Accuracy of a Novel Transcutaneous PCO2 and PO2 Sensor with Optical PO2 Measurement in Neonatal Intensive Care: A Single-Centre Prospective Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Transcutaneous PCO2 and PO2 measurement systems offer non-invasive blood gas trend monitoring. The aim of this prospective study was to assess bias and precision of a transcutaneous PCO2 and PO2 measurement system incorporating a novel pO2 sensor (Sentec OxiVenT™) in neonates ≥34 weeks of gestational age (GA) admitted to intensive care. METHODS Transcutaneous PCO2 and PO2 were compared to arterial and capillary blood gas measurements. Bias and precision were calculated by fitting linear mixed models to account for repeated measurements, and influence of clinical covariates on bias and precision was assessed. RESULTS We obtained 611 paired transcutaneous and blood gas measurements in 110 patients (median GA 38.3 [interquartile range 36.1-39.7] weeks; age 9 [4-15] days; weight 3,000 [2,500-3,500] g). Transcutaneous PCO2 showed significant bias to arterial PCO2 (+0.61; 95% confidence interval 0.46, 0.76 kPa), but not to capillary PCO2 (-0.23; -0.46, 0.002 kPa). Bias of transcutaneous PO2 was significant to arterial PO2 (-2.50; -2.94, -2.06 kPa), while no significant bias compared to capillary PO2 was observed (+0.17; -0.30, 0.64 kPa). Precision intervals were ±1.8/2.0 kPa for arterial versus capillary PCO2 and ±4.9/3.3 kPa for arterial versus capillary PO2 comparisons, respectively. Further, sensor operating temperature (43°C vs. 42°C), soft tissue oedema, vasoactive drugs, weight, and GA significantly altered bias (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The tested transcutaneous blood gas measurement system showed no significant bias compared to capillary PCO2 and PO2, acceptable bias to arterial PCO2, and limited agreement with arterial PO2. Precision intervals were wide for all comparisons

SrAlSi4N7:Eu2+

The new nitridoalumosilicate phosphor SrAlSi4N7:Eu2+ has been synthesized under nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures up to 1630°C in a radio-frequency furnace starting from Sr metal, α-Si3N4, AlN, and additional Eu metal. The crystal structure of the host compound SrAlSi4N7 has been solved and refined on the basis of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data. In the solid, there is a network structure of corner-sharing SiN4 tetrahedra incorporating infinite chains of all edge-sharing AlN4 tetrahedra running along [001] (SrAlSi4N7: Pna21 (No. 33), Z = 8, a = 11.742(2) Å, b = 21.391(4) Å, c = 4.966(1) Å, V = 12.472(4) Å3, 2739 reflections, 236 refined parameters, R1 = 0.0366). The Eu2+-doped compound SrAlSi4N7:Eu2+ shows typical broadband emission originating from dipole-allowed 4f6(7FJ)5d1 → 4f7 (8S7/2) transitions in the orange-red spectral region (λmax = 632 nm for 2% Eu doping level, 450 nm excitation) with a spectral width of FWHM = 2955 (± 75) cm−1 and a Stokes shift ΔS = 4823 (± 100) cm−1. The luminescence properties make the phosphor an attractive candidate material as red component in trichromatic warm white light LEDs with excellent color rendition properties

Antibiotic Exposure of Critically Ill Children at a Tertiary Care Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Switzerland

Antibiotic overtreatment fosters multidrug-resistance that threatens healthcare systems worldwide as it increases patient morbidity and mortality. Contemporary data on antibiotic usage on tertiary care paediatric intensive care units for in- and external benchmarking are scarce. This was a single-centre retrospective quality control study including all patients with antibiotic treatment during their hospitalization at a paediatric intensive care unit in the time period 2019–2021. Antibiotic treatment was calculated as days of therapy (DOT) per 100 patient days (DOT/100pd). Further, the variables PIM II score, length of stay in intensive care (LOS), gender, age, treatment year, reason for intensive care unit admission, and death were assessed. Two thousand and forty-one cases with a median age of 10 months [IQR 0–64] were included; 53.4% were male, and 4.5% of the included patients died. Median LOS was 2.73 days [0.07–5.90], and PIM II score was 1.98% [0.02–4.86]. Overall, the antibiotic exposure of critically ill children and adolescents was 59.8 DOT/100pd. During the study period, the antibiotic usage continuously increased (2019: 55.2 DOT/100pd; 2020: 59.8 DOT/100pd (+8.2%); 2021: 64.5 DOT/100pd (+8.0%)). The highest antibiotic exposure was found in the youngest patients (0–1 month old (72.7 DOT/100pd)), in patients who had a LOS of >2–7 days (65.1 DOT/100pd), those who had a renal diagnosis (98 DOT/100pd), and in case of death (91.5 DOT/100pd). Critically ill paediatric patients were moderately exposed to antibiotics compared to data from the previously published literature. The current underreporting of antimicrobial prescription data in this cohort calls for future studies for better internal and external benchmarking

Transcriptomic response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to octanoic acid production

The medium-chain fatty acid octanoic acid is an important platform compound widely used in industry. The microbial production from sugars in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a promising alternative to current non-sustainable production methods, however, titers need to be further increased. To achieve this, it is essential to have in-depth knowledge about the cell physiology during octanoic acid production. To this end, we collected the first RNA-Seq data of an octanoic acid producer strain at three time points during fermentation. The strain produced higher levels of octanoic acid and increased levels of fatty acids of other chain lengths (C6-C18) but showed decreased growth compared to the reference. Furthermore, we show that the here analyzed transcriptomic response to internally produced octanoic acid is notably distinct from a wild type\u27s response to externally supplied octanoic acid as reported in previous publications. By comparing the transcriptomic response of different sampling times, we identified several genes that we subsequently overexpressed and knocked out, respectively. Hereby we identified RPL40B, to date unknown to play a role in fatty acid biosynthesis or medium-chain fatty acid tolerance. Overexpression of RPL40B led to an increase in octanoic acid titers by 40%

Vγ9Vδ2 T Cells: Can We Re-Purpose a Potent Anti-Infection Mechanism for Cancer Therapy?

Cancer therapies based on in vivo stimulation, or on adoptive T cell transfer of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, have been tested in the past decades but have failed to provide consistent clinical efficacy. New, promising concepts such as γδ Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) -T cells and γδ T-cell engagers are currently under preclinical evaluation. Since the impact of factors, such as the relatively low abundance of γδ T cells within tumor tissue is still under investigation, it remains to be shown whether these effector T cells can provide significant efficacy against solid tumors. Here, we highlight key learnings from the natural role of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in the elimination of host cells bearing intracellular bacterial agents and we translate these into the setting of tumor therapy. We discuss the availability and relevance of preclinical models as well as currently available tools and knowledge from a drug development perspective. Finally, we compare advantages and disadvantages of existing therapeutic concepts and propose a role for Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in immune-oncology next to Cluster of Differentiation (CD) 3 activating therapies

Influence of Encapsulation Process Temperature on the Performance of Perovskite Mini Modules

Perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells are a promising candidate to significantly increase the efficiency of PV modules. Despite the fast research progress on material and solar cells aspects, there is still a lack of processes for an industrial module integration of these devices. One aspect hereby is the adaption of encapsulation materials and processes to the requirements of perovskite materials. Process temperatures of about 150 °C are necessary to use well proven, in silicon PV commonly applied encapsulation materials with a high reliability. However, perovskites start to decompose into their components at high temperatures. This limits the encapsulation process temperature, which in turn constraints the choice of encapsulation materials. This work presents an encapsulation process for methylammonium lead iodide (MAPhb) single junction perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with conventional production tools in glass-glass modules that serves as a model system for perovskite tandem applications. We evaluate the influence of the encapsulation process temperature between 120 °C and 160 °C on the performance of mini modules. The UV-absorbing encapsulation material is processable over the whole investigated temperature regime. We observe a difference in the IV-characteristics between the PSCs encapsulated in the temperature range of 120 °C - 140 °C to those processed at 160 °C. At lower encapsulation temperatures the IV-curves taken 1 h after encapsulation show a pronounced S-shape and no degradation of Foe. In contrast, the PSCs encapsulated at 160 °C exhibit a Foe decrease of up to 29% compared to the initial measurement shortly after PSC fabrication and no significant S-shape. Both, the S-shape that occurs at low encapsulation temperatures and the Foe loss after encapsulation at 160 °C, are no longer significant after one week of module storage under dark conditions. The presented encapsulation process therefore does not permanently damage the MAPbb PSCs even at a standard encapsulation temperature of 160 °C. To ensure long-term operation, we test the fabricated mini modules in a damp heat test at 85 °C and a relative humidity of 85%. We find no significant additional degradation caused by damp heat in 1250 h test duration compared to a reference module stored in ambient air

Can heterotrophic uptake of dissolved organic carbon and zooplankton mitigate carbon budget deficits in annually bleached corals?

Annual coral bleaching events due to increasing sea surface temperatures are predicted to occur globally by the mid-century and as early as 2025 in the Caribbean, and severely impact coral reefs. We hypothesize that heterotrophic carbon (C) in the form of zooplankton and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a significant source of C to bleached corals. Thus, the ability to utilize multiple pools of fixed carbon and/or increase the amount of fixed carbon acquired from one or more pools of fixed carbon (defined here as heterotrophic plasticity) could underlie coral acclimatization and persistence under future ocean-warming scenarios. Here, three species of Caribbean coral—Porites divaricata, P. astreoides, and Orbicella faveolata—were experimentally bleached for 2.5 weeks in two successive years and allowed to recover in the field. Zooplankton feeding was assessed after single and repeat bleaching, while DOC fluxes and the contribution of DOC to the total C budget were determined after single bleaching, 11 months on the reef, and repeat bleaching. Zooplankton was a large C source for P. astreoides, but only following single bleaching. DOC was a source of C for single-bleached corals and accounted for 11–36 % of daily metabolic demand (CHARDOC), but represented a net loss of C in repeat-bleached corals. In repeat-bleached corals, DOC loss exacerbated the negative C budgets in all three species. Thus, the capacity for heterotrophic plasticity in corals is compromised under annual bleaching, and heterotrophic uptake of DOC and zooplankton does not mitigate C budget deficits in annually bleached corals. Overall, these findings suggest that some Caribbean corals may be more susceptible to repeat bleaching than to single bleaching due to a lack of heterotrophic plasticity, and coral persistence under increasing bleaching frequency may ultimately depend on other factors such as energy reserves and symbiont shuffling

The kinetic profiles of copeptin and mid regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) in pediatric lower respiratory tract infections

BACKGROUND Kinetics of copeptin and mid regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) during febrile pediatric lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are unknown. We aimed to analyze kinetic profiles of copeptin and MR-proADM and the impact of clinical and laboratory factors on those biomarkers. METHODS This is a retrospective post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial, evaluating procalcitonin guidance for antibiotic treatment of LRTI (ProPAED-study). In 175 pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department plasma copeptin and MR-proADM concentrations were determined on day 1, 3, and 5. Their association with clinical characteristics and other inflammatory biomarkers were tested by non-linear mixed effect modelling. RESULTS Median copeptin and MR-proADM values were elevated on day 1 and decreased during on day 3 and 5 (-26%; -34%, respectively). The initial concentrations of MR-proADM at inclusion were higher in patients receiving antibiotics intravenously compared to oral administration (difference 0.62 pmol/L, 95%CI 0.44;1.42, p<0.001). Intensive care unit (ICU) admission was associated with a daily increase of MR-proADM (increase/day 1.03 pmol/L, 95%CI 0.43;1.50, p<0.001). Positive blood culture in patients with antibiotic treatment and negative results on nasopharyngeal aspirates, or negative blood culture were associated with a decreasing MR-proADM (decrease/day -0.85 pmol/L, 95%CI -0.45;-1.44), p<0.001). CONCLUSION Elevated MR-proADM and increases thereof were associated with ICU admission suggesting the potential as a prognostic factor for severe pediatric LRTI. MR-proADM might only bear limited value for decision making on stopping antibiotics due to its slow decrease. Copeptin had no added value in our setting

The Mummy Explorer—a self-regulated open-access online teaching tool

Background and objectives: Virtual teaching tools have gained increasing importance in recent years. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for media-based and self-regulated tools. What is missing are tools that allow us to interlink highly interdisciplinary fields such as evolutionary medicine and, at the same time, allow us to adapt content to different lectures. Methodology: We designed an interactive online teaching tool, namely, the Mummy Explorer, using open-access software (Google Web Designer), and we provided a freely downloadable template. We tested the tool on students and lecturers of evolutionary medicine using questionnaires and improved the tool according to their feedback. Results: The tool has a modular design and provides an overview of a virtual mummy excavation, including the subfields of palaeopathology, paleoradiology, cultural and ethnographic context, provenance studies, paleogenetics, and physiological analyses. The template allows lecturers to generate their own versions of the tool for any topic of interest by simply changing the text and pictures. Tests undertaken with students of evolutionary medicine showed that the tool was helpful during their studies. Lecturers commented that they appreciated having a similar tool in other fields. Conclusions and implications: Mummy Explorer fills a gap in the virtual teaching landscape of highly interdisciplinary fields such as evolutionary medicine. It will be offered for free download and can be adapted to any educational topic. Translations into German and possibly other languages are in progress

No role for epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

Consumption of tea is inversely associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, the active compound(s) responsible for the protective effects of tea are unknown. Although many favorable cardiovascular effects in vitro are mediated by epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), its contribution to the beneficial effects of tea in vivo remains unresolved. In a randomised crossover study, a single dose of 200 mg EGCG was applied in three different formulas (as green tea beverage, green tea extract (GTE), and isolated EGCG) to 50 healthy men. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and endothelial-independent nitro-mediated dilation (NMD) was measured before and two hours after ingestion. Plasma levels of tea compounds were determined after each intervention and correlated with FMD. FMD significantly improved after consumption of green tea containing 200 mg EGCG (p < 0.01). However, GTE and EGCG had no significant effect on FMD. NMD did not significantly differ between interventions. EGCG plasma levels were highest after administration of EGCG and lowest after consumption of green tea. Plasma levels of caffeine increased after green tea consumption. The results show that EGCG is most likely not involved in improvement of flow-mediated dilation by green tea. Instead, other tea compounds, metabolites or combinations thereof may play a role