Complete genome sequence of the sulfate-reducing Firmicute Desulfotomaculum ruminis type strain (DLT)

Desulfotomaculum ruminis Campbell and Postgate 1965 is a member of the large genus Desulfotomaculum which contains 30 species and is contained in the family Peptococcaceae. This species is of interest because it represents one of the few sulfate-reducing bacteria that have been isolated from the rumen. Here we describe the features of D. ruminis together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 3,969,014 bp long chromosome with a total of 3,901 protein-coding and 85 RNA genes is the second completed genome sequence of a type strain of the genus Desulfotomaculum to be published, and was sequenced as part of the DOE Joint Genome Institute Community Sequencing Program 2009

Recovery of dialysis patients with COVID-19 : health outcomes 3 months after diagnosis in ERACODA

Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related short-term mortality is high in dialysis patients, but longer-term outcomes are largely unknown. We therefore assessed patient recovery in a large cohort of dialysis patients 3 months after their COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods. We analyzed data on dialysis patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from 1 February 2020 to 31 March 2021 from the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database (ERACODA). The outcomes studied were patient survival, residence and functional and mental health status (estimated by their treating physician) 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. Complete follow-up data were available for 854 surviving patients. Patient characteristics associated with recovery were analyzed using logistic regression. Results. In 2449 hemodialysis patients (mean ± SD age 67.5 ± 14.4 years, 62% male), survival probabilities at 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis were 90% for nonhospitalized patients (n = 1087), 73% for patients admitted to the hospital but not to an intensive care unit (ICU) (n = 1165) and 40% for those admitted to an ICU (n = 197). Patient survival hardly decreased between 28 days and 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. At 3 months, 87% functioned at their pre-existent functional and 94% at their pre-existent mental level. Only few of the surviving patients were still admitted to the hospital (0.8-6.3%) or a nursing home (∼5%). A higher age and frailty score at presentation and ICU admission were associated with worse functional outcome. Conclusions. Mortality between 28 days and 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis was low and the majority of patients who survived COVID-19 recovered to their pre-existent functional and mental health level at 3 months after diagnosis

CYP2C19 PHARMACOGENETIC TESTING FOR PERSONALIZATION OF ANTIPLATELET THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME IN ROUTINE CLINICAL PRACTICE

Aim. To study the use of CYP2C19 pharmacogenetic testing (PhGT) for personalization of antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in routine practice.Material and methods. The study included 103 patients with ACS without indications for long-term anticoagulant therapy, which underwent CYP2C19 PhGT aimed at antiplatelet therapy personalization.Results. According to CYP2C19 genotyping the GG, GA, AA allelic variants were detected. CYP2C19*2 PhGT revealed that genotypes GG, GA and AA were carried by 76 (73.8%), 23 (22.3%) and 4 (3.9%) patients, respectively. Initially 86 (83.5%) patients received clopidogrel, 17 (16.5%) – ticagrelor. After therapy correction based on genotype GA and AA, the proportion of ticagrelor receiving patients increased from 25.9% to 55.5% (relative risk=0.172; 95% confidence interval 0.075-0.396; p<0.001). In 40.7% of patients who were poor clopidogrel metabolizers increased clopidogrel doses during maintaining therapy can be associated with the increased risk of bleeding.Conclusion. PhGT results (detection of carriage of the CYP2C19*2 allele variant) was a significant predictor of antiplatelet therapy correction in ACS patients. Therapy personalization included the replacement of clopidogrel with ticagrelor or an increase in the clopidogrel maintenance dose to 150 mg per day, which did not affect significant clinical outcomes

INFLUENCE OF SPACE WEATHER ON A CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM OF A HUMAN BEING DURING VARIOUS SOLAR CYCLE PHASES

The study of relationship of dynamics of space weather parameters to changes of cardiovascular system state of a human being was carried out by data of measurements of volunteer groups in October – December 2009 and March-April, 2011 by data ofYakutskand Tixie carried out according to the program of Russian-Ukrainian "Geliomed" project. It is shown that during a phase of minimum (2009) and  growth phase (2011) of the 11-year solar activity a distinction in the response of cardiovascular system of  a human being  connected with the    level  of  geomagnetic activity, latitude of residing of a human being and his/her age is observed. The study of relationship of dynamics of space weather parameters to changes of cardiovascular system state of a human being was carried out by data of measurements of volunteer groups in October – December 2009 and March-April, 2011 by data ofYakutskand Tixie carried out according to the program of Russian-Ukrainian "Geliomed" project. It is shown that during a phase of minimum (2009) and  growth phase (2011) of the 11-year solar activity a distinction in the response of cardiovascular system of  a human being  connected with the    level  of  geomagnetic activity, latitude of residing of a human being and his/her age is observed.

Strategies to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in hemodialysis centres across Europe-lessons for the future.

BACKGROUND: Early reports on the pandemic nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) directed the nephrology community to develop infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance. We aimed to make an inventory of strategies that dialysis centres followed to prevent infection with COVID-19 in the first pandemic wave. METHODS: We analyzed IPC measures taken by hemodialysis centres treating patients presenting with COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 and that completed the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database centre questionnaire. Additionally, we made an inventory of guidelines published in European countries to prevent spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in dialysis centres. RESULTS: Data from 73 dialysis units located in and bordering Europe were analyzed. All participating centres implemented IPC measures to mitigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 during the first pandemic wave. Measures mentioned most often included triage with questions before entering the dialysis ward, measuring body temperature, hand disinfection, masking for all patients and staff, and personal protective equipment for staff members. These measures were also recommended in most of the 14 guidelines that were identified in the inventory of national guidelines and were also scored as being among the most important measures by the authors of this paper. Heterogeneity existed between centres and national guidelines regarding the minimal distance between dialysis chairs and recommendations regarding isolation and cohorting. CONCLUSIONS: Although variation existed, measures to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 were relatively similar across centres and national guidelines. Further research is needed to assess causal relationships between measures taken and spread of SARS-CoV-2

PECULIARITIES OF A GROUP RESPONSE OF CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM OF VOLUNTEERS AT DIFFERENT LATITUDES TO CHANGES OF SPACE WEATHER PARAMETERS

A simultaneous monitoring in evaluating of the response of a cardiovascular system of healthy volunteers was performed. The research was oriented to changes of a space weather parameters in aurural (Tixie), subauroral (Yakutsk) and medium (Saratov) areas. In each of the experimental groups there was revealed an effect of synchronization between repolarization processes of ventrical myocard responding (according to a T-wave symmetry coefficient of a cardiogram) and geomagnetic activity (according Kp-index). At rest the group effect of synchronization (GES) of myocard in geomagnetic activity change was noticed in 33,3%-61,3% of the respondents. The origin of GES has features depending on the area of habitation and an age of the volunteers. The study is performed with the partial financial support in partnership with Russian-Ukrainian grant RFFI №14-02-90424 ukr_a

Strategies to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in hemodialysis centres across Europe-lessons for the future

Background Early reports on the pandemic nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) directed the nephrology community to develop infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance. We aimed to make an inventory of strategies that dialysis centres followed to prevent infection with COVID-19 in the first pandemic wave. Methods We analyzed IPC measures taken by hemodialysis centres treating patients presenting with COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 and that completed the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database centre questionnaire. Additionally, we made an inventory of guidelines published in European countries to prevent spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in dialysis centres. Results Data from 73 dialysis units located in and bordering Europe were analyzed. All participating centres implemented IPC measures to mitigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 during the first pandemic wave. Measures mentioned most often included triage with questions before entering the dialysis ward, measuring body temperature, hand disinfection, masking for all patients and staff, and personal protective equipment for staff members. These measures were also recommended in most of the 14 guidelines that were identified in the inventory of national guidelines and were also scored as being among the most important measures by the authors of this paper. Heterogeneity existed between centres and national guidelines regarding the minimal distance between dialysis chairs and recommendations regarding isolation and cohorting. Conclusions Although variation existed, measures to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 were relatively similar across centres and national guidelines. Further research is needed to assess causal relationships between measures taken and spread of SARS-CoV-2