Ig-M and Ig-A Enriched Ig-G Infusion as Adjuvant Therapy in the Critically ill Patients Experiencing SARS-CoV-2 Severe Infection.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 in patients who need Intensive Care (ICU) is associated with a mortality rate ranging from 10 to 40%-45%, with an increase in morbidity and mortality in presence of sepsis.

Methods: We assumed that immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgA enriched IgG (IGAM) therapy may support SARS COV-2 sepsis-related phase improving patient outcome. We conducted a retrospective case-control study on all the patients admitted to our ICU during the three pandemic waves between February 2020 and April 2021.

Dynamic CRRT Prescription for Complicated Critically Ill Patient: A Case Report.

Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs) and sequential extracorporeal blood purification (EBP) therapies can be used in patients with severe COVID-19 disease to support kidney failure and restore immune homeostasis. EBP prescription should be based on the patient's clinical needs and frequently re-evaluated during the intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Personalization of treatment at the bedside plays a fundamental role for patient recovery.

The new 2023 ESC guidelines for the management of cardiomyopathies: a guiding path for cardiologist decisions.

In the ESC 2023 guidelines, cardiomyopathies are conservatively defined as 'myocardial disorders in which the heart muscle is structurally and functionally abnormal, in the absence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, valvular disease, and congenital heart disease sufficient to cause the observed myocardial abnormality'. They are morpho-functionally classified as hypertrophic, dilated, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy with the addition of the left ventricular non-dilated cardiomyopathy that describes intermediate phenotypes not fulfilling standard disease definitions despite the presence of myocardial disease on cardiac imaging or tissue analysis. The new ESC guidelines provide 'a guide to the diagnostic approach to cardiomyopathies, highlight general evaluation and management issues, and signpost the reader to the relevant evidence base for the recommendations'.

Helmet c-PAP Versus NIPPV in Association with Early Respiratory Physiotherapy and Mobilization for Treating SARS-CoV-2 ARDS: A Case-control Prospective Single-center Study.

Early noninvasive respiratory support (NIRS) is correlated with a success rate of 60-75% in patients experiencing SARS-CoV-2 ARDS. We conducted a prospective case-control study to assess differences in outcomes between Helmet c-PAP (H-c-PAP) and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). All patients with SARS-CoV-2 ARDS, treated with H-c-PAP or NIPPV between October 2021 and April 2022 were sampled.

Adhesion of Acanthamoeba on Scleral Contact Lenses According to Lens Shape.

Purpose: To investigate the adhesion of Acanthamoeba to scleral contact lens (ScCL) surface according to lens shape.

Methods: Two strains of A. polyphaga (CDC:V062 and ATCC 30461) and one clinical Acanthamoeba isolate, were inoculated onto five contact lens (CL): one first-generation silicone hydrogel (SHCL; lotrafilcon B; adhesion control) containing plasma surface treatment; two ScCL (fluorosilicone acrylate) one containing surface treatment composed of plasma and the other containing plasma with Hydra-PEG, and two CL designed with a flat shape having the same material and surface treatments of the ScCL.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: an unpredictable event.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an under-recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome that predominantly affects women in adulthood and is the leading cause of acute myocardial infarction in pregnancy. The most common clinical presentation is ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-STEMI, followed by cardiogenic shock (∼2%), sudden cardiac death (0.8% in autopsy series), cardiac arrest, ventricular arrhythmias (∼5%), and Takotsubo syndrome.

Biofortification of pea (Pisum sativum L.): a review.

Biofortification refers to an approach to increase micronutrient concentrations in the edible parts of plants with increased bioavailability to the human population. Conventional, agronomic and transgenic breeding methods can be used to develop these biofortified crops, offering sustainable and cost-effective strategies. Pea has long been recognized as a valuable, nutritious food for the human diet, but there is a limited amount of information about it, which prevents the full micronutrient enrichment potential of this pulse crop to be reached.

Squaraines: crystal structures and spectroscopic analysis of hydrated and anhydrous forms of squaric acid-isoniazid species.

The crystal structures, synthesis procedure, thermal behavior, and spectroscopic properties of a new squaraine SqINH·H2O and its anhydrous arrangement are described. This squaraine is obtained through an acid-base reaction using squaric acid (H2Sq) and isoniazid (INH) as precursors. Both squaraines crystallize in the monoclinic system, but in different space groups: the hydrated and anhydrous arrangement crystallizes in the P2₁ and P2₁/c space group, respectively.

A rapid method to increase the number of F₁ plants in pea (Pisum sativum) breeding programs.

In breeding programs, a large number of F₂ individuals are required to perform the selection process properly, but often few such plants are available. In order to obtain more F₂ seeds, it is necessary to multiply the F₁ plants. We developed a rapid, efficient and reproducible protocol for in vitro shoot regeneration and rooting of seeds using 6-benzylaminopurine.

Diversity of pea (Pisum sativum) accessions based on morphological data for sustainable field pea breeding in Argentina.

We characterized 13 accessions of dry peas of different origins from various growing regions in Argentina, based on three replications of 20 plants cultivated in 2009 and 2010 in a greenhouse, with the objective of selecting those with favorable characteristics for use in breeding programs. Significant differences were found for length and width of stipule and pod, length of the internodes and leaflets, plant height, total number of nodes, number of nodes at the first pod, number of days to flowering and to harvest, number of pods and seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and grain diameter, demonstrating a high degree of genetic variability. Phenotypic correlation analysis demonstrated that large pods produced more seeds per pod, but the seed weight decreased.

Heritability and expected selection response for yield traits in blanched asparagus.

Despite the continuous breeding that has been conducted with asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) since the beginning of the last century, there is little information on parameters for predicting direct and indirect selection response. Yield traits for blanched asparagus production were studied along a two-year period in a half-sib family population planted in Zavalla, Argentina.

Estimates of heritability in a blanched asparagus population.

To estimate the heritability values of characters frequently used as selective criteria, 32 half-sib families obtained from selected plants of three populations of the asparagus variety Argenteüil were evaluated in a randomized complete block design. The following characters were measured: days to emergence of the first spear, number and diameter of spears, number of stalks, plant height and average weight. The values of realized heritability were estimated and were compared with those obtained by the parent-offspring regression method.

Weight and height growth in twins and children born in the last decade.

Weight and height growth has been examined in 400 twins and 229 singletons born 1975-1985. Periodical measurements have been taken from 0 to 7 years of age. As compared to values obtained in a previous study of twins and singletons born 1960-1974, though limited to the first year of age, twins appear to continue to do worse than singletons in their growth.

[Polygraphic study of left ventricular function in severe hepatitis cirrhosis].

Systolic time intervals have been investigated in 26 subjects with severe liver cirrhosis. The patients were subdivided as follows: 15 with alcoholic cirrhosis; 11 with post-necrotic cirrhosis. Systolic time intervals were recorded and measured according to the Weissler's method.

Low birth weight in twins versus singletons: separate entities and different implications for child growth and survival.

The condition of low birth weight is compared in twins and in singletons in terms of birth weight distributions and with respect to factors such as the incidence of stillbirths, length of gestation, maternal age, parity, and legitimacy. In the light of demographic, biological, and developmental considerations, it is concluded that low birth weight in twins is a different condition from low birth weight in singletons and should be dealt with independently, especially in view of the different implications for child growth and survival.