INFUSION OF CONVALESCENT PLASMA IS ASSOCIATED WITH CLINICAL IMPROVEMENT IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH COVID-19: A PILOT STUDY.

BACKGROUND: The ideal treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 has yet to be defined, but convalescent plasma (CoPla) has been successfully employed. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to study the safety and outcomes of the administration of CoPla to individuals with severe COVID-19 in an academic medical center. METHODS: Ten patients were prospectively treated with plasma from COVID-19 convalescent donors. RESULTS: Over 8 days, the sequential organ failure assessment score dropped significantly in all patients, from 3 to 1.5 (p = 0.014); the Kirby index (PaO2/FiO2) score increased from 124 to 255, (p < 0.0001), body temperature decreased significantly from 38.1 to 36.9°C (p = 0.0058), and ferritin levels also dropped significantly from 1736.6 to 1061.8 ng/ml (p = 0.0001). Chest X-rays improved in 7/10 cases and in 6/10, computerized tomography scans also revealed improvement of the lung injury. Decreases in C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels were also observed. Three of five patients on mechanical ventilation support could be extubated, nine were transferred to conventional hospital floors, and six were sent home; two patients died. The administration of CoPla had no side effects and the 24-day overall survival was 77%. CONCLUSIONS: Although other treatments were also administered to the patients and as a result data are difficult to interpret, it seems that the addition of CoPla improved pulmonary function.

Infusion of convalescent plasma is associated with clinical improvement in critically ill patients with Covid-19: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Background: The ideal treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 has yet to be defined, but convalescent plasma (CoPla) has been successfully employed. Objective: The objective of the study was to study the safety and outcomes of the administration of CoPla to individuals with severe COVID-19 in an academic medical center. Methods: Ten patients were prospectively treated with plasma from COVID-19 convalescent donors. Results: Over 8 days, the sequential organ failure assessment score dropped significantly in all patients, from 3 to 1.5 (p = 0.014); the Kirby index (PaO2/FiO2) score increased from 124 to 255, (p < 0.0001), body temperature decreased significantly from 38.1 to 36.9°C (p = 0.0058), and ferritin levels also dropped significantly from 1736.6 to 1061.8 ng/ml (p = 0.0001). Chest X-rays improved in 7/10 cases and in 6/10, computerized tomography scans also revealed improvement of the lung injury. Decreases in C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels were also observed. Three of five patients on mechanical ventilation support could be extubated, nine were transferred to conventional hospital floors, and six were sent home; two patients died. The administration of CoPla had no side effects and the 24-day overall survival was 77%. Conclusions: Although other treatments were also administered to the patients and as a result data are difficult to interpret, it seems that the addition of CoPla improved pulmonary function.

Exploring matrix effects in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination of pesticide residues in tropical fruits.

Tropical fruits are being increasingly consumed around the world because of their appreciated characteristics, particularly their high nutritional value and distinctive taste, which are different from those of traditional fruits. Owing to their introduction into international markets it is necessary to have a reliable analytical methodology available for the sensitive determination of pesticide residues in order to monitor the compliance of maximum residue limits (MRLs). From an analytical point of view, tropical fruits have generally been far less studied than other fruits frequently consumed in the European Union or USA, which are among the most important markets. In this work, LC-MS/MS-based methodology using a triple quadrupole analyzer was developed for the multi-residue determination of selected pesticides and metabolites in tropical fruits, which were selected among the most popular in Colombia, one of the most important suppliers of tropical fruits around the world. After selection of a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe)-based sample treatment, the study focused on the evaluation of matrix effects, in order to find a simple way for their correction. Twelve different food matrices were selected to perform this study: the seven Colombian tropical fruits of highest value for domestic and international markets (uchuva, tamarillo, granadilla, gulupa, maracuya, papaya, and pithaya), and five more matrices highly consumed in Colombia (lulo, carambolo, feijoa, mangostan, and guayaba). Twenty compounds, including pesticides widely applied in tropical fruits pest control and several metabolites considered in residue definition, were used as model compounds in this work. Correction factors were used on the basis of calibration graphs obtained with standards in solvent and in matrix, and their usefulness was supported by validation of the method in all the matrices tested at 0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg. The analysis of real-world samples revealed the presence of several target compounds that were identified by the acquisition of two MS/MS transitions, and by ion intensity ratio and retention time agreement.

Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from the Uteri Horn, Mouth, and Rectum of Bitches Suffering from Pyometra: Virulence Factors, Antimicrobial Susceptibilities, and Clonal Relationships among Strains.

Pyometra is recognized as one of the main causes of disease and death in the bitch, and Escherichia coli is the major pathogen associated with this disease. In this study, 70 E. coli isolates from the uteri horn, mouth, and rectum of bitches suffering from the disease and 43 E. coli isolates from the rectum of clinically healthy bitches were examined for the presence of uropathogenic virulence genes and susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs. DNA profiles of isolates from uteri horn and mouth in bitches with pyometra were compared by REP, ERIC, and BOX-PCR. Virulence gene frequencies detected in isolates from canine pyometra were as follows: 95.7% fim, 27.1% iss, 25.7% hly, 18.5% iuc, and 17.1% usp. Predominant resistance was determined for cephalothin, ampicillin, and nalidixic acid among the isolates from all sites examined. Multidrug resistance was found on ∼ 50% pyometra isolates. Using the genotypic methods some isolates from uteri, pus, and saliva of the same bitch proved to have identical DNA profiles which is a reason for concern due to the close relationship between household pets and humans.

La clomipramina en el tratamiento de la eyaculación prematura: eficacia y efectos secundarios / The clomipramina in the treatment of the ejaculation premature: effectiveness and secondary effects

Evaluar la eficacia y efectos secundarios de la clomipramina como tratamiento de la eyaculación prematura. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de 71 pacientes que acudieron a nuestro servicio quejándose de eyaculación prematura (EP), durante un programa de consulta sexual realizado en el mes de mayo de 2001. Fueron incluidos todos los pacientes indistintamente la clasificación de la EP. El tiempo de la latencia para la eyaculación o tiempo de eyaculación (TE) fue registrado y referido por el mismo paciente. Se revisó el TE antes y después de la administración del medicamento, así como la eficacia y los efectos secundarios. Los resultados fueron clasificados como mejoría y sin mejoría y se calculó también el TE promedio antes y después de la ingesta del medicamento. Ventiocho pacientes recibieron 25mg de clomipramina. La edad promedio fue de 46,5 ± 12,9 años (23-73). Ventitrés pacientes (82,1 por ciento) respondieron haber tenido mejoría con el tratamienton y 5 pacientes (17,9 por ciento) respondieron no haber tenido mejoría. El TE antes del tratamiento fue de 25,1 ± 35,9 segundos (1-180) y el TE posterior al tratamiento fue de 25,1 ± 39,5 segundos (1-180) y el TE posterior al tratamiento fue de 336,6 ± 219,4 segundos (3 s - aneyaculación)(p<0.01). dieciocho pacientes (64,3 por ciento) presentaron efectos secundarios siendo la cefalea, las nauseas y los mareos los más comúnes. La clomipramina demostró ser un buen tratamiento en los pacientes con EP, sin embargo, un gran número de pacientes presentó efectos secundarios por lo que se debe individualizar el tratamiento

Selection of 5-fluorocytosine-resistant mutants from an Aspergillus niger citric acid-producing strain

Mutants of Aspergillus niger N402, induced by UV mutagenesis, were selected and tested for resistance or sensitivity to 5-fluorocytosine. Some mutants showed increased citric acid production, which did not correlate with the intracellular amount of protein or ammonium ion. The resistance to 5-fluorocytosine proved to be a rational approach for isolation of new mutants with improved production of citric acid. The best mutant (FR13) accumulated double the amount of citric acid produced by the parental strain.