The Multiplanet System TOI-421: A Warm Neptune and a Super Puffy Mini-Neptune Transiting a G9 V Star in a Visual Binary

We report the discovery of a warm Neptune and a hot sub-Neptune transiting TOI-421 (BD-14 1137, TIC 94986319), a bright (V = 9.9) G9 dwarf star in a visual binary system observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) space mission in Sectors 5 and 6. We performed ground-based follow-up observations—comprised of Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope transit photometry, NIRC2 adaptive optics imaging, and FIbre-fed Echellé Spectrograph, CORALIE, High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher, High Resolution Échelle Spectrometer, and Planet Finder Spectrograph high-precision Doppler measurements—and confirmed the planetary nature of the 16 day transiting candidate announced by the TESS team. We discovered an additional radial velocity signal with a period of five days induced by the presence of a second planet in the system, which we also found to transit its host star. We found that the inner mini-Neptune, TOI-421 b, has an orbital period of P_b = 5.19672 ± 0.00049 days, a mass of M_b = 7.17 ± 0.66 M⊕, and a radius of R_b = 2.68^(+0.19)_(-0.18) R⊕, whereas the outer warm Neptune, TOI-421 c, has a period of Pc = 16.06819 ± 0.00035 days, a mass of M_c = 16.42^(+1.06)_(-1.04) M⊕, a radius of R_c = 5.09^(+0.16)_(-0.15) R⊕ and a density of ρ_c = 0.685^(+0.080)_(-0.072) g cm⁻³. With its characteristics, the outer planet (ρ_c = 0.685^(+0.080)_(-0.072) g cm⁻³) is placed in the intriguing class of the super-puffy mini-Neptunes. TOI-421 b and TOI-421 c are found to be well-suited for atmospheric characterization. Our atmospheric simulations predict significant Lyα transit absorption, due to strong hydrogen escape in both planets, as well as the presence of detectable CH4 in the atmosphere of TOI-421 c if equilibrium chemistry is assumed

Consensus statement on integral management of the newborn with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy Consenso sobre manejo integral del neonato con encefalopatía hipóxico isquémica consensus

Neonatal encephalopathy secondary to birth asphyxia, the hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, remains a major cause of postnatal death and neurological sequelae worldwide. Supportive therapy has been the mainstay of treatment. Recently series of multicenter clinical trials show the benefits of therapeutic hypothermia in this high risk population. The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) has recommended hypothermia as a standard of care and a beneficial therapy using the protocols followed in large clinical trials. Our objective was to develop a practical guide to be used at a national level in Chile, compatible with published protocols and standardized on an international basis, practical and compatible with the country's situation, and considering an integral management of the asphyxiated neonates, rescue and neuroprotective therapies. In summary, to establish rescue therapies, with the aim objective of support measures that promote cerebral and systemic oxygenation/p

Influence of previous Zika virus infection on acute dengue episode.

BackgroundThe co-circulation of flaviviruses in tropical regions has led to the hypothesis that immunity generated by a previous dengue infection could promote severe disease outcomes in subsequent infections by heterologous serotypes. This study investigated the influence of antibodies generated by previous Zika infection on the clinical outcomes of dengue infection.Methodology/principal findingsWe enrolled 1,043 laboratory confirmed dengue patients and investigated their prior infection to Zika or dengue. Severe forms of dengue disease were more frequent in patients with previous Zika infection, but not in those previously exposed to dengue.Conclusions/significanceOur findings suggest that previous Zika infection may represent a risk factor for subsequent severe dengue disease, but we did not find evidence of antibody-dependent enhancement (higher viral titer or pro-inflammatory cytokine overexpression) contributing to exacerbation of the subsequent dengue infection

Screening of reactive peptides using monoclonal antibodies.

(A) Heatmap matrix of peptides assessed with monoclonal specific antibodies against ZIKV or DENV in an indirect IgG ELISA platform. Highest scores were selected for soluble synthesis. Peptide ZV-53 was not stable in soluble form and excluded from analysis. (B) IgG pepELISA for validation of soluble peptides. Serum samples from patients validated with PRNT were evaluated on plates with DV-15, DV-20, ZV-54, and ZV-107.</p

Codebook.

BackgroundThe co-circulation of flaviviruses in tropical regions has led to the hypothesis that immunity generated by a previous dengue infection could promote severe disease outcomes in subsequent infections by heterologous serotypes. This study investigated the influence of antibodies generated by previous Zika infection on the clinical outcomes of dengue infection.Methodology/Principal findingsWe enrolled 1,043 laboratory confirmed dengue patients and investigated their prior infection to Zika or dengue. Severe forms of dengue disease were more frequent in patients with previous Zika infection, but not in those previously exposed to dengue.Conclusions/SignificanceOur findings suggest that previous Zika infection may represent a risk factor for subsequent severe dengue disease, but we did not find evidence of antibody-dependent enhancement (higher viral titer or pro-inflammatory cytokine overexpression) contributing to exacerbation of the subsequent dengue infection.</div

Distribution of dengue-confirmed cases in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo State, during 2019 epidemic, according to months and epidemiological weeks.

Distribution of dengue-confirmed cases in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo State, during 2019 epidemic, according to months and epidemiological weeks.</p