Covid-19 management by farmers and policymakers in Burkina Faso, Colombia and France: Lessons for climate action.

CONTEXT: During crises, adaptation or recovery measures or plans at local or national scales may not necessarily address longer-term or structural problems such as climate change mitigation. OBJECTIVE: This article describes farmers and policymakers' responses to mitigate the adverse effects of Covid-19 on the agricultural sector. We then assess the responses' possible effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. METHODS: The study is based on surveys conducted with farmers, traders, and extension staff in Burkina Faso, Colombia, and France, and literature. We used the Cool Farm Tool calculator to assess GHG emissions associated with fertilizer production, crop production and produce transportation to international markets for the three main cash crops in the three countries. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified contrasting responses by the agricultural sector mostly driven by changes in the consumption patterns at local or international levels. We also identified contrasting state responses to mitigate Covid-19. These responses at farm and policy scales led to similar trends in decreasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across the studied countries. However, none of the studied countries linked Covid-19 response measures to long-term climate change mitigation actions. Therefore, an opportunity to sustain Covid-19 induced short-term decreases in GHG emissions was overlooked. SIGNIFICANCE: Analyzing the impacts that Covid-19 had on agricultural systems and the decision taken by policymakers to handle its direct and indirect effects can help society draw lessons on how to improve climate action.

Novel associations between blood DNA methylation and body mass index in middle-aged and older adults.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There is increasing evidence of a relationship between blood DNA methylation and body mass index (BMI). We aimed to assess associations of BMI with individual methylation measures (CpGs) through a cross-sectional genome-wide DNA methylation association study and a longitudinal analysis of repeated measurements over time. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip, DNA methylation measures were determined in baseline peripheral blood samples from 5361 adults recruited to the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS) and selected for nested case-control studies, 2586 because they were subsequently diagnosed with cancer (cases) and 2775 as controls. For a subset of 1088 controls, these measures were repeated using blood samples collected at wave 2 follow-up, a median of 11 years later; weight was measured at both time points. Associations between BMI and blood DNA methylation were assessed using linear mixed-effects regression models adjusted for batch effects and potential confounders. These were applied to cases and controls separately, with results combined through fixed-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Cross-sectional analysis identified 310 CpGs associated with BMI with P<1.0 × 10-7, 225 of which had not been reported previously. Of these 225 novel associations, 172 were replicated (P<0.05) using the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. We also replicated using MCCS data (P<0.05) 335 of 392 associations previously reported with P<1.0 × 10-7, including 60 that had not been replicated before. Associations between change in BMI and change in methylation were observed for 34 of the 310 strongest signals in our cross-sectional analysis, including 7 that had not been replicated using the ARIC study. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these findings suggest that BMI is associated with blood DNA methylation at a large number of CpGs across the genome, several of which are located in or near genes involved in ATP-binding cassette transportation, tumour necrosis factor signalling, insulin resistance and lipid metabolism.

Dietary inflammatory index or Mediterranean diet score as risk factors for total and cardiovascular mortality.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dietary patterns are associated with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to examine associations of the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) with total, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study; and compare the strengths of the associations. METHODS AND RESULTS: In our prospective cohort study of 41,513 men and women aged 40-69 years, a food frequency questionnaire was completed at baseline and mortality data were obtained via linkage with local and national registries over an average of 19 years follow up. At baseline, questionnaires were completed and physical measures and blood samples taken. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for age, alcohol consumption, sex, region of origin, personal history of CVD or diabetes and family history of CVD, were used to assess associations between dietary scores and mortality. More Mediterranean or less inflammatory diets were associated with lower total, CVD and CHD mortality. The hazard ratio for total mortality comparing the highest and lowest quintiles was 1.16 (95%CI: 1.08-1.24) for DII; and 0.86 (95%CI: 0.80-0.93) comparing the highest and lowest three categories of MDS. Using the Bayesian information criterion, there was no evidence that the DII score was more strongly associated with total and CVD mortality than was the MDS. CONCLUSIONS: The MDI and the DII show similar associations with total and cardiovascular mortality, consistent with the consensus that plant-based diets are beneficial for health.

Sex moderates circadian chemotherapy effects on survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Molecular circadian clocks can modify cancer chemotherapy effects, with a possible moderation according to sex differences. We investigated whether sex determine the optimal delivery schedule of chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed using individual data from three international Phase III trials comparing 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin administered in chronomodulated (chronoFLO) or conventional (CONV) infusions. The data from 345 females and 497 males were updated at 9 years. The main end point was survival. RESULTS: Overall survival was improved in males on chronoFLO when compared with CONV (P = 0.009), with respective median values of 20.8 (95% CL, 18.7 to 22.9) and 17.5 months (16.1 to 18.8). Conversely, median survival was 16.6 months (13.9 to 19.3) on chronoFLO and 18.4 months (16.6 to 20.2) on CONV in females (P = 0.012). The sex versus schedule interaction was a strong predictive factor of optimal treatment schedule, with a hazard ratio of 1.59 (1.30 to 1.75) for overall survival (P = 0.002) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Males lived significantly longer on chronomodulated chemotherapy rather than on conventional chemotherapy. The current chronoFLO schedule deserves prospective assessment as a safe and more effective first-line treatment option than conventional delivery for male patients.

BSACI guidelines for the investigation of suspected anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia.

Investigation of anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia requires an accurate record of events including information on timing of drug administration provided by the anaesthetist, as well as timed acute tryptase measurements. Referrals should be made to a centre with the experience and ability to investigate reactions to a range of drug classes/substances including neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) intravenous (i.v.) anaesthetics, antibiotics, opioid analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), local anaesthetics, colloids, latex and other agents. About a third of cases are due to allergy to NMBAs. Therefore, investigation should be carried out in a dedicated drug allergy clinic to allow seamless investigation of all suspected drug classes as a single day-case. This will often require skin prick tests, intra-dermal testing and/or drug challenge. Investigation must cover the agents administered, but should also include most other commonly used NMBAs and i.v. anaesthetics. The outcome should be to identify the cause and a range of drugs/agents likely to be safe for future use. The allergist is responsible for a detailed report to the referring anaesthetist and to the patient's GP as well as the surgeon/obstetrician. A shorter report should be provided to the patient, adding an allergy alert to the case notes and providing an application form for an alert-bracelet indicating the wording to be inscribed. The MHRA should be notified. Investigation of anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia should be focussed in major allergy centres with a high throughput of cases and with experience and ability as described above. We suggest this focus since there is a distinct lack of validated data for testing, thus requiring experience in interpreting tests and because of the serious consequences of diagnostic error.

British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology guidelines for the management of egg allergy.

This guideline advises on the management of patients with egg allergy. Most commonly, egg allergy presents in infancy, with a prevalence of approximately 2% in children and 0.1% in adults. A clear clinical history and the detection of egg white-specific IgE (by skin prick test or serum assay) will confirm the diagnosis in most cases. Egg avoidance advice is the cornerstone of management. Egg allergy often resolves and re-introduction can be achieved at home if reactions have been mild and there is no asthma. Patients with a history of severe reactions or asthma should have reintroduction guided by a specialist. All children with egg allergy should receive measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination. Influenza and yellow fever vaccines should only be considered in egg-allergic patients under the guidance of an allergy specialist. This guideline was prepared by the Standards of Care Committee (SOCC) of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) and is intended for allergists and others with a special interest in allergy. The recommendations are evidence-based but where evidence was lacking consensus was reached by the panel of specialists on the committee. The document encompasses epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and co-morbid associations.

BSACI guidelines for the management of drug allergy.

These guidelines have been prepared by the Standards of Care Committee (SOCC) of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) and are intended for allergists and others with a special interest in allergy. As routine or validated tests are not available for the majority of drugs, considerable experience is required for the investigation of allergic drug reactions and to undertake specific drug challenge. A missed or incorrect diagnosis of drug allergy can have serious consequences. Therefore, investigation and management of drug allergy is best carried out in specialist centres with large patient numbers and adequate competence and resources to manage complex cases. The recommendations are evidence-based but where evidence was lacking consensus was reached by the panel of specialists on the committee. The document encompasses epidemiology, risk factors, clinical patterns of drug allergy, diagnosis and treatment procedures. In order to achieve a correct diagnosis we have placed particular emphasis on obtaining an accurate clinical history and on the physical examination, as these are critical to the choice of skin tests and subsequent drug provocation. After the diagnosis of drug allergy has been established, communication of results and patient education are vital components of overall patient management.

Equally efficacious asthma management with budesonide 800 micrograms administered by Turbuhaler or with beclomethasone dipropionate > or = 1500 micrograms given through a pressurized metered-dose inhaler with spacer. The French Budesonide Trial Group.

To avoid the side effects associated with long-term administration of high doses of inhaled glucocorticosteroids, they should be used at the lowest effective dose. This study compared the clinical efficacy of budesonide given via a dry-powder, inspiratory flow-driven device (Turbuhaler), at a daily dose of 800 micrograms, with beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 1500 to 2000 micrograms given via pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) with spacer to adults requiring the latter dose of BDP to control their asthma. The study was performed as a 2-week run-in, 8-week open, randomized, multicenter, parallel-group design. Adult asthmatics with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second 55% or more of predicted normal and receiving BDP 1500 to 2000 micrograms daily entered the study. After a 2-week run-in, one group continued with BDP and the other was switched to budesonide through the Turbuhaler. After 8 weeks, morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) had increased by 5.9 L/min from a mean of 390 L/min in the budesonide group and by 1.9 L/min from a mean of 402 L/min in the BDP group. No clinically or statistically significant differences between groups were evident with regard to the change in this primary variable. Similarly, only small changes in evening PEF and secondary variables of lung function were seen, with no statistically significant difference between groups. The authors concluded that both treatments were equivalent in managing asthma in adult patients with stable asthma.

[Use of azlocillin in the treatment of Pseudomonas bronchopulmonary infections]. / Utilisation de l'azlocilline dans le traitement des infections broncho-pulmonaires à Pseudomonas.

Eleven patients with severe bronchopulmonary infection due to Pseudomonas were treated with azlocillin in doses of 250 mg/kg/day. Severe preexisting respiratory diseases, such as bronchopulmonary carcinoma, bronchiectasis or respiratory insufficiency were present in all cases. All patients had been unsuccessfully treated with various antibiotics before they received azlocillin. The pathogenicity of the isolates was assessed by germ counts in sputum. Comparative in vitro sensitivities to carbenicillin and azlocillin were determined by the disc method and by measurement of the minimum inhibitory concentrations in liquid medium. All strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated were sensitive to azlocillin with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.5 to 64 micrograms/ml. When tested against carbenicillin, 4 of the strains were resistant and 1 had intermediate sensitivity. The carbenicillin/azlocillin minimum inhibitory concentrations ratio was usually equal to 4. Clinical results were satisfactory in 7 cases; inadequate response or failure was observed in 4 cases and attributed to the replacement of Pseudomonas by another pathogen (Proteus morganii or Klebsiella pneumoniae). This study suggests that azlocillin is of value in the treatment of bronchopulmonary infections caused by Ps. aeruginosa.

Anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia: one-year survey from a British allergy clinic.

INTRODUCTION: Anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia is a major concern. Early recognition and management of anaphylaxis, as well as its future prevention, remain a challenge for the anaesthetists, while for the allergists, the elucidation of the causal agents may be difficult. We aimed to describe our experience in our drug allergy clinic. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 23 consecutive adult patients who presented with anaphylaxis during anaesthesia from March 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006. RESULTS: Out of the 23 patients (12 females, 11 males) with mean age (+/- SD) of 53.1 +/- 15.8 years, 15 patients were found to have a positive skin test to at least one neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA); all of them showed cross-sensitivity with one or more NMBA(s). Three patients had a positive skin test to opioids, two patients to gelofusine, two patients to penicillin, and one patient each to povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine. Two patients had negative test results to agents used during their anaesthesia. Four patients had double positive skin tests to different families of drugs/agents. 18 patients had severe reaction-grade 3, and 15 of them tested positive for NMBA(s). Serum tryptase levels were known in nine patients. We did not encounter any latex or hypnotics sensitisation. CONCLUSION: NMBA was the commonest cause of anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia, occurring in 65% in our series.

Clinical studies with terfenadine in seasonal allergic rhinitis in France.

The results of a multicentre investigation carried out on 312 pollinic patients are presented. Efficacy of alpha-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-4-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1- piperidinebutanol (terfenadine, RMI 9918, Triludan, Teldane, resp.) has been estimated from a global appreciation and the evolution of 11 symptoms, and tolerance on the frequency of diurnal sleepiness. The results showed a very good efficacy of terfenadine and the absence of a depressant effect.

[Effect of hydrocortisone injections on bronchial obstruction in asthma (author's transl)]. / Effet d'une injection d'hydrocortisone sur l'obstruction bronchique de l'asthme.

In 14 asthmatic subjects with bronchial obstruction reversible by beta-sympathomimetic drug inhalation (salbutamol), the effect of intravenous injections of placebo and of 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg of hemisuccinate hydrocortisone (HSHC) has been measured by determining the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) every two hours for eight hours. In four patients, FEV1 was not significantly altered by HSHC injection. It was improved in the ten other patients. The latency period lasted at least four hours and the peak action was observed between the sixth and the eighth hour. These two factors were related to the HSHC dose. The improvement obtained with 8 mg/kg HSHC was similar to that of salbutamol. The effect of the latter was potentiated by 8 mg/kg HSHC. These results suggest that HSHC should not be used when a fast reaction is wanted, on the one hand, and that the efficacy of the product must be controlled by objective measurements, on the other hand since not every subject is responsive.