ЩО НАСПРАВДІ ОЗНАЧАЄ ТЕСТУВАННЯ НА КОРОНАВІРУС ДЛЯ ПАЦІЄНТА?

Testing for COVID has become one of the common day activities during pandemic days, often like a visit to dentist or family doctor. However, there are many types of tests with different principles, sensitivities, specificities, and diagnostic windows. And since the COVID disease has a great impact on our social life, changing our behavior, social contacts, and attitude, the incorrect treatment of «test for COVID» can have deteriorating results. The «COVID test» is seldom interpreted correctly due to multiple technologies, ways of testing, sensitivities and even influence of social media. Here we in a simple form summarize the most common detection methods with their peculiarities in the form of Q&A which typical patients can have. We discuss RT-qPCR, POC express tests, ELISA testing for IgG, IgM antibodies, as well as present our data regarding the longevity of blood antibody titers against coronaviral antigens.Пандемія коронавірусного захворювання внесла в наше повсякденнe життя термін «тест на коронавірус», і при цьому не один, а цілу їх різноманітність. Результати «тесту на COVID» рідко трактуються правильно і породжують багато неправильних уявлень у пацієнта, впливаючи як на соціальну діяльність, так і на фізичне самопочуття. Тому ми хотіли звернути увагу на трактування результатів основних типів тестів, які подаємо у доступній формі «запитання-відповідь». Ми обговорюємо принципи детекції, тести ЗТ-кПЛР, антитіла IgG, IgM, експрес-тести, а також наводимо дані наших оригінальних досліджень щодо тривалості імунної відповіді до коронавірусних антигенів

EFFECT OF FARMING PRACTICES AND FARM HISTORY ON INCIDENCE OF COCONUT LETHAL YELLOWING IN MOZAMBIQUE

Management of coconut ( Cocos nucifera ) lethal yellowing disease (CLYD), which has killed about eight million coconut trees in Mozambique, has proved challenging. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of farming practices and related history, on the CLYD incidence in Mozambique. The methodology included a socioeconomic questionnaire to the households and direct observations on the palm farms. The collected data were analysed using logistic regression. Five out of 11 explanatory variables tested, namely farm age, availability of other palm species on the coconut farm, type of coconut varieties grown, root cut practices, and intercropping had a significant (P< 0.05) effect on CLYD incidence. Coconut farms <10 years had higher odds of higher disease incidence compared to the farms between 10 to 40 years old. The presence of other palm species in the coconut farms had two times higher odds of having higher disease incidence levels compared to farms without other palm species. Tall coconut varieties were likely to be more tolerant to CLYD compared to dwarf varieties. Coconut farms with some kind of intercropping had two times higher odds of having higher disease incidence levels compared to pure stands. The practice of cutting coconut roots had three times higher odds of having high disease incidence levels compared to non-practicing farms. Farm age, availability of other palm species on the coconut farm, type of coconut varieties grown, root cut practices and intercropping need to be considered for integrated CLYD management.La lutte contre la maladie de jaunisse l\ue9tale (CLYD) du cocotier ( Cocos nucifera ), qui a d\ue9cim\ue9 pr\ue8s de huit millions de cocotiers au Mozanbique, n\u2019est pas ais\ue9e. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer les impacts des pratiques culturales et leur histoire, sur le l\u2019incidence de CLYD au Mozambique. Une enqu\ueate socio\ue9-conomique a \ue9t\ue9 administr\ue9e aux m\ue9nages et des observations directes dans les champs de cocotiers ont \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9alis\ue9es. Les donn\ue9es collect\ue9es ont \ue9t\ue9 analys\ue9es par r\ue9gression logistique. Cinq des onze variables explicatives, \ue0 savoir l\u2019\ue2ge de la plantation, la presence ou non d\u2019autres esp\ue8ces de palmiers sur la plantation, le vari\ue9t\ue9 de cocotiers plant\ue9s, la pratique d\u2019\ue9lagage racinaire et la pratique d\u2019association des cultures avaient des effets significatifs (P< 0.05) sur l\u2019incidence de CLYD. Les plantations vieilles de plus de 10 ans pr\ue9sentaient plus de signes de l\u2019incidence de la maladie que les plantations plus vieilles entre 10 et 40 ans. La pr\ue9sence d\u2019autres esp\ue8ces de palmiers dans la cocoteraie causaient deux fois plus de signes d\u2019incidence de la maladie, compar\ue9e aux cocoteraies ne comportant pas d\u2019autres esp\ue8ces de palmiers. Les vari\ue9t\ue9s de grands cocotiers ont tendance \ue0 mieux tol\ue9rer le CLYD, compar\ue9 aux vari\ue9t\ue9s courtes. Les cocoteraies avec association d\u2019autres cultures pr\ue9sentaient deux fois plus de signes de maladies que les cocoteraies simples. La pratique d\u2019\ue9lagage racinaire pr\ue9sentait trois fois plus de signe d\u2019incidence de la maladie. Au total, l\u2019\ue2ge, la presence ou non d\u2019autres esp\ue8ces de palmiers, la vari\ue9t\ue9 de cocotiers produite, les pratique d\u2019\ue9lagage racinaire, et l\u2019association d\u2019autres cultures avec les cocotiers sont \ue0 considerer dans pour une lutte int\ue9gr\ue9e contre CLYD

СПОНТАННИЙ ПНЕВМОТОРАКС ПІД ЧАС ВАГІТНОСТІ. ОСНОВНІ АСПЕКТИ ДІАГНОСТИКИ, ТАКТИКИ ЛІКУВАННЯ ПНЕВМОТОРАКСУ І ВЕДЕННЯ ПОЛОГІВ

The aim of the study – to learn the features of diagnosis and treatment of pneumothorax during pregnancy and further delivery.Materials and Methods. The first-born women at the age of 32 years was on treatment and under supervision in Kyiv City Hospital number 7 and Kyiv Maternity Home number 7 from 30.03.11 to 20.10.11. She underwent a complete clinical diagnostic complex of examinations and treatment according to the current protocols.Results and Discussion. The article presents a review of the literature on spontaneous pneumothorax in pregnant women and describes a clinical case; overview of the features of diagnosis, treatment of pneumothorax during pregnancy and childbirth in these patients. An X-ray of a pregnant woman's chest is safe for the fetus after the 8th week of pregnancy. Modern minimally invasive methods of surgical treatment is the method of choice in the treatment of pneumothorax in pregnant women. Cesarean section is performed exclusively on obstetric indications. Comprehensive post-examination of the parturient child in the postpartum period is necessary to establish the etiology of pneumothorax, which was during pregnancy. Specific measures to prevent pneumothorax still do not exist.Conclusions. Pneumothorax during pregnancy is a rare phenomenon and occurs in 1 case per 10.000 births. Pneumothorax in pregnant women is a high threat to the life of the mother and fetus, determines the urgency of timely diagnosis and proper treatment of this disease. Diagnosis of intense pneumothorax should be carried out at the stage of clinical examination, and medical measures should be urgent and preceded by an X-ray examination.Цель исследования – изучить особенности диагностики и лечения пневмоторакса во время беременности и дальнейшего родоразрешения.Материалы и методы. Первобеременная в возрасте 32 года находилась на лечении и под наблюдением в КГКБ № 17 и 7-м роддоме г. Киева с 30.03.11 по 20.10.11. Ей проводили полный клинико-диагностический комплекс обследований и лечение соответственно действующим протоколам.Результаты исследования и их обсуждение. В статье представлен обзор литературы по вопросу спонтанного пневмоторакса у беременных и дано описание клинического случая. Обобщены особенности диагностики, лечения пневмоторакса во время беременности и ведения родов у таких больных. Рентгеновский снимок грудной клетки беременной является безопасным для плода после 8-й недели беременности. Современные мини-инвазивные методики хирургического лечения являются методом выбора при лечении пневмоторакса у беременных. Кесарево сечение выполняется исключительно по акушерским показаниям. Всестороннее дообследование роженицы в послеродовом периоде необходимо для установления этиологии пневмоторакса, который был во время беременности. Специфических мер профилактики пневмоторакса до сих пор не существует.Выводы. Пневмоторакс во время беременности – редкое явление и встречается в 1 случае на 10 000 родов. Пневмоторакс у беременных составляет высокую угрозу жизни матери и плода, обуславливает актуальность своевременной диагностики и правильного лечения этого заболевания. Диагностика напряженного пневмоторакса должна осуществляться на этапе клинического обследования, а лечебные мероприятия должны быть неотложными и предшествовать рентгенологическому обследованию.Мета дослідження – вивчити особливості діагностики та лікування пневмотораксу під час вагітності й подальшого розродження.Матеріали та методи. Першовагітна віком 32 роки перебувала на лікуванні та спостереженні в КМКЛ № 17 і 7-му пологовому будинку м. Києва з 30.03.11 до 20.10.11. Їй проводили повний клініко-діагностичний комплекс обстежень та лікування відповідно до діючих протоколів.Результати дослідження та їх обговорення. У статті представлено огляд літератури з питання спонтанного пневмотораксу у вагітних та подано опис клінічного випадку. Узагальнено особливості діагностики, лікування пневмотораксу під час вагітності та ведення пологів у таких хворих. Рентгенівський знімок грудної клітки вагітної є безпечним для плода після 8-го тижня вагітності. Сучасні міні-інвазивні методики хірургічного лікування є методом вибору при лікуванні пневмотораксу у вагітних. Кесарів розтин виконують виключно за акушерськими показаннями. Всебічне дообстеження породіллі в післяпологовому періоді необхідне для встановлення етіології пневмотораксу, який був під час вагітності. Специфічних заходів з профілактики пневмотораксу дотепер не існує.Висновки. Пневмоторакс під час вагітності – рідкісне явище і зустрічається в 1 випадку на 10 000 пологів. Пневмоторакс у вагітних становить високу загрозу життю матері та плода, що зумовлює актуальність своєчасної діагностики та правильного лікування цього захворювання. Діагностику напруженого пневмотораксу необхідно здійснювати на етапі клінічного обстеження, а лікувальні заходи повинні бути невідкладними та передувати рентгенологічному обстеженню

Once-weekly selinexor, bortezomib, and dexamethasone versus twice-weekly bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma (BOSTON): a randomised, open-label phase 3 trial

Background Selinexor with dexamethasone has demonstrated activity in patients with heavily pretreated multiple myeloma (MM). In a phase 1b/2 study, the combination of oral selinexor with the proteasome inhibitor (PI) bortezomib, and dexamethasone (SVd) induced high response rates with low rates of peripheral neuropathy, the main dose-limiting toxicity of bortezomib. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the clinical benefit of weekly SVd versus standard bortezomib and dexamethasone (Vd) in patients with previously treated MM. Methods This phase 3, randomised, open label trial was conducted at 123 sites in 21 countries. Patients who were previously treated with one to three lines of therapy, including PIs were randomised (1:1) to selinexor (100 mg once-weekly) plus bortezomib (1·3 mg/m2 once-weekly) and dexamethasone (20 mg twice-weekly) [SVd] or bortezomib (1·3 mg/m2 twice-weekly) and dexamethasone (20 mg 4 times per week) [Vd]. Randomisation was done using interactive response technology and stratified by previous PI therapy, lines of treatment, and MM stage. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) in the intention-to-treat population. Patients who received at least one dose of study treatment were included in the safety population. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03110562. Findings Between June 2017 and February 2019, 402 patients were randomised: 195 to SVd and 207 to Vd. Median PFS was 13·93 (95% CI 11·73–NE) with SVd versus 9·46 months (8·11–10·78) with Vd; HR 0·70, [95% CI 0·53–0·93]; P=0.0075. Most frequent grade ≥3 adverse events (SVd vs Vd) were thrombocytopenia (77 [40%] vs 35 [17%]), fatigue (26 [13%] vs 2 [1%]), anaemia (31 [16%] vs 20 [10%]), and pneumonia (22 [11%] vs 22 [11%]). Peripheral neuropathy rates (overall, 32·3% vs 47·1%; OR 0·52, [95% CI 0·35-0·79]; P=0.0010 and grade ≥2, 21·0% vs 34·3%; OR 0·50, [95% CI 0·32-0·79]; P=0.0013) were lower with SVd. There were 47 (24%) deaths on SVd and 62 (30%) on Vd. Interpretation Once-weekly SVd is a novel, effective, and convenient treatment option for patients with MM who have received 1-3 prior therapies. Funding Karyopharm Therapeutics In

Co-infection by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1): does immune activation lead to a faster progression to AIDS?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent data have shown that HTLV-1 is prevalent among HIV positive patients in Mozambique, although the impact of HTLV-1 infection on HIV disease progression remains controversial. Our aim was to determine the phenotypic profile of T lymphocytes subsets among Mozambican patients co-infected by HIV and HTLV-1.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We enrolled 29 patients co-infected by HTLV-1 and HIV (co-infected), 59 patients mono-infected by HIV (HIV) and 16 healthy controls (HC), respectively.</p> <p>For phenotypic analysis, cells were stained with the following fluorochrome-labeled anti-human monoclonal antibodies CD4-APC, CD8-PerCP, CD25-PE, CD62L-FITC, CD45RA-FITC. CD45RO-PE, CD38-PE; being analysed by four-colour flow cytometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We initially found that CD4⁺T cell counts were significantly higher in co-infected, as compared to HIV groups. Moreover, CD4⁺T Lymphocytes from co-infected patients presented significantly higher levels of CD45RO and CD25, but lower levels of CD45RA and CD62L, strongly indicating that CD4⁺T cells are more activated under HTLV-1 plus HIV co-infection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data indicate that HTLV-1/HIV co-infected patients progress with higher CD4⁺T cell counts and higher levels of activation markers. In this context, it is conceivable that in co-infected individuals, these higher levels of activation may account for a faster progression to AIDS.</p

Averting biodiversity collapse in tropical forest protected areas

The rapid disruption of tropical forests probably imperils global biodiversity more than any other contemporary phenomenon¹⁻³. With deforestation advancing quickly, protected areas are increasingly becoming final refuges for threatened species and natural ecosystem processes. However, many protected areas in the tropics are themselves vulnerable to human encroachment and other environmental stresses⁴⁻⁹. As pressures mount, it is vital to know whether existing reserves can sustain their biodiversity. A critical constraint in addressing this question has been that data describing a broad array of biodiversity groups have been unavailable for a sufficiently large and representative sample of reserves. Here we present a uniquely comprehensive data set on changes over the past 20 to 30 years in 31 functional groups of species and 21 potential drivers of environmental change, for 60 protected areas stratified across the world’s major tropical regions. Our analysis reveals great variation in reserve ‘health’: about half of all reserves have been effective or performed passably, but the rest are experiencing an erosion of biodiversity that is often alarmingly widespread taxonomically and functionally. Habitat disruption, hunting and forest-product exploitation were the strongest predictors of declining reserve health. Crucially, environmental changes immediately outside reserves seemed nearly as important as those inside in determining their ecological fate, with changes inside reserves strongly mirroring those occurring around them. These findings suggest that tropical protected areas are often intimately linked ecologically to their surrounding habitats, and that a failure to stem broad-scale loss and degradation of such habitats could sharply increase the likelihood of serious biodiversity declines.Keywords: Ecology, Environmental scienc

Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties in Earth-Abundant Photovoltaic Absorber of Cu2ZnSnS4 and Cu2ZnSnSe4 from DFT calculations

DFT analyses of band structure dispersion and of contribution of different anionic sub-groups to the studied electronic structure together with the anisotropy of optical functions were performed for the two promising solar cell crystals Cu2ZnSnS4 and Cu2ZnSnSe4. We have applied the state-of-the-art full potential linear augmented plane wave (FPLAPW) method in a scalar relativistic version. Exchange and correlation potential were introduced within a framework of the local density approximation (LDA) and gradient approximation (GGA). We show that Cu2ZnSnS4 as well as Cu2ZnSnSe4 crystals possess a direct energy band gap situated around the center of the BZ. Careful analysis of the total density of states together with the partial contribution of the particular orbital were performed for evaluations of contribution of corresponding bonds to the origin of the chemical bonds. Role of replacing of S by Se is analyzed in the details for the electronic density of states with respect to the nature of chemical bonds. The principal analysis is performed for the dispersion of the optical constants. The influence of the different chemical bonds into the dispersion of the optical functions is analyzed in order to optimize the optical features with respect to the requirements of the solar cell elements