SARS-CoV-2 in the context of past coronaviruses epidemics: Consideration for prenatal care

Since December 2019, the novel SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has resulted in millions of cases and more than 200 000 deaths worldwide. The clinical course among nonpregnant women has been described, but data about potential risks for women and their fetus remain scarce. The SARS and MERS epidemics were responsible for miscarriages, adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes, and maternal deaths. For COVID-19 infection, only nine cases of maternal death have been reported as of 22 April 2020, and pregnant women seem to develop the same clinical presentation as the general population. However, severe maternal cases, as well as prematurity, fetal distress, and stillbirth among newborns have been reported. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic greatly impacts prenatal management and surveillance and raise the need for clear unanimous guidelines. In this narrative review, we describe the current knowledge about coronaviruses (SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2) risks and consequences on pregnancies, and we summarize available current candidate therapeutic options for pregnant women. Finally, we compare current guidance proposed by The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the World Health Organization to give an overview of prenatal management which should be utilized until future data appear.     

Congenital small bowel obstruction: Prenatal detection and outcome

Objective

To evaluate and compare the outcome of fetuses and neonates with congenital small bowel obstructions (SBO), evaluate the screening performance of prenatal ultrasound for SBO and identify possible risk factors for adverse outcomes.

Methods

All cases referred to the Amsterdam University Medical Centers between 2007 and 2021 for a prenatal suspected SBO, supplemented by cases of postnatal diagnosis of SBO, were included. The primary outcome was survival after 24 weeks of gestation until the first year of life.

Results

147 cases of SBO were included with a survival rate of 86.2% (119/138) after 24 weeks of gestation until the first year of age. Additional structural or chromosomal anomalies were found to have an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Intrauterine fetal demise occurred in 10/147 (6.8%) cases and 9/147 (6.1%) cases died during postnatal follow-up. The overall positive predictive value of all prenatally diagnosed cases was 91.5%. Surgical correction was performed in 123/128 (96.0%) of the live-born cases.

Conclusions

Congenital SBO has an overall favorable prognosis, but the outcome is negatively impacted by the possible presence of additional structural or chromosomal anomalies. Fetal monitoring in the early third trimester should be considered, since all cases of Intrauterine fetal demise occurred between 30 and 35 weeks of gestation.     

Correction to: High-capacity adsorbents from stainless steel slag for the control of dye pollutants in water

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12759-3     

Integrating Satellite Imagery with Simulation Modeling to Improve Burn Severity Mapping

Both satellite imagery and spatial fire effects models are valuable tools for generating burn severity maps that are useful to fire scientists and resource managers. The purpose of this study was to test a new mapping approach that integrates imagery and modeling to create more accurate burn severity maps. We developed and assessed a statistical model that combines the Relative differenced Normalized Burn Ratio, a satellite image-based change detection procedure commonly used to map burn severity, with output from the Fire Hazard and Risk Model, a simulation model that estimates fire effects at a landscape scale. Using 285 Composite Burn Index (CBI) plots in Washington and Montana as ground reference, we found that an integrated model explained more variability in CBI (R ² = 0.47) and had lower mean squared error (MSE = 0.28) than image (R ² = 0.42 and MSE = 0.30) or simulation-based models (R ² = 0.07 and MSE = 0.49) alone. Overall map accuracy was also highest for maps created with the Integrated Model (63 %). We suspect that Simulation Model performance would greatly improve with higher quality and more accurate spatial input data. Results of this study indicate the potential benefit of combining satellite image-based methods with a fire effects simulation model to create improved burn severity maps.     

Combining a road pollution dispersion model with GIS to determine carbon monoxide concentration in Tennessee

The purpose of this paper is to develop an air pollution model that is independent from pollution monitoring sites and highly accurate through space and time. Total carbon monoxide concentration is computed with the use of traffic flow data, vehicle speed and dimensions, emission rates, wind speed, and temperature. The data are interpolated using a geographic information system universal kriging technique, and the end results produce state level air pollution maps with high local accuracy. The model is validated against Environment Protection Agency (EPA) pollution data. Overall, the model has 71 % agreement with EPA, overestimating values of carbon monoxide for less than 1 ppm. The model has three advantages over already assessed air pollution models. First, it is completely independent of any air pollution monitoring stations; thus, possible temporary or permanent unreliability or lack of the data is avoided. Second, being based on a 5,710 traffic count network, the problem of remote places coverage is avoided. Third, it is based on a straightforward equation, where minimal preprocessing of traffic and climatic data is required.     

Local and regional genetic connectivity in a Caribbean coral reef fish

Coupled bio-physical models of larval dispersal predict that the Costa Rica–Panama (CR–PAN) reefs should constitute a demographically isolated region in the western Caribbean. We tested the hypothesis that CR–PAN coral reef fish populations would be isolated from Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) populations. To test that, we assessed population genetic structure in bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) from both regions. Adult fish were genotyped from five reefs in CR–PAN and from four reefs along the MBRS at 12 microsatellite loci. Between-region F _ST (F _ST = 0.0030, P < 0.005) and exact test (x ² = 74.34, df = 18, P < 0.0001) results indicated that there is weak but significant genetic differentiation between regions, suggesting some restriction in connectivity along the Central American coastline, as predicted by bio-oceanographic models. Additionally, there is among-site genetic structure in the CR–PAN region, relative to the MBRS and between regions, suggesting higher self-recruitment within CR–PAN. This finding may be explained by differences in habitat characteristics.     

Characterisation of cobalt‐binding proteins in occupational cobalt exposuret†

In animal experimentations cobalt is found to be carcinogenic under conditions which are comparable with a possible exposure of human beings at the workplace.^1,2 Little is known about binding and distribution of incorporated cobalt in blood.

Blood, serum and plasma of workers occupationally exposed to cobalt were analyzed concerning cobalt‐binding. The samples were focused by preparative IEF in layers of granulated gels. The cobalt concentrations in the isolated fractions were measured with the aid of flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. The whole blood samples exhibit peaks with different sizes in the pH‐5‐ and ‐7‐range. The proportion of these peaks can change with individual samples. In serum and plasma cobalt is found only in the pH‐5‐range.

When separated by gelelectrophoresis under denaturating conditions the cobalt‐fractions in all blood, serum and plasma samples shows a similar protein pattern. Several proteins with different molecular weights are detected in the pH‐5‐fractions, whereas only hemoglobin is found in the pH‐7‐fractions. In agreement with these results is the refocusing in ultrathin‐layer of polyacrylamide. Heterogeneous protein patterns are demonstrated with the pH‐5‐fractions; the pH‐7‐fractions yield only the hemoglobin pattern.

In vivo cobalt is bound to plasma proteins‐perhaps‐albumin^3,4‐and hemoglobin. Till now the chemical structure of the binding is unknown.