Psychiatric outcomes in outpatients affected by long COVID: A link between mental health and persistence of olfactory complaint.

BACKGROUND: Anosmia was one of the main symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A psychiatric history (i.e., depression) may be an independent contributor to the risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, and COVID-19 survivors appear to have an increased risk of neuropsychiatric sequelae (bidirectional association). AIM: To compare the rate of psychiatric disorder among post-COVID patients without anosmia vs patients with persistent olfactory complaints. METHODS: We conducted a prospective case control study from March 2020 to May 2021. Patients recruited at the ENT department of Nice University Hospital had a subjective olfactory complaint (visual analogue scale) for over 6 wk and a molecular or CT-proven severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 diagnosis confirmed by serology. Post-COVID patients without persistent olfactory disorders were recruited at the university hospital infectiology department. Psychiatric medical histories were collected by a psychiatrist during the assessments. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with post-COVID-19 olfactory complaints were included in the first group of the study. Fifty percent of the patients were female (n = 17). The group's mean age was 40.5 ± 12.9 years. The control group included 32 participants, of which 34.4% were female (n = 11), and had a mean age of 61.2 ± 12.2 years. The rate of psychiatric disorder among post-COVID patients with olfactory complaints was significatively higher (41.7%) than among patients without (18.8%) (χ2 = 5.9, P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: The presence of a psychiatric history may constitute a potential risk factor for the development of long COVID due to persistent anosmia. It therefore seems important to establish reinforced health monitoring after a COVID 19 infection in at-risk patients. Further prospective, translational, and collaborative studies are needed to extrapolate these results to the general population.

Chemical and structural heterogeneity of olive leaves and their trichomes.

Many biological surfaces have hairs, known as trichomes in plants. Here, the wettability and macro- and micro-scale features of olive leaves are analyzed. The upper leaf side has few trichomes, while the lower side has a high trichome density. By combining different techniques including electron and atomic force microscopy, trichome surfaces are found to be chemically (hydrophilic-hydrophobic) heterogeneous at the nano-scale. Both olive leaf surfaces are wettable by water, having a high water contact angle hysteresis and great drop adhesion. The ultra-structural pattern observed for epidermal pavement cells differs from the reticulate cuticle structure of trichomes which shows that leaf surface areas may be substantially different despite being located nearby. Our study provides evidence for the nano-scale chemical heterogeneity of a trichome which may influence the functional properties of biological surfaces, such as water and solute permeability or water capture as discussed here for plants.

Physicochemical Properties and Microbiome of Vineyard Soils from DOP Ribeiro (NW Spain) Are Influenced by Agricultural Management.

Agricultural management influences the soil ecosystem by affecting its physicochemical properties, residues of pesticides and microbiome. As vineyards grow crops with the highest incidence of pesticides, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of conventional and sustainable management systems of vineyards from DOP Ribeiro on the soil's condition. Samples from soils under three different management systems were collected, and the main soil physicochemical properties were evaluated. A selection of 50 pesticides were investigated by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The bacterial and fungal microbiomes were characterized through amplicon sequencing. The results show that organic agriculture positively influences soil pH and the concentration of some nutrients compared to conventional management. Our microbiome analysis demonstrated that transitioning from conventional to organic management significantly improves several BeCrop® indexes related to key microbial metabolism and soil bio-sustainability. Such a transition does not affect soil alpha diversity, but leads to a higher interconnected microbial network structure. Moreover, differential core genera and species for each management system are observed. In addition, the correlation of the microbiome with geographical distance is evidence of the existence of different microbial terroirs within DOP Ribeiro. Indeed, sustainable management leads to higher nutrient availability and enhances soil health in the short term, while lowering pesticide usage.

Impact of post-COVID-19 olfactory disorders on quality of life, hedonic experiences and psychiatric dimensions in general population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Olfactory disorders in COVID-19 impact quality of life and may lead to psychological impairments. Prevalence ranges from 8 to 85%, persisting in about 30% of cases. This study aimed to evaluate the 6-month post-COVID-19 impact on quality of life, hedonic experiences, anxiety and depression due to olfactory disorders. Additionally, it sought to compare psychophysical tests and self-perceived olfactory evaluations. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted over baseline (T0) and 6 months (T1) on individuals with persistent olfactory disorders post-COVID-19 for more than 6 weeks. Psychophysical tests employed the Sniffin' Sticks Test® (TDI score), and self-perceived olfactory evaluation used a Visual Analogue Scale. Quality of life was assessed with an Olfactive Disorder Questionnaire and the French version of the Quality of Life and Diet Questionnaire. Hedonic experiences were gauged using the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, while anxiety and depression dimensions were measured by The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, The Post Traumatic Stress Checklist Scale, and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Participants were classified into the "normosmic group" (NG) and the "olfactory disorders group" (ODG) at T0 and T1 based on the TDI score. RESULTS: Were included 56 participants (58.93% women, 41.07% men) with a mean age of 39.04 years and a mean duration of post-COVID-19 olfactory disorders of 5.32 months. At T1, ODG had a significantly lower quality of life and hedonic experiences than NG. No significant differences in anxiety and depression dimensions were observed between groups. At T0, psychophysical tests and self-perceived olfactory evaluations were significantly correlated with quality of life and hedonic experiences in both groups. At T1, self-perceived olfactory evaluation in NG correlated significantly with quality of life, hedonic experiences, anxiety and depression dimensions, whereas ODG only correlated with hedonic experiences. CONCLUSION: Individuals with persistent post-COVID-19 olfactory disorders after six months demonstrated compromised quality of life and hedonic experiences. Self-perceived olfactory evaluation played a more significant role in influencing quality of life and the dimension of anxiety and depression than the psychophysical presence of olfactory disorders. These findings emphasize the importance of considering patients' perceptions to comprehensively assess the impact of olfactory disorders on their well-being. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number (ID: NCT04799977).

Gastric metaplasia as a precursor of nonconventional dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease.

Gastric metaplasia in colonic mucosa with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) develops as an adaptation mechanism. The association between gastric metaplasia and nonconventional and/or conventional dysplasia as precursors of colitis-associated colorectal cancer is unknown. To address this question, we retrospectively reviewed a series of 33 IBD colectomies to identify gastric metaplasia in 76 precursor lesions. We obtained 61 nonconventional and 15 conventional dysplasias. Among nonconventional dysplasia, 31 (50.8 %) were low-grade (LGD), 4 (6.5 %) were high-grade (HGD), 9 (14.8 %) had both LGD and HGD, and 17 (27.9 %) had no dysplasia (ND), while 14 (93 %) conventional dysplasias had LGD, and 1 (7 %) had LGD and HGD. Gastric metaplasia was assessed by concomitant immunoexpression of MUC5AC and loss of CDX2 staining. Expression of a p53-mut pattern was considered as a surrogate for gene mutation, and complete loss of MLH1 staining as presence of MLH1 hypermethylation. In nonconventional dysplasia, MUC5AC immunoexpression decreased as the degree of dysplasia increased, being 78 % in LGD and 39 % in HGD (p = 0.006). CDX2 was lost in epithelial glands with high expression of MUC5AC (p < 0.001). The p53-mut pattern was observed in 77 % HGD, 45 % LGD, and in 6 % with ND (p < 0.001). Neither nonconventional nor conventional dysplasia showed complete loss of MLH1 staining. Gastric metaplasia was also present in mucosa adjacent to nonconventional dysplasia with chronic changes or active inflammation. Our results show that gastric metaplasia appears in IBD-inflamed colon mucosa, it is the substrate of most nonconventional dysplasia and occurs prior to p53 alterations.

Orbitopatía tiroidea. Puntos clave para el diagnóstico y tratamiento / Thyroid orbitopathy. Tricks for diagnosis and treatment

La orbitopatía tiroidea (OT) es una patología autoinmune de etiología desconocida. Se trata de una enfermedad edematosa e inflamatoria crónica y a veces subaguda o aguda, cuyas características principales son edema palpebral, úlceras corneales, hipertensión ocular, exoftalmos generalmente bilateral, estrabismo restrictivo, diplopía y neuropatía óptica. El objetivo principal es realizar una revisión y actualización acerca del enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico de la OT. Realizar una revisión y actualización acerca del enfoque diagnóstico, terapéuticos de la OT. Métodos: Revisión de la literatura publicada referente a la OT y manera actual de enfocar esta patología. Resultados: La OT es una enfermedad inflamatoria orbitaria con un posible origen autoinmune y que suele asociarse a trastornos metabólicos de la glándula tiroidea. Fisiopatológicamente su mecanismo no está claro. Afecta mayormente a mujeres y está negativamente influenciada por factores como el tabaquismo, la edad, el sexo y la raza. Es imprescindible clasificarla en cuanto a su severidad y su actividad para un correcto manejo. Conclusiones: El conocimiento clínico de OT es esencial para el diagnóstico precoz de la enfermedad. El tratamiento médico, en caso de OT activa, debe ser precoz, agresivo y acorde a la fase en que se presente el paciente con el fin de evitar las graves consecuencias de la OT. El tratamiento quirúrgico deberá ser lógico y ordenado, pero a su vez rápido, con el fin de devolver al paciente al entorno laboral, social y familiar. (AU)

Purpose: Thyroid orbitopathy (TO) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. It is a chronic and sometimes subacute or acute edematous and inflammatory disease, the main characteristics of which are eyelid edema, corneal ulcers, ocular hypertension, generally bilateral exophthalmos, restrictive strabismus, diplopia and optic neuropathy. The main purpose of this work is to review and update the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. To propose a practical, basic and precocious approach based in the knowledge of the TO. Methods: Literature review and exposition of our experience in the management of TO. Results: TO is an inflammatory orbital disease that probably has an autoimmune origin and most of the time is related to systemic disorders of the thyroid gland. Pathogenesis of the disease is not yet fully understood. Women are more likely to develop TO, and the disease is clearly affected by several factors such as smoking, age, sex and race. It is crucial to determine TO severity and activity for a correct management. Conclusions: Clinical knowledge is essential for the early diagnosis of this disorder, and it is the most important factor for the proper management of the disease. The medical treatment must be initiated promptly and should be aggressive and based in the current phase of the disease, in order to avoid the severe damage that follows TO. The surgical approach must be logical and sequential, but, on the other hand, must be rapid and aggressive in order to return the patient to his/her labour, social and familiar environment. (AU)

Leaf surface features of maize cultivars and response to foliar phosphorus application: effect of leaf stage and plant phosphorus status.

Soil phosphorus (P) application is the most common fertilisation technique but may involve constraints due to chemical fixation and microbial immobilisation. Furthermore, excessive P fertilisation leads to P runoff into water bodies, threatening ecosystems, so targeted foliar P fertilisation is an interesting alternative. This study aimed to determine the importance of leaf surface characteristics for foliar P uptake in P-deficient maize (Zea mays L.). The leaf surface of four maize cultivars was characterised by electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. Uptake of foliar-applied P by maize cultivars was estimated, measuring also leaf photosynthetic rates after foliar P spraying. Plants of cultivar P7948 were found to be wettable from the 4th leaf in acropetal direction, whereas other cultivars were unwettable until the 6th leaf had developed. Minor variations in stomatal number and cuticle composition were recorded, but no differences in foliar P absorption were observed between cultivars. Nevertheless, cultivars showed variation in the improvement of photosynthetic capacity following foliar P application. Phosphorus deficiency resulted in ultrastructural disorganisation of mesophyll cells and chloroplasts, which impaired photosynthetic performance, yet there was no effect on stomatal frequency and leaf wettability. This study provides new insights into the influence of P deficiency and cultivar on leaf surface characteristics, foliar P uptake and its effect on physiological processes. Understanding the relationships between leaf characteristics and P uptake allows a more targeted evaluation of foliar P fertilisation as an application technique and contributes to the understanding of foliar uptake mechanisms.

Leaf wettability is the main driver for foliar P uptake in P-deficient maize.

Foliar fertilisation is an alternative form of nutrient application, which is of particular interest for phosphorus (P), where the efficiency of soil fertilisation is low. However, the uptake of foliar-applied nutrients is insufficiently characterised. The aim of this study was to investigate the individual and combined significance of wettability, foliar fertiliser properties and surfactant on foliar P uptake in P-deficient maize (Zea mays L.). Sorption and desorption properties of two P salts used as foliar fertilisers (KH2PO4, K2HPO4) were determined with dynamic vapor sorption isotherms. Leaf surfaces and foliar spray depositions of two differently wettable maize cultivars were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurement. Phosphorus uptake was then linked to leaf and fertiliser solution properties and its effect on cell ultrastructure was characterised by transmission electron microscopy. Wettability was the key factor for P absorption, as all foliar fertilisers were taken up reaching a tissue-P level of adequately nourished plants. For unwettable leaves, only solutions with surfactant, especially the combination of surfactant and hygroscopic P salt (K2HPO4) were taken up. This study provides novel insights into the significance of leaf surface and fertiliser properties, which can thus contribute to an improvement of P fertilisation strategies.

Evaluating Leaf Wettability and Salt Hygroscopicity as Drivers for Foliar Absorption.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of foliar absorption of magnesium (Mg) salts with different deliquescence and efflorescence relative humidity values (DRH and ERH, also known as point of deliquescence (POD) and point of efflorescence (POE), respectively) when supplied to leaves of model plants with different wettability properties. For this purpose, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with lettuce (very wettable), broccoli (highly unwettable) and leek (highly unwettable). Foliar sprays contained 0.1% surfactant plus 100 mM Mg supplied as MgCl2·6H2O, Mg(NO3)2·6H2O or MgSO4·7H2O. Leaf Mg concentrations were determined 1 and 7 days after foliar application. Anion concentrations were also measured in lettuce where a significant foliar Mg absorption was detected. Leaf wettability, leaf surface free energy and fertilizer drop deposit appearance onto the foliage were assessed. It is concluded that despite including a surfactant in the spray formulation, leaf wettability plays a major role in foliar Mg absorption.

The Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Whole-Genome Sequencing Project: Study design and methodology.

INTRODUCTION: Sequencing efforts to identify genetic variants and pathways underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) have largely focused on late-onset AD although early-onset AD (EOAD), accounting for ∼10% of cases, is largely unexplained by known mutations, resulting in a lack of understanding of its molecular etiology. METHODS: Whole-genome sequencing and harmonization of clinical, neuropathological, and biomarker data of over 5000 EOAD cases of diverse ancestries. RESULTS: A publicly available genomics resource for EOAD with extensive harmonized phenotypes. Primary analysis will (1) identify novel EOAD risk loci and druggable targets; (2) assess local-ancestry effects; (3) create EOAD prediction models; and (4) assess genetic overlap with cardiovascular and other traits. DISCUSSION: This novel resource complements over 50,000 control and late-onset AD samples generated through the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP). The harmonized EOAD/ADSP joint call will be available through upcoming ADSP data releases and will allow for additional analyses across the full onset range. HIGHLIGHTS: Sequencing efforts to identify genetic variants and pathways underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) have largely focused on late-onset AD although early-onset AD (EOAD), accounting for ∼10% of cases, is largely unexplained by known mutations. This results in a significant lack of understanding of the molecular etiology of this devastating form of the disease. The Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Whole-genome Sequencing Project is a collaborative initiative to generate a large-scale genomics resource for early-onset Alzheimer's disease with extensive harmonized phenotype data. Primary analyses are designed to (1) identify novel EOAD risk and protective loci and druggable targets; (2) assess local-ancestry effects; (3) create EOAD prediction models; and (4) assess genetic overlap with cardiovascular and other traits. The harmonized genomic and phenotypic data from this initiative will be available through NIAGADS.

Tomato and Pepper Leaf Parts Contribute Differently to the Absorption of Foliar-Applied Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate.

Foliar fertilisation is an application technique that is increasingly being used in agriculture and offers the possibility of providing nutrients directly to the site of highest demand. Especially for phosphorus (P), foliar application is an interesting alternative to soil fertilisation, but foliar uptake mechanisms are poorly understood. To gain a better understanding of the importance of leaf surface features for foliar P uptake, we conducted a study with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants, which have different leaf surface traits. For this purpose, drops of 200 mM KH2PO4 without surfactant were applied onto the adaxial or abaxial leaf side or to the leaf veins and the rate of foliar P absorption was evaluated after one day. Additionally, leaf surfaces were characterised in detail by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), estimating also leaf surface wettability and free energy, among other parameters. While the leaves of pepper hardly contained any trichomes, the abaxial side and the leaf veins of tomato leaves were densely covered with trichomes. The cuticle of tomato leaves was thin (approximately 50 nm), while that of pepper was thick (approximately 150-200 nm) and impregnated with lignin. Due to the fact that trichomes were most abundant in the leaf veins of tomato, dry foliar fertiliser drop residues were observed to be anchored there, and the highest P uptake occurred via tomato leaf veins, resulting in 62% increased P concentration. However, in pepper, the highest rate of P absorption was recorded after abaxial-side P treatment (+66% P). Our results provide evidence that different leaf parts contribute unequally to the absorption of foliar-applied agrochemicals, which could potentially be useful for optimising foliar spray treatments in different crops.

Alterations in p53, Microsatellite Stability and Lack of MUC5AC Expression as Molecular Features of Colorectal Carcinoma Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Colitis-associated colorectal carcinoma (CAC) occurs in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because of the "chronic inflammation-dysplasia-cancer" carcinogenesis pathway characterized by p53 alterations in the early stages. Recently, gastric metaplasia (GM) has been described as the initial event of the serrated colorectal cancer (CRC) process, resulting from chronic stress on the colon mucosa. The aim of the study is to characterize CAC analyzing p53 alterations and microsatellite instability (MSI) to explore their relationship with GM using a series of CRC and the adjacent intestinal mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess p53 alterations, MSI and MUC5AC expression as a surrogate for GM. The p53 mut-pattern was found in more than half of the CAC, most frequently stable (MSS) and MUC5AC negative. Only six tumors were unstable (MSI-H), being with p53 wt-pattern (p = 0.010) and MUC5AC positive (p = 0.005). MUC5AC staining was more frequently observed in intestinal mucosa, inflamed or with chronic changes, than in CAC, especially in those with p53 wt-pattern and MSS. Based on our results, we conclude that, as in the serrated pathway of CRC, in IBD GM occurs in inflamed mucosa, persists in those with chronic changes and disappears with the acquisition of p53 mutations.

Foliar Application of Potassium Salts to Olive, with Focus on Accompanying Anions.

Potassium (K) is an essential element, which is often supplied to horticultural crops via foliar spraying. Some studies have investigated the effect of different foliar-applied K compounds; however, most studies have focussed on crop quality and yield parameters, or were performed with isolated leaf cuticles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rates of the foliar ion penetration and leaf surface deposition of 130 mM K sprays of compounds with markedly different point of deliquescence (POD) and efflorescence (POE) values, the rates having been previously estimated in climate chamber trials. Shoots of field-grown, commercial olive trees were sprayed with K-nitrate (KNO3), K-sulphate (K2SO4), K-chloride (KCl), K-phosphate (K3PO4), K-carbonate (K2CO3) and K-bicarbonate (KHCO3), and leaf samples were collected after 3 and 24 h. Cation and anion concentrations were determined in the leaf tissues, and in a preliminary leaf water wash for estimating surface-deposited ion concentrations. No significant leaf tissue K increments were recorded between the K sprays. Olive tissue anion concentrations showed different patterns, and a chloride (Cl-) increase was detected 3 h after the foliar KCl supply. On the other hand, the foliar K applications led to leaf nitrate changes regardless of the K source supplied. High amounts of K and accompanying ions were recovered in the washing liquid of the foliar K-supplied leaves. Some foliar K treatments increased the leaf surface concentration of sulphate and chloride, suggesting a potential effect on leaf cell anion extrusion. Hence, despite no evidence of foliar K uptake, an effect of leaf anion concentrations was observed, indicating that foliar nutrient sprays may influence leaf and leaf surface anion balance.

Nocturnal Transpiration May Be Associated with Foliar Nutrient Uptake.

Aerosols can contribute to plant nutrition via foliar uptake. The conditions for this are best at night because the humidity is high and hygroscopic, saline deposits can deliquesce as a result. Still, stomata tend to be closed at night to avoid unproductive water loss. However, if needed, nutrients are on the leaf surface, and plants could benefit from nocturnal stomatal opening because it further increases humidity in the leaf boundary layer and allows for stomatal nutrient uptake. We tested this hypothesis on P-deficient soil by comparing the influence of ambient aerosols and additional foliar P application on nocturnal transpiration. We measured various related leaf parameters, such as the foliar water loss, minimum leaf conductance (gmin), turgor loss point, carbon isotope ratio, contact angle, specific leaf area (SLA), tissue element concentration, and stomatal and cuticular characteristics. For untreated leaves grown in filtered, aerosol-free air (FA), nocturnal transpiration consistently decreased overnight, which was not observed for leaves grown in unfiltered ambient air (AA). Foliar application of a soluble P salt increased nocturnal transpiration for AA and FA leaves. Crusts on stomatal rims were shown by scanning electron microscopy, supporting the idea of stomatal uptake of deliquescent salts. Turgor loss point and leaf moisture content indicated a higher accumulation of solutes, due to foliar uptake by AA plants than FA plants. The hypothesis that deliquescent leaf surface salts may play a role in triggering nocturnal transpiration was supported by the results. Still, further experiments are required to characterize this phenomenon better.

The overlooked functions of trichomes: Water absorption and metal detoxication.

Trichomes are epidermal outgrowths on plant shoots. Their roles in protecting plants against herbivores and in the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites have long been recognized. Recently, studies are increasingly showing that trichomes also play important roles in water absorption and metal detoxication, with these roles having important implications for ecology, the environment, and agriculture. However, these two functions of trichomes have been largely overlooked and much remains unknown. In this review, we show that the trichomes of 37 plant species belonging to 14 plant families are involved in water absorption, while the trichomes of 33 species from 13 families are capable of sequestering metals within their trichomes. The ability of trichomes to absorb water results from their decreased hydrophobicity compared to the remainder of the leaf surface as well as the presence of special structures for collecting and absorbing water. In contrast, the metal detoxication function of trichomes results not only from the good connection of their basal cells to the underlying vascular tissues, but also from the presence of metal-chelating ligands and transporters within the trichomes themselves. Knowledge gaps and critical future research questions regarding these two trichome functions are highlighted. This review improves our understanding on trichomes.

Leaf wettability, anatomy and ultra-structure of Nothofagus antarctica and N. betuloides grown under a CO2 enriched atmosphere.

Increasing CO2 air concentration may affect wettability, anatomy and ultra-structure of leaves of Patagonian forest species, evergreen and deciduous plants potentially responding differently to such CO2 increases. In this study, we analysed the wettability, anatomy and ultra-structure of leaves of Nothofagus antarctica (deciduous) and N. betuloides (evergreen) grown under high CO2 concentrations. Leaf wettability was affected by increasing CO2, in different directions depending on species and leaf side. In both species, soluble cuticular lipid concentrations per unit leaf area raised with higher CO2 levels. Stomatal parameters (density, size of guard cells and pores) showed different responses to CO2 increasing depending on the species examined. In both species, leaf tissues showed a general trend to diminish with higher CO2 concentration. Cuticle thickness was modified with higher CO2 concentration in N. betuloides, but not in N. antarctica leaves. In both species, chloroplasts were often damaged with the increase in CO2 concentration. Our results show that several surface and internal leaf parameters can be modified in association with an increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration which may very among plant species.

Effect of Rim-Off Deep Lateral Orbital Decompression on Interpalpebral Fissure Shape.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the palpebral fissure shape after rim-off deep lateral decompression with and without restoration of the lateral orbital rim. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional quantitative analysis of the palpebral fissure images of 17 patients (25 eyes) who underwent rim-off deep lateral orbital decompression without repositioning of the rim (G1) and of 20 patients (34 eyes) operated with rim restoration. Quantification of palpebral fissure images included MRD 1 and MRD 2 , two lateral mid-pupil lid margin (MPD) distances, the width of the palpebral fissure, and the height and shape of the lateral canthus. RESULTS: Proptosis reduction did not differ significantly between G1 and G2. In both groups, decompression reduced the mean values of the MRD 1 and MRD 2 , the lateral height of the upper eyelid, and the height and angle of the lateral canthus. The palpebral fissure width and lateral height of the lateral lower eyelid were not affected. There was no significant difference between the mean changes of G1 and G2. Multivariate analysis showed that the lateral canthus decrease was correlated with changes in MRD 1 and MRD 2 . CONCLUSIONS: Small changes in palpebral fissure shape after deep lateral decompression are not dependent on the presence or absence of the lateral rim.

Mineral Particles in Foliar Fertilizer Formulations Can Improve the Rate of Foliar Uptake.

The application of foliar sprays of suspensions of relatively insoluble essential element salts is gradually becoming common, chiefly with the introduction of nano-technology approaches in agriculture. However, there is controversy about the effectiveness of such sparingly soluble nutrient sources as foliar fertilizers. In this work, we focussed on analysing the effect of adding Ca-carbonate (calcite, CaCO3) micro- and nano-particles as model sparingly soluble mineral compounds to foliar fertilizer formulations in terms of increasing the rate of foliar absorption. For these purposes, we carried out short-term foliar application experiments by treating leaves of species with variable surface features and wettability rates. The leaf absorption efficacy of foliar formulations containing a surfactant and model soluble nutrient sources, namely Ca-chloride (CaCl2), magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), potassium nitrate (KNO3), or zinc sulphate (ZnSO4), was evaluated alone or after addition of calcite particles. In general, the combination of the Ca-carbonate particles with an essential element salt had a synergistic effect and improved the absorption of Ca and the nutrient element provided. In light of the positive effects of using calcite particles as foliar formulation adjuvants, dolomite nano- and micro-particles were also tested as foliar formulation additives, and the results were also positive in terms of increasing foliar uptake. The observed nutrient element foliar absorption efficacy can be partially explained by geochemical modelling, which enabled us to predict how these formulations will perform at least in chemical terms. Our results show the major potential of adding mineral particles as foliar formulation additives, but the associated mechanisms of action and possible additional benefits to plants should be characterised in future investigations.

Factores de riesgo para mortalidad por COVID-19 en adultos ingresados en un hospital de Honduras / Risk factors to COVID-19 mortality in adults admitted to a hospital in Honduras

Según estudios a nivel internacional, los casos fatales de la COVID-19 están relacionados con edad avanzada, sexo masculino y presencia de enfermedades crónicas. Objetivo: Determinar factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad por COVID-19 en pacientes adultos ingresados en un hospital público de Honduras. Métodos: Estudio tipo casos y controles en pacientes ingresados con diagnóstico de COVID-19; Casos: pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19 con condición de egreso fallecido, Controles: pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19 con condición de egreso alta médica. Se analizó una muestra de 100 casos y 200 controles. Se realizó análisis de características demográficas, clínicas y laboratoriales, posteriormente se estimaron OR y se construyó un modelo de regresión logística múltiple. Resultados: Se encontró que 57.5% (171/300) tenía 60 años o más y 60.3% (181/300) era del sexo masculino. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron dificultad respiratoria 94%, fiebre 90.3% y tos 86%. Los factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad por COVID-19 fueron edad (OR 10.40 IC95% 3.96-27.30), sexo masculino (OR 3.25 IC95% 1.75-6.06), comorbilidades (OR 2.14 IC95% 1.03-4.45), niveles elevados de dímero D (OR 2.28 IC95% 1.20-4.32) y LDH (OR 5.65 IC95% 2.62-12.18). Discusión: Los factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad por COVID-19 encontrados en este estudio coinciden con los presentados en estudios internacionales. Es necesario identificar los pacientes con estos factores para ofrecer manejos oportunos según su condición clínica...(AU)

Foliar P Application Cannot Fully Restore Photosynthetic Capacity, P Nutrient Status, and Growth of P Deficient Maize (Zea mays L.).

The essential plant nutrient phosphorus (P) is key for numerous structures and processes in crops and its deficiency can severely restrict yield and quality. As soil P availability for plant uptake is often limited, foliar P application can be an alternative means of supplying P to the plants during the growth period. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of foliar P application on photosynthetic parameters, P nutritional status, and growth of P deficient maize over time. Plants of Zea mays L. cv. Keops were grown with deficient and sufficient amounts of P in hydroponics. Foliar P treatments were applied to P deficient plants and several physiological parameters were monitored for 21 days. The variables measured were leaf gas exchange parameters, SPAD values, foliar P absorption, re-translocation rates, and plant biomass production. Foliar P application significantly increased CO2-assimilation and SPAD values and additionally enhanced biomass production in all plant components. Elemental analysis revealed increased tissue P concentrations following foliar P application compared to P deficient plants. While increased growth of P-deficient plants was steadily promoted by foliar P spraying for the entire experimental period, the positive effect on CO2 assimilation and P concentration was transient and vanished some days after the foliar treatment. P deficiency markedly impaired the efficiency of physiological processes of maize plants. As a conclusion, foliar P fertilisation improved physiological and agronomical plant parameters over time, but failed to restore plant functionality of P deficient maize plants during a prolonged experimental period.