Endothelial and Inflammation Biomarker Profiles at Diagnosis Reflecting Clinical Heterogeneity and Serving as a Prognostic Tool For Treatment Response in Two Independent Cohorts of Patients With Juvenile Dermatomyositis

Objective: Juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) is a heterogeneous systemic immune-mediated vasculopathy. This study was undertaken to 1) identify inflammation/endothelial dysfunction–related biomarker profiles reflecting disease severity at diagnosis, and 2) establish whether such biomarker profiles could be used for predicting the response to treatment in patients with juvenile DM. Methods: In total, 39 biomarkers related to activation of endothelial

Análisis general de sistemas productivos claves y sus indicadores a nivel nacional en el contexto de crecimiento verde

El concepto de crecimiento verde fue incluido en el Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2014-2018 “Todos por un Nuevo País” con el objetivo de buscar el desarrollo económico sostenible, la competitividad y la reducción de vulnerabilidades al cambio climático. En este informe se busca dar a conocer el estado actual de los indicadores de crecimiento verde para diferentes sistemas productivos agropecuarios en Colombia e identificar las opciones tecnológicas que permitan mejorar dichos indicadores con el fin de incrementar la productividad de la tierra sin afectar los demás indicadores de crecimiento verde. Para lograr esto se han propuesto en este estudio cinco fases que van desde la fase de preparación, un análisis general a nivel nacional, un análisis detallado a nivel regional, un análisis de barreras para la implementación de medidas y recomendaciones. Este reporte corresponde a la fase dos del estudio sobre análisis general. La línea base de expansión en área proyectada para los cinco sistemas productivos, la construcción y estimación de los indicadores a nivel nacional para cada uno de los sistemas productivos y una lista de opciones tecnológicas que pueden contribuir al crecimiento verde en estos sistemas productivos. Posteriormente se estimará el potencial que tiene cada tecnología sobre los indicadores de crecimiento verde. En este estudio también se incluye la metodología y resultados sobre el proceso de priorización de los sistemas productivos. The concept of green growth was included in the National Development Plan 2014-2018 "All for a New Country" with the objective of seeking sustainable economic development, competitiveness and the reduction of vulnerabilities in climate change. This report seeks to publicize the current status of green growth indicators for different agricultural production systems in Colombia and identify the technological options that allow improving the indicators in order to increase the productivity of the land without affecting the other indicators of green growth To achieve this, five phases have been improved in this study, ranging from the preparation phase, a general analysis at the national level, detailed analysis at the regional level, an analysis of barriers to the implementation of measures and recommendations. This report corresponds to the phase of the study on general analysis. The baseline projected in this area for the five productive systems, the construction and the estimation of the indicators at national level for each one of the productive systems and a list of technological options that can contribute to the green growth in these productive systems. Subsequently, the potential of each technology on green growth indicators will be estimated. This study also includes the methodology and results on the process of prioritization of productive systems.The concept of green growth was included in the National Development Plan 2014-2018 "All for a New Country" with the objective of seeking sustainable economic development, competitiveness and the reduction of vulnerabilities in climate change. This report seeks to publicize the current status of green growth indicators for different agricultural production systems in Colombia and identify the technological options that allow improving the indicators in order to increase the productivity of the land without affecting the other indicators of green growth To achieve this, five phases have been improved in this study, ranging from the preparation phase, a general analysis at the national level, detailed analysis at the regional level, an analysis of barriers to the implementation of measures and recommendations. This report corresponds to the phase of the study on general analysis. The baseline projected in this area for the five productive systems, the construction and the estimation of the indicators at national level for each one of the productive systems and a list of technological options that can contribute to the green growth in these productive systems. Subsequently, the potential of each technology on green growth indicators will be estimated. This study also includes the methodology and results on the process of prioritization of productive systems

Genome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation analysis provide insights into the pathogenesis of heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A small proportion of HF cases are attributable to monogenic cardiomyopathies and existing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have yielded only limited insights, leaving the observed heritability of HF largely unexplained. We report results from a GWAS meta-analysis of HF comprising 47,309 cases and 930,014 controls. Twelve independent variants at 11 genomic loci are associated with HF, all of which demonstrate one or more associations with coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, or reduced left ventricular function, suggesting shared genetic aetiology. Functional analysis of non-CAD-associated loci implicate genes involved in cardiac development (MYOZ1, SYNPO2L), protein homoeostasis (BAG3), and cellular senescence (CDKN1A). Mendelian randomisation analysis supports causal roles for several HF risk factors, and demonstrates CAD-independent effects for atrial fibrillation, body mass index, and hypertension. These findings extend our knowledge of the pathways underlying HF and may inform new therapeutic strategies

Plasma lipid profiles discriminate bacterial from viral infection in febrile children

Fever is the most common reason that children present to Emergency Departments. Clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of bacterial infection ar

Investigation of hospital discharge cases and SARS-CoV-2 introduction into Lothian care homes

Background The first epidemic wave of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Scotland resulted in high case numbers and mortality in care homes. In Lothian, over one-third of care homes reported an outbreak, while there was limited testing of hospital patients discharged to care homes. Aim To investigate patients discharged from hospitals as a source of SARS-CoV-2 introduction into care homes during the first epidemic wave. Methods A clinical review was performed for all patients discharges from hospitals to care homes from 1st March 2020 to 31st May 2020. Episodes were ruled out based on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test history, clinical assessment at discharge, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data and an infectious period of 14 days. Clinical samples were processed for WGS, and consensus genomes generated were used for analysis using Cluster Investigation and Virus Epidemiological Tool software. Patient timelines were obtained using electronic hospital records. Findings In total, 787 patients discharged from hospitals to care homes were identified. Of these, 776 (99%) were ruled out for subsequent introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into care homes. However, for 10 episodes, the results were inconclusive as there was low genomic diversity in consensus genomes or no sequencing data were available. Only one discharge episode had a genomic, time and location link to positive cases during hospital admission, leading to 10 positive cases in their care home. Conclusion The majority of patients discharged from hospitals were ruled out for introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into care homes, highlighting the importance of screening all new admissions when faced with a novel emerging virus and no available vaccine

Life History and Ecology of Coyotes in the Mid-Atlantic States: A Summary of the Scientifi c Literature

Relatively little information has been published on Coyotes in the eastern United States, particularly in the mid-Atlantic region, the last area of the contiguous US to be colonized by Coyotes. Increases in eastern Coyote distribution and abundance have been documented, and concerns about their impact on wildlife and livestock are growing. Information from published and unpublished manuscripts, theses, dissertations, and state wildlife agency records in the mid-Atlantic region were examined and synthesized. This review provides a comprehensive summary of Coyote ecology in the mid-Atlantic for natural resource managers and researchers

Making a Greener Revolution: A Nutrient Delivery System for Food Production to Address Malnutrition through Crop Science

During the 1970s, the Green Revolution basically used dwarfing genes in wheat and rice that allowed greater water and fertilizer efficiency which dramatically increased the cereal productivity and thus, increased human caloric intake of the developing world. However, having met caloric intake, there is a need to address the issues of malnutrition through a holistic food production system. For example Ca-deficient induced rickets was found in 9% of children in SE Bangladesh, illustrating the failure of that food production system to address this vital nutrient, calcium. A clinical trial has shown a minimum of increase in calcium intake of 250 mg Ca per child per day was enough to prevent rickets. In Bangladesh, a consortium of universities and other medical institutions and the International Center for Wheat and Maize Improvement (CIMMYT) has developed strategies to infuse calcium within the food delivery system. For treatment of ricketic children, a strategy was developed to use live and video drama to create community awareness of the production and/or consumption of highcalicum crops/food and calcium supplement added to the cooking rice (in this case, highly edible CaCO3 readily available throughout the country). Though this represents a very specific case study, this is a useful example of how collaboration based around crop science can address the ‘hidden’ hunger of malnutrition throughout the world