Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography-Derived Modified Duke Index Is Associated with Peri-Coronary Fat Attenuation Index and Predicts Severity of Coronary Inflammation.

: The modified Duke index derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was designed to predict cardiovascular outcomes based on the severity of coronary stenosis. However, it does not take into consideration the presence or severity of peri-coronary inflammation. The peri-coronary fat attenuation index (FAI) is a novel imaging marker determined by CCTA which reflects the degree of inflammation in the coronary tree in patients with coronary artery disease.

CT-Assessment of Epicardial Fat Identifies Increased Inflammation at the Level of the Left Coronary Circulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can often be triggered by an inflammatory substrate. Perivascular inflammation may be assessed nowadays using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) imaging. The new pericoronary fat attenuation index (FAI HU) and the FAI Score have prognostic value for predicting future cardiovascular events.

Assessing the Impact of Long-Term High-Dose Statin Treatment on Pericoronary Inflammation and Plaque Distribution-A Comprehensive Coronary CTA Follow-Up Study.

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) has validated the use of pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) attenuation as a credible indicator of coronary inflammation, playing a crucial role in coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of high-dose statins on PCAT attenuation at coronary lesion sites and changes in plaque distribution. Our prospective observational study included 52 patients (mean age 60.

Determination of complex type free, non-conjugated oligosaccharide glucose unit values in tomato xylem sap for early detection of nutrient deficiency.

Although knowledge on glycan biosynthesis and processing is continuously maturing, there are still a limited number of studies that examine biological functions of N-glycan structures in plants, which remain virtually unknown. Here, the statistical correlation between nutrient (nitrogen) deficiency symptoms of crops and changes in 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid (APTS)-labeled complex type free oligosaccharides is reported. While deficiency symptoms are predicted by multispectral images and Kjeldahl digestion, APTS-labeled complex type free oligosaccharides are identified by their glucose unit (GU) values in tomato xylem sap, using capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF).

Genomic surveillance reveals multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Northern California.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally, with >365,000 cases in California as of 17 July 2020. We investigated the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Northern California from late January to mid-March 2020, using samples from 36 patients spanning nine counties and the Grand Princess cruise ship. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the cryptic introduction of at least seven different SARS-CoV-2 lineages into California, including epidemic WA1 strains associated with Washington state, with lack of a predominant lineage and limited transmission among communities.

A Genomic Survey of SARS-CoV-2 Reveals Multiple Introductions into Northern California without a Predominant Lineage.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has spread globally, resulting in >300,000 reported cases worldwide as of March 21st, 2020. Here we investigate the genetic diversity and genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Northern California using samples from returning travelers, cruise ship passengers, and cases of community transmission with unclear infection sources. Virus genomes were sampled from 29 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection from Feb 3rd through Mar 15th.

Adapting the Social-Ecological Framework for Chronic Pain Management and Successful Opioid Tapering.

Context: In 2015, Solano County's Medi-Cal insurer implemented a new policy to taper patients using high-dose opioids (≥120-mg morphine equivalent dose) to a safer level to follow best practices to address the opioid epidemic.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the 2015 Solano County Medi-Cal prescribing policy, gain insight into the patient experience of undergoing opioid tapering, and generate hypotheses for further study.

Methods: Using a case series approach, researchers completed medical record reviews of affiliated clinical records, Solano County Vital Statistics, and California's prescription monitoring program in 2018.

Incidence of the thermal transition in the range of 45-5°C in chromatophores present in the wings of .

The variation of the color intensity of the chromatophores present in the wings of was analyzed by exposing 31 specimens to thermal transitions within the range of 45 - 5 °C.  The adult specimens were collected using a mini-terrarium of dimensions 40x40x30 cm. As a substrate, a layer of soil, stones, and finally a layer of grass were used along with branches of bushes and leaves; hydroponic lettuce, cabbage and the grass were used as food for the specimens.

Decision support algorithm for the selection of analytical methods in organic compounds detection for future extraterrestrial exploratory missions.

The search for biotic compounds beyond planet Earth is among the highest priorities in space discovery. We sought to detect organic molecules in various earth soil samples collected from environments with extreme climatic conditions comparable to extraterrestrial environments using HPLC, spectrophotometry (UV, IR), GC/MS and vertical gel electrophoresis analyses systems. The applied methods in the study were compared using a self-developed software tool that was designed to evaluate the viability of instrument selection for organics detection in any given exploratory mission.

Xylariales: First results of mycological exploration in the Sangay and Llanganates National Parks, Ecuador.

Fungal samples were collected in the Sangay (SP) and Llanganates (LP) National Parks in Ecuador. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA of the samples were analyzed.

Cryopreservation of orchid seeds through rapid and step freezing methods.

Ecuador has a great variety of climatic regions that potentiate biodiversity. The family constitutes one of the most important of the country, having identified about 4032 species with a high degree of endemism, therefore the development and research of alternative methods of storage and conservation of species is a strategy of primary interest for researchers and for society in general. In cryopreservation, temperatures reach below -190°C in order to paralyze the chemical reactions and keep the plant material viable for long periods.

Comparing organic versus conventional soil management on soil respiration.

Soil management has great potential to affect soil respiration. In this study, we investigated the effects of organic versus conventional soil management on soil respiration.  We measured the main soil physical-chemical properties from conventional and organic managed soil in Ecuador.

Modelling risk using Bayes theorem of infection by antibiotic-resistant in rural and urban populations of Ecuador.

Strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become more and more prevalent. This has attracted the attention of health agencies worldwide, leading to an urgent search for mechanisms to put a stop to this phenomenon. This study focuses on estimating the probability of a person in Ecuador (at potential risk) contracting an infection due to ampicillin-resistant through the consumption of contaminated water, for which a residence area of people was considered in urban or rural areas.

Analysis of removal of cadmium by action of immobilized sp. micro-algae in alginate beads.

Cadmium (Cd) is a metal that can negatively interfere with the metabolic systems of living beings. The objective of this work was to evaluate the capacity for cadmium removal in aqueous solutions by immobilized sp. in calcium alginate beads.

Unexpected results in Chernozem soil respiration while measuring the effect of a bio-fertilizer on soil microbial activity.

The number of studies investigating the effect of bio-fertilizers is increasing because of their importance in sustainable agriculture and environmental quality. In our experiments, we measured the effect of different fertilizers on soil respiration. In the present study, we were looking for the cause of unexpected changes in CO2 values while examining Chernozem soil samples.

A novel data storage logic in the cloud.

Databases which store and manage long-term scientific information related to life science are used to store huge amount of quantitative attributes. Introduction of a new entity attribute requires modification of the existing data tables and the programs that use these data tables. The solution is increasing the virtual data tables while the number of screens remains the same.

Epidemiology and outcomes of adults with asthma who were hospitalized or died with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1)--California, 2009.

Background: Asthma was the most common chronic condition among adults hospitalized for 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1).

Objectives: We describe the epidemiology and factors for severe outcomes among adults with asthma who were hospitalized or died from pH1N1 in California.

Methods: We reviewed California Department of Public Health pH1N1 reports from April 23, 2009 through August 11, 2009.

An outbreak of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium infections with an unusually long incubation period.

A 1998 investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium infections among children tasting unpasteurized milk during tours of a dairy farm demonstrated a distribution of unusually long incubation periods (median, 8 days; interquartile range [IQR], 6-14 days). Bacterial isolates were highly acid tolerant and contained genes associated with protection against destructive phagocytic reactive oxygen intermediates. We hypothesize that exposure to low-dose oral inoculum of a pathogen with these properties could have contributed to cases of non-typhoidal salmonellosis with the longest incubation period reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A review of adult mortality due to 2009 pandemic (H1N1) influenza A in California.

Background: While children and young adults had the highest attack rates due to 2009 pandemic (H1N1) influenza A (2009 H1N1), studies of hospitalized cases noted high fatality in older adults. We analyzed California public health surveillance data to better characterize the populations at risk for dying due to 2009 H1N1.

Methods And Findings: A case was an adult ≥20 years who died with influenza-like symptoms and laboratory results indicative of 2009 H1N1.

A novel risk factor for a novel virus: obesity and 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1).

Background: many critically ill patients with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (2009 H1N1) infection were noted to be obese, but whether obesity, rather than its associated co-morbidities, is an independent risk factor for severe infection is unknown.

Methods: using public health surveillance data, we analyzed demographic and clinical characteristics of California residents hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 infection to assess whether obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30) and extreme obesity (BMI ≥ 40) were an independent risk factor for death among case patients ≥ 20 years old.

Results: during the period 20 April-11 August 2009, 534 adult case patients with 2009 H1N1 infection for whom BMI information was available were observed.

Children hospitalized with 2009 novel influenza A(H1N1) in California.

Objective: To describe clinical and epidemiologic features of 2009 novel influenza A(H1N1) in children.

Design: Analysis of data obtained from standardized report forms and medical records.

Setting: Statewide public health surveillance in California.