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The presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is a matter of great concern. They are consistently found in the environment, raising concerns regarding human exposure through dietary intake. In this study, we observed the effect of the application of carbamazepine at 0.1, 1, 10, and 1000 μg per kg of soil contamination levels to assess stress metabolism in Zea mays L. cv. Ronaldinio at the 4th leaf, tasselling, and dent phenological stages. The transfer of carbamazepine to the aboveground and root biomass was assessed, and uptake increased dose-dependently. No direct effect on biomass production was observed, but multiple physiological and chemical changes were observed. Major effects were consistently observed at the 4th leaf phenological stage for all contamination levels, including reduced photosynthetic rate, reduced maximal and potential activity of photosystem II, decreased water potential, decreased carbohydrates (glucose and fructose) and γ-aminobutyric acid in roots, and increased maleic acid and phenylpropanoids (chlorogenic acid and its isomer, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) in aboveground biomass. A reduction in net photosynthesis was observed for the older phenological stages, whereas no other relevant and consistent physiological and metabolic changes related to contamination exposure were detected. Our results indicate that Z. mays can overcome the environmental stress caused by the accumulation of carbamazepine with notable metabolic changes at the early phenological stage; however, older plants adapted and only exhibited minor effects in the presence of the contaminant. The potential implications for agricultural practice could be associated with the plant's response to simultaneous stresses due to metabolite changes associated with oxidative stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Experimental spinach plants grown in soil with (5, 10 and 20 ppm) arsenic (As) contamination were sampled in 21 days after As(V) contamination. Levels of As in spinach samples (from 0.31 ± 0.06 µg g -1 to 302.69 ± 11.83 µg g -1 ) were higher in roots and lower in leaves, which indicates a low ability of spinach to translocate As into leaves. Species of arsenic, As(III) and As(V), were represented in favor of the As (III) specie in contaminated variants, suggesting enzymatic arsenate reduction. In relation to predominant As accumulation in roots, changes in malondialdehyde levels were observed mainly in roots, where they decreased significantly with growing As contamination (from 11.97 ± 0.54 µg g -1 in control to 2.35 ± 0.43 µg g -1 in 20 ppm As). Higher values in roots than in leaves were observed in the case of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC). Despite that, a change in 5-mC by As contamination was further deepened in leaves (from 0.20 to 14.10%). In roots of spinach, expression of the CDC25 gene increased by the highest As contamination compared to the control. In the case of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total phenolic acids content and total antioxidant capacity were higher levels in leaves in all values, unlike the roots.

Arsenic represents a serious health threat in localities with a high arsenic-polluted environment and can easily get into the human food chain through agronomy production in areas affected by arsenic contamination. Onion plants that were grown in controlled conditions in arsenic-contaminated soil (5, 10, and 20 ppm) were harvested 21 days after contamination. Arsenic levels (from 0.43 ± 0.03 µg g -1 to 1761.11 ± 101.84 µg g -1 ) in the onion samples were high in the roots and low in the bulbs and leaves, which is probably caused by a reduced ability of the onions to transport arsenic from roots to bulbs and leaves. Arsenic species As(V) and As(III) in As(V)-contaminated soil samples were represented strongly in favor of the As(III) species. This indicates the presence of arsenate reductase. Levels of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) (from 5.41 ± 0.28% to 21.17 ± 1.33%) in the onion samples were also higher in the roots than in the bulbs and leaves. Microscopic sections of the roots were examined, and the most damage was found in the 10 ppm As variant. Photosynthetic parameters pointed to a significant decrease in photosynthetic apparatus activity and the deterioration of the physiological state of plants as arsenic content increased in the soil.

Point-of-care antigen tests are an important tool for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Antigen tests are less sensitive than real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR). Data on the performance of the BinaxNOW antigen test compared to rRT-PCR and viral culture by symptom and known exposure status, timing during disease, or exposure period and demographic variables are limited. During 3 to 17 November 2020, we collected paired upper respiratory swab specimens to test for SARS-CoV-2 by rRT-PCR and Abbott BinaxNOW antigen test at two community testing sites in Pima County, Arizona. We administered a questionnaire to capture symptoms, known exposure status, and previous SARS-CoV-2 test results. Specimens positive by either test were analyzed by viral culture. Previously we showed overall BinaxNOW sensitivity was 52.5%. Here, we showed BinaxNOW sensitivity increased to 65.7% among currently symptomatic individuals reporting a known exposure. BinaxNOW sensitivity was lower among participants with a known exposure and previously symptomatic (32.4%) or never symptomatic (47.1%) within 14 days of testing. Sensitivity was 71.1% in participants within a week of symptom onset. In participants with a known exposure, sensitivity was highest 8 to 10 days postexposure (75%). The positive predictive value for recovery of virus in cell culture was 56.7% for BinaxNOW-positive and 35.4% for rRT-PCR-positive specimens. Result reporting time was 2.5 h for BinaxNOW and 26 h for rRT-PCR. Point-of-care antigen tests have a shorter turnaround time than laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification tests, which allows for more rapid identification of infected individuals. Antigen test sensitivity limitations are important to consider when developing a testing program.

Rapid antigen tests, such as the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card (BinaxNOW), offer results more rapidly (approximately 15-30 minutes) and at a lower cost than do highly sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) (1). Rapid antigen tests have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use in symptomatic persons (2), but data are lacking on test performance in asymptomatic persons to inform expanded screening testing to rapidly identify and isolate infected persons (3). To evaluate the performance of the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test, it was used along with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing to analyze 3,419 paired specimens collected from persons aged ≥10 years at two community testing sites in Pima County, Arizona, during November 3-17, 2020. Viral culture was performed on 274 of 303 residual real-time RT-PCR specimens with positive results by either test (29 were not available for culture). Compared with real-time RT-PCR testing, the BinaxNOW antigen test had a sensitivity of 64.2% for specimens from symptomatic persons and 35.8% for specimens from asymptomatic persons, with near 100% specificity in specimens from both groups. Virus was cultured from 96 of 274 (35.0%) specimens, including 85 (57.8%) of 147 with concordant antigen and real-time RT-PCR positive results, 11 (8.9%) of 124 with false-negative antigen test results, and none of three with false-positive antigen test results. Among specimens positive for viral culture, sensitivity was 92.6% for symptomatic and 78.6% for asymptomatic individuals. When the pretest probability for receiving positive test results for SARS-CoV-2 is elevated (e.g., in symptomatic persons or in persons with a known COVID-19 exposure), a negative antigen test result should be confirmed by NAAT (1). Despite a lower sensitivity to detect infection, rapid antigen tests can be an important tool for screening because of their quick turnaround time, lower costs and resource needs, high specificity, and high positive predictive value (PPV) in settings of high pretest probability. The faster turnaround time of the antigen test can help limit transmission by more rapidly identifying infectious persons for isolation, particularly when used as a component of serial testing strategies., Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

This study analyzes the effects of acetaminophen (APAP) as a contaminant on physiological characteristics of lettuce plants ( Lactuca sativa L.). Experiments were provided in an experimental greenhouse with semi-controlled conditions. The effect of different amounts of contaminant was evaluated by using regression analysis. Plants were grown in five concentrations of APAP: 0 µM, 5 µM, 50 µM, 500 µM, and 5 mM for 14 days in two variants, acute and chronic. The obtained results show that the monitored parameters were demonstrably influenced by the experimental variant. Plants are more sensitive to chronic contamination compared to acute. Significant ( p < 0.05) deviation in photosynthesis and fluorescence was observed compared to the control in different variants. The highest doses of APAP reduced the intensity of photosynthesis by a maximum of more than 31% compared to the control. A reduction of 18% was observed for the fluorescence parameters. Pronounced correlation was described between chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and yield mainly under APAP conditions. The amount of chlorophyll was influenced by exposure to APAP.

This study was performed to compare the computer-based and physician-based management of warfarin therapy after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The computer-assisted and control groups of patients were placed on warfarin postoperatively and followed for a 1-month period. A significant difference (P<.05) was found between the mean number of days needed to reach therapeutic anticoagulation in the control group (4.7+/-3.0 days) and the experimental group (2.8+/-1.4 days) and the proportion of patients in each group who were discharged with a subtherapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) (INR <1.5). The computer-based management of warfarin therapy was more efficient than unaided physician-based management and therefore may lead to improved, cost-effective patient care by reducing length of hospital stay and complications attributable to nontherapeutic anticoagulation in THA patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the rate of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as a function of oral anticoagulation therapy after total hip replacement surgery., Methods: A total of 125 patients completed the study. All the patients received sequential gradient pneumatic compression over elastic stockings until hospital discharge. In addition, all the patients underwent postoperative heparin therapy followed by oral warfarin therapy, adjusted in dose to maintain a goal international normalized ratio (INR) level of 2.0 to 3.0. Warfarin therapy and compression stockings were continued for 1 month after surgery. Bilateral duplex scanning was performed 1 and 4 weeks after surgery to assess the rate of DVT., Results: Nineteen of the 125 patients had DVT develop (15.2%). Of those thromboses, six (31.6%) and 13 (68%) were detected 1 week and 1 month after surgery, respectively. The rate of proximal DVT was 2.4% (3 of 125) 1 week after surgery and rose to 8.2% (10 of 122) 1 month after surgery. Most DVT cases (64%; 12 of 19) were asymptomatic. The patients in whom DVT developed had significantly lower INR values during the second to fourth postoperative weeks than did those patients without thrombosis, and no differences in INR values were found during the first postoperative week., Conclusion: The risk of the development of DVT extends beyond hospital discharge in patients who undergo total hip replacement, despite a regimen of prolonged oral anticoagulation therapy. This is particularly true in patients whose INR values did not reach therapeutic range during the first postoperative month. Therefore, thrombosis prophylaxis regimens on the basis of the administration of warfarin should try to maintain INR values within therapeutic range during the entire first postoperative month to minimize the incidence of DVT.

Rod-shaped virus-like particles (RSV), 55-85 nm in length and 18 nm in diameter, with 5 to 10 segments or helical turns, were demonstrated in the intestinal contents of young diarrhoeic pheasants by examination of a fresh sample. The origin of RSV seems to be splitting tails of bacteriophages.

Coronavirus-induced porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) was diagnosed in two swine herds. The causal agent was demonstrated in intestinal contents by electron microscopy and identified by immunoelectron microscopy using specific immune serum to the reference strain PED-CV77. Experimental transmission to hysterectomy-derived, colostrum-deprived piglets with an intestinal contents filtrate was successful. The virus was demonstrable by electron microscopy in the intestinal contents between 12th hour and 4th day, and in small intestinal epithelial cells 18 hours after infection. Scanning electron microscopy revealed shortening and fusion of villi of small intestinal mucosa.

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) had a calicivirus-like structure and a diameter of 31.5-33.0 nm. Antigenic relationship between the investigated RHDV strain and the causal agent of RHD in China was demonstrated by immunoelectron microscopy.

Lower extremity pain caused by exercise but relieved by rest is usually a reliable symptom of chronic arterial insufficiency. However, similar discomfort often occurs in patients with neurospinal compression. Furthermore, arterial occlusive disease and demonstrable spinal stenosis may be present simultaneously. Fifty-two patients with symptoms suggesting intermittent claudication comprised the study group. All were proven to have a nonarterial cause of their complaint. The study consists of a retrospective analysis of the diagnostic methods used in confirming the proper diagnosis. Conclusions reached suggest a rational approach to solution of individual patient problems. The nonvascular origin of the symptoms was suggested initially by clinical evaluation in 19 patients, and by noninvasive arterial evaluation in an additional 22. The neurospinal origin of symptoms was obscured in 11 patients because of the presence of significant arterial occlusive disease, as demonstrated by nominvasive arterial testing. Seven of the 11 patients underwent arterial reconstruction, which failed to relieve their symptoms. Subsequently, the neurospinal origin of these symptoms was proven by appropriate treatment. This experience has shown that the errors in diagnosis and treatment could have been avoided by using a combined diagnostic approach, correlating results of an accurate clinical evaluation with noninvasive arterial testing as well as the findings shown on lumbosacral spine films.

Two patients with profound decrease of alpha1-antitrypsin (PiZZ) presented with severe pannicultis (Weber-Christian disease); one had systemic panniculitis including pancreatitis. Another possible case is quoted from the literature. Although milder forms of panniculitis can have normal Pi phenotypes and alpha1-antitrypsin levels, the marked reduction of antiproteolytic activity found in PiZZ homozygotes may predispose to or aggravate the lesions of Weber-Christian disease.

Ten normal adult volunteers, 75 patients with low back pain and/or lumbar radiculopathy, 16 patients following chymopapain treatment, 14 patients with recurrent symptoms following disc surgery, and two patients with distal cord compression were scanned on Fonar 3000 permanent magnet scanner. Of all the patients 98 had additional computed tomography scans (CT) of the lumbar spine and 82 had myelography. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT scans were both diagnostic in cases of herniated and extruded discs. MRI scan showed more information concerning the degenerative state of the intervertebral discs. It was relatively more accurate in detecting, small bulging and herniated discs without ruptured anulus and the relation of the migrated fragments of extruded discs to both the back of the vertebrae and the thecal sac. Moreover, lumbar MRI matched the clinical response of disc disease to chymopapain treatment more than lumbar CT scan. In addition, the MRI studies differentiated more accurately postoperative epidural fibrotic changes from recurrent herniated and/or extruded disc and detected distal spinal cord abnormalities. CT scan easily detected laterally herniated lumbar discs. Myelography was the diagnostic study in cases of arachnoiditis.