Substrate Effects on Intertidal Settlement and Succession

Settlement and succession on different substrate types are important research topics as we introduce artificial materials in our natural environment for development or coastal hardening. Previous studies on succession in Malibu’s intertidal zone communities have focused on recovery rates of organisms found in the intertidal zone rather than the effects of substrate on community composition. Four different types of substrate (n = 4 for each substrate type) (1) terracotta tiles, (2) PVC tiles, (3) porous granite tiles, and (4) ridged granite tiles were affixed onto rocks at Latigo Beach in Malibu over a period of 3-6 months. The tiles were observed every 1-2 weeks, depending on tidal height and accessibility. We found no statistically significant differences between tile substrate and community composition over the project\u27s timespan. The data from the 6-month time point showed greater biodiversity and higher percent cover of Ulva sp., sand, and benthic invertebrates for the terracotta tile. Preliminary results show that a longer experimental timeframe may start to show differences in community composition and abundance by substrate type. Future research should focus on seasonal differences in community composition on different substrate types. This research is important to understand better the restoration potential of these substrate types in the intertidal, similar to the research on artificial reef restoration practices. The results from this project can also be used to understand the effects of biofouling on plastics

COVID-19–Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis, March–August 2020

Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 emerged in China at the end of 2019. Because of the severe immunomodulation and lymphocyte depletion caused by this virus and the subsequent administration of drugs directed at the immune system, we anticipated that patients might experience fungal superinfection. We collected data from 186 patients who had coronavirus disease-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) worldwide during March-August 2020. Overall, 182 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), including 180 with acute respiratory distress syndrome and 175 who received mechanical ventilation. CAPA was diagnosed a median of 10 days after coronavirus disease diagnosis. Aspergillus fumigatus was identified in 80.3% of patient cultures, 4 of which were azole-resistant. Most (52.7%) patients received voriconazole. In total, 52.2% of patients died; of the deaths, 33.0% were attributed to CAPA. We found that the cumulative incidence of CAPA in the ICU ranged from 1.0% to 39.1%

COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis, March-August 2020

Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 emerged in China at the end of 2019. Because of the severe immunomodulation and lymphocyte depletion caused by this virus and the subsequent administration of drugs directed at the immune system, we anticipated that patients might experience fungal superinfection. We collected data from 186 patients who had coronavirus disease-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) worldwide during March-August 2020. Overall, 182 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), including 180 with acute respiratory distress syndrome and 175 who received mechanical ventilation. CAPA was diagnosed a median of 10 days after coronavirus disease diagnosis. Aspergillus fumigatus was identified in 80.3% of patient cultures, 4 of which were azole-resistant. Most (52.7%) patients received voriconazole. In total, 52.2% of patients died; of the deaths, 33.0% were attributed to CAPA. We found that the cumulative incidence of CAPA in the ICU ranged from 1.0% to 39.1%