Spin Density Distribution in a Nitroxide Biradical Containing 13C-Enriched Acetylene Groups in the Bridge: DFT Calculations and EPR Investigation

Abstract A specially synthesized nitroxide biradical R6-13C:C-p-C6H4–C:13CR6,B3, where R6 = 1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine nitroxide, has been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR). Spin density distribution and hyperfine splitting (hfs) constant on 13C atoms calculations for biradical B3 were carried out using B3LYP and PBE0 functionals and several different basis sets including N07 family and were compared with the experimental value of the hfs constant on 13C atoms, measured from ENDOR spectra of B3. The mechanism of the intramolecular electron spin exchange in B3 biradical is discussed

Sarilumab in patients admitted to hospital with severe or critical COVID-19: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

Background: Elevated proinflammatory cytokines are associated with greater COVID-19 severity. We aimed to assess safety and efficacy of sarilumab, an interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor, in patients with severe (requiring supplemental oxygen by nasal cannula or face mask) or critical (requiring greater supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal support) COVID-19. Methods: We did a 60-day, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational phase 3 trial at 45 hospitals in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Russia, and Spain. We included adults (≥18 years) admitted to hospital with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and pneumonia, who required oxygen supplementation or intensive care. Patients were randomly assigned (2:2:1 with permuted blocks of five) to receive intravenous sarilumab 400 mg, sarilumab 200 mg, or placebo. Patients, care providers, outcome assessors, and investigators remained masked to assigned intervention throughout the course of the study. The primary endpoint was time to clinical improvement of two or more points (seven point scale ranging from 1 [death] to 7 [discharged from hospital]) in the modified intention-to-treat population. The key secondary endpoint was proportion of patients alive at day 29. Safety outcomes included adverse events and laboratory assessments. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04327388; EudraCT, 2020-001162-12; and WHO, U1111-1249-6021. Findings: Between March 28 and July 3, 2020, of 431 patients who were screened, 420 patients were randomly assigned and 416 received placebo (n=84 [20%]), sarilumab 200 mg (n=159 [38%]), or sarilumab 400 mg (n=173 [42%]). At day 29, no significant differences were seen in median time to an improvement of two or more points between placebo (12·0 days [95% CI 9·0 to 15·0]) and sarilumab 200 mg (10·0 days [9·0 to 12·0]; hazard ratio [HR] 1·03 [95% CI 0·75 to 1·40]; log-rank p=0·96) or sarilumab 400 mg (10·0 days [9·0 to 13·0]; HR 1·14 [95% CI 0·84 to 1·54]; log-rank p=0·34), or in proportions of patients alive (77 [92%] of 84 patients in the placebo group; 143 [90%] of 159 patients in the sarilumab 200 mg group; difference −1·7 [−9·3 to 5·8]; p=0·63 vs placebo; and 159 [92%] of 173 patients in the sarilumab 400 mg group; difference 0·2 [−6·9 to 7·4]; p=0·85 vs placebo). At day 29, there were numerical, non-significant survival differences between sarilumab 400 mg (88%) and placebo (79%; difference +8·9% [95% CI −7·7 to 25·5]; p=0·25) for patients who had critical disease. No unexpected safety signals were seen. The rates of treatment-emergent adverse events were 65% (55 of 84) in the placebo group, 65% (103 of 159) in the sarilumab 200 mg group, and 70% (121 of 173) in the sarilumab 400 mg group, and of those leading to death 11% (nine of 84) were in the placebo group, 11% (17 of 159) were in the sarilumab 200 mg group, and 10% (18 of 173) were in the sarilumab 400 mg group. Interpretation: This trial did not show efficacy of sarilumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and receiving supplemental oxygen. Adequately powered trials of targeted immunomodulatory therapies assessing survival as a primary endpoint are suggested in patients with critical COVID-19. Funding: Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Forest carbon sequestration scenarios and priorities for the Russian Federation action plan

The transitional nature of the Russian economy and the serious problems it has created -- shortage of funds; absence of well-defined legislation, rules, and standards; absence of adequate control systems; weak transport infrastructure, and export problems -- hinder the development of a forestry mitigation strategy. Assessments of economic possibilities and short- and medium-term mitigation measures show that the focus of forestry mitigation strategies should be to improve and promote the current carbon sequestration activities. One baseline forestry scenario and four other scenarios were developed for the period 2000-2040. Each scenario includes all forested areas but provides separate analyses of thirty "forestry eco-regions." Three types of forest management are included in the scenarios: clear-cut logging and reforestation, selective logging and thinning, and measures to prevent and manage fires. The baseline scenario results in a constant net sink of about 150 MtC/yr. Increasing clear-cut logging using current forestry practices will cause a rapid drop in the net sink. A modest increase in clear-cut logging together with active forest fire and selective logging measures could lead to a slight increase in the net sink. Based on these scenarios, regional forestry priorities are identified for Russia's Climate Change Action Plan. The priorities by region include: (i) creating economic mechanisms to increase forestry effectiveness in the logging areas now being cut, (ii) providing assistance for natural reforestation for the European-Ural region, (iii) promoting a forest fire protection system for Central and Northeast Siberia, and (iv) limiting clear-cut logging and creating a market for forestry efficiency in South Siberia and Primorie and Priamurie.