed to in vitro assay in retinal pigment cell and Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning, and electroretinography (ERG) in CNV-induced lesion. Key Results: First, the efficacy of POL101 was verified in ARPE-19 and HUVEC cells. And then, we confirmed that POL101 eyedrops was significantly decreased CNV area to 54.2% compared with vehicle in laser-induced CNV lesion and reduced VEGF level in choroid tissue without cellular apoptosis. Also, Photocoagulation demonstrated that the average CNV lesion area was reduced and recovered retina function in POL101 group. The mRNA expression of VEGF in mouse retina, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), matrix metallopeptidases -2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9) were significantly reduced in POL101 eyedrops-treated group. Conclusion and Implications: In conclusion, POL101 eyedrops was effectively suppressed VEGF-mediated CNV than aflibercept and has the potential to be effective without side effects and could replace biologics.

A 12-year-old girl presented with chronic suppurative lung disease secondary to an old forgotten, foreign body (plastic whistle) in the right lower lobe bronchus, confirmed by Contrast enhanced computer tomography (CECT) chest. Rigid bronchoscopic removal was attempted twice but the foreign body could not be removed. Under general anesthesia, a flexible bronchoscope was inserted through the rigid bronchoscope and the foreign body was grasped and removed using rat-toothed forceps inserted through the suction channel of the flexible scope. Although there are a few reports of sequential use of flexible and rigid bronchoscopies, this report highlights the feasibility and utility of flexible through rigid bronchoscopy technique for foreign body removal in the distal airways.

Fibrinogen supplies the primary building block of the blood clot or thrombus after α-thrombin converts this fibrinogen to fibrin during the final phases of coagulation. When the homeostasis system is disrupted, blood clots that aggregate in the blood vessels can lead to thrombosis. Fibrin degrading enzyme from Bacillus subtilis K2 (Subtilisin K2) has many excellent characteristics with strong fibrinolytic activity. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the enzyme molecule appeared to share conserved domain, with peptidase s8 super family also known as the subtilase family with its motif: Asp subtilase (motif: VAVIDSGIDSsH), His subtilase (motif: HGTHVAGTIAA) and Ser subtilase (motif: GTSMATPHVAG). Study on molecular docking between this fibrin degrading enzymes and the specific substrates, fibrin and fibrinogen was aimed to predict the mechanism of action. This analysis, revealed no productive interaction between Subtilisin K2 and fibrinogen. However, hydrolysis reaction is indicated strongly between Subtilisin K2 and fibrin substrate. Amino acid Asp19, His51, and Ser208 in the Subtilisin K2’s active site interacted with Leu168, Ile171, and Leu172 of the fibrin substrate with ∆G of –19.4 kcal/mol that showed suitable substrate specificity. The fibrin degrading enzyme Subtilisin K2 tend to act more as fibrin degrading enzyme than as fibrinogen degrading enzyme.

To the Editor, Precision medicine is increasingly used as an approach to the management of allergy and anaphylaxis, thanks to progress in diagnostic tests and biomarkers now allowing thorough characterization of a patient’s endotype1. Probability-based risk assessment and diagnostic algorithms have entered the allergists’ toolbox2-4. Allergy tests must therefore offer reliable, robust, and proficient results in each patient. Focusing onin vitro diagnostics, these requirements have led to the development of quality assurance (QA) programs for allergy laboratory assays and their implementation in virtually all clinical laboratories performing allergy assays. However, full performance targets for allergy assays have not yet been established, leaving allergists and clinical scientists without a common body of recommendations for the three routine assays, namely total serum IgE (tIgE), allergen-specific serum IgE (sIgE), and serum total tryptase. As an example, not only do recommendations on the acceptable bias and uncertainty of measurement (UM) of allergy assays miss from available literature, but there is also a complete lack of published recommendations on tryptase QA criteria. The multicentric French network of public clinical laboratories had previously documented a single-analyte QA strategy and recommendation for sIgE5. Hence, we set out to define QA criteria for intra- and interassay variation, analytical accuracy, and UM for sIgE, tryptase, and tIgE. QA data from 24 French centers were collected, analyzed, and compared to available literature, prior to issuing recommendations for QA management programs in allergy testing.Data were collected from 2016-2018 intralaboratory (internal) QA controls (IQA) and interlaboratory proficiency testing programs (external quality assurance, EQA) completed by the participant centers6. A literature search for English and French recommendations for allergy assays was performed, including scientific publications, statements of scientific societies, QA management schemes from independent QA organisms, and manufacturer documents. According to the regulated (tIgE) or nonregulated (sIgE, tryptase) analyte status7, the current work applies to any tIgE system, but for sIgE and total tryptase it is limited to the ImmunoCAP assay system, which is in use in all participant centers, is currently perceived as the reference in vitro diagnostic method for allergy2, and offers the only EU-cleared tryptase determination method. Briefly, IQA programs were performed with control samples provided by the manufacturer and with internal serum pools, particularly for tryptase determination. EQA programs were from UK NEQAS (UK National External Quality Assessment Services), Thermo Fisher Scientific (Uppsala, Sweden), ProBioQual (Lyon, France), and CTCB (Toulouse, France). All participant laboratories had subscribed to at least one EQA for each assay. Data analysis was performed stepwise: (1) definition of three concentration levels (low, medium, and high) within the dynamic range of each analyte and assignment of measurement results from each center to the corresponding level; (2) computation and analysis of intra- and interassay coefficient of variability (CV), bias from analytical accuracy, and UM for each analyte, concentration level, and participant; (3) comparison of assay performance of participant centers with extant recommendations, outlier identification and establishment of recommendations. Performance evaluation criteria were defined as follows: CV = 100xSD/mean (SD, standard deviation), bias = 100x[(participant result) – (peer group target result)]/(peer group target result), UM = √ [u2(IQA) + u2 (IQA)], with u2(IQA) denoting the variance (square SD) of all IQA results of the same concentration level, and u2(EQA) denoting the variance of corresponding EQA results8.Comparison of participant centers’ results and available recommendations (Table 1 ) revealed that actual tIgE assays outperformed most intra- and interassay CV recommendations, but were in line with bias recommendations. Actual sIgE assay performance for intra-and interassay CV matched the available non-manufacturer recommendations from CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute)9, but inconsistently attained UK NEQAS standards (Table 1 ). Intra-and interassay CV for total tryptase determination could only be compared to manufacturer recommendations, which appeared too stringent for inter-assay CV. Similarly, actual accuracy bias for tryptase determination was less performant than the available UK NEQAS standards, designed for low concentration levels (Table 1 ). For the three analytes and each concentration level, UM was calculated but due to a complete lack of available recommendations it could not be evaluated outside the peer group. Moreover, due to the lack of adequate EQA for each tryptase level, the UM for low (< 8 µg/L) and medium (8-20 µg/L) could only be computed for a combined low and medium concentration level up to 20 µg/L (Table 1 ).Analysis of data from participant centers and comparison with international standards (when available) allowed the establishment of recommended targets for performance evaluation, defined as the 95th percentile of the participants’ results (Table 2 ). It is noteworthy that UM, a performance criterion that should be considered whenever clinical interpretation and decision rely on quantitative results, needs improvement, both in terms of availability of adequate EQA samples spanning the whole range of analyte concentrations, and of results from participating centers. The first step to take is wider availability of IQA and EQA samples of paired concentration levels. As UM computation is based on the absolute value of variance, UM of low concentrations of an analyte is unfavorably impacted by the use of medium or high EQA sample results. In order to achieve the goal of using adequate pairs of EQA samples for each analyte level, in the absence of commercially available EQA programs, interlaboratory exchanges are a simple, cost-effective solution.In conclusion, we report here the first experience-based performance results for the most usual in vitro allergy and anaphylaxis assays, their comparison with available recommendations, and the establishment of the first recommendations for total tryptase assays and for the uncertainty of measurement of the three considered analytes: total serum IgE, allergen-specific serum IgE, and total serum tryptase. Conceived as a working tool for allergists and clinical scientists, our report aims at incentivizing further improvement and better use ofin vitro allergy assays for precision medicine.Anne Sarrat1, Rémy Couderc2, Marie-Alexandra Alyanakian3, Pol-André Apoil4, Céline Beauvillain5, Lionel Chollet6, Pascale Chrétien7, Arnaud Cirée8, Benoît Cypriani9, Erwan Dumontet10, Bertrand Evrard11, Lorna Garnier12, Angélique Grenier13, Valérie Guérin14, Caroline Hémont15, Anthony Léon16, Delphine Mariotte17, Pascale Nicaise-Roland18, Martine Pernollet19, Stéphanie Rogeau20, Thierry Tabary21, Béatrice Uring-Lambert22, Mylène Vivinus23, Julien Goret1, Joana Vitte24.1 Laboratoire d’Immunologie et Immunogénétique CHU Bordeaux, Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France2 CHU Trousseau, Paris, France3 Laboratoire d’Immunologie, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Paris, France4 Institut Fédératif de Biologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France5 Laboratoire d’Immunologie, CHU Angers, France6 LBM CHI Toulon La Seyne sur Mer, Toulon, France7 Département d’Immunologie, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France8 Laboratoire d’Immunologie, CHRU Tours, Tours, France9 Laboratoire de biochimie CHRU Besançon, Besançon, France10 CHU Rennes, Pôle Biologie, Rennes, France11 Service d’Immunologie, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France12 Laboratoire d’Immunologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre-Bénite, France13 LBM Hôpital Robert Ballanger, CHI Aulnay, France14 Laboratoire d’Immunologie, Hôpital Robert Debré, AP-HP, Paris, France15 Laboratoire d’immunologie, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France16 LBM CH Emile Durkheim, Epinal, France17 Département d’Immunologie et Immunopathologie, CHU Caen, Caen, France18 Laboratoire d’immunologie, « Autoimmunité et Hypersensibilités », Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, AP-HP, Paris, France19 Institut de Biologie et de Pathologie, Laboratoire d’Immunologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France20 CHRU de Lille, Institut d’Immunologie-HLA, Lille, France21 Laboratoire d’immunologie, CHU Reims, Reims, France22 Département d’Immunobiologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France23 Laboratoire d’Immunologie, Hôpital de l’Archet, CHU Nice, France24 Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, University Hospitals of Marseille, MEPHI, Marseille, France

The geographical origin of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) remains debated. While a first hypothesis suggests the center of origin to be west Africa, where a sister endemic species C. mucosospermus thrives, a second hypothesis suggests north-eastern Africa where the white-fleshed Sudanese Kordophan melon is cultivated. In this study, we infer biogeographical and haplotype genealogy for C. lanatus, C. mucosospermus, C. amarus, and C. colocynthis using non-coding cpDNA sequences (trnT-trnL and ndhF-rpl32 regions) from a global collection of 135 accessions. In total, we identified 38 haplotypes in C. lanatus, C. mucosospermus, C. amarus, and C. colocynthis; of these, 21 were found in Africa and 17 appear endemic to the continent. The least diverse species was C. mucosospermus (5 haplotypes) and the most diverse was C. colocynthis (16 haplotypes). Some haplotypes of C. mucosospermus were nearly exclusive to West-Africa, and C. lanatus and C. mucosospermus shared haplotypes that were distinct from those of both C. amarus and C. colocynthis. The results support previous findings C. mucosospermus to be the closest relative to C. lanatus (including subsp. cordophanus). West Africa, as a center of endemism of C. mucosospermus, is an area of interest in the search of the origin of C. lanatus. This calls for further historical and phylogeographical investigations and wider collection of samples in West and North-East Africa.

Na+ and Cl– are the most abundant dissolved ions in seawater, constituting ~85% of total ions. They significantly affect the osmolality of body fluids of marine invertebrates. Seawater also contains minor ions such as Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, and SO42–, but their effects on marine organisms are unclear. This study analyzed the effects of Mg2+, Ca2+, and K+ (ambient minor cations) on survival, hemolymph ionic composition, and gene expression in the gills of three euryhaline crabs: Helice tridens, Macrophthalmus japonicus, and Chiromantes dehaani. Ambient minor cations were required for survival of H. tridens and M. japonicus under isosmotic conditions with seawater. The ambient minor cations also affected the osmolality and ionic composition of hemolymph by regulating expressions of specific genes in the gills required for Na+ uptake, such as Na+/K+ ATPase, cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrase, and Na+/H+ exchanger. Administration of carbonic anhydrase and Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitors increased the survival rate even if ambient minor cations did not exist. In contrast, under hypo-osmotic conditions, ambient minor cations had different effects on crabs; a lethal effect on M. japonicus, and an increase of the hemolymph K+ concentration in H. tridens and M. japonicus. It is thus concluded that the effects of ambient minor cations are osmolality–dependent. In contrast, in C. dehaani, the hemolymph ionic composition and survival rate were hardly affected by ambient minor cations, probably reflecting the habitat of this species. These results strongly indicated that C. dehaani is less susceptive to ambient minor cations compared to H. tridens and M. japonicus.

Serious environmental issues, especially soil erosion and land degradation, caused by productive and constructive engineering in China have not gained due attention as those issues caused by natural factors, such as rainfall, wind or Freeze-thaw. Four field investigations together with a statistical study have been carried out in China to analyze environmental problems caused by clean energy projects, i.e. photovoltaic power and wind power projects, that are considered to have huge potential to replace traditional energy. The investigations show that these projects brought problems of land degradation, threatening safety and ecological degradation. Statistical analysis indicates that the number of productive and constructive engineering causing soil erosion was increasing year by year and reached 42.67 × 104 km2 from 2003 to 2018, the corresponding scope of soil erosion prevention and control responsibility was 23.22 × 104 km2. Finally, seven policy suggestions to deal with these environmental issues are proposed, which can provide reference and guidance for the future clean energy projects and other construction projects in China or other countries. We hope that a thorough understanding of the unsustainable development that leads to the deterioration of the environment in current cases will enhance the awareness of environmental protection and contribute to the implementation of policies that will promote sustainable development.

Resumen:La pandemia por coronavirus COVID-19 ha representado una enorme crisis de salud global. La industria farmacéutica actualmente está desarrollando nuevos tratamientos dirigidos al COVID-19 y en ausencia de algún fármaco aprobado por la FDA dirigido al tratamiento específico de COVID-19 la comunidad médica está probando una variedad de terapias que poseen efectos antivirales e inmunomoduladores para prevenir y tratar esta enfermedad. Algunas de las drogas implementadas en el tratamiento de pacientes con enfermedad por Coronavirus han sido recientemente desarrolladas y aún se encuentran en proceso investigación, y algunas otras son drogas ampliamente utilizadas en infecciones por SARS-COV y MERS-COV cuyos mecanismos de acción pueden resultar beneficiosos en el tratamiento de COVID-19, estos datos han sido descritos en estudios observacionales y están siendo utilizados anecdóticamente en base a evidencia in vitro o extrapolada. Es importante reconocer que no hay datos controlados que respalden el uso de ninguno de estos agentes y su eficacia para el COVID-19 es desconocida por lo que se están llevando a cabo una serie de estudios de investigación para el desarrollo de fármacos dirigidos al tratamiento antiviral del COVID-19. Por esta razón la práctica médica exige la búsqueda sistemática de información actualizada para dar respuestas a las interrogantes que surgen en el ejercicio de la actividad profesional durante el tratamiento de pacientes con infección por CODIV-19, para lo cual la medicina basada en la evidencia tiene una amplia aplicación en la toma de decisiones terapéuticas implementadas en el tratamiento de la enfermedad por COVID-19.Palabras clave: Coronavirus, Infecciones por coronavirus, Enfermedad por Coronavirus 2019-nCoV, Terapeutica

In the present study, the vibrational frequencies for pyridine, quinoline, 1,8-naphthyridine and 1,10-phenathroline and their corresponding fully fluorinated derivatives were investigated through quantum chemical calculations. In parallel, the electronic structure and the topology of these molecules were analysed in details by means of the Natural Bond Orbital analysis (NBO) and the Bader Atom-In-Molecules (AIM) theory. Among their vibrational normal modes, 7 ring related normal modes (RNMs), defined for pyridine, were found traceable in the heterocyclic pyridinic derivatives and their fluorinated compounds, evidenced by the percentage contribution of the internal coordinates. The shift of the vibrational frequencies from those of pyridine and the disappearance of some RNMs in the derivatives were rationalised from the perspectives of frontier Molecular Orbitals (MOs), maps of Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP), NBO and Electron Localization Function (ELF). These RNMs previously identified for pyridine were found out to serve not only as distinctive labels in the characterization of the vibrations of the heterocyclic derivatives of pyridine and corresponding fluorine substitutes, but also useful references to study the potential intermolecular interactions with these compounds involved.

A systematic benchmark of phosphorus and fluorine NMR chemical shifts predictions at six different density functional theory (DFT) / the gauge-including atomic orbital (GIAO) methods was conducted. Two databases were compiled: one consists of 35 phosphorus-containing molecules, which cover the most common intra-molecular bonding environments of trivalent and pentavalent phosphorus atoms; the other is composed of 46 fluorine-containing molecules. The characteristics of each DFT/GIAO method with different solvent models were demonstrated in details. The application of linear regression between the calculated isotropic shielding constants and experimental chemical shifts was applicable to improve the prediction accuracy. And, the best methods with the SMD and CPCM implicit solvent models for 31P chemical shifts predictions, are able to yield a root-mean-square deviation (RMSDs) of 5.58 ppm and 5.42 ppm, respectively; for 19F, the corresponding lowest prediction errors with these two applied solvent models are 4.43 ppm and 4.12 ppm. The developed scaling factors fitted from linear regression are applicable to enhance the chance of successful structural elucidations of phosphorus or fluorine-containing compounds, as an efficient complement to 13C, 1H, 11B and 15N chemical shifts predictions.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) remains a terminal disease without an established etiology for the majority of patients. The dominant theory of ALS before 1970’s was the presence of a poison. One of the primary means of treating patients with a toxic exposure has been plasma exchange, but plasma exchange of ALS patients failed to alter the clinical course. The failure of plasma exchange assumes the patient is no longer exposed to the poison. If the exposure to poisons continued, then plasma exchange alone would fail. I found laboratory evidence of a poisoning in every patient with ALS examined. A search for specific poisons found evidence of mycotoxins. Treatment with antifungal agents corrected the laboratory findings. All of the ALS patients had evidence of immune suppression. There is mounting evidence that many mycotoxins cause both neurotoxicity and immune suppression. These mycotoxins may be able to explain the full spectrum of pathology in ALS without a secondary event.

Objective This study aimed to assess the development and current state of management and outcome for neuroblastoma (NB) in Shanghai China. Methods The clinical characteristics and survival rates of a large cohort of 717 NB cases in the recent 10 years from two children’s medical institutions in Shanghai China were retrospectively analyzed. Results The 8y-EFS and OS of the whole cohort in the 10 years were 67.6±2.2% and 81.2±2.1%. Our risk stratification system was updated twice during the 10 years, forming three periods. The percentage of very low risk (VLR) cohort who accepting only surgery without chemotherapy was increased in 2016-2018 period than the 2010-2015 period and 2008-2009 period. While the 3y-EFS of the three periods were similar (P=0.961). The outcome in VLR and low risk (LR) patients were excellent with 8y-EFS around 92% (VLR=93.0±2.8%, LR= 92.1±1.8%). The outcome in high risk (HR) patients was significantly poorer with 8y-EFS only as 16.6±4.1% even than intermediate risk (IR) patients with 8y-EFS as 69.6±4.4% (P<0.001). Conclusions The revision of our risk stratification system was effective, making an increasing percentage of patients without chemotherapy while with similar EFS rates. The VLR and LR cohort had excellent outcomes, however the HR cohort with most of the mortality remains one of the greatest challenges. Enriching the transplant resources, importing melphalan to make ASCT more available and effective, and importing advanced novel therapies like anti-GD2 antibody and 131I-mIBG are our objectives to improve the survival of the HR patients.