Non-Invasive Biochemical Testing of ACTH-dependent Cushing's Disease: Do We Still Need Petrosal Sinus Sampling?

Differentiating between a pituitary from an ectopic source of ACTH could be a real one of the major challenges of clinical endocrinology. The Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) is considered the gold standard for identifying the source of ACTH; however, is not available worldwide. After the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, algorithms that include biochemical and imaging tests have gained importance as an alternative to BIPSS. This review summarizes the drawbacks in the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing; the evolution of diagnostic tests, and the evidence that exists on their performance. As well as a comparison between the advantages and disadvantages of invasive and non-invasive tests.

High Incidence Rate of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Health Care Workers at a Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital: Experiences of the Pandemic from a Large Mexican Hospital.

Health care workers (HCW) are at high risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCW has been examined in cross-sectional studies by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests, which may lead to underestimating exact incidence rates. We thus investigated the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a group of HCW at a dedicated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospital in a six-month follow-up period. We conducted a prospective cohort study on 109 participants of both sexes working in areas of high, moderate, and low SARS-CoV-2 exposure. qPCR tests in nasopharyngeal swabs and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG serum antibodies were assessed at the beginning and six months later. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were analyzed according to IgG seropositivity by paired Student's T-test or the chi-square test. The incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection was considerably high in our cohort of HCW (58%), among whom 67% were asymptomatic carriers. No baseline risk factors contributed to the infection rate, including the workplace. It is still necessary to increase hospital safety procedures to prevent virus transmissibility from HCW to relatives and non-COVID-19 patients during the upcoming waves of contagion.

A desired gains approach for the prediction of genetic gain in resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes in a multi-trait breeding objective in Uruguayan Merino sheep.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) constitute a problem in many sheep production systems, including those in Uruguay, causing reduced productivity and increased expenses. The main strategy to control GIN has consisted of the use of anthelmintics. However, GINs have developed resistance to anthelmintics, reducing their effectiveness. Genetic resistance to GINs has been found in flocks of different breeds. To date, there have been no reports about GINs breaking down genetic resistance in sheep. Heritability estimates of resistance to GIN within breeds are generally moderate, so that achieving genetic gain within a flock is possible. In this study, we predicted genetic gain in worm egg count (WEC), an indirect (and generally preferred) criterion of resistance to GIN, following different strategies. A multi-trait breeding objective including wool and meat traits was assumed and genetic gain over 10 years of selection in a Merino flock was estimated. We used a desired gains approach, examining situations in which the economic contribution of genetic gain in resistance to GIN in percentage terms was 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100. Except when the level of infestation with GIN was low, a considerable amount of emphasis had to be placed on selection for low WEC in order to reach the threshold below which the administration of anthelmintics is not required. High emphasis on reducing WEC lead to a reduction in genetic gain in wool and meat traits, or to their deterioration in the extreme case of 100 per cent emphasis on WEC. Given this finding, coupled with the difficulties encountered in accurately recording and selecting for WEC, we concluded that in addition to embarking upon a programme of within flock selection, sheep breeders interested in improving genetic resistance to GIN should also consider using breeding stock identified as superior for both resistance and production traits in across flock genetic evaluations.

X-ray structures of precursors of styrylpyridine-derivatives used to obtain 4-((E)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)vinyl)benzamido-TEMPO: synthesis and characterization.

The synthesis and characterization of the precursor isomers trans-4-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)vinylbenzaldehyde (I), trans-4-(2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinylbenzaldehyde (II), trans-4-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)vinylbenzoic acid (III) and (E)-4-(2-(pydridin-4-yl)vinylbenzoic acid (IV) are reported. These compounds were prepared in order to obtain trans-4-((E)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)vinyl)benzamide-TEMPO (V). Compounds I and II were obtained by using a Knoevenagel reaction in the absence of a condensing agent and solvent. Oxidation of the aldehyde group using the Jones reagent afforded the corresponding acid forms III and IV. A condensation reaction with 4-amino-TEMPO using oxalyl chloride/DMF/CH2Cl2 provided the 4-((E)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)vinyl)benzamide-TEMPO. Single crystals of compounds I, II and III were obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Compound I belongs to space group P2(1)/c, a = 12.6674(19) Å, b = 7.2173(11) Å, c = 11.5877(14) Å, b = 97.203(13)° and the asymmetric unit was Z = 4, whereas compound II was in the space group P2(1), with a = 3.85728(9) Å, b = 10.62375(19) Å, c = 12.8625(2) Å, b = 91.722 (2)° and the asymmetric unit was Z = 2. Compound III crystallized as single colorless needle crystals, belonging to the monoclinic system with space group P2(1), with Z = 2, with a = 3.89359(7) Å, b = 17.7014(3) Å, c = 8.04530(12) Å, b = 94.4030 (16)°. All compounds were completely characterized by IR, (1)H-NMR, EI-MS and UV-Vis.