Effects of Compound Fertilization on Growth and Alkaloids of Datura (Datura innoxia Mill.) Plants

The effect of 0, 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 kg ha−1 of Sangral, a complex chemical fertilizer at rates, on growth, alkaloid content, drug yield and nutrient uptake of datura (Datura innoxia Mill.) plants was studied during two successive seasons. The plant height, the number of branches and leaves/plant, the fresh and the dry weights increased with increasing fertilizer rates up to 800 kg ha−1; however, the maximum increase was recorded at 600 kg ha−1. Total alkaloid and drug (hyoscyamine + scopolamine) contents also increased with increasing the fertilization level to a peak value of 600 kg ha−1. It then, decreased at 800 kg ha−1 level. Plant leaves and fruits were the most valuable organs for alkaloid and drug accumulation followed by stems, roots and crowns, respectively. N, P and K in the leaves were linearly increased by increasing fertilizer level. It seems that compound fertilizers increase the availability of essential nutrient elements necessary for datura growth and metabolism, causing vigorous vegetation and high chemical production

Co-infection and ICU-acquired infection in COIVD-19 ICU patients: a secondary analysis of the UNITE-COVID data set

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented major challenges for critical care facilities worldwide. Infections which develop alongside or subsequent to viral pneumonitis are a challenge under sporadic and pandemic conditions; however, data have suggested that patterns of these differ between COVID-19 and other viral pneumonitides. This secondary analysis aimed to explore patterns of co-infection and intensive care unit-acquired infections (ICU-AI) and the relationship to use of corticosteroids in a large, international cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients.Methods: This is a multicenter, international, observational study, including adult patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis admitted to ICUs at the peak of wave one of COVID-19 (February 15th to May 15th, 2020). Data collected included investigator-assessed co-infection at ICU admission, infection acquired in ICU, infection with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) and antibiotic use. Frequencies were compared by Pearson's Chi-squared and continuous variables by Mann-Whitney U test. Propensity score matching for variables associated with ICU-acquired infection was undertaken using R library MatchIT using the "full" matching method.Results: Data were available from 4994 patients. Bacterial co-infection at admission was detected in 716 patients (14%), whilst 85% of patients received antibiotics at that stage. ICU-AI developed in 2715 (54%). The most common ICU-AI was bacterial pneumonia (44% of infections), whilst 9% of patients developed fungal pneumonia; 25% of infections involved MDRO. Patients developing infections in ICU had greater antimicrobial exposure than those without such infections. Incident density (ICU-AI per 1000 ICU days) was in considerable excess of reports from pre-pandemic surveillance. Corticosteroid use was heterogenous between ICUs. In univariate analysis, 58% of patients receiving corticosteroids and 43% of those not receiving steroids developed ICU-AI. Adjusting for potential confounders in the propensity-matched cohort, 71% of patients receiving corticosteroids developed ICU-AI vs 52% of those not receiving corticosteroids. Duration of corticosteroid therapy was also associated with development of ICU-AI and infection with an MDRO.Conclusions: In patients with severe COVID-19 in the first wave, co-infection at admission to ICU was relatively rare but antibiotic use was in substantial excess to that indication. ICU-AI were common and were significantly associated with use of corticosteroids

Clinical and organizational factors associated with mortality during the peak of first COVID-19 wave: the global UNITE-COVID study

Purpose: To accommodate the unprecedented number of critically ill patients with pneumonia caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) expansion of the capacity of intensive care unit (ICU) to clinical areas not previously used for critical care was necessary. We describe the global burden of COVID-19 admissions and the clinical and organizational characteristics associated with outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: Multicenter, international, point prevalence study, including adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to ICU between February 15th and May 15th, 2020. Results: 4994 patients from 280 ICUs in 46 countries were included. Included ICUs increased their total capacity from 4931 to 7630 beds, deploying personnel from other areas. Overall, 1986 (39.8%) patients were admitted to surge capacity beds. Invasive ventilation at admission was present in 2325 (46.5%) patients and was required during ICU stay in 85.8% of patients. 60-day mortality was 33.9% (IQR across units: 20%–50%) and ICU mortality 32.7%. Older age, invasive mechanical ventilation, and acute kidney injury (AKI) were associated with increased mortality. These associations were also confirmed specifically in mechanically ventilated patients. Admission to surge capacity beds was not associated with mortality, even after controlling for other factors. Conclusions: ICUs responded to the increase in COVID-19 patients by increasing bed availability and staff, admitting up to 40% of patients in surge capacity beds. Although mortality in this population was high, admission to a surge capacity bed was not associated with increased mortality. Older age, invasive mechanical ventilation, and AKI were identified as the strongest predictors of mortality

Searching for natural herbicides in methanol extracts of eight plant species

Abstract Background Plant extracts could turn out to be natural herbicides to be used in weed control. This study was conducted to study the phytotoxic effects of methanol extracts obtained from Tamarix mannifera, Alhagi maurorum, Echinops spinosissimus, Haloxylon salicornicum, Lactuca virosa, Neurada procumbens, Ochradenus bacctus, and Cyperus conglomerates plants on germination and growth of Phalaris minor, Echinochloa crusgalli, Portulaca oleracea, and Lactuca sativa. Results In laboratory trial, extracts of eight plants at 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g/L were evaluated on germination of seeds of four target species. The inhibitory effect of tested extracts varied among the examined seeds, and P. minor was the most sensitive. Extracts of T. mannifera and L. virosa showed the greatest effect on seed germination and seedling growth of studied seeds. Using the extract of T. mannifera at 40 g/L completely inhibited the germination and seedling growth of P. minor and shoot length of P. oleracea as well as root length of E. crusgalli and L. sativa. At this concentration, L. virosa nearly had a complete inhibition effect on germination and seedling growth of P. minor and P. oleracea. In the greenhouse trial, extracts from tested plants at four concentrations (0, 30, 60, and 90 g/L) were used in a phytotoxic bioassay against 6-week-old L. sativa and three target weeds. The growth of 6-week-old weeds tended to be less sensitive to the tested extracts than the weed germination. The significant injury effect was observed only when T. mannifera extract at 60 and 90 g/L was sprayed on P. minor, E. crusgalli, and L. sativa plants. Conclusions Among tested species, T. mannifera and L. virosa could be used for developing new natural herbicide

Long-term outcomes of patients with COVID-19 treated with helmet noninvasive ventilation or usual respiratory support: follow-up study of the Helmet-COVID randomized clinical trial

To evaluate whether helmet noninvasive ventilation compared to usual respiratory support reduces 180-day mortality and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: This is a pre-planned follow-up study of the Helmet-COVID trial. In this multicenter, randomized clinical trial, adults with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (n = 320) due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were randomized to receive helmet noninvasive ventilation or usual respiratory support