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Investigating the real impact of covid-19 pandemic on the daily neurosurgical practice? | Objective: The objective of this study was to relate the neurosurgical activity during a time of sanitary crisis such as experienced during the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic. Methods: A monocentric retrospective analysis was made based on a prospectively gathered cohort of all patients requiring neurosurgical care between March 15th and May 12th, 2020. Local impact of SARS-CoV-2 was analysed regarding number of patients admitted in ICU. Results: 160 patients could benefit from neurosurgical care with a wide-ranging profile of clinical and surgical activities performed during the study that seemed similar to last year profile activity. Surgical indications were restricted to nondeferrable surgeries, leading to a drop in operative volume of 50%. Only 1,3% of patients required transfer to other units due to the impossibility of providing gold standard neurosurgical care in our centre. Conclusion: Despite the challenges represented by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it was proven possible to assure the routine neurosurgical continuity and provide high standards of neurosurgical care without compromising patients’ access to the required treatments. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Effective pressure and treatment duration of high hydrostatic pressure to prepare melanoma vaccines. | Current therapeutic methods for melanoma have numerous limitations, and thus the improvement of such treatment methods are essential. One possible option is the vaccination of autologous inactivated tumor cells. The primary indispensable principles of a cell-based melanoma vaccine include: i) Entire inactivation of melanoma cells; ii) retaining the immunogenicity of melanoma cells; and iii) adherence to laws and ethical guidelines. However, traditional methods for the production of the vaccine, such as ultrasonic, chemotherapeutics and freeze-thawing, have some juridical or therapeutic constraints. Therefore, the present study used high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) to inactivate malignant cells, and treated B16-F10 tumor cells with different pressures (≥50 MPa) and different durations (≥1 min). It was identified that tumor cells in vitro lost their proliferative ability, but retained their immunogenicity following treatment. Furthermore, the vaccination of the melanoma cells significantly suppressed their oncogenesis. Collectively, the present results suggest that HHP treatment may be an economically viable and effective measure to develop a melanoma vaccine, when pressure was ≥200 MPa and the treatment duration was ≥30 min. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A Preterm Case of Cow’s Milk Allergy Presenting with Recurrent Ascites Treated with Donor Breast Milk | We report a case of a preterm infant who developed cow’s milk allergy. This male infant presented with recurrent ascites and was successfully treated with donated breast milk. He was born at 24 weeks’ gestation with a birthweight of 506 g. From day 20, infant formula, soy protein-based formula, and casein-hydrolyzed formula were used due to insufficient maternal lactation. This resulted in abdominal distention, generalized edema, and recurrent ascites. We diagnosed him with cow’s milk allergy since these symptoms improved on exclusive breast milk feeding. No recurrence of symptoms occurred when donated breast milk was used in combination with the mother’s own milk. Ascites should be regarded as a clinical symptom of neonatal cow’s milk allergy. Donated breast milk may be effective in the treatment of the allergy if breastfeeding is not available. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Estimation of COVID-19 epidemiology curve of the United States using genetic programming algorithm | Estimation of the epidemiology curve for the COVID-19 pandemic can be a very computationally challenging task Thus far, there have been some implementations of artificial intelligence (AI) methods applied to develop epidemiology curve for a specific country However, most applied AI methods generated models that are almost impossible to translate into a mathematical equation In this paper, the AI method called genetic programming (GP) algorithm is utilized to develop a symbolic expression (mathematical equation) which can be used for the estimation of the epidemiology curve for the entire U S with high accuracy The GP algorithm is utilized on the publicly available dataset that contains the number of confirmed, deceased and recovered patients for each U S state to obtain the symbolic expression for the estimation of the number of the aforementioned patient groups The dataset consists of the latitude and longitude of the central location for each state and the number of patients in each of the goal groups for each day in the period of 22 January 2020-3 December 2020 The obtained symbolic expressions for each state are summed up to obtain symbolic expressions for estimation of each of the patient groups (confirmed, deceased and recovered) These symbolic expressions are combined to obtain the symbolic expression for the estimation of the epidemiology curve for the entire U S The obtained symbolic expressions for the estimation of the number of confirmed, deceased and recovered patients for each state achieved R 2 R2 score in the ranges 0 9406-0 9992, 0 9404-0 9998 and 0 9797-0 99955, respectively These equations are summed up to formulate symbolic expressions for the estimation of the number of confirmed, deceased and recovered patients for the entire U S with achieved R 2 R2 score of 0 9992, 0 9997 and 0 9996, respectively Using these symbolic expressions, the equation for the estimation of the epidemiology curve for the entire U S is formulated which achieved R 2 R2 score of 0 9933 Investigation showed that GP algorithm can produce symbolic expressions for the estimation of the number of confirmed, recovered and deceased patients as well as the epidemiology curve not only for the states but for the entire U S with very high accuracy | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Superiority of Transcriptional Profiling Over Procalcitonin for Distinguishing Bacterial From Viral Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Hospitalized Adults | Background. Distinguishing between bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) remains challenging. Transcriptional profiling is a promising tool for improving diagnosis in LRTI. Methods. We performed whole blood transcriptional analysis in 118 patients (median age [interquartile range], 61 [50–76] years) hospitalized with LRTI and 40 age-matched healthy controls (median age, 60 [46–70] years). We applied class comparisons, modular analysis, and class prediction algorithms to identify and validate diagnostic biosignatures for bacterial and viral LRTI. Results. Patients were classified as having bacterial (n = 22), viral (n = 71), or bacterial-viral LRTI (n = 25) based on comprehensive microbiologic testing. Compared with healthy controls, statistical group comparisons (P < .01; multiple-test corrections) identified 3376 differentially expressed genes in patients with bacterial LRTI, 2391 in viral LRTI, and 2628 in bacterial-viral LRTI. Patients with bacterial LRTI showed significant overexpression of inflammation and neutrophil genes (bacterial > bacterial-viral > viral), and those with viral LRTI displayed significantly greater overexpression of interferon genes (viral > bacterial-viral > bacterial). The K–nearest neighbors algorithm identified 10 classifier genes that discriminated between bacterial and viral LRTI with a 95% sensitivity (95% confidence interval, 77%–100%) and 92% specificity (77%–98%), compared with a sensitivity of 38% (18%–62%) and a specificity of 91% (76%–98%) for procalcitonin. Conclusions. Transcriptional profiling is a helpful tool for diagnosis of LRTI. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Critical Care in Obstetrics: A Strategy for Addressing Maternal Mortality. | The acute rise in maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States is in part due to an increasingly medically complex obstetric population. An estimated 1-3% of all obstetric patients require intensive care, making the timely delivery and availability of critical care imperative. The shifting landscape in obstetric acuity places a burden on obstetric providers, many of whom have limited experience in identifying and responding to critical illness. The Levels of Maternal Care definitions by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) designate hospitals based on the availability of obstetric resources and highlight the need for critical care resources and expertise. The growing need for critical care skills in the evolving contemporary obstetric landscape serves as an opportunity to redefine the concept of the delivery of care for high-risk obstetric patients. We summarize key tenets in the prevention of maternal morbidity and mortality, including the use of evidence-based tools for risk stratification and timely referral of patients to facilities with appropriate resources; innovative pathways for hospitals to provide critical care consultations on labor and delivery; and the training of obstetric providers in high-yield critical care skills such as point-of-care ultrasonography. These critical care focused interventions are key in addressing an increasingly complex obstetric patient population while providing an educational foundation for the training of future obstetric providers. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
BK papova virus pneumonia following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation | BK papova virus infection is frequently seen after bone marrow transplantation as a causative agent of hemorrhagic cystitis. We report an 8-month-old child with osteopetrosis who died of a severe interstitial pneumonia after receiving an unrelated umbilical cord transplant. On autopsy, BK virus was detected in the lung tissue using immunofluorescence assay, cell culture and PCR. No other pathogens were recovered. BK virus infection should be considered as a cause of interstitial pneumonia in children undergoing transplantation. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The most indolent ulcers of the skin treated with porcine xenografts and silver ions. | Cutaneous ulcers associated with Hansen's disease have long been recognized as among the most indolent of all ulcers. We have successfully treated such ulcers with porcine xenograft, achieving healing in ulcers which had been present for as much as three decades. These results suggest that this regimen may be applicable to other cutaneous ulcers wherever skin is missing. The newly available antibacterial effects of silver-impregnated porcine xenografts should have the result of increasing the effectiveness of the treatment still further. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A Modified Epidemiological Model to Understand the Uneven Impact of COVID-19 on Vulnerable Individuals and the Approaches Required to Help them Emerge from Lockdown | COVID-19 has shown a relatively low mortality rate in young healthy individuals, with the majority of this group being asymptomatic or having mild symptoms, while the severity of the disease among individuals with underlying health conditions has caused signiffcant mortality rates worldwide. Understanding these differences in mortality amongst different sectors of society and modelling this will enable the different levels of risk and vulnerabilities to be determined to enable strategies exit the lockdown. However, epidemiological models do not account for the variability encountered in the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 disease across different population groups. To overcome this limitation, it is proposed that a modiffed SEIR model, namely SEIR-v, through which the population is separated into two groups regarding their vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 is applied. This enables the analysis of the spread of the epidemic when different contention measures are applied to different groups in society regarding their vulnerability to the disease. A Monte Carlo simulation indicates a large number of deaths could be avoided by slightly decreasing the exposure of vulnerable groups to the disease. From this modelling a number of mechanisms can be proposed to limit the exposure of vulnerable individuals to the disease in order to reduce the mortality rate among this group. One option could be the provision of a wristband to vulnerable people and those without a contact-tracing app. By combining very dense contact tracing data from smartphone apps and wristband signals with information about infection status and symptoms, vulnerable people can be protected and kept safer. Widespread utilisation would extend the protection further beyond these high risk groups. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Heteromultivalent topology-matched nanostructures as potent and broad-spectrum influenza A virus inhibitors | Here, we report the topology-matched design of heteromultivalent nanostructures as potent and broad-spectrum virus entry inhibitors based on the host cell membrane. Initially, we investigate the virus binding dynamics to validate the better binding performance of the heteromultivalent moieties as compared to homomultivalent ones. The heteromultivalent binding moieties are transferred to nanostructures with a bowl-like shape matching the viral spherical surface. Unlike the conventional homomultivalent inhibitors, the heteromultivalent ones exhibit a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 32.4 ± 13.7 µg/ml due to the synergistic multivalent effects and the topology-matched shape. At a dose without causing cellular toxicity, >99.99% reduction of virus propagation has been achieved. Since multiple binding sites have also been identified on the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), we envision that the use of heteromultivalent nanostructures may also be applied to develop a potent inhibitor to prevent coronavirus infection. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Fact or fiction: Verifying scientific claims | We introduce scientific claim verification, a new task to select abstracts from the research literature containing evidence that SUPPORTS or REFUTES a given scientific claim, and to identify rationales justifying each decision. To study this task, we construct SCIFACT, a dataset of 1.4K expert-written scientific claims paired with evidence-containing abstracts annotated with labels and rationales. We develop baseline models for SCIFACT, and demonstrate that simple domain adaptation techniques substantially improve performance compared to models trained on Wikipedia or political news. We show that our system is able to verify claims related to COVID-19 by identifying evidence from the CORD-19 corpus. Our experiments indicate that SCIFACT will provide a challenging testbed for the development of new systems designed to retrieve and reason over corpora containing specialized domain knowledge. Data and code for this new task are publicly available at https://github.com/allenai/scifact. A leader-board and COVID-19 fact-checking demo are available at https://scifact.apps.allenai.org. © 2020 Association for Computational Linguistics. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Parental neuroticism and negative discipline: The role of household chaos and parental perspective taking | Understanding effects of parental negative discipline is critical for promoting positive child development. Research has increasingly investigated how individual characteristics and contextual factors affect parents' negative discipline. The present study was aimed to explain the association between parental neuroticism and negative discipline by examining the mediating role of household chaos and the moderating role of parental cognitive perspective taking. In a longitudinal design, the study assessed parents' self-report of negative discipline at two time points 1 year apart. One hundred and thirty-four parents of children aged 4-7 years were recruited in Hong Kong. Data were analyzed using Bayesian estimation. The findings revealed that parent-rated household chaos mediated the association between parental neuroticism and negative discipline. Parental perspective taking alleviated the mediational pathway but not the directional association. Specifically, when parents displayed a higher level of cognitive perspective taking, the indirect association between parental neuroticism and negative discipline was no longer significant. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings for negative discipline were discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved). | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A fused-image-based approach to detect obstructive sleep apnea using a single-lead ECG and a 2D convolutional neural network | Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic sleep disorder that disrupts breathing during sleep and is associated with many other medical conditions, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and depression. Clinically, the standard for diagnosing OSA involves nocturnal polysomnography (PSG). However, this requires expert human intervention and considerable time, which limits the availability of OSA diagnosis in public health sectors. Therefore, electrocardiogram (ECG)-based methods for OSA detection have been proposed to automate the polysomnography procedure and reduce its discomfort. So far, most of the proposed approaches rely on feature engineering, which calls for advanced expert knowledge and experience. This paper proposes a novel fused-image-based technique that detects OSA using only a single-lead ECG signal. In the proposed approach, a convolutional neural network extracts features automatically from images created with one-minute ECG segments. The proposed network comprises 37 layers, including four residual blocks, a dense layer, a dropout layer, and a soft-max layer. In this study, three time–frequency representations, namely the scalogram, the spectrogram, and the Wigner–Ville distribution, were used to investigate the effectiveness of the fused-image-based approach. We found that blending scalogram and spectrogram images further improved the system’s discriminative characteristics. Seventy ECG recordings from the PhysioNet Apnea-ECG database were used to train and evaluate the proposed model using 10-fold cross validation. The results of this study demonstrated that the proposed classifier can perform OSA detection with an average accuracy, recall, and specificity of 92.4%, 92.3%, and 92.6%, respectively, for the fused spectral images. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Prognostic Significance of Chest Imaging by LUS and CT in COVID-19 Inpatients: The ECOVID Multicenter Study | BACKGROUND: Point-of-care lung ultrasound (LUS) score is a semiquantitative score of lung damage severity. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the gold standard method to evaluate the severity of lung involvement from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Few studies have investigated the clinical significance of LUS and HRCT scores in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic yield of LUS and of HRCT in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: We carried out a multicenter, retrospective study aimed at evaluating the prognostic yield of LUS and HRCT by exploring the survival curve of COVID-19 inpatients. LUS and chest CT scores were calculated retrospectively by 2 radiologists with >10 years of experience in chest imaging, and the decisions were reached in consensus. LUS score was calculated on the basis of the presence or not of pleural line abnormalities, B-lines, and lung consolidations. The total score (range 0–36) was obtained from the sum of the highest scores obtained in each region. CT score was calculated for each of the 5 lobes considering the anatomical extension according to the percentage parenchymal involvement. The resulting overall global semiquantitative CT score was the sum of each single lobar score and ranged from 0 (no involvement) to 25 (maximum involvement). RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three COVID-19 inpatients (mean age 65 ± 15 years; 65% M), including 23 (15%) in-hospital deaths for any cause over a mean follow-up of 14 days were included. Mean LUS and CT scores were 19 ± 12 and 10 ± 7, respectively. A strong positive linear correlation between LUS and CT scores (Pearson correlation r = 0.754; R2 = 0.568; p < 0.001) was observed. By ROC curve analysis, the optimal cut-point for mortality prediction was 20 for LUS score and 4.5 for chest CT score. According to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, in-hospital mortality significantly increased among COVID-19 patients presenting with an LUS score ≥20 (log-rank 0.003; HR 9.87, 95% CI: 2.22–43.83) or a chest CT score ≥4.5 (HR 4.34, 95% CI: 0.97–19.41). At multivariate Cox regression analysis, LUS score was the sole independent predictor of in-hospital mortality yielding an adjusted HR of 7.42 (95% CI: 1.59–34.5). CONCLUSION: LUS score is useful to stratify the risk in COVID-19 patients, predicting those that are at high risk of mortality. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Hydroxysteroid 17-Beta Dehydrogenase 6 Is a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlates with Immune Infiltrates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma | BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy worldwide with poor outcomes. Therefore, it is important to identify a valuable prognostic biomarker for HCC. The present study aimed to identify novel prognostic biomarkers for HCC and evaluate the potential role of hub genes in HCC. METHODS: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and protein–protein interaction analysis were performed to identify important potential prognostic genes. The expression of hub genes was confirmed by the GEPIA, Oncomine, UALCAN, and HPA database. Furthermore, survival analysis of hub genes was performed using the Kaplan–Meier plotter database. Finally, we investigated the association between hub genes and immune factors in HCC through GSEA, the TIMER, and TISIDB database. RESULTS: HSD17B6 expression was significantly lower in HCC than in normal tissues. Low HSD17B6 expression is associated with poorer overall survival and progression-free survival in HCC patients, particularly at medium disease stages (stage II and III or grade III). HSD17B6 showed a strong correlation with tumor-infiltrating B cells, CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Somatic copy number alteration might be the main cause of the negative correlation between HSD17B6 expression and immune infiltration. HSD17B6 expression in HCC negatively correlated with the expression of several immune cell markers, including exhausted T cell markers, PD-1 and CTLA-4, suggesting its role in regulating tumor immunity. CONCLUSIONS: HSD17B6 is a potential prognostic biomarker that determines cancer progression and is correlated with tumor immune cells infiltration in HCC. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version of this article (10.1007/s10620-021-06832-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. health care workers: A gathering storm | The COVID-19 pandemic is placing enormous stress on U.S. health care workers. Prior studies of infectious disease outbreaks and other catastrophic events have shown the damaging mental health impacts caused by these events. Implications for the policy and treatment of health care workers facing the COVID-19 crisis are discussed in this commentary. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved). | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Africa: The livestock revolution urbanizes | Population growth, rising income and urbanization have fueled a significant increase in demand for animal products in developing countries since the early 1970s. The phenomenon, dubbed as the Livestock Revolution, is anticipated to slow down in the coming decades, except in Africa where the Revolution is expected to continue and urbanize. This paper examines the urbanization of the Livestock Revolution in Africa. It estimates that in 2050 almost 70% of total meat and milk consumption will likely come from cities, with urban dwellers demanding, compared to today, 28 and 47 additional million metric tons of meat and milk, respectively. The consequent transformations of the livestock value chain serving urban and peri-urban areas may pose unprecedented public health and environmental challenges to policy-makers. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Lessons Learned and Experiences Shared From the Front Lines: Milan and Madrid. | Under the aegis of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the senior author (SDW), a member of the Board of Regents of the ACS, interviewed 3 of his international colleagues in colon and rectal surgery who found themselves dealing with a flood of patients from the COVID-19 pandemic. Each was in a "hot spot" where the outbreak overwhelmed the capacities of the hospitals. Professor Antonino Spinelli of Milan dealt with the sudden increase in COVID-19 patients that threatened to push all other emergencies and urgent cancer cases aside. Providers lacked the personal protective equipment to be adequately safe in the environment. In Madrid, Dr Julio Mayol recounted how 10%-15% of the workers in his hospital were incapacitated by the virus, many of them doctors providing direct care to patients. The disease is so prevalent that all emergency patients are treated as though they have the infection. Having practices in Saudi Arabia and Spain, Dr Delia Cortés-Guiral saw how the former country controlled the epidemic through a strict lockdown of travel and closure of holy pilgrimage sites and social gatherings. In contrast, upon her return to her native country, she experienced the near-breakdown of the health care system by the suddenness of the outbreak. "There are now no specialists now, she says." All of the specialties are treating COVID-19 patients and all of us are learning at the same time how to deal with this disease."It is a nightmare now here in Spain". | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Intermediated Credit and Local Resilience | This paper demonstrates the importance of bank capital in improving local resilience and the complementarity of bank capital and government aid programs. We show that following the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown, areas with more jobs supported by subsidized bank loans during normal times had more job losses and business closures, and more so if the local banking sector is less capitalized. Such losses were heavily borne by low-income workers. We also find that areas with a less capitalized banking sector received disproportionately less Paycheck Protection Program funding. Using a dynamic model of firm entry and exit with bank borrowing, we formulate the mechanism of how bank capital can mitigate the impact of adverse aggregate shocks on employment and firm exit. We calibrate the model to quantify effects of bank capital on resilience and the amount of government funding necessary for full resilience in various simulated scenarios of adverse shocks and bank capitalization. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Repeated Multimodality Ablative Therapies for Oligorecurrent Pulmonary Metastatic Disease. | Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and percutaneous thermal ablation (TA) are alternatives to surgery for the management of pulmonary oligometastases. In this collaborative work, we retrospectively analyzed patients who had undergone iterative focal ablative treatments of pulmonary oligometastases. We hypothesized that repeated ablative therapies could benefit patients with consecutive oligometastatic relapses. Patients treated with SBRT and/or TA for pulmonary oligometastases in two French academic centers between October 2011 and November 2016 were included. A total of 102 patients with 198 lesions were included; 45 patients (44.1%) received repeated focal treatments at the pulmonary site for an oligorecurrent disease (the "multiple courses" group). Median follow-up was 22.5 months. The 3-year overall survival rates of patients who had a single treatment sequence (the "single course" group) versus the "multiple courses" were 73.9% and 78.8%, respectively, which was not a statistically significant difference (p = 0.860). The 3-year systemic therapy-free survival tended to be longer in the "multiple courses" group (50.4%) than in the "single course" group (44.7%) (p = 0.081). Tolerance of repeated treatments was excellent with only one grade 4 toxicity. Thereby, multimodality repeated ablative therapy is effective in patients with pulmonary oligorecurrent metastases. This strategy may delay the use of more toxic systemic therapy. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Perceptions of healthcare workers in high-risk areas of a Singapore hospital during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study | INTRODUCTION: There is worldwide concern over the psycho-emotional impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to elicit HCWs' perceptions of the adequacy of protective measures in high-risk clinical areas and the factors associated with these perceptions. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in April 2020. An anonymous electronic survey was sent via email to operating theatre (OT) and intensive care unit (ICU) staff of Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore. RESULTS: Of the 358 eligible participants, 292 (81.6%) responded to the survey. 93.2% of the participants felt that precautionary measures at work were sufficient and 94.9% acknowledged that adequate training was provided. More than 60% of the participants opined that their chances of contracting COVID-19 were moderate to high. Female gender, nursing occupation and duration of service < 10 years were significantly associated with increased fear of contracting COVID-19, less control over occupational exposure and lower perceived need to care for COVID-19 patients. Having young children at home did not significantly affect these perceptions. The most important ICU precautions were availability of personal protective equipment outside the rooms of COVID-19 positive patients (95.3%) and having visitor restrictions (95.3%). The most important OT measures were having a dedicated OT for COVID-19 positive patients (91.2%) and having simulation as part of protocol familiarisation (91.7%). CONCLUSION: Overall, there was high confidence in the adequacy of COVID-19 protective measures to prevent healthcare transmission in Singapore. The pandemic had a lower degree of psycho-emotional impact on HCWs here as compared to other countries. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Sucrose Is Not the Whole Story: Risk Factors and Oral Health at the Contact (Yakutia, Siberia-16th/19th) | SIMPLE SUMMARY: We have studied the dental epidemiology of 96 frozen bodies from north-eastern Siberia (Yakuts) before and after the contact—with an accurate chronology–between Autochthonous and European populations. The peculiarities of the Yakut population are the rarity of cavities and the relative frequency of dental pathologies leading to death. Dental health evolves only two centuries after the contact; assimilation into the Russian Orthodox culture has decreased tooth wear and increased tooth loss. A comparison with historical data suggests that this evolution is not linked to the increasing importance of sucrose, but to the combined action of the substitution of dendrophagia with cereal flour; a decrease in immunity associated with the development of chronic infectious diseases; smoking as well as the mandibular torus: a risk factor favoring apical cysts. ABSTRACT: (1) Background: contact between indigenous and European populations has often resulted in changes in oral health attributed to the introduction of sucrose. Most studies are per tooth over considerable periods and with few ethnological references. (2) Aim: dental epidemiology of 96 autochthonous frozen bodies from Yakutia between the early 17th century and the late 19th century; comparisons with historical texts and ethnographic data. (3) Material and methods: we use descriptive statistics and discriminant factorial analyses to identify dominant variables in the dataset and compare periods and subjects, considering all variables. (4) Results: the peculiarities of the population are the rarity of cavities and the relative frequency of dental pathologies leading to death. Assimilation into the Russian Orthodox culture has led to decreased tooth wear and an increase in tooth loss. Dental health evolves only two centuries after the contact. (5) Conclusions: the confrontation with historical data suggests that changes are not related to the growing importance of sucrose but to a combined action: the substitution of dendrophagy by cereal flour; the decrease in immunity linked to the development of chronic infectious diseases; tobacco addiction and the mandibular torus: a risk factor promoting apical cysts. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Comparative efficacy of placebos in short-term antidepressant trials for major depression: a secondary meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials | BACKGROUND: The issue of unblinded outcome-assessors and patients has repeatedly been stressed as a flaw in allegedly double-blind antidepressant trials. Unblinding bias can for example result from a drug's marked side effects. If such unblinding bias is present for a given drug, then it might be expected that the placebos of that drug are rated significantly less effective than that of other antidepressants. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, the present exploratory analysis conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) comparing the efficacy of 19 different placebos in placebo-controlled trials provided in the dataset by Cipriani et al. (Lancet 2018; 391: 1357-66). Primary outcome was efficacy (continuous) estimated on the standardized mean difference (SMD) scale and defined as the pre-post change on the Hamilton Depression scale (HAMD-17), on which information was available in N = 258 trials. RESULTS: Comparative placebo ranking suggested mirtazapine-placebo (SMD -2.0 [- 5.0-1.0 95% CrI]) to be the most, and amitriptyline- (SMD 1.2 [- 1.6-3.9 95% CrI]) and trazodone- (SMD 2.1 [- 0.9-5.2 95% CrI]) placebos to be the least effective placebos. Other placebos suggested to be more effective than amitriptyline- and trazodone-placebos (based on 95% CrIs excluding zero) were citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine placebos. These NMA results were corroborated by the observation that the relative efficacy between drug and placebo was considerably larger for amitriptyline and trazodone than for instance mirtazapine, duloxetine, and venlafaxine, supported by a small and insignificant correlation between drug-efficacy and placebo-efficacy (r = - 0.202, p = 0.408). DISCUSSION: The present exploratory NMA indicates that distinguishable side effects of older drugs may unblind outcome-assessors thus resulting in overestimation of the average drug-placebo difference and underrating bias in placebo-arms, particularly for the older antidepressant drugs amitriptyline and trazodone. If confirmed in prospective studies, these findings suggest that efficacy rankings for antidepressants are susceptible to bias and should be considered unreliable or misleading. The analysis is limited by the focus on the single-comparison placebos (76%, i.e., placebos assessed in two-arm trials), since double-comparison placebos (25%, i.e., placebos assessed in three-arm trials) are hard to interpret and therefore not included in the present interpretation. Another limitation is the problem of multiplicity, which was only approximately accounted for in the Bayesian NMA by modelling treatment effects as exchangeable. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Prevalence of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 following natural infection and vaccination in Irish Hospital Healthcare Workers; changing epidemiology as the pandemic progresses | Background In October 2020 SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among hospital healthcare workers (HCW) of two Irish hospitals was 15% and 4.1% respectively. We compare seroprevalence in the same HCW population six months later, assess changes in risk factors for seropositivity with progression of the pandemic and serological response to vaccination. Methods All staff of both hospitals (N=9038) were invited to participate in an online questionnaire and SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing in April 2021. We measured anti-nucleocapsid and anti-spike antibodies. Frequencies and percentages for positive SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were calculated and adjusted relative risks for participant characteristics were calculated using multivariable regression analysis. Results 5085 HCW participated. Seroprevalence increased to 21% and 13% respectively; 26% of infections were previously undiagnosed. Black ethnicity (aRR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2, p<.001), lower level of education (aRR 1.4 for secondary level education, 95% CI 1.1-1.8, p=0.002), living with other HCW (aRR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.4, p=0.007) were significantly associated with seropositivity. Having direct patient contact also carried a significant risk (being a healthcare assistant (aRR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.3, p<.001), being a nurse (aRR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0-1.8, p=0.022), daily contact with COVID-19 patients (aRR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7, p=0.002), daily contact with patients without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 (aRR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.5, p=0.013) Breakthrough infection occurred in 23/4111(0.6%) of fully vaccinated participants; all had anti-S antibodies. Conclusion The increase in seroprevalence reflects the magnitude of the third wave of the pandemic in Ireland. Genomic sequencing is needed to apportion risk to the workplace versus the household/community. Concerted efforts are needed to mitigate risk factors due to ethnicity and lower level of education, even at this stage of the pandemic. The undiagnosed and breakthrough infections call for ongoing infection prevention and control measures and testing of HCW in the setting of close contact. Vaccinated HCW with confirmed infection should be actively assessed, including SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing (WGS), serology testing and assessment of host determinants, to advance understanding of the reasons for breakthrough infection. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Acute Colonic Pseudoobstruction (Ogilvie Syndrome) - A Severe Complication in the Evolution of the Hospitalized or Institutionalized Patients. | Introduction: Ogilvie syndrome, or acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), represents a pathological entity, potentially with a severe outcome, due to the acute important dilation of the large bowel, in the absence of a mechanical luminal obstruction. Usually, it occurs in patients admitted in intensive care unit, that associate severe surgical or medical pathologies. The mechanism of the ACPO has not been completely explained, but it is assumed that the motor function of the colon may be affected, as a result of autonomic regulation disturbance. Early diagnosis and treatment help reduce the risk of severe outcome, such as ischemia or perforation. Material and Method: In addition to our experience, a literature search was elaborated in order to evaluate the incidence, the etiology, the clinical presentation and the diagnosis of the ACPO. Results and Conclusions: The present study may be of help in the process of guiding the optimal management of a critically ill patient is at high risk of developing colonic pseudo-obstruction. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with COVID-19 disease | Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are known to be variable with growing evidence of nervous system involvement. In this case report, we describe the symptoms of a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2 whose clinical course was complicated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). We present a case of a 58-year-old woman who was initially diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia due to symptoms of fever and cough. Two weeks later, after the resolution of upper respiratory tract symptoms, she developed symmetric ascending quadriparesis and paresthesias. The diagnosis of GBS was made through cerebrospinal fluid analysis and she was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin administration. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Variability in COVID-19 in-hospital mortality rates between national health service trusts and regions in England: A national observational study for the Getting It Right First Time Programme | BACKGROUND: A key first step in optimising COVID-19 patient outcomes during future case-surges is to learn from the experience within individual hospitals during the early stages of the pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of variation in COVID-19 outcomes between National Health Service (NHS) hospital trusts and regions in England using data from March–July 2020. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study using the Hospital Episode Statistics administrative dataset. Patients aged ≥ 18 years who had a diagnosis of COVID-19 during a hospital stay in England that was completed between March 1st and July 31st, 2020 were included. In-hospital mortality was the primary outcome of interest. In secondary analysis, critical care admission, length of stay and mortality within 30 days of discharge were also investigated. Multilevel logistic regression was used to adjust for covariates. FINDINGS: There were 86,356 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 included in the study, of whom 22,944 (26.6%) died in hospital with COVID-19 as the primary cause of death. After adjusting for covariates, the extent of the variation in-hospital mortality rates between hospital trusts and regions was relatively modest. Trusts with the largest baseline number of beds and a greater proportion of patients admitted to critical care had the lowest in-hospital mortality rates. INTERPRETATION: There is little evidence of clustering of deaths within hospital trusts. There may be opportunities to learn from the experience of individual trusts to help prepare hospitals for future case-surges. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Covid-19 pandemic in central Asia: Policy and environmental implications and responses for SMES support in Uzbekistan | Today the economy of Uzbekistan, as well as the majority of other countries of the world, is developing in conditions of uncertainty. On the one hand, it is associated with the consequences of new coronavirus pandemic, and on the other - with the introduction of forced restrictions, which hinder business development. This article deals with the necessity to provide financial support to business during the coronavirus pandemic in developing countries. It shows the impact of measures to support small and medium enterprises on economic development. Finally, it outlines recommendations for additional interventions and further research. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2021. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Framework for Solid-Organ Transplantation During COVID-19 Pandemic in Europe | INTRODUCTION: Since the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on solid-organ transplantation (SOT) is unclear, an online survey on the specific framework of leading European transplant centers (n=155) in 31 European countries was conducted between April 24 and May 15, 2020. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed to collect information on restrictions on SOT, protective measures,(non)governmental information policies, and individual opinions on how to deal with SOT during COVID-19. RESULTS: The response rate was 37.4% (58 of 155). Overall, 84.5% reported an effect of COVID-19 on SOT in Europe. In 49% of these, limited capacity was mentioned, and in 51% the reason for restricted resources was strategic preparedness. As a result, SOT was totally or partially suspended for several weeks. In sum, 93.1% of centers implemented protective measures against COVID-19. Nongovernmental information policies were felt to be adequate in 90%. Continuation of transplant activities was desired by 97% of centers. CONCLUSION: The results of this survey suggested a need for more ICU capacity during COVID-19, in order to guarantee adequate and timely treatment of other patient cohorts in surveyed countries. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Unmet needs in the management of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are episodes of acute worsening of respiratory symptoms that require additional therapy. These events play a pivotal role in the natural course of the disease and are associated with a progressive decline in lung function, reduced health status, a low physical activity level, tremendous health care costs, and increased mortality. Although most exacerbations have an infectious origin, the underlying mechanisms are heterogeneous and specific predictors of their occurrence in individual patients are currently unknown. Accurate prediction and early diagnosis of exacerbations is essential to develop novel targets for prevention and personalized treatments to reduce the impact of these events. Several potential biomarkers have previously been studied, these however lack specificity, accuracy and do not add value to the available clinical predictors. At present, microbial composition and host-microbiome interactions in the lung are increasingly recognized for their role in affecting the susceptibility to exacerbations, and may steer towards a novel direction in the management of COPD exacerbations. This narrative review describes the current challenges and unmet needs in the management of acute exacerbations of COPD. Exacerbation triggers, biological clusters, current treatment strategies, and their limitations, previously studied biomarkers and prediction tools, the lung microbiome and its role in COPD exacerbations as well as future directions are discussed. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Digital Pathology Operations at an NYC Tertiary Cancer Center During the First 4 Months of COVID-19 Pandemic Response | Implementation of an infrastructure to support digital pathology began in 2006 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center The public health emergency and COVID-19 pandemic regulations in New York City required a novel workflow to sustain existing operations While regulatory enforcement discretions offered faculty workspace flexibility, a substantial portion of laboratory and digital pathology workflows require on-site presence of staff Maintaining social distancing and offering staggered work schedules Due to a decrease in patients seeking health care at the onset of the pandemic, a temporary decrease in patient specimens was observed Hospital and travel regulations impacted onsite vendor technical support Digital glass slide scanning activities onsite proceeded without interruption throughout the pandemic, with challenges including staff who required quarantine due to virus exposure, unrelated illness, family support, or lack of public transportation During the public health emergency, we validated digital pathology systems for a remote pathology operation Since March 2020, the departmental digital pathology staff were able to maintain scanning volumes of over 100 000 slides per month The digital scanning team reprioritized archival slide scanning and participated in a remote sign-out validation and successful submission of New York State approval for a laboratory developed test Digital pathology offers a health care delivery model where pathologists can perform their sign out duties at remote location and prevent disruptions to critical pathology services for patients seeking care at our institution during emergencies Development of standard operating procedures to support digital workflows will maintain turnaround times and enable clinical operations during emergency or otherwise unanticipated events © The Author(s) 2021 | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Preparedness of Our Emergency Department During the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak from the Nurses' Perspectives: A Qualitative Research Study | INTRODUCTION: This study explores the preparedness of our emergency department during the COVID-19 outbreak from the nurses' perspectives, providing a reference and basis for our emergency department's response to public health emergencies. METHODS: Using qualitative research methods, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 emergency nurses who met the inclusion criteria, and Colaizzi analysis was used for data analysis, summary, and induction. RESULTS: A cluster of 4 themes that involved preparedness of the emergency department during the COVID-19 outbreak was extracted: organizational preparedness, personal preparedness, patient and family preparedness, and deficiencies and challenges. DISCUSSION: Organizations, individuals, patients, and family members were actively prepared to respond to novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak in the emergency department. The emergency nurses said that the trusted organization guaranteed personal preparedness, and the active cooperation from patients and families was a motivator for personal preparedness. In addition, our study showed that there were deficiencies in both multidisciplinary collaboration efforts and efforts to rapidly diagnose and treat patients with fever in critical condition. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The Effects of Online Learning on Students' Performance: A Comparison between UK and Jordanian Universities | The Covid-19 pandemic has spread across the globe, causing educational institutions to shut down. As a result, classes have been held online. This study investigated the impact of online learning on student performance by comparing the effect in Jordan and the UK. Both countries have been reported to have high technological competency, but are known to have varying sociodemographic structures. Surveys were conducted on undergraduate students from both countries, (N = 780) to analyse students' perceptions of online learning, self-perceptions of academic capabilities, and faculty performance during online learning. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with professors from both countries (N = 8). The findings indicate that both Jordan and the UK have been very similarly affected in terms of student performance, with major challenges being in communication, technological competency, access to hardware for taking online classes, absenteeism, and drop-outs. Some benefits to student performance were identified as having access to recorded lectures, having more access to faculties through e-mail, and extended office hours. Ethical implications were not commented on. Privacy concerns were largely voiced by faculties. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Tuberculosis and Public Health Care Workers: Infection Prevention and Control Practices and Associated Factors Among Governmental Health Centers and Hospitals in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia | PURPOSE: Institutional settings, including health care facilities, have been identified to be at high risk of tuberculosis (TB) transmissions. But no study has been conducted in hospitals and health centers concurrently in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess tuberculosis infection prevention and control (TBIPC) practices and associated factors among public health care workers in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional quantitative study supplemented with qualitative interview and observation was conducted in 16 sampled governmental health facilities in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia, from 25 July 2020 to 25 August 2020. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 748 health care workers, while purposive sampling was used to identify participants for the qualitative study. RESULTS: The proportion of proper TBIPC practices was 44.78%. Years of service (AOR=4.182, 95% CI: 2.024–8.639), working in a TB clinic (AOR=4.009, 95% CI: 1.311–12.261), working in an anti-retroviral therapy clinic (AOR=2.796, 95% CI: 1.009–7.743), TB-related training (AOR=0.024, 95% CI: 11.483–34.92), availability of personal protective equipment (AOR=1.712, 95% CI: 1.057–2.776), good knowledge of TBIPC measures (AOR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.119–4.196), and positive attitude (AOR=2.011, 95% CI: 1.242–3.255) were significantly associated with proper TBIPC practices. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The proportion of proper TBIPC practices among public health care workers was low in the study area. For better intervention, further studies could focus on experimental research into possible factors that are responsible for TBIPC practices in health care facilities in the study area. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
COVID-19 in Patients With Seizures and Epilepsy: Interpretation of Relevant Knowledge of Presenting Signs and Symptoms | There are an increasing number of clinical studies for COVID-19, with several large cohort studies documenting initial signs and symptoms. Realizing the need for current information, this summary provides a focused summary of pertinent clinical diagnostic information about neurological involvement of SARS-CoV-2 virus and clinical presentation of COVID-19, especially in relationship to patients with seizures and epilepsy. There is no evidence from cohort studies in the general population that seizures are worsened in COVID-19. However, relative lack of cohort studies in patients with a history of epileptic seizures limit conclusions about effects of COVID-19 patients with epilepsy. Overall, findings indicate seizures and epilepsy are rare, especially in mild COVID-19 cases, but may occur in more severe cases later in the disease course. Caregivers should be vigilant in assessing for possible seizures, especially in patients with systemic effects of severe COVID-19 infections. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Nurses' knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 in the context of the acute health care settings in Jordan | Purpose Nurses are at the front line in facing the COVID-19 outbreak and are at increased risk of becoming infected and might be the source of transmission in health-care facilities and the community. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude toward COVID1-19 among nurses in acute care settings in Jordan. This is expected to help with the global initiative to combat the COVID-19 epidemic. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional design was used to survey nurses' knowledge and attitude of COVID-19 among Jordanian nurses working in acute care settings. Findings The grand mean of knowledge items response was 8.94, implying that respondents possessed a high level of knowledge. The overall attitude score was positive for the participants, with a mean score of 5.93. Moreover, the results showed a significant relationship between knowledge and attitude scores. Originality/value The findings suggest that nurses in Jordan showed a high level of knowledge and a positive attitude toward COVID-19 during the outbreak's rapid rise period. This study showed specific aspects of knowledge and attitudes that should be focused on in future awareness and educational programs to promote all preventive and safety measures of COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Perspective on SDSB Human Visual Knowledge and Intelligence for Happiness Campus | Suffering globally by COVID-19 since 2020 constrained learner and worker outdoors, of which campus and public area naturally met environmental protection issue. In such cases, a newly AI moveable application, naming Self-Driving Sweeper Bot (SDSB), is invented by intelligently coordinating between self-driving system and sweeper mechanism. In this paper, the perspective on SDSB in terms of human visual knowledge and intelligence between pedestrian security and sweeping efficiency in campus is reported. To reach such a goal, our investigation is shown that human visual knowledge and intelligence, played a critical role requiring routinely collecting and learning visual dataset, accompanied with optimizing procedure by exploring the object recognition methods e.g., CNN, R-CNN, Fast-RCNN and Yolo, for detecting campus objects (including, pedestrians, vehicles, common rubbishes, i.e. fallen leaves, waste papers, plastic bottles etc.), and image segmentation techniques e.g., U-net for constraining sweeping road. In the preliminarily experiments, observation is shown that the factors for object detection and road segmentation in terms of weather, sunshine direction and shadowing/non-shadowing by trees and facilities are highly influencing on SDSB visual intelligence. © 2021 IEEE. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Manipulation of IRE1-Dependent MAPK Signaling by a Vibrio Agonist-Antagonist Effector Pair | Diverse bacterial pathogens employ effector delivery systems to disrupt vital cellular processes in the host (N. M. Alto and K. Orth, Cold Spring Harbor Perspect Biol 4:a006114, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a006114). The type III secretion system 1 of the marine pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus utilizes the sequential action of four effectors to induce a rapid, proinflammatory cell death uniquely characterized by a prosurvival host transcriptional response (D. L. Burdette, M. L. Yarbrough, A Orvedahl, C. J. Gilpin, and K. Orth, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:12497–12502, 2008, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0802773105; N. J. De Nisco, M. Kanchwala, P. Li, J. Fernandez, C. Xing, and K. Orth, Sci Signal 10:eaa14501, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1126/scisignal.aal4501). Herein, we show that this prosurvival response is caused by the action of the channel-forming effector VopQ that targets the host V-ATPase, resulting in lysosomal deacidification and inhibition of lysosome-autophagosome fusion. Recent structural studies have shown how VopQ interacts with the V-ATPase and, while in the ER, a V-ATPase assembly intermediate can interact with VopQ, causing a disruption in membrane integrity. Additionally, we observed that VopQ-mediated disruption of the V-ATPase activates the IRE1 branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR), resulting in an IRE1-dependent activation of ERK1/2 MAPK signaling. We also find that this early VopQ-dependent induction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation is terminated by the VopS-mediated inhibitory AMPylation of Rho GTPase signaling. Since VopS dampens VopQ-induced IRE1-dependent ERK1/2 activation, we propose that IRE1 activates ERK1/2 phosphorylation at or above the level of Rho GTPases. This study illustrates how temporally induced effectors can work as in tandem as agonist/antagonist to manipulate host signaling and reveals new connections between V-ATPase function, UPR, and MAPK signaling. IMPORTANCE Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a seafood-borne pathogen that encodes two type 3 secretion systems (T3SS). The first system, T3SS1, is thought to be maintained in all strains of V. parahaemolyticus to maintain survival in the environment, whereas the second system, T3SS2, is linked to clinical isolates and disease in humans. Here, we found that first system targets evolutionarily conserved signaling systems to manipulate host cells, eventually causing a rapid, orchestrated cells death within 3 h. We have found that the T3SS1 injects virulence factors that temporally manipulate host signaling. Within the first hour of infection, the effector VopQ acts first by activating host survival signals while diminishing the host cell apoptotic machinery. Less than an hour later, another effector, VopS, reverses activation and inhibition of these signaling systems, ultimately leading to death of the host cell. This work provides example of how pathogens have evolved to manipulate the interplay between T3SS effectors to regulate host signaling pathways. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Coronavirus disease analysis using chest X-ray images and a novel deep convolutional neural network | BACKGROUND: The recent emergence of a highly infectious and contagious respiratory viral disease known as COVID-19 has vastly impacted human lives and overloaded the health care system. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a fast and accurate diagnostic system for the timely identification of COVID-19 infected patients and thus to help control its spread. METHODS: This work proposes a new deep CNN based technique for COVID-19 classification in X-ray images. In this regard, two novel custom CNN architectures, namely COVID-RENet-1 and COVID-RENet-2, are developed for COVID-19 specific pneumonia analysis. The proposed technique systematically employs Region and Edge-based operations along with convolution operations. The advantage of the proposed idea is validated by performing series of experimentation and comparing results with two baseline CNNs that exploited either a single type of pooling operation or strided convolution down the architecture. Additionally, the discrimination capacity of the proposed technique is assessed by benchmarking it against the state-of-the-art CNNs on radiologist's authenticated chest X-ray dataset. Implementation is available at https://github.com/PRLAB21/Coronavirus-Disease-Analysis-using-Chest-X-Ray-Images. RESULTS: The proposed classification technique shows good generalization as compared to existing CNNs by achieving promising MCC (0.96), F-score (0.98) and Accuracy (98%). This suggests that the idea of synergistically using Region and Edge-based operations aid in better exploiting the region homogeneity, textural variations, and region boundary-related information in an image, which helps to capture the pneumonia specific pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The encouraging results of the proposed classification technique on the test set with high sensitivity (0.98) and precision (0.98) suggest the effectiveness of the proposed technique. Thus, it suggests the potential use of the proposed technique in other X-ray imagery-based infectious disease analysis. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission in a workplace based on CO2 sensor network | We measured the compartmental air change per hour (ACH) using a CO2 sensor network in an office space where a cluster of COVID-19 infections attributed to aerosol transmission occurred. Generalized linear mixed models and dynamic time warping were used for a time series data analysis, and the results indicated that the ventilation conditions were poor at the time of the cluster outbreak, and that the low ACH in the room likely contributed to the outbreak. In addition, the adverse effects of inappropriate partitions and the effectiveness of ventilation improvements were investigated in detail. ACH of less than 2 /h was considered a main contributor for the formation of the COVID-19 cluster in the studied facility. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Safeguarding the Future of Urological Research and Delivery of Clinical Excellence by Harnessing the Power of Youth to Spearhead Urological Research. | Trainee-led collaboratives offer exciting new perspectives and approaches to urological research. They provide a central network of expertise in methodology, mentoring, and knowledge of research processes that allows the conduct of large multicentre studies that can recruit quickly. This provides the consultant workforce of tomorrow with the skills required to deliver practice-changing clinical studies in urology. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) information management: addressing national health-care and public health needs for standardized data definitions and codified vocabulary for data exchange | OBJECTIVE: The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak progressed rapidly from a public health (PH) emergency of international concern (World Health Organization [WHO], 30 January 2020) to a pandemic (WHO, 11 March 2020). The declaration of a national emergency in the United States (13 March 2020) necessitated the addition and modification of terminology related to COVID-19 and development of the disease’s case definition. During this period, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and standard development organizations released guidance on data standards for reporting COVID-19 clinical encounters, laboratory results, cause-of-death certifications, and other surveillance processes for COVID-19 PH emergency operations. The CDC COVID-19 Information Management Repository was created to address the need for PH and health-care stakeholders at local and national levels to easily obtain access to comprehensive and up-to-date information management resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We introduce the clinical and health-care informatics community to the CDC COVID-19 Information Management Repository: a new, national COVID-19 information management tool. We provide a description of COVID-19 informatics resources, including data requirements for COVID-19 data reporting. RESULTS: We demonstrate the CDC COVID-19 Information Management Repository’s categorization and management of critical COVID-19 informatics documentation and standards. We also describe COVID-19 data exchange standards, forms, and specifications. CONCLUSIONS: This information will be valuable to clinical and PH informaticians, epidemiologists, data analysts, standards developers and implementers, and information technology managers involved in the development of COVID-19 situational awareness and response reporting and analytics. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Establishment of an African green monkey model for COVID-19 and protection against reinfection | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for an unprecedented global pandemic of COVID-19. Animal models are urgently needed to study the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and to screen vaccines and treatments. We show African green monkeys (AGMs) support robust SARS-CoV-2 replication and develop pronounced respiratory disease, which may more accurately reflect human COVID-19 cases than other nonhuman primate species. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in mucosal samples, including rectal swabs, as late as 15 days post-exposure. Marked inflammation and coagulopathy in blood and tissues were prominent features. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated stimulation of interferon and interleukin 6 pathways in bronchoalveolar lavage samples and repression of natural killer cell- and T cell-associated transcripts in peripheral blood. Despite a slight waning in antibody titers after primary challenge, enhanced antibody and cellular responses contributed to rapid clearance after re-challenge with an identical strain. These data support the utility of AGM for studying COVID-19 pathogenesis and testing medical countermeasures. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Quinoxaline Derivatives as Antiviral Agents: A Systematic Review | BACKGROUND: In recent decades, several viruses have jumped from animals to humans, triggering sizable outbreaks. The current unprecedent outbreak SARS-COV-2 is prompting a search for new cost-effective therapies to combat this deadly pathogen. Suitably functionalized polysubstituted quinoxalines show very interesting biological properties (antiviral, anticancer, and antileishmanial), ensuring them a bright future in medicinal chemistry. OBJECTIVES: Focusing on the promising development of new quinoxaline derivatives as antiviral drugs, this review forms part of our program on the anti-infectious activity of quinoxaline derivatives. METHODS: Study compiles and discusses recently published studies concerning the therapeutic potential of the antiviral activity of quinoxaline derivatives, covering the literature between 2010 and 2020. RESULTS: A final total of 20 studies included in this review. CONCLUSIONS: This review points to a growing interest in the development of compounds bearing a quinoxaline moiety for antiviral treatment. This promising moiety with different molecular targets warrants further investigation, which may well yield even more encouraging results regarding this scaffold. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Influence of zirconia implant surface topography on first bone implant contact within a prospective cohort study | BACKGROUND: Although 5-year clinical data exist for different zirconia implants, no analysis has yet been performed focusing on how the surface topography of the implant affects clinical parameters. PURPOSE: To analyze the influence of zirconia implant topography on first bone implant contact (fBIC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective two-center cohort investigation 63 zirconia implants were evaluated at implant placement, prosthetic delivery, 1, 3, and 5 years. The distance (DIB) between implant shoulder and fBIC was measured at each time point in periapical radiographs at mesial and distal sites. Two-way ANOVA/Bonferroni was used to analyze the effects of time and center (α < 0.05). RESULTS: Between the centers, the mean DIB varied significantly at implant placement (Freiburg [FR]: 1.4 ± 0.6 mm; Zurich [ZH]: 0.8 ± 0.5 mm). Thereafter, no statistically significant difference in DIB was observed, neither between centers nor between time points (prosthetic delivery: FR: 1.9 ± 0.6 mm, ZH: 1.7 ± 0.8 mm; 1 year: FR: 1.8 ± 0.6 mm, ZH: 1.6 ± 0.8 mm; 3 years: FR: 1.9 ± 0.8 mm, ZH: 1.7 ± 0.8 mm; 5 years: FR: 1.9 ± 0.8 mm, ZH 1.8 ± 0.6 mm). The overall mean DIB at prosthetic delivery to 5 years of both centers (1.8 ± 0.7 mm) is located within the transition zone between the smooth neck and the moderately rough intraosseous part (1.6-2.0 mm from the implant shoulder). However, individual DIB values are ranging from 0.1 to 4.2 mm overlapping the transition zone. CONCLUSIONS: The standard deviation of the DIB indicates that the fBIC establishes on moderately rough and smooth surfaces. Consequently, soft tissue adapts to both topographies as well. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Gaining resilience and reducing stress in the age of COVID-19 | PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The world is experiencing the evolving situation associated with the outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) virus, and there is more of need than ever for stress management and self-care. In this article, we will define the physiological, psychological and social aspects, stages, and components of stress reactions in the context of COVID-19, review the relevant literature on stress reactions, and offer some guidance on how to help patients mitigate the physiological and psychological impact of the pandemic through resilience-building techniques. RECENT FINDINGS: There is continued evidence that the fight or flight response involves activation throughout the body at physiological, biochemical and immune levels. This response can be mitigated through increasing parasympathetic nervous system activation as well as cognitive and behavioral interventions. SUMMARY: This article will review the stress, provide a theoretical layout to predict upcoming response, and offer clinicians some practical interventions to employ as the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic continues. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Solitary Anosmia/Ageusia in Prison: Results From a COVID-19 Cluster. | A prison setting with its congregate environment is at high risk for widespread transmission of respiratory illnesses. Identifying COVID-19 cases as early as possible and isolating cases and tracing contacts is critical to halting the spread of this disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added new loss of taste or smell to its list of symptoms and, initially, only if associated with at least one of six other symptoms. The CDC has since updated the guidance to remove this qualifier as of May 13, 2020. New loss of taste or smell, alone, can help to identify COVID-19 cases. Solitary anosmia/ageusia should be strongly considered in routine symptom screening protocols for COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Microglia exacerbate white matter injury via complement C3/C3aR pathway after hypoperfusion. | Microglial activation participates in white matter injury after cerebral hypoperfusion. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we explore whether activated microglia aggravate white matter injury via complement C3-C3aR pathway after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 80) underwent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 7, 14, and 28 days. Cerebral vessel density and blood flow were examined by synchrotron radiation angiography and three-dimensional arterial spin labeling. Neurobehavioral assessments, CLARITY imaging, and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate activation of microglia and C3-C3aR pathway. Furthermore, C3aR knockout mice were used to establish the causal relationship of C3-C3aR signaling on microglia activation and white matter injury after hypoperfusion. Results: Cerebral vessel density and blood flow were reduced after hypoperfusion (p<0.05). Spatial learning and memory deficits and white matter injury were shown (p<0.05). These impairments were correlated with aberrant microglia activation and an increase in the number of reactive microglia adhering to and phagocytosed myelin in the hypoperfusion group (p<0.05), which were accompanied by the up-regulation of complement C3 and its receptors C3aR (p<0.05). Genetic deletion of C3ar1 significantly inhibited aberrant microglial activation and reversed white matter injury after hypoperfusion (p<0.05). Furthermore, the C3aR antagonist SB290157 decreased the number of microglia adhering to myelin (p<0.05), attenuated white matter injury and cognitive deficits in chronic hypoperfusion rats (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that aberrant activated microglia aggravate white matter injury via C3-C3aR pathway during chronic hypoperfusion. These findings indicate C3aR plays a critical role in mediating neuroinflammation and white matter injury through aberrant microglia activation, which provides a novel therapeutic target for the small vessel disease and vascular dementia. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Evaluation of the Health-Promoting Properties of Selected Fruits | In this study, the health-promoting benefits of different fruits grown in Madeira Island, namely lemon (Citrus limon var. eureka), tangerine (Citrus reticulata var. setubalense), pitanga (Eugenia uniflora var. red), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. gordal) and uva-da-serra, an endemic blueberry (Vaccinium padifolium Sm.), were investigated. The phenolic composition (total phenolics and total flavonoids content) and antioxidant capacity (assessed through ABTS and DPPH assays) were measured revealing a high phenolic potential for all fruits, except tomato, while uva-da-serra is particularly rich in flavonoids. In relation to the antioxidant capacity, the highest values were obtained for pitanga and uva-da-serra extracts. The bioactive potential was also assessed through the ability of the extracts to inhibit digestive enzymes linked to diabetes (α-amylase, α- and β-glucosidases) and hypertension (angiotensin-converting enzyme, ACE). The results obtained point to a very high bioactive potential with the selected samples exhibiting very important ACE anti-enzymatic capacities. A statistical analysis of the obtained data reveals a very strong correlation between ABTS and TPC, and a strong contribution of the fruit polyphenols for enzyme inhibition, and thus, presenting high antihypertensive and antidiabetic capacities. Overall, the results obtained clearly show a high bioactive potential of the selected fruits that should be further studied, in terms of specific phenolic composition. Moreover, these results strongly support the valorisation of pitanga seeds usually discarded as a waste, and uva-da-serra, an endemic and wild bush, as potential bioresources of bioactive compounds with impact in human diet. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Global analysis of daily new COVID-19 cases reveals many static-phase countries including US and UK potentially with unstoppable epidemics | The COVID-19 epidemics are differentially progressing in different countries. Here, comparative analyses of daily new cases reveal that 61 most affected countries can be classified into four types: downward (22), upward (20), static-phase (12) and uncertain ones (7). In particular, the 12 static-phase countries including US and UK are characterized by largely constant numbers of daily new cases in the past over 14 days. Furthermore, these static-phase countries are overall significantly lower in testing density but higher in the level of positive COVID-19 tests than downward countries. These findings suggest that the testing capacity in static-phase countries is lagging behind the spread of the outbreak, i.e., daily new cases (confirmed) are likely less than daily new infections and the remaining undocumented infections are thus still expanding, resulting in unstoppable epidemics. As such, increasing the testing capacity and/or reducing the COVID-19 transmission are urgently needed to stop the severing crisis in static-phase countries. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Evaluation for Myocarditis in Competitive Student Athletes Recovering From Coronavirus Disease 2019 With Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging. | Importance The utility of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a screening tool for myocarditis in competitive student athletes returning to training after recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is unknown. Objective To describe the prevalence and severity of cardiac MRI findings of myocarditis in a population of competitive student athletes recovering from COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants In this case series, an electronic health record search was performed at our institution (University of Wisconsin) to identify all competitive athletes (a consecutive sample) recovering from COVID-19, who underwent gadolinium-enhanced cardiac MRI between January 1, 2020, and November 29, 2020. The MRI findings were reviewed by 2 radiologists experienced in cardiac imaging, using the updated Lake Louise criteria. Serum markers of myocardial injury and inflammation (troponin-I, B-type natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), an electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography, and relevant clinical data were obtained. Exposures COVID-19 infection, confirmed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing. Main Outcomes and Measures Prevalence and severity of MRI findings consistent with myocarditis among young competitive athletes recovering from COVID-19. Results A total of 145 competitive student athletes (108 male and 37 female individuals; mean age, 20 years; range, 17-23 years) recovering from COVID-19 were included. Most patients had mild (71 [49.0%]) or moderate (40 [27.6%]) symptoms during the acute infection or were asymptomatic (24 [16.6%]). Symptoms were not specified or documented in 10 patients (6.9%). No patients required hospitalization. Cardiac MRIs were performed a median of 15 days (range, 11-194 days) after patients tested positive for COVID-19. Two patients had MRI findings consistent with myocarditis (1.4% [95% CI, 0.4%-4.9%]). Of these, 1 patient had marked nonischemic late gadolinium enhancement and T2-weighted signal abnormalities over multiple segments, along with an abnormal serum troponin-I level; the second patient had 1-cm nonischemic mild late gadolinium enhancement and mild T2-weighted signal abnormalities, with normal laboratory values. Conclusions and Relevance In this case series study, based on MRI findings, there was a low prevalence of myocarditis (1.4%) among student athletes recovering from COVID-19 with no or mild to moderate symptoms. Thus, the utility of cardiac MRI as a screening tool for myocarditis in this patient population is questionable. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Potential Antiviral Options against SARS-CoV-2 Infection | As of June 2020, the number of people infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to skyrocket, with more than 6.7 million cases worldwide. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) has highlighted the need for better control of SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, developing novel virus-specific vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 can be time-consuming and costly. Convalescent sera and safe-in-man broad-spectrum antivirals (BSAAs) are readily available treatment options. Here, we developed a neutralization assay using SARS-CoV-2 strain and Vero-E6 cells. We identified the most potent sera from recovered patients for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. We also screened 136 safe-in-man broad-spectrum antivirals against the SARS-CoV-2 infection in Vero-E6 cells and identified nelfinavir, salinomycin, amodiaquine, obatoclax, emetine and homoharringtonine. We found that a combination of orally available virus-directed nelfinavir and host-directed amodiaquine exhibited the highest synergy. Finally, we developed a website to disseminate the knowledge on available and emerging treatments of COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Changes in sustainability priorities in organisations due to the COVID-19 outbreak: Averting environmental rebound effects on society | The COVID-19 outbreak has affected societies and organisations in an unprecedented way. This has resulted in negative impacts to economic and social issues, but it is a "blessing in disguise" for environmental issues. This paper analyses how the outbreak has affected organisations' sustainability priorities. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, such priorities were on the economic dimension followed by the environmental and social dimensions. A survey was sent to 11,657 organisations to analyse such changes, with a 5.60% response rate. The results show that for organisations, the main priority is now on the social dimension, followed by the economic one; however, the environmental dimension has suffered a negative impact in prioritisation, regardless of organisation type, country where they are based, organisation size, or the time they have been working on sustainability. We are currently facing an environmental conundrum, where air quality has improved and pollution has decreased in societies, but organisations are starting to neglect such environmental issues. The COVID-19 outbreak is an opportunity for organisations to better contribute to sustainability by ensuring that the efforts that have been undertaken in the last three decades are not forgotten, and that societies and organisations are better coupled to face such crises and avert rebound effects. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Learning from Past Pandemic Governance: Early Response and Public-Private Partnerships in Testing of COVID-19 in South Korea | How can political elites learn from the past to enhance sustainability of their leadership in a pandemic situation? In this article, we develop a theoretical framework of policy implementation that combines collaboration from public and private sectors (“Public-Private Partnership,” or PPP) to efficiently deal with urgent crises such as COVID-19. We explain the role of new institutions prompted by policy failure precedence (Time 1) that at a later time period (Time 2) allow for the activation of PPPs with the aim to extend the political life of incumbent leaderships. Specifically, we examine the case of South Korea, a country in which a prior case of MERS in 2015 (Time 1) had established new policies for pandemic governance. In 2020, such policies were activated by the incumbent leadership in order to contain COVID-19 (Time 2). In particular, for swift and effective management of the pandemic, the South Korean government utilized partnerships with the private sector to exponentially increase the amount of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing. We apply Policy Feedback Theory to demonstrate the political effects of failed policy precedents and how the political outcomes again shape new policies in a dynamic and cyclical manner. Empirically, we conduct a content analysis of South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector in government procurement and exports of test-kits during the COVID-19 pandemic. We show that as the pandemic situation progressed, South Korea’s leader, who had been in danger of plummeting support to the extent that impeachment was discussed as a viable option, drastically shifted public opinion to achieve a landslide victory in general elections in April 2020. Our findings suggest that democratic governments, aware of precedents and wary of their fate in elections, are pressured to perform well in crisis management, and thus turn to rapidly mobilizing public and private means for survival. Such means are evidenced by the case of emergency use authorization (EUA) process for test-kits, in which “leapfrogging players” – up-and-coming innovators – that contribute to turning a pandemic crisis into an opportunity for sustainable leadership and for themselves. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The Dual Therapeutic Effect Of Metformin Nuclei Based Drugs Modified With One Of Tulbaghia Violacea Extract Compounds (preprint)/ en | Novel Schiff base was synthesized from condensation reaction of metformin with [4- (Diethylamino) benzaldehyde (NBM). Different metal complexes were prepared using Pd(II), Pt(II), Cu(II) and V(IV) metal ions. All complexes showed the non-electrolytic behavior. So, the expected molecular formulas for complexes are [Pd(NBM)Cl2], [Pt(NBM)Cl2], [Cu(NBM)2Cl2] and [VO(NBM)2]. The cytotoxicity of (NBM) Schiff base and its metal complexes on human cancer cell line, MCF-7, was investigated. V(IV) and Cu (II) complexes showed potential blood-glucose lowering effect higher than the commercial metformin drug. VO(IV) complex has superior antioxidant activity more than the other synthesized compounds and the standard ascorbic acid. Molecular docking investigation proved the presence of interesting interactions between all synthesized compounds with the active site amino acids of EGFR tyrosine kinase (anticancer activity). The molecular docking of metal complexes observed effective inhibition for the specific mTOR protein that is expected to aid the growth of the COVID-19 virus. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Biosensing Cytokine IL-6: A Comparative Analysis of Natural and Synthetic Receptors | Cytokines are a family of proteins which play a major role in the regulation of the immune system and the development of several diseases, from rheumatoid arthritis to cancer and, more recently, COVID-19. Therefore, many efforts are currently being developed to improve therapy and diagnosis, as well as to produce inhibitory drugs and biosensors for a rapid, minimally invasive, and effective detection. In this regard, even more efficient cytokine receptors are under investigation. In this paper we analyze a set of IL-6 cytokine receptors, investigating their topological features by means of a theoretical approach. Our results suggest a topological indicator that may help in the identification of those receptors having the highest complementarity with the protein, a feature expected to ensure a stable binding. Furthermore, we propose and discuss the use of these receptors in an idealized experimental setup. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A Closer Look at Women's Health Centers: Historical Lessons and Future Aims. | Women's Health Centers (WHC) have evolved over the last few decades as comprehensive centers for women's health care. This article reviews the history and evaluation of WHC, as well as opportunities for women's health training. Prior studies comparing WHC with traditional primary care and obstetrics/gynecology clinics have found that WHC offer at least similar levels of preventative care, may increase access to care for a more diverse patient population, and improve patient/provider relationship satisfaction. WHC also increase women's health providers' education and research opportunities. There is still a gap in women's health education and training, although residency and fellowship programs have aimed to address this through women's health tracks and fellowships. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its negative impact on women's access to care have further highlighted the potential of WHC to meet women's health care demands. WHC can provide comprehensive, convenient, and single-site care for women. The increased opportunities for women's health training through WHC give rise to more representation in leadership and investment in women's health. New research is needed to reassess and further evaluate health outcomes of WHC compared with traditional care models. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits intimal hyperplasia, vascular smooth muscle cell excessive proliferation, migration via blocking miR-21/PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway | Excessive migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are critical cellular events that lead to intimal hyperplasia in atherosclerosis and restenosis. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on intimal hyperplasia and VSMC proliferation and migration, and the underlying mechanisms by which these events occur. A rat unilateral carotid artery was ligated to induce vascular injury and the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles were determined using miRNA microarray analysis. We observed that UDCA significantly reduced the degree of intimal hyperplasia and induced miR-21 dysregulation. Restoration of miR-21 by agomir-miR-21 reversed the protective effects of UDCA on intimal hyperplasia and proliferation in vivo. In vitro, UDCA suppressed PDGF-BB-induced VSMC proliferation, invasion and migration in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the suppressive effect of UDCA was abrogated by overexpression of miR-21 in PDGF-BB-incubated VSMCs. Furthermore, we identified that miR-21 in VSMCs targeted the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a tumor suppressor gene, negatively modulated the AKT/mTOR pathway. More importantly, we observed that that UDCA suppressed AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in the carotid artery injury model, whereas this pathway was reactivated by overexpression of miR-21. Taken together, our findings indicated that UDCA inhibited intimal hyperplasia and VSMCs excessive migration and proliferation via blocking miR-21/PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which suggests that UDCA may be a promising candidate for the therapy of atherosclerosis. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Rapidly progressive cognitive decline associated with teprotumumab in thyroid eye disease | Teprotumumab (Tepezza), an insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor antagonist, was approved for treatment of thyroid eye disease in 2020. Teprotumumab is administered intravenously every 3 weeks for a total of eight doses. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, hearing impairment, dysgeusia, headaches, dry skin, infusion reactions and hyperglycaemia. We report here a 76-year-old man with Graves-related thyroid eye disease who developed a rapidly progressive cognitive decline after receiving four out of eight doses of teprotumumab (cumulative dose 4620 mg). He was admitted for workup and teprotumumab infusions were discontinued. Intravenous glucocorticoids and immunoglobulin were given which showed no improvement in clinical symptoms. He subsequently underwent plasmapheresis with resolution of his symptoms, suggesting a teprotumumab-induced encephalopathy. Further studies involving larger populations and longer durations are needed. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The Identification and Characterization of Two Novel Epitopes on the Nucleocapsid Protein of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus | Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly contagious coronavirus that causes severe diarrhea and death, particularly in neonatal piglets. The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of PEDV presents strong immunogenicity and contributes to the cross-reactivity between PEDV and TGEV. However, the characterization of epitopes on the PEDV N protein remains largely unknown. Here, two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to the N protein of a PEDV strain, FJzz1/2011, were generated and screened against a partially overlapping library of 24 GST-fusion N protein-truncated constructs. We confirmed that residues 18–133 (designated NEP-D4) and residues 252–262 (designated NEP-D6) were the epitopes targeted by MAbs PN-D4 and PN-D6, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that these two epitopes were highly conserved among PEDV strains but were significantly different from other members of the Coronavirinae subfamily. Western blot analysis showed that they could be specifically recognized by PEDV antisera but could not be recognized by TGEV hyperimmune antisera. Indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assays confirmed no cross-reaction between these two MAbs and TGEV. In addition, the freeze-thaw cycle and protease treatment results indicated that NEP-D4 was intrinsically disordered. All these results suggest that these two novel epitopes and their cognate MAbs could serve as the basis for the development of precise diagnostic assays for PEDV. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Grasping at digitalisation: turning imagination into fact in the sugarcane farming community | Nutrient runoff from catchments that drain into the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is a significant source of stress for this World Heritage Area. An alliance of collaborative on-ground water quality monitoring (Project 25) and technologically driven digital application development (Digiscape GBR) projects were formulated to provide data that highlighted the contribution of a network of Australian sugar cane farmers, amongst other sources, to nutrient runoff. This environmental data and subsequent information were extended to the farming community through scientist-led feedback sessions and the development of specialised digital technology (1622™WQ) that help build an understanding of the nutrient movements, in this case nitrogen, such that farmers might think about and eventually act to alter their fertilizer application practices. This paper reflects on a socio-environmental sustainability challenge that emerged during this case study, by utilising the nascent concept of digi-grasping. We highlight the importance of the entire agricultural knowledge and advice network being part of an innovation journey to increase the utility of digital agricultural technologies developed to increase overall sustainability. We develop the digi-MAST analytical framework, which explores modes of being and doing in the digital world, ranging from ‘the everyday mystery of the digital world (M)’, through digital ‘awareness (A)’, digitally ‘sparked’ being/s (S), and finally the ability of individuals and/or groups to ‘transform (T)’ utilising digital technologies and human imaginations. Our digi-MAST framework allows us to compare agricultural actors, in this case, to understand present modes of digi-grasping to help determine the resources and actions likely to be required to achieve impact from the development of various forms of digital technological research outputs. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Position paper of the Italian association of medical specialists in dietetics and clinical nutrition (ANSISA) on nutritional management of patients with COVID-19 disease | COVID-19 disease is characterized by serious clinical manifestations which could require urgent hospitalization. Prolonged hospitalization, with catabolism and immobilization, induces a decrease in weight and muscle mass which can result in sarcopenia, a condition that impairs respiratory and cardiac function, worsening the prognosis. In this scenario there is an urgent need of nutritional indications aimed to prevent or contrast hospital malnutrition by improving the patient's response to therapy and to facilitate healthcare professionals in managing nutritional interventions on patients, reducing their already high workload due to the state of emergency. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Industry 4.0 CAMI: An Elastic Cloud Zynq UltraScale FPGA Metering Architecture | In the era of Industry 4.0, commoditized services (such as electricity, healthcare, etc.), require accuracy, availability, security and Quality of service (QoS) in the Cloud space. This paper presents cloud advanced metering infrastructure (CAMI) using Zynq UltraScale+ device field programmable gate array (FPGA). The architectural layout for energy tracking and profile measurement is discussed. Unlike existing systems with digital signal processors, it uses precision-based meter reading with encryption driven demand side management (DSM) to protect end-users. An energy service application with supporting hardware prototype is designed. Cryptographic algorithms, dynamic auto-scaling and predictive QoS provisioning are introduced as features of its backend cloud virtualization Infrastructure controller (CVIC). Process integration is achieved with CVIC synthesis for energy analytics and DSM. For the use case scenario, the CAMI prototype runs on Zynq UltraScale+ device with support for end-to-end dataset captures. The system provides on-demand visualization of energy consumption patterns for the end-users. In the experimental setup, two case scenarios demonstrate how the metering system executes fast edge computing profiling. Optimal performance is achieved for latency, utilization, and throughput under CVIC overhead constraint. It was observed that resource utilization responses for heterogeneous and non heterogeneous CVIC are 71.43% and 28.57% respectively. Latency profiles gave 71.43% and 28.57% respectively. With the VM controller, FPGA CAMI offered 47.36% while without VM controller, 52.63% throughput is observed. Consequently, the results highlights how FPGA hardware acceleration can significantly improve request distribution as well as workload processing for cloud based metering systems. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Adapting cleft care protocols in low- and middle-income countries during and after COVID-19: a process-driven review with recommendations | Objective: A consortium of global cleft professionals, predominantly from low- and middle-income countries, identified adaptions to cleft care protocols during and after COVID as a priority learning area of need. Design: A multidisciplinary international working group met on a videoconferencing platform in a multi-staged process to make consensus recommendations for adaptions to cleft protocols within resource-constrained settings. Feedback was sought from a roundtable discussion forum and global organisations involved in comprehensive cleft care. Results: Foundational principles were agreed to enable recommendations to be globally relevant and two areas of focus within the specified topic were identified. First the safety aspects of cleft surgery protocols were scrutinised and COVID adaptions, specifically in the pre and peri-operative periods, were highlighted. Second, surgical operations and access to services were prioritized according to their relationship to functional outcomes and time-sensitivity. The operations assigned the highest priority were emergent interventions for breathing and nutritional requirements and primary palatoplasty. The cleft services assigned the highest priority were new-born assessments, paediatric support for children with syndromes, management of acute dental or auditory infections and speech pathology intervention. Conclusions: A collaborative, interdisciplinary and international working group delivered consensus recommendations to assist with the provision of cleft care in low- and middle-income countries. At a time of global cleft care delays due to COVID-19, a united approach amongst global cleft care providers will be advantageous to advocate for children born with cleft lip and palate in resource-constrained settings. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Preferences for Indoor Environmental and Social Comfort of Outpatient Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic, an Explanatory Study | While the pressure on hospital workers keeps growing, they are generally more dissatisfied with their comfort than other occupants in hospitals or offices. To better understand the comfort of outpatient workers in hospitals, clusters for preferences and perceptions of the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and social comfort were identified in a previous study before the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This qualitative study explains the outpatient workers’ main preferences for comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews and photo-elicitation were used. Contextual changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic were included. The questions in the interviews were based on the characteristics of the profiles, corresponding with the clusters. The data were analyzed with content analysis according to the steps defined by Gioia. Seventeen outpatient workers who had been part of the previous study participated. For some outpatient workers differentiation of preferences was illogical due to interrelations and equal importance of the comfort aspects. The main changes in perceptions of comfort due to the pandemic were worries about the indoor air quality and impoverished interaction. Because the occupants’ preferences for comfort can change over time, it was suggested that further development of occupant profiles needs to accommodate changes. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Micro-video Learning Resource Portrait and Its Application | The emergence of a large number of online learning platforms changes the learners' demands and learning styles, thus the society puts forward higher requirements for the personalization, intelligentization and adaptability of learning resource platforms. For large-scale, multi-source and fragmented micro-video learning resources and personalized education problems, based on micro-video online learning resources data, the paper studies the accurate, comprehensive and usable micro-video learning resources portrait method. And through the application of deep learning technology, it studies the theory and method of micro-video learning resource data analysis and personalized learning resource recommendation. It explores and forms the basic theories and methods of data-driven micro-video learning resources analysis to support the research of personalized education theories and methods. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Semiquantitative one-step RT-PCR for simultaneous identification of human influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses | A multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) method was developed for simultaneous detection and typing/subtyping of influenza viruses A/H1, A/H3 or B, and respiratory syncytial viruses A or B, followed by DNA semiquantitation using the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. Such method provides a rapid, specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for detection and semiquantification of respiratory illness specimens. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Venous and arterial thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to an academic hospital in Milan, Italy | BACKGROUND: Few data are available on the rate and characteristics of thromboembolic complications in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We studied consecutive symptomatic patients with laboratory-proven COVID-19 admitted to a university hospital in Milan, Italy (13.02.2020-10.04.2020). The primary outcome was any thromboembolic complication, including venous thromboembolism (VTE), ischemic stroke, and acute coronary syndrome (ACS)/myocardial infarction (MI). Secondary outcome was overt disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). RESULTS: We included 388 patients (median age 66 years, 68% men, 16% requiring intensive care [ICU]). Thromboprophylaxis was used in 100% of ICU patients and 75% of those on the general ward. Thromboembolic events occurred in 28 (7.7% of closed cases; 95%CI 5.4%-11.0%), corresponding to a cumulative rate of 21% (27.6% ICU, 6.6% general ward). Half of the thromboembolic events were diagnosed within 24 h of hospital admission. Forty-four patients underwent VTE imaging tests and VTE was confirmed in 16 (36%). Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was performed in 30 patients, corresponding to 7.7% of total, and pulmonary embolism was confirmed in 10 (33% of CTPA). The rate of ischemic stroke and ACS/MI was 2.5% and 1.1%, respectively. Overt DIC was present in 8 (2.2%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The high number of arterial and, in particular, venous thromboembolic events diagnosed within 24 h of admission and the high rate of positive VTE imaging tests among the few COVID-19 patients tested suggest that there is an urgent need to improve specific VTE diagnostic strategies and investigate the efficacy and safety of thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory COVID-19 patients. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Towards Explainable Direct Marketing in the Telecom Industry Through Hybrid Machine Learning | Direct marketing enables businesses to identify customers that could be interested in product offerings based on historical customer transactions data. Several machine learning (ML) tools are currently being used for direct marketing. However, the disadvantage of ML algorithmic models is that even though results could be accurate, they lack relevant explanations. The lack of detailed explanations that justify recommendations has led to reduced trust in ML-based recommendations for decision making in some critical real-world domains. The telecommunication domain has continued to witness a decline of revenue in core areas such as voice and text messaging services which make direct marketing useful to increase profit. This paper presents the conceptual design of a machine learning process framework that will enable telecom subscribers that should be targeted for direct marketing of new products to be identified, and also provide explanations for the recommendations. To do this, a hybrid framework that employs supervised learning, case-based reasoning and rule-based reasoning is proposed. The operational workflow of the framework is demonstrated with an example, while the plan of implementation and evaluation are also discussed. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
[Rethinking partnerships between primary schools and child psychiatry public health services in times of COVID-19]. | INTRODUCTION On a global scale, bringing together schools and public child psychiatry services is favored to promote the development of early interventions that could improve health trajectories, from prevention to treatment, for children exposed to psychological and psychiatric difficulties. In a public health perspective, contextualizing these practices is essential in order to ensure their sustainability and efficiency. This article sheds light on the stakes of these partnerships and their advantages in responding to the health, social, and economic mark that has been left behind by the crisis accompanying the brutal onset of the Covid-19 epidemic. AIMS Improving the health care management for children with mental health problems or problems of a psychological nature implies taking into account their environment beyond the therapeutic framework. Interventional research, currently underway, is taking place in several sites in France: primary schools, Medical-psychological centers (CMP), and Local Committees on Mental Health (CLSM). The goal is to provide an inventory and an analysis of the partnership and interventional structures that are most efficient, based on the needs and available resources at each site. This research envisages a diversification and a contextualization of the offer of care, with great concern for equity and therapeutic efficacy, starting from school. RESULTS More than simple results, our aim is to make suggestions as to how to better accompany the end of confinement and the months to come. The development of partnerships in regions that are strongly marked by social and economic inequalities is a priority in terms of public health and the direction of local policies. These partnerships would contribute to a global strategy of evaluating the needs and the personalized accompaniment of children. Formalizing the intervention with the interface being the school sector will support the school staff in overcoming the health crisis that is affecting their institution. The steady rise of CLSMs will enhance local coordination and collaboration to help the most psychologically vulnerable children and aid their parents, given their situation, to support the development of their children. CONCLUSION Restoring human and material resources to existing structures, notably in the sector of child psychiatry so that it can accomplish its public service mission seems to be a priority today. Establishing school-CMP-CLSM partnerships can contribute to providing local policy direction in the interest of elaborating individual and collective strategies that can ensure needs-adapted care that is accessible to as many children as possible. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A 22-year-old COVID-19 positive male with no prior medical history presented to the emergency department with pulmonary infarction | Rapidly growing evidence has now shown a high incidence of venous thrombosis in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome secondary to novel coronavirus 2, a disease now named COVID-19. Accumulating case reports and series have also shown a higher prevalence of arterial thrombosis in these patients as well. Although the pathophysiology remains unknown but likely multifactorial – including endotheliitis from direct viral damage and an underlying hyper-inflammatory state, arterial and venous thrombosis occurrence does not appear to be linked with underlying classic risk factors for venous thromboembolism and may present in healthy patients without significant comorbidities. We present a case of a 22-year-old healthy patient with COVID-19 who developed a pulmonary embolism with a pulmonary infarction, a complication that results from arterial and venous thrombosis of the pulmonary vascular supply resulting in tissue necrosis. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Comparison of three blood transfusion guidelines applied to 31 feline donors to minimise the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections. | Objectives The increased demand for animal blood transfusions creates the need for an adequate number of donors. At the same time, a high level of blood safety must be guaranteed and different guidelines (GLs) deal with this topic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of different GLs in preventing transfusion-transmissible infections (TTI) in Italian feline blood donors. Methods Blood samples were collected from 31 cats enrolled as blood donors by the owners' voluntary choice over a period of approximately 1 year. Possible risk factors for TTI were recorded. Based on Italian, European and American GLs, specific TTI, including haemoplasmas, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia species, Bartonella species, Babesia species, Theileria species, Cytauxzoon species, Leishmania donovani sensu lato and feline coronavirus (FCoV), were screened. Rapid antigen and serological tests and biomolecular investigations (PCR) were used. Several PCR protocols for haemoplasma and FeLV DNA were compared. Results The presence of at least one recognised risk factor for TTI was reported in all cats. Results for FIV and FeLV infections were negative using rapid tests, whereas five (16.1%) cats were positive for FCoV antibodies. Four (12.9%) cats were PCR positive for haemoplasma DNA and one (3.2%) for FeLV provirus, the latter being positive only using the most sensitive PCR protocol applied. Other TTI were not detected using PCR. Conclusions and relevance Blood safety increases by combining the recommendations of different GLs. To reduce the risk of TTI, sensitive tests are needed and the choice of the best protocol is a critical step in improving blood safety. The cost and time of the screening procedures may be reduced if appropriate tests are selected. To this end, the GLs should include appropriate recruitment protocols and questionnaire-based risk profiles to identify suitable donors. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
COVID-19 and its effect on Instagram adoption by #OBGYN residency programs | OBJECTIVES: Instagram (IG) is becoming one of the larger resource tools within medicine. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is becoming important for programs to improve virtual presence and outreach. We evaluated the adoption of IG by OB/GYN residency programs in the United States and aimed to see if highly ranked programs had higher utilization rates. METHODS: IG presence and engagement metrics were extracted for all ACGME accredited OB/GYN programs. Doximity residency navigator tool was used to obtain nationwide program rankings, and statistical analysis was performed to prove any significant correlation. Mann-Whitney U test, Cochran-Armitage test and Analysis of variance were used for analysis. IRB exemption was obtained. RESULTS: Seventy percent of programs (202/287) have IG presence, with the majority creating presence after the COVID pandemic began (115/202;57%). Seventy-two percent (83/115) of these programs created their IG account once virtual interviews were announced. The top 25% of programs, as ranked on Doximity, have a higher number of posts, followers and likes when compared to the rest of the programs. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased adoption of IG by residency programs. Highly ranked and reputed programs have higher rates of activity, popularity, and engagement on IG. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Homeopathic Treatment for COVID-19-Related Symptoms: A Case Series | BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) is a novel infectious disease, which has quickly developed into a pandemic. The spectrum of COVID-19 symptoms is broad, ranging from a mild, self-limiting respiratory tract illness to severe progressive pneumonia, multi-organ failure and possible death. Despite much effort and multiple clinical trials, there are, to date, no specific therapeutic agents to treat or cure the coronavirus infection. CASE REPORTS: The present paper presents 5 cases of patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 infections, 2 of them hospitalized in the intensive care unit, who were successfully treated with homeopathy. RESULTS: All 5 patients responded to homeopathic treatment in an unexpectedly short time span, improving both physically and mentally. CONCLUSION: The present case series emphasizes the rapidity of response among moderate to severely ill patients to homeopathic treatment, when conventional medical options have been unable to relieve or shorten the disease. The observations described should encourage use of homeopathy in treating patients with COVID-19 during the acute phase of the disease. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in the Critically Ill Patient: From Garage Technology to Artificial Intelligence | The history of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is marked by technological advances linked to improvements in the knowledge of the mechanisms and kinetics of extracorporeal removal of solutes, and the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) and other critical illnesses. In the present article, we review the main steps in the history of CRRT, from the discovery of continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration to its evolution into the current treatments and its early use in the treatment of AKI, to the novel sequential extracorporeal therapy. Beyond the technological advances, we describe the development of new medical specialties and a shared nomenclature to support clinicians and researchers in the broad and still evolving field of CRRT. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A spatial epidemic model with a moving boundary | We present a new mathematical model to investigate the spatial spread of an infectious disease. The model consists of a nonlinear PDE system with an unknown velocity field, defined on an epidemic domain that changes with time. The moving boundary of the domain represents the wavefront of the epidemic. We conduct an equilibrium analysis to the simplified models represented by ODE systems. We also perform a numerical study on the original PDE system for a range of scenarios, including one under a realistic epidemic setting. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Is malaria immunity a possible protection against severe symptoms and outcomes of COVID-19? | Malaria-endemic areas of the world are noted for high morbidity and mortality from malaria. Also noted in these areas is the majority of persons in the population having acquired malaria immunity. Though this acquired malaria immunity does not prevent infection, it resists the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites, restricting disease to merely uncomplicated cases or asymptomatic infections. Does this acquired malaria immunity in endemic areas protect against other diseases, especially outbreak diseases like COVID-19? Does malaria activation of innate immunity resulting in trained or tolerance immunity contribute to protection against COVID-19? In an attempt to answer these questions, this review highlights the components of malaria and viral immunity and explores possible links with immunity against COVID-19. With malaria-endemic areas of the world having a fair share of cases of COVID-19, it is important to direct research in this area to evaluate and harness any benefits of acquired malaria immunity to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and any possible future outbreaks. Funding None declared | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus: An overview of current virological and serological diagnostic methods | Abstract Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is the causative agent of an acute, highly contagious, and severe enteric disease that leads to high mortality rates in suckling piglets. Therefore, accurate diagnosis of PEDV infection is critical for the implementation of control measures for the virus. Many diagnostic tests have been recently developed and are currently available for the detection of PEDV, its proteins or nucleic acid, including virus isolation, immunofluorescence (IF) or immunohistochemistry (IHC), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isothermal amplification assays. Additionally, several serological assays have been developed and are currently used for the detection of antibodies against PEDV. Molecular assays such as real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (rRT-PCR) became the methods of choice for the diagnosis of PEDV infection, providing sensitive, specific and rapid detection of the virus RNA in clinical samples. Whereas serological assays have been widely used to monitor prior exposure to the virus and to evaluate the efficacy of novel vaccine candidates or vaccination strategies. Here we discuss the properties of current PEDV diagnostic assays and prospects for improving diagnostic strategies in the future. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Diagnostic strategies for SARS-CoV-2 infection and interpretation of microbiological results | BACKGROUND: To face the current COVID-19 pandemic, diagnostic tools are essential. It is recommended to use real-time RT-PCR for RNA viruses in order (a) to perform a rapid and accurate diagnostic, (b) to guide patient care and management and (c) to guide epidemiological strategies. Further studies are warranted to define the role of serological diagnosis and a possible correlation between serological response and prognosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to guide clinical microbiologists in the use of these diagnostic tests and clinicians in the interpretation of their results. SOURCES: A search of literature was performed through PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis, SARS-CoV-2 immune response, SARS-CoV-2 serology/antibody testing, coronavirus diagnosis. CONTENT: The present review discusses performances, limitations and use of current and future diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2. IMPLICATIONS: Real-time RT-PCR remains the reference method for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. On the other hand, notwithstanding its varying sensitivity according to the time of infection, serology represents a valid asset (a) to try to solve possible discrepancies between a highly suggestive clinical and radiological presentation and negative RT-PCR, (b) to solve discrepancies between different PCR assays and (c) for epidemiological purposes. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible and pathogenic coronavirus that emerged in late 2019 and has caused a pandemic of acute respiratory disease, named 'coronavirus disease 2019' (COVID-19), which threatens human health and public safety In this Review, we describe the basic virology of SARS-CoV-2, including genomic characteristics and receptor use, highlighting its key difference from previously known coronaviruses We summarize current knowledge of clinical, epidemiological and pathological features of COVID-19, as well as recent progress in animal models and antiviral treatment approaches for SARS-CoV-2 infection We also discuss the potential wildlife hosts and zoonotic origin of this emerging virus in detail | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Meal replacements followed by topiramate for the treatment of adolescent severe obesity: A pilot randomized controlled trial. | OBJECTIVE To assess the safety and efficacy of short-term meal replacement therapy followed by topiramate for body mass index (BMI) reduction in adolescents with severe obesity. METHODS Adolescents (ages 12-18 years) with severe obesity (BMI ≥1.2 times the 95th percentile or BMI ≥35 kg/m2 ) were recruited for this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Participants completed 4 weeks of meal replacement therapy followed by randomization (1:1) to either 24 weeks of topiramate 75 mg/day or placebo. Mean changes were compared between groups. RESULTS Thirty adolescents (mean age 15.2 ± 1.7 years, mean BMI 40.3 ± 4.6 kg/m2 ) completed the meal replacement phase and were randomized; 21 completed the study. The difference in mean percent change in BMI between the topiramate and placebo groups was not significant (-1.9%; 95% CI: -5.2% to +1.5%; P = 0.291). Significant improvements in visceral fat and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed in the topiramate compared with the placebo group. There were no concerning changes in neurocognitive function or bone health. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, 4 weeks of meal replacement therapy followed by 24 weeks of low-dose topiramate compared with meal replacement therapy alone did not result in significant BMI reduction for adolescents with severe obesity. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
New-onset hyperglycaemia and prolonged systemic corticosteroids therapy in mild COVID-19 patients as major risk factors for invasive mucormycosis: a preliminary study | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rapid surge of invasive mucormycosis has surprised the Indian healthcare system amidst the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Hence, there is an urgent need to find the risk factors for the sudden rise in cases of invasive mucormycosis among COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to find crucial risk factors for the sudden surge of invasive mucormycosis in India MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study included 77 cases of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) who matched the controls (45 controls) in terms of age , gender, and COVID-19 disease severity. The control group included subjects that matched controls without mucormycosis confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction at our tertiary care center during April-May 2021. Probable predisposing factors, such as duration of diabetes mellitus (DM), history of recent hospitalization, duration of hospital stay, mode of the received oxygen supplementation, and use of steroids, zinc, vitamin c, and any other specific drugs were collected and compared between the two groups. Moreover, the laboratory parameters, like glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were analyzed to find out the significant association with CAM RESULTS: DM (Odds ratio=7.7, 95% CI 3.30-18.12; P=<0.0001) and high glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c>7.5 gm %) (odds ratio=6.2, 95% CI 1.4-26.7; P=0.014) were significant risk factors for the development of invasive mucormycosis among the COVID-19 cases. A higher number of mild COVID-19 cases developed CAM, compared to the moderate to severe cases (59.7% vs 40.3%). Use of systemic corticosteroids (odd ratio=5 with 95% CI 1.5-16.9; P=0.007) was found to be a risk factor for invasive mucormycosis only in mild COVID-19 cases. Use of oxygen, zinc, and vitamin C supplementation, and proprietary medicine did not lead to a significant risk of invasive mucormycosis in cases, compared to controls. Cases with invasive mucormycosis had a higher level of inflammatory markers (hs-CRP and ESR, P=<0.001 and 0.002, respectively), compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: Uncontrolled and new-onset DM and the use of systemic corticosteroids in mild cases were significantly associated with a higher risk of invasive mucormycosis in COVID-19 cases. There should be a strong recommendation against the use of systemic corticosteroids in mild COVID-19 cases | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Virtual Drug Repurposing Study Against SARS-CoV-2 TMPRSS2 Target | Currently, the world suffers from a new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 Therefore, there is a need for the urgent development of novel drugs and vaccines for COVID-19 Since it can take years to develonew drugs against this disease, here we used a hybrid combined molecular modeling approach in virtual drug screening repurposing study to identify new compounds against this disease One of the important SARS-CoV-2 targets namely type 2 transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) was screened with NPC’s NIH small molecule library which includes approved drugs by FDA and compounds in clinical investigation We used 6654 small molecules in molecular docking and top-50 docking scored compounds were initially used in short (10-ns) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations Based on average MM/GBSA binding free energy results, long (100-ns) MD simulations were employed for the identified hits Both binding energy results as well as crucial residues in ligand binding were also compared with a positive control TMPRSS2 inhibitor, Camostat mesylate Based on these numerical calculations we proposed a compound (benzquercin) as strong TMPRSS2 inhibitor If these results can be validated by in vitro and in vivo studies, benzquercin can be considered to be used as inhibitor of TMPRSS2 at the clinical studies | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The diagnostic accuracy of RT-PCR from self-collected saliva versus nasopharyngeal sampling: A systematic review and meta-analysis | OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of self-collected saliva in coronavirus desease-19 (COVID-19) screening procedures. METHODS: A total of 6 databases were reviewed from their inception until August 2021. Sensitivity and specificity were measured by extracting items (true-positive, true-negative, false-positive and false-negative) from each paper. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy based on Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies, version 2. RESULTS: A total of 41 studies were included in the final analysis. The diagnostic odds ratio (OR) of self-collected saliva was 196.2022 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 117.8833-326.5546). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.955. For detecting COVID-19, self-collected saliva had a moderate sensitivity of 0.8476 [0.8045-0.8826] and positive predictive value of 0.9404 [0.9122-0.9599] but high specificity of 0.9817 [0.9707-0.9887] and negative predictive value of 0.9467 [0.9130-0.9678]. In a subgroup analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of self-collected saliva tended to be higher for symptomatic (vs. asymptomatic) examinees. CONCLUSION: Although naso/oropharyngeal swab tests are the most accurate and important diagnostic tools, the saliva-based testing method can be used as a suitable alternative test, with the advantages of increased patient convenience, efficient testing, and the need for fewer medical staff and resources. In particular, simple collecting method such as drooling or spitting without coughing would be effective in evaluating the symptomatic patients.PROSPERO no.: CRD42021279287. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Targeted protein degradation at the host-pathogen interface. | Infectious diseases remain a major burden to global health. Despite implementation of successful vaccination campaigns and efficient drugs, the increasing emergence of pathogenic vaccine or treatment resistance demands novel therapeutic strategies. The development of traditional therapies using small molecule drugs is based on modulating protein function and activity through occupation of active sites, such as enzyme inhibition or ligand-receptor binding. These pre-requisites result in the majority of host and pathogenic disease-relevant, non-enzymatic and structural proteins being labelled 'undruggable'. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) emerged as a powerful strategy to eliminate proteins of interest, including those of the 'undruggable' variety. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are rationally designed hetero-bifunctional small molecules that exploit the cellular ubiquitin-proteasome system to specifically mediate the highly selective and effective degradation of target proteins. PROTACs have shown remarkable results in the degradation of various cancer-associated proteins and several candidates are already in clinical development. Significantly, PROTAC mediated TPD holds great potential for targeting and modulating pathogenic proteins, especially in the face of increasing drug-resistance to the best-in-class treatments. In this review, we discuss advances in development of TPD in the context of targeting the host-pathogen interface and speculate on their potential use to combat viral, bacterial and parasitic infection. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Imbalanced Host Response to SARS-CoV-2 Drives Development of COVID-19 | Viral pandemics, such as the one caused by SARS-CoV-2, pose an imminent threat to humanity. Because of its recent emergence, there is a paucity of information regarding viral behavior and host response following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we offer an in-depth analysis of the transcriptional response to SARS-CoV-2 compared with other respiratory viruses. Cell and animal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection, in addition to transcriptional and serum profiling of COVID-19 patients, consistently revealed a unique and inappropriate inflammatory response. This response is defined by low levels of type I and III interferons juxtaposed to elevated chemokines and high expression of IL-6. We propose that reduced innate antiviral defenses coupled with exuberant inflammatory cytokine production are the defining and driving features of COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Abnormal presentation of haemorrhagic adrenal cyst | An 81-year-old patient presented with fever and lethargy for 3 weeks. There were no other signs or symptoms of infection. Detailed history revealed a fall onto his right flank, prior to the start of fever. All microbiological, autoimmune and oncological investigations were negative. CT scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis showed haemorrhage in a previously diagnosed simple adrenal cyst. The cyst was non-functioning. The patient continued to spike fever in the following 4 weeks, otherwise remained stable. The patient was managed conservatively as haemoglobin level was stable. Repeated scan showed signs of improvement. He was discharged after 5 weeks. He remained afebrile and asymptomatic at the planned endocrinology outpatient follow-up after 8 weeks. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
"You know, we can change the services to suit the circumstances of what is happening in the world": a rapid case study of the COVID-19 response across city centre homelessness and health services in Edinburgh, Scotland | BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated unprecedented changes in the way that health, social, and housing services are delivered to individuals experiencing homelessness and problem substance use. Protecting those at high risk of infection/transmission, whilst addressing the multiple health and social needs of this group, is of utmost importance. This study aimed to document the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals who were experiencing homelessness in one city centre in Scotland, and how services adapted in response. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals with lived/living experience of homelessness (n = 10), staff within onethird sector service (n = 5), and external professionals (n = 5), during April-August 2020, using a rapid case study design. These were audio-recorded, fully transcribed, and analysed using Framework. Analysis was informed by inclusion health and equity-orientated approaches to meeting the needs of people with multiple and complex needs, and emerging literature on providing harm reduction in the context of COVID-19. RESULTS: Those with lived/living experience of homelessness and problem substance use faced a range of additional challenges during the pandemic. Mental health and use of substances were affected, influenced by social isolation and access to services. A range of supports were provided which flexed over the lockdown period, including housing, health and social care, substance use treatment, and harm reduction. As well as documenting the additional risks encountered, findings describe COVID-19 as a 'path-breaking' event that created opportunities to get evidence into action, increase partnership working and communication, to proactively address risks. CONCLUSIONS: This rapid case study has described the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a group of people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use within one city centre in Scotland and provides a unique lens on service/professional responses. It concludes with lessons that can inform the international and ongoing response to this pandemic. It is vital to recognise the vision and leadership that has adapted organisational responses in order to reduce harms. We must learn from such successes that were motivated both by compassion and care for those vulnerable to harms and the desire to provide high-quality, evidence-based, harm reduction services. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Sustainable crises management in education during COVID-19 | COVID-19 has been a global disruptor. In many cases due to uncertainty and limited information, the pandemic has created chaos across business and private activity;education is no exception. The reality of the limited flexibility of existing systems of teaching was immediately acknowledged by the closure of physical facilities and the subsequent migration to online teaching. However, in spite of technologies to enable remote participation, it has become apparent that the capacity for learning in an autonomous environment is not homogeneous. From this perspective the pandemic created an opportunity to assess education infrastructure in real time as part of on-going crisis management. This paper explores aspects of crisis management in education as precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia and relates the mitigation and adaptation policies subsequently adopted to a holistic sustainability agenda for education. The research method employed in this study consists of semi structured interviews with the management team members from eight educational institutions. The interviews focus on the crisis management strategies and approaches implemented in their schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion concludes with a connection between crisis management and educational sustainability and sets an agenda for future research. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
NK cell frequencies, function and correlates to vaccine outcome in BNT162b2 mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated healthy and immunocompromised individuals | Adaptive immune responses have been studied extensively in the course of mRNA vaccination against COVID-19. Considerably fewer studies have assessed the effects on innate immune cells. Here, we characterized NK cells in healthy individuals and immunocompromised patients in the course of an anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA prospective, open-label clinical vaccine trial. See trial registration description in notes. Results revealed preserved NK cell numbers, frequencies, subsets, phenotypes, and function as assessed through consecutive peripheral blood samplings at 0, 10, 21, and 35 days following vaccination. A positive correlation was observed between the frequency of NKG2C(+) NK cells at baseline (Day 0) and anti-SARS-CoV-2 Ab titers following BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination at Day 35. The present results provide basic insights in regards to NK cells in the context of mRNA vaccination, and have relevance for future mRNA-based vaccinations against COVID-19, other viral infections, and cancer. Trial registration: The current study is based on clinical material from the COVAXID open-label, non-randomized prospective clinical trial registered at EudraCT and clinicaltrials.gov (no. 2021–000175-37). Description: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04780659?term=2021-000175-37&draw=2&rank=1. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-022-00443-2. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Relationship between clinical types and radiological subgroups defined by latent class analysis in 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 | OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether meaningful subgroups sharing the CT features of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia could be identified using latent class analysis (LCA) and explore the relationship between the LCA-derived subgroups and clinical types. METHODS: This retrospective review included 499 patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia between February 11 and March 8, 2020. Subgroups sharing the CT features were identified using LCA. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to analyze the association between clinical types and the LCA-derived subgroups. RESULTS: Two radiological subgroups were identified using LCA. There were 228 subjects (45.69%) in class 1 and 271 subjects (54.31%) in class 2. The CT findings of class 1 were smaller pulmonary infection volume, more peripheral distribution, more GGO, more maximum lesion range ≤ 5 cm, a smaller number of lesions, less involvement of lobes, less air bronchogram, less dilatation of vessels, less hilar and mediastinal lymph node enlargement, and less pleural effusion than the CT findings of class 2. Univariate analysis demonstrated that older age, therapy, presence of fever, presence of hypertension, decreased lymphocyte count, and increased CRP levels were significant parameters associated with an increased risk for class 2. Multivariate analyses revealed that the patients with clinically severe type disease had a 1.97-fold risk of class 2 than the patients with clinically moderate-type disease. CONCLUSIONS: The demographic and clinical differences between the two radiological subgroups based on the LCA were significantly different. Two radiological subgroups were significantly associated with clinical moderate and severe types. KEY POINTS: • Two radiological subgroups were identified using LCA. • Older age, therapy, presence of fever, presence of hypertension, decreased lymphocyte count, and increased CRP levels were significant parameters with an increased risk for class 2 defined by LCA. • Patients with clinically severe type had a 1.97-fold higher risk of class 2 defined by LCA in comparison with patients showing clinically moderate-type disease. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Efficient Conversion of Glycerol to Ethanol by an Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strain. | Glycerol is an eco-friendly solvent that enhances plant biomass decomposition via glycerolysis in many pretreatment methods. Nonetheless, inefficient conversion of glycerol to ethanol by natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae limits its use in these processes. Here, we have developed an efficient glycerol-converting yeast strain by genetically modifying the oxidation of cytosolic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) by an O2-dependent dynamic shuttle and abolishing both glycerol phosphorylation and biosynthesis in S. cerevisiae D452-2 strain, as well as vigorous expression of whole genes in the DHA-pathway (Candid utilis glycerol facilitator, Ogataea polymorpha glycerol dehydrogenase, endogenous dihydroxyacetone kinase, and triosephosphate isomerase). The engineered strain showed conversion efficiencies (CE) up to 0.49 g ethanol/g glycerol (98% of theoretical CE), with production rate >1 g/L-1h-1 when glycerol was supplemented in a single fed-batch fermentation in a rich medium. Furthermore, the engineered strain converted a mixture of glycerol and glucose into bioethanol (>86 g/L) with 92.8% CE. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest reported titer of bioethanol produced from glycerol and glucose. Notably, we developed a glycerol-utilizing transformant from parent strain, which cannot utilize glycerol as a sole carbon source. The developed strain converted glycerol to ethanol with a productivity of 0.44 g/L-1h-1 on minimal medium under semi-aerobic conditions. Our findings will promote the utilization of glycerol in eco-friendly biorefineries and integrate bioethanol and plant-oil industries. IMPORTANCE With the development of efficient lignocellulosic biorefineries, glycerol has attracted attention as an eco-friendly biomass-derived solvent that can enhance the dissociation of lignin and cell wall polysaccharides during the pretreatment process. Co-conversion of glycerol with the sugars released from biomass after glycerolysis increases the resources for ethanol production and lowers the burden of component separation. However, low conversion efficiency from glycerol and sugars limits the industrial application of this process. Therefore, the generation of an efficient glycerol-fermenting yeast will promote the applicability of integrated biorefineries. Hence, metabolic flux control in yeast grown on glycerol will lead to the generation of cell factories that produce chemicals, which will boost biodiesel and bioethanol industries. Additionally, the use of glycerol-fermenting yeast will reduce global warming and generation of agricultural waste, leading to the establishment of a sustainable society. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Validity and reliability of a virtual education satisfaction questionnaire from the perspective of cardiology residents during the COVID-19 pandemic | BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted the further virtualization of medical education. The satisfaction level of specific users such as cardiology residents with virtual education can augment its quality; hence, the significance of a valid and reliable questionnaire to obtain feedback is needed. This study aimed to design and measure validity and reliability of a satisfaction questionnaire for virtual education of cardiology residents during COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was developed by the faculty members of Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center. Reliability was tested utilizing Cronbach's alpha and intercorrelation which was tested using Pearson's correlation coefficient test (ICC). Factor analysis was done by the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett's sphericity test. The statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS software version 22. RESULTS: The face validity index was determined via an assessment of the relevance, clarity, and simplicity of each item, and values >0.79 were accepted. The total Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated 0.93. Concerning test–retest reliability, the correlation between two rounds of evaluation was >80 (P > 0.001) and ICC was 0.99 (P = 0.001). The content validity evaluation yielded an index of 0.95 and a ratio of 0.91. The principal component factor analysis, conducted to investigate construct validity, generated four domains. CONCLUSIONS: The study results confirmed the validity and reliability of the designed questionnaire to evaluate the level of satisfaction of cardiology residents with virtual learning in COVID-19 pandemic. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The pursuit of fairness in assessment: Looking beyond the objective. | Health professions education has undergone significant changes over the last few decades, including the rise of competency-based medical education, a shift to authentic workplace-based assessments, and increased emphasis on programmes of assessment. Despite these changes, there is still a commonly held assumption that objectivity always leads to and is the only way to achieve fairness in assessment. However, there are well-documented limitations to using objectivity as the 'gold standard' to which assessments are judged. Fairness, on the other hand, is a fundamental quality of assessment and a principle that almost no one contests. Taking a step back and changing perspectives to focus on fairness in assessment may help re-set a traditional objective approach and identify an equal role for subjective human judgement in assessment alongside objective methods. This paper explores fairness as a fundamental quality of assessments. This approach legitimises human judgement and shared subjectivity in assessment decisions alongside objective methods. Widening the answer to the question: 'What is fair assessment' to include not only objectivity but also expert human judgement and shared subjectivity can add significant value in ensuring learners are better equipped to be the health professionals required of the 21st century. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Detection of binding sites on SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein receptor-binding domain by molecular dynamics simulations in mixed solvents | The novel SARS-CoV-2 uses the ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2) receptor as an entry point. Insights on S protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) interaction with ACE2 receptor and drug repurposing has accelerated drug discovery for the novel SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finding small molecule binding sites in the S protein and ACE2 interface is crucial in the search of effective drugs to prevent viral entry. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics simulations in mixed solvents together with virtual screening to identify small molecules that could be potential inhibitors of S protein ACE2 interaction. Observation of organic probe molecule localization during the simulations revealed multiple sites at the S protein surface related to a small molecule, antibody, and ACE2 binding. In addition, a novel conformation of the S protein was discovered that could be stabilized by small molecules to inhibit attachment to ACE2. The most promising binding site on the RBD-ACE2 interface was targeted with virtual screening and top-ranked compounds (DB08248, DB02651, DB03714, and DB14826) are suggested for experimental testing. The protocol described here offers an extremely fast method for characterizing key proteins of a novel pathogen and for the identification of compounds that could inhibit or accelerate the spreading of the disease. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Effectiveness of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines against severe illness in B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant-infected patients in Jiangsu, China | Background The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant has caused a new surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. The effectiveness of inactivated vaccines against this variant is not fully understood. Methods Using data from a recent large-scale outbreak of B.1.617.2 SARS-COV-2 infection in Jiangsu, China, we conducted a real-world study to explore the effect of inactivated vaccine immunization on the course of disease in patients infected with the Delta variant. Results Out of 476 patients with B.1.617.2 infection, 184 were unvaccinated, 105 were partially vaccinated, and 187 were fully vaccinated. Forty-two (8.8%) patients developed severe illness, of which 27 (14.7%), 13 (12.4%), and 2 (1.1%) were unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated, respectively (P <0.001). All 15 (3.2%) patients who required mechanical ventilation were unvaccinated. After adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities, fully vaccinated patients had an 88% reduced risk of progressing to severe illness (ORadjusted: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.45). However, this protective effect was not observed in partially vaccinated patients (ORadjusted: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.51-2.36). Full immunization offered 100% protection from severe illness among women. The effect of the vaccine was potentially affected by underlying medical conditions (ORadjusted: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.03-1.23). Conclusion Full vaccination with inactivated vaccines is highly effective at preventing severe illness in Delta variant-infected patients. However, partial vaccination does not offer clinically meaningful protection against severe disease. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Open Questions for Harnessing Autophagy-Modulating Drugs in the SARS-CoV-2 War | At a time when the world faces an emotional breakdown, crushing our dreams if not taking our lives, we realize that together we must fight the war against the COVID-19 outbreak even if almost the majority of the scientific community finds itself confined to home. Every day, like everyone else, we, scientists, listen to the latest news with its promises and announcements. Across the world, a surge of clinical trials trying to cure or slow down the coronavirus pandemic has been launched to bring hope instead of fear and despair. One of the most recent has drawn worldwide hype to the possible benefit of chloroquine (CQ), a well-known and broadly used anti-malarial drug, in the treatment of patients infected by the recently emerged deadly coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). We should consider this information in the light of the long-standing anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties of CQ-related drugs. Yet, none of these articles evoked a possible molecular or cellular mechanism of action that could account for any efficacy. Here, given the interaction of viruses with macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy), a CQ-sensitive anti-viral safeguard pathway, we would like to discuss some pros and cons concerning the current therapeutic options targeting this process. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Mathematical modeling of COVID-19 in 14.8 million individuals in Bahia, Brazil | COVID-19 is affecting healthcare resources worldwide, with lower and middle-income countries being particularly disadvantaged to mitigate the challenges imposed by the disease, including the availability of a sufficient number of infirmary/ICU hospital beds, ventilators, and medical supplies. Here, we use mathematical modelling to study the dynamics of COVID-19 in Bahia, a state in northeastern Brazil, considering the influences of asymptomatic/non-detected cases, hospitalizations, and mortality. The impacts of policies on the transmission rate were also examined. Our results underscore the difficulties in maintaining a fully operational health infrastructure amidst the pandemic. Lowering the transmission rate is paramount to this objective, but current local efforts, leading to a 36% decrease, remain insufficient to prevent systemic collapse at peak demand, which could be accomplished using periodic interventions. Non-detected cases contribute to a â½55% increase in R0. Finally, we discuss our results in light of epidemiological data that became available after the initial analyses. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Neutralisation sensitivity of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron (B.1.1.529) variant: a cross-sectional study | Background The SARS-CoV-2 omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, which was first identified in November, 2021, spread rapidly in many countries, with a spike protein highly diverged from previously known variants, and raised concerns that this variant might evade neutralising antibody responses. We therefore aimed to characterise the sensitivity of the omicron variant to neutralisation. Methods For this cross-sectional study, we cloned the sequence encoding the omicron spike protein from a diagnostic sample to establish an omicron pseudotyped virus neutralisation assay. We quantified the neutralising antibody ID50 (the reciprocal dilution that produces 50% inhibition) against the omicron spike protein, and the fold-change in ID50 relative to the spike of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 (ie, the pandemic founder variant), for one convalescent reference plasma pool (WHO International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin [20/136]), three reference serum pools from vaccinated individuals, and two cohorts from Stockholm, Sweden: one comprising previously infected hospital workers (17 sampled in November, 2021, after vaccine rollout and nine in June or July, 2020, before vaccination) and one comprising serum from 40 randomly sampled blood donors donated during week 48 (Nov 29–Dec 5) of 2021. Furthermore, we assessed the neutralisation of omicron by five clinically relevant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Findings Neutralising antibody responses in reference sample pools sampled shortly after infection or vaccination were substantially less potent against the omicron variant than against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 (seven-fold to 42-fold reduction in ID50 titres). Similarly, for sera obtained before vaccination in 2020 from a cohort of convalescent hospital workers, neutralisation of the omicron variant was low to undetectable (all ID50 titres <20). However, in serum samples obtained in 2021 from two cohorts in Stockholm, substantial cross-neutralisation of the omicron variant was observed. Sera from 17 hospital workers after infection and subsequent vaccination had a reduction in average potency of only five-fold relative to wild-type SARS-CoV-2 (geometric mean ID50 titre 495 vs 105), and two donors had no reduction in potency. A similar pattern was observed in randomly sampled blood donors (n=40), who had an eight-fold reduction in average potency against the omicron variant compared with wild-type SARS-CoV-2 (geometric mean ID50 titre 369 vs 45). We found that the omicron variant was resistant to neutralisation (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] >10 μg/mL) by mAbs casirivimab (REGN-10933), imdevimab (REGN-10987), etesevimab (Ly-CoV016), and bamlanivimab (Ly-CoV555), which form part of antibody combinations used in the clinic to treat COVID-19. However, S309, the parent of sotrovimab, retained most of its activity, with only an approximately two-fold reduction in potency against the omicron variant compared with ancestral D614G SARS-CoV-2 (IC50 0·1–0·2 μg/mL). Interpretation These data highlight the extensive, but incomplete, evasion of neutralising antibody responses by the omicron variant, and suggest that boosting with licensed vaccines might be sufficient to raise neutralising antibody titres to protective levels. Funding European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, SciLifeLab, and the Erling-Persson Foundation. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Home Care for Cancer Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Double Triage Protocol | Abstract Patients with cancer have an increased risk of developing severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019, and patients with advanced cancer who are followed at home represent a particularly frail population. Although with substantial differences, the challenges that cancer care professionals have to face during a pandemic are quite similar to those posed by natural disasters. We have already managed the oncological home care service in L’Aquila (middle Italy) after the 2009 earthquake. With this letter, we want to share the procedures and tools that we have started using at the home care service of the Tuscany Tumor Association during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |