We propose that the present method of inducing MV production with glycine can be used for emerging biotechnological applications of MVs that have immunomodulatory activities, while dramatically reducing the presence of endotoxins. © 2020 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It is divided into sub-categories based upon morphology, immunostaining pattern, biology, molecular profile, and/or treatment options. Up until the early 2000s when driver mutations with targeted therapies were identified in a subset of adenocarcinomas, the most critical distinction of lung carcinomas was driven by differences in treatment between small cell carcinoma (SCC) and nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The distinction between SCC and NSCLC remains critical in the 21st century for management, especially for advanced stage cancer. In the vast majority of cases, morphological features are sufficient to separate SCC from other types of lung cancers. In some instances, however, cytomorphological features and immunohistochemical overlap with other tumors, limited sample availability, and/or crush artifact pose diagnostic challenges. The aim of this review is to highlight salient features of SCC and ancillary studies to distinguish it from common and uncommon potential mimickers, as well as provide updates in genomics and management. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.BACKGROUND Nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are increasingly used in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing elective cardioversion (ECV). The aim was to investigate the use of NOACs and warfarin in ECV in a real-life setting and to assess how the chosen regimen affected the delay to ECV and rate of complications. METHODS Consecutive AF patients undergoing ECVs in the city hospitals of Helsinki between January 2015 and December 2016 were studied. Data on patient characteristics, delays to cardioversion, anticoagulation treatment, acute ( less then 30 days) complications, and regimen changes within one year were evaluated. RESULTS Nine hundred patients (59.2% men; mean age, 68.0 ± 10.0) underwent 992 ECVs, of which 596 (60.0%) were performed using NOACs and 396 (40.0%) using warfarin. The mean CHA2 DS2 -VASc score was 2.5 (±1.6). In patients without previous anticoagulation treatment, NOACs were associated with a shorter mean time to cardioversion than warfarin (51 versus. 68 days, respectively; p less then .001). Six thromboembolic events (0.6%) occurred 4 (0.7%) in NOAC-treated patients and 2 (0.5%) in warfarin-treated patients. Clinically relevant bleeding events occurred in seven patients (1.8%) receiving warfarin and three patients (0.5%) receiving NOACs. Anticoagulation treatment was altered for 99 patients (11.0%) during the study period, with the majority (88.2%) of changes from warfarin to NOACs. CONCLUSIONS In this real-life study, the rates of thromboembolic and bleeding complications were low in AF patients undergoing ECV. Patients receiving NOAC therapy had a shorter time to cardioversion and continued their anticoagulation therapy more often than patients on warfarin. © The Authors. Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), is highly contagious with devastating impacts for healthcare systems worldwide. Medical staff are at high risk of viral contamination and it is imperative to know what personal protective equipment is appropriate for each situation. Furthermore, elective clinics and operations have been reduced in order to mobilize manpower to the acute specialties combatting the outbreak; appropriate differentiation between patients who require immediate care and those who can receive telephone consultation or whose treatment might viably be postponed is therefore crucial. Italy was one of the earliest and hardest-hit European countries and therefore the Italian Skull Base Society board has promulgated specific recommendations based on consensus best practices and the literature, where available. Only urgent surgical operations are recommended and all patients should be tested at least twice (on days 4 and 2 prior to surgery). For positive patients, procedures should be postponed until after swab test negativization. If the procedure is vital to the survival of the patient, FFP3 and/or PAPRs devices, goggles, full-face visor, double gloves, water-resistant gowns and protective caps, are mandatory. Exarafenib molecular weight For negative patients, use of at least FFP2 mask is recommended. In all cases the use of drills, which promote the aerosolization of potentially infected mucous particles, should be avoided. Given the potential neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2, dura handling should be minimized. It is only through widely-agreed protocols and teamwork that we will be able to deal with the evolving and complex implications of this new pandemic. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare the microbiota of pediatric patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) who are undergoing adenoidectomy to treat their disease with that of healthy control patients. METHODS Patients undergoing adenoidectomy-only for obstructive sleep apnea (n = 50) and CRS (n = 37) were recruited. Pre-op Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SN5 or SNOT22) was collected. Each patient had samples collected from their nasopharynx (adenoid bed) and nasal cavity (sinus) at the onset of surgery. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was subsequently performed to obtain per sample taxonomic abundances. Statistical analyses included PERMANOVA, alpha (within sample) diversity measures, and changes in taxonomic abundance. RESULTS Moraxella was the most abundant organism. Nasopharyngeal swabs demonstrated higher alpha diversity compared to the nasal cavity. The diversity was not different based on CRS versus obstructive history. There was an increase in diversity with increasing age, and eczema contributed to a greater difference in diversity between the nasopharynx and nasal cavity.Exarafenib molecular weight