Covid-19 induced optic neuritis – A case report

COVID-19 illness is an evolving disorder, and many extrapulmonary manifestations have been reported. With this report, we are highlighting one of the neuro-ophthalmologic complications of Covid-19. We report a case of 16 years old boy who presented with complaints of rapid loss of vision and retroorbital pain in the Right eye during recovery from Covid -19 infection. Clinically, radiologically, CSF, Blood, and all other investigations suggest Probable Covid -19 Right Eye Optic Neuritis. The patient showed remarkable recovery following steroid therapy. This report aims to add a case to the limited literature available on Optic Neuritis following Covid-19 infection.

H2A.Z deposition by SWR1C involves multiple ATP-dependent steps

The histone variant H2A.Z is a conserved feature of nucleosomes flanking protein-coding genes. Deposition of H2A.Z requires ATP-dependent replacement of nucleosomal H2A by a chromatin remodeler related to the multi-subunit enzyme, yeast SWR1C. How these enzymes use ATP to promote this nucleosome editing reaction remains unclear. Here we use single-molecule and ensemble methodologies to identify three ATP-dependent phases in the H2A.Z deposition reaction. Real-time analysis of single nucleosome remodeling events reveals an initial, priming step that occurs after ATP addition that likely involves transient DNA unwrapping from the nucleosome. Priming is followed by rapid loss of histone H2A, which is subsequently released from the H2A.Z nucleosomal product. Surprisingly, the rates of both priming and the release of the H2A/H2B dimer are sensitive to ATP concentration. This complex reaction pathway provides multiple opportunities to regulate the timely and accurate deposition of H2A.Z at key genomic locations.

New approaches in the process of crystallization of sucrose in the production of sweets with fondant bodies

Конфеты на основе помадных корпусов пользуются большим спросом у населения. Расширение ассортимента конфет и совершенствование технологии является актуальной проблемой. Актуальными остаются вопросы по расширению ассортимента популярных конфет с сохранением качества не только на производстве, но и при хранении изучение процессов, протекающих при хранении конфет с помадными корпусами, остаются в фокусе научных интересов исследователей. Поставленные задачи наиболее актуальны в производстве конфет на основе помадных корпусов - энергетически неустойчивых систем, имеющих высокую концентрацию сахарозы (более 80 %), простой химический состав, что является причиной быстрой потери потребительских свойств в процессе хранения. Решение указанных проблем возможно за счет введения в рецептуру продуктов переработки амаранта Amaranthus cruentus. Частицы порошка шрота амаранта, являясь влагоудерживающими компонентами, играют также роль компонентов кристаллизации сахарозы в высокопересыщенных растворах. Sweets based on fondant bodies are in great demand among the population. Expanding the assortment of sweets and improving technology is an urgent problem. Questions on expanding the assortment of popular sweets while maintaining quality not only in production, but during storage remain topical. The study of the processes occurring during the storage of sweets with fondant bodies remains in the focus of the scientific interests of researchers. The tasks set are most relevant in the production of sweets based on fondant bodies - energetically unstable systems with a high concentration of sucrose (more than 80 %), a simple chemical composition, which is the reason for the rapid loss of consumer properties during storage. The solution of these problems is possible due to the introduction of Amaranthus cruentus amaranth processed products into the formulation. Particles of amaranth meal powder, being water-retaining components, also play the role of components of crystallization of sucrose in highly supersaturated solutions.

Variation entry of sediment, organic matter and different forms of phosphorus and nitrogen in flood and normal events in the Anzali wetland

Phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N) and organic component are released from the soil into surface bodies by runoff and erosion, causing the pollution and eutrophication of water resources. This study was aimed to investigate the seasonal changes in loads of N and P components, and organic matter (OM) in the Pasikhan River in flood and normal conditions. Sampling was performed monthly during normal flow conditions and for five flood events. The concentrations of P and N components were measured in the samples. The OM of the suspended sediments was determined by the combustion method. Under the normal flows, the maximum loads of total P and OM were about 0.553 mg l−1 (STD = 0.11) (November) and 3.41% (STD = 1.17) (November) in the autumn, respectively. The total N concentration of 0.533 mg l−1 (STD = 0.12) was observed in the winter. In the flood events, the TP, TN and OM ranged from 0.48 to 3.5 mg l−1, 0.28 to 0.79 mg l−1 and 1.24 to 4.11%, respectively. The results indicated a high risk of eutrophication in the Pasikhan River. Also, the study revealed that in a severe flood event, some 113.9 tons h−1 of OM can be released from the river watershed. Furthermore, there was a high correlation between the amount of P and OM losses with the concentration of suspended sediments in different flood events. Finally, it is concluded that if the floods are not controlled, they not only cause a rapid loss of soil nutrients and OM but also lead to severe eutrophication in the Anzali wetland.

Fibroblastic reticular cells provide a supportive niche for lymph node-resident macrophages

The lymph node (LN) is home to resident macrophage populations that are essential for immune function and homeostasis. The T cell paracortical zone is a major site of macrophage efferocytosis of apoptotic cells, but key factors controlling this niche are undefined. Here we show that fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) are an essential component of the LN macrophage niche. Macrophages co-localised with FRCs in human LNs, and murine single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed that most reticular cells expressed master macrophage regulator CSF1. Functional assays showed that CSF1R signalling was sufficient to support macrophage development. In the presence of LPS, FRCs underwent a mechanistic switch and maintained support through CSF1R-independent mechanisms. These effects were conserved between mouse and human systems. Rapid loss of macrophages and monocytes from LNs was observed upon genetic ablation of FRCs. These data reveal a critically important role for FRCs in the creation of the parenchymal macrophage niche within LNs.

Three Decades after: Landscape Dynamics in Different Colonisation Models Implemented in the Brazilian Legal Amazon

Several colonisation projects were implemented in the Brazilian Legal Amazon in the 1970s and 1980s. Among these colonisation projects, the most prominent were those with the “fishbone” and “topographic” models. Within this scope, the settlements known as Anari and Machadinho stand out because they are contiguous areas with different models and structures of occupation and colonisation. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the dynamics of Land-Use and Land-Cover (LULC) in two different colonisation models, implanted in the State of Rondônia in the 1980s. The fishbone and topographic or Disorganised Multidirectional models were implemented in the Anari and Machadinho settlements, respectively. A 36-year time series of Landsat images (1984–2020) was used to evaluate the rates and trends in the LULC process in the different colonisation models. In the analysed models, a rapid loss of primary and secondary forests (anthropized areas) was observed, mainly due to the dynamics of its use, established by the Agriculture/Pasture relation with a heavy dependence on road construction. Understanding these two forms of occupation can help the future programs and guidelines of the Brazilian Legal Amazon and any tropical rainforest across the globe.

Anti-membrane and anti-spike antibodies are long-lasting and together discriminate between past COVID-19 infection and vaccination

The consequences of past COVID-19 infection for personal health and long-term population immunity are only starting to be revealed. Unfortunately, detecting past infection is currently a challenge, limiting clinical and research endeavors. Widely available anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests cannot differentiate between past infection and vaccination given vaccine-induced anti-spike antibodies and the rapid loss of infection-induced anti-nucleocapsid antibodies. Anti-membrane antibodies develop after COVID-19, but their long-term persistence is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that anti-membrane IgG is a sensitive and specific marker of past COVID-19 infection and persists at least one year. We also confirm that anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) Ig is a long-lasting, sensitive, and specific marker of past infection and vaccination, while anti-nucleocapsid IgG lacks specificity and quickly declines after COVID-19. Thus, a combination of anti-membrane and anti-RBD antibodies can accurately differentiate between distant COVID-19 infection, vaccination, and naive states to advance public health, individual healthcare, and research goals.

Adaptation of Phytophthora nicotianae to multiple sources of partial-resistance in tobacco.

Host resistance is an important tool in the management of black shank disease of tobacco. While race development leads to rapid loss of single-gene resistance, the adaptation by Phytophthora nicotianae to sources of partial resistance from Beinhart 1000, Florida 301, and the Wz gene region introgressed from Nicotiana rustica is poorly characterized. In greenhouse environments, host genotypes with QTLs conferring resistance from multiple sources were initially inoculated with an aggressive isolate of race 0 or race 1 of P. nicotianae. The most aggressive isolate was selected after each of six host generations to inoculate the next generation of plants. The race 0 isolate demonstrated a continuous gradual increase in disease severity and percent root rot on all sources of resistance except the genotype K 326 Wz/--, where a large increase in both was observed between generations two and three. Adaptation by the race 0 isolate on Beinhart 1000 represents the first report of adaptation to this genotype by P. nicotianae. The race 1 isolate did not exhibit significant increases in aggressiveness over generations, but also exhibited a large increase in aggressiveness on K 326 Wz/-- between generations 3 and 4. Molecular characterization of isolates recovered during selection was completed using ddRADseq, but no polymorphisms were associated with the observed changes in aggressiveness. The rapid adaptation to Wz resistance and the gradual adaptation to other QTLs highlights the need to study the nature of Wz resistance and for conducting field studies on efficacy of resistance-gene rotation for disease management.

Immune system response to the Covid 19 virus and 3rd boosters

A recent finding that the two-dose vaccination for the Covid-19 virus leads to a rapid loss of protection in many patients within 6 months. Thus the need for a 3rd injection has been found to be mandatory for continuing protection, as well as to highlight the need to monitor immune compromised patients and those with comorbidities particularly in indigenous populations where co-morbidities may be present preventing an adequate response to the initial vaccination. This has also highlighted the problem of lack of vaccines in the less developed parts of the world that requires urgent attention, as this is where new variants arise. The virus must be contained in these countries before we run out of letters in the Greek alphabet. Key words: Covid 19, virus, vaccines, 3rd injection, immunity, mutations, WHO