Aligning design with science : tree grids and rings in the landscape

Tree grids and tree rings pose certain challenges to the designer of landscapes especially designing hard landscapes such as pavements, parking areas and roadsides. One challenge is insufficient knowledge of lateral growth space required by tree stems over time. Inappropriate size selection may cause damage to tree rings, tree grids and trees, resulting in costly repairs and unsightly landscape features. Lack of a rigorous knowledge base may prevent the designer or urban forester from choosing appropriate ring or grid sizes. However, these situations may be prevented or avoided should the choices be based on scientific knowledge of tree stem growth rates. This paper presents the results of an investigation of stem growth rates of three indigenous savannah street trees species growing in the City of Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa. The stem diameters of each species were measured at ground level. Random stratified sampling was conducted, with the total sample size being 282, the oldest tree being more than 46 years of age. Stem diameter was regressed on tree age to compute estimated stem diameter growth rates. Thereafter comparisons were made to rings found in the local landscape industry. The differences in growth rates showed that Combretum erytrophyllum, Searsia lancea and Searsia pendulina will outgrow small tree grids in approximately 10.75, 18.50, and 15.50 years, respectively. The paper suggests that the statistical analysis and modelling of field data increase certainty for design parameters, enhancing the excellence of urban landscapes and forests.Afrox, the Bradlows Foundation, the National Research Foundation (Grant no. 2053522) and the University of South Africa (Unisa).http://www.actahort.orgam2016Plant ScienceStatistic

Erratum to “Measles outbreaks – potential threat for health care professionals” Infect Prev Pract, Volume 2, Issue 3, September 2020, 100074

Immunogenetics and cellular immunology of bacterial infectious disease

Risk factors for fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli in adults with community-onset febrile urinary tract infection

Objectives To assess risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance in community-onset febrile Escherichia coli urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods A nested case-control study within a cohort of consecutive adults with febrile UTI presenting at primary healthcare centres or emergency departments during January 2004 through December 2009. Resistance was defined using EUCAST criteria (ciprofloxacin MIC >1.0 mg/L). Cases were subjects with fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli, and controls those with fluoroquinolone-susceptible isolates. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance. Results Of 787 consecutive patients, 420 had E. coli-positive urine cultures. Of these, 51 (12%) were fluoroquinolone resistant. Independent risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance were urinary catheter [odds ratio (OR) 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9-11.6], recent hospitalization (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.0-4.3) and fluoroquinolone use in the past 6 months (OR 17.5; 95% CI 6.0-50.7). Environmental factors (e.g. contact with animals or hospitalized household members) were not associated with fluoroquinolone resistance. Of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains, 33% were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanate and 65% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole; 14% were extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) positive compared with <1% of fluoroquinolone-susceptible isolates. Conclusions Recent hospitalization, urinary catheter and fluoroquinolone use in the past 6 months were independent risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance in community-onset febrile E. coli UTI. Contact with animals or hospitalized household members was not associated with fluoroquinolone resistance. Fluoroquinolone resistance may be a marker of broader resistance, including ESBL positivity.Immunogenetics and cellular immunology of bacterial infectious disease

Home monitoring reduced short stay admissions in suspected COVID-19 patients: COVID-box project

Cardiolog

Viral clearance, pharmacokinetics and tolerability of ensovibep in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19: a phase 2a, open-label, single-dose escalation study

AimTo assess viral clearance, pharmacokinetics, tolerability and symptom evolution following ensovibep administration in symptomatic COVID-19 outpatients.MethodsIn this open-label, first-in-patient study a single dose of either 225 mg (n = 6) or 600 mg (n = 6) of ensovibep was administered intravenously in outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Pharmacokinetic profiles were determined (90-day period). Pharmacodynamic assessments consisted of viral load (qPCR and cultures) and symptom questionnaires. Immunogenicity against ensovibep and SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing activity were determined. Safety and tolerability were assessed throughout a 13-week follow-up.ResultsBoth doses showed similar pharmacokinetics (first-order) with mean half-lives of 14 (SD 5.0) and 13 days (SD 5.7) for the 225- and 600-mg groups, respectively. Pharmacologically relevant serum concentrations were maintained in all subjects for at least 2 weeks postdose, regardless of possible immunogenicity against ensovibep. Viral load changes from baseline at day 15 were 5.1 (SD 0.86) and 5.3 (SD 2.2) log10 copies/mL for the 225- and 600-mg doses, respectively. COVID-19 symptom scores decreased from 10.0 (SD 4.1) and 11.3 (SD 4.0) to 1.6 (SD 3.1) and 3.3 (SD 2.4) in the first week for the 225- and 600-mg groups, respectively. No anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing activity was present predose and all patients had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at day 91. Adverse events were of mild-to-moderate severity, transient and self-limiting.ConclusionSingle-dose intravenous administration of 225 or 600 mg of ensovibep appeared safe and well tolerated in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Ensovibep showed favourable pharmacokinetics in patients and the pharmacodynamic results warrant further research in a larger phase 2/3 randomized-controlled trail.Perioperative Medicine: Efficacy, Safety and Outcome (Anesthesiology/Intensive Care

Complement Component C1q as Serum Biomarker to Detect Active Tuberculosis

Transplantation and autoimmunit

Respiratory tract infection: prevention, early detection and attenuation of immune response

Different aspects of respiratory tract infection have been studied. Automatic syndromic surveillance for early detection of infections is feasible. Peak in ILI in hospitals is most flu seasons before rise in cases in primary care. Influenza vaccination can safely be given to oncology patients who use checkpoint inhibitors. we were unable to demonstrate an attenuation of immune response in patients treated with non-lytic rifampicin for pneumococcal pneumonia. Cardiac surgery during influenza season is a risk factor for postoperative ARDS. Financial support for the clinical studies by The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, ZonMW [grant number 204000001], by the Virgo consortium, funded by the Dutch government [grant number FES0908], the Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI) [grant number 050-060-452], and the Franje Foundation is gratefully acknowledged.LUMC / Geneeskund

Respiratory tract infection: prevention, early detection and attenuation of immune response

Different aspects of respiratory tract infection have been studied. Automatic syndromic surveillance for early detection of infections is feasible. Peak in ILI in hospitals is most flu seasons before rise in cases in primary care. Influenza vaccination can safely be given to oncology patients who use checkpoint inhibitors. we were unable to demonstrate an attenuation of immune response in patients treated with non-lytic rifampicin for pneumococcal pneumonia. Cardiac surgery during influenza season is a risk factor for postoperative ARDS. </p

Immune-related Adverse Events in Patients With Cancer Receiving Influenza Vaccination and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immunogenetics and cellular immunology of bacterial infectious disease