Generation of a Commercial-Scale Founder Population of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Resistant Pigs Using CRISPR-Cas.

Disease resistance genes in livestock provide health benefits to animals and opportunities for farmers to meet the growing demand for affordable, high-quality protein. Previously, researchers used gene editing to modify the porcine CD163 gene and demonstrated resistance to a harmful virus that causes porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). To maximize potential benefits, this disease resistance trait needs to be present in commercially relevant breeding populations for multiplication and distribution of pigs.

Expanded access protocol (EAP) program for access to investigational products for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Introduction/aims: Expanded access protocols (EAPs) are a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated pathway for granting access to investigational products (IPs) to individuals with serious diseases who are ineligible for clinical trials. There is limited information about the use of EAPs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); the aim of this report is to share the design, operational features, and costs of an EAP program for ALS.

Methods: The program was launched in 2018 at a single center.

Safety and activity of anti-CD14 antibody IC14 (atibuclimab) in ALS: Experience with expanded access protocol.

Introduction/aims: IC14 (atibuclimab) is a monoclonal anti-CD14 antibody. A previous phase 1 trial of 10 participants with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) demonstrated initial safety of IC14 in an acute treatment setting. We provided long-term treatment with IC14 to individuals with ALS via an expanded access protocol (EAP) and documented target engagement, biomarker, safety, and disease endpoints.

An expanded access protocol of RT001 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-Initial experience with a lipid peroxidation inhibitor.

Introduction/aims: Lipid peroxidation is thought to play a biologically important role in motor neuron death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 11,11 Di-deuterated linoleic ethyl ester (RT001) prevents lipid peroxidation in cellular and mitochondrial membranes. Herein we report on the use of RT001 under expanded access (EA).

cardiac implantable electronic device related endocarditis.

Cases of Gram-negative, anaerobic rod bacteremia and endocarditis have been increasingly recognized in recent years. This increase has been primarily observed in patients at risk for polymicrobial infections, such as those who use injection drugs and patients with diabetes mellitus. Despite a growing incidence, there are few published case reports of cardiac implantable electronic device related endocarditis secondary to Gram negative, anaerobic organisms.

Organ donation after circulatory death as compared with organ donation after brain death in Switzerland - an observational study.

Aims Of The Study: Organ donation after circulatory death (DCD) was reintroduced in Switzerland in 2011 and accounts for a third of deceased organ donors today. Controversy persists if DCD transplants are of similar quality to transplants following donation after brain death (DBD), mainly due to warm ischaemia time DCD organs are exposed to. We compared DCD with DBD in Switzerland.

Analysis of Early Lower Extremity Re-amputation.

Background: Data is scarce regarding the need for early re-amputation to a higher anatomic level. This study seeks to define outcomes and risk factors for re-amputation.

Methods: Patients undergoing primary major lower extremity amputation were identified within the 2012-2016 ACS-NSQIP database.

Peaks of Fine Particulate Matter May Modulate the Spreading and Virulence of COVID-19.

A probe of a patient, seeking help in an emergency ward of a French hospital in late December 2019 because of Influenza like symptoms, was retrospectively tested positive to COVID-19. Despite the early appearance of the virus in Europe, the prevalence and virulence appeared to be low for several weeks, before the spread and severity of symptoms increased exponentially, yet with marked spatial and temporal differences. Here, we compare the possible linkages between peaks of fine particulate matter (PM2.

Cricothyroidotomy competence and injuries using nonmedical equipment: A crossover noninferiority randomised controlled trial in a porcine cadaver model.

Background: International guidelines recommend cricothyroidotomy as a life-saving procedure for 'cannot intubate, cannot ventilate' situations. Although commercially available sets facilitate surgical cricothyroidotomy, regular training seems to be the key to success.

Objectives: The goal was to investigate if trained anaesthetists are able to transfer their skill in one surgical cricothyroidotomy technique to another.

Present-day analysis of early failure after forefoot amputation.

Background: Forefoot transmetatarsal amputation is performed commonly to achieve limb salvage, but transmetatarsal amputations have a high rate of failure, requiring more proximal amputations. Few contemporary studies have examined the incidence of major amputation (transtibial or transfemoral) after transmetatarsal amputation. The goal of this study is to determine risk factors and outcomes for a more proximal amputation after forefoot amputation.

Impact of concentration and dilution of three macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agents on MRI signal intensity at 1.5T and 3T and different pulse sequences: results of a phantom study in human plasma.

Background: Many factors influence the increase in signal intensity (SI) provided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast media.

Purpose: To assess the impact of different gadolinium concentrations and dilutions of three macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) on SI.

Material And Methods: This phantom study investigated gadobutrol, gadoteridol, and gadoterate in human plasma of a healthy donor pool at 37 °C.

Development of a combined empirical index for a 5-day forecast of heavy precipitation over the Bernese Alps.

The Bernese Alps are a region that is very prone for the initiation of thunderstorms. In fact, the flow and convergence of air and water vapor from the Swiss Plateau to the Swiss Alps is frequently favouring the formation of isolated rainfall events, which then may cause loss and damage in settlements. Due to the complex topography of the Bernese Alps, the forecasting and nowcasting of heavy convective precipitation remain challenging.

Comparison of the Relaxivities of Macrocyclic Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents in Human Plasma at 1.5, 3, and 7 T, and Blood at 3 T.

Purpose: The relaxivities of 3 macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) were determined in human plasma and blood under standardized and clinically relevant laboratory conditions.

Methods: The T1 relaxivity, r1, was determined in human plasma at 1.5, 3, and 7 T, and in human blood at 3 T at 37°C in phantoms containing 4 different concentrations of the macrocyclic GBCAs gadobutrol, gadoteridol, and gadoterate.

Anticipating cascading effects of extreme precipitation with pathway schemes - Three case studies from Europe.

Extreme precipitation events with high local precipitation intensities, heavy snowfall or extensive freezing rain can have devastating impacts on society and economy. Not only is the quantitative forecast of such events sometimes difficult and associated with large uncertainties, also are the potential consequences highly complex and challenging to predict. It is thus a demanding task to anticipate or nowcast the impacts of extreme precipitation, even more so in situations where human lives or critical infrastructure might be at risk.

On the extraordinary winter flood episode over the North Atlantic Basin in 1936.

In this study, we analyze the linkage between atmosphere and ocean modes and winter flood variability over the 20th century based on long-term flow-discharge series, historical archives, and tree-ring records of past floods in the North Atlantic Basin (NAB). The most extreme winter floods occurred in 1936 and had strong impacts on either side of the Atlantic. We hypothesize that the joint effects of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Arctic Oscillation (AO), which is closely related to the North Atlantic Oscillation, play a significant role when describing flood variability in North America and Europe since 1900.

Anomalous Right Subclavian Artery-Esophageal Fistulae.

An aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is the most common aortic arch anomaly, but only 19 previous cases of ARSA-esophageal fistula have been reported. Six patients have survived their bleeding episode. We describe the case of a 44-year-old woman who developed massive hemoptysis.

A technique for the salvage of megafistulas allowing immediate dialysis access.

Objective: Almost two million individuals are undergoing renal replacement therapy worldwide, with hemodialysis being the common form. Many factors influence the primary patency of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), including vessel size, fistula flow rates, cannulation practice, and thrombotic tendencies. Excess dilation of the AVF, resulting in the development of a megafistula, is a complication that can result in a need for AVF revision and subsequent failure.