Genetic prediction of ICU hospitalization and mortality in COVID-19 patients using artificial neural networks

There is an unmet need of models for early prediction of morbidity and mortality of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). We aimed to a) identify complement-related genetic variants associated with the clinical outcomes of ICU hospitalization and death, b) develop an artificial neural network (ANN) predicting these outcomes and c) validate whether complement-related variants are associated with an impaired complement phenotype. We prospectively recruited consecutive adult patients of Caucasian origin, hospitalized due to COVID-19. Through targeted next-generation sequencing, we identified variants in complement factor H/CFH, CFB, CFH-related, CFD, CD55, C3, C5, CFI, CD46, thrombomodulin/THBD, and A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS13). Among 381 variants in 133 patients, we identified 5 critical variants associated with severe COVID-19: rs2547438 (C3), rs2250656 (C3), rs1042580 (THBD), rs800292 (CFH) and rs414628 (CFHR1). Using age, gender and presence or absence of each variant, we developed an ANN predicting morbidity and mortality in 89.47% of the examined population. Furthermore, THBD and C3a levels were significantly increased in severe COVID-19 patients and those harbouring relevant variants. Thus, we reveal for the first time an ANN accurately predicting ICU hospitalization and death in COVID-19 patients, based on genetic variants in complement genes, age and gender. Importantly, we confirm that genetic dysregulation is associated with impaired complement phenotype

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

A contribution to the hydrophilous flora of peloponnisos (greece)

An annotated list is presented of a total of 87 taxa of macrophytes (two bryophytes, one pteridophyte, 84 spermatophytes) found in and around 11 aquatic ecosystems of Peloponnisos (Greece), 10 of which have been investigated for the first time. Riccia fluitans, Utricularia australis, Potamogeton gramineus and P. pusillus are rare species in Greece. Ranuncalus peltatus subsp. baudotii and R. peltatus subsp. fucoides are given as new to the Greek mainland. Ranunculus rionii, Utricularia australis, Potanogeton berchtoldii, P. nodosus and P. trichoides are recorded for the first time from Peloponnisos

Growth Development, Physiological Status and Water Footprint Assessment of Nursery Young Olive Trees (Olea europaea L. ‘Konservolea’) Irrigated with Urban Treated Wastewater

Application of urban treated wastewater (TWW) has been practiced globally as an alterna-tive irrigation water source in areas where access to safe and abundant freshwater is limited. Water footprint (WF) has been employed over the last decades as a tool for the assessment of the sustainable management of water resources. In the present study, the suitability of TWW for the irrigation of nursery young olive trees (Olea europaea L. ‘Konservolea’), one of the main table olive cultivars in Greece, the second global table olive exporter, was tested and compared to tap water irrigation and application of zeolite on soil. Plant growth and physiological parameters and stress indicators were measured. Additionally, a WF assessment was performed, distinguishing TWW from freshwater (blue water) resources in order to examine the possibility of minimizing the environmental impact through the limitation of freshwater use. Plants irrigated with TWW performed better in most of the growth and physiological parameters measured compared to the other treatments. Stress indicators revealed that TWW did not induce any additional stress. TWW could be used as an irrigation water source for young olive trees for at least a short period during their growth as a safe and sustainable alternate of blue water resources. Additionally, the WF assessment showed that the application of TWW could be a significant blue water saving measure. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Immobilization of [Pd(Ph2P)2N(CH2)3Si(OCH3)3-κP,P’X2] (X=Cl, Br) onto Montmorillonite: Investigating their Performance as Homogeneous or Heterogenized Suzuki-Miyaura Catalysts

Two palladium complexes, [Pd{(Ph2P)2N(CH2)3Si(OCH3)3-κP,P'}X2], X=Cl (2), Br (3), were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography. Complexes 2 and 3 contain a PdP2X2square planar coordination sphere exhibiting small endocyclic P–Pd–P angles [71.49(4) and 71.53(5)°, respectively], the magnitude of which is controlled by the formation of the Pd–P–N–P four-membered chelating ring. Complexes 2 and 3 were found to be efficient catalysts in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid at ambient or elevated temperature. At 100 °C, using 0.1 mol% of palladium loading, high conversions were observed even after 15 min. Both complexes were immobilized onto STx-1 montmorillonite clay via their -Si(OMe)3moiety, a process investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, solid-state31P NMR spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The immobilized complexes, as heterogenized catalysts, displayed higher activity in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling compared to that of the free complexes. The recyclability of the former was also explored. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei

Oral Supplementation with Hydroxytyrosol Synthesized Using Genetically Modified Escherichia coli Strains and Essential Oils Mixture: A Pilot Study on the Safety and Biological Activity

Several natural compounds have been explored as immune-boosting, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory dietary supplements. Amongst them, hydroxytyrosol, a natural antioxidant found in olive products, and endemic medicinal plants have attracted the scientific community’s and industry’s interest. We investigated the safety and biological activity of a standardised supplement containing 10 mg of hydroxytyrosol synthesized using genetically modified Escherichia coli strains and equal amounts (8.33 μL) of essential oils from Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum, Salvia fruticosa and Crithmum maritimum in an open-label, single-arm, prospective clinical study. The supplement was given to 12 healthy subjects, aged 26–52, once a day for 8 weeks. Fasting blood was collected at three-time points (weeks 0, 8 and follow-up at 12) for analysis, which included full blood count and biochemical determination of lipid profile, glucose homeostasis and liver function panel. Specific biomarkers, namely homocysteine, oxLDL, catalase and total glutathione (GSH) were also studied. The supplement induced a significant reduction in glucose, homocysteine and oxLDL levels and was tolerated by the subjects who reported no side effects. Cholesterol, triglyceride levels and liver enzymes remained unaffected except for LDH. These data indicate the supplement’s safety and its potential health-beneficial effects against pathologic conditions linked to cardiovascular disease. © 2023 by the authors

Allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA) in Greece: Integrated care pathways for predictive medicine across the life cycle

© Athens Medical Society. Allergic rhinitis is a serious global health problem which affects approximately 10–20% of the European population. In 1999, during a workshop of WHO, the project Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) was developed. Its objective was to propose a new classification of allergic rhinitis according to the severity and the duration of the symptoms, to promote the idea of multimorbidity of allergic rhinitis and asthma, and to create guidelines for global use, with the help of local stakeholders and experts from all the countries involved. The focus of ARIA during recent years has been the use of new technologies for individualized medical care and prevention. The MASK instrument uses smartphone technology to create care pathways for controlling rhinitis, for both multidisciplinary care teams and the patients themselves. Using a mobile app (Allergy Diary), a patient can assess symptoms, control and productivity using a visual analog scale, which is connected with a clinical decision support system. The information is sent to an interoperable tablet where healthcare professionals can be informed about the patient’s rhinitis management. As the European population is ageing, the novel approach of ARIA aims to provide active and healthy ageing in order to improve the quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis. In Greece, ARIA has been implemented since the early 2000s. In 2017 a new ARIA implementation group was established, consisting of a large number of health care professionals from both Greece and Cyprus. The MASK Allergy Diary has been translated into Greek and is currently being used in clinical practice and research protocols with great enthusiasm. In order to rectify the lack of recent studies on the epidemiology of allergic rhinitis in Greece, MASK will be the instrument which, in combination with aerobiological studies, will form the basis for reporting allergic rhinitis activity around the country.status: publishe

Η αλλεργική ρινίτιδα και η επίδρασή της στο άσθμα (ARIA) στην Ελλάδα Σχέδιο ολοκληρωμένης φροντίδας για την εφαρμογή προγνωστικής Ιατρικής καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια της ζωής

Allergic rhinitis is a serious global health problem which affects approximately 10-20% of the European population. In 1999, during a workshop of WHO, the project Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) was developed. Its objective was to propose a new classification of allergic rhinitis according to the severity and the duration of the symptoms, to promote the idea of multimorbidity of allergic rhinitis and asthma, and to create guidelines for global use, with the help of local stakeholders and experts from all the countries involved. The focus of ARIA during recent years has been the use of new technologies for individualized medical care and prevention. The MASK instrument uses smartphone technology to create care pathways for controlling rhinitis, for both multidisciplinary care teams and the patients themselves. Using a mobile app (Allergy Diary), a patient can assess symptoms, control and productivity using a visual analog scale, which is connected with a clinical decision support system.The information is sent to an interoperable tablet where healthcare professionals can be informed about the patient's rhinitis management. As the European population is ageing, the novel approach of ARIA aims to provide active and healthy ageing in order to improve the quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis. In Greece, ARIA has been implemented since the early 2000s. In 2017 a new ARIA implementation group was established, consisting of a large number of health care professionals from both Greece and Cyprus. The MASK Allergy Diary has been translated into Greek and is currently being used in clinical practice and research protocols with great enthusiasm. In order to rectify the lack of recent studies on the epidemiology of allergic rhinitis in Greece, MASK will be the instrument which, in combination with aerobiological studies, will form the basis for reporting allergic rhinitis activity around the country