Thermodynamic stability, kinetic inertness and relaxometric properties of monoamide derivatives of lanthanide(III) DOTA complexes

A complete thermodynamic and kinetic solution study on lanthanide(III) complexes with monoacetamide (DOTAMA, L1) and monopropionamide (DOTAMAP, L2) derivatives of DOTA (DOTA = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) was undertaken with the aim to elucidate their stability and inertness in aqueous media. The stability constants of GdL1 and GdL2 are comparable, whereas a more marked difference is found in the kinetic inertness of the two complexes. The formation of the Eu(III) and Ce(III) complexes takes place via the formation of the protonated intermediates which can deprotonate and transform into the final complex through a OH-assisted pathway. GdL2 shows faster rates of acid catalysed decomplexation with respect to GdL1, which has a kinetic inertness comparable to GdDOTA. Nevertheless, GdL2 is one order of magnitude more inert than GdDO3A. A novel DOTAMAP-based bifunctional chelating ligand and its deoxycholic acid derivative (L5) were also synthesized. Since the coordinated water molecule in GdL2 is characterized by an exchange rate ca. two orders of magnitude greater than in GdL1, the relaxivity of the macromolecular derivatives of GdL5 should not be limited by the slow water exchange process. The relaxometric properties of the supramolecular adduct of GdL5 with human serum albumin (HSA) were investigated in aqueous solution by measuring the magnetic field dependence of the H-1 relaxivity which, at 20 MHz and 298 K, shows a 430% increase over that of the unbound GdL5 chelate. Thus, Gd(III) complexes with DOTAMAP macrocyclic ligands can represent good candidates for the development of stable and highly effective bioconjugate systems for molecular imaging applications

evaluation of alternative substrates and fertilizer regimes for the nursery cultivation of phyllostachys pubescens carriere j houz

The economic importance of the bamboo cultivation in Asia is well known, but the recent rise of interest in Europe required more deep studies on growing techniques. Among the bamboo species, the Phyllostachys pubescens (Carrière) J. Houz. is appreciated for its multiple uses: landscaping, timber and shoots production. In order to identify the best and sustainable combination of substrates and fertilization regimes, a nursery experimental trial was performed in 2016. Eight treatments (four substrates and two fertilization regimes) with 256 young plantlets divided into four randomized blocks were evaluated. The substrates used were: 40% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% pumice (standard substrate, S1); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 10% rice husk, 20% pumice (S2); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% rice husk, 10% pumice (S3); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% wood fibers, 10% pumice (S4). The two fertilization regimes were: 1.6 g l-1 (A) and 0.8 g l-1 (B) NPK (16-11-10) Osmocote Exact®. All substrates were supplemented with a fungal inoculum (2.5 g l-1) and corrected with 2.5 × 10-3 g l-1 of CaCO3. The number of culms and leaves and the SPAD values of six plants of each blocks were monthly measured. Fresh and dry weights, before and after cultivation was recorded. Data were statistically analyzed. Results showed that rice husk should be used only in low percentage, but wood fiber can be more suitable for bamboo cultivation. The combination of alternative materials and low fertilization regimes (S1_B and S4_B) should be the key for a more sustainable cultivation for potted Phyllostachys pubescens in Europe

Distribution of the Mediterranean ribbed limpet Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791 along the Ligurian coast and implications for conservation actions

Patella ferruginea is a limpet endemic to the Western Mediterranean Sea. It is presently considered the most threatened marine macroinvertebrate in the region and has been included in several international conservation directives. Its populations were widespread throughout the Western Mediterranean in the late Pleistocene period, and remained broadly distributed until the 19th century. Presently this species is confined into small populations in a few restricted areas due to human harvesting for food and baits, construction of coastal infrastructures and the effects of seawater pollution. In particular, the species is reported as presently disappeared from the whole of the Italian continental coast and measures are in progress to reintroduce the species through translocation and reproduction in controlled conditions along the Ligurian coasts of the Northwestern Mediterranean.Recent surveys implemented in the framework of the present work along the Ligurian coasts, to assess the most suitable sites for reintroduction, resulted in the discovery of 32 specimens of this endemic limpet, which previously was thought to have vanished from the area. These findings shed new light on the ability of species to naturally disperse, the relevance of the measures set in place to restore presently rarefied populations and may provide information to aid in the selection and management of sites within the Natura 2000 Ecological network

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Evaluation of Alternative Substrates and Fertilizer Regimes for the Nursery Cultivation of Phyllostachys pubescens (Carrière) J. Houz.

The economic importance of the bamboo cultivation in Asia is well known, but the recent rise of interest in Europe required more deep studies on growing techniques. Among the bamboo species, the Phyllostachys pubescens (Carrière) J. Houz. is appreciated for its multiple uses: landscaping, timber and shoots production. In order to identify the best and sustainable combination of substrates and fertilization regimes, a nursery experimental trial was performed in 2016. Eight treatments (four substrates and two fertilization regimes) with 256 young plantlets divided into four randomized blocks were evaluated. The substrates used were: 40% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% pumice (standard substrate, S1); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 10% rice husk, 20% pumice (S2); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% rice husk, 10% pumice (S3); 30% peat, 40% coconut fibers, 20% wood fibers, 10% pumice (S4). The two fertilization regimes were: 1.6 g l-1 (A) and 0.8 g l-1 (B) NPK (16-11-10) Osmocote Exact®. All substrates were supplemented with a fungal inoculum (2.5 g l-1) and corrected with 2.5 × 10-3 g l-1 of CaCO3. The number of culms and leaves and the SPAD values of six plants of each blocks were monthly measured. Fresh and dry weights, before and after cultivation was recorded. Data were statistically analyzed. Results showed that rice husk should be used only in low percentage, but wood fiber can be more suitable for bamboo cultivation. The combination of alternative materials and low fertilization regimes (S1_B and S4_B) should be the key for a more sustainable cultivation for potted Phyllostachys pubescens in Europe

Venous stasis and whole blood platelet aggregometry: a question of data reliability and patient safety

The assessment of platelet function by multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) (Multiplate, Roche Diagnostics GmbH) is common in laboratory hematology. As regards the ISO 15189:2012 international standard, appropriate use of laboratory equipment requires appropriate pre-examination activities (e.g., blood collection). Venous stasis can influence several blood analytes, but the tourniquet time is rarely regarded as a source of variability. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of venous stasis on platelet function by MEA. A total of 6\u200aml of blood was collected from 20 volunteers into two 3.0\u200aml Hirudin vacuum tube (Roche Diagnostics GmbH), and subjected to two procedures: procedure 1 (no stasis) - collection after localization of forearm vein by subcutaneous tissue transilluminator device without tourniquet; procedure 2 (stasis) - collection after localization of vein by prior 60\u200as tourniquet application. Samples were processed on Multiplate, for: ADP-test (without prostaglandin E1), ADP HS-test (with prostaglandin E1), ASPI-test, COL-test, RISTO H-test (high concentration, 0.77\u200amg/ml), RISTO L-test (low concentration, 0.20\u200amg/ml), and TRAP-test. The significance of the differences between samples was assessed by Wilcoxon ranked-pairs test. Surprisingly, the results of ADP HS-test, ASPI-test, COL-test, and RISTO H-test appeared unbiased by venous stasis. RISTO L-test, ADP-test, and TRAP-test were significantly biased; the mean percent difference between stasis and no stasis were -7.2% (P\u200a=\u200a0.040), -28.4% (P\u200a=\u200a0.015), and 1.1% (P\u200a=\u200a0.031), respectively. In conclusion, the tourniquet should be avoided when assessing platelet function by MEA

Assessment of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 with fully automated MAGLUMI 2019-nCoV IgG and IgM chemiluminescence immunoassays

Assessment of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 with fully automated MAGLUMI 2019-nCoV IgG and IgM chemiluminescence immunoassays