BACKGROUND

Ports are susceptible to the arrival of non-indigenous species (NIS) which can subsequently become invasive through maritime traffic. In the Philippines, few studies have been conducted about macrofouling communities in marine vessel-frequented areas. Batangas Port is an international port serving the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, and docks vessels from areas around the globe. Baseline information of fouling communities in this area is essential as this can allow detection of NIS and alert the community about their presence. It can serve as basis for crafting of guidelines and mitigation measures for possible scenarios regarding the NIS' invasive potential.

Three sampling sites in close proximity to Batangas Port in Brgy. Sta. Clara, Batangas City were studied using biofouling collectors. Fouler collector design was adapted from the North Pacific Marine Sciences Organization (PICES) design. Collectors were deployed in an unused pier, aquaculture pond and mangrove area from November 2014 to January 2015. Retrieved biofoulers were identified using taxonomic keys, and diversity indices were computed.

A total of 1044 individuals were collected in the plates submerged at the sampling sites. These organisms belonged to six phyla and at least nine classes. The community included bivalves, gastropods, polychaetes, and tunicates. A nonindigenous polychaete, Eumida sanguinea, was detected in the retrieval. Values of biodiversity indices indicate low biodiversity, and species evenness values are low as well.

The study generated a baseline listing of organisms in the port area and showed a roster of indigenous invertebrates. However, a NIS has been detected. The list is essential as it can be used to alert communities surrounding the port about the presence of NIS so that ecological, economic, and health impacts can be minimized, and monitoring be done regularly.

Objective: To investigate the association between the distribution of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in EBV associated lymphoepitheliomatoid carcinoma (LELC) and the pathological subtypes of LELC, as well as the clinical significance of TIL distribution. Methods: The LELC patients with sufficient tumor tissues, complete clinical data and positive EBER, who visited Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China from January 2006 to October 2018, were selected. Various immunohistochemical markers (CD20, CD138, CD4, CD8, CD56 and FOXP3) were examined for TIL typing. Two pathologists reviewed the hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining sections and interpreted the immunohistochemical results. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the distribution of TIL subgroups and LELC's pathological characteristics. Survival analyses were conducted to study the prognostic values of TIL subgrouping. Results: A total of 102 patients with EBV related LELC were included. 46 of them were classic LELC (c-LELC) with rich interstitial TIL, and 56 were non-classic LELC (n-LELC) with relatively fewer interstitial TIL. The results of TIL analysis showed that all subtypes of c-LELC were rich in TIL, with B lymphocytes as the dominant subgroup. The number of TIL in n-LELC was fewer than that in c-LELC, with T lymphocytes as the dominant subgroup. There was no significant difference in the distribution of plasma cells between the two groups. Survival analysis showed that the total number of TIL, and the infiltrations of CD20⁺B cells, CD4⁺T cells, and FOXP3⁺Treg cells were associated with better overall survivals (P=0.004, 0.003, 0.008 and 0.025, respectively) and disease-free survivals (P=0.011, 0.003, 0.038 and 0.041, respectively) in patients with LELC. Conclusions: The morphologic subtypes of EBV-related LELC have different tumor immune characteristics. The total number of TIL in the stroma of c-LELC is significantly higher than that of n-LELC. Interestingly, B lymphocytes are the dominant TIL in c-LELC, while T lymphocytes are the dominant TIL in n-LELC. The infiltration of TIL, CD20⁺B cells, CD4⁺T cells and FOXP3⁺Treg cells in LELC may suggest a better prognosis.
Humans ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Clinical Relevance ; Prognosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Forkhead Transcription Factors

Eurotiales is a relatively large order of Ascomycetes, well-known for their ability to produce secondary metabolites with potential beneficial applications. To understand their diversity and distribution, different environmental sources including soil, freshwater, insect, and indoor air were investigated. Eight strains of Eurotiales were isolated and identified based on their morphological characters and a multi-gene phylogenetic analysis of the ITS, BenA, CaM, and RPB2 regions. We identified eight taxa that were previously not reported from Korea: Aspergillus baeticus, A. griseoaurantiacus, A. spinulosporus, Penicillium anthracinoglaciei, P. labradorum, P.nalgiovense, Talaromyces atroroseus, and T. georgiensis. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic tree for the eight new records species are presented, and information regarding the records is also discussed.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been widely used as a therapy for refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, it remains unclear which exact target and stimulation sequence of rTMS is most effective for OCD. Here, we report the case of an 18-year-old female with treatment-refractory OCD whose symptoms markedly improved after combined rTMS and intermittent theta-burst stimulation over the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and supplementary motor area. Our report indicates that combining treatment sequences that stimulate different brain regions sequentially is feasible and may clinically benefit patients suffering from OCD.

Background: The established recommendations and guidelines regarding ideal measurements for an attractive face are mostly based on data gathered among Caucasian population. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perception of 3-dimensional facial attractiveness and golden ratio, neoclassical canons, ‘ideal’ ratios and ‘ideal’ angles in Hong Kong Chinese. Methods: Thirty 3-D photographs (15 males and 15 females) were shown to 101 laypersons and 60 patients seeking orthognathic treatment. The photographs were rated based on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 (very unattractive) to 100 (very attractive). Results: More than half of the measurements (42/77) in females and thirty-two measurements in males were found to be significantly different from the ideal target value (p < 0.05) upon the comparison of the attractive faces with golden ratio, neoclassical canons, ‘ideal’ ratios and ‘ideal’ angles. Meanwhile, correlation tests between VAS scores and the parameters detected significant results (p < 0.05) in only six ratios, eight angles, one neoclassical canon and one proportion. Conclusions Despite several renowned ‘ideal’ parameters of attractive faces that have been recommended in the literature, only a few of them were found to be significantly correlated with attractive faces in Hong Kong Chinese.

Paediatric surgery is a traumatic experience, often accompanied by anxiety in parents. There have been many studies regarding pre-operative anxiety among children, however, there are limited studies exploring the anxiety levels of parents accompanying their child for surgery. This study aims to identify the presence of depression, anxiety, and stress among parents of children undergoing elective surgery in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. The study population consisted of children who were scheduled for elective minor surgery between January 2018 to June 2018. The 21-item depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21) questionnaire was used. The majority of accompanying parents had a normal depression, anxiety, and stress scores. However, there was severe to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress in some parents. The results showed that accompanying parents with higher level of fear tend to develop more anxiety and stress. There were no significant changes in their scores in relation to gender, history of previous surgery or history of anaesthesia clinic visit. Anxiety among accompanying parents in children undergoing surgery is an underestimated problem. It needs to be identified and managed effectively to provide better care to the child undergoing surgery and anaesthesia.
Anaesthesia

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) are evidenced-based treatments for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who fail to respond to standard first-line therapies. However, although various TMS protocols have been proven to be clinically effective, the response rate varies across clinical applications due to the heterogeneity of real-world psychiatric comorbidities, such as generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or substance use disorder, which are often observed in patients with MDD. Therefore, individualized treatment approaches are important to increase treatment response by assigning a given patient to the most optimal TMS treatment protocol based on his or her individual profile. This literature review summarizes different rTMS or TBS protocols that have been applied in researches investigating MDD patients with certain psychiatric comorbidities and discusses biomarkers that may be used to predict rTMS treatment response. Furthermore, we highlight the need for the validation of neuroimaging and electrophysiological biomarkers associated with rTMS treatment responses. Finally, we discuss on which directions future efforts should focus for developing the personalization of the treatment of depression with rTMS or iTBS.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) are evidenced-based treatments for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who fail to respond to standard first-line therapies. However, although various TMS protocols have been proven to be clinically effective, the response rate varies across clinical applications due to the heterogeneity of real-world psychiatric comorbidities, such as generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or substance use disorder, which are often observed in patients with MDD. Therefore, individualized treatment approaches are important to increase treatment response by assigning a given patient to the most optimal TMS treatment protocol based on his or her individual profile. This literature review summarizes different rTMS or TBS protocols that have been applied in researches investigating MDD patients with certain psychiatric comorbidities and discusses biomarkers that may be used to predict rTMS treatment response. Furthermore, we highlight the need for the validation of neuroimaging and electrophysiological biomarkers associated with rTMS treatment responses. Finally, we discuss on which directions future efforts should focus for developing the personalization of the treatment of depression with rTMS or iTBS.

Recently, a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (B.1.1.529) Omicron variant originated from South Africa in the middle of November 2021. SARS-CoV-2 is also called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19. Several studies already suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant would be the fastest transmissible variant compared to the previous 10 SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, interest, and alert. Few clinical studies reported the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant but there is insufficient time to perform actual experiments to prove it, since the spread is so fast. We analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, which revealed a very high rate of mutation at amino acid residues that interact with angiostatin-converting enzyme 2. The mutation rate of COVID-19 is faster than what we prepared vaccine program, antibody therapy, lockdown, and quarantine against COVID-19 so far. Thus, it is necessary to find better strategies to overcome the current crisis of COVID-19 pandemic.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is a positive-sense singlestranded RNA (+ssRNA) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The viral genome encodes twelve genes for viral replication and infection. The third open reading frame is the spike (S) gene that encodes for the spike glycoprotein interacting with specific cell surface receptor – angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) – on the host cell membrane. Most recent studies identified a single point mutation in S gene. A single point mutation in S gene leading to an amino acid substitution at codon 614 from an aspartic acid 614 into glycine (D614G) resulted in greater infectivity compared to the wild type SARS-CoV2. We were interested in investigating the mutation region of S gene of SARS-CoV2 from Korean COVID-19 patients. New mutation sites were found in the critical receptor binding domain (RBD) of S gene, which is adjacent to the aforementioned D614G mutation residue. This specific sequence data demonstrated the active progression of SARS-CoV2 by mutations in the RBD of S gene.The sequence information of new mutations is critical to the development of recombinant SARS-CoV2 spike antigens, which may be required to improve and advance the strategy against a wide range of possible SARS-CoV2 mutations.