COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Non-respiratory manifestations of COVID-19 include venous and arterial thrombosis. The disease can affect kidneys and lead to renal vein thrombosis leading to symptoms such as flank pain, hematuria, or acute kidney damage.

Animals show among-individual variation in behaviours, including migration behaviours, which are often repeatable across time periods and contexts, commonly termed “personality”. These behaviours can be correlated, forming a behavioural syndrome. In this study, we assessed the repeatability and correlation of different behavioural traits i.e., boldness, exploration and sociality and the link to migration patterns in Atlantic cod juveniles. To do so, we collected repeated measurements within two short-term (three days) and two long-term (two months) intervals of these traits and genotypes of the Pan I locus, which is indirectly correlated to feeding migration patterns in this species. We found that mainly exploration behaviour was repeatable in the short- and long-term intervals, and a trend for the relationship between exploration and the Pan I locus. Boldness and sociality were only repeatable in the second short-term interval indicating a possible development of stability over time and did not show a relation with the Pan I locus. We found no indication of behavioural syndromes among the studied traits. Although we were unable to identify the existence of a migration syndrome for the migratory genotype (Pan IBB), this study is the first one to highlight the existence of a possible link between the personality trait exploration and the migration-linked Pan I locus. This supports the need for further research that should focus on the effect of exploration tendency and other personality traits on cod movement, including the migratory (frontal) ecotype, to develop management strategies based on behavioural units, rather than treating the population as a single homogeneous stock.

Benthic macrofauna is regularly used in monitoring programmes, however the vast majority of benthic eukaryotic biodiversity lies mostly in microscopic organisms, such as meiofauna (invertebrates < 1 mm) and protists, that rapidly responds to environmental change. These communities have traditionally been hard to sample and handle in the laboratory, but DNA sequencing has made such work less time consuming. Compared to DNA sequencing that captures both alive and dead organisms, environmental RNA (eRNA) can be used to better target alive communities. Here, we assessed the biodiversity of three known bioindicator microeukaryote groups (nematodes, foraminifera, and ciliates) in sediment samples collected at seven coastal sites along an organic carbon (OC) gradient. We aimed to investigate if eRNA shotgun sequencing can be used to simultaneously detect differences in 1) biodiversity of multiple microeukaryotic communities, and 2) functional feeding traits of nematodes. Results showed that biodiversity was lower for nematodes and foraminifera in high OC (6.2–6.9 %), when compared to low OC sediments (1.2–2.8 %). The beta diversity for all three groups were different along the OC gradient, as well as the classified feeding type of nematode genera (with more non-selective deposit feeders in high OC sediment). High relative abundant genera included nematode Sabatieria and foraminifera Elphidium in high OC, and Cryptocaryon-like ciliates in low OC sediments. Considering that future sequencing technologies are likely to decrease in cost, the use of eRNA shotgun sequencing to assess biodiversity of living benthic microeukaryotes could be a powerful tool in recurring monitoring programmes.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a fearsome infectious disease which cause some excessive complications along with it. the authors present a case of acute invasive rhino-orbital mucormycosis in a 62-year-old man with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, who had a history of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus along with ketoacidosis and nephropathy.

In a recent issue of Br J Clin Pharmacol Smith et al1 published an outstanding commentary titled ‘Dosing will be a key success factor in repurposing antivirals for Covid-19’. They highlighted that the success in our repurposing efforts will be dependent on ‘getting the dose right’ for drugs which have been developed for different indications and stressed some of the unique challenges of treating this particular disease. They pointed the reader to lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) as an example of a repurposed antiviral and the limited experience of this drug regimen (and other treatments) in the elderly population with comorbidities – ie those most at risk from Covid-19. It is on the issue of comorbidities, polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) that we wish to comment.

The brain is the most cholesterol rich organ in the body containing about 25% of the body’s free cholesterol. Cholesterol cannot pass the blood brain barrier and be imported or exported directly, instead it is synthesised in situ and metabolised to oxysterols, oxidised forms of cholesterol, which can pass the blood brain barrier. 24S-Hydroxycholesterol is the dominant oxysterol in brain after parturition but during development a myriad of other oxysterols are produced which persist as minor oxysterols after birth. During both development and in later life, oxysterols and other sterols interact with a variety of different receptors, including nuclear receptors e.g. liver X receptors; membrane bound G protein-coupled receptors e.g. smoothened; the endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins e.g. INSIG (insulin induced gene), or the cholesterol sensing protein SCAP (SREBP cleavage activating protein); and the ligand-gated ion channel N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors found in nerve cells. In this review we summaries the different oxysterols (neuro-oxysterol) and sterols (neuro-sterols) found in the central nervous system whose biological activity is transmitted via these different classes of protein receptors.

A document by Bernardo Sousa-Pinto. Click on the document to view its contents.

Methodological and technological improvements are continually revolutionizing the field of ancient DNA. Most ancient DNA extraction methods require the partial (or complete) destruction of finite museum specimens, which disproportionately impacts small or fragmentary subfossil remains, and future analyses. We present a minimally destructive ancient DNA extraction method optimized for small vertebrate remains. We applied these methods to detect lost mainland genetic diversity in the large New Zealand diplodactylid gecko genus Hoplodactylus, which is presently restricted to predator-free island sanctuaries. We present the first mitochondrial genomes for New Zealand diplodactylid geckos, recovered from 19 modern, six historic/archival (1898 to 2011) and 16 Holocene Hoplodactylus duvaucelii sensu latu specimens, and one modern Woodworthia sp. specimen. No obvious damage was observed in post-extraction micro-CT reconstructions. All ‘large gecko’ specimens examined from extinct populations were found to be conspecific with extant Hoplodactylus species, suggesting their large relative size evolved only once in the New Zealand diplodactylid radiation. Phylogenetic analyses of Hoplodactylus samples recovered two genetically (and morphologically) distinct North and South Island clades, probably corresponding to distinct species. Finer phylogeographic structuring within Hoplodactylus spp. highlighted the impacts of Late-Cenozoic biogeographic barriers, including the opening and closure of Pliocene marine straits, fluctuations in size and suitability of glacial refugia, and eustatic sea-level change. Recent mainland extinction obscured these signals from the modern tissue derived data. These results highlight the utility of minimally destructive DNA extraction in genomic analyses of less well studied small vertebrate taxa, and the conservation of natural history collections.

Rationale. Evidence-based practice (EBP) can improve health care in underprivileged countries. Bolivia’s EBP movement is nascent and the factors contributing to better implementation in nursing are unknown. Aim. To explore Bolivian nurses’ readiness to engage in EBP while highlighting the facilitators and barriers for pursuing EBP. Method. International collaborators used a sequential explanatory mixed methods study. First, general trends were disclosed via a survey of 170 nurses in La Paz, Bolivia, holding at least a baccalaureate regarding their perceived beliefs about EBP. The survey identified facilitators and barriers for implementing EBP in acute and ambulatory settings. Second, qualitative data was gathered via a focus group of nine nurses with the purpose of enhancing the survey findings. Results. The survey results showed that nurses believe that engaging in EBP can improve their clinical practice. However, the nurses’ research behaviors were found to be infrequent. Lack of support from the nurses’ clinics and hospitals and from non-nursing professionals were identified as barriers for engaging in EBP. The qualitative results revealed underlying limitations to nurses’ clinical practice, including “feeling undervalued.” Conclusions. There is a dearth of EBP knowledge among Bolivian nurses stemming from a lack of preparation in EBP environments, including EBP training opportunities. This situation affects nurses’ professional dimensions of relational work, power, and collaboration. Collaborative research among educators, professional nursing societies, and local and international organizations could provide initiatives for implementing EBP, based on local health profiles. Key words: international collaboration, evidence-based practice, nurse-multidisciplinary relationship, barriers to EBP.

The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2-beta (PYK2) are implicated in cancer progression and metastasis and represent promising biomarkers and targets for cancer therapy. FAK and PYK2 are recruited to Focal Adhesions (Fas) via interactions between their Focal Adhesion Targeting (FAT) domains and conserved segments (LD motifs) on the proteins Paxillin, Leupaxin and Hic-5. A promising new approach for the inhibition of FAK and PYK2 targets interactions of the FAK domains with proteins that promote localization at Focal Adhesions. Advances toward this goal include the development of surface plasmon resonance, HSQC-NMR and fluorescence polarization assays for the identification of fragments or compounds interfering with the FAK-Paxillin interaction. We have recently validated this strategy, showing that Paxillin mimicking polypeptides with 2-3 LD motifs displace FAK from FAs and block kinase-dependent and independent functions of FAK, including downstream integrin signalling and FA localization of the protein p130Cas. In the present work we study by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations the recognition of peptides with the Paxillin and Leupaxin LD motifs by the FAK-FAT and PYK2-FAT domains. Our simulations and free-energy analysis interpret experimental data on binding of Paxillin and Leupaxin LD motifs at FAK-FAT and PYK2-FAT binding sites, and assess the roles of consensus LD regions and flanking residues. Our results can assist in the design of effective inhibitory peptides of the FAK-FAT:Paxillin and PYK2-FAT:Leupaxin complexes and the construction of pharmacophore models for the discovery of potential small-molecule inhibitors of the FAK-FAT and PYK2-FAT focal adhesion based functions.

We present a case in which lung Ultrasound was relevant to reach an early diagnosis of lung tuberculosis and to manage the patient in the right setting. Moreover, ultrasound allowed to detect and treat massive pleural effusion through an ultrasound-guided thoracentesis.

To our knowledge this is the first published case of NP associated with COVID-19 in an individual with CF and the first associated with Nocardia infection. We suspect the combination of cystic fibrosis, COVID-19 pneumonitis and co-infection with Nocardia farcinia caused this young man’s NP and ultimately his untimely death. We hope this case will highlight individuals with CF of all ages are at risk of severe COVID-19 infection.

COVID-19 is of uncommon diagnosis in pediatric with their presentation in much of time of a nonspecific entity; here we experienced a case of two years old female with Malaria presented with fever, cough, rhinorrhea, hemoptysis and convulsion diagnosed as COVID-19, complicated with encephalitis, received treatment and improved over weeks.

This work focused on the chemical synthesis and characterization of palm kernel oil (PKO) for bio-lubricant production using transesterification of palm kernel methyl ester (PKME) with trimethylolpropane (TMP) and epoxidation-esterification methods. The PKO was extracted using solvent extraction method. The physicochemical characteristics of the PKO and produced bio-lubricant samples were determined using standard methods. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and Gas Chromatographic analyses, were respectively, used to determine the predominant functional groups and fatty acids of PKO and the produced bio-lubricant samples. At 55 °C, 150 min and 0.5 mm particle size, kernel oil yield was 49.82 % (by weight). The viscosities at 40 °C, 100 °C, viscosity index, pour and flash points of the bio-lubricants produced by transesterification of TMP (PKBLT) and epoxidation-esterification (PKBLE) methods, were [42.53 cSt, 10.65 cSt, 139, - 11 °C, 235 °C] and [44.69 cSt, 11.42 cSt, 132, - 12 °C, 240 °C], respectively. Time, mole ratio and temperature effects were the main factors that significantly influenced the transesterification and epoxidation processes. The obtained physicochemical properties of PKBLE and PKBLT samples showed conformity with ISO VG 32 standard, hence, their possible application as bio-lubricant basestock.

Seborrheic keratosis is a common benign epidermal tumor occurring in patients aged over 50 years. It is located preferentially in the trunk, head and neck. The genital location is rare. We report a case of 59 year-old-men presenting a seborrheic keratosis of the pubis.

Despite the great promises that artificial intelligence (AI) holds for health care, the uptake of such technologies into medical practice is slow. In this paper, we focus on the epistemological issues arising from the development and implementation of a class of AI for clinical practice, namely clinical decision support systems (CDSS). We will first provide an overview of the epistemic tasks of medical professionals, and then analyse which of these tasks can be supported by CDSS, while also explaining why some of them should remain the territory of human experts. Clinical decision-making involves a reasoning process in which clinicians combine different types of information into a coherent and adequate ‘picture of the patient’ that enables them to draw explainable and justifiable conclusions for which they bear epistemological responsibility. Therefore, we suggest that it is more appropriate to think of a CDSS as clinical reasoning support systems (CRSS). Developing CRSS that support clinicians’ reasoning process therefore requires that: 1) CRSSs are developed on the basis of relevant and well-processed data; and 2) the system facilitates an interaction with the clinician. Therefore, medical experts must collaborate closely with AI experts developing the CRSS. In addition, responsible use of an CRSS requires that the data generated by the CRSS is empirically justified through an empirical link with the individual patient. In practice, this means that the system indicates what factors contributed to arriving at an advice, allowing the user (clinician) to evaluate whether these factors are medically plausible and applicable to the patient. Finally, we defend that proper implementation of CRSS allows combining human and artificial intelligence into hybrid intelligence, were both perform clearly delineated and complementary empirical tasks. Whereas CDRSs can assist with statistical reasoning and finding patterns in complex data, it is the clinicians’ task to interpret, integrate and contextualise.

Background Normal values (>80%) of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) in patients with Cystic fibrosis (CF) may lead to the interpretation that there is no lung disease. This study is a comprehensive analysis of lung involvement in CF patients having normal FEV1. Methods Patients were recruited from two CF Centers: Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem and Vall d’ Hebron Hospital, Barcelona. Lung disease was assessed by lung clearance index (LCI), chest CT-Brody Score, respiratory cultures, number of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) and days of antibiotic treatment in the year prior to the assessment. Results Of the 247 patients, 89 (36%) had FEV1 ≥80% and were included in the study (mean age 17.6 range 4.25-49 years). Chronic P. aeruginosa infection was found in 21%, and 31% had at least one major PEx in the year prior to the study. Abnormally elevated LCI was found in 86% of patients, ranging between 7.52-18.97, and total Brody score (TBS) was abnormal in 92% (range 5.0-96.5). Patients with chronic P. aeruginosa had significantly higher LCI (p=0.01) and TBS (p=0.01) which were associated with more major PEx (p = 0.04 and p<0.001, respectively) and more days of intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment in the preceding year (p=0.03 and p=0.002, respectively). Conclusions Most CF patients with normal FEV1 have already physiological and structural lung abnormalities which were associated with more PEx and IV antibiotic treatment.

Alanine is a transfer standard dosimeter using in gamma-ray and electron beam calibration. One of the important factor affecting its dosimetric response is amount of humidity which can deviate the dosimetry expert from the exact value of absorbed doses. Ab initio molecular dynamics calculations were performed to determine the environmental effects on the EPR parameters of L-α-Alanine radicals in acidic and alkaline solutions. Similar to the closed-shell amino acid molecule alanine, the zwitterionic form of alanine radical is the stable form in the gas phase while the non-zwitterionic neutral alanine radical is not a stable structure. Geometric and EPR parameters of radicals in both gas and solution phases are found to be dependent on hydrogen bonding of water molecules with the polar groups and by dynamic solvation. Calculations on the optimized free radicals in the gas phase revealed that for neutral radical, hydrogen bonding to water molecules drives a decrease in the magnitudes of g-tensor components gxx and gyy without affecting neither gzz component nor the HFCCs. For the transfer from the gas to solution phase of the alanine radical anion is accompanied with an increase in the spin density on the carboxylic group’s oxygen atoms. However, for the neutral radical, this transfer from gas to solution phase is accompanied with the decrease in the spin density on oxygen atoms. Calculated isotropic HFCCs and g-tensor of all radicals were in good agreement with their experimental counterparts in both acidic and alkaline solutions, which enhances the confidence in our calculated results.