Validation of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics nutrition checklist and obstetric Nutritional Risk Screening tool to identify risk of malnutrition in hospitalized pregnant women.

Early detection of nutritional status in pregnancy is important to ensure healthy outcomes for pregnant women and children. Several malnutrition screening tools were recommended to be used in pregnant women. Thus, the purpose of this study was to validate the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Nutrition Checklist and Obstetric Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) by comparing their results with the reference standards.

Microplastic accumulation in sewer sediments and its potential entering the environment via combined sewer overflows: a study case in Paris.

During wet weather events, combined sewer overflows (CSOs) transfer large amount of particulate matter and associated pollutants into surrounding water bodies, thereby deteriorating the recipients' ecological health. Resuspension of sewer sediments during these events contributes significantly to pollution level of these discharges. However, how much this in-sewer process contributes to CSOs' quality regarding microplastic (MP) pollution is little known.

Instrument-free, visual and direct detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses in resource-limited settings.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) caused by PRRS virus (PRRSV) is one of the most complicated and dangerous diseases in pigs with high mortality since it modulates the immune system of the lungs and has been closely associated with secondary infection of other lethal bacteria and viruses. The gold standard of molecular diagnosis for PRRSV, reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, is time-consuming, expensive and requires transportation of samples to a specialized laboratory. In this study, a direct colorimetric RT-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method was developed to specifically and rapidly detect PRRSV.

Microplastics in two German wastewater treatment plants: Year-long effluent analysis with FTIR and Py-GC/MS.

Microplastics (MP) have been recorded in various environments around the globe. For a better understanding of distribution patterns and for providing a basis for risk assessments, detailed data on MP concentrations and polymer compositions are required. This study investigated the effluents of two German wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) monthly over one year, in order to better understand their temporal input of MP into the receiving river systems.

Reuse of waste sludge from water treatment plants and fly ash for manufacturing of adobe bricks.

Reuse of sludge from a water treatment plant and fly ash for the manufacturing of adobe brick is a feasible approach for practical applications due to the numerous benefits from the cost savings of construction materials and the reduction of environmental pollution. In this study, sludge from a groundwater treatment plant and fly ash from a thermal power plant were used as alternative aggregates to replace clay, a traditional component for brick making. The main objective of this study is to produce adobe bricks by using hydraulic press technology.

A polyvalent inactivated rhinovirus vaccine is broadly immunogenic in rhesus macaques.

As the predominant aetiological agent of the common cold, human rhinovirus (HRV) is the leading cause of human infectious disease. Early studies showed that a monovalent formalin-inactivated HRV vaccine can be protective, and virus-neutralizing antibodies (nAb) correlated with protection. However, co-circulation of many HRV types discouraged further vaccine efforts.

EGFR Interacts with the Fusion Protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Strain 2-20 and Mediates Infection and Mucin Expression.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of viral lower respiratory tract illness in children. In contrast to the RSV prototypic strain A2, clinical isolate RSV 2-20 induces airway mucin expression in mice, a clinically relevant phenotype dependent on the fusion (F) protein of the RSV strain. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a role in airway mucin expression in other systems; therefore, we hypothesized that the RSV 2-20 F protein stimulates EGFR signaling.

Recent advances of vaccine adjuvants for infectious diseases.

Vaccines are the most effective and cost-efficient method for preventing diseases caused by infectious pathogens. Despite the great success of vaccines, development of safe and strong vaccines is still required for emerging new pathogens, re-emerging old pathogens, and in order to improve the inadequate protection conferred by existing vaccines. One of the most important strategies for the development of effective new vaccines is the selection and usage of a suitable adjuvant.