Probable vertical transmission of Alpha variant of concern (B.1.1.7) with evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the syncytiotrophoblast, a case report

IntroductionDefinitive vertical transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been rarely reported. We present a case of a third trimester pregnancy with fetal distress necessitating cesarean section that demonstrated maternal, placental, and infant infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant/B.1.1.7.MethodsCDC's Influenza SARS-CoV-2 Multiplex RT-PCR Assay was used to test for SARS-CoV-2 in a maternal NP swab, maternal plasma, infant NP swab, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) placental tissue specimens. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on maternal plasma, infant, and placental specimens to determine the SARS-CoV-2 genotype. Histopathological evaluation, SARS-CoV-2 immunohistochemistry testing (IHC), and electron microscopy (EM) analysis were performed on placenta, umbilical cord, and membrane FFPE blocks.ResultsAll specimens tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. WGS further revealed identical SARS-CoV-2 sequences from clade 20I/501Y.V1 (lineage Alpha/B.1.1.7) in maternal plasma, infant, and placental specimens. Histopathologic evaluation of the placenta showed histiocytic and neutrophilic intervillositis with fibrin deposition and trophoblast necrosis with positive SARS-CoV-2 immunostaining in the syncytiotrophoblast and electron microscopy evidence of coronavirus.DiscussionThese findings suggest vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2, supported by clinical course timing, identical SARS-CoV-2 genotypes from maternal, placental, and infant samples, and IHC and EM evidence of placental infection. However, determination of the timing or distinction between prepartum and peripartum SARS-CoV-2 transmission remains unclear

POSTNATAL-DEVELOPMENT OF BULBOSPINAL SEROTONINERGIC SYSTEM - EFFECTS OF GM1 GANGLIOSIDE FOLLOWING NEONATAL 5,7-DIHYDROXYTRYPTAMINE TREATMENT

The postnatal development of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the pons medulla and spinal cord segments of rats treated with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-HT) and/or GM1 ganglioside has been investigated. Animals have been sacrificed at 4, 7, 28 and 56 days of age. In control rats, 5-HT and 5-HIAA increase in all areas during the first postnatal week. Thereafter, 5-HT and 5-HIAA remain constant in the thoracic and lumbar segments while a further increment takes place in the cervical portion. In the pons medulla, 5-HT reaches a plateau at 28 days, while 5-HIAA reaches a peak at 7 days and then declines to the adult value at 28 days. Neonatal administration of 5,7-HT produces mixed-type alterations in the developing bulbospinal serotoninergic system. Whilst 5-HT and 5-HIAA markedly decrease in the most distal 5-HT nerve terminal projections (thoracic and lumbar cord) they increase in the pons medulla ("pruning effect"). These alterations are accompanied by regional variations of the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio, an index of 5-HT turnover. In particular, a prominent decrease of 5-HIAA/5-HT occurs in the lumbar segment of 1- and 2-month-old rats. In this area, where the effect of 5,7-HT is the most severe, an "up-regulation" of 5-HT, receptors is observed in 2-month-old rats. GM1 administration does not modify the development of the bulbospinal serotoninergic system. However, GM1 treatment has a counteracting effect on the alterations induced by 5,7-HT. Recovery of 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels occurs in the thoracic and lumbar cord of 1- and 2-month-old rats and is paralleled by a reduction of the "pruning effect" in the pons medulla. Furthermore, in the lumbar cord of 2-month-old rats, GM1 prevents the decrease of the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio and the "up-regulation" of 5-HTl receptors induced by the neurotoxin. It is suggested that the GM1 effect is due to a prevention of the retrograde axonal degeneration occurring after the lesion and/or a growth stimulation of injured axons

Sarcopenia e fratture vertebrali da fragilità : studio retrospettivo

Sarcopenia e fratture vertebrali da fragilità : studio retrospettiv

Modeling and Accuracy Assessment of Determining the Coastline Course Using Geodetic, Photogrammetric and Satellite Measurement Methods: Case Study in Gdynia Beach in Poland

The coastal environment represents a resource from both a natural and economic point of view, but it is subject to continuous transformations due to climate change, human activities, and natural risks. Remote sensing techniques have enormous potential in monitoring coastal areas. However, one of the main tasks is accurately identifying the boundary between waterbodies such as oceans, seas, lakes or rivers, and the land surface. The aim of this research is to evaluate the accuracy of coastline extraction using different datasets. The images used come from UAV-RGB and the Landsat-9 and Sentinel-2 satellites. The method applied for extracting the coast feature involves a first phase of application of the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), only for satellite data, and consequent application of the maximum likelihood classification, with automatic vectorization. To carry out a direct comparison with the extracted data, a coastline obtained through a field survey using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) device was used. The results are very satisfactory as they meet the minimum requirements specified by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S-44. Both the UAV and the Sentinel-2 reach the maximum order, called the Exclusive order (Total Horizontal Uncertainty (THU) of 5 m with a confidence level of 95%), while the Landsat-9 falls into the Special order (THU of 10 m with a confidence level of 95%)

Generalized lymphatic anomaly: A case report

Complex Lymphatic Anomalies are a group of rare diseases characterized by a non-neoplastic proliferation of lymphatic vessels. They include Generalized Lymphatic Anomalies and Kaposiform Lymphangiomatosis (both with involvement of visceral organs and bone with multifocal and non-progressive osteolysis) and Gorham-Stout Disease (characterized by a predominant involvement of bone with destruction of the bone matrix causing absorption of bone - the so-called "vanishing bone" disease - and a far less frequent visceral involvement). Because of the rarity of these diseases, the diagnosis may be confused by their similar clinical presentation. We describe a case of a young man with Generalized Lymphatic Anomalies with a diffuse involvement of the skeleton and of the spleen. The aim of this report is to point out the characteristics of different types of lymphatic anomalies to allow a correct diagnosis and a more adequate therap

Induction chemotherapy in head and neck cancer patients followed by concomitant docetaxel based radiochemotherapy

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy has become the standard of care for patients with inoperable squamous cell head and neck carcinoma. More recently, induction chemotherapy has been adopted as an approach in the management of these patients. We report the results of a phase II trial associating induction chemotherapy and concomitant chemoradiotherapy in a series of patients with inoperable squamous cell head and neck cancer. Twenty-nine patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma ineligible for surgery were enrolled. Induction chemotherapy with docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 every 21 days was administered for two cycles. Radiotherapy followed the induction phase. During radiotherapy, docetaxel was administered weekly at the dose of 33 mg/m2. Primary end point of the study was feasibility of treatment. Six (18%) patients failed to conclude the treatment schedule. Although response rates in evaluable patients were very high (disease control rate >90%), toxicities were a matter of concern. The reported treatment schedule proved infeasible. However, some modifications in ancillary therapies aimed at exploiting its efficacy could make it practicable

Hb East Timor [ß80(EF4)Asn?His, AAC>CAC (HBB c.241A>C)], a variant hemoglobin associated with normal hematology

Routine hemoglobin (Hb) analyses identified a new ß-globin variant in a family from East Timor. The red cell indices were within normal limits for all affected family members. The variant is due to a missense mutation at amino acid codon 80 (AAC>CAC) which results in the substitution of histidine for asparagine. © 2010 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc