Geographical and temporal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 clades in the WHO European Region, January to June 2020

We show the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 genetic clades over time and between countries and outline potential genomic surveillance objectives. We applied three available genomic nomenclature systems for SARS-CoV-2 to all sequence data from the WHO European Region available during the COVID-19 pandemic until 10 July 2020. We highlight the importance of real-time sequencing and data dissemination in a pandemic situation. We provide a comparison of the nomenclatures and lay a foundation for future European genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.Peer reviewe

Parental investment and egg yolk lipid composition in gulls.

1. Within-clutch variation in parental investment of yolk lipid (including essential fatty acid composition and fat-soluble vitamin content) was investigated in whole clutches of three eggs of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Larus fuscus. 2. Although there were no significant differences between years in egg size or yolk mass among eggs of the same laying order, eggs collected in 1996 had significantly lower lipid content than those collected in 1997. 3. In both years third-laid c-eggs were smaller, had a smaller mass of yolk and had significantly lower yolk lipid mass compared with earlier laid (a- and b-) eggs. 4. Despite this lower lipid mass of c-eggs, of the different lipid fractions only cholesterol content of c-eggs was significantly lower than that of a- or b-eggs. 5. Earlier laid eggs had greater amounts of arachidonic acid in the phospholipid and cholesterol ester fractions of yolk lipid, and considerably greater quantities of vitamin E and carotenoids. 6. Conversely, levels of linoleic acid and vitamin A were equalized among eggs of different laying sequence as both these essential nutrients have primarily systemic roles. 7. The probable effect of increased antioxidant (vitamin E and carotenoid) content of earlier-laid eggs is to enhance embryonic and neonatal growth and development, reduce susceptibility to pathogens and increase the ability of the embryo to withstand the oxidative stress associated with hatching. 8. The results suggest that there is maternal bias of essential nutrients to offspring with the highest reproductive value in order to maximize reproductive success

Six-minute-walk test in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: minimal clinically important difference for death or hospitalization

Abstract Rationale & OBJECTIVES: Outcomes other than spirometry are required to assess non-bronchodilator therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Estimates of the minimal clinically important difference for the six minute walk distance have been derived from narrow cohorts using non-blinded intervention. METHODS: Data from the ECLIPSE cohort were used (N=2112). Death or first hospitalization were index events; we measured change in six minute walk distance in the 12 month period before the event and also related change in six minute walk distance to lung function and St Georges Respiratory Questionnaire (health status). Measurement and MAIN RESULTS: Of subjects with change in the six minute walk distance data, 94 died and 323 were hospitalized. Six minute walk distance fell by 29.7 (SD=82.9)m more in those who died than survivors (P <0.001). A change in distance of more than -30m conferred a hazard ratio of 1.93 (95% confidence interval: 1.29, 2.90; P = 0.001) for death. No significant difference was observed for first hospitalization. Weak relationships only were observed with change in lung function or health status. CONCLUSIONS: A fall in the six minute walk distance of 30m or more is associated with increased risk of death but not hospitalization due to exacerbation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and represents a clinically significant minimally important difference

Anestesia por infusão contínua de propofol em cães pré-medicados com acepromazina e fentanil Anesthesia by continuous infusion of propofol in dogs premedicated with acepromazine and fentanyl

O propofol (2,6 diisopropilfenol) é um agente hipnótico de ultra curta duração que produz sedação e hipnose similar aos barbitúricos, sendo desprovido de ação analgésica. Quimicamente, é o único agente anestésico venoso que pode ser usado tanto na indução como na manutenção anestésica. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar freqüência cardíaca, respiratória, oximetria, pressão arterial média, volume minuto e volume corrente em cães pré-medicados com acepromazina e fentanil e anestesiados por infusão contínua de propofol. Dez cães foram submetidos à medicação pré-anestésica com acepromazina (0,1mg.kg-1) e fentanil (0,01mg.kg-1), indução (3,16mg.kg-1) e manutenção anestésica com propofol em infusão contínua por noventa minutos, na velocidade de 0,4mg.kg-1.min-1. Os parâmetros foram mensurados imediatamente após a indução, 10, 20, 30, 60 e 90 minutos após; final da infusão e 30 minutos após o seu término. Os parâmetros foram analisados por análise de variância para valores repetidos e as médias foram analisadas pelo teste de Tuckey em nível de 5%. O protocolo utilizado não produziu variações estatisticamente significativas em nenhum dos parâmetros analisados. Um animal apresentou apnéia durante a indução. Embasado nesses resultados, verifica-se que o presente protocolo é seguro e eficaz para a realização de anestesia venosa em caninos.<br>Propofol (2,6 diisopropylphenol) is an ultra short duration hypnotic agent that produces sedation and hypnosis similar to barbituric agent, but lacks analgesic action. This is a chemically unique anesthetic agent that can be used for induction and anesthetic maintenance. The objective of this research was to evaluate the cardiac and respiratory rate, oximetry, mean arterial blood pressure and tidal volume and minute volume in dogs premedicated with acepromazine and fentanyl and anesthetized by continuous infusion by propofol. Ten dogs were submitted to anesthesia by continuous propofol infusion during ninety minutes. Using acepromazine (0.1mg.kg-1) and fentanyl (0.01mg.kg-1) as pre anesthetic drugs, anesthesia was induced using propofol (3.16mg.kg-1) and maintained by continuous infusion of propofol in a rate of 0.4mg.kg-1 .min-1. The parameters were measured immediately after induction, at 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 minutes following induction; by the end of infusion and 30 minutes after the end of infusion. The parameters were analyzed by analysis of variance for repeated measures and the means were analyzed by the Tuckey test to 5% of significance. The protocol used had no statistical effect on the parameters analyzed. One animal showed apnea during the induction phase. The results obtained in this experiment suggest that this protocol might be safely and efficiently used for routine intravenous anesthesia in dogs