COVID-19 vaccination in patients receiving allergen immunotherapy (AIT) or biologicals:EAACI recommendations

Immune modulation is a key therapeutic approach for allergic diseases, asthma and autoimmunity. It can be achieved in an antigen-specific manner via allergen immunotherapy (AIT) or in an endotype-driven approach using biologicals that target the major pathways of the type 2 (T2) immune response: immunoglobulin (Ig)E, interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-4/IL-13 or non-type 2 response: anti-cytokine antibodies and B-cell depletion via anti-CD20. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination provides an excellent opportunity to tackle the global pandemics and is currently being applied in an accelerated rhythm worldwide. The vaccine exerts its effects through immune modulation, induces and amplifies the response against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Thus, as there may be a discernible interference between these treatment modalities, recommendations on how they should be applied in sequence are expected. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) assembled an expert panel under its Research and Outreach Committee (ROC). This expert panel evaluated the evidence and have formulated recommendations on the administration of COVID-19 vaccine in patients with allergic diseases and asthma receiving AIT or biologicals. The panel also formulated recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine in association with biologicals targeting the type 1 or type 3 immune response. In formulating recommendations, the panel evaluated the mechanisms of COVID-19 infection, of COVID-19 vaccine, of AIT and of biologicals and considered the data published for other anti-infectious vaccines administered concurrently with AIT or biologicals

Software-Defined Computer with a Classic Microprocessor

The paper describes the concept and the design process of a software-defined computer built for didactic purposes and as a proof-of-concept. The computer uses a classic microprocessor from the 1980s with all of its other components – memory, I/O, supplementary glue logic and a hardware bus monitor implemented with a contemporary mainstream microcontroller with Cortex-M family core. The concept of a software-defined computer was successfully implemented with four significantly different microprocessors. The computer may be used for illustrating the operation of a processor and for teaching the basics of low-level programming. It is also capable of running CP/M operating system. Its operation is controlled at both hardware and software level from a PC via two instances of a terminal emulator software

Rzeczka Bukowa w aglomeracji miejskiej Szczecina - od zrodel na bezrzeczu do ujscia do Odry - badania biologiczne i chemiczne

W okresie jesień 1999 - wiosna 2000 prowadzono badania ekosystemu cieku - strumienia Bukowa przepływającego przez aglomerację miejską Szczecina. Zebrane dane umożliwiły dokonanie opisu fizjograficznego rzeki Bukowej oraz ocenę stanu fito- i zoocenoz tego cieku, a także dokonanie oceny jakości wód rzeki wzdłuż drogi ich spływu. Wyniki badań biologicznych i chemicznych wykazały, że ciek - strumień Bukowa, począwszy od źródła w dzielnicy Bezrzecze, aż do ujścia do rzeki Odry, jest właściwie kanałem, którym spływają martwe biologicznie i - mierząc według kryteriów chemicznych - zdeklasowane wody, przeważnie pochodzenia ściekowego.The ecosystem of Bukowa stream, flowing across the Szczecin agglomeration, was investigated within the period of autumn 1999 - spring 2000. The data collected made possible to accomplish the Bukowa physiographical description, to asses the phyto- and zoocenose conditions and to evaluate the water quality in Bukowa, along the couse of flow. Results of biological and chemical investigations showed, that Bukowa-stream, from the spring at Bezrzecze quarter to Odra River mouth, is in fact sewer, with flowing of biologicaly dead and declassified water, mostly of sewage origin

Irradiation with 365 nm and 405 nm wavelength shows differences in DNA damage of swine pancreatic islets.

Introduction3D printing is being used more extensively in modern biomedicine. One of the problems is selecting a proper crosslinking method of bioprinted material. Amongst currently used techniques we can distinguish: physical crosslinking (e.g. Ca2+ and Sr2+) and chemical crosslinking-the UV light crosslinking causing the biggest discussion. UV radiation is selectively absorbed by DNA, mainly in the UV-B region but also (to some extent) in UV-A and UV-C regions. DNA excitement results in typical photoproducts. The amount of strand breaks may vary depending on the period of exposition, it can also differ when cells undergo incubation after radiation.AimThe aim of this study was to show whether and how the time of irradiation with 405 nm and 365 nm wavelengths affect DNA damage in cell lines and micro-organs (pancreatic islets).Materials and methodsThe degree of DNA damage caused by different wavelengths of radiation (405 nm and 365 nm) was evaluated by a comet assay. The test was performed on fibroblasts, alpha cells, beta cells and porcine pancreatic islets after 24 hours incubation period. Samples without radiation treatment were selected as a control group. Results analysis consisted of determining the percent of cells with damaged DNA and the tail intensity evaluation.ResultsThe degree of DNA damage in pancreatic islets after exposure to 405 nm wavelength oscillated between 2% and 6% depending on the tested time period (10 - 300 seconds). However, treating islets using 365 nm wavelength resulted in damage up to 50%. This clearly shows significantly less damage when using 405 nm wavelength. Similar results were obtained for the tested cell lines.ConclusionsCrosslinking with 405 nm is better for pancreatic islets than crosslinking with 365 nm UV light

Liner shipping connectivity as determinant of trade

Transport connectivity is a crucial determinant of bilateral exports. This paper presents an empirical assessment of the relationship between bilateral maritime liner shipping connectivity and exports in containerizable goods during the period 2006-2013. Making use of probed 'gravity' type trade models, the paper incorporates new data on different measurements of maritime distance, as well as a unique new dataset and new bilateral connectivity indices developed by UNCTAD. The empirical investigations unequivocally show that lacking a direct maritime connection with a trade partner is associated with lower values of exports; any additional transshipment is associated with a 40% lower value of bilateral exports. Other indicators of liner shipping connectivity incorporated in the research take into consideration levels of competition and container vessel sizes. Results also indicate that the quality of bilateral connectivity as measured by several composite indices is a crucial determinant of bilateral exports. All empirical results suggest that in the absence of a bilateral connectivity indicator the impact of distance on bilateral exports in classical gravity models is likely to be overestimated