Modeling the Effect of Temperature on the Flower Development Rate of Hybrid Impatiens

The effect of average daily temperature (ADT) on flower bud development and subsequent time to flower was investigated on hybrid impatiens (Impatiens ×hybrida) cultivars Compact Electric Orange, Compact Hot Coral, and Compact Orchid Blush. Plants with a visible flower bud measuring 2 mm in width were placed in one of the four greenhouses with temperature setpoints ranging from 16 to 28 °C. Flower bud width was measured every 3 days in each ADT treatment until flowering. The subsequent days to flower (DTF) from the onset of a visible bud decreased from 36 to 27 days as the ADT increased from 17 to 28 °C. The DTF from visible bud varied by <3 days among the three cultivars across all temperatures; therefore, cultivar data were pooled to create a stronger prediction model. A logistic formula was used to predict the remaining DTF as a function of flower bud width and ADT. The model accurately described the effect of bud width and ADT on flowering time within ±3 days for 87% of the actual DTF across all three cultivars. The resulting flower development model provides greenhouse growers with a guide for manipulating temperature to produce flowering plants for specific market dates based on flower bud width measurements.

Bilateral typeIIpersistent proatlantal intersegmental artery: a rare variant of persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses

The persistent proatlantal intersegmental artery is a rare variant of persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses, especially their bilateral presence is rarer. We report a case of bilateral typeII persistent proatlantal intersegmental artery. The absence of bilateral vertebral arteries was incidentally noted on neck ultrasound examination. Subsequent time-of-flight MR angiography confirmed this. The bilateral typeIIpersistent proatlantal intersegmental artery arose from the cervical external carotid artery, penetrated the C1 transverse foramen, entered the skull via the foramen magnum, and joined the lower portion of the basilar artery.

Research of the biostability of organic bases of paints for wood

The biostability of organic film-formers of paints and varnishes intended for staining wood to the action of the fungus Aspergillus niger was studied. It was found that in Sabouraud's environment on days 7, 14 and 21 from the beginning of infection, the epoxy hardener is characterized by the minimum level of damage, respectively, 1, 1.6 and 2.4 points; alkyd film former has 2 points, and in subsequent time intervals 3.7 points; epoxy resin on day 7 is characterized by a lesion level of 1.7 points, on the following days of exposure – 4 points; pentaphthalic film former, respectively, 2.7, 3.7 and 4 points. According to the degree of resistance in the Sabouraud environment, organic film-formers of wood paints can be ranked as follows: epoxy (hardener)>alkyd>epoxy resin>pentaphthalic>organosilicon. It is shown that in the environment of Czapek on 7, 14 and 21 days from the beginning of infection, the minimum level of damage is characterized by an epoxy hardener, respectively, 2, 2.3 and 3 points; pentaphthalic film former, respectively, 2 and 3 points; alkyd film former, respectively, 2.4, 3.7 and 4 points; epoxy resin on day 7 is characterized by a lesion level of 3 points, on the following days of exposure – 4 points. According to the degree of resistance in the environment of Czapek, organic film-forming agents for wood paints can be ranked as follows: epoxy (hardener)>pentaphthalic>alkyd>epoxy resin>organosilicon. Organosilicon film-formers were most intensively affected by the fungus both 7 days after exposure and at a later time, reaching the maximum values of the lesions – 4 points. During the test period, no zones of mycelium growth inhibition were observed in the studied organic bases

Psychiatry In-patient Substance Profile Changes in COVID year 2020 from 2019 in a Teaching hospital of Eastern Nepal

Subsequent time, after declaration of COVID-19 pandemic, witnessed variable changes in various aspects due to COVID circumstances around the globe. We report and reflect here over the observation regarding substance use and use disorder scenario in initial COVID year 2020 in reference to 2019 (year preceding COVID-19 pandemic). It is an observation in psychiatry in-patient service of a teaching hospital of eastern Nepal. There were 420 (284 male, 136 female) and 279 (194 male and 85 female) admissions in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The most striking and significant change was seen for Nicotine, both overall and use disorder-wise. Over all, the proportion increased for Nicotine (34.05 to 48.03%) and Cannabis (16.67 to 17.92%) whereas decreased for Alcohol (38.33 to 31.18%), Opiote (7.62 to 6.81%), Benzodiazepine (6.43 to 5.73%) and other substance (0.71% to nil) among the in-patients in 2020. Categorically, both the Use and Dependence syndrome (ICD-10) increased for Nicotine (8.81 to 21.86%% and 25.24 to 26.17%) and Cannabis (10.71 to 11.47% and 5.72 to 6.45%). Proportion of Alcohol use and Harmful use decreased whereas Alcohol dependence increased, Opiote use increased whereas Harmful use and Dependence decreased, Benzodiazepine use and Dependence decreased and other substances decreased too. The observation shows various changes in the pattern of substance among the psychiatry in-patients which indicates the need for some strategic and policy changes to tackle this pandemic situation.

Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Allows Monitoring of Variants of Concern through Wastewater

Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater has shown to be an effective tool for epidemiological surveillance. More specifically, RNA levels determined with RT-qPCR have been shown to track with the infection dynamics within the population. However, the surveillance of individual lineages circulating in the population based on genomic sequencing of wastewater samples is challenging, as the genetic material constitutes a mixture of different viral haplotypes. Here, we identify specific signature mutations from individual SARS-CoV-2 lineages in wastewater samples to estimate lineages circulating in Luxembourg. We compare circulating lineages and mutations to those detected in clinical samples amongst infected individuals. We show that especially for dominant lineages, the allele frequencies of signature mutations correspond to the occurrence of particular lineages in the population. In addition, we provide evidence that regional clusters can also be discerned. We focused on the time period between November 2020 and March 2021 in which several variants of concern emerged and specifically traced the lineage B.1.1.7, which became dominant in Luxembourg during that time. During the subsequent time points, we were able to reconstruct short haplotypes, highlighting the co-occurrence of several signature mutations. Our results highlight the potential of genomic surveillance in wastewater samples based on amplicon short-read data. By extension, our work provides the basis for the early detection of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Reciprocal Relationships between Trajectories of Loneliness and Screen Media Use during Adolescence

Adolescence is the peak period for loneliness. Now a ubiquitous part of the adolescent landscape, electronic screens may provide avenues for ameliorating feelings of loneliness. Conversely, they may act as risk factors for the development of such feelings. Although cross-sectional studies to date have investigated the relationship between screen use and loneliness, longitudinal studies are needed if causal and directional associations are to be investigated. Utilising an accelerated longitudinal design and online survey we collected four waves of data from 1919 secondary school adolescents aged 10–15 years over two years. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models tested whether changes in five types of screen use (i.e., total screen time, social media use, gaming, passive screen use, and web use) are associated with changes in loneliness in the subsequent time-point, or changes in loneliness are associated with changes in screen use in the subsequent time-point. We found significant reciprocal associations between screen use and loneliness, with the strongest associations between social networking and electronic gaming and quality of friendships. These findings highlight that any significant increase in an adolescent’s screen use may be a potential indicator of changes in quality of friendships or feelings of isolation.

Maintenance Therapy With Everolimus for Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma in Patients With Tuberous Sclerosis – Final Results From the EMINENTS Study

The aim of this EMINENTS prospective, single-center, open-label, single-arm study was to evaluate the cumulative efficacy and safety of reduced doses of everolimus (maintenance therapy) in patients with tuberous sclerosis and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA).Methods: The trial included 15 patients who had undergone at least 12 months of treatment with a standard everolimus dose. The dose of everolimus was reduced to three times a week, with a daily dose as in standard regimen. Data of 14 patients were analyzed. SEGA volume (SV) was evaluated at study entry and subsequent time points by an experienced radiologist. Adverse events (AEs) noted during maintenance therapy were compared to the AEs of standard dose period.Results: Patients were followed over a mean duration 58.37 months (95%CI: 45.95–70.78). The differences in SEGA volume between subsequent time points (0, 3, 6,12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months) were not statistically significant (p = 0.16). At the end of the study, 7 out of 10 patients had stable SEGA volume. No clinical symptoms of progression were observed in any patients. No patient or tumor-related risk factors of progression were identified. Regarding AEs, infections (stomatitis, bronchitis, diarrhea) and laboratory abnormalities (neutropenia, anemia, hyperglycemia) occurred less frequently during maintenance therapy compared to the standard dose regimen.Conclusions: Final results from EMINENTS study confirm that maintenance therapy with everolimus might represent a rational therapeutic option for patients TSC and SEGA after effective full dose treatment. It could be an option for patients who experienced everolimus-related AEs, instead of discontinuation of therapy. Careful evaluation of possible progression, especially concerning first six months of maintenance therapy should be advised.Clinical Trial Registration:www.drks.de, identifier DRKS00005584.

Effect of Empagliflozin as an Add-On Therapy on Decongestion and Renal Function in Patients With Diabetes Hospitalized for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Background: Empagliflozin reduces the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We sought to elucidate the effect of empagliflozin as an add-on therapy on decongestion and renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes admitted for acute decompensated heart failure. Methods: The study was terminated early due to COVID-19 pandemic. We enrolled 59 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes admitted for acute decompensated heart failure. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either empagliflozin add-on (n=30) or conventional glucose-lowering therapy (n=29). We performed laboratory tests at baseline and 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after randomization. Percent change in plasma volume between admission and subsequent time points was calculated using the Strauss formula. Results: There were no significant baseline differences in left ventricular ejection fraction and serum NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), hematocrit, or serum creatinine levels between the 2 groups. Seven days after randomization, NT-proBNP level was significantly lower in the empagliflozin group than in the conventional group ( P =0.040), and hemoconcentration (≥3% absolute increase in hematocrit) was more frequently observed in the empagliflozin group than in the conventional group ( P =0.020). The decrease in percent change in plasma volume between baseline and subsequent time points was significantly larger in the empagliflozin group than in the conventional group 7 days after randomization ( P =0.017). The incidence of worsening renal function (an increase in serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL) did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. Conclusions: In this exploratory analysis, empagliflozin achieved effective decongestion without an increased risk of worsening renal function as an add-on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes with acute decompensated heart failure. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm ; Unique identifier: UMIN000026315.