Antiviral and immunomodulatory interferon-beta in high-risk COVID-19 patients: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: The primary objective of the study is to demonstrate the efficacy of low-dose IFN-β in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 recently infected elderly patients to progress towards severe COVID-19 versus control group within 28 days. Secondary objectives are: 1) To assess the reduction in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission in patients treated with IFN-β versus control group within 28 days of randomization 2) To assess the reduction in number of deaths in IFN- β compared to control group (day 28) 3) To evaluate the increase in proportion of participants returning to negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in IFN-β -treated versus control group at Day 14 and Day 28 4) To assess the increase in SARS-CoV-2-specific binding antibody titers in IFN-β compared to control group (day 28) 5) To assess the safety of IFN-β -treated patients versus control group TRIAL DESIGN: Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled, Superiority Phase II Study. Patients, who satisfy all inclusion criteria and no exclusion criteria, will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups in a ratio 2:1 (IFN-treated versus control patients).

Repeated oral administration of low doses of silver in mice: tissue distribution and effects on central nervous system.

Background: Widespread use of silver in its different forms raises concerns about potential adverse effects after ingestion, the main exposure route for humans. The aim of this study was to investigate in CD-1 (ICR) male mice the tissue distribution and in vivo effects of 4-week oral exposure to 0.25 and 1 mg Ag/kg bw 10 nm citrate coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and 1 mg Ag/kg bw silver acetate (AgAc) at the end of treatment (EoT) and after 4 weeks of recovery.

Single-arm, open label prospective trial to assess prediction of the role of ERCC1/XPF complex in the response of advanced NSCLC patients to platinum-based chemotherapy.

Background: Platinum-based therapy, combined or not with immune checkpoint inhibitors, represents a front-line choice for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite the improved outcomes in the last years for this malignancy, only a sub-group of patients have long-term benefit. Excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) has been considered a potential biomarker to predict the outcome of platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC.

Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Thickening Effluent of an Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant by an Isolated Green Microalga.

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms and are considered excellent candidates for a wide range of biotechnological applications, including the removal of nutrients from urban wastewaters, which they can recover and convert into biomass. Microalgae-based systems can be integrated into conventional urban wastewater treatment plants (WW-TP) to improve the water depuration process. However, microalgal strain selection represents a crucial step for effective phytoremediation.

Impact of ERCC1, XPF and DNA Polymerase β Expression on Platinum Response in Patient-Derived Ovarian Cancer Xenografts.

Platinum resistance is an unmet medical need in ovarian carcinoma. Molecular biomarkers to predict the response to platinum-based therapy could allow patient stratification and alternative therapeutic strategies early in clinical management. Sensitivity and resistance to platinum therapy are partially determined by the tumor's intrinsic DNA repair activities, including nucleotide excision repair (NER) and base excision repair (BER).

Predicting the Role of DNA Polymerase β Alone or with Mutations in Advanced NSCLC Patients Receiving Platinum-Based Chemotherapy.

Clinical data suggest that only a subgroup of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has long-term benefits after front-line platinum-based therapy. We prospectively investigate whether KRAS status and DNA polymerase β expression could help identify patients responding to platinum compounds. Prospectively enrolled, advanced NSCLC patients treated with a first-line regimen containing platinum were genotyped for KRAS and centrally evaluated for DNA polymerase β expression.

Long-Term Study on the Effects of Housing C57BL/6NCrl Mice in Cages Equipped With Wireless Technology Generating Extremely Low-Intensity Electromagnetic Fields.

The recent development of mouse cages equipped with monitoring wireless technology raised questions on the potential effects on animals induced by electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by electronic boards positioned underneath the cages. The aims of this study were to characterize the EMF produced by digitally ventilated cages (DVC) and perform a clinicopathological study on mice maintained in DVC for up to 1 year. The EMFs were measured in empty individually ventilated cages (IVC) and DVC.

Effect of mild hypercapnia on outcome and histological injury in a porcine post cardiac arrest model.

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate in an established porcine post cardiac arrest model the effect of a mild hypercapnic ventilatory strategy on outcome.

Methods: The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded in 14 pigs and ventricular fibrillation induced and left untreated for 12 min. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed for 5 min prior to defibrillation.

Readily prepared biodegradable nanoparticles to formulate poorly water soluble drugs improving their pharmacological properties: The example of trabectedin.

The improvement of the pharmacological profile of lipophilic drug formulations is one of the main successes achieved using nanoparticles (NPs) in medicine. However, the complex synthesis procedure and numerous post-processing steps hamper the cost-effective use of these formulations. In this work, an approach which requires only a syringe to produce self-assembling biodegradable and biocompatible poly(caprolactone)-based NPs is developed.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance fenpicoxamid (XDE-777).

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State, the United Kingdom, for the pesticide active substance fenpicoxamid (XDE-777) and the assessment of applications for maximum residue levels (MRLs) are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative use of fenpicoxamid (XDE-777) as a fungicide on cereals (winter and spring wheat, durum wheat, rye and triticale).

GADD45β Loss Ablates Innate Immunosuppression in Cancer.

T-cell exclusion from the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major barrier to overcoming immune escape. Here, we identify a myeloid-intrinsic mechanism governed by the NF-κB effector molecule GADD45β that restricts tumor-associated inflammation and T-cell trafficking into tumors. In various models of solid cancers refractory to immunotherapies, including hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian adenocarcinoma, inhibition in myeloid cells restored activation of proinflammatory tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and intratumoral immune infiltration, thereby diminishing oncogenesis.

Selective proliferative response of microglia to alternative polarization signals.

Background: Microglia are resident myeloid cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that are maintained by self-renewal and actively participate in tissue homeostasis and immune defense. Under the influence of endogenous or pathological signals, microglia undertake biochemical transformations that are schematically classified as the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and the alternatively activated M2 state. Dysregulated proliferation of M1-activated microglia has detrimental effects, while an increased number of microglia with the alternative, pro-resolving phenotype might be beneficial in brain pathologies; however, the proliferative response of microglia to M2 signals is not yet known.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance trifloxystrobin.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, the United Kingdom, and co-rapporteur Member State, Greece, for the pesticide active substance trifloxystrobin are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of trifloxystrobin as a fungicide on apple, pear, quince, grapes and strawberry.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance etoxazole.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Greece, and the co-rapporteur Member State, the United Kingdom, for the pesticide active substance etoxazole and the assessment of applications for maximum residue levels (MRLs) are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of etoxazole as an acaricide on pome fruits, plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries (sweet), citrus, grapes, strawberries, tomatoes/eggplants, cucurbits inedible peel, cotton seeds and ornamental plants.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance IMI389521.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State, the Netherlands, for the pesticide active substance IMI389521 are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative use of IMI389521 as an insecticide in empty post-harvest storage facilities.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance zoxamide.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Latvia, and co-rapporteur Member State, France, for the pesticide active substance zoxamide are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of zoxamide as a fungicide on wine and table grapes, and potatoes.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance pethoxamid.

The conclusions of the EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Austria, and co-rapporteur Member State, the Czech Republic, for the pesticide active substance pethoxamid are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of pethoxamid as a herbicide on maize and soya bean.

Updated peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance flurtamone.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments and the peer review of the revised risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, the Czech Republic, and co-rapporteur Member State, Ireland, for the pesticide active substance flurtamone are reported. The context of the peer review and the updated peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of flurtamone as a herbicide on spring cereals (barley, wheat) and winter cereals (barley, oat, rye, triticale, wheat, spelt).

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance methoxyfenozide.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, the United Kingdom, and co-rapporteur Member State, Slovakia, for the pesticide active substance methoxyfenozide and the assessment of applications for maximum residue levels (MRLs) are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative use of methoxyfenozide as an insecticide on table and wine grapes, maize and sweet corn, fruiting vegetables (tomato, pepper, aubergine) and leaf vegetables (lettuce and other salad plants, spinach and similar, herbs).

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance tribenuron-methyl.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Sweden, and co-rapporteur Member State, Latvia, for the pesticide active substance tribenuron-methyl are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of tribenuron-methyl as a herbicide on winter and spring cereals (wheat, barley, oat, rye, triticale, durum, spelt), pasture, sunflower (tribenuron-methyl-tolerant varieties) and olive.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance strain J1446 (approved in Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as strain J1446).

The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Hungary, and co-rapporteur Member State, the Netherlands, for the pesticide active substance strain J1446, currently approved as strain J1446, are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of strain J1446 as a fungicide in agriculture and horticulture.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance chlorpropham.

The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, the Netherlands, and co-rapporteur Member State, Spain, for the pesticide active substance chlorpropham and the assessment of applications for maximum residue levels (MRLs) are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of chlorpropham as a plant growth regulator on potatoes and as a herbicide on glasshouse and field lettuce, field onion and field flower bulbs.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance propiconazole.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Finland, and co-rapporteur Member State, the United Kingdom, for the pesticide active substance propiconazole are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative use of propiconazole as a fungicide on wheat and barley.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance forchlorfenuron.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Spain, and co-rapporteur Member State, Greece, for the pesticide active substance forchlorfenuron are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of forchlorfenuron as a plant growth regulator on kiwifruit and grapes.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment for the active substance terbuthylazine in light of confirmatory data submitted.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessment carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State, the United Kingdom, for the pesticide active substance terbuthylazine are reported. The context of the peer review was that requested by the European Commission following the submission and evaluation of confirmatory data on groundwater metabolites. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of terbuthylazine as a herbicide on maize and sorghum.