Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota)

Compared to the higher fungi (Dikarya), taxonomic and evolutionary studies on the basal clades of fungi are fewer in number. Thus, the generic boundaries and higher ranks in the basal clades of fungi are poorly known. Recent DNA based taxonomic studies have provided reliable and accurate information. It is therefore necessary to compile all available information since basal clades genera lack updated checklists or outlines. Recently, Tedersoo et al. (MycoKeys 13:1--20, 2016) accepted Aphelidiomycota and Rozellomycota in Fungal clade. Thus, we regard both these phyla as members in Kingdom Fungi. We accept 16 phyla in basal clades viz. Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota. Thus, 611 genera in 153 families, 43 orders and 18 classes are provided with details of classification, synonyms, life modes, distribution, recent literature and genomic data. Moreover, Catenariaceae Couch is proposed to be conserved, Cladochytriales Mozl.-Standr. is emended and the family Nephridiophagaceae is introduced

Levels of Heavy Metals in Commonly Consumed Vegetables Obtained from Some Markets in Ota, Nigeria

Background: As a result of increasing environmental pollution in developing countries, Nigeria in particular, assessment of food contamination is necessary. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the concentrations of heavy metals in vegetables available in selected markets at Ota, Ogun State. Method: A total of 75 samples of three edible leafy vegetables: fluted pumpkin leaves (Telfairia occidentalis), Lagos spinach, "Green" (Amaranthus hybridus) and Jute Mallow (Corchorus olitorius) were obtained from Iyana Iyesi, Ota, Oju-Ore, Sango-Ota and Toll-gate markets in Ado-Odo/Ota local government, Ogun State, Nigeria. The samples were digested and analyzed for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) following a standard method. Results: The results showed that all the metals detected were above the WHO/FAO permissible limits. Lead (Pb) was detected in all the vegetables except Jute Mallow from Sango and Fluted Pumpkin in Toll gate. The Pb content in all the vegetables ranged from 0.269±0.36 to 12.601±1.80 mg/kg. Cadmium was also detected in all the vegetables except Lagos Spinach (obtained from Sango Ota) and Fluted Pumpkin (obtained from Iyana Iyesi). The Cd content in all the vegetables ranged from 0.156±0.04 to 0.832±0.03 mg/kg. Chromium (Cr) was not detected in all the vegetables sold at Sango and also in Fluted pumpkin from Iyana Iyesi Market. The Cr content in all the vegetables ranged from 0.508±1.09 to 1.799±1.19 mg/kg. Conclusion: With regards to the locations or markets, the differences in concentrations were significant (P<0.05), while with regards to the metals, the differences in the concentrations were not significant. With significant values of Lead, Cadmium and Chromium observed in samples, vegetable consumers must be wary of vegetables to buy and the source. Keywords: Heavy metals, vegetables, Telfairia occidentalis, Amaranthus hybridus, Corchorus olitorius, Ado-Odo/Ot

Decomposition kinetic study, spectroscopic and pyrolytic analyses of Isoberlinia doka and Pinus ponderosa

Two woody species of different origins were subjected to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and analytical pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). FlynnWall-Ozawa, a model-free technique, was adopted for the decomposition kinetic study of Isoberlinia doka (ID) and Pinus ponderosa (PP). FTIR spectroscopy was employed to determine the level of cellulose crystallinity in the samples under investigation using the total crystallinity and lateral order indices methods. The apparent activation energy appeared as a function of conversion with significant influence from biomass diversity. The apparent activation energy recorded values of 202 to 365 kJ mol−1 for ID and 205 to 583 kJ mol−1 for PP. Thus, biomass decomposition kinetics is better modeled as a multi-step reaction mechanism. The analytical Py-GC/MS showed the presence of acids, sugars, and phenolic compounds in significant proportions for the two biomass samples. There were marked distinctions in both the quantity and the individual compounds detected in the biomass samples that were investigated