scholarly journals Presence of gustatory and olfactory dysfunction in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Kusnik ◽  
Christel Weiss ◽  
Melanie Neubauer ◽  
Bianca Huber ◽  
Marlis Gerigk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Differences ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Binary Outcome ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Second Wave

Abstract Background The unexpected outbreak of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused more than 49 million cases and an estimated 2,000,000 associated deaths worldwide. In Germany, there are currently more than 2,000,000 laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases including 51,800 deaths. However, regional differences also became apparent and with the second wave of infections, the detailed characterization of COVID-19 patients is crucial to early diagnosis and disruption of chains of infections. Methods Handing out detailed questionnaires to all individuals tested for COVID-19, we evaluated the clinical characteristics of negative and positive tested individuals. Expression of symptoms, symptom duration and association between predictor variables (i.e. age, gender) and a binary outcome (olfactory and gustatory dysfunction) were assessed. Results Overall, the most common symptoms among individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were fatigue, headache, and cough. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction were also reported by many SARS-CoV-2 negative individuals, more than 20% of SARS-CoV-2 negative tested individuals in our study reported olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. Independent of SARS-CoV-2 status, more females displayed symptoms of gustatory (29.8%, p = 0.0041) and olfactory dysfunction (22.9%, p = 0.0174) compared to men. Conclusions Bringing early SARS-CoV-2 tests to the populations at risk must be a main focus for the upcoming months. The reliability of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in COVID-19 negative tested individuals requires deeper investigation in the future.

scholarly journals Generation of Amylosucrase Variants That Terminate Catalysis of Acceptor Elongation at the Di- or Trisaccharide Stage

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (23) ◽  
pp. 7453-7460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Schneider ◽  
Christin Fricke ◽  
Heike Overwin ◽  
Birgit Hofmann ◽  
Bernd Hofer
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Random Mutagenesis ◽  
Structural Models ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Chain Elongation ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
Oligosaccharide Chain ◽  
Glucan Chain

ABSTRACT An amylosucrase gene was subjected to high-rate segmental random mutagenesis, which was directed toward a segment encoding amino acids that influence the interaction with substrate molecules in subsites −1 to +3. A screen was used to identify enzyme variants with compromised glucan chain elongation. With an average mutation rate of about one mutation per targeted codon, a considerable fraction (82%) of the clones that retained catalytic activity were deficient in this trait. A detailed characterization of selected variants revealed that elongation terminated when chains reached lengths of only two or three glucose moieties. Sequencing showed that the amylosucrase derivatives had an average of no more than two amino acid substitutions and suggested that predominantly exchanges of Asp394 or Gly396 were crucial for the novel properties. Structural models of the variants indicated that steric interference between the amino acids introduced at these sites and the growing oligosaccharide chain are mainly responsible for the limitation of glucosyl transfers. The variants generated may serve as biocatalysts for limited addition of glucose moieties to acceptor molecules, using sucrose as a readily available donor substrate.

Intersecting Factors Lead to Absolute Pitch Acquisition That is Maintained in a “Fixed do” Environment

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Wilson ◽  
Dean Lusher ◽  
Catherine L. Martin ◽  
Genevieve Rayner ◽  
Neil McLachlan
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Absolute Pitch ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
Behavioral Level ◽  
Complex Relationships

the skill of absolute pitch (ap) has been proposed as an ideal paradigm for investigating the complex relationships that exist between the genome and its expression at a cognitive and behavioral level (the phenotype). Yet despite this, we still have limited understanding of the early conditions that might be necessary or sufficient for development of this skill, and the influence of the current music environment has not been explored. To investigate these issues we undertook a detailed characterization of the early and current music environment of 160 musicians, and then identified factors predictive of varying extent of AP ability. The results demonstrate a similar contribution of past and present environmental influences, with a combination of factors (rather than any given factor) most salient in AP musicians. The novel finding for the role of the current environment suggests that auditory processing models emphasizing plasticity effects are relevant to AP ability.

Intramolecular Proton Transfer in the Isomerization of Hydroxyacetone: A Detailed Characterization Based on Reaction Force Analysis and the Bond Fragility Spectrum

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallace Derricotte ◽  
Huiet Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Potential ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Intramolecular Proton Transfer ◽  
Intermediate Energy ◽  
Force Analysis ◽  
Activation Energy Barrier ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
Proton Transfers ◽  
Reaction Force Constant

The mechanism of isomerization of hydroxyacetone to 2-hydroxypropanal is studied within the framework of reaction force analysis at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Three unique pathways are considered: (i) a step-wise mechanism that proceeds through formation of the Z-isomer of their shared enediol intermediate, (ii) a step-wise mechanism that forms the E-isomer of the enediol, and (iii) a concerted pathway that bypasses the enediol intermediate. Energy calculations show that the concerted pathway has the lowest activation energy barrier at 45.7 kcal mol<sup>-1</sup>. The reaction force, chemical potential, and reaction electronic flux are calculated for each reaction to characterize electronic changes throughout the mechanism. The reaction force constant is calculated in order to investigate the synchronous/asynchronous nature of the concerted intramolecular proton transfers involved. Additional characterization of synchronicity is provided by calculating the bond fragility spectrum for each mechanism.

Clinical characteristics and epidemiology survey of lung transplantation recipients accepting surgeries during COVID-19 pandemic：from area near Hubei Province (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingxiao Qiu ◽  
Shanshan Chen ◽  
Cong Wang ◽  
Caihong Liu ◽  
Huaqi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Transplantation ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Lung Transplant ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Transplant Program ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Wbc Count ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

BACKGROUND Lung transplantation recipients (LTx) are more susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus-2 (SARS-Cov-2) and suffer severer outcomes than healthy subjects. OBJECTIVE Here we aim to analyze whether it was appropriate to maintain lung transplant programs in medical institutions accepting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. METHODS Methods: the clinical characteristics, laboratory testing, and epidemiology survey results of 10 LTx recipients undergoing allograft lung transplantation surgeries in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University during the COVID-19 pandemic were collected. A web-based epidemiology questionnaire was used to collect the information of LTx recipients after discharge. RESULTS A total of 10 LTx recipients were identified. The main cause of lung transplantation was idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (60%), with another rare case of cystic fibrosis. Comorbidities involved hyperlipidemia, subclinical hyperthyroidism, diabetes, viral hepatitis of type B. The average white blood cell (WBC) count and average lymphocyte count were 9.5±3.9×109 cells/liter and 1.7±1.1×109 cells/liter, respectively. 40% of the LTx recipients had lymphopenia. Impaired alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were observed in LTx recipients. Good habitats of hand hygiene (100%), wearing protective masks behaviors (100%), indoor ventilation behaviors (100%), indoor disinfection measures (83%), personal tableware (67%), separate room (100%), personal bedsheets/ quilts (100%) and drinking glasses (100%) were observed during the follow-up. None of the LTx recipients or their family members get infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the novel coronavirus pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Under the premise of taking appropriate preventive measures during hospitalization and after discharge, the lung transplant program can be maintained in the medical institution that accepts patients with COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.06.20147264

DETAILED CHARACTERIZATION OF EUROPA'S RIDGE MORPHOLOGY

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janelle A.F. Heitmeier ◽  
◽  
Emily S. Martin ◽  
Jordan M. Bretzfelder ◽  
D. Alex Patthoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Detailed Characterization

The Problem of Divine Hiddenness

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Rea
Keyword(s):  
Problem Of Evil ◽  
Philosophical Discussion ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
The Past ◽  
Divine Hiddenness ◽  
The Problem Of Evil ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter provides a detailed characterization of the various meanings of the term “divine hiddenness,” carefully and rigorously articulates the version of the problem of divine hiddenness that has dominated contemporary philosophical discussion for the past twenty-five years, and then explains the relationship between that problem and the problem of evil.

Acid-Sensing Ion Channels

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Gründer
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Ion Channels ◽  
Excitatory Synapses ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Acid Sensing Ion Channels ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Pathological Pain

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated Na+ channels. Being almost ubiquitously present in neurons of the vertebrate nervous system, their precise function remained obscure for a long time. Various animal toxins that bind to ASICs with high affinity and specificity have been tremendously helpful in uncovering the role of ASICs. We now know that they contribute to synaptic transmission at excitatory synapses as well as to sensing metabolic acidosis and nociception. Moreover, detailed characterization of mouse models uncovered an unanticipated role of ASICs in disorders of the nervous system like stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pathological pain. This review provides an overview on the expression, structure, and pharmacology of ASICs plus a summary of what is known and what is still unknown about their physiological functions and their roles in diseases.

Impulsivity and Drug Addiction: A Neurobiological Perspective

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Reaction Time Task ◽  
Compulsive Behavior ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Detailed Characterization ◽  
Cocaine Seeking ◽  
Serial Reaction

A conceptual analysis of the impulsivity construct in behavioral and neurobiological terms is followed by an analysis of its causal role in certain forms of drug addiction in both human and animal studies. The main focus of this chapter is on a rat model of impulsivity based on premature responding in the five-choice serial reaction time task and a more detailed characterization of this phenotype in neurobehavioral, neurochemical, and genetic terms. Evidence is surveyed that high impulsivity on this task is associated with the escalation subsequently of cocaine self-administration behavior and also with a tendency toward compulsive cocaine seeking. Novelty reactivity, by contrast, is associated with the enhanced acquisition of self-administration, but not with the escalation of intravenous self-administration of cocaine or the development of compulsive behavior associated with cocaine seeking. These results indicate that the vulnerability to stimulant addiction may depend on different factors, as expressed through distinct presumed endophenotypes. These observations help us further to dissociate various aspects of the impulsivity construct in neural as well as behavioral terms.

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