Fighting SARS-CoV-2 with green seaweed Ulva sp. extract: extraction protocol predetermines crude ulvan extract anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibition properties in in vitro Vero-E6 cells assay.

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to screen for novel compounds with antiviral activity against SARS-COV-2. Here we compared chemical composition and the in vitro anti- SARS-COV-2 activity of two different Ulva sp. crude ulvan extracts: one obtained by an HCl-based and another one by ammonium oxalate-based (AOx) extraction protocols. The composition of the crude extracts was analyzed and their antiviral activity was assessed in a cytopathic effect reduction assay using Vero E6 cells. We show that the extraction protocols have a significant impact on the chemical composition, anti- SARS-COV-2 activity, and cytotoxicity of these ulvan extracts. The ulvan extract based on the AOx protocol had a higher average molecular weight, higher charge, and 11.3-fold higher antiviral activity than HCl-based extract. Our results strongly suggest that further bioassay-guided investigation into bioactivity of compounds found in Ulva sp. ulvan extracts could lead to the discovery of novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 antivirals.

COVID-19, HHV6 and MOG antibody: A perfect storm.

BACKGROUND: Serious neurological complications of SARS-CoV-2 are increasingly being recognized. CASE: We report a novel case of HHV6 myelitis with parainfectious MOG-IgG in the setting of COVID-19-induced lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia. The patient experienced complete neurological recovery with gancyclovir, high dose corticosteroids, and plasma exchange. To our knowledge, this is the first case of HHV6 reactivation in the central nervous system in the setting of COVID19 infection and the first case of MOG-IgG myelitis in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 and HHV6 coinfection. CONCLUSION: Patients with neurological manifestations in the setting of COVID19-related immunodeficiency should be tested for opportunistic infections including HHV6. Viral infection is a known trigger for MOG-IgG and therefore this antibody should be checked in patients with SARS-CoV-2 associated demyelination.

Deashing macroalgae biomass by pulsed electric field treatment.

Among all biomass constituents, the ashes are major hurdles for biomass processing. Ashes currently have low market value and can make a non-negligible fraction of the biomass dry weight significantly impacting its further processing by degrading equipment, lowering process yield, inhibiting reactions and decreasing products qualities. However, most of the current treatments for deashing biomass are of poor efficiency or industrial relevance. This work is the first report on the use of Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) to enhance deashing of biomass from a high ash content green marine macroalga, Ulva sp., using hydraulic pressing. By inducing cell permeabilization of the fresh biomass, PEF was able to enhance the ash extraction from 18.4% (non-treated control) to 37.4% of the total ash content in average, significantly enhancing the extraction of five of the major ash elements (K, Mg, Na, P and S) compared to pressing alone.

Design of marine macroalgae photobioreactor integrated into building to support seagriculture for biorefinery and bioeconomy.

Seagriculture, which can provide offshore grown macroalgae biomass would play a significant role in bioeconomy. Nevertheless, seagriculture development has been hindered by the lack of laboratory photobioreactors that enable fundamental and pilot scale macroalgae research. In this work, a macroalgae photobioreactor (MPBR) was developed and integrated into the building. The MPBR operation was demonstrated for 6months with cultivation of Cladophora sp., Ulva compressa and Ulva rigida green macroalgae species isolated from 3 sites at the Eastern Mediterranean coast. The growth rate, protein, ash, specific energy density, rhamnose, xylose, arabinose, glucose, galactose and glucuronic acid content of the cultivated species were quantified. The maximum accumulated energy rates were 0.033WhL-1d-1 for Cladophora sp., 0.081WhL-1d-1 for U. compressa and 0.029WhL-1d-1 for U. rigida. This work provides a detailed design of an indoor, urban photobioreactor for cultivation, maintenance and energy balance analysis of macroalgae biomass for biorefinery.

Distinct differences in striatal dysmorphology between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder boys with and without a comorbid reading disability.

There is evidence of greater cognitive deficits in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with a comorbid reading disability (ADHD/+RD) compared to ADHD alone (ADHD/-RD). Additionally, the striatum has been consistently implicated in ADHD. However, the extent of morphological alterations in the striatum of ADHD/+RD is poorly understood, which is the main purpose of this study. Based on structural MRI images, the surface deformation of the caudate and putamen was assessed in 59 boys matching in age and IQ [19 ADHD/-RD, 15 ADHD/+RD and 25 typically developing controls (TDC)]. A vertex based analysis with multiple comparison correction was conducted to compare ADHD/-RD and ADHD/+RD to TDC. Compared to TDC, ADHD/+RD showed multiple bilateral significant clusters of surface compression. In contrast, ADHD/-RD showed fewer significant clusters of surface compression and restricted to the left side. Regarding the putamen, only ADHD/-RD showed significant clusters of surface compression. Results demonstrate for the first time a greater extent of morphological alterations in the caudate of ADHD/+RD than ADHD/-RD compared to TDC, which may suggest greater implicated cortical areas projecting to the caudate that are associated with the greater neuropsychological impairments observed in ADHD/+RD.

Family therapy for adolescents with ADHD.

Adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their parents experience a great deal of conflict and coercion because the executive function deficits of ADHD interact with the parents' characteristics, family stress, and parenting practices. This article provides a step-by-step description of the defiant teen approach to family therapy, which is designed to help adolescents with ADHD and their parents reduce conflict and coercion. The article also summarizes 2 studies supporting the effectiveness of the defiant teen approach.

Family intervention for home-based problems of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Adolescents with ADHD frequently argue with their parents about a variety of issues, especially when they also have Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder. Family interventions have proven effective for ameliorating such conflicts in two independent investigations. After a comprehensive assessment including family interviews and self-report inventories, the therapist first teaches the parents contingency management techniques and then teaches the parents and adolescent problem solving communication skills. Contingency management techniques include one-on-one time, effective commands, positive incentive systems, and punishment systems. Problem solving involves discussing a specific dispute by defining the problem, generating a list of solutions, evaluating the solutions, and reaching a compromise. Communication training involves identifying specific negative communication skills and replacing them with positive communication skills. This article reviews research and provides practitioners with specific guidelines for implementing these family interventions.

A cluster analysis of personality style in adults with ADHD.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to use hierarchical linear cluster analysis to examine the normative personality styles of adults with ADHD. METHOD: A total of 311 adults with ADHD completed the Millon Index of Personality Styles, which consists of 24 scales assessing motivating aims, cognitive modes, and interpersonal behaviors. RESULTS: The sample was randomly divided into half, and independent hierarchical linear cluster analyses were performed on each half to identify replicable clusters. A three-cluster solution was selected, and two of the clusters were replicated across the independent analyses. Participants in Cluster 1 manifested more polarized, negative motivating aims, cognitive modes, and interpersonal behaviors than participants in Cluster two. CONCLUSION: Hierarchical linear cluster analyses identified two very different personality styles in a sample of adults with ADHD, with implications for clinicians and future research.