Is diet partly responsible for differences in COVID-19 death rates between and within countries?

Correction: Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Article Number: 44 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-020-00351-w Published: OCT 26 2020Reported COVID-19 deaths in Germany are relatively low as compared to many European countries. Among the several explanations proposed, an early and large testing of the population was put forward. Most current debates on COVID-19 focus on the differences among countries, but little attention has been given to regional differences and diet. The low-death rate European countries (e.g. Austria, Baltic States, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia) have used different quarantine and/or confinement times and methods and none have performed as many early tests as Germany. Among other factors that may be significant are the dietary habits. It seems that some foods largely used in these countries may reduce angiotensin-converting enzyme activity or are anti-oxidants. Among the many possible areas of research, it might be important to understand diet and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) levels in populations with different COVID-19 death rates since dietary interventions may be of great benefit.Peer reviewe

Amfibik Askeri Zırhlı Araçlarının Seçili Parçalarının Deniz Suyu Ortamında Katodik Koruma Modellemesi

FNSS özgün tasarımlarından olan Samur, nehir üzerinde köprü kurulmasını sağlayan bir Seyyar Yüzücü Hücum Köprüsü aracıdır. Ancak ilerleyen dönemde beliren tuzlu suda da kullanım gereksinimi, aracın korozyon koruma seviyesinin arttırılması gerektiğini ortaya çıkartmıştır. Alternatif yöntemler değerlendirilmiş ancak araçların tasarım ve üretim süreci tamamlandığı için en etkin çözümün katodik koruma olabileceği belirlenmiştir. Aracın su ile temas eden yüzeylerinde farklı malzemenin kullanılıyor olması katodik koruma uygulaması için dikkat edilen bir konu olmuştur. Bu sebeple kullanılan farklı malzemeler için GAMRY polarizasyon yazılımı kullanılarak polarizasyon testleri uygulanmış ve malzemelerin elektrokimyasal davranışları incelenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar ve aracın üç boyutlu modeli COMSOL yazılımına aktarılmış ve modelleme çalışmaları başlatılmıştır. Çalışmalar devam etmekte olup ilerleyen süreçte modelleme çalışması geliştirilerek optimum koruma değerlerine ulaşılması hedeflenmektedir.Samur is The Amphibious Assault Bridge Vehicle that is designed by FNSS Defense Systems. Purpose of the vehicle is bridging over the rivers and lakes. However, the requirement to use the vehicle in salty water that appeared later, revealed the demand to increase the level of corrosion protection of the vehicle. Cathodic protection seemed the best alternative among all other protection methods. Number of different types of materials used under the vehicle is one of the challenges in this application. Some selected materials were subjected to a polarisation tests to observe electrochemical behaviors of the metarials with the help of GAMRY software. The collected data and the three dimensional model of the vehicle were introduced to COMSOL Multiphysics software to run the cathodic protection simulation. The work is in progress to get the optimum protection parameters

The Permian and Triassic in the Albanian Alps

The sedimentary succession of the Permian to Middle Triassic of the Albanian Alps is described, as part of the eastern Adria passive margin towards the Tethys. A carbonate ramp deepening towards NE in present day coordinates developed during the Middle Permian and was affected by block faulting with the deposition of carbonate breccia. The Early Triassic was characterized by intense terrigenous deposition with several cobble conglomerate units up to 80 m-thick, and by oolitic carbonate shoals. The fine clastic deposition ended gradually during the earliest Anisian and a wide calcarenitic ramp occupied the area, with small local carbonate mounds. Basinward, the red nodular limestone of the Han Bulog Formation was interbedded with calcarenitic material exported from the ramp. Drowning to more open conditions occurred towards the end of the Pelsonian. Subsequently, cherty limestone and tuffitic layers spread over the entire area. Towards the end of the Ladinian, with the end of the volcanic activity, red pelagic limestone was deposited locally for a short period. By the latest Ladinian most of the area returned to shallow-water conditions, with a peritidal carbonate platform. In the Theth area, in contrast, a basin with black organic-rich dolostone and limestone developed which seems to be unique in that part of the Adria passive margin. The occurrence of cobble conglomerate units in the Lower Triassic testifies to very active block faulting and high accommodation, not yet described for the area

Intraoperative transfusion practices in Europe

BACKGROUND: Transfusion of allogeneic blood influences outcome after surgery. Despite widespread availability of transfusion guidelines, transfusion practices might vary among physicians, departments, hospitals and countries. Our aim was to determine the amount of packed red blood cells (pRBC) and blood products transfused intraoperatively, and to describe factors determining transfusion throughout Europe. METHODS: We did a prospective observational cohort study enrolling 5803 patients in 126 European centres that received at least one pRBC unit intraoperatively, during a continuous three month period in 2013. RESULTS: The overall intraoperative transfusion rate was 1.8%; 59% of transfusions were at least partially initiated as a result of a physiological transfusion trigger- mostly because of hypotension (55.4%) and/or tachycardia (30.7%). Haemoglobin (Hb)- based transfusion trigger alone initiated only 8.5% of transfusions. The Hb concentration [mean (sd)] just before transfusion was 8.1 (1.7) g dl(-1) and increased to 9.8 (1.8) g dl(-1) after transfusion. The mean number of intraoperatively transfused pRBC units was 2.5 (2.7) units (median 2). CONCLUSION: Although European Society of Anaesthesiology transfusion guidelines are moderately implemented in Europe with respect to Hb threshold for transfusion (7-9 g dl(-1)), there is still an urgent need for further educational efforts that focus on the number of pRBC units to be transfused at this threshold. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT 01604083

Appropriateness for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeons in case of pregnancy, breastfeeding, or childbearing potential:Yo-IFOS and CEORL-HNS joint clinical consensus statement

PURPOSE: SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are a key step in fighting the pandemic. Nevertheless, their rapid development did not allow for testing among specific population subgroups such as pregnant and breastfeeding women, or elaborating specific guidelines for healthcare personnel working in high infection risk specialties, such as otolaryngology (ORL). This clinical consensus statement (CCS) aims to offer guidance for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination to this high-risk population based on the best evidence available. METHODS: A multidisciplinary international panel of 33 specialists judged statements through a two-round modified Delphi method survey. Statements were designed to encompass the following topics: risk of SARS-Cov-2 infection and use of protective equipment in ORL; SARS-Cov-2 infection and vaccines and respective risks for the mother/child dyad; and counseling for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in pregnant, breastfeeding, or fertile healthcare workers (PBFHW). All ORL PBFHW were considered as the target audience. RESULTS: Of the 13 statements, 7 reached consensus or strong consensus, 2 reached no consensus, and 2 reached near-consensus. According to the statements with strong consensus otorhinolaryngologists—head and neck surgeons who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or with childbearing potential should have the opportunity to receive SARS-Cov-2 vaccination. Moreover, personal protective equipment (PPE) should still be used even after the vaccination. CONCLUSION: Until prospective evaluations on these topics are available, ORL-HNS must be considered a high infection risk specialty. While the use of PPE remains pivotal, ORL PBFHW should be allowed access to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination provided they receive up-to-date information

Human impacts on Karst aquifers of Albania

Albania is situated in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula, on the eastern coast of the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea. The karst landscape in Albania covers about 6750 km2, approximately 24 % of the Albanian territory. There are 25 karst regions in the country, 23 in carbonate rocks and 2 in evaporites. The total renewable karst water resources are estimated about 227 m3/s, representing 80 % of the groundwater resources of Albania. About 70 % of the population of the cities, including also part of the capital Tirana, obtains the water from karst springs. However, the negative human impacts often are threatening the karst groundwater resources of Albania. Several bad experiences in Albania have demonstrated that the main human negative impacts on karst water are related to: (a) urbanised areas, (b) agriculture activities, and (c) quarrying activities. Understanding the vital importance of karst waters and the necessity for intensive scientific investigations and monitoring, to evidence their high vulnerability, are still at a low level in Albania