Short-term and medium-term clinical outcomes of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a prospective observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Even though the incidence of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C) is decreasing cases are still reported across the world. Studying the consequences of MIS-C enhances our understanding of the disease's prognosis. The objective of this study was to assess short- and medium-term clinical outcomes of MIS-C.

METHODS

Prospective observational cohort study at Municipal Children's Hospital Morozovskaya, Moscow, Russia. All children meeting the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or the World Health Organization (WHO) MIS-C case definition admitted to the hospital between 17 May and 26 October 2020 were included in the study. All survivors were invited to attend a clinic at 2 and 6 weeks after hospital discharge.

RESULTS

37 children median age 6 years (interquartile range [IQR] 3.3-9.4), 59.5% (22/37) boys were included in the study. 48.6% (18/37) of patients required ICU care. One child died. All children had increased levels of systemic inflammatory markers during the acute event. Echocardiographic investigations identified abnormal findings in 35.1% (13/37) of children. 5.6% (2/36) of children were presenting with any symptoms six weeks after discharge. By six weeks the inflammatory markers were within the reference norms in all children. The echocardiographic evaluation showed persistent coronary dilatation in one child.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the severity of their acute MIS-C, the majority of children in our cohort fully recovered with none having elevated laboratory markers of inflammation at 6 weeks, few (< 10%) reporting persistent symptoms at 6 weeks, and only one with persistent echocardiographic abnormalities.

INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL INTOXICATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF FATAL HYPOTHERMIA

This study addresses the influence of the ethanol content in the body on the development of fatal hypothermia. All cases were divided into 3 groups. The first group included 590 cases in which glycogen in the liver, skeletal muscle and myocardium was not determined. The second group consisted of 540 corpses of people who had glycogen detected in the liver, in different concentrations, and its absence in the skeletal muscle and myocardium. The third group of the study showed a sharp decrease in the content of glycogen or its absence in the skeletal muscle with its reduction in other tissues – 580 cases. There were 72,2%, – 67,8%, – 51,2% of the dead in the state of alcoholic intoxication in the studied groups, respectively. The ethanoluria/ethanolemia ratio was significantly decreased with the increase of ethanol in the blood. Thus, the use of ethanol is a risk factor for fatal hypothermia, contributing to faster utilization of glycogen in the tissues, which reduces the survival time at low ambient temperatures. The use of biochemical analysis by the content of glycogen in the tissues allows differential diagnosis of the immediate cause of death due to hypothermia in the presence of high and toxic concentrations of alcohol in the body.

THE QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN LUNGS IN ACUTE BACLOFEN POISONING

The aim of the study was to quantify the changes in the lungs in acute baclofen poisoning in an animal experiment. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 20 male Wistar rats weighing 290–350 g and aged 20 weeks. The animals were divided into 4 groups. The reference group of controls included 5 intact rats. The animals of three experimental groups included 5 rats each were treated with baclofen at a dose of 85 mg/kg. The tested rats were euthanized by displacement of cervical vertebrae at 3, 4,5 and 24 hours, respectively. Lung tissue samples were examined by light microscopy using a video system at ×400 magnification. Results: The area of the intraalveolar septi 4,5 hours after baclofen administration was significantly higher than in the reference group of controls. 3 and 4,5 hours after baclofen administration an increase in the area of alveloli was observed, but the increase was insignificant and the area of alveoli returned to the initial size by the 24th hour. 3 and 4,5 hours after baclofen administration a slight decrease in the area of pulmonary parenchima was observed, which also returned to its initial size in 24 hours. The total area of pulmonary microvessels 4,5 hours after baclofen administration was significantly higher than in the control group and 3 hours after baclofen administration. The area of pulmonary microvessels 24 hours after baclofen administration was significantly higher than in the group of controls, 3 or 4,5 hours after baclofen administration. The area of edema increased and was significantly higher 24 hours after baclofen administration. In baclofen poisoning, a certain complex of general pathological processes in lungs develops. There is a circulatory disorder, increased vascular permeability, infiltration of intraaveolar septis. Conclusion: The quantitative assessment of the changes can be used to evaluate severity of general pathological process in acute baclofen poisonings and to determine the exact time of the poisonings.

Embryogenesis induction of carrot (Daucus carota L.) in isolated microspore culture

Haploid technologies are used to create homozygous lines for accelerated breeding. We aimed to optimize the technology for using the isolated microspore culture in vitro to obtain doubled haploids of the carrot (Daucus carota L.). We studied two carrot varieties with different responsiveness to embryogenesis, Altajskaya lakomka and Breeding line 17. Carrot microspores were isolated from buds and cultivated in liquid nutrient media supplemented with an antibiotic and activated carbon in vitro. They were exposed to different thermal treatments. The experiment showed the benefits of combining cold pre-treatment of buds (5°C for 1 day) with heat shock of isolated microspores in vitro (32°C for 2 days). The induction of embryogenesis on the NLN-13 medium was twice as high as on the MSm-13 medium. The use of 1% activated carbon in 0.5% agarose increased the yield of embryoids by more than 1.5 times. 100 mg/dm3 of ampicillin was found to be the most efficient concentration. After 30 days of cultivation under optimized conditions, the yield was 161.3 and 44.0 embryoids per Petri dish for the cultivar Altajskaya lakomka and Breeding line 17, respectively. The induction of carrot embryogenesis is determined by the type and duration of thermal stress, the composition of the nutrient medium, the use of activated carbon as a sorbent, the addition of β-lactam antibiotics, and the type of explant exposed to thermal treatment. Our technology enabled us to obtain homozygous doubled haploid lines of carrots during a year, and these lines were included in the breeding process to create F1 hybrids.

Prevalence and risk factors of post-COVID-19 condition in adults and children at 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge: a prospective, cohort study in Moscow (StopCOVID)

BACKGROUND

Previous studies assessing the prevalence of COVID-19 sequelae in adults and children were performed in the absence of an agreed definition. We investigated prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) (WHO definition), at 6- and 12-months follow-up, amongst previously hospitalised adults and children and assessed risk factors.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study of children and adults with confirmed COVID-19 in Moscow, hospitalised between April and August, 2020. Two follow-up telephone interviews, using the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium survey, were performed at 6 and 12 months after discharge.

RESULTS

One thousand thirteen of 2509 (40%) of adults and 360 of 849 (42%) of children discharged participated in both the 6- and 12-month follow-ups. PCC prevalence was 50% (95% CI 47-53) in adults and 20% (95% CI 16-24) in children at 6 months, with decline to 34% (95% CI 31-37) and 11% (95% CI 8-14), respectively, at 12 months. In adults, female sex was associated with PCC at 6- and 12-month follow-up (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.57 to 2.65) and (OR 2.04, 1.54 to 2.69), respectively. Pre-existing hypertension (OR 1.42, 1.04 to 1.94) was associated with post-COVID-19 condition at 12 months. In children, neurological comorbidities were associated with PCC both at 6 months (OR 4.38, 1.36 to 15.67) and 12 months (OR 8.96, 2.55 to 34.82) while allergic respiratory diseases were associated at 12 months (OR 2.66, 1.04 to 6.47).

CONCLUSIONS

Although prevalence of PCC declined one year after discharge, one in three adults and one in ten children experienced ongoing sequelae. In adults, females and persons with pre-existing hypertension, and in children, persons with neurological comorbidities or allergic respiratory diseases are at higher risk of PCC.

THE DYNAMICS OF LUNG HISTOPATHOLOGY IN ACUTE BACLOFEN POISONING

Baclofen (sold under the name Baclosan©, Lioresal©) is a muscle relaxant. This drug is chemically different from other muscle relaxants. Due to its pronounced psychotropic effect the drug is often a subject of abuse especially among young people. The article deals with the dynamics of lung histopathology in acute baclofen poisoning. Experimental studies were performed on 15 Wistar rats. The animals were divided into 3 groups (the controls and two experimental groups). The controls included 5 intact rats. Each experimental group included 5 animals. Both groups were treated with baclofen at a dosage of 85 mg/kg. The duration of the experiment was 3 and 24 hours, respectively. We revealed a complex of pathological changes in the lungs of the rats. There were circulatory disorders in all the elements of the microcirculatory bed, areas of emphysema, atelectasis and dystelectasis, WBC infiltration of intralveolar septa and their thickening due to edema. The changes were even more severe 24 hours after the drug administration. These results along with the results of chemical analysis will be useful in establishing the fact of baclofen intoxication and the exact moment of the intoxication.

Resequencing of global Tartary buckwheat accessions reveals multiple domestication events and key loci associated with agronomic traits

BACKGROUND

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) is a nutritionally balanced and flavonoid-rich crop plant that has been in cultivation for 4000 years and is now grown globally. Despite its nutraceutical and agricultural value, the characterization of its genetics and its domestication history is limited.

RESULTS

Here, we report a comprehensive database of Tartary buckwheat genomic variation based on whole-genome resequencing of 510 germplasms. Our analysis suggests that two independent domestication events occurred in southwestern and northern China, resulting in diverse characteristics of modern Tartary buckwheat varieties. Genome-wide association studies for important agricultural traits identify several candidate genes, including FtUFGT3 and FtAP2YT1 that significantly correlate with flavonoid accumulation and grain weight, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe the domestication history of Tartary buckwheat and provide a detailed resource of genomic variation to allow for genomic-assisted breeding in the improvement of elite cultivars.

HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN THE LUNGS IN ACUTE COMBINED BACLOFEN AND ETHANOL POISONING

A generic Baclofen, also known under the brand name of Lioresal, is a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid. Due to its psychotropic effect it is often used as a drug of abuse and for criminal poisoning. An experimental study was carried out on 5 Wistar rats (versus 5 intact rats of the control group) exposed to combined Baclofen (at a dose of 85 mg/kg) and ethanol (7 ml/kg of 40% ethanol) poisoning. We have identified a complex of pathological changes in the lungs of the rats in the early period after the experiment. The outcomes included circulatory disorders of the pulmonary microvasculature (plethora of capillaries, venules), emphysema, atelectasis and dystelectasis, infiltration of white blood cells into intraalveolar septa and thickening of intraalveolar septa due to edema. To quantify the severity of histomorphological changes in the lungs a morphometric study is required.

Reticulate evolution in Panicum (Poaceae): the origin of tetraploid broomcorn millet, P. miliaceum

Panicum miliaceum (broomcorn millet) is a tetraploid cereal, which was among the first domesticated crops, but is now a minor crop despite its high water use efficiency. The ancestors of this species have not been determined; we aimed to identify likely candidates within the genus, where phylogenies are poorly resolved. Nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences from P. miliaceum and a range of diploid and tetraploid relatives were used to develop phylogenies of the diploid and tetraploid species. Chromosomal in situ hybridization with genomic DNA as a probe was used to characterize the genomes in the tetraploid P. miliaceum and a tetraploid accession of P. repens. In situ hybridization showed that half the chromosomes of P. miliaceum hybridized more strongly with labelled genomic DNA from P. capillare, and half with labelled DNA from P. repens. Genomic DNA probes differentiated two sets of 18 chromosomes in the tetraploid P. repens. Our phylogenetic data support the allotetraploid origin of P. miliaceum, with the maternal ancestor being P. capillare (or a close relative) and the other genome being shared with P. repens. Our P. repens accession was also an allotetraploid with two dissimilar but closely related genomes, the maternal genome being similar to P. sumatrense. Further collection of Panicum species, particularly from the Old World, is required. It is important to identify why the water-efficient P. miliaceum is now of minimal importance in agriculture, and it may be valuable to exploit the diversity in this species and its ancestors.

Waxy phenotype evolution in the allotetraploid cereal broomcorn millet: mutations at the GBSSI locus in their functional and phylogenetic context

Waxy mutants, in which endosperm starch contains ~100% amylopectin rather than the wild-type composition of ~70% amylopectin and ~30% amylose, occur in many domesticated cereals. The cultivation of waxy varieties is concentrated in east Asia, where there is a culinary preference for glutinous-textured foods that may have developed from ancient food processing traditions. The waxy phenotype results from mutations in the GBSSI gene, which catalyzes amylose synthesis. Broomcorn or proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is one of the world's oldest cultivated cereals, which spread across Eurasia early in prehistory. Recent phylogeographic analysis has shown strong genetic structuring that likely reflects ancient expansion patterns. Broomcorn millet is highly unusual in being an allotetraploid cereal with fully waxy varieties. Previous work characterized two homeologous GBSSI loci, with multiple alleles at each, but could not determine whether both loci contributed to GBSSI function. We first tested the relative contribution of the two GBSSI loci to amylose synthesis and second tested the association between GBSSI alleles and phylogeographic structure inferred from simple sequence repeats (SSRs). We evaluated the phenotype of all known GBSSI genotypes in broomcorn millet by assaying starch composition and protein function. The results showed that the GBSSI-S locus is the major locus controlling endosperm amylose content, and the GBSSI-L locus has strongly reduced synthesis capacity. We genotyped 178 individuals from landraces from across Eurasia for the 2 GBSSI and 16 SSR loci and analyzed phylogeographic structuring and the geographic and phylogenetic distribution of GBSSI alleles. We found that GBSSI alleles have distinct spatial distributions and strong associations with particular genetic clusters defined by SSRs. The combination of alleles that results in a partially waxy phenotype does not exist in landrace populations. Our data suggest that broomcorn millet is a system in the process of becoming diploidized for the GBSSI locus responsible for grain amylose. Mutant alleles show some exchange between genetic groups, which was favored by selection for the waxy phenotype in particular regions. Partially waxy phenotypes were probably selected against-this unexpected finding shows that better understanding is needed of the human biology of this phenomenon that distinguishes cereal use in eastern and western cultures.

An endogenous Su(Hw) insulator separates the yellow gene from the Achaete-scute gene complex in Drosophila

The best characterized chromatin insulator in Drosophila is the Suppressor of Hairy wing binding region contained within the gypsy retrotransposon. Although cellular functions have been suggested, no role has been found yet for the multitude of endogenous Suppressor of Hairy wing binding sites. Here we show that two Suppressor of Hairy wing binding sites in the intergenic region between the yellow gene and the Achaete-scute gene complex form a functional insulator. Genetic analysis shows that at least two proteins, Suppressor of Hairy wing and Modifier of MDG4, required for the activity of this insulator, are involved in the transcriptional regulation of Achaete-scute.

Russian-American partners for prevention. Adaptation of a school-based parent-child programme for alcohol use prevention

BACKGROUND

The Russian-American Partners for Prevention was an adaptation and evaluation of the Slick Tracy Home Team Program which was developed in Minnesota in order to delay the onset of drinking. The Slick Tracy Home Team Program was the first intervention of Project Northland, a large 3 year community trial of the efficacy of a public health intervention for under age drinking.

METHODS

The programme was administered through schools, but involved parents using engaging and fun homework activities. The Russian version was implemented in fifth-grade classrooms in 20 Moscow schools with 1,212 students surveyed at baseline. Students were surveyed again after programme implementation (n = 1,182), of whom 980 were present at baseline. Parents of 1,078 students were surveyed by telephone after programme implementation.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated the successful recruitment and retention of 20 Moscow schools in a research project, acceptability of programme materials in Russia, high participation rates, changes in students' knowledge about problems associated with under age drinking and some evidence about increases in parent-child communication about alcohol use. As in the USA, no changes in students' alcohol use rates were observed at the end of the first year of the 3 year programme.

CONCLUSION

Russian youth, as compared to Americans, began drinking at earlier ages, received fewer prevention messages from their parents, and had fewer prevention programmes in school. The results suggested that carefully implemented and evaluated replications of the US Project Northland interventions might provide effective and appropriate school-based programmes for Russia.