The Texas Community-Engagement Research Alliance Against COVID-19 in Disproportionately Affected Communities (TX CEAL) Consortium

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic requires urgent implementation of effective community-engaged strategies to enhance education, awareness, and inclusion of underserved communities in prevention, mitigation, and treatment efforts. The Texas Community-Engagement Alliance Consortium was established with support from the United States’ National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct community-engaged projects in selected geographic locations with a high proportion of medically underserved minority groups with a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 disease and hospitalizations. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of the Consortium. The Consortium organized seven projects with focused activities to address COVID-19 clinical and vaccine trials in highly affected counties, as well as critical statewide efforts. Five Texas counties (Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Hidalgo, and Tarrant) were chosen by NIH because of high concentrations of underserved minority communities, existing community infrastructure, ongoing efforts against COVID-19, and disproportionate burden of COVID-19. Policies and practices can contribute to disparities in COVID-19 risk, morbidity, and mortality. Community engagement is an essential element for effective public health strategies in medically underserved minority areas. Working with partners, the Consortium will use community engagement strategies to address COVID-19 disparities

Unsettled Subjects/Unsettling Landscapes: Confronting Questions of Architecture in C.L.R. James's The Black Jacobins

We begin by acknowledging all those who live in present danger to their lives, their livelihoods and their loved ones: surviving and resisting the exploitation, subordination and marginalisation exacted by that system of racialised practices, structures and knowledges that we know of as colonialism. We acknowledge them in solidarity and recognise their struggle, offering as they do not just resistance but histories and practices of life. We will continue to seek counter-hegemonic socialist, feminist and decolonial knowledges, practices and affects in our work with one another as grounded beings in and of this only Earth

Implementation of the Texas Community-Engaged Statewide Consortium for the Prevention of COVID-19

The Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities aims to conduct community-engaged research and outreach. This paper describes the Texas CEAL Consortium\u27s activities in the first year and evaluates progress. The Texas CEAL Consortium comprised seven projects. To evaluate the Texas CEAL Consortium\u27s progress, we used components of the RE-AIM Framework. Evaluation included estimating the number of people reached for data collection and education activities (reach), individual project goals and progress (effectiveness), partnerships established and partner engagement (adoption), and outreach and education activities (implementation). During the one-year period, focus groups were conducted with 172 people and surveys with 2107 people across Texas. Partners represented various types of organizations, including 11 non-profit organizations, 4 academic institutions, 3 civic groups, 3 government agencies, 2 grassroots organizations, 2 faith-based organizations, 1 clinic, and 4 that were of other types. The main facets of implementation consisted of education activities and the development of trainings. Key recommendations for future consortiums relate to funding and research logistics and the value of strong community partnerships. The lessons learned in this first year of rapid deployment inform ongoing work by the Texas CEAL Consortium and future community-engaged projects

Metabolomic and metagenomic analysis of two crude oil production pipelines experiencing differential rates of corrosion

Corrosion processes in two North Sea oil production pipelines were studied by analyzing pig envelope samples via metagenomic and metabolomic techniques. Both production systems have similar physico-chemical properties and injection waters are treated with nitrate, but one pipeline experiences severe corrosion and the other does not. Early and late pigging material was collected to gain insight into the potential causes for differential corrosion rates. Metabolites were extracted and analyzed via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI) in both positive and negative ion modes. Metabolites were analyzed by comparison with standards indicative of aerobic and anaerobic hydrocarbon metabolism and by comparison to predicted masses for KEGG metabolites. Microbial community structure was analyzed via 16S rRNA gene qPCR, sequencing of 16S PCR products, and MySeq Illumina shotgun sequencing of community DNA. Metagenomic data were used to reconstruct the full length 16S rRNA genes and genomes of dominant microorganisms. Sequence data were also interrogated via KEGG annotation and for the presence of genes related to terminal electron accepting (TEA) processes as well as aerobic and anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation. Significant and distinct differences were observed when comparing the ‘high corrosion’ (HC) and the ‘low corrosion’ (LC) pipeline systems, especially with respect to the TEA utilization potential. The HC samples were dominated by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and archaea known for their ability to utilize simple carbon substrates, whereas LC samples were dominated by pseudomonads with the genetic potential for denitrification and aerobic hydrocarbon degradation. The frequency of aerobic hydrocarbon degradation genes was low in the HC system, and anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation genes were not detected in either pipeline. This is in contrast with metabolite analysis, which demonstrated the presence of several succinic acids in HC samples that are diagnostic of anaerobic hydrocarbon metabolism. Identifiable aerobic metabolites were confined to the LC samples, consistent with the metagenomic data. Overall, these data suggest that corrosion management might benefit from a more refined understanding of microbial community resilience in the face of disturbances such as nitrate treatment or pigging, which frequently prove insufficient to alter community structure toward a stable, less-corrosive assemblage.This work was supported in part by grants from the University of Oklahoma Biocorrosion Center, the National Science Foundation (OCE 1634630 and MCB 1329890) and BP (The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, Project No. 130206). The instrumentation for the metabolomic analysis was funded by ONR through a DURIP grant (Award no. N000140910797), and the method development by ONR through a MURI grant (Award no. N000141010946).Ye

European Red List of Trees

The European Red List is a review of the status of European species according to IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines. It identifies those species that are threatened with extinction at the regional level – in order that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status. This publication summarises results for all Europe’s native species of tree (454 species), of which 265 species (over 58%) are endemic to continental Europe, with 56% (252 species) endemic to the 28 EU Member States. Of these, 168 (42%) of the species are threatened with extinction at the European level, however, for 57 species (nearly 13%) there was insufficient information to assign a conservation status, and are therefore classified as Data Deficient, and in need of further research. The main threat to tree species in Europe has been identified as invasive or problematic species, impacting 38% of tree species, followed by deforestation and wood harvesting, and urban development (both affecting 20% of tree species). For threatened species, livestock farming, land abandonment, changes in forest and woodland management, and other ecosystem modifications such as fire are the major threats, impacting the survival of trees.Peer reviewe

Heme oxygenase-1 regulates cell proliferation via carbon monoxide-mediated inhibition of T-type Ca2+ channels

Induction of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) affords cellular protection and suppresses proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) associated with a variety of pathological cardiovascular conditions including myocardial infarction and vascular injury. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Over-expression of Cav3.2 T-type Ca2+ channels in HEK293 cells raised basal [Ca2+]i and increased proliferation as compared with non-transfected cells. Proliferation and [Ca2+]i levels were reduced to levels seen in non-transfected cells either by induction of HO-1 or exposure of cells to the HO-1 product, carbon monoxide (CO) (applied as the CO releasing molecule, CORM-3). In the aortic VSMC line A7r5, proliferation was also inhibited by induction of HO-1 or by exposure of cells to CO, and patch-clamp recordings indicated that CO inhibited T-type (as well as L-type) Ca2+ currents in these cells. Finally, in human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells, proliferation was reduced by T-type channel inhibition or by HO-1 induction or CO exposure. The effects of T-type channel blockade and HO-1 induction were non-additive. Collectively, these data indicate that HO-1 regulates proliferation via CO-mediated inhibition of T-type Ca2+ channels. This signalling pathway provides a novel means by which proliferation of VSMCs (and other cells) may be regulated therapeutically

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

SummaryBackground Azithromycin has been proposed as a treatment for COVID-19 on the basis of its immunomodulatoryactions. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of azithromycin in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19.Methods In this randomised, controlled, open-label, adaptive platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19Therapy [RECOVERY]), several possible treatments were compared with usual care in patients admitted to hospitalwith COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 176 hospitals in the UK. Eligible and consenting patients wererandomly allocated to either usual standard of care alone or usual standard of care plus azithromycin 500 mg once perday by mouth or intravenously for 10 days or until discharge (or allocation to one of the other RECOVERY treatmentgroups). Patients were assigned via web-based simple (unstratified) randomisation with allocation concealment andwere twice as likely to be randomly assigned to usual care than to any of the active treatment groups. Participants andlocal study staff were not masked to the allocated treatment, but all others involved in the trial were masked to theoutcome data during the trial. The primary outcome was 28-day all-cause mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treatpopulation. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936.Findings Between April 7 and Nov 27, 2020, of 16 442 patients enrolled in the RECOVERY trial, 9433 (57%) wereeligible and 7763 were included in the assessment of azithromycin. The mean age of these study participants was65·3 years (SD 15·7) and approximately a third were women (2944 [38%] of 7763). 2582 patients were randomlyallocated to receive azithromycin and 5181 patients were randomly allocated to usual care alone. Overall,561 (22%) patients allocated to azithromycin and 1162 (22%) patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days(rate ratio 0·97, 95% CI 0·87–1·07; p=0·50). No significant difference was seen in duration of hospital stay (median10 days [IQR 5 to >28] vs 11 days [5 to >28]) or the proportion of patients discharged from hospital alive within 28 days(rate ratio 1·04, 95% CI 0·98–1·10; p=0·19). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, nosignificant difference was seen in the proportion meeting the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilationor death (risk ratio 0·95, 95% CI 0·87–1·03; p=0·24).Interpretation In patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19, azithromycin did not improve survival or otherprespecified clinical outcomes. Azithromycin use in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 should be restrictedto patients in whom there is a clear antimicrobial indication

The Environment and Economy of an Ubaid-Related Settlement on Dalma Island, United Arab Emirates

The environmental and economic evidence from three seasons of excavation (1992-1994) at site DA11, an Ubaid-related settlement on Dalma island, United Arab Emirates is discussed. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the site was occupied during the second half of the 6th and first half of the 5th millennium ВС, The discovery of carbonized date stones (Phoenix dactylifera) at site DA 11 has made an important contribution to the history of early date consumption in the Near East. Animal bones recovered during the excavations indicate that fishing and hunting were of great importance although sheep and goat husbandry was also practised. Gazelle, marine turtle, dugong and dolphin were also occasionally exploited. Fishing seems to have been an important activity with a wide range of species being represented, including inshore as well as pelagic species. Comparing the Dalma fish assemblage with those published in reports in the region suggests that there is some variation in the types of fishes caught in different areas. Other important marine resources utilised at Dalma included marine mollusca. In contrast to contemporary sites on the mainland, DA11 has an unusual range of exploited molluscs, dominated by a few species from exposed rocky shores, cobbles and coarse sand, along with a marked use of pearl oyster from shallow water cobbles and sea grass beds. Molluscs from sheltered lagoon environments, which are common on mid-Holocene sites on the mainland, are entirely absent. Overall this evidence highlights three important points : (1) the variation in fishes caught on broadly contemporary sites within the region which may be due to differences in available habitats between the different areas of the Gulf, (2) the overall patchiness of mollusc distribution along the shore reflects the quite subtle habitat needs of each species with the potential for them to change over time under different climates or other conditions, and (3) such factors must have had a marked effect on the humanLes données environnementales recueillies au cours de trois saisons de fouilles (1992-1994) à DA 11, un site de l'époque Obeid sur l 'île de Dalma, Émirats Arabes Unis, sont présentées. Les datations radiocarbone suggèrent que le site a été occupé pendant la seconde moitié du VIe et la première moitié du Ve millénaire ВС. La découverte de noyaux carbonisés de dattes (Phoenix dactylifera) sur ce site apporte une information importante sur l 'histoire de la consommation de ce fruit au Proche-Orient. Les ossements d'animaux mis au jour montrent que la pêche et la chasse occupaient une place importante bien que l 'élevage des caprines soit également pratiqué. La gazelle, la tortue marine, le dugong et le dauphin étaient également exploités. La pêche semble avoir joué un grand rôle, avec un large éventail d'espèces aussi bien côtières que pélagiques. La comparaison du spectre des poissons de Dalma avec ceux d'autres sites de la même région montre une certaine variabilité entre les divers secteurs. À Dalma, d 'autres ressources marines ont été exploitées, en particulier les mollusques. Contrairement aux assemblages malacologiques des sites continentaux contemporains, DA 11 présente un spectre peu commun, dominé par les espèces de rivages rocheux, de galets et de sable, avec une utilisation marquée d'huître perlière, provenant des niveaux de galets mais aussi des herbiers peu profonds. Les espèces des lagunes abritées, communes sur les sites continentaux de l 'Holocène moyen, sont ici complètement, absentes. D 'une manière générale, trois points importants sont à souligner : (1) la variété des poissons peut être liée à la diversité des habitats disponibles dans les divers secteurs du Golfe ; (2) l'hétérogénéité de la distribution des mollusques le long du rivage reflète la diversité d'habitats et d'écologie de ces derniers, variables en fonction du temps et du climat ; (3) tous ces facteurs ont eu probablement un impact important sur l 'exploitation de ces espèces par l 'homme.Beech Mark J., Glover Emily. The Environment and Economy of an Ubaid-Related Settlement on Dalma Island, United Arab Emirates. In: Paléorient, 2005, vol. 31, n°1. Anciennes exploitations des mers et des cours d'eau en Asie du Sud-Ouest. Approches environnementales. pp. 97-107