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Distinct perivillious fibrin deposition and evidence of persisting positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR in placental tissue after COVID-19 Infection in the second trimester
No full textBackground: The effects of Coronavirus disease 2019 in women during the second trimester of pregnancy and the health of the fetus, remain very poorly explored. This report describes a case in which the normal development of pregnancy was complicated immediately after the patient had experienced COVID-19 at the 21st week of gestation. Specific conditions included critical blood flow in the fetal umbilical artery, fetal growth restriction and hydramnios in the 25th week of gestation. After informed consent, we decided just to wait and interrupted all examinations (CTG, Ultrasound) because of the high risk of severe adverse events at such an early premature birth. The patient finally delivered a healthy boy in the 39th week of gestation. Methods: We performed a histological examination of the placenta and analyzed the placenta for the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) through molecular and immunohistochemical assays and measured the fetal antibody response in the blood to this infection.Results: In the immunohistochemical examination with antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 a partial positivity in the villious throphoblastic epithel cells could be demonstrated. The PCR swab of the placenta which was obtained was positive for SARS-CoV-2 with a crossing threshold value of 22,8. The histological examination of the placenta showed a Massive Perivillous Fibrinoid Deposition (MPFD) with multiple focal placental infarctions in the intervillious space, intervillious thrombus, and a localized chorangiomatosis. Conclusion: According to many clinical and laboratory findings in this patient, the histopathological features and viral infection of the placenta suggest a prominent role for COVID-19 in this patient’s presentation. This is highlighted by the presence of levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. In this patient, an infection with Sars-CoV-2 might have caused the development of the MPFD. These findings suggest that COVID-19 may have contributed to placental dysfunction and fetal growth retardation. Also with a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test with a crossing threshold value of 22,8, it must be assumed that the placenta has been potentially infectious.</p
Assisted hatching – should we keep doing it?
No full textAssisted Zona Hatching (AZH) like most add-ons was introduced to In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo transfer (IVF/ET) in the early 1990s, when the live birth rate (LBR) in older women, age 35-39, was only 6%.</p
Quality attributes of gluten free fried products from defatted peanut flour and starches of selected tropical roots and tubers
No full textThe aim of this study was to develop and evaluate gluten free fried products from defatted peanut flour and starches of common tropical roots. The result of the analysis showed that moisture content ranged from 3.52% to 5.89%; fat content ranged from 11.22% to 13.84%; crude fibre content ranged from 5.54% to 7.50%; colour (lightness) ranged from 22.21% to 69.88%; colour (redness) ranged from 9.95% to 26.54%;colour (yellowness) ranged from 10.15% to 43.17% and shrinkage ranged from 1.32% to 8.75%. The sample which was a composite of 90% sweet potato starch and 10% defatted peanut fried at 170 °C for 1 min had the lowest fat content. This study is very significant in meeting the demand in the management of celiac disease and gluten-related disorders, since gluten free diet is the only medically accepted treatment in resolving the challenge attributed to the consumption of foods containing gluten. </p
COVID-19 infection in an intensive care unit in Tunisia: Risk factors of mortality
No full textIntroduction: Identification of COVID-19 patients at high risk of mortality is crucial to improve patient management. Our study aimed to identify mortality risk factors at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), in Mahdia.Methods: We conducted a prospective study including patients admitted to the COVID-19 ICU at University Hospital Tahar Sfar Mahdia (September 2020 to February 2021). We used “The RAPID CORE CASE REPORT FORM” developed by the World Health Organization.Results: A total of 119 patients were included (60.5% male). The average age was 61.9 ± 12 years. During their stay, 51.8% of them had invasive ventilation, 31.3 % required vasopressors intake and 50.9% required a prone position. The mortality rate was 47.1%. Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and Health Care Associated Infections (HAI) were associated with a higher risk of mortality (64.9% vs 17.8%; p < 0.001 and 81.1% vs 18.2 %; p < 0.001 respectively). Mortality was higher among intubated patients (79.7% vs 14.5%; p < 0.001). The mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHII) score were higher in deaths than in survivors ((15.02 ± 7.6 vs 10.63 ± 5.31; p = 0.02). Low oxygen saturation on admission was associated with a higher risk of mortality (91.1% ± 6.44 vs 86% ± 11.25; p = 0.004). Binary logistic regression showed increased odds of mortality with health-acquired infection (OR, 7.96 [95% CI, 2.28 - 27.7], severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR, 4.04 [95% CI, 1.11 - 14.73]) and invasive ventilation (OR, 12.23 [95% CI, 3.31 – 45.2]).Conclusion: Interventions preventing the risk factors are needed to improve the prognosis of Covid-19 patients.</p
A diversified study on pesticide spraying equipment for vineyards using drones
No full textSome researcher groups in the Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS) Politecnico di Torino have an interesting experience with the applications of automatic systems in the agriculture fields [1-6].</p
Research progress of fully biodegradable and antimicrobial materials applied in personal protective equipment
No full textDue to the outbreak of COVID-19, a large number of disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) wastes were generated. It has caused great harm to the ecological environment, and even in the future may endanger human health. Therefore, it is of great significance to research biodegradable materials that can be used in the field of medical protective equipment. This article reviews the application of biodegradable materials in personal protective equipment. First of all, the classification, characteristics, and general application of biodegradable materials are described. Then, the application of biodegradable antibacterial materials, which can improve the degradability, antibacterial, and comfort of medical protective articles, is analyzed. Finally, the significance and challenges are discussed, and some prospects in this field are put forward.</p
Cloverleaf plasma cell nuclei in multiple myeloma
No full textA 65-year-old man was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (IgG-Lambda) and was treated with high-dose dexamethasone as induction therapy followed by thalidomide-based regimens. About 18 months after the initial diagnosis, the patient presented a first relapse which was treated with the LCD protocol (Lenalidomide, Cyclophosphamide, Dexamethasone).</p
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, more than an encephalopathy
No full textProgressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a pathology associated with the presence of the JC virus, although it occurs in other conditions, nowadays most cases occur in patients with AIDS, in severe stages of immunosuppression. This condition, and hence its name, has always been associated with the presence of intracerebral lesions, where it can have a wide distribution. However, it is very rare, if ever, to report lesions of this disease in the spinal cord. We present a case of a 40-year-old patient, an HIV carrier in the AIDS stage, who, in addition to presenting brain lesions, had multiple lesions at the cervical spinal cord level. We believe that these lesions may be more common than believed and should be intentionally sought if possible.</p
Gadolinium Brain Deposition in the globus pallidus and dentate nucleus after serial administrations of a macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent in oncologic pediatric patients
No full textIntroduction: Gadolinium deposition in the human brain, especially in the Globus Pallidus (GP) and the Dentate Nucleus (DN) has been reported after the administration of linear Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents (GBCAs). This study aims to determine whether repeated injections of macrocyclic GBCA are associated with an increased Signal Intensity (SI) on T1-weighted sequences in the Globus Pallidus (GP) and Dentate Nucleus (DN) in oncologic pediatric patients. Materials and methods: This retrospective monocentric cohort study included consecutive children with at least two MRIs performed after administration of macrocyclic GBCAs. The SI measurements were determined on unenhanced T1-weighted images by drawing a circular region of interest (ROI) within GP and Thalamus (TH) and DN, Pons (P), at baseline, and at last MRI. SI ratios and the differences in ratios (GP/TH) and (DN/P) between the first and last MRI calculated. Results: Out of 413 consecutive children attending Leon Berard cancer center, 50 patients were included, and data analysis showed significantly increased GP/TH SI ratios between the first and the last MRI (p =0.0305). The DN/P SI ratios did not significantly differ between the first and the last MRI (p=0.2668). Conclusion: This study showed an increased SI in GP after several intravenous administrations of macrocyclic GBCAs but no increased SI was identified in the DN. Although no clinical adverse effects have been reported so far, the gadolinium deposits in the brain should be carefully monitored, especially in children who still undergo neurodevelopment.</p
Miths and solutions in digital dental impression
No full textNowadays, the process of transferring intra-oral information from the dental office to dental laboratories has been a current reality in dentistry. The number of advantages presented in this process include work accuracy, patient acceptance, a transfer, and storage information facility, three-dimensional visualization, and an increase in time efficiency [1]. </p