Evolution of the use of corticosteroids for the treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Spain between March and November 2020: SEMI-COVID national registry

Objectives: Since the results of the RECOVERY trial, WHO recommendations about the use of corticosteroids (CTs) in COVID-19 have changed. The aim of the study is to analyse the evolutive use of CTs in Spain during the pandemic to assess the potential influence of new recommendations. Material and methods: A retrospective, descriptive, and observational study was conducted on adults hospitalised due to COVID-19 in Spain who were included in the SEMI-COVID- 19 Registry from March to November 2020. Results: CTs were used in 6053 (36.21%) of the included patients. The patients were older (mean (SD)) (69.6 (14.6) vs. 66.0 (16.8) years; p < 0.001), with hypertension (57.0% vs. 47.7%; p < 0.001), obesity (26.4% vs. 19.3%; p < 0.0001), and multimorbidity prevalence (20.6% vs. 16.1%; p < 0.001). These patients had higher values (mean (95% CI)) of C-reactive protein (CRP) (86 (32.7-160) vs. 49.3 (16-109) mg/dL; p < 0.001), ferritin (791 (393-1534) vs. 470 (236- 996) µg/dL; p < 0.001), D dimer (750 (430-1400) vs. 617 (345-1180) µg/dL; p < 0.001), and lower Sp02/Fi02 (266 (91.1) vs. 301 (101); p < 0.001). Since June 2020, there was an increment in the use of CTs (March vs. September; p < 0.001). Overall, 20% did not receive steroids, and 40% received less than 200 mg accumulated prednisone equivalent dose (APED). Severe patients are treated with higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%. Conclusions: Patients with greater comorbidity, severity, and inflammatory markers were those treated with CTs. In severe patients, there is a trend towards the use of higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%

Scanning electron microscopy of the aggregation of head mesoderm cells from chick embryos

Head mesoderm cells from chick embryos at different stages of development were dissociated and cultured on plastic coverslips. In all cultures several cellular aggregates were described by means of scanning electron microscopy. Isolated cells present filopodia and lamellipodia. However, when mesoderm cells make contact with one another the filopodial and lamellipodial activity in the contact cellular edge disappear. Thus, the cells into cellular clusters do not present projections. The clusters were circular and bidimensional in character. The scanning electron microscopic observations showed that it is the type 1 variant of "contact inhibition of locomotion" which occurs. By means of these mechanisms the bidimensional aggregates are formed and cellular overlapping is not present. Since the behaviour of the mesoderm cells "in vitro" in some way could be comparable to their behaviour "in situ", the results here observed are discussed in relation to the conduct of mesoderm cells "in vivo"

Scanning electron microscopy of the wild boar and pig lingual papillae

Lingual papillae of wild boar and pig were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Vallate papillae appear with the typical circumvallate morphology. Their papillary bodies show conical or fungiform-like and spicule-like pseudopapillae in both animals. Taste pores were seen in the papillary grooves. Microplicae or pits are visible at high magnification. In pig and wild boar similar foliate papillae were observed. Pig has less but wider leaves than wild boar. Taste pores on papillary walls were viewed. At high magnification microplicae were seen. Morphologically, fungiform papillae correspond with their denomination. Taste pores open onto the upper surface and they are easily identifiable by SEM. The rostral and lateral regions contain the major number of fungiform papillae. The lateral papillae of wild boar and pig show a high number of pores per papilla. These regions must be considered important in taste sensitivity. Lateral papillae in both animals could provide a source of taste buds for study. In both animals the fungiform papillary epithelium showed a pitted appearance as a consequence of keratinization by food environmental stress. The filiform papillae can be both simple and compound (with body and hairs). Large conical papillae are located caudally and curved in the same direction. Filiform and conical papillae have a function in food mastication, handling and deglutition

Supplementary Material for: Functional Outcome After Primary Endovascular Therapy or IV Thrombolysis Alone for Stroke. An Observational, Comparative Effectiveness Study

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Among the acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusions and contraindications for the use of IV thrombolysis, mainly on oral anticoagulation or presenting too late, primary endovascular therapy is often performed as an alternative to the standard therapy even though evidence supporting the use of endovascular reperfusion therapies is not yet established. Using different statistical approaches, we compared the functional independence rates at 3 months among patients undergoing primary endovascular therapy and patients treated only with IV thrombolysis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We used data from a prospective, government-mandated and externally audited registry of reperfusion therapies for ischemic stroke (January 2011 to November 2012). Patients were selected if treated with either IV thrombolysis alone (n = 1,582) or primary endovascular thrombectomy (n = 250). A series of exclusions were made to homogenize the clinical characteristics among the two groups. We then carried out multivariate logistic regression and propensity score matching analyses on the final study sample (n = 1,179) to compare functional independence at 3 months, as measured by the modified Rankin scale scores 0-2, between the two groups. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The unadjusted likelihood of good outcome was poorer among the endovascular group (OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.47-1.0). After adjustment, no differences by treatment modality were seen (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 0.93-2.43 for primary endovascular therapy). Patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy within 180-270 min (OR: 2.89; 95% CI: 1.17-7.15) and patients with severe strokes (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.02-3.35) did better than their intravenous thrombolysis counterparts. The propensity score-matched analyses with and without adjustment by additional covariates showed that endovascular thrombectomy was as effective as intravenous thrombolysis alone in achieving functional independence (OR for unadjusted propensity score matched: 1.35; 95% CI: 0.9-2.02, OR for adjusted propensity score matched: 1.45; 95% CI: 0.91-2.32). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This comparative effectiveness study shows that in ischemic stroke patients with contraindications for IV thrombolysis, primary endovascular treatment might be an alternative therapy at least as effective as IV thrombolysis alone. Randomized controlled trials are urgently needed

Modelling the influence of change in fire regime on the local distribution of a Mediterranean pyrophytic plant species (Cistus salviifolius) at its northern range limit

Aims: To assess the potential distribution of an obligate seeder and active pyrophyte, Cistus salviifolius, a vulnerable species in the Swiss Red List; to derive scenarios by changing the fire return interval; and to discuss the results from a conservation perspective. A more general aim is to assess the impact of fire as a natural factor influencing the vegetation of the southern slopes of the Alps. Locations: Alps, southern Switzerland. Methods: Presence-absence data to fit the model were obtained from the most recent field mapping of C. salviifolius. The quantitative environmental predictors used in this study include topographic, climatic and disturbance (fire) predictors. Models were fitted by logistic regression and evaluated by jackknife and bootstrap approaches. Changes in fire regime were simulated by increasing the time-return interval of fire (simulating longer periods without fire). Two scenarios were considered: no fire in the past 15 years; or in the past 35 years. Results: Rock cover, slope, topographic position, potential evapotranspiration and time elapsed since the last fire were selected in the final model. The Nagelkerke R-2 of the model for C. salviifolius was 0.57 and the Jackknife area under the curve evaluation was 0.89. The bootstrap evaluation revealed model robustness. By increasing the return interval of fire by either up to 15 years, or 35 years, the modelled C. salviifolius population declined by 30-40%, respectively. Main conclusions: Although fire plays a significant role, topography and rock cover appear to be the most important predictors, suggesting that the distribution of C. salviifolius in the southern Swiss Alps is closely related to the availability of supposedly competition-free sites, such as emerging bedrock, ridge locations or steep slopes. Fire is more likely to play a secondary role in allowing C. salviifolius to extend its occurrence temporarily, by increasing germination rates and reducing the competition from surrounding vegetation. To maintain a viable dormant seed bank for C. salviifolius, conservation managers should consider carrying out vegetation clearing and managing wild fire propagation to reduce competition and ensure sufficient recruitment for this species

Descrição anatômica da língua do mão-pelada (Procyon cancrivorus) Anatomical description of the crab-eating raccoon tongue - (Procyon cancrivorus)

O mão-pelada é um mamífero da família Procyonidae com poucas descrições anatômicas detalhadas a seu respeito. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever, anatomicamente, a língua do mão-pelada, proporcionando base para futuros estudos clínico-cirúrgicos, além de contribuir com a anatomia comparada de carnívoros. Foram utilizadas as línguas de dois exemplares de mãos-pelada, fixados em formaldeído a 10%. A língua do mão-pelada possui, em média, 9,5cm de comprimento, é alongada e apresenta um sulco mediano pouco evidente. Possui lissa, quatro pares de papilas valadas na raiz lingual e um par no corpo, várias papilas fungiformes e cônicas no corpo e raiz e papilas filiformes pouco desenvolvidas e presentes principalmente no ápice. Outros três pares de papilas, sugestivas de serem papilas valadas, foram observadas na região lateral da base lingual. A língua do mão-pelada possui algumas características anatômicas similares às do cão, como a presença da lissa e a disposição das papilas, com exceção das folhadas, as quais não foram observadas.<br>The crab-eating raccoon is a mammal of the Procyonidae family of rare anatomical descriptions about it. This paper aimed to anatomically describe the crab-eating raccoon's tongue, providing data on future clinical and surgical studies, besides contributing to the carnivores compared anatomy. Two tongues were used after formaldehyde fixation. Crab-eating raccoon's tongue is, in average, 9.5cm in length; it is elongated and with a less evident median sulcus. It presents lyssa, four pairs of vallate papillae in the root and one pair in the body, several fungiform and conical papillae in the body and root and less developed filiform papillae in the apex, mainly. Other three papillae pairs, taken as vallates, were observed in the lateral area of the tongue root. The crab-eating raccoon's tongue presents some anatomical aspects which are similar to the dog's, as the lyssa and the distribution of papilae, but foliates, which were not observed

Efecto del almacenamiento sobre las propiedades físicas de las películas de quitosano con inclusión de aceites esenciales de tomillo y romero

Se estudió el efecto de factores como humedad, temperatura y tiempo de almacenamiento sobre las propiedades físicas de las películas de quitosano con y sin inclusión de aceites. Se incluyeron aceites de tomillo (TEO) y de romero (REO) en proporciones de 0,5:1 y 1:1 v/p (EOs: CH), así como su combinación 50:50 (TEO:REO). Las películas formadas se almacenaron a temperaturas de 5, 20, 33°C y humedades relativas de 60 y 93% durante cuatro semanas. Las condiciones de almacenamiento alteraron las propiedades mecánicas y físicas de las películas, tales como humedad y capacidad de retención de agua debido a la hidrofícidad del polímero, al efecto plastificante de las moléculas de agua y a fenómenos de retrogradación influenciados por la temperatura y el tiempo de almacenamiento