The Ross operation is the preferred treatment for aortic valve replacement in children. However, previous studies indicate that the outcomes in neonates are poor. This meta-analysis examines the pooled outcomes of the Ross operation in neonates.
 
  Four major databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and ScienceDirect) were searched from inception until 5/1/2020 for studies describing outcomes of the Ross operation in neonates. The primary outcome was early mortality. The secondary outcomes were late mortality, and mechanical support. Random-effects models were used to account for possible heterogeneity between the studies and continuity corrections were used to include zero total event trials.
 
  Eighteen studies comprising outcomes data on 181 neonates were included in the analysis. Meta-analysis showed a pooled early mortality rate of 24% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 12% - 38%, I
  =52%, P for heterogeneity=0.01). Meta-regression analysis showed that more recently published studies reported significantly worse early mortality (p = 0.03). The late mortality rate was 43%. The pooled incidence of postoperative mechanical support was 15% (95% CI = 5% - 28%, I
  =28%, P for heterogeneity=0.22). There was no evidence for publication bias according to Egger's test (bias coefficient=0.21, P=0.57).
 
  The neonatal Ross operation carries a high early mortality rate. The treatment of unrepairable aortic valves in neonates remains an unsolved problem in congenital cardiac surgery.
 The neonatal Ross operation carries a high early mortality rate. The treatment of unrepairable aortic valves in neonates remains an unsolved problem in congenital cardiac surgery.
  The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the type of ring used had an impact on the long-term results of mitral repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR), due to posterior leaflet prolapse, treated with quadrangular/triangular resection.
 
  From January 2002 to December 2008, 1406 patients with severe MR due to posterior leaflet prolapse underwent mitral repair. Out of them, we selected 452 consecutive patients treated with the same repair approach. Mitral annuloplasty to complete the repair was performed with a posterior flexible band (n = 260) or a complete semi-rigid ring (n = 192). The two groups were comparable at baseline and their clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were compared at long-term follow-up.
 
  Overall survival at 14 years was similar (p = 0.29). The Cumulative Incidence Function of cardiac death, with non-cardiac death as competing risk, showed no difference (p = 0.71). At 14 years, probability of recurrence of MR ≥ 3+ was 1.11% in the flexible band group and 3.25% in the sor leaflet prolapse, treated with the same repair approach, the type of annuloplasty ring has no impact on the incidence of cardiac death and recurrence of mitral regurgitation at 14 years. Whether these findings remain stable at longer follow-up should be further investigated.Quick and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for COVID-19 control. Dozens of real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assays have been developed to meet the urgent need of COVID-19 control. However, methodological comparisons among the developed qRT-PCR assays are limited. In the present study, we evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, amplification efficiency, and linear detection ranges of three qRT-PCR assays, including the assays developed by our group (IPBCAMS), and the assays recommended by WHO and China CDC (CCDC). The three qRT-PCR assays exhibited similar sensitivities, with the limit of detection (LoD) at about 10 copies per reaction (except the ORF 1b gene assay in CCDC assays with a LoD at about 100 copies per reaction). No cross reaction with other respiratory viruses were observed in all of the three qRT-PCR assays. Wide linear detection ranges from 106 to 101 copies per reaction and acceptable reproducibility were obtained. By using 25 clinical specimens, the N gene assay of IPBCAMS assays and CCDC assays performed better (with detection rates of 92 % and 100 %, respectively) than that of the WHO assays (with a detection rate of 60 %), and the ORF 1b gene assay in IPBCAMS assays performed better (with a detection rate of 64 %) than those of the WHO assays and the CCDC assays (with detection rates of 48 % and 20 %, respectively). In conclusion, the N gene assays of CCDC assays and IPBCAMS assays and the ORF 1b gene assay of IPBCAMS assays were recommended for qRT-PCR screening of SARS-CoV-2.Convalescent plasma is plasma collected from individuals after resolution of an infection and the development of antibodies.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Decitabine.html  Passive antibody administration by transfusion of convalescent plasma is currently in clinical evaluations to treat COVID-19 patients. The level of neutralizing antibodies vary among convalescent patients and fast and simple methods to identify suitable plasma donations are needed. We compared three methods to determine the SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing activity of human convalescent plasma life virus neutralization by plaque reduction assay, a lentiviral vector based pseudotype neutralization assay and a competition ELISA-based surrogate virus neutralization assay (sVNT). Neutralization activity correlated among the different assays; however the sVNT assay was overvaluing the low neutralizing plasma. On the other hand, the sVNT assay required the lowest biosafety level, is fast and is sufficient to identify highly neutralizing plasma samples. Though weakly neutralizing samples were more reliable detected by the more challenging lentiviral vector based assays or virus neutralization assays. Spike receptor binding competition assays are suitable to identify highly neutralizing plasma samples under low biosafety requirements. Detailed analysis of in vitro neutralization activity requires more sophisticated methods that have to be performed under higher biosafety levels.Undoubtedly, there is a tremendous concern regarding the new viral strain "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2" (SARS-CoV-2) and its related disease known as COVID-19. The World Health Organization has stated that SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted from person-to-person close contact, as well as by small aerosol respiratory droplets. Moreover, the results of some recent studies about the role of air pollution on the spread and lethality of the novel coronavirus suggest that air contaminants could be also a transmission pathway of the virus. On the other hand, indirect transmission of the virus cannot be discarded. Among many sources of indirect transmission, there is the contamination of inert/inanimate surfaces. This manuscript was aimed at reviewing the scientific literature currently available in PubMed and Scopus. The results of the reviewed studies point out that SARS-CoV-2 can last on different surfaces from hours to a few days. However, rapid SARS-CoV-2 inactivation is possible by applying commonly available chemicals and biocides on inanimate surfaces.