INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF COFFEE SEEDLINGS IN THE PRESENCE OF PLANT EXTRACTS

The coffee plant can grow together with different plants, but the presence of allelochemicals can affect the crop post-planting. This study aimed to evaluate the early growth of coffee seedlings following treatment with plant extracts from different botanical families. The experimental design used randomized blocks with four trials, in a 7 × 2 factorial scheme; the first factor consisted of aqueous extracts from six species: canola, crotalaria, brachiaria, sunflower, wheat, and lupine; water was used as the control. The second factor comprised of different botanical parts of the aforementioned six species of plant. The extracts were diluted to 5% concentration and were applied at a dose of 20 mL per plant. The agronomic variables analyzed were plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), leaf area index (LAI), leaf dry matter (LDM), root dry matter (RDM), and root length (RL). Compared to the canola extract, the application of brachiaria extract resulted in the best response in PH, regardless of the botanical part that constituted the extract, leading to an increase in PH by 3.77 cm. The agronomic character most sensitive to the application of aqueous extracts was PH, in which the brachiaria extract was prominent in inducing the greatest growth, whereas the canola extract hindered the initial development of Arabica coffee seedlings.The coffee plant can grow together with different plants, but the presence of allelochemicals can affect the crop post-planting. This study aimed to evaluate the early growth of coffee seedlings following treatment with plant extracts from different botanical families. The experimental design used randomized blocks with four trials, in a 7 × 2 factorial scheme; the first factor consisted of aqueous extracts from six species: canola, crotalaria, brachiaria, sunflower, wheat, and lupine; water was used as the control. The second factor comprised of different botanical parts of the aforementioned six species of plant. The extracts were diluted to 5% concentration and were applied at a dose of 20 mL per plant. The agronomic variables analyzed were plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), leaf area index (LAI), leaf dry matter (LDM), root dry matter (RDM), and root length (RL). Compared to the canola extract, the application of brachiaria extract resulted in the best response in PH, regardless of the botanical part that constituted the extract, leading to an increase in PH by 3.77 cm. The agronomic character most sensitive to the application of aqueous extracts was PH, in which the brachiaria extract was prominent in inducing the greatest growth, whereas the canola extract hindered the initial development of Arabica coffee seedlings

A retrospective multicentre study on dalbavancin effectiveness and cost-evaluation in sternotomic wound infection treatment: DALBA SWIT Study

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of dalbavancin compared with standard of care (SoC) treatment as daptomycin or teicoplanin in patients with sternal wound infections (SWI)

GWAS-associated Variants, Non-genetic Factors, and Transient Transcriptome in Multiple Sclerosis Etiopathogenesis: a Colocalization Analysis [preprint]

A clinically actionable understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS) etiology goes through GWAS interpretation, prompting research on new gene regulatory models. Our previous works on these topics suggested a stochastic etiologic model where small-scale random perturbations could eventually reach a threshold for MS onset and progression. A new sequencing technology has mapped the transient transcriptome (TT), including intergenic RNAs, and antisense intronic RNAs. Through a rigorous colocalization analysis, here we show that genomic regions coding for the TT were significantly enriched for both MS-associated GWAS variants, and DNA binding sites for molecular transducers mediating putative, non-genetic, etiopathogenetic factors for MS (e.g., vitamin D deficiency, Epstein Barr virus latent infection, B cell dysfunction). These results suggest a model whereby TT-coding regions are hotspots of convergence between genetic ad non-genetic factors of risk/protection for MS (and plausibly for other complex disorders). Our colocalization analysis also provides a freely available data resource at www.mscoloc.com for future research on transcriptional regulation in MS

Cefiderocol treatment for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in the ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre cohort study

open16noFunding: This study was carried out as part of our routine work and supported by internal funding.Objectives: To analyse the impact of cefiderocol use on outcome in patients admitted to the ICU for severe COVID-19 and further diagnosed with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-Ab) infection.Methods: Retrospective multicentre observational study was performed at four Italian hospitals, from January 2020 to April 2021. Adult patients admitted to ICU for severe COVID-19 and further diagnosed with CR-Ab infections were enrolled. Patients treated with cefiderocol, as compassionate use, for at least 72 h were compared with those receiving alternative regimens. Primary endpoint was all-cause 28 day mortality. The impact of cefiderocol on mortality was evaluated by multivariable Cox regression model.Results: In total, 107 patients were enrolled (76% male, median age 65 years). The median time from ICU admission to CR-Ab infection diagnosis was 14 (IQR 8-20) days, and the main types of CR-Ab infections were bloodstream infection (58%) and lower respiratory tract infection (41%). Cefiderocol was administered to 42 patients within a median of 2 (IQR 1-4) days after CR-Ab infection diagnosis and as monotherapy in all cases. The remaining patients received colistin, mostly (82%) administered as combination therapy. All-cause 28 day mortality rate was 57%, without differences between groups (cefiderocol 55% versus colistin 58% P = 0.70). In multivariable analysis, the independent risk factor for mortality was SOFA score (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.15-1.38, P < 0.001). Cefiderocol was associated with a non-significant lower mortality risk (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.38-1.08, P = 0.10).Conclusions: Our study confirms the potential role of cefiderocol in the treatment of CR-Ab infection, but larger clinical studies are needed.openPascale, Renato; Pasquini, Zeno; Bartoletti, Michele; Caiazzo, Luca; Fornaro, Giacomo; Bussini, Linda; Volpato, Francesca; Marchionni, Elisa; Rinaldi, Matteo; Trapani, Filippo; Temperoni, Chiara; Gaibani, Paolo; Ambretti, Simone; Barchiesi, Francesco; Viale, Pierluigi; Giannella, MaddalenaPascale, Renato; Pasquini, Zeno; Bartoletti, Michele; Caiazzo, Luca; Fornaro, Giacomo; Bussini, Linda; Volpato, Francesca; Marchionni, Elisa; Rinaldi, Matteo; Trapani, Filippo; Temperoni, Chiara; Gaibani, Paolo; Ambretti, Simone; Barchiesi, Francesco; Viale, Pierluigi; Giannella, Maddalen

Hemogram, Fibrinogen Concentration and Plasma Total Protein from Calves of Criollo Lageano Breed Variety Hornless and Aberdeen Angus Breed (Red Angus) on the First Six Months of Life

Background: Neonatal period in bovine presents important variations in hematologic and immunologic parameters, and the resulting mortality rates may be due to increased susceptibility to disease. Race, age, environmental, climate and management factors are sources of CBC’s parameters variation in cattle. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the CBC variables and concentrations of total protein (PTP) and plasma fibrinogen calves of Criolo Lageano Breed variety hornless and Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus) in the first six months of life, which are produced under extensive management at the Planalto Serrano Catarinense (southern Brazil).Materials, Methods & Results: Two groups were selected, comprising 11 calves of Hornless Criolo Lageano and 14 calves of the Aberdeen Angus breed (Red Angus). Blood samples were collected for complete blood count and determination of total protein concentrations, and plasma fibrinogen in the periods between 24 h and 36, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days of life. The statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance for repeated measures (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test (P < 0.05). During the experimental period infestations by ticks in both races were observed. In the first month of life, blood smears revealed the presence of blood parasites of the genus Babesia spp. and Anaplasma sp. The fluctuations seen for erythrocyte in the neonatal period (30 days), although not significant, consisted of raising the number of values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV), and reduction in mean corpuscular volume values (MCV). From 90 days of age there was a significant reduction in number of red blood cells and VG values, and elevated MCV values and mean corpuscular volume (MCHC) for the Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus). For the WBC, the neonatal period was marked by increase in the number of lymphocytes and decrease in neutrophil ratio: lymphocyte (N, L) with respect to the inversion of 15 days. In the age group 90 days of life was evident increase in the number of leukocytes and lymphocytes in both races. The plasma fibrinogen concentrations showed no significant variations during the trial period. The plasma total protein (PTP), had higher values on the second day of life, with reductions up to 60 days and gradual increase in subsequent times.Discussion: The fluctuations related to the values of erythrocyte variables in the neonatal period are consistent with results reported by other authors in calves of other races. Changes in erythrocyte values observed from 90 days of age on race Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus) can be attributed to infection by blood parasites and consequent hemolysis. As for the leucocyte count, increasing the number of lymphocytes and inversion of N:L is the neonatal period in a physiological variation and confirms observations made by other authors in calves of other races. In the age group 90 days, leukocytosis by lymphocytosis was related to natural premonition against Babesia spp. and Anaplasma spp., which is documented in cattle in tropical and subtropical regions. When analyzing the PTP values on the second day of life, it can be said that there has been proper transfer of passive immunity in both races, given the high correlation of PTP values and gamma globulins. The reduction of PTP and subsequent elevation values are characteristic of the physiological curve related to degradation of passively transferred immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin synthesis by competent immune system

Untailored vs. Gender- and Body-Mass-Index-Tailored Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI) to Assess Sarcopenia in Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)

: (1) background: sarcopenia lasting &gt;1 year might be considered a chronic condition in many HNSCC patients. CT-scan-derived skeletal muscle mass Index (SMI) is an established surrogate of sarcopenia; yet, the cut-off reported in the literature (literature-based, lb-SMI &lt; 43.2) is mainly based on the risk of chemoradiotherapy-induced toxicity, and the optimal value to discriminate OS is under-investigated. (2) methods: the effect on OS of the lb-SMI cutoff was compared with an untailored OS-oriented SMI cutoff obtained in a cohort of consecutive advanced HNSCC patients treated with primary chemoradiotherapy, bio-chemotherapy or chemo-immunotherapy (cohort-specific, cs-SMI cutoff). gender- and BMI-tailored (gt-SMI and bt-SMI) cut-offs were also evaluated. cutoff values were identified by using the maximally selected rank statistics for OS. (3) results: In 115 HNSCC patients, the cs-SMI cutoff was 31.50, which was lower compared to the lb-SMI reported cut-off. the optimal cut-off separately determined in females, males, overweight and non-overweight patients were 46.02, 34.37, 27.32 and 34.73, respectively. gt-SMI categorization had the highest effect on survival (p &lt; 0.0001); its prognostic value was independent of the treatment setting or the primary location and was retained in a multivariate cox-regression analysis for OS including other HNSCC-specific prognostic factors (p = 0.0004). (4) conclusions: a tailored SMI assessment would improve clinical management of sarcopenia in chemoradiotherapy-, bio-chemotherapy- or chemo-immunotherapy-treated HNSCC patients. gender-based SMI could be used for prognostication in HNSCC patients

Relationship between immune response to SARS-CoV2 vaccines and development of breakthrough infection in solid organ transplant recipients: the CONTRAST cohort

Background: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in solid organ transplant (SOT) is associated with poorer antibody response (AbR) compared to non-SOT recipients. However, its impact on the risk of breakthrough infection (BI) should yet be assessed. Methods: Single-center prospective longitudinal cohort study enrolling adult SOT recipients who received SARS-CoV2 vaccination during 1-year period from February 2021, and followed-up to April 30th 2022. Patients were tested for AbR at multiple timepoints. Primary endpoint was BI (laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection ≥14 days after 2nd dose). Immunization (positive AbR) was considered an intermediate state between vaccination and BI. Probabilities of being in vaccination, immunization and BI states were obtained for each type of graft and vaccination sequence with multistate survival analysis, then multivariable logistic regression was performed to analyse the risk of BI in AbR levels. Results: 614 SOT (275 kidney, 163 liver, 137 heart, 39 lung) recipients were included. Most patients (84.7%) received three vaccine doses, the first two consisted of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 in 73.5% and 26.5% of cases, respectively; while at the third dose mRNA-1273 was administered in 59.8% of patients. Overall, 75.4% of patients reached immunization and 18.4% developed BI. Heart transplant recipients showed lowest probability of immunization (0.418) and highest of BI (0.323), all-mRNA-1273 vaccine-sequence showed higher probability of immunization (0.732) and lowest of BI (0.098). Risk of BI was higher for non-high-level AbR, younger age and shorter time from transplant. Conclusions: SOT patients with non-high-level AbR, shorter time from transplantation, and heart recipients are at highest risk of BI

Evaluation of the Kinetics of Antibody Response to COVID-19 Vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: The Prospective Multicenter ORCHESTRA Cohort

Previous studies assessing the antibody response (AbR) to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are limited by short follow-up, hampering the analysis of AbR kinetics. We present the ORCHESTRA SOT recipients cohort assessed for AbR at first dose (t0), second dose (t1), and within 3 ± 1 month (t2) after the first dose. We analyzed 1062 SOT patients (kidney, 63.7%; liver, 17.4%; heart, 16.7%; and lung, 2.5%) and 5045 health care workers (HCWs). The AbR rates in the SOTs and HCWs were 52.3% and 99.4%. The antibody levels were significantly higher in the HCWs than in the SOTs (p < 0.001). The kinetics showed an increase (p < 0.001) in antibody levels up to 76 days and a non-significant decrease after 118 days in the SOT recipients versus a decrease up to 76 days (p = 0.02) and a less pronounced decrease between 76 and 118 days (p = 0.04) in the HCWs. Upon multivariable analysis, liver transplant, ≥3 years from SOT, mRNA-1273, azathioprine, and longer time from t0 were associated with a positive AbR at t2. Older age, other comorbidities, mycophenolate, steroids, and impaired graft function were associated with lower AbR probability. Our results may be useful to optimize strategies of immune monitoring after COVID-19 vaccination and indications regarding timing for booster dosages calibrated on SOT patients’ characteristics.The ORCHESTRA project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101016167Peer reviewe

A deep learning approach to photo–identification demonstrates high performance on two dozen cetacean species

We thank the countless individuals who collected and/or processed the nearly 85,000 images used in this study and those who assisted, particularly those who sorted these images from the millions that did not end up in the catalogues. Additionally, we thank the other Kaggle competitors who helped develop the ideas, models and data used here, particularly those who released their datasets to the public. The graduate assistantship for Philip T. Patton was funded by the NOAA Fisheries QUEST Fellowship. This paper represents HIMB and SOEST contribution numbers 1932 and 11679, respectively. The technical support and advanced computing resources from University of Hawaii Information Technology Services—Cyberinfrastructure, funded in part by the National Science Foundation CC* awards # 2201428 and # 2232862 are gratefully acknowledged. Every photo–identification image was collected under permits according to relevant national guidelines, regulation and legislation.Peer reviewedPublisher PD