Prognostic Impact of Induced Natriuresis in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Its Association with Intraabdominal Pressure and Other Congestion Markers: A Multimodal Approach to Congestion Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Congestion is an essential issue in patients with heart failure (HF). Standard treatments do not usually achieve decongestion, and various strategies have been proposed to guide treatment, such as determination of natriuresis. After starting treatment with loop diuretics, we postulate that initial natriuresis might help treatment titration, decongestion, and improve prognosis. METHODS: It was a prospective and observational study. Patients admitted with the diagnosis of HF decompensation were eligible. An assessment of congestion was performed during the first 48 h. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were included. A poor diuretic response was observed in 39.8%. After the first 48 h, patients with a greater diuretic response on admission (NaU > 80 mmol/L) showed fewer pulmonary b lines (12 vs. 15; p = 0.084), a lower IVC diameter (18 mm vs. 22 mm; p = 0.009), and lower IAP figures (11 mmHg vs. 13 mmHg; p = 0.041). Survival analysis tests demonstrated significant differences showing a higher proportion of all-cause mortality (ACM) and HF rehospitalization in the poor-diuretic-response group (log-rank test = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Up to 40% of the patients presented a poorer diuretic response at baseline, translating into worse outcomes. Patients with an optimal diuretic response showed significantly higher abdominal decongestion at 48 h and a better prognosis regarding ACM and/or HF rehospitalizations.

Physical activity as a promoter of stress resilience: An analysis of behavioral effects and brain connectivity with cytochrome c-oxidase activity in adult male Wistar rats.

Physical activity (PA) is very beneficial for physical and mental health. This study aims to examine the resilience-inducting effect of PA in adult male Wistar rats exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Furthermore, we analyzed the influence of PA on behavioral tasks and functional brain connectivity with cytochrome c oxidase technique. The cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) is a mitochondrial enzyme involved in oxidative phosphorylation and ATP generation. For this analysis, we included five groups: Basal (n = 10, to determine the basal level of brain activity), Behav (n = 15, subjected exclusively to behavioral tests), PA (n = 10, exposed to physical activity), UCMS (n = 15, subjected to a stress protocol) and PA + UCMS (n = 15, exposed to PA prior to stress). The UCMS protocol consisted of randomly presenting several different stressors over four consecutive weeks. We evaluated several behaviors of the Behav, UCMS, and PA + UCMS groups. This assessment includes the hedonic responses using the sucrose consumption task, unconditioned anxiety with the zero maze, and coping strategies assessed with the cat odor test. The UCMS group showed an anhedonia profile and increased anxiety compared with the other groups. Although in the exposure to cat odor test, the PA + UCMS remained for the same time in the cat odor compartment as the other groups, it did not approach the odor, showing that it detected the risk. This response is more adaptive than the responses of the UCMS and Behav groups. An exploratory analysis of the cerebral connections showed an increase in CCO activity in the UCMS group compared to the other groups. This overactivity was reduced in dorsal Cornu Ammonis 3(dCA3) by prior PA. In this region, PA + UCMS showed similar activity as the groups not subjected to chronic stress. Therefore, PA can prevent the harmful effects of chronic stress on dCA3.

Rapamycin downregulates α-klotho in the kidneys of female rats with normal and reduced renal function.

Both mTOR and α-klotho play a role in the pathophysiology of renal disease, influence mineral metabolism and participate in the aging process. The influence of mTOR inhibition by rapamycin on renal α-klotho expression is unknown. Rats with normal (controls) and reduced (Nx) renal function were treated with rapamycin, 1.3 mg/kg/day, for 22 days. The experiments were conducted with rats fed 0.6% P diet (NP) and 0.2% P diet (LP). Treatment with rapamycin promoted phosphaturia in control and Nx rats fed NP and LP. A decrease in FGF23 was identified in controls after treatment with rapamycin. In rats fed NP, rapamycin decreased mRNA α-klotho/GADPH ratio both in controls, 0.6±0.1 vs 1.1±0.1, p = 0.001, and Nx, 0.3±0.1 vs 0.7±0.1, p = 0.01. At the protein level, a significant reduction in α-klotho was evidenced after treatment with rapamycin both by Western Blot: 0.6±0.1 vs 1.0±0.1, p = 0.01, in controls, 0.7±0.1 vs 1.1±0.1, p = 0.02, in Nx; and by immunohistochemistry staining. Renal α-klotho was inversely correlated with urinary P excretion (r = -0.525, p = 0.0002). The decrease in α-klotho after treatment with rapamycin was also observed in rats fed LP. In conclusion, rapamycin increases phosphaturia and down-regulates α-klotho expression in rats with normal and decreased renal function. These effects can be observed in animals ingesting normal and low P diet.

Enhancing alfalfa photosynthetic performance through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation across varied phosphorus application levels.

This study evaluated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on the growth and photosynthetic performance of alfalfa under different phosphorus application levels. This experiment adopts two-factors completely random design, and sets four levels of fungi application: single inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae (Fm, T1), single inoculation with Glomus etunicatum (Ge, T2) and mixed inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae × Glomus etunicatum (Fm×Ge, T3) and treatment uninfected fungus (CK, T0). Four phosphorus application levels were set under the fungi application level: P2O5 0 (P0), 50 (P1), 100 (P2) and 150 (P3) mg·kg-1. There were 16 treatments for fungus phosphorus interaction. The strain was placed 5 cm below the surface of the flowerpot soil, and the phosphate fertilizer was dissolved in water and applied at one time. The results showed that the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) of alfalfa decreased at first and then increased with the increase of phosphorus application, except for light use efficiency (LUE) and leaf instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE), other indicators showed the opposite trend. The effect of mixed inoculation (T3) was significantly better than that of non-inoculation (T0) (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that Ci was significantly negatively correlated with alfalfa leaf transpiration rate (Tr) and WUE (p < 0.05), and was extremely significantly negatively correlated with other indicators (p < 0.01). The other indexes were positively correlated (p < 0.05). This may be mainly because the factors affecting plant photosynthesis are non-stomatal factors. Through the comprehensive analysis of membership function, the indexes of alfalfa under different treatments were comprehensively ranked, and the top three were: T3P2>T3P1>T1P2. Therefore, when the phosphorus treatment was 100 mg·kg-1, the mixed inoculation of Funneliformis mosseae and Glomus etunicatum had the best effect, which was conducive to improving the photosynthetic efficiency of alfalfa, increasing the dry matter yield, and improving the economic benefits of local alfalfa in Xinjiang. In future studies, the anatomical structure and photosynthetic performance of alfalfa leaves and stems should be combined to clarify the synergistic mechanism of the anatomical structure and photosynthetic performance of alfalfa.

Adaptation, reliability and validity of health-related quality of life questionnaires: Disabkids chronic and specific diabetes disease in children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1.

INTRODUCTION: It is recommended to periodically evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). Despite this, no specific paediatric HRQoL instrument for DM1 has been validated in Spanish. OBJECTIVES: Multicentre, prospective descriptive study in children and adolescents with DM1 with the aim of carrying out cross-cultural adaptation to Spanish and evaluating the reliability and validity of the DISABKIDS chronic disease and diabetes-specific HRQoL questionnaires, using reverse translation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sociodemographic variables were compiled together with the most recent capillary glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) value and HRQoL questionnaires were handed out to 200 Spanish children and adolescents with DM1 aged between 8 and 18 years of age under evaluation in 12 different hospitals. RESULTS: The mean score on the HRQoL questionnaire (patient version) for chronic disease was 80.32 (13.66), being significantly lower (P = .04) in patients with a shorter duration of the disease (≤5 years): 78.34 (13.70) vs. 82.60 (13.36). The mean score of the DM1-specific modules was: 60.81 (16.23) for disease impact and 65.59 (26.19) for treatment impact. The mean HbA1c value was 7.08 (0.79), with no differences (P > .05) noted in the mean score of the HRQoL instruments in patients with HbA1c ≤7% vs. HbA1c >7%. The Cronbach α value varied between 0.72 and 0.90. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish versions of the DISABKIDS HRQoL instruments meet the proposed objectives of semantic equivalence and internal consistency, making it possible to periodically assess HRQoL in these patients. The good average glycaemic control presented by the patients may explain why no difference was found in the HRQoL instruments based on the HbA1c value.

The Assessment of Nutritional Status in Pediatrics: New Tools and Challenges.

Pediatric endocrinology will undergo an extraordinary revolution this century [...].

The Arabidopsis DNA glycosylase MBD4L repairs the nuclear genome in vivo.

DNA glycosylases remove mispaired or modified bases from DNA initiating the base excision repair (BER) pathway. The DNA glycosylase MBD4 (methyl-CpG-binding domain protein 4) has been functionally characterized in mammals, but not yet in plants, where it is called MBD4-like (MBD4L). Mammalian MBD4 and Arabidopsis recombinant MBD4L excise U and T mispaired with G, as well as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5-bromouracil (5-BrU) in vitro. Here, we investigate the ability of Arabidopsis MBD4L to remove some of these substrates from the nuclear genome in vivo in coordination with uracil DNA glycosylase (AtUNG). We found that mbd4l mutants are hypersensitive to 5-FU and 5-BrU, as they displayed smaller size, less root growth, and higher cell death than control plants in both media. Using comet assays, we determined BER-associated DNA fragmentation in isolated nuclei and observed reduced DNA breaks in mbd4l plants under both conditions, but particularly with 5-BrU. The use of ung and ung x mbd4l mutants in these assays indicated that both MBD4L and AtUNG trigger nuclear DNA fragmentation in response to 5-FU. Consistently, we here report the nuclear localization of AtUNG based on the expression of AtUNG-GFP/RFP constructs in transgenic plants. Interestingly, MBD4L and AtUNG are transcriptionally coordinated but display not completely overlapping functions. MBD4L-deficient plants showed reduced expression of BER genes and enhanced expression of DNA damage response (DDR) gene markers. Overall, our findings indicate that Arabidopsis MBD4L is critical for maintaining nuclear genome integrity and preventing cell death under genotoxic stress conditions.

Serially improved GTOs for molecular applications (SIGMA): Basis sets from H to Ne.

A new approach for generating Gaussian basis sets is reported and tested for atoms from H to Ne. The basis sets thus calculated, named SIGMA basis sets, range from DZ to QZ sizes and have the same composition per shell as Dunning basis sets but with different treatment of the contractions. The standard SIGMA basis sets and their augmented versions have proven to be very suitable for providing good results in atomic and molecular calculations. The performance of the new basis sets is analyzed in terms of total, correlation, and atomization energies, equilibrium distances, and vibrational frequencies in several molecules, and the results are compared at several computational levels with those obtained with the corresponding Dunning and other basis sets.

The Arabidopsis chromatin regulator MOM1 is a negative component of the defense priming induced by AZA, BABA and PIP.

In plants, the establishment of broad and long-lasting immunity is based on programs that control systemic resistance and immunological memory or "priming". Despite not showing activated defenses, a primed plant induces a more efficient response to recurrent infections. Priming might involve chromatin modifications that allow a faster/stronger activation of defense genes. The Arabidopsis chromatin regulator "Morpheus Molecule 1" (MOM1) has been recently suggested as a priming factor affecting the expression of immune receptor genes. Here, we show that mom1 mutants exacerbate the root growth inhibition response triggered by the key defense priming inducers azelaic acid (AZA), ß-aminobutyric acid (BABA) and pipecolic acid (PIP). Conversely, mom1 mutants complemented with a minimal version of MOM1 (miniMOM1 plants) are insensitive. Moreover, miniMOM1 is unable to induce systemic resistance against Pseudomonas sp. in response to these inducers. Importantly, AZA, BABA and PIP treatments reduce the MOM1 expression, but not miniMOM1 transcript levels, in systemic tissues. Consistently, several MOM1-regulated immune receptor genes are upregulated during the activation of systemic resistance in WT plants, while this effect is not observed in miniMOM1. Taken together, our results position MOM1 as a chromatin factor that negatively regulates the defense priming induced by AZA, BABA and PIP.

Comparing the effects of transcranial alternating current and temporal interference (tTIS) electric stimulation through whole-brain mapping of c-Fos immunoreactivity.

The analysis of the topography of brain neuromodulation following transcranial alternating current (AC) stimulation is relevant for defining strategies directed to specific nuclei stimulation in patients. Among the different procedures of AC stimulation, temporal interference (tTIS) is a novel method for non-invasive neuromodulation of specific deep brain targets. However, little information is currently available about its tissue effects and its activation topography in in vivo animal models. After a single session (30 min, 0.12 mA) of transcranial alternate current (2,000 Hz; ES/AC group) or tTIS (2,000/2,010 Hz; Es/tTIS group) stimulation, rat brains were explored by whole-brain mapping analysis of c-Fos immunostained serial sections. For this analysis, we used two mapping methods, namely density-to-color processed channels (independent component analysis (ICA) and graphical representation (MATLAB) of morphometrical and densitometrical values obtained by density threshold segmentation. In addition, to assess tissue effects, alternate serial sections were stained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1), and Nissl. AC stimulation induced a mild superficial increase in c-Fos immunoreactivity. However, tTIS stimulation globally decreased the number of c-Fos-positive neurons and increased blood brain barrier cell immunoreactivity. tTIS also had a stronger effect around the electrode placement area and preserved neuronal activation better in restricted areas of the deep brain (directional stimulation). The enhanced activation of intramural blood vessels' cells and perivascular astrocytes suggests that low-frequency interference (10 Hz) may also have a trophic effect.

Análisis de las diferencias de calibre entre las venas mamarias internas derecha e izquierda y su relación con múltiples factores en reconstrucción microquirúrgica de mama / Analysis of caliber differences between right and left internal mammary veins and their relationship to multiple factors in microsurgical breast reconstruction

Introducción y objetivo: La congestión venosa es la principal causa de complicación en la reconstrucción microquirúrgica de mama. Entre sus posibles motivos, son de especial interés las características de los vasos receptores. Las venas mamarias internas son la primera opción como venas receptoras. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar las posibles diferencias existentes entre las venas mamarias internas izquierda y derecha. Material y método: Estudio observacional en 31 casos de reconstrucción mamaria con colgajo DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator flap – colgajo de perforante epigástrica inferior) seleccionando los vasos mamarios internos como vasos receptores para comparar posibles diferencias entre el calibre de las venas mamarias internas derecha e izquierda. Resultados: Fueron estadísticamente signifucativos mostrando un calibre de la vena mamaria interna derecha mayor al de la izquierda. Conclusiones: Nuestro estudio ha encontrado diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el calibre de las venas mamarias internas, presentando mayor tamaño las derechas sin verse modificado este resultado por el empleo de radioterapia previa a la cirugía ni por condiciones propias de la paciente, como su índice de masa corporal o su edad. (AU)

Background and objective: Venous congestion is the main resource of complication in microsurgical breast reconstruction. Among the possible causes of this congestion, the characteristics of the recipient vessels are of special interest. Internal mammary veins are the first choice as recipient vessels. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible differences between the left and right internal mammary veins. Methods: Observational research conducted on 31 cases of breast reconstruction with DIEP flap (deep inferior epigastric perforator flap), selecting the internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels in order to compare possible differences between the caliber of right and left internal mammary veins. Results: The result were statistically significant, showing a larger caliber of the right internal mammary vein than the left. Conclusions: Our study has found statistically significant differences in the caliber of the internal mammary veins, with the right ones being larger without these results being modified using radio-therapy prior to surgery or by the patients own conditions, such as her body mass index or age. (AU)

Adult height and health-related quality of life in patients born small for gestational age treated with recombinant growth hormone.

Health related quality of life (HRQoL) is a relevant result when assessing the course of different pathologies and the efficacy of their treatments. HRQoL has been studied previously on adults born small for gestational age (SGA), both in the general population and in patients who had received recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment, with disparate results. Our study included 50 adults who had received rhGH treatment for the SGA indication in 4 Spanish hospitals. Data have been gathered retrospectively from their clinical records, current weight and height were measured, and patients have been asked to fill out SF-36 and QoLAGHDA quality of life forms, and the Graffar test to evaluate their socio-economical status. Patient's adult height was - 1.2 ± 0.9 SD, lower than their target height of 1 ± 0.8 SD, but gaining 1.7 ± 1 SD from the beginning of the treatment. SF-36 test results showed lower scoring on Mental Health domains than on those related to Physical Health. No correlation was found between HRQoL results and final height, rhGH treatment duration or puberty. Correlation was indeed found between QoLAGHDA and several domains of SF-36, but QoLAGHDA detected fewer patients with low HRQoL than SF-36. Thus, it is concluded that SGA patient's follow-up should include a HRQoL, neuro-cognitive and psychiatric assessment in their transition to adult age. Adult SGA patients without catch up growth have impaired HRQoL, especially in mental health domains.

The p53 endoplasmic reticulum stress-response pathway evolved in humans but not in mice via PERK-regulated p53 mRNA structures.

Cellular stress conditions activate p53-dependent pathways to counteract the inflicted damage. To achieve the required functional diversity, p53 is subjected to numerous post-translational modifications and the expression of isoforms. Little is yet known how p53 has evolved to respond to different stress pathways. The p53 isoform p53/47 (p47 or ΔNp53) is linked to aging and neural degeneration and is expressed in human cells via an alternative cap-independent translation initiation from the 2nd in-frame AUG at codon 40 (+118) during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Despite an AUG codon in the same location, the mouse p53 mRNA does not express the corresponding isoform in either human or mouse-derived cells. High-throughput in-cell RNA structure probing shows that p47 expression is attributed to PERK kinase-dependent structural alterations in the human p53 mRNA, independently of eIF2α. These structural changes do not take place in murine p53 mRNA. Surprisingly, PERK response elements required for the p47 expression are located downstream of the 2nd AUG. The data show that the human p53 mRNA has evolved to respond to PERK-mediated regulation of mRNA structures in order to control p47 expression. The findings highlight how p53 mRNA co-evolved with the function of the encoded protein to specify p53-activities under different cellular conditions.

Reorganization of Brain Networks as a Substrate of Resilience: An Analysis of Cytochrome c Oxidase Activity in Rats.

The unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) model has been used to induce depressive-like symptoms in animal models, showing adequate predictive validity. Our work aims to evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) on resilience in this experimental model of depression. We also aim to assess changes in brain connectivity using cytochrome c oxidase histochemistry in cerebral regions related to cognitive-affective processes associated with depressive disorder: dorsal hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, accumbens, and habenula nuclei. Five groups of rats were used: UCMS, EE, EE + UCMS (enrichment + stress), BG (basal level of brain activity), and CONT (behavioral tests only). We assessed the hedonic responses elicited by sucrose solution using a consumption test; the anxiety level was evaluated using the elevated zero maze test, and the unconditioned fear responses were assessed by the cat odor test. The behavioral results showed that the UCMS protocol induces elevated anhedonia and anxiety. But these responses are attenuated previous exposure to EE. Regarding brain activity, the UCMS group showed greater activity in the habenula compared to the EE + UCMS group. EE induced a functional reorganization of brain activity. The EE + UCMS and UCMS groups showed different patterns of connections between brain regions. Our results showed that EE favors greater resilience and could reduce vulnerability to disorders such as depression and anxiety, modifying metabolic brain activity.

Accurate Hellmann-Feynman forces from density functional calculations with augmented Gaussian basis sets.

The Hellmann-Feynman (HF) theorem provides a way to compute forces directly from the electron density, enabling efficient force calculations for large systems through machine learning (ML) models for the electron density. The main issue holding back the general acceptance of the HF approach for atom-centered basis sets is the well-known Pulay force which, if naively discarded, typically constitutes an error upward of 10 eV/Å in forces. In this work, we demonstrate that if a suitably augmented Gaussian basis set is used for density functional calculations, the Pulay force can be suppressed, and HF forces can be computed as accurately as analytical forces with state-of-the-art basis sets, allowing geometry optimization and molecular dynamics to be reliably performed with HF forces. Our results pave a clear path forward for the accurate and efficient simulation of large systems using ML densities and the HF theorem.

Robotics in spine surgery: systematic review of literature.

PURPOSE: Over 4.83 million spine surgery procedures are performed annually around the world. With the considerable caseload and the precision needed to achieve optimal spinal instrumentation, technical progress has helped to improve the technique's safety and accuracy with the development of peri-operative assistance tools. Contrary to other surgical applications already part of the standard of care, the development of robotics in spine surgery is still a novelty and is not widely available nor used. Robotics, especially when coupled with other guidance modalities such as navigation, seems to be a promising tool in our quest for accuracy, improving patient outcomes and reducing surgical complications. Robotics in spine surgery may also be for the surgeon a way to progress in terms of ergonomics, but also to respond to a growing concern among surgical teams to reduce radiation exposure. METHOD: We present in this recent systematic review of the literature realized according to the PRISMA guidelines the place of robotics in spine surgery, reviewing the comparison to standard techniques, the current and future indications, the learning curve, the impact on radiation exposure, and the cost-effectiveness. RESULTS: Seventy-six relevant original studies were identified and analyzed for the review. CONCLUSION: Robotics has proved to be a safe help for spine surgery, both for the patient with a decrease of operating time and increase in pedicular screw accuracy, and for the surgical team with a decrease of radiation exposure. Medico-economic studies demonstrated that despite a high buying cost, the purchase of a robot dedicated for spine surgery is cost-effective resulting in lesser revision, lower infection, reduced length of stay, and shorter surgical procedure.

RETRACTED: Díez López, I. The Assessment of Nutritional Status in Pediatrics: New Tools and Challenges. Children 2023, 10, 1151.

The Children Editorial Office retracts the article entitled "The Assessment of Nutritional Status in Pediatrics: New Tools and Challenges" by Díez Lopez [...].

Optimizing nitrogen and phosphorus application to improve soil organic carbon and alfalfa hay yield in alfalfa fields.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the principal factor contributing to enhanced soil fertility and also functions as the major carbon sink within terrestrial ecosystems. Applying fertilizer is a crucial agricultural practice that enhances SOC and promotes crop yields. Nevertheless, the response of SOC, active organic carbon fraction and hay yield to nitrogen and phosphorus application is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of nitrogen-phosphorus interactions on SOC, active organic carbon fractions and hay yield in alfalfa fields. A two-factor randomized group design was employed in this study, with two nitrogen levels of 0 kg·ha-1 (N0) and 120 kg·ha-1 (N1) and four phosphorus levels of 0 kg·ha-1 (P0), 50 kg·ha-1 (P1), 100 kg·ha-1 (P2) and 150 kg·ha-1 (P3). The results showed that the nitrogen and phosphorus treatments increased SOC, easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and hay yield in alfalfa fields, and increased with the duration of fertilizer application, reaching a maximum under N1P2 or N1P3 treatments. The increases in SOC, EOC, DOC, POC, MBC content and hay yield in the 0-60 cm soil layer of the alfalfa field were 9.11%-21.85%, 1.07%-25.01%, 6.94%-22.03%, 10.36%-44.15%, 26.46%-62.61% and 5.51%-23.25% for the nitrogen and phosphorus treatments, respectively. The vertical distribution of SOC, EOC, DOC and POC contents under all nitrogen and phosphorus treatments was highest in the 0-20 cm soil layer and tended to decrease with increasing depth of the soil layer. The MBC content was highest in the 10-30 cm soil layer. DOC/SOC, MBC/SOC (excluding N0P1 treatment) and POC/SOC were all higher in the 0-40 cm soil layer of the alfalfa field compared to the N0P0 treatment, indicating that the nitrogen and phosphorus treatments effectively improved soil fertility, while EOC/SOC and DOC/SOC were both lower in the 40-60 cm soil layer than in the N0P0 treatment, indicating that the nitrogen and phosphorus treatments improved soil carbon sequestration potential. The soil layer between 0-30 cm exhibited the highest sensitivity index for MBC, whereas the soil layer between 30-60 cm had the highest sensitivity index for POC. This suggests that the indication for changes in SOC due to nitrogen and phosphorus treatment shifted from MBC to POC as the soil depth increased. Meanwhile, except the 20-30 cm layer of soil in the N0P1 treatment and the 20-50 cm layer in the N1P0 treatment, all fertilizers enhanced the soil Carbon management index (CMI) to varying degrees. Structural equation modeling shows that nitrogen and phosphorus indirectly affect SOC content by changing the content of the active organic carbon fraction, and that SOC is primarily impacted by POC and MBC. The comprehensive assessment indicated that the N1P2 treatment was the optimal fertilizer application pattern. In summary, the nitrogen and phosphorus treatments improved soil fertility in the 0-40 cm soil layer and soil carbon sequestration potential in the 40-60 cm soil layer of alfalfa fields. In agroecosystems, a recommended application rate of 120 kg·ha-1 for nitrogen and 100 kg·ha-1 for phosphorus is the most effective in increasing SOC content, soil carbon pool potential and alfalfa hay yield.

Comparative analysis of chest radiography and lung ultrasound to predict intra-hospital prognosis of patients admitted for acute SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia (COVID-19).

Background: Point of care lung ultrasound (POCUS) has been recently used to assess prognosis in COVID-19 patients. However, there are no data comparing POCUS and chest-X ray, a technique widely used. Patients and methods: Retrospective analysis in stable COVID-19 patients. Schalekamp radiological lung scale and LUZ-Score ultrasound scale were compared. Primary end-point was in-hospital death and/or need for Intensive Care Unit admission. Results: A total of 138 patients were included. Median Schalekamp scale was 2 (2) and median LUZ-Score scale was 21 (10). No significant correlation was observed between both techniques. Patients with a LUZ-Score ≥ 21 points at admission had worse lung function and higher concentrations of LDH, CRP and Interleuquine-6. Schalekamp scale failed to identify patients at a higher risk at admission for the primary end-point. Addition of POCUS to a previous clinical model, improved risk prediction (AUC 0.805 [95% CI: 0.662-0.948]; P = <0.001). Conclusions: Chest X-ray and POCUS showed no correlation at admission in this analysis. Only POCUS identified a group of patients with greater clinical and analytical involvement. POCUS improved, previous clinical model, while chest X-ray did not add relevant predictive information for the primary endpoint.

Antecedentes: La ecografía torácica es una técnica novedosa para estratificar el riesgo de los pacientes COVID-19. Sin embargo, no existen datos que comparen dicha técnica con la radiografía de tórax, una técnica ampliamente utilizada en esta enfermedad. Pacientes y métodos: Análisis retrospectivo en pacientes estables COVID-19. Se compararon la escala de daño pulmonar radiológica de Schalekamp y ecográfica de LUZ-Score. El objetivo primario fue la muerte intrahospitalaria o la necesidad de ingreso en la UCI para tratamiento con ventilación mecánica. Resultados: Se reclutaron 138 pacientes. La mediana de la escala de Schalekamp fue de 2 (2) y la del LUZ-Score de 21 (10). No se objetivó una correlación significativa entre ambas escalas. Los pacientes con un LUZ-Score ≥ 21 puntos al ingreso presentaron peor función pulmonar y mayores concentraciones de LDH, PCR e interleucina-6. La escala radiológica de Schalekamp no logró identificar a una población de mayor riesgo. Únicamente la adición de la ecografía pulmonar a un modelo de valoración clínica mejoró de manera significativa el área bajo la curva para el objetivo primario (ABC 0,805 [IC 95%: 0,662−0,948]; p ≤ 0,001). Conclusiones: No se objetivó una correlación entre la afectación radiológica y la ecográfica. Únicamente la ecografía pulmonar identificó un subgrupo de pacientes con una mayor afectación clínico-analítica. La ecografía pulmonar mejoró el modelo de predicción clínico, mientras que la radiografía de tórax no añadió información relevante.

Complete Genome Sequences of Microbacterium paraoxydans Phages Cassita and Fransoyer.

Phages Cassita and Fransoyer were isolated from soil in northwestern Wisconsin using Microbacterium paraoxydans as the host. The genomes of Cassita and Fransoyer are 61,868 bp and 62,277 bp, respectively, with direct terminal repeats. Both phages exhibit siphoviral morphology and are predicted to have lytic life cycles.