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Multipurpose medical image watermarking for effective security solutions | Digital medical images contain important information regarding patient’s health and very useful for diagnosis. Even a small change in medical images (especially in the region of interest (ROI)) can mislead the doctors/practitioners for deciding further treatment. Therefore, the protection of the images against intentional/unintentional tampering, forgery, filtering, compression and other common signal processing attacks are mandatory. This manuscript presents a multipurpose medical image watermarking scheme to offer copyright/ownership protection, tamper detection/localization (for ROI (region of interest) and different segments of RONI (region of non-interest)), and self-recovery of the ROI with 100% reversibility. Initially, the recovery information of the host image’s ROI is compressed using LZW (Lempel-Ziv-Welch) algorithm. Afterwards, the robust watermark is embedded into the host image using a transform domain based embedding mechanism. Further, the 256-bit hash keys are generated using SHA-256 algorithm for the ROI and eight RONI regions (i.e. RONI-1 to RONI-8) of the robust watermarked image. The compressed recovery data and hash keys are combined and then embedded into the segmented RONI region of the robust watermarked image using an LSB replacement based fragile watermarking approach. Experimental results show high imperceptibility, high robustness, perfect tamper detection, significant tamper localization, and perfect recovery of the ROI (100% reversibility). The scheme doesn’t need original host or watermark information for the extraction process due to the blind nature. The relative analysis demonstrates the superiority of the proposed scheme over existing schemes. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The COVID-19 Pandemic: Adverse Effects on the Social Determinants of Health in Children and Families | OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of social determinants on the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic within the pediatric population, how this impact may influence the long-term health and security of children, and what measures can be taken to ameliorate this impact moving forward. DATA SOURCES: Non-systematic review of relevant literature and news sources Study Selections: Relevant literature and news sources Results: There have been increases in housing insecurity and food insecurity during the pandemic, as well as global increases in poverty. Public policies such as school closures have had a disproportionate impact on those facing adverse social determinants. There has been a dramatic increase in reports of abuse-related injuries, and other injuries indicative of child abuse during the pandemic. In addition, there are disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 based on race and ethnicity within the United States. It is clear that children are facing more adverse determinants as a result of this pandemic, and that there are both short-term and long-term implications associated. For those living in poverty or with other adverse social determinants of health, the pandemic has made a bad situation worse. Ongoing studies are required to measure the impact of COVID-19 on those with adverse social determinants, in particular among children. CONCLUSION: Social determinants of health must be part of pandemic research priorities, public health and vaccination goals, and economic policy implementation. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has further served to shed a light on the broad disparities that exist within our society and their direct and indirect impact on health outcomes. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Policy Development for Pandemic Response Using System Dynamics: a Case Study on COVID-19 | The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has burdened several countries. Its high transmissibility and mortality rate have caused devastating impacts on human lives. This has led countries to implement control strategies, such as social distancing, travel bans, and community lockdowns, with varying levels of success. However, a disease outbreak can cause significant economic disruption from business closures and risk avoidance behaviors. This paper raises policy recommendations through a system dynamics modeling approach. The developed model captures relationships, feedbacks, and delays present in a disease transmission system. The dynamics of several policies are analyzed and assessed based on effectiveness in mitigating infection and the resulting economic strain. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Distance Education Prompted by Covid-19 Lockdowns: A Challenge for Teaching Musical Performing Arts | In 2020 and 2021, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) played a crucial role during the lockdowns, giving people the chance to continue doing business, entertainment, and education. In the education sector, in response to the outbreak of COVID-19, many countries adopted ICT-enabled distance education, which shows both positive and problematic features. The most concerning aspects relate to the digital divide, the readers' ability to assess the trustworthiness of texts found on the Web, the educators' competence in using ICT by incorporating it in their pedagogical practice, and the applicability of distance education to the teaching of performing arts. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Case Report: Hepatotoxicity Associated with the Use of Hydroxychloroquine in a Patient with COVID-19 | Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been used for the treatment of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. However, evidence of efficacy remains limited, and adverse events can be associated with its use. Here, we report a case of a patient with severe COVID-19 who, after being administered HCQ, exhibited a 10-fold increase in serum levels of transaminases, followed by a rapid decrease after HCQ was withdrawn. Considering the significantly increased use of HCQ during the COVID-19 pandemic, this case alerts us to the potential for HCQ to be associated with hepatotoxicity and the need to monitor liver function during HCQ therapy. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Patients’ Perspectives on User Involvement in General Practice. A Qualitative Analysis of Free-Text Comments | Background: : General practice plays a core role in managing the pathways of patients with chronic diseases. Despite the increased focus on patient involvement in healthcare practice and well-established knowledge of the benefits of involvement and personalized care, involvement in general practice appears to be challenged. This study aimed to explore patient involvement in general practice from the patients’ perspectives. Method: : The study involved a questionnaire survey investigating patient involvement in general practice from the patients’ perspectives. The validated questionnaire includes an open-ended question encouraging responders to provide additional comments regarding their involvement in general practice. The results from these comments are presented in this paper. A thematic analysis was applied. Results: : Of the 468 responses, 139 included additional comments to the free-text question. Through our analysis, six analytic themes were generated— To be seen, met, or heard , To feel safe or not , To be involved or dictated to , Accessibility , COVID-19 , and For the resourceful— across 116 codings and 25 descriptive themes. The themes’ interwovenness underscores the complexity of both involvement and how it is to live with a chronic disease. Our analysis indicates that involvement in general practice is for the resourceful. Conclusion: : The six themes describing involvement in general practice from the perspectives of patients with T2DM and/or COPD were deeply intertwined. Involvement is dependent on being seen, met, and heard, all of which contribute to the patients’ sense of feeling safe (or not). These aspects are dependent on accessibility to a general practitioner;thus, COVID-19 was a barrier during the data-collection period. Furthermore, it appeared that being resourceful not only contributed to a sense of being involved in general practice but was perhaps even a prerequisite for being involved. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
COVID-19 occurring during Natalizumab treatment: a case report in a patient with extended interval dosing approach | BACKGROUND: The novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which was identified after a recent outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has generated a global pandemic impacting over 200 countries around the world. Recent reports suggest that ACE2, which is the target protein to invade the host, has a ubiquitous presence in human organs, including lung parenchyma, gastrointestinal tract, nasal mucosa, renal and urinary tract, airway epithelia, lymphoid tissues, reproductive organs, vascular endothelium and neurons. In this scenario, neurologists are particularly involved into considering even more specific therapeutic strategies according to the available data during the pandemic. In particular, MS patients are usually receiving disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) with immunosuppressant or immunomodulatory effects, which increase the risk of infections and morbidity, compared with the general population. Development of PML or other serious opportunistic infections during treatment with natalizumab forces to consider whether de-risking strategies are needed in this particular context and how to manage a high-efficacy treatment. METHODS: In this paper we report on a patient treated with natalizumab for relapsing MS who developed COVID-19 and recovered in a few days without complications. RESULTS: After recovery natalizumab has been administered in the window of the extended interval dosing (EID), without reporting any worsening or new symptoms. DISCUSSION: This case supports the opportunity to avoid discontinuing or delaying the retreatment over 8 weeks in patients recovered from a recent COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Louisiana Guestworker Health and Safety a Necessary Component of Health Equity: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic | Guestworkers are a critical labor component of many industries considered essential to U.S. infrastructure. Despite their essential role in the U.S. labor force, guestworkers are vulnerable to exploitative labor practices. The COVID-19 pandemic compounded guestworkers’ vulnerability to include a lack of public health protective measures in addition to longstanding labor abuses. The pandemic has created greater public health awareness about structural determinants of health inequities, such as unsafe and exploitative working conditions. As public health increases its focus on social and structural determinants of health, it can contribute to improved labor conditions for guestworkers. This article highlights guestworkers’ experiences in Louisiana's crawfish industry to demonstrate the marginalized role of guestworker labor in a major Louisiana industry. This article also examines local public health approaches that can bring attention and resources to labor issues. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Lights and Shadows of the Perception of the Use of Telemedicine by Romanian Family Doctors During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Introduction: Telemedicine has emerged as a critical technology to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection We aim in this work to explore how general practitioners (GPs) perceived the use of telemedicine, recently recognized and reimbursed by the Public Health Insurance House (PHIH) for primary care (PC) provision Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 in one county of Romania using an anonymous questionnaire that assessed physicians' perceptions regarding teleconsultation, reliability in tele-decision, remote pathology management, pregnant women's surveillance, patients' satisfaction with telemedicine, the need for its further reimbursement Bivariate correlation was used to measure associations between the investigated issues Results: More than a quarter of GPs (28 6%) found it easier to address patients' healthcare needs remotely, while 60 7% considered time-consuming teleconsultations compared to face-to-face visits Tele-diagnostic uncertainty was expressed by 64 3% of physicians, and a quarter were confident in tele-decisions Almost half of GPs (43%) observed patients' satisfaction with tele-visits, while half said patients encountered difficulties using technology A large percentage of doctors (62 5%) perceived that patients felt as well treated by virtual as in-person visit and 91 1% suggested post-pandemic reimbursement The results of the bivariate correlation showed that physicians who perceived positive patient feedback on telemedicine were more supportive of subsequent reimbursement Conclusion: This study showed the GPs' positive perception of the use of telemedicine Its adoption in PC has shed light on the shadows of the pandemic The time-consuming nature of teleconsultations, uncertainty in tele-decisions, patients' difficulties in using technology were seen as shadows of telecare However, most of the GPs surveyed agreed with the need for further reimbursement Future work should focus on innovative solutions for integrating telemedicine as complementary form of PC, the need for telemedicine-based training for GPs to improve capacity building, and patients' perceptions of virtual care, helping to build trust and satisfaction | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Clinical Implementation of Prolonged Liver Preservation and Monitoring Through Normothermic Machine Perfusion in Liver Transplantation. | BACKGROUND Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) bears the potential for significant prolongation of liver preservation prior to transplantation. Although safety and feasibility have been recently published, not data are available describing the significant challenges of establishing NMP programs outside clinical studies. We herein present our experience and propose a multidisciplinary approach for liver NMP in the clinical routine. METHODS AND RESULTS In February 2018, liver NMP was introduced for routine use in marginal organs, logistical challenges and complex recipients at our institution. In a multidisciplinary effort between transplant coordinators, perfusionists, transplant surgeons, anesthesia, nurses, blood bank as well as laboratory staff, a clinical routine was established and 34 NMP cases were performed without critical incidents or organ loss. Nine livers were discarded due to poor organ quality and function observed during NMP. Twenty-five livers were successfully transplanted after preservation of up to 38 hours. The ECD rate was 100% and 92% in discarded and transplanted livers. Nighttime procedures and parallel transplantations were eventually omitted. Graft and patient survival was 88% at 20 months. No cholangiopathy was observed despite the use of extended criteria donor organs in 92% of cases. CONCLUSION NMP in a multidisciplinary approach enables a safe prolongation of liver preservation and overnight organ care. A first field test of NMP indicates safety and benefit of this approach. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Cross-regional variations of Covid-19 mortality in Italy: an ecological study | BACKGROUND: Disparities in cross-regional coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) mortality remain poorly understood. The association between pre-epidemic health and epidemic mortality can inform a policy response to future outbreaks. METHOD: We conducted an ecological study of the association between the cumulative deaths attributed to Covid-19 epidemic in the 20 Italian regions and nine determinants of population health derived from a systematic review of the literature. We used a multiple least square regression to predict the cross-regional variation in mortality observed from the onset of the epidemic to 23 September 2020. RESULTS: Four independent variables best explained the cross-regional differences in the number of deaths attributed to Covid-19: the force of infection, population density, number of elderly living in assisted facilities and the standard rate of diabetes. The semi-partial correlation coefficients suggest that the force of infection and the number of elderly residents in nursing homes were the dominant predictors of the number of deaths attributed to Covid-19. Statistical controls and validation confirmed the generalizability of the predictive model. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that a significant reduction of social contacts in main metropolitan areas and the timely isolation of elderly and diabetic residents could significantly reduce the death toll of the next wave of Covid-19 infection in Italy. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
B-cell aplasia is the most powerful predictive marker for poor humoral response after BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation | BACKGROUND: : Little is known on the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT). However, a few studies have reported that adequate protection could be provided to this population. OBJECTIVE(S): : The purpose of this study was to evaluate which factors can predict the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in these specifically immunosuppressed patients. STUDY DESIGN: : Specific anti Spike (S) antibody responses were assessed in a cohort of 117 Allo-HSCT recipients after two injections of BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (V1 and V2). Factors considered liable to influence the antibody response and analyzed in this series were the interval between Allo-HSCT and V1, donor source, recipient and donor age, current immunosuppressive/chemotherapy (I/C) treatment and levels of CD4(+)and CD8(+) T-cells, B-cells and NK-cells at the time of V1. RESULTS: : Overall, the S-antibody response rate, evaluated at a median of 35 days after V2, was 82.9% for the entire cohort, with 71 patients (61%) reaching the highest titre. In univariate analysis, a lower pre-V1 median total lymphocyte count, lower CD4+ T-cell and B-cell counts as well as ongoing I/C treatment and a haploidentical donor were characteristic of non-humoral responders. However, multiparameter analysis showed that B-cell aplasia was the only factor predicting the absence of a specific immune response (Odd Ratio 0.01, 95%CI [0.00 – 0.10], p <10(−3)). Indeed, the rate of humoral response was 9.1% in patients with B-cell aplasia, vs 95.9% in patients with a B-cell count higher than 0 (p<10(−9)). CONCLUSION(S): : These results advocate for the prescription of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Allo-HSCT recipients as early as peripheral B-cell levels can be detected, suggesting also a need for a close monitoring of B-cell reconstitution after Allo-HSCT. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Exploring relationship among semiotic product packaging, brand experience dimensions, brand trust and purchase intentions in an Asian emerging market | Purpose Over recent years, brand semiotics have been gaining the marketing practitioners' attention for designing their brand strategy. Hence, to address this gap, the current study investigates the effect of semiotic product packaging on brand experience dimensions, brand trust and purchase intent of reputed major brands of fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) products. Design/methodology/approach The data for this study were collected by administering a questionnaire-based survey from 254 respondents from the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) of India, using systematic sampling. Structural equation modeling has been used to test the conceptual model and examine the hypotheses developed in the study. Findings The results present evidence of the growing influence of semiotic product packaging upon consumer brand trust and purchase intentions. The study suggests that brand semiotics positively influence customer brand experience, brand trust and purchase intention of FMCG products. Practical implications The research findings will benefit FMCG companies to identify how to apply semiotics in packaging to improve consumers' brand experience and influence intent to purchase. Originality/value Research in brand semiotics on product packaging is limited, as most prior studies focus on brand semiotics in advertising, product design improvement and retail design. The present study has investigated the impact of semiotics on brand experience dimensions in product packaging, which is emerging as a critical concern for the FMCG sector particularly in the post-COVID period. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Editorial: Parasites- the importance of time. | The special edition of Parasite Immunology "Parasites- the importance of time" embraces the intersection between three established research disciplines - Parasitology, Immunology and Circadian biology. Each of these research areas has a longstanding history littered with landmark discoveries with the intersect between the three bringing exciting findings and new questions and perhaps even a greater sense of awe in terms of how parasites have evolved to interact and live with their hosts. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Association Between Poor Sleep Quality and Glycemic Control in Adult Patients with Diabetes Referred to Endocrinology Clinic of Guilan: A Cross-sectional Study | BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a prevalent chronic medical comorbid condition worldwide. Diabetes mellitus is associated with various sleep disorders. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the prevalence of poor sleep and the main factors of sleep interruptions in patients with diabetes mellitus. We further evaluated the association of sleep interruptions with glycemic control in this cohort. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 266 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes recruited from a university outpatient endocrinology clinic. Patients completed a checklist including demographic and disease-related characteristics in addition to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality. Using the PSQI cutoff score of 5, we created two subgroups of good sleepers (GS) and poor sleepers (PS). RESULTS: Our results showed that good sleeper and poor sleeper patients with diabetes were significantly different regarding sex, employment status, BMI, presence of diabetes-related complications, HbA1c, and 2-hour postprandial blood sugar (2HPPBS) (all significant at P < 0.05). The most prevalent factors of sleep interruptions were “waking up to use a bathroom”, “feeling hot”, “pain”, “having coughs or snores”, and “bad dreams”. Among the subjective factors of sleep interruption, problems with sleep initiation, maintenance, or early morning awakenings in addition to having pain or respiratory problems such as coughing or snoring had the most significant associations with HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed significant subjective sleep disturbances (both quality and quantity) in patients with diabetes mellitus (both type I and II) and its association with diabetes control. We further identified the main factors that led to sleep interruptions in this cohort. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Semantic Changepoint Detection for Finding Potentially Novel Research Publications | How has the focus of research papers on a given disease changed over time? Identifying the papers at the cusps of change can help highlight the emergence of a new topic or a change in the direction of research We present a generally applicable unsupervised approach to this question based on semantic changepoints within a given collection of research papers We illustrate the approach by a range of examples based on a nascent corpus of literature on COVID-19 as well as subsets of papers from PubMed on the World Health Organization list of neglected tropical diseases The software is freely available at: https://github com/pdddinakar/SemanticChangepointDetection | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Non-COVID Diseases during the Pandemic: Where Have All Other Emergencies Gone? | Background and objectives: the emergency department (ED) is frequently identified by patients as a possible solution for all healthcare problems, leading to a high rate of misuse of the ED, possibly causing overcrowding The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic started in China;it then spread throughout Italy, with the first cases confirmed in Lombardy, Italy, in February 2020 This has totally changed the type of patients referred to EDs The aim of this study was to analyze the reduction of ED admissions at a Second level urban teaching (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS) during the COVID-19 pandemic Materials and Methods: in this retrospective observational cross-sectional study, we reviewed and compared clinical records of all the patients consecutively admitted to our ED over a 40-day period (21 February –31 March) in the last three years (2018–2019–2020) Mean age, sex, triage urgency level, day/night admission, main presentation symptom, and final diagnosis, according to different medical specialties, hospitalization, and discharge rate, were analyzed Results: we analyzed 16,281 patient clinical records The overall reduction in ED admissions in 2020 was 37 6% compared to 2019 In 2020, we observed an increase in triage urgency levels for ED admissions (the main presentation symptom was a fever) We noticed a significant drop in admissions for cardio-thoracic, gastroenterological, urological, otolaryngologic/ophthalmologic, and traumatological diseases Acute neurological conditions registered only a slight, but significant, reduction Oncology admissions were stable Admissions for infectious diseases were 30% in 2020, compared to 5% and 6% in 2018 and 2019, respectively In 2020, the hospitalization rate increased to 42 9% compared to 27 7%, and 26 4% in previous years Conclusions: the drastic reduction of ED admissions during the pandemic may be associated with fear of the virus, suggesting that patients with serious illnesses did not go to the emergency room Moreover, there was possible misuse of the ED in the previous year In particular, worrisome data emerged regarding a drop in cardiology and neurology admissions Those patients postponed medical attention, possibly with fatal consequences, just for fear of exposure to COVID-19, leading to unnecessary morbidity and mortality | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
SILS hepatectomy for hepatic hydatid disease: a case report. | Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is being used with increasing frequency in the treatment of many conditions requiring surgery. Experience with SILS for hepatectomy is limited. This is one of the first reports of SILS hepatectomy in the treatment of hepatic hydatid disease. A 17-years-old female who has 89 × 59-mm cystic mass in the left lobe of the liver was admitted with abdominal pain persisting for several months. For treatment of the mass, SILS hepatectomy performed. Although complexity of the liver structure and the technical difficulties of SILS restrict its applications in hepatic surgery, the treatment of liver hydatid disease with SILS in selected patients is safe and efficient. Moreover, it allows a better cosmetic result and rapid recovery. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Dynamic changes of throat swabs RNA and serum antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 and their diagnostic performances in patients with COVID-19 | Dynamic changes of RNA and antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients remain largely unknown, and influence factors for antibody production have not been fully clarified. In this study, consecutive throat swabs specimens (n = 1875) from 187 patients were collected to analyse the dynamic changes of RNA. Moreover, 162 serial serum samples from 31 patients were tested for seroconversion of IgM and IgG. Meanwhile, IgM and IgG were also detected in 409 COVID-19 patients and 389 controls. Additionally, the logistic regression analysis was executed to identify the possible influence factors for antibody production. The median positive conversion time for RNA was day 7 (IQR, 3-11), and the positive rate was highest in day 1-5 (74.59 %) and then gradually decreased. The median time of seroconversion for IgM and IgG were both day 12 (IQR, 10-15). The sensitivity and specificity for IgM (or IgG) was 87.04% and 96.92%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that reduced lymphocytes and short positive conversion time for SARS-CoV-2 RNA were independent factors for negative results of IgM and IgG. In conclusion, RNA and antibodies should be combined for COVID-19 diagnosis, and delayed seroconversion was influenced by the decreased lymphocytes and short positive conversion time for RNA. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Fintech Peer to Peer Lending as Approach to Encourage Economic Inclusion for Rural Communities in Indonesia | The paper aims to explain the use of Peer to Peer Lending-based fintech as a platform in creating economic productivity in Rural Areas in Indonesia. Peer to Peer Lending to suppress economic and social inequalities for people who are far from urban access. As for the background of this writing because Indonesia is one of the countries considered to have the potential to increase economic growth through digital financial inclusion in the Southeast Asia Region, although based on the facts some Indonesian people are still not netted in banking and investment accounts that are largely experienced by rural communities. Peer to Peer Lending is considered potential because it can reach unlimited digital-based financial services. First geographically, the vast area of Indonesia is mostly in rural areas has affect to the lack of financial access for rural communities and low levels of economic productivity. Secondly lack of formal education in rural environment can overcome by Peer to Peer Lending through cutting bureaucracy and tight requirement in conventional banking by using integrated digital and technology of finance. Third, this paper will show that fintech Peer to Peer Lending as the one of sustainable finance rather than the platform has been exists by Indonesia Government for rural areas. In this section, the platform of Peer to Peer Lending can be used to sustainable finance and economy during the recovery pandemics Covid-19, whereas it refers to the concept less physical contact economy. Furthermore the paper has conducting obstacle to implementing Peer to Peer Lending for rural communities include: lack of formal education, infrastructure and public transportation. Therefore the author has draft the framework to overcome the issues that involved strong stakeholder include: national government, bank and financial sector, academic and research institution, non-profit and fintech group. First;strengthening financial and digital literacy for rural communities through empowerment program, the empowerment will focus on practically to using Peer to Peer Lending platform between lenders and borrowers. In this section the empowerment program must emphasize management risk for rural community to using this platform such us identifying the asset of borrowers. The borrowers must have ability identifying and arrange their financial history and asset as building Secondly: the paper will emphasize the structural and system for the readiness of Peer to Peer Lending platform for rural community. This paper will also examine whether the financial of technology based on peer to peer lending is effective for rural communities in Indonesia by conducting and analyzing data;smartphone user, population growth and unbankable MSME’s. The results of the data will used to prove that this platform can reduce social and inequality for rural communities in Indonesia. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Evaluation of the Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effect of Chitosan Nanoparticles as Carrier for Supernatant of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Multidrug-Resistant Vibrio cholerae. | Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) incorporated with mesenchymal stem cells-derived conditioned media (MSCs CM) on MDR Vibrio cholerae strains. Materials and Methods Chitosan NPs were prepared and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and zeta potential measurement. MSCs CM were prepared and entrapped into MSCs CM-CS NPs composite and its release efficiency was measured. Antibacterial efficacy of nano structures was determined by disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Antibiofilm activity was assessed by crystal violet assay. Results BM-MSCs were characterized to be negative for CD34 and CD45 markers, positive for CD73 and CD44 markers, and able to differentiate into osteoblast and adipocyte cells. The mean particle size of 96.6% of chitosan NPs was 414.9 nm with a suitable zeta potential and SEM morphology. Entrapment efficiency of MSCs CM-CS NPs was 76.9%. Unstimulated MSCs CM-CS NPs composite as a novel and proficient therapeutic nanostructure against MDR V. cholerae strains showed the synergistic activity of the two components of MSCs CM and CS NPs, leading to greater bacterial killing compared to control groups. MSCs CM more efficiently inhibited biofilm formation, although MSCs CM-CS NPs was also appeared to be effective in inhibiting biofilm formation compared to CS NPs and control group. Conclusion The designed nanodrug composite showed the best release in conditions mimicking the physiological conditions of the intestinal lumen. Given the fact that no overuse or genetic event would cause the emergence of antimicrobial resistance against the MSCs CM-CS NPs nanodrug, it could be considered as a promising alternative for the treatment of MDR V. cholerae infections in clinical settings. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Structural Characterization and Immunomodulatory Activity of a Novel Polysaccharide From Lycopi Herba | Lycopi Herba has been broadly used as a traditional medicinal herb in Asia due to its ability to strengthen immunity. However, it is still obscure for its material basis and underlying mechanisms. Polysaccharide, as one of the most important components of most natural herbs, usually contributes to the immunomodulatory ability of herbs. Here, we aimed to detect polysaccharides from Lycopi Herba and examine their potential immunomodulatory activity. A novel polysaccharide (LHPW) was extracted from Lycopi Herba and purified by DEAE-52 cellulose chromatography and G-100 sephadex. According to physicochemical methods and monosaccharide composition analysis, LHPW was mainly composed of galactose, glucose, fructose, and arabinose. NMR and methylation analyses indicated that LHPW was a neutral polysaccharide with a backbone containing →3,6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →4)-β-D-Galp-(1→ and →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, with the branches of →1)-β-D-Fruf-(2→ and →6)-α-D-Galp-(1→. Immunological tests indicated that LHPW could activate macrophage RAW264.7 and promote splenocyte proliferation. This study discovered a novel polysaccharide from Lycopi Herba and showed it was a potential immunomodulator. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Systemic Financial Stress and Macroeconomic Amplifications in the United Kingdom* | We develop a daily composite index of financial stress for the United Kingdom over 50 years, the UKFSI. The index includes market stress indicators based on their incremental information to capture financial crises. During the COVID-19 crisis, financial stress peaks but remains less severe than during the Global Financial Crisis. The UKFSI is used in a threshold vector autoregression to differentiate the economic dynamics between tranquil and stressful periods. We highlight the importance of nonlinearities that amplify shocks. But we find no evidence of financial shocks contributing to the COVID-19 crisis, possibly reflecting effective policy interventions. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Report from the CVOT Summit 2020: new cardiovascular and renal outcomes | The 6th Cardiovascular Outcome Trial (CVOT) Summit "Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes 2020" was the first to be held virtually on October 29-30, 2020. As in previous years, this summit served as reference meeting for in-depth discussions on the topic of recently completed and presented major outcome trials. This year, focus was placed on the outcomes of VERTIS-CV, EMPEROR-Reduced, DAPA-CKD, and FIDELIO-DKD. Trial implications for diabetes management and the impact on new treatment algorithms were highlighted for diabetologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, and general practitioners. Discussion evolved from major outcome trials using SGLT-2 inhibitors for treatment and prevention of heart failure and chronic kidney disease in people with and without diabetes, to additional therapy options for chronic kidney disease with a novel mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. Furthermore, challenges in diabetes management like COVID-19 and obesity, as well as novel treatment strategies and guidelines, were discussed.The 7th Cardiovascular Outcome Trial Summit will be held virtually on November, 18-19, 2021 ( http://www.cvot.org ). | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of influenza C virus | Influenza C virus (ICV) is a common yet under-recognized cause of acute respiratory illness ICV seropositivity has been found to be as high as 90% by 7-10 years of age, suggesting that most people are exposed to ICV at least once during childhood Due to difficulty detecting ICV by cell culture, epidemiologic studies of ICV likely have underestimated the burden of ICV infection and disease Recent development of highly sensitive RT-PCR has facilitated epidemiologic studies that provide further insights into the prevalence, seasonality, and course of ICV infection In this review, we summarize the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of ICV Copyright © 2020 by the authors | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Functioning of Neurosurgery Clinics and the Anxiety Levels of Neurosurgeons in Turkey | AIM: The aim of this study was to reveal the impacts of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the functioning of neurosurgery clinics and to determine the anxiety levels and attitudes of Turkish neurosurgeons towards their profession during the pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Beck anxiety inventory and a clinical activities scale were utilized as data collection tools and distributed to neurosurgeons in Turkey as an online survey. Descriptive statistical methods, significance tests and correlation and regression analyses were employed to analyze the data. The data analysis was carried out in a 95% confidence interval Results: Of the 240 neurosurgeons who participated in the study, 63.8% had encountered cases of COVID-19 and 53.8% had handled patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The study results showed that the pandemic did not cause anxiety in 62.9% of the respondents, but it caused mild anxiety in 13.8% and moderate anxiety in 12.12%. The findings also revealed a low linear correlation between the anxiety values and occupational anxiety of the neurosurgeons and low inverse correlation between anxiety values and the protection factor in the pandemic period. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused serious disruptions in the routine functioning of neurosurgery clinics and changes in the attitudes of neurosurgeons. Healthcare organizations should take the necessary precautions and measures to resolve the anxiety problems of healthcare professionals, such as providing professional support, and ensure that they can work in a safer environment. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and Bordetella bronchiseptica in a young man with idiopathic non-cystic bronchiectasis and vitamin D3 deficiency | This is the first reported case, to our knowledge, of co-infection of Bordetella bronchiseptica and SARS-CoV-2 in a young patient with underlying idiopathic bronchiectasis and vitamin D3 deficiency that was treated successfully with a combination therapeutic regime integrating doxycycline, empiric therapies for COVID-19, vitamin D supplementation, and supportive ICU care. Large prospective studies are required to investigate further the role of co-infections in COVID-19 patients with bronchiectasis. Randomized control trials should examine the putative beneficial role of vitamin D supplementation in patients with COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
MUCCnet: Munich Urban Carbon Column network | In order to mitigate climate change, it is crucial to understand urban greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions precisely, as more than two-thirds of the anthropogenic GHG emissions worldwide originate from cities Nowadays, urban emission estimates are mainly based on bottom-up calculation approaches with high uncertainties A reliable and long-term top-down measurement approach could reduce the uncertainty of these emission inventories significantly We present the Munich Urban Carbon Column network (MUCCnet), the world's first urban sensor network, which has been permanently measuring GHGs, based on the principle of differential column measurements (DCMs), since summer 2019 These column measurements and column concentration differences are relatively insensitive to vertical redistribution of tracer masses and surface fluxes upwind of the city, making them a favorable input for an inversion framework and, therefore, a well-suited candidate for the quantification of GHG emissions However, setting up such a stationary sensor network requires an automated measurement principle We developed our own fully automated enclosure systems for measuring column-averaged CO2, CH4 and CO concentrations with a solar-tracking Fourier transform spectrometer (EM27/SUN) in a fully automated and long-term manner This also includes software that starts and stops the measurements autonomously and can be used independently from the enclosure system Furthermore, we demonstrate the novel applications of such a sensor network by presenting the measurement results of our five sensor systems that are deployed in and around Munich These results include the seasonal cycle of CO2 since 2015, as well as concentration gradients between sites upwind and downwind of the city Thanks to the automation, we were also able to continue taking measurements during the COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020 By correlating the CO2 column concentration gradients to the traffic amount, we demonstrate that our network is capable of detecting variations in urban emissions The measurements from our unique sensor network will be combined with an inverse modeling framework that we are currently developing in order to monitor urban GHG emissions over years, identify unknown emission sources and assess how effective the current mitigation strategies are In summary, our achievements in automating column measurements of GHGs will allow researchers all over the world to establish this approach for long-term greenhouse gas monitoring in urban areas | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Insights into pathogenesis of fatal COVID-19 pneumonia from histopathology with immunohistochemical and viral RNA studies | INTRODUCTION: We describe post-mortem pulmonary histopathologic findings of COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with a spectrum of disease course, from rapid demise to prolonged hospitalisation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Histopathologic findings in post-mortem lung tissue from eight patients who died from COVID-19 pneumonia were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were performed to detect virus. Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) was seen in all cases with a spectrum of acute phase and/or organising phase. IHC with monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleoprotein and spike protein detected virus in areas of acute but not organising DAD, with intracellular viral antigen and RNA expression seen predominantly in patients with duration of illness less than 10 days. Major vascular findings included thrombi in medium- and large-calibre vessels, platelet microthrombi detected by CD61 IHC and fibrin microthrombi. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA by NGS early in the disease course and expression of viral antigen by IHC exclusively in the acute, but not in the organising phase of DAD, suggests that the virus may play a major role in initiating the acute lung injury of DAD, but when DAD progresses to the organising phase the virus may have been cleared from the lung by the patient's immune response. These findings suggest the possibility of a major change during the disease course of COVID-19 pneumonia that may have therapeutic implications. Frequent thrombi and microthrombi may also present potential targets for therapeutic intervention. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy in the care of patients during cardiological procedures: a summary of the clinical evidence. | Patients undergoing cardiological procedures generally have significant cardiovascular morbidity, and therefore these patients might be at risk for major periprocedural complications. The ability to closely monitor the hemodynamic status would present a major advantage to optimize patient care in this setting. The aim of this review is to assess the available evidence for the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the care of patients during cardiological procedures. A systematic literature search was conducted using electronic bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE) from their first available date using the following search strategy: (spectroscopy, near-infrared OR infrared spectroscopy OR NIRS OR cerebral oxygen*) AND (interventional OR electrophysiological OR catheterization OR ablation OR ICD OR defibrillator). Inclusion criteria were limited to human studies, English language and cardiac patients. All manuscripts concerning the use of NIRS in every area of catheterization and electrophysiology were included. The literature search yielded eleven observational studies and five case reports concerning the research question. No randomized trials could be retrieved. Six studies evaluated NIRS during supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, one during transcatheter aortic valve implantations, and four studies assessed the use of NIRS in pediatric catheterization procedures. Overall, the studies demonstrated that NIRS provides a very quick representation of cerebral oxygen saturation and that it might identify changes that could not be predicted from standard hemodynamic monitoring. However, the evidence is currently too low to conclude that NIRS can optimize patient care during cardiological procedures. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Point-of-care tests detecting HIV nucleic acids for diagnosis of HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection in infants and children aged 18 months or less | BACKGROUND: The standard method of diagnosing HIV in infants and children less than 18 months is with a nucleic acid amplification test reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test (NAT RT-PCR) detecting viral ribonucleic acid (RNA). Laboratory testing using the RT-PCR platform for HIV infection is limited by poor access, logistical support, and delays in relaying test results and initiating therapy in low-resource settings. The use of rapid diagnostic tests at or near the point-of-care (POC) can increase access to early diagnosis of HIV infection in infants and children less than 18 months of age and timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). OBJECTIVES: To summarize the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care nucleic acid-based testing (POC NAT) to detect HIV-1/HIV-2 infection in infants and children aged 18 months or less exposed to HIV infection. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (until 2 February 2021), MEDLINE and Embase (until 1 February 2021), and LILACS and Web of Science (until 2 February 2021) with no language or publication status restriction. We also searched conference websites and clinical trial registries, tracked reference lists of included studies and relevant systematic reviews, and consulted experts for potentially eligible studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We defined POC tests as rapid diagnostic tests conducted at or near the patient site. We included any primary study that compared the results of a POC NAT to a reference standard of laboratory NAT RT-PCR or total nucleic acid testing to detect the presence or absence of HIV infection denoted by HIV viral nucleic acids in infants and children aged 18 months or less who were exposed to HIV-1/HIV-2 infection. We included cross-sectional, prospective, and retrospective study designs and those that provided sufficient data to create the 2 × 2 table to calculate sensitivity and specificity. We excluded diagnostic case control studies with healthy controls. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted information on study characteristics using a pretested standardized data extraction form. We used the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) tool to assess the risk of bias and applicability concerns of the included studies. Two review authors independently selected and assessed the included studies, resolving any disagreements by consensus. The unit of analysis was the participant. We first conducted preliminary exploratory analyses by plotting estimates of sensitivity and specificity from each study on forest plots and in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) space. For the overall meta-analyses, we pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity using the bivariate meta-analysis model at a common threshold (presence or absence of infection). MAIN RESULTS: We identified a total of 12 studies (15 evaluations, 15,120 participants). All studies were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. The ages of included infants and children in the evaluations were as follows: at birth (n = 6), ≤ 12 months (n = 3), ≤ 18 months (n = 5), and ≤ 24 months (n = 1). Ten evaluations were field evaluations of the POC NAT test at the point of care, and five were laboratory evaluations of the POC NAT tests.The POC NAT tests evaluated included Alere q HIV-1/2 Detect qualitative test (recently renamed m-PIMA q HIV-1/2 Detect qualitative test) (n = 6), Xpert HIV-1 qualitative test (n = 6), and SAMBA HIV-1 qualitative test (n = 3). POC NAT pooled sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval (CI)) against laboratory reference standard tests were 98.6% (96.1 to 99.5) (15 evaluations, 1728 participants) and 99.9% (99.7 to 99.9) (15 evaluations, 13,392 participants) in infants and children ≤ 18 months. Risk of bias in the included studies was mostly low or unclear due to poor reporting. Five evaluations had some concerns for applicability for the index test, as they were POC tests evaluated in a laboratory setting, but there was no difference detected between settings in sensitivity (-1.3% (95% CI -4.1 to 1.5)); and specificity results were similar. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: For the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection, we found the sensitivity and specificity of POC NAT tests to be high in infants and children aged 18 months or less who were exposed to HIV infection. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Confocal Laser Microscopy Analysis of Listeria monocytogenes Biofilms and Spatially Organized Communities. | The behavior of Listeria monocytogenes communities in the food chain is closely associated with their spatial organization. Whether as biofilms on industrial surfaces or as microcolonies in food matrices, the resulting physiological diversification combined with the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) triggers emergent community functions involved in the pathogen survival and persistence (e.g., tolerance to dehydration, biocides, or preservatives). In this contribution, we present a noninvasive confocal laser microscopy (CLM) protocol allowing exploration of the spatial organization of L. monocytogenes communities on various inert or nutritive materials relevant for the food industry. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Impact of anti-cancer therapy on disease severity and mortality in cancer patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis | Background: Cancer patients are more vulnerable to Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and have a higher risk of adverse outcomes than the general population. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate whether anti-cancer therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy will increase the severity and mortality of cancer patients with COVID-19.Methods: Relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The search time was from December 1, 2019 to January 23, 2021. Meta-analysis was conducted using Revman 5.3 statistical software.Results: A total of 26 studies were included in this meta-analysis, involving 5571 cancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Meta-analysis showed that surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy were not associated with disease severity or mortality (107/688, OR =1.30, 95% CI[0.79, 2.13], P =0.30; 1956/2674, OR =1.27, 95% CI [0.95, 1.69], P =0.10; 342/1455, OR =1.20, 95% CI [0.90, 1.61], P =0.21; 503/1378, OR =0.92, 95% CI [0.72, 1.19], P =0.54, respectively).Conclusion: In cancer patients with COVID-19, anti-cancer therapy had no adverse effect on disease severity or mortality. Further research is necessary to determine the complex interrelationship between anti-cancer therapy, particularly chemotherapy, and COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Impact of COVID-19 on number of acute stroke patients in Japan: A nationwide survey in primary stroke centers | Background and Purpose: We sought to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on number of acute stroke patients admitted to Japanese primary stroke centers (PSCs). Methods: The Japan Stroke Society and the MHLW registry of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke conducted a national annual survey of hospitalization volumes for acute ischemic stroke, intracranial cerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage in PSCs. Number of acute stroke patients was defined as sum of three stroke subtypes admitted within 7 days after the onset. Monthly acute stroke volumes were compared between 2019 and 2020, among COVID-19 waves, and regional infectious rates. Results: The stroke volume data was completed in 530 PSCs. The annual acute stroke volume was declined 2.5% from 179,893 in 2019 to 174,385 in 2020. Number of acute stoke patients was declined during COVID-19 expanding periods (1 wave, Mar-May;2 wave Jul-Aug;3 wave NovDec), whereas it was increased in the other months. The mean decline rate of stroke volumes from 2019 to 2020 was greater in 125 PSCs located in prefectures with high estimated SARS-CoV 2 infected rate (more than 2,300 per million people) than in 405 PSCs of the other regions (-4.6±15.4% vs -0.1±20.0%, P=0.008), especially during COVID-19 expanding periods (-8.2±17.9% vs -3.1±21.3%, P=0.009). Conclusions: Acute stroke volumes were declined in 2020 from 2019 in Japanese PSCs, especially during COVID-19 expanding periods and in highly infected regions. The overwhelmed health care system and infection control practices may have associated with decline of number of acute stroke patients during COVID-19 pandemic. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Breast Contrast Enhanced MR Imaging: Semi-Automatic Detection of Vascular Map and Predominant Feeding Vessel. | PURPOSE To obtain breast vascular map and to assess correlation between predominant feeding vessel and tumor location with a semi-automatic method compared to conventional radiologic reading. METHODS 148 malignant and 75 benign breast lesions were included. All patients underwent bilateral MR imaging. Written informed consent was obtained from the patients before MRI. The local ethics committee granted approval for this study. Semi-automatic breast vascular map and predominant vessel detection was performed on MRI, for each patient. Semi-automatic detection (depending on grey levels threshold manually chosen by radiologist) was compared with results of two expert radiologists; inter-observer variability and reliability of semi-automatic approach were assessed. RESULTS Anatomic analysis of breast lesions revealed that 20% of patients had masses in internal half, 50% in external half and the 30% in subareolar/central area. As regards the 44 tumors in internal half, based on radiologic consensus, 40 demonstrated a predominant feeding vessel (61% were supplied by internal thoracic vessels, 14% by lateral thoracic vessels, 16% by both thoracic vessels and 9% had no predominant feeding vessel-p<0.01), based on semi-automatic detection, 38 tumors demonstrated a predominant feeding vessel (66% were supplied by internal thoracic vessels, 11% by lateral thoracic vessels, 9% by both thoracic vessels and 14% had no predominant feeding vessel-p<0.01). As regards the 111 tumors in external half, based on radiologic consensus, 91 demonstrated a predominant feeding vessel (25% were supplied by internal thoracic vessels, 39% by lateral thoracic vessels, 18% by both thoracic vessels and 18% had no predominant feeding vessel-p<0.01), based on semi-automatic detection, 94 demonstrated a predominant feeding vessel (27% were supplied by internal thoracic vessels, 45% by lateral thoracic vessels, 4% by both thoracic vessels and 24% had no predominant feeding vessel-p<0.01). An excellent agreement between two radiologic assessments (k = 0.81) and between radiologic consensus and semi-automatic assessment (k = 0.80) was found to identify origin of predominant feeding vessel. An excellent reliability for semi-automatic assessment (Cronbach's alpha = 0.96) was reported. CONCLUSIONS Predominant feeding vessel location was correlated with breast lesion location: internal thoracic artery supplied the highest proportion of breasts with tumor in internal half and lateral thoracic artery supplied the highest proportion of breasts with lateral tumor. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Aggregating human judgment probabilistic predictions of COVID-19 transmission, burden, and preventative measures | Aggregated human judgment forecasts for COVID-19 targets of public health importance are accurate, often outperforming computational models. Our work shows aggregated human judgment forecasts for infectious agents are timely, accurate, and adaptable, and can be used as tool to aid public health decision making during outbreaks. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
COVID-19 prevention and control in China: grid governance | The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread worldwide and caused negative economic and health effects. China is one of the most seriously affected countries, and it has adopted grid governance measures at the basic level of society, which include city lockdown, household survey and resident quarantine. By the end of April, China had basically brought the pandemic under control within its own borders, and residents’ lives and factory production gradually began to return to normal. In referring to the specific cases of different communities, schools, and enterprises in the four cities of Anhui, Beijing, Shenzhen and Zibo, we analyze grid-based governance measures and we summarize the effectiveness and shortcomings of these measures and discuss foundations and future challenges of grid governance. We do so in the expectation (and hope) that the world will gain a comprehensive understanding of China’s situation and introduce effective measures that enable the prevention and control of COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
[Nurses: A Voice to Lead, Nursing the World to Health-Viewing COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention Efforts in Light of Nightingale's Perspective on Infection Control] | Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), extolled as the founder of modern nursing, contributed greatly to the advancement of modern public health Written 150 years ago, Nightingale's advice on infection control, addressing the importance of hand washing, environmental sanitation, ventilation, sunshine, statistical data, and health literacy, remains highly relevant in today's global fight against the coronavirus In honor of Florence Nightingale's 200th birthday, World Health Organization declared 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife The era of "Nurses: A Voice to Lead - Nursing the World to Health" is drawing near This article addresses the profound impact of Nightingale's infection control and public health perspectives on measures currently being taken to contain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Furthermore, we call on governments throughout the world to invest proactively in nursing to assure the safety of patients and promote public health in order to achieve the pledge of the United Nations' sustainable development goals to leave no one behind | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Disruption of Actin Dynamics Regulated by Rho Effector mDia1 Attenuates Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophic Responses and Exacerbates Dysfunction | AIMS: Cardiac hypertrophy is a compensatory response to pressure overload, leading to heart failure. Recent studies have demonstrated that Rho is immediately activated in left ventricles after pressure overload, and that Rho signalling plays crucial regulatory roles in actin cytoskeleton rearrangement during cardiac hypertrophic responses. However, the mechanisms by which Rho and its downstream proteins control actin dynamics during hypertrophic responses remain not fully understood. In this study, we identified the pivotal roles of mammalian homologue of Drosophila diaphanous (mDia) 1, a Rho-effector molecule, in pressure overload-induced ventricular hypertrophy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male wild-type (WT) and mDia1-knockout (mDia1KO) mice (10-12 weeks old) were subjected to a transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham operation. The heart weight/tibia length ratio, cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, left ventricular wall thickness, and expression of hypertrophy-specific genes were significantly decreased in mDia1KO mice 3 weeks after TAC, and the mortality rate was higher at 12 weeks. Echocardiography indicated that mDia1 deletion increased the severity of heart failure 8 weeks after TAC. Importantly, we could not observe apparent defects in cardiac hypertrophic responses in mDia3-knockout mice. Microarray analysis revealed that mDia1 was involved in the induction of hypertrophy related genes, including immediate early genes, in pressure overloaded hearts. Loss of mDia1 attenuated activation of the mechanotransduction pathway in TAC-operated mice hearts. We also found that mDia1 was involved in stretch-induced activation of the mechanotransduction pathway and gene expression of c-fos in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVMs). mDia1 regulated the filamentous/globular (F/G)-actin ratio in response to pressure overload in mice. Additionally, increases in nuclear myocardin-related transcription factors and serum response factor were perturbed in response to pressure overload in mDia1KO mice and to mechanical stretch in mDia1 depleted NRVMs. CONCLUSIONS: mDia1, through actin dynamics, is involved in compensatory cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure overload. TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Heart disease is associated with increased cardiac mass resulting from hypertrophic growth and remodelling in response to excessive mechanical stress. Although numerous signalling pathways have been shown to influence cardiac hypertrophy, the molecular mechanisms contributing to the pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy have remained incompletely understood. Here, we present evidence that the cardioprotective functions of actin polymerization by mammalian homologue of Drosophila diaphanous 1, a Rho-effector molecule, in response to mechanical stress. Understanding this mechanotransduction pathway may provide new prospects for identifying a novel strategy for pressure overload-induced cardiovascular disease. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Timescales of Quantum Equilibration, Dissipation and Fluctuation in Nuclear Collisions | Understanding the dynamics of equilibration processes in quantum systems as well as their interplay with dissipation and fluctuation is a major challenge in quantum many-body theory. The timescales of such processes are investigated in collisions of atomic nuclei using fully microscopic approaches. Results from time-dependent Hartree-Fock and time-dependent random-phase approximation calculations are compared for 13 systems over a broad range of energies. The timescale for full mass equilibration (â¼2×10^{-20} s) is found to be much larger than timescales for neutron-to-proton equilibration, kinetic energy, and angular momentum dissipations which are on the order of 10^{-21} s. Fluctuations of mass numbers in the fragments and correlations between their neutron and proton numbers build up within only a few 10^{-21} s. This indicates that dissipation is basically not impacted by mass equilibration, but is mostly driven by the exchange of nucleons between the fragments. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Evaluating perspectives of relatives of nursing home residents on the nursing home visiting restrictions during the COVID-19 crisis: a Dutch cross-sectional survey study | Objectives COVID-19 has caused many nursing homes to prohibit resident visits to prevent viral spread. Although visiting restrictions are instituted to prolong the life of nursing home residents, they may detrimentally affect their quality of life. The aim of this study is to capture perspectives from the relatives of nursing home residents on nursing home visiting restrictions. Design A cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Setting and participants: A convenience sample of Dutch relatives of nursing home residents (n = 1997) filled in an online survey on their perspectives regarding nursing home visiting restrictions. Methods The survey included Likert-item, multi-select, and open answer questions targeting four key areas: (1) communication access to residents, (2) adverse effects of visiting restrictions on residents and relatives, (3) potential protective effect of visiting restrictions, (4) important aspects for relatives during and after visiting restrictions. Results Satisfaction of communication access to nursing home residents was highest when respondents had the possibility to communicate with nursing home residents by nurses informing them via telephone, contact behind glass, and contact outside maintaining physical distance. Satisfaction rates increased when respondents had multiple opportunities to stay in contact with residents. Respondents were concerned that residents had increased loneliness (76%), sadness (66%), and decreased quality of life (62%) while study respondents reported personal sadness (73%) and fear (26%). There was no consensus amongst respondents if adverse effects of the visiting restrictions outweighed the protective effect for nursing home residents. Respondents expressed the need for increased information, communication options, and better safety protocols. Conclusion and Implications Providing multiple opportunities to stay in touch with nursing home residents can increase satisfaction of communication between residents and relatives. Increased context specific information, communication options and safety protocols should be addressed in national health policy. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Response of major air pollutants to COVID-19 lockdowns in China | Abstract COVID-19 suddenly struck Wuhan at the end of 2019 and soon spread to the whole country and the rest of world in 2020. To mitigate the pandemic, China authority has taken unprecedentedly strict measures across the country. That provides a precious window to study how the air quality response to quick decline of anthropogenic emissions in terms of national scale, which would be critical basis to make atmospheric governance policies in the future. In this work, we utilized observations from both remote sensing and in-situ measurements to investigate impacts of COVID-19 lockdown on different air pollutions in different regions of China. It is witnessed that the PM2.5 concentrations exhibited distinct trends in different regions, despite of plunges of NO2 concentrations over the whole country. The steady HCHO concentration in urban area provides sufficient fuels for generations of tropospheric O3, leading to high concentrations of O3, especially when there is not enough NO to consume O3 via the titration effect. Moreover, the SO2 concentration kept steady at a low level regardless of cities. As a conclusion, the COVID-19 lockdown indeed helped reduce NO2 concentration. However, the atmospheric quality in urban areas of China has not improved overall due to lockdown measures. It underscores the significance of comprehensive control of atmospheric pollutants in cleaning air. Reducing VOCs (volatile organic compounds) concentrations in urban areas would be a critical mission for better air quality in the future. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Continuous long-term wireless measurement of right ventricular pressures and estimated diastolic pulmonary artery pressure in patients with severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome | Abstract Aims We continuously monitored right ventricular pressures and the estimated diastolic pulmonary artery pressure (ePAD) for up to 30 days in mechanically ventilated patients with severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome in order to detect and treat right ventricular and pulmonary artery hypertension. Methods and Results We retrospectively evaluated right ventricular pressures and the ePAD measured in 30 invasively ventilated COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients between 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021. We divided the patients into two groups, survivors and non-survivors based on their 60 day mortality. Primary outcome variables were the values of right ventricular pressures and the ePAD over time after insertion of the right ventricular probe. Right ventricular systolic pressure [RVSP, (IQR;25th to 75th percentile)] was significantly lower on the first and the last measurement day in the survivors compared with the non-survivors [Day 1: 38 (27?45) vs. 46 (44?49), P = 0.036;last day: 36 (27?44) vs. 51 (40?57) mmHg, P = 0.006]. 16/22 survivors and 7/8 non-survivors received sildenafil orally, one survivor received additionally inhaled nitric oxide and one survivor and one non-survivor each inhaled iloprost. On the last measurement day, both right ventricular pressure amplitude [31 (26?37) vs. 38 (35?47) mmHg, P = 0.027] and ePAD [22 (16?26) vs. 31 (23?34) mmHg, P = 0.043] were significantly lower in the survivors compared with the non-survivors. Four patients in the survivor group developed excessive high RVSP in the course of their disease (peak: 57/61/78/105 mmHg). After sildenafil 20 mg every 8 h, additional inhaled nitric oxide (20 ppm) in one and additional inhaled iloprost 20 ?g every 4 h in another patient RVSP consecutively decreased substantially in all four patients until the end of the measurement period (47/23/42/47 mmHg). Conclusions The RVSP and right ventricular pressure amplitude both were significantly lower in the survivors compared with those in the non-survivors with a significant decrease in RVSP over time in the survivors suggesting successful lowering by pulmonary vasodilators. The ePAD as an indicator of left heart failure was significantly higher in non-survivors compared to the surviving patients. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Mini-review: antibody therapeutics targeting G protein-coupled receptors and ion channels | Antibodies are now well established as therapeutics with many additional advantages over small molecules and peptides relative to their selectivity, bioavailability, half-life and effector function. Major classes of membrane-associated protein targets include G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels that are linked to a wide range of disease indications across all therapeutic areas. This mini-review summarizes the antibody target landscape for both GPCRs and ion channels as well as current progress in the respective research and development pipelines with some example case studies highlighted from clinical studies, including those being evaluated for the treatment of symptoms in COVID-19 infection. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The role of IgG Fc receptors in antibody-dependent enhancement | Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is a mechanism by which the pathogenesis of certain viral infections is enhanced in the presence of sub-neutralizing or cross-reactive non-neutralizing antiviral antibodies. In vitro modelling of ADE has attributed enhanced pathogenesis to Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-mediated viral entry, rather than canonical viral receptor-mediated entry. However, the putative FcγR-dependent mechanisms of ADE overlap with the role of these receptors in mediating antiviral protection in various viral infections, necessitating a detailed understanding of how this diverse family of receptors functions in protection and pathogenesis. Here, we discuss the diversity of immune responses mediated upon FcγR engagement and review the available experimental evidence supporting the role of FcγRs in antiviral protection and pathogenesis through ADE. We explore FcγR engagement in the context of a range of different viral infections, including dengue virus and SARS-CoV, and consider ADE in the context of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
U.S. POINTER: Lessons learned about delivery of a multi‐domain lifestyle intervention during the COVID‐19 pandemic | BACKGROUND: U.S. POINTER is testing whether multidomain lifestyle interventions focused on physical exercise, nutrition, cognitive challenge, and risk factor management reduces risk of cognitive decline in a heterogeneous population of at‐risk older adults in America. The study adapts the FINGER (Finnish Intervention Geriatric Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability) interventions to fit the United States culture and delivers the intervention within the community at 5 sites across the country. METHOD: U.S. POINTER is a 2‐year RCT that will enroll 2000 cognitively unimpaired older adults who are at risk for cognitive decline due sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and other factors. Participants are randomized to one of two lifestyle intervention groups that differ in format and intensity. In 2020, the COVID‐19 pandemic presented a number of challenges for the study that affected recruitment, assessment schedules, and intervention delivery. RESULT: As of March 2020, when COVID‐19 incidence was on an exponential rise in the US, 240 participants had been enrolled in U.S. POINTER. In response to local and national safety mandates, study activities were paused from March 23(rd) to July 13(th). During the pause, sites remained in contact with study candidates and enrolled participants to provide ongoing support to keep them engaged in the trial. Enrollees also received regular telephone calls to encourage continued adherence to their assigned lifestyle intervention. In response to the multiple pandemic‐related challenges, study protocols and procedures were adapted to facilitate and encourage participant adherence to intervention activities. At study re‐start, retention was 98%. Despite climbing COVID‐19 infection rates nationwide, enrollment at all 5 sites has continued at a steady rate (N=540 as of Jan2021), virtual Team Meeting attendance for both lifestyle groups exceeds 80%, and participants continue to successfully work toward their intervention goals. CONCLUSION: The COVID‐19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, but it also provided a unique opportunity to adapt intervention delivery so that a nonpharmacological community‐based trial could continue – even during a debilitating global health crisis. U.S. POINTER’s adaptations to pandemic‐related challenges may ultimately increase the resilience of its interventions to even the most challenging of circumstances that older adults will face now and in the future. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Hospice@Home to palliative response team | BackgroundOur Hospice at Home (H@H) service supports 31 GP practices (population 315,000 patients).Pre- COVID-19 pandemic service provision of seven-days 9am-5pm was reviewed.Enhanced model developed supporting people wishing to die at home. (DIUPR local CCG 45.9 vs 46.6 England 2017 ONS).DIUPR increased during the pandemic.AimsIncrease ease of access to care provision at home through increased service hours.Increase medical support to develop a specialist palliative care virtual beds model.Uphold hospice’s strategic aims and values of ‘widening access’ and ‘reaching more people’.Uphold ‘Ambitions for Palliative Care’ - ‘each person gets fair access to care’ (National Palliative and End of Life Care Partnership, 2015).MethodsCollaborative appointment (Hospice and NHS) of new community palliative consultant.Use of triage priority rating.Agreed a rapid service pathway for those unstable/dying.New service launched September 2020 with increased hours (8 am to 10 pm) and ability to review patients same day.Supported out of hours by on-call palliative consultants.Virtual beds model supported by daily ‘ward rounds’ and updated plan of care.Data collection – number of referrals, referral source, diagnosis, place of death.Results Nov 20-May 21 Referrals 362 Patients seen 144 Died 166 Discharged 221 Death Location% Hospital 4% Patient‘s own home 80% Hospice 11% Care Home 4% ConclusionService activity increased. 84% of patients died in their usual place of residence. Daily review of patient plans enabled continuity of care. Clear contact information required for patients and families as different service involvement can be confusing. Referral process between partner organisations needed re-discussion and review.Future planningPriority ratings to be reviewed.Strengthen relationships with GP practices by attending Gold Standards Framework meetings.Increase use of data collection including user feedback to support the development of service to enable more patients to be reached in line with identified growing demand. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Optional Vaccines in Children—Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Romanian Parents | Vaccination is one of the most useful medical interventions for controlling certain infectious diseases. The aim of current research is to identify some of the drivers of vaccine hesitancy or acceptance in a rather skeptical European population by addressing parental perception on optional vaccination (OV) perception. Novel tools, delivered by social media, were used in our research attempt. A validated questionnaire was distributed online among parents. Parental knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of OV were analyzed. The majority of parent respondents (55.1%) showed very good knowledge about vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases, and 76.0% stated that they had given at least one optional vaccine to at least one of their children. The most common optional vaccine administered was the rotavirus vaccine. The level of knowledge appeared to be related to compliance with OV. Concurrently, the rate of vaccine acceptance in the NIP (National Immunization Program) was not correlated with the level of parental knowledge. In total, a high percentage of parents (77.6%) believed that OV can bring an additional health safety benefit to their children. This study shows the need to involve the medical community in a steady dialogue with parents about OV. Raising awareness by presenting clear and understandable information could be a game-changing intervention in mitigating the public health impact of OV-preventable diseases. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Miniaturized Label-free Smartphone Assisted Electrochemical Sensing Approach for Personalized COVID-19 Diagnosis | The COVID-19, coronavirus disease is an infectious disease caused by a novel virus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) By March 2020 the novel coronavirus known to cause a pandemic has infected nearly about 119 thousand people and killed more than 4,300 around 114 countries Apart from the current controversial opinions about the origin, spreading, and sociological impact, it is much more imperative to put a halt to this current situation Understanding, testing, and early to rapid diagnosis may be now the only key that can contain COVID-19 by “flattening the curve” Biosensing is the platform that allows rapid, highly sensitive, and selective detection of analytes which in turn can serve the purpose for fast and precise detection of COVID-19 In this article, based on recently reported miniaturized sensing strategies, we hereby propose a promising personalized smartphone assisted electrochemical sensing platform for diagnosis of COVID-19 | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Interpretable Deep Learning-Based Forensic Iris Segmentation and Recognition | Iris recognition of living individuals is a mature biometric modality that has been adopted globally from governmental ID programs, border crossing, voter registration and de-duplication, to unlocking mobile phones. On the other hand, the possibility of recognizing deceased subjects with their iris patterns has emerged recently. In this paper, we present an end-to-end deep learning-based method for postmortem iris segmentation and recognition with a special visualization technique intended to support forensic human examiners in their efforts. The proposed postmortem iris segmentation approach outperforms the state of the art and in addition to iris annulus, as in case of classical iris segmentation methods - detects abnormal regions caused by eye decomposition processes, such as furrows or irregular specular highlights present on the drying and wrinkling cornea. The method was trained and validated with data acquired from 171 cadavers, kept in mortuary conditions, and tested on subject-disjoint data acquired from 259 deceased subjects. To our knowledge, this is the largest corpus of data used in postmortem iris recognition research to date. The source code of the proposed method are offered with the paper. The test data will be available through the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) archives. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Unique challenges to control the spread of COVID-19 in the Middle East | The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading at unprecedented pace among the Middle East and neighboring countries. This region is geographically, economically, politically, culturally and religiously a very sensitive area, which impose unique challenges for effective control of this epidemic. These challenges include compromised healthcare systems, prolonged regional conflicts and humanitarian crises, suboptimal levels of transparency and cooperation, and frequent religious gatherings. These factors are interrelated and collectively determine the response to the pandemic in this region. Here, we in-depth emphasize these challenges and take a glimpse of possible solutions towards mitigating the spread of COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Recommendations for Safe Dental Care: A Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines in the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic | In the context of a pandemic, the rapid development of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) is critical to guide dental staff towards the safe provision of dental care; detailed knowledge of the recommendations will help to achieve the intended results. We carried out a systematic review of the recommendations in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on the provision of dental care issued during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic database search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Epistemonikos, and Trip databases to identify documents with recommendations intended to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission during dental care. The selection process and data extraction were carried out by two researchers independently. The majority of CPGs recommended the use of rubber dam, high-volume evacuator, mouthwash prior to dental care, four-handed work, and mechanical barriers. The use of aerosol-generating equipment should be avoided whenever possible. In aerosol-generating procedures, the use of a N95 respirator (or similar) is recommended, in addition to a face protector, an impermeable disposable apron/gown, a cap, and gloves. The CPGs developed during the first year of the pandemic offer recommendations which guide dental staff in providing safe dental care, minimizing exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection in the clinical environment. Such recommendations must, however, be updated as new evidence arises. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Curcuma longa L. Water Extract Enhances Endurance Exercise Capacity by Promoting Intramuscular Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Mice | We investigated the effect of Curcuma longa L. extract on endurance exercise capacity (EEC). EEC is the ability to exercise continuously and recover quickly, even when tired. C. longa contains antioxidants that contribute beneficial effects on the body. We separated groups of nonexercise (CON), exercise control (Ex-CON), branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) intake, and C. longa water extract (CLW) intake (Ex-CLW). EEC increased on the 28th day of BCAA and CLW intake. Both treatment groups exhibited decreased lactate levels with increased levels of nonesterified fatty acids and muscular glycogen compared with the Ex-CON group. Also, the Ex-CLW group possessed higher intramuscular antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) than the Ex-CON group. The expression of PGC-1α, NRF, and Tfam, which are factors related to mitochondrial biogenesis, increased in the Ex-CLW group. Results suggest that CLW intake elevated EEC by increasing intramuscular mitochondrial biogenesis through suppressing the accumulation of fatigue substances and increasing fat consumption, and antioxidant enzyme activity. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
First Discovery of Acetone Extract from Cottonseed Oil Sludge as a Novel Antiviral Agent against Plant Viruses | A novel acetone extract from cottonseed oil sludge was firstly discovered against plant viruses including Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), Rice stripe virus (RSV) and Southern rice black streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV). Gossypol and β-sitosterol separated from the acetone extract were tested for their effects on anti-TMV and analysed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) assay. In vivo and field trials in different geographic distributions and different host varieties declared that this extract mixture was more efficient than the commercial agent Ningnanmycin with a broad spectrum of anti-plant-viruses activity. No phytotoxic activity was observed in the treated plants and environmental toxicology showed that this new acetone extract was environmentally friendly, indicating that this acetone extract has potential application in the control of plant virus in the future. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Sonography of a case series of talar callosities | Talar callosity is an uncommon condition characterized by asymptomatic hyperkeratotic plaques located on the dorsum of one or both feet. We have detected an increased number of children presenting with this condition after the COVID-19 lockdown. High-frequency ultrasound was performed in all patients who consulted because of talar callosity. All four cases shared similar ultrasound findings: thickening of the epidermis with effacement of the subepidermal low-echogenic band and diffuse thickening of the dermis and subcutaneous cellular tissue, with a diffuse decrease in echogenicity. The bone cortex was respected in all cases. No increase in vascularization was detected. Although it is a benign condition, it is important to recognize talar callosity to exclude worse conditions and to prevent unnecessary biopsies. To our knowledge, we are the first to describe ultrasonographic findings of talar callosity. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
ModFOLD8: accurate global and local quality estimates for 3D protein models | Methods for estimating the quality of 3D models of proteins are vital tools for driving the acceptance and utility of predicted tertiary structures by the wider bioscience community. Here we describe the significant major updates to ModFOLD, which has maintained its position as a leading server for the prediction of global and local quality of 3D protein models, over the past decade (>20 000 unique external users). ModFOLD8 is the latest version of the server, which combines the strengths of multiple pure-single and quasi-single model methods. Improvements have been made to the web server interface and there has been successive increases in prediction accuracy, which were achieved through integration of newly developed scoring methods and advanced deep learning-based residue contact predictions. Each version of the ModFOLD server has been independently blind tested in the biennial CASP experiments, as well as being continuously evaluated via the CAMEO project. In CASP13 and CASP14, the ModFOLD7 and ModFOLD8 variants ranked among the top 10 quality estimation methods according to almost every official analysis. Prior to CASP14, ModFOLD8 was also applied for the evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 protein models as part of CASP Commons 2020 initiative. The ModFOLD8 server is freely available at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/bioinf/ModFOLD/. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Impact of COVID‐19 on carers of people with dementia in the community: Findings from the British IDEAL cohort | OBJECTIVE: Unpaid carers for people with dementia play a crucial role in society. Emerging evidence suggests the COVID‐19 pandemic has negatively impacted on carers. This study sought to explore the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on carers for community‐dwelling people with dementia and compare responses with pre‐pandemic data. METHODS: Data were collected between September 2020 and April 2021 in England and Wales. Carers were identified from the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort and data were collected either through the telephone, video conferencing, or an online questionnaire. Responses from 242 carers were compared against benchmark data from the IDEAL cohort collected pre‐pandemic. Analyses were conducted for the full sample of carers and spousal/partner carers only. RESULTS: In total 48.8% of carers thought their healthcare needs were negatively affected during the pandemic. Compared with pre‐pandemic data carers were more lonely and experienced less life satisfaction. There was little impact on carers' experience of caregiving, although carers felt trapped in their caregiving role. Carers were more optimistic and had higher social contact with relatives. There were changes in the methods carers used for contacting relatives and friends. Most carers coped very or fairly well during the pandemic. There was little difference in the experiences of spousal/partner carers and the full sample. CONCLUSIONS: After a long period of providing care under pandemic conditions carers require additional support. This support needs to be focused on alleviating feelings of loneliness and increasing life satisfaction. Services need to consider how to improve access to health care, particularly resuming face‐to‐face appointments. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Enzymatic methyl sequencing detects DNA methylation at single-base resolution from picograms of DNA. | Bisulfite sequencing detects 5mC and 5hmC at single-base resolution. However, bisulfite treatment damages DNA, which results in fragmentation, DNA loss, and biased sequencing data. To overcome these problems, enzymatic methyl-seq (EM-seq) was developed. This method detects 5mC and 5hmC using two sets of enzymatic reactions. In the first reaction, TET2 and T4-BGT convert 5mC and 5hmC into products that cannot be deaminated by APOBEC3A. In the second reaction, APOBEC3A deaminates unmodified cytosines by converting them to uracils. Therefore, these three enzymes enable the identification of 5mC and 5hmC. EM-seq libraries were compared with bisulfite-converted DNA, and each library type was ligated to Illumina adaptors before conversion. Libraries were made using NA12878 genomic DNA, cell-free DNA, and FFPE DNA over a range of DNA inputs. The 5mC and 5hmC detected in EM-seq libraries were similar to those of bisulfite libraries. However, libraries made using EM-seq outperformed bisulfite-converted libraries in all specific measures examined (coverage, duplication, sensitivity, etc.). EM-seq libraries displayed even GC distribution, better correlations across DNA inputs, increased numbers of CpGs within genomic features, and accuracy of cytosine methylation calls. EM-seq was effective using as little as 100 pg of DNA, and these libraries maintained the described advantages over bisulfite sequencing. EM-seq library construction, using challenging samples and lower DNA inputs, opens new avenues for research and clinical applications. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Effect of motor-assisted elliptical training speed and body weight support on center of pressure movement variability | BACKGROUND: A motor-assisted elliptical trainer is being used clinically to help individuals with physical disabilities regain and/or retain walking ability and cardiorespiratory fitness. Unknown is how the device's training parameters can be used to optimize movement variability and regularity. This study examined the effect of motor-assisted elliptical training speed as well as body weight support (BWS) on center of pressure (CoP) movement variability and regularity during training. METHODS: CoP was recorded using in-shoe pressure insoles as participants motor-assisted elliptical trained at three speeds (20, 40 and 60 cycles per minute) each performed at four BWS levels (0 %, 20 %, 40 %, and 60 %). Separate two-way repeated measures ANOVAs (3â¯×â¯4) evaluated impact of training speed and BWS on linear variability (standard deviation) and non-linear regularity (sample entropy) of CoP excursion (anterior-posterior, medial-lateral) for 10 dominant limb strides. FINDINGS: Training speed and BWS did not significantly affect the linear variability of CoP in the anterior-posterior or medial-lateral directions. However, sample entropy in both directions revealed the main effect of training speed (pâ¯<â¯0.0001), and a main effect of BWS was observed in the medial-lateral direction (pâ¯=â¯0.004). Faster training speeds and greater levels of BWS resulted in more irregular CoP patterns. INTERPRETATION: The finding that speed and BWS can be used to manipulate CoP movement variability when using a motor-assisted elliptical has significant clinical implications for promoting/restoring walking capacity. Further research is required to determine the impact of motor-assisted elliptical speed and BWS manipulations on functional recovery of walking in individuals who have experienced a neurologic injury or illness. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Comparison of Comorbidities in Relation to Critical Conditions among Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis | Severe illness and poor outcome are mainly associated with aging or certain medical comorbidities, especially chronic diseases. However, factors for unfavorable prognosis have not been well described owing to relatively small sample sizes and single-center reports. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the contribution of comorbidities in the development of critical conditions in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Pooled estimates of relative risks (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by conducting a meta-analysis and network meta-analysis of 18 studies. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was most strongly associated with the overall critical condition (RR = 4.22, 95% CI = 3.12 - 5.69), followed by cardiovascular disease (CVD) (RR = 3.00, 95% CI = 2.41 - 3.73), malignancy (RR = 2.91, 95% CI = 2.16 - 3.91), cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (RR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.95 - 4.19), diabetes (RR = 2.10, 95% CI = 2.16 - 3.91), hypertension (RR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.82 - 2.23), and chronic kidney disease (RR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.36 - 2.94). The presence of comorbidities except for chronic liver disease and chronic kidney disease significantly increased the risk of severe infection, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and cardiac injury in the subgroup analysis by types of critical conditions. Preexisting hypertension and diabetes additionally increased the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Among comorbidities, COPD had the highest probability of leading to severe COVID-19, ICU admission, and liver injury, while malignancy was most likely to cause ARDS and cardiac injury. In summary, preexisting COPD, CVD, CVA, hypertension, diabetes, and malignancy are more likely to worsen the progression of COVID-19, with severe infection, ICU admission requirement, and cardiac injury development. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The Electro-Anatomical Pathway for Normal and Abnormal ECGs in COVID Patients | Patients with COVID-19 frequently have non-typical ECG changes in the QRS and T-wave morphology The novel CineECG uses using the mean temporal spatial isochrones (mTSI) to relate the activation and recovery pathway to the cardiac anatomy The aim of this feasib ility study is to use the novel CineECG to separate normal from abnormal ECGs The ECGs of 100 normal controls were used to obtain the normal mTSI paths values for the QRS, ST segment and T-wave These normal CineECG values were used to classify the COVID-19 ECGs as either as normal or abnormal of 107 patients being treatedfor COVID-19 in the University Medical Center Utrecht The CineECG was able to classify 98% of the normal ECG correctly and 94% of the abnormal ECG in comparison to expert ECG classifications The ability of the CineECG to relate the ECG to the cardiac anatomy supports the detection of abnormal ECGs The CineECG might be a novel ECG screening tool to detect potential cardiac involvement of the COVID-19 disease for non-ECG experts © 2020 Creative Commons;the authors hold their copyright | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
PISCES: A pipeline for the Systematic, Protein Activity-based Analysis of Single Cell RNA Sequencing Data | While single-cell RNA sequencing provides a new window on physiologic and pathologic tissue biology and heterogeneity, it suffers from low signal-to-noise ratio and a high dropout rate at the individual gene level, thus challenging quantitative analyses. To address this problem, we introduce PISCES (Protein-activity Inference for Single Cell Studies), an integrated analytical framework for the protein activity-based analysis of single cell subpopulations. PISCES leverages the assembly of lineage-specific gene regulatory networks, to accurately measure activity of each protein based on the expression its transcriptional targets (regulon), using the ARACNe and metaVIPER algorithms, respectively. It implements novel analytical and visualization functions, including activity-based cluster analysis, identification of cell state repertoires, and elucidation of master regulators of cell state and cell state transitions, with full interoperability with Seurat’s single-cell data format. Accuracy and reproducibility assessment, via technical and biological validation assays and by assessing concordance with antibody and CITE-Seq-based measurements, show dramatic improvement in the ability to identify rare subpopulations and to assess activity of key lineage markers, compared to gene expression analysis. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Burnout and its relationship to self-reported quality of patient care and adverse events during COVID-19: A cross-sectional online survey among nurses | AIMS: To assess nurses' burnout and its association with their perceived quality of patient care and occurrence of adverse events (AEs) during COVID-19. BACKGROUND: Burnout is a serious problem among nursing staff internationally with negative impacts on the quality of care and patient safety. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online study among 1,004 Iranian nurses through the convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, five items of questions related to self-reported poor patient care quality and estimated occurrence of AEs. RESULTS: Prevalence of high burnout among nurses was 31.5%. The risk of AEs ranged from 26.1% to 71.7%. Self-reported quality of patient care was found to be poor. A positive correlation was found between emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores and patient care quality, whereas a negative correlation was found between personal accomplishment scores and all poor care item scores. Depersonalization was found to increase the risk of the onset of all AEs (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06-1.08). Also, Personal accomplishmentreduced the risk of occurrence of 'medication errors' (OR = 0.99) and the onset of 'patient and their family verbal abuse' (OR = 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirmed the hypothesis that a higher degree of burnout is correlated with a perceived higher number of AEs and reduced perceived patient care quality. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Reducing burnout among nurses through implementing interventions may be an effective strategy to enhance patient care quality and reduce the number of AEs in Iranian public hospitals. Therefore, in order to minimize work burnout, primary approaches include access to psychosocial support, including Web-based services, psychological first aid, mental support hotlines and self-care techniques during the COVID-19 pandemic. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test could contain transmission in low- and middle-income countries | BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted heavily on global health. Although real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the current diagnostic method, challenges for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) necessitate cheaper, higher-throughput, reliable rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the documented performance characteristics of available COVID-19 RDTs to understand their public health utility in the ongoing pandemic, especially in resource-scarce LMIC settings. METHODS: Using a scoping review methodology framework, common literature databases and documentary reports were searched up to 22 April 2020, irrespective of geographical location. The search terms included ‘SARS-CoV-2 AND serological testing’ and ‘COVID-19 AND serological testing’. RESULTS: A total of 18 RDTs produced in eight countries, namely China (6; 33.33%), the United States (4; 22.22%), Germany (2; 11.11%), Singapore (2; 11.11%), Canada, Kenya, Korea and Belgium (1 each; 5.56%), were evaluated. Reported sensitivity ranged from 18.4% to 100% (average = 84.7%), whereas specificity ranged from 90.6% to 100% (average = 95.6%). The testing time ranged from 2 min to 30 min. Of the 12 validated RDTs, the IgM/IgG duo kit with non-colloidal gold labelling system was reported to elicit the highest sensitivity (98% – 100%) and specificity (98% – 99% for IgG and 96% – 99% for IgM). CONCLUSION: We found reports of high sensitivity and specificity among the developed RDTs that could complement RT-PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, especially for screening in LMICs. However, it is necessary to validate these kits locally. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Cardiothoracic Surgery during COVID-19: Our Experience with Different Strategies | BACKGROUND: An acute respiratory disease (COVID-19), caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2,), has been declared a pandemic by WHO. A surgery on COVID-19 patients not only involves a risk of spread of the disease but also there is a serious concern for the patient's surgical outcomes and resources requirement. AIM: The retrospective study is aimed to provide a protocol for pre-operative testing of SARS CoV-2 using RT-PCR in the patient undergoing cardio-thoracic surgeries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To analyze the impact of pre-operative testing of SARS- CoV-2 using RT-PCR in the patient undergoing elective cardio-thoracic surgeries. The patient who underwent surgical interventions during the COVID-19 lockdown period was divided into two phases. Phase I (without COVID-19 RT-PCR testing) and Phase II (with pre-operative COVID-19 RT-PCR testing). The retrospective comparison between the two study groups was done using Student t-test, Mann–Whitney U, and Chi square (χ(2)) test depending upon the clinical variable to be analyzed. RESULTS: During the early phase (phase I), 26 patients underwent cardio-thoracic surgery without COVID-19 RT-PCR test. Whereas, during phase II, all patients were tested for COVID-19 using RT-PCR, preoperatively and a total of 64 surgeries were performed during this phase. One patient planned for CABG was positive on RT-PCR for COVID-19 and was sent to the quarantine ward. The difference in the pre-operative hospital stay between two groups was found to be statistically significant and a significant decrease in the number of PPE kits used, during the phase I. CONCLUSION: All asymptomatic patients should be tested for COVID-19 using RT-PCR prior to cardio-thoracic surgeries not only to contain the disease but to avoid potential implications of COVID-19 on the perioperative course, without added financial implications. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Coagulopathy and COVID-19 | SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with frequent thrombotic events, at the micro and macro-vascular level, due to the perpetuation of a state of hypercoagulability. The so-called ‘COVID-19 associated coagulopathy’ (CAC) represents a key aspect in the genesis of organ damage from SARS-CoV-2. The main coagulative alterations described in the literature are represented by high levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen. Although CAC has some common features with disseminated intravascular coagulation and sepsis-induced coagulopathy, there are important differences between these clinical pictures and the phenotype of CAC is unique. The pathogenesis of CAC is complex and is affected by the strong interconnection between the inflammatory system and coagulation, in the phenomenon of immunothrombosis and thrombo-inflammation. Several mechanisms come into play, such as inflammatory cytokines, neutrophils, the complement system as well as an alteration of the fibrinolytic system. Finally, an altered platelet function and especially endothelial dysfunction also play a central role in the pathophysiology of CAC. Heparin has several potential effects in CAC, in fact in addition to the anticoagulant effect, it could have a direct antiviral effect and anti-inflammatory properties. The high incidence of thrombo-embolic phenomena despite the use of antithrombotic prophylaxis have led some experts to recommend the use of anticoagulant doses of heparin, but at present the optimal anticoagulant regimen remains to be determined. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Levels and predictors of depression, anxiety, and suicidal risk during COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina: the impacts of quarantine extensions on mental health state | This research is aimed to: analyze differences in mental health state (MHS) indicators (depression, state-anxiety, trait-anxiety, and suicidal risk), during three quarantine sub-periods (starting since the first quarantine extension); assess multiple relationships between each MHS indicator and potentially affecting factors. We used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample including 1100 participants. Data were collected online. Depression revealed a worsening pattern as quarantine sub-periods went by. Anxiety (both state and trait), just like suicidal risk, partially follow such a pattern, with mean scores increasing from the first to the second/third quarantine extensions, but then maintaining to the fourth extension. Predictors having protective effects on almost all the MHS indicators were: availability of current economic income (except for state-anxiety, without significant effect) and absence of suicide attempt history. Conversely, sex (woman), younger age, and mental disorder history had an increasing risk effect on all the MHS indicators. Overall, our findings indicate that quarantine have negative mental health impacts and that quarantine duration is a relevant aspect to be taken into account when measuring such an impact. More attention needs to be paid to vulnerable groups such as the young, women, and people with history of mental disorder. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Comparative analysis of the effects of collection methods on salivary steroids | BACKGROUND: Steroid hormone test for saliva was a promising area of research, however the impact of different collection methods on salivary steroids was underexplored so far. This study was designed to compare the effects of different collection methods (unstimulated or stimulated by chewing paraffin, forepart or midstream) on salivary flow rate, concentrations and secretion rates of steroids in saliva. METHODS: Whole-saliva samples were collected from 10 systemically and orally healthy participants, whose forepart and midstream segments of saliva were collected under unstimulated and stimulated conditions, with the salivary flow rate of each sample recorded. The concentrations and secretion rates of salivary steroids including testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and progesterone were measured by ELISA, with the multiple of change calculated. RESULTS: The results indicated mechanical stimulation used in collection of saliva samples could affect concentrations and secretion rates of steroids, whereas forepart and midstream segments had little differences in levels of salivary steroids, which effects could be partly influenced by individual specificity. The asynchronism in change of secretion rate of steroids with that of salivary flow rate might play an important role during this course. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, we suggested to use the same collection method throughout one analytical study on salivary steroids or in longitudinal observations to ensure the comparability of the saliva samples collected. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-021-01722-w. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Clinical significance of slightly lateral ventricular enlargement in healthy infants. | OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of slightly lateral ventricular enlargement. METHODS We examined 1151 infants with a gestational age of 36 weeks or greater. We assessed for the presence of ventricular enlargement when apparent space was observed in the frontal horn or body of lateral ventricle by a transfontanel ultrasound scan. RESULTS Two hundred and forty-eight infants had ventricular enlargement. The atrial widths in most infants were less than 10 mm. Ventricular enlargement correlated with Cesarean delivery, gestational age, birth weight, respiratory disturbance at delivery and respiratory inhibition after crying (RIAC). Ventricular enlargement could be divided into three types by ultrasound findings. Forty-five infants showed only enlargement of the anterior horn (Type A), 97 infants showed enlargement from the body to the posterior horn (Type B), and 108 infants showed whole enlargement from the anterior to the posterior horn (Type C). The infants with Type A correlated with intrauterine growth restriction, placenta previa, male gender and birth weight. The infants with Type B correlated with cesarean delivery. The infants with Type C correlated with diabetes mellitus, respiratory disturbance at delivery, RIAC and feeding hypoxemia. CONCLUSIONS Slightly lateral ventricular enlargement should be considered clinically significant. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The Privatization of the Italian National Health System and its Impact on Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: The COVID-19 Case | Hospitals play a critical role in providing essential care during emergencies; however, this essential care can overwhelm the functional capacity of health systems. In Italy, substantial cuts in funding have drastically reduced the resources of the National Health Service (NHS) and contributed to the expansion of the private health sector which, unlike the public health system, does not have the capacity to deal with a health emergency such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this article is to show how the privatization of the NHS contributed to making Italy more vulnerable and unprepared to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. The available capacity and resources in the public and private emergency services systems in Italy are compared, including a focus on the numbers of hospital staff, hospitals, and hospital beds. The reduced funding and subsequent shortfalls in services in the NHS are reasons why extreme measures were needed to increase these resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. A public NHS in Italy would be better prepared for future health emergencies. The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic can help to inform future health systems strategies, to halt the current financial decline and performance loss of national health systems, and to enable better preparation for future health emergencies. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Longitudinal Change of SARS-Cov2 Antibodies in Patients with COVID-19 | BACKGROUND: A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has recently emerged and caused the rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide. METHODS: We did a retrospective study and included COVID-19 patients admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between February 1 and February 29, 2020. Antibody assay was conducted to detect COVID-19 envelope protein E and nucleocapsid protein N antigen. RESULTS: 112 patients were recruited with symptoms of fever, cough, fatigue, myalgia, and diarrhoea. All patients underwent antibody tests. Fifty-eight (51.79%) were positive for both IgM and IgG, 7 (6.25%) were negative for both antibodies, 1 (0.89%) was positive for only IgM, and 46 (41.07%) were positive for only IgG. IgM antibody appeared within a week post disease onset, and lasted for one month and gradually decreased, while IgG antibody was produced 10 days after infection, and lasted for a longer time. However, no significant difference in level of IgM and IgG antibody between positive and negative patients of nucleic acid test after treatment was found. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that serological tests could be powerful approach for the early diagnosis of COVID-19. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Community Characteristics and COVID-19 Outcomes: A Study of 159 Counties in Georgia, United States | BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic affects population groups differently, worsening existing social, economic, and health inequities. PURPOSE: This study examined 159 counties within Georgia to identify community characteristics associated with county-level COVID-19 case, hospitalization, and death rates. METHODS: Data from the 2020 County Health Rankings, the 2010 US Census, and the Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Status Report were linked using county Federal Information Processing Standard codes and evaluated through multivariable linear regression models. RESULTS: The percentages of children in poverty, severe housing problems, and people not proficient in the English language were significant predictors associated with increases in case, hospitalization, and death rates. Diabetic prevalence was significantly associated with increases in the hospitalization and death rates; in contrast, the percentages of people with excessive drinking and female were inversely associated with hospitalization and death rates. Other independent variables showing an association with death rate included the percentages of people reporting fair or poor health and American Indian/Alaska Native. IMPLICATION: Local authorities' proper allocation of resources and plans to address community social determinants of health are essential to mitigate disease transmission and reduce hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19, especially among vulnerable groups. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Older age groups and country-specific case fatality rates of COVID-19 in Europe, USA and Canada | PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between the percentages of older age groups among confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and the country-specific case fatality rate (CFR). METHODS: This ecological study analyzed data from the 20 most severely affected European countries, USA and Canada, in which national health authorities provided data on age distribution and gender among confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases and deaths. RESULTS: The proportion of individuals older than 70 years among confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases differed markedly between the countries, ranging from 4.9 to 40.4%. There was a strong linear association between the proportion of individuals older than 75 years and the country-specific CFRs (R(2) = 0.803 for all countries, R(2) = 0.961 after exclusion of three countries with incongruent data). Each 5% point increase of this older age group among confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases was associated with an increase in CFR of 2.5% points (95% CI 1.9–3.1). CONCLUSION: Data from 20 European countries and the USA and Canada showed that the variance of crude CFR of COVID-19 is predominantly (80–96%) determined by the proportion of older individuals who are diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. The age distribution of SARS-CoV-2 infections is still far from being homogeneous. Detailed demographic data have to be taken into account in all the analyses on COVID-19-associated mortality. We urgently call for standardized data collection by national health authorities. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s15010-020-01538-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
An analysis of Twitter users opinions on vaccines using Machine Learning techniques | Vaccines are an old technique, known and used for over 200 years. However, it is likely that the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic made the public debate around this technology become polarized at a level never seen before. Thus, this work aims to determine and understand factors that lead Brazilian users on Twitter to be favorable or not to vaccines by first determining users' stances in relation to the vaccination topic and then using Machine Learning methods to infer demographic information and determine which are the socio-demographic factors that cause the greatest impact on users' opinions on vaccines. First, a data set composed of relevant demographic information from users who stand for or against vaccines was generated. Then, from the collected data, charts were generated showing the distributions of the obtained demographic information and Machine Learning algorithms were applied to the data set in order to generate relevant models for the research. Finally, the information collected in the previous steps was analyzed in order to draw relevant conclusions about how each demographic factor considered influences the formation of Twitter users opinions on vaccines and their use. The methodology proposed produced informative and pertinent results, and it was possible to determine that age and location are the factors that cause the most significant influence on users' opinions. Our work proposes an efficient and agile framework that can be easily and readily implemented and extended to understand not only stances on vaccines, but also opinions on any subject of public debate. © 2021 IEEE. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A 12-year follow-up study of combined treatment of post-severe acute respiratory syndrome patients with femoral head necrosis | OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term efficacy of a combination treatment of alendronate, extracorporeal shock and hyperbaric oxygen for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) of post-severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective study was performed including a total of 37 post-SARS ONFH patients (66 hip joints) in the Department of Orthopedics of the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University between November 2003 and November 2015, consisting of 6 males (11 hip joints) and 31 females (55 hip joints), with age between 19 and 47 years (average 29.9 years). Visual analog scale (VAS) score, Harris score and Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage of imaging examination were compared among those before treatment, and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 years after treatment. Paired t-test was used for statistical analysis of VAS and Harris score before and after treatment. Difference of effective rate on all stages was analyzed with Chi-square test. RESULTS: With 12-year follow-up, significant improvements on VAS (6.81 of pre-treatment vs 3.94 of 12-year post-treatment) and Harris score (74.54 of pre-treatment vs 80.14 of 12-year post-treatment) were observed (all p<0.05). Effective rate showed statistical significance among three stages of ARCO (p<0.05). The combined treatment showed different efficacies on different ARCO stages; the best was on ARCO Phase I. CONCLUSION: The combined treatment may delay or discontinue the development of ONFH in post-SARS patients. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Solid organ transplantation in the era of COVID-19: lessons from the past six months | COVID-19 outbreak has significantly upended solid organ transplant (SOT) practice around the world. Early reports confirmed the heavy burden of COVID-19 in SOT recipients with mortality rates reaching up to 35%. Because most transplant recipients harbored multiple comorbidities known to be associated with a severe course of COVID-19, the true impact of immunosuppression by itself remained an unsolved issue. Transplant societies have initially recommended to postpone non urgent renal transplantations, while trying to maintain life-saving transplant programs, such as heart, lung and liver transplantations. The pandemic thus resulted in an unprecedented and sudden drop of transplant activity worldwide. Moreover, the best treatment strategy in infected patients was challenging. Both reduction of immunosuppression and use of targeted therapies aiming at counteracting SARS-CoV-2 infection were the two faces of the therapeutic armamentarium. Recent controlled studies have better delineated the basis of mitigating and management strategies to improve patients' outcome. Nevertheless, and given the persistence of circulating virus, evidence-based recommendations in SOT recipients remain unclear. The resumption of transplant activity should be tailored with careful selection of both donors and recipients. Transplant decision should be made on a case-by-case basis after thorough assessment of the risks and benefits. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
An in vitro system for the leader-primed transcription of coronavirus mRNAs. | We have developed an in vitro transcription system which can utilize exogenous leader RNA for mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) 'leader-primed' mRNA transcription. Cytoplasmic extracts containing viral proteins and template RNA were prepared by lysolecithin permeabilization of MHV-infected cells. Synthetic leader RNA which differed in sequence from the endogenous leader RNA was added to the extracts and demonstrated to be incorporated into MHV mRNAs. Irrespective of the size of leader RNAs added, the exogenous leader RNA was joined to the endogenous mRNA at the same site, which corresponds to a UCUAA pentanucleotide repeat region. Only leader RNAs containing the pentanucleotide sequences could be utilized for transcription. Mismatches between the intergenic site and the exogenous leader sequence within the pentanucleotide repeat region were corrected in the in vitro system. This in vitro system thus established a novel mechanism of leader-primed transcription using exogenous RNA in trans, and suggests the involvement of a specific ribonuclease activity during coronavirus mRNA synthesis. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Effect of experimentally-induced villus atrophy on adhesion of K88ac-positive Escherichia coli in just-weaned piglets | Three- to four-week-old, just-weaned piglets were infected with transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus and the next day with K88ac(+) enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Histological examination of caudal jejunum and ileum of piglets killed 2–3 days after virus challenge (1–2 days after ETEC infection) revealed severe villus atrophy especially in the jejunum compared with controls (P<0.05). Four-5 days after TGE virus infection villus length increased and after 7 days it was near normal. Villi scraped from jejunal and ileal mucosa of the piglets were incubated in vitro with K88ac(+)E. coli and the number of bacteria adhering to 250 μm villus brush border was counted. Attachment of bacteria to villi of piglets killed 2–3 days after TGE virus infection was significantly decreased in comparison with adhesion to villi of non-infected piglets or of piglets killed 7 days after the virus infection. Correlation between in vitro adhesion and villus height was 0.6649 (P<0.001). The results suggest that the experimentally-induced villus atrophy was attended with a temporarily diminished susceptibility of villus enterocytes to adhesion of K88ac(+)E. coli. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A windowed correlation based feature selection method to improve time series prediction of dengue fever cases | The performance of data-driven prediction models depends on the availability of data samples for model training. A model that learns about dengue fever incidence in a population uses historical data from that corresponding location. Poor performance in prediction can result in places with inadequate data. This work aims to enhance temporally limited dengue case data by methodological addition of epidemically relevant data from nearby locations as predictors (features). A novel framework is presented for windowing incidence data and computing time-shifted correlation-based metrics to quantify feature relevance. The framework ranks incidence data of adjacent locations around a target location by combining the correlation metric with two other metrics: spatial distance and local prevalence. Recurrent neural network-based prediction models achieve up to 33.6% accuracy improvement on average using the proposed method compared to using training data from the target location only. These models achieved mean absolute error (MAE) values as low as 0.128 on [0,1] normalized incidence data for a municipality with the highest dengue prevalence in Brazil's Espirito Santo. When predicting cases aggregated over geographical ecoregions, the models achieved accuracy improvements up to 16.5%, using only 6.5% of incidence data from ranked feature sets. The paper also includes two techniques for windowing time series data: fixed-sized windows and outbreak detection windows. Both of these techniques perform comparably, while the window detection method uses less data for computations. The framework presented in this paper is application-independent, and it could improve the performances of prediction models where data from spatially adjacent locations are available. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
E-Learning perception and satisfaction among health sciences students amid the COVID-19 pandemic | BACKGROUND: E-learning is increasingly used during the COVID-19 pandemic, however the impact of this change on students is not known. This study aimed to evaluate perception and satisfaction of health sciences students towards E-learning during the COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was distributed to 2000 health care students either through email or social media platforms. The questionnaire was divided into two sections: the first section addressed demographic information such as age, education level, course of study, number of lectures attended and country. The second section gathered information on perception and satisfaction of students using 13 close-ended questions. Frequencies and percentages were assessed for demographic data, perception and satisfaction level of students. The paired sample t-test, independent t test and Spearman correlation were applied to evaluate statistical significance between different variables of the study. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Data from 1255 participants were included at a response rate of 66.4%. More than one third (37%) of the students took 25 or more online E-learning sessions and 47% preferred Zoom as an online platform. Participants belonged to 11 countries from developed and developing nations. 41% reported interference of E-learning due to network problems. 60% considered that clinical and practical skills are best learned in clinics and laboratories. More than one third of the students preferred classroom teaching and 34% of the students did not feel confident enough to take exit exams after E-learning sessions. CONCLUSION: E-learning satisfaction levels were better among developed countries (7.34) compared to developing countries (5.82). The majority of participants agreed that E-learning was satisfactory in acquiring knowledge, however not effective in acquiring clinical and technical skills. As the COVID-19 lockdown eases, there is a need for improvement in the methods employed in E-learning and more blended learning among healthcare students is recommended. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
The presentation of SARS-CoV-2 peptides by the common HLA-A*02:01 molecule | CD8+ T cells are crucial for anti-viral immunity, however, understanding T cell responses requires the identification of epitopes presented by Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA). To date, few SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cell epitopes have been described. Internal viral proteins are typically more conserved than surface proteins and are often the target of CD8+ T cells. Therefore, we have characterised eight peptides derived from the internal SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein predicted to bind HLA-A*02:01, the most common HLA molecule in the global population. We determined not all peptides could form a complex with HLA-A*02:01, and the six crystal structures determined revealed that some peptides adopted a mobile conformation. We therefore provide a molecular understanding of SARS-CoV-2 CD8+ T cell epitopes. Furthermore, we show that there is limited pre-existing CD8+ T cell response towards these epitopes in unexposed individuals. Together, these data show that SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid might not contain potent epitopes restricted to HLA-A*02:01. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A Systematic Review of Cases of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic | The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic after it spread to 213 countries and has the highest total number of cases worldwide. About 80% of COVID-19 infections are mild or asymptomatic and never require hospitalization but about 5% of patients become critically ill and develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The widely used management for ARDS in COVID-19 has been in line with the standard approach, but the need to adjust the treatment protocols has been questioned based on the reports of higher mortality risk among those requiring mechanical ventilation. Treatment options for this widespread disease are limited and there are no definitive therapies or vaccines until now. Although some antimalarial and antiviral drugs may prove effective against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), their safety and efficacy are still under clinical trials. We conducted a systematic review of case reports on ARDS in SARS-CoV-2 infection to summarize the clinical presentation, laboratory and chest imaging findings, management protocols, and outcome of ARDS in COVID-19-positive patients. We need more data and established studies for the effective management of the novel SARS-CoV-2 and to reduce mortality in high-risk patients. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Urban Green Equity and COVID-19: Effects on Park Use and Sense of Belonging in New York City | Public spaces in cities of today are characterized by socio-spatial inequalities that often result in restricted mobility for, and exclusion of, marginalized populations—inequalities that have intensified due to COVID-19. In this exploratory study, we distributed a survey comprised of close- and open-ended questions through convenience sampling in late July 2020 with the aim of understanding (1) if and how sense of belonging to urban green space (UGS) has shifted since the start of the pandemic and (2) how do changes in UGS use, satisfaction, and sense of belonging relate to sociodemographic characteristics of New York City (NYC) neighborhoods. Participants (N = 138) were racially diverse, predominantly female and between 18-44yo with a neighborhood median income of $67,500. While the level of satisfaction that people feel in relation to their UGS did not change with the offset of the pandemic, how much people use these spaces and how much they “feel at home” in them did. Participants reported higher use of UGS currently in comparison to their use of these spaces pre-pandemic. This increased use of UGS was particularly evident among White participants and participants living in more upper-middle- and upper-income areas. The same trend is evident when it comes to sense of belonging. New Yorkers in general reported a stronger sense of belonging to UGS spaces as a result of the pandemic. As with UGS use, while both reported a favorable sense of belonging, White and more affluent participants had a stronger sense of belonging pre-pandemic, and their sense of belonging showed greater rise due to the pandemic. Overall, our research suggests that COVID-19 has widened existing socio-spatial disparities in NYC, with the lowest income neighborhoods most effected. We suggest further exploration of sense of belonging to UGS as an avenue to promote urban green equity in multicultural cities. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Novel and Innovative Approaches to Teaching Human Anatomy Classes in an Online Environment During a Pandemic | In view of the current situation with a worldwide pandemic, the use of online teaching has become critical. This is difficult in the context of human anatomy, a subject contingent primarily on the use of human cadaveric tissues for learning through face-to-face practical laboratory sessions. Although anatomy has been taught using online resources including 3D models and anatomy applications, feedback from students and academic staff does not support the replacement of face-to-face teaching. At Charles Sturt University, we were obligated to cancel all classes on-campus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We ran exclusive online anatomy practical classes replacing classes usually run on campus. We designed an alternative program that consisted of twenty pre-recorded videos that were prepared in the anatomy laboratory using cadaveric tissues, and then discussed in live (and interactive) tutorials. Furthermore, innovative approaches to learning were shown and encouraged by the lecturer. Student survey responses indicated a positive response to both the anatomical videos and the innovative learning approaches. The results obtained by students showed a statistically significant increase in high distinctions and marked decrease in the amount of fail grades, compared with the previous three years (not online). The use of these videos and the encouragement of innovative learning approaches was a novel experience that will add valuable experiences for improved practice in online anatomy teaching. We propose that online anatomy videos of cadavers combined with innovative approaches are an efficient and engaging approach to replace face-to-face anatomy teaching under the current contexts. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Factors associated with mental health outcomes among health care workers in the Fangcang shelter hospital in China. | BACKGROUND Faced with surging infections and considering that 80% of cases were mild and moderate, the city government transformed stadiums and exhibition centers into the Fangcang shelter hospitals (temporary treatment centers) in Wuhan. AIM The aims of this study were to evaluate psychological impact on health care workers in the Fangcang shelter hospitals and analyze potential risk factors associated with these symptoms, including PTSS, symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress. METHODS This cross-sectional study used an online survey to assess mental health problems of 522 health care workers in a Jianghan Fangcang shelter from February 21 to February 28, 2020. RESULTS Overall, 25.3%, 25.3%, 51.0%, 58.0%, 14.8%, and 39.1% of all participants reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, occupation and technical title were associated with all investigated outcomes. Nurses were more likely to endorse posttraumatic stress symptoms (OR, 4.63; 95% CI, 2.43-8.82; p < .001), anxiety symptom (OR, 4.58; 95% CI, 2.76-7.62; p < .001), depression symptom (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 2.17-5.64; p < .001). Participants with senior technical title were associated with higher perceived stress and insomnia than other technical title. CONCLUSION In this survey, participants reported high rates of symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress. Combining with the special environment of the shelter hospitals and the psychological needs, the health care workers should be given more effective interventions to relieve their stress and improve mental symptoms. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Interleukin‐6 Receptor Antagonist Therapy to Treat SARS‐CoV‐2 Driven Inflammatory Syndrome in a Renal Transplant Recipient | Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a pandemic that is evolving rapidly at present with unprecedented global health and societal implications. Herein, we report a case of successful treatment of SARS‐CoV‐2 induced inflammatory syndrome by utilization of the interleukin‐6 receptor antagonist (IL‐6Ra) tocilizumab. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
COVID-19 in prisons: a study of habeas corpus decisions by the São Paulo Court of Justice/ COVID-19 en las prisiones: un estudio de las decisiones sobre habeas corpus en el Tribunal de Justicia de São Paulo/ COVID-19 nas prisões: um estudo das decisões em habeas corpus no Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo | Abstract Brazil has become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Global South-a pandemic that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, especially those detained and imprisoned. Legal institutions are struggling to respond. In this paper, we focus on the National Council of Justice's Recommendation 62, issued March 17, 2020, which recommends that judges take several measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in prisons. We test this recommendation's impact by looking at habeas corpus decisions in the São Paulo Court of Justice. The exploratory findings presented here indicate that Recommendation 62 has little impact on habeas decisions. In general, citing the recommendation does not lead the Court to grant early release or house arrest to those detained, and most habeas actions are decided against petitioners. This is true even when petitioners claim to be part of a risk group, or their alleged offense did not involve violence or serious threat-factors that should favor habeas relief under Recommendation 62. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
High rates of detection of respiratory viruses in the nasal washes and mucosae of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. | Respiratory viral infections are often implicated as triggers of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) flare-ups. However, there is a paucity of respiratory viral surveillance studies in CRS patients, and such studies could elucidate the potential role of viruses in promoting symptoms and aggravating mucosal inflammation. Therefore, a prospective case-control study was conducted to determine the prevalence of respiratory viruses in CRS patients and non-CRS controls. Nasal lavage fluids and turbinate epithelial cells were collected prospectively from 111 CRS patients and 50 controls. Multiplex PCR was used to identify common respiratory viruses in both sample types and the infection rate was compared between groups. Respiratory viruses were detected in 50.5% of lavage samples and in 64.0% of scraping samples from CRS patients. The overall infection rate was significantly different in CRS patients and controls (odds ratio, 2.9 in lavage and 4.1 in scraping samples). Multiple viral infections were detected more frequently in lavage samples from CRS patients than those from controls (P < 0.01; odds ratio, 7.7). Rhinovirus was the most prevalent virus and the only virus with a significantly different infection rate in CRS patients and controls in both samples (odds ratio, 3.2 in lavage and 3.4 in scraping samples). This study detected a higher prevalence of respiratory viruses in CRS patients than controls, suggesting that there may be significant associations between inflammation of CRS and respiratory viruses, particularly rhinovirus. Further studies should investigate the exact role of highly prevalent respiratory viruses in CRS patients during symptomatic aggravation and ongoing mucosal inflammation. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Does Video Laryngoscopy Offer Advantages over Direct Laryngoscopy during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation? | OBJECTIVE Interruption of chest compressions should be minimized because of its negative effects on survival. This randomized, controlled, cross-over study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of Macintosh, Miller, McCoy and McGrath laryngoscopes during with or without chest compressions in the scope of a simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenario. METHODS The time required for successful tracheal intubation, number of attempts, dental trauma severity and the need for optimization manoeuvres were recorded during cardiopulmonary resuscitation with and without chest compressions. The experience with computer games during the last 10 years were asked to the participants and recorded. RESULTS McCoy laryngoscope yielded the shortest time for successful tracheal intubation both in the presence of and without chest compressions. During the use of McCoy laryngoscopes, fewer tracheal intubation attempts, lower incidence of dental trauma and lower visual analogue scale scores on the ease of intubation were recorded. Participants who are experienced computer game players using Macintosh, McCoy and McGrath achieved successful tracheal intubation in a significantly shorter time during resuscitation without chest compressions. Dental trauma incidence and number of tracheal intubation attempts did not show any significant difference between the four laryngoscopes being related to the rate of playing computer games. CONCLUSION McGrath video laryngoscopes do not appear to have advantages over direct laryngoscopes for securing a smooth and successful tracheal intubation during rhythmic chest compressions. We believe that as McCoy laryngoscope provided tracheal intubation in a shorter time and with fewer attempts, this laryngoscope may increase the success rate of resuscitation. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Higher Physical Activity Levels May Help Buffer the Negative Psychological Consequences of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic | This study explored the associations between physical activity (PA) anxiety levels, and the perception of satisfaction of basic psychological needs (BPN), during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Thus, 1,404 participants (977 women, 426 men, and one respondent preferred not to answer) ranging from 18 to 89 years old (36.4 +/- 11.7 year-old) completed a questionnaire in the period between 1st and 15th April 2021. The survey included sociodemographic data and the following validated instruments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Basic Need General Satisfaction Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to examine variation in anxiety levels and BPN satisfaction according to PA category (low, moderate, and high). Spearman's Rho correlations coefficients were used to determine the association between anxiety levels and psychological needs. Individuals presenting a higher level of PA revealed lower levels of anxiety-state (H = 20.14;p < 0.01). Differences between elements from different levels of PA were found for the autonomy (H = 23.52;p < 0.001), competence (H = 18.89;p < 0.001), and relatedness (H = 24.42;p < 0.001) psychological needs, suggesting that those who feel their BPN as more satisfied have higher levels of PA. The study found statistically significant correlations between anxiety-state and the satisfaction of the needs for autonomy (p = 0.01;r = -0.46), competence (p = 0.01;r = -0.40), and relatedness (p = 0.01;r = -0.21). These findings support the importance that PA has in the anxiety levels during social isolation, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary teams in an individual-based approach. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Conceptual similarity and communicative need shape colexification: an experimental study | Colexification refers to the phenomenon of multiple meanings sharing one word in a language. Cross-linguistic lexification patterns have been shown to be largely predictable, as similar concepts are often colexified. We test a recent claim that, beyond this general tendency, communicative needs play an important role in shaping colexification patterns. We approach this question by means of a series of human experiments, using an artificial language communication game paradigm. Our results across four experiments match the previous cross-linguistic findings: all other things being equal, speakers do prefer to colexify similar concepts. However, we also find evidence supporting the communicative need hypothesis: when faced with a frequent need to distinguish similar pairs of meanings, speakers adjust their colexification preferences to maintain communicative efficiency, and avoid colexifying those similar meanings which need to be distinguished in communication. This research provides further evidence to support the argument that languages are shaped by the needs and preferences of their speakers. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
SARS-COV-2 antibody dynamics and B-cell memory response over-time in COVID-19 convalescent subjects | OBJECTIVES: Worldwide spread of COVID-19 disease highlights the need for assessment of long-term humoral immunity in convalescent subjects. Our objectives were to evaluate long-term IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibody response and B-cell memory response in COVID-19 convalescent subjects. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from a cohort of subjects recovering from COVID-19 disease and from healthy subjects that donated blood. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were quantitatively detected by ELISA using anti-S1 spike IgG. SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgG memory B-cells were evaluated in a randomly selected group of COVID-19 recovering subjects by reversed B-cell FluroSpot based on human IgG SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain. Statistical analysis was performed with clinical variables and time post-COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Antibody response was not detected in 26 of 392 (6.6%) COVID-19 convalescent subjects. Over a period of 9 months, the level of antibodies decreased by 50% but stabilized at 6 months and prevailed a protective level up to 9 months. No differences were found regarding IgG SARS-COV-2 antibody levels for age, gender, and major blood types, over-time. COVID-19 asymptomatic subjects did not differ in antibody level overtime from subjects with mild to severe disease. Repeated paired IgG SARS-COV-2 antibody level analyses disclosed that over 6 and 9 months, 15.3% (9 of 59) and 15.8% (3 of 19) of subjects became SARS-COV-2 IgG seronegative, respectively, all with low antibody level at 3 months. Rate of antibody decline was not affected by age, gender, or clinical symptomatology. In a subgroup of recovering subjects, memory B-cell response up to 9-months post COVID-19 infection, was undetectable in 31.8% (14/44) of subjects with no correlation to age, SARS-COV-2 antibody level, or time post-infection. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of COVID-19 convalescent subjects develop IgG SARS-COV-2 antibody response that prevails a protective level over a period of up to 9-months regardless of age, gender, major blood types or clinical symptomatology. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Detection and molecular characterization of respiratory viruses that cause acute respiratory infection in the adult population. | Introduction Acute respiratory infections are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in older adults and patients with chronic diseases. Among the responsible etiological agents are human respiratory viruses, such as: respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus and metapneumovirus. Objective To carry out a differential diagnostic study of respiratory viruses circulating and co-circulating in an adult population. Methods A pilot study was conducted in patients older than 18 years, who presented signs and symptoms suggestive of acute respiratory infection and whose clinical picture did not exceed 15 days of evolution; end-point polymerase chain reaction assays were performed with the use of specific oligonucleotides for molecular diagnosis. Results 72 specimens of patients with an age of 51.33 ± 19.33 years, with a predominance of females (4.5:1); original inhabitants of Mexico City; only 22 were positive for respiratory viruses, being mostly metapneumovirus infections. Conclusions The knowledge of the circulating viral strains in the population will allow to determine changes that can declare an epidemiological alert leading to the best decision making for the benefit of the patients. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Thoracic Surgeons’ Insights: Improving Thoracic Surgery Outcomes During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic | [Figure: see text] | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Forecasting the COVID-19 epidemic: the case of New Zealand | We estimate a statistical model for COVID-19 cases and deaths in New Zealand. New Zealand is an important test case for statistical and theoretical research into the dynamics of the global pandemic since it went through a full cycle of infections. We choose functional forms for infections and deaths that incorporate important features of epidemiological models but allow for flexible parameterization to capture different trajectories of the pandemic. Our Bayesian estimation reveals that the simple statistical framework we employ fits the data well and allows for a transparent characterization of the uncertainty surrounding the trajectories of infections and deaths. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Edge-enabled Metaverse: The Convergence of Metaverse and Mobile Edge Computing | The Metaverse is a virtual environment where users are represented by avatars to navigate a virtual world, which has strong links with the physical one. State-of-the-art Metaverse architectures rely on a cloud-based approach for avatar physics emulation and graphics rendering computation. Such centralized design is unfavorable as it suffers from several drawbacks caused by the long latency required for cloud access, such as low quality visualization. To solve this issue, in this paper, we propose a Fog-Edge hybrid computing architecture for Metaverse applications that leverage an edge-enabled distributed computing paradigm, which makes use of edge devices computing power to fulfil the required computational cost for heavy tasks such as collision detection in virtual universe and computation of 3D physics in virtual simulation. The computational cost related to an entity in the Metaverse such as collision detection or physics emulation are performed at the end-device of the associated physical entity. To prove the effectiveness of the proposed architecture, we simulate a distributed social metaverse application. Simulation results shows that the proposed architecture can reduce the latency by 50% when compared with the legacy cloud-based Metaverse applications. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Mortality and Severity in COVID-19 Patients on ACEIs and ARBs—A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression Analysis | Purpose: The primary objective of this systematic review is to assess association of mortality in COVID-19 patients on Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and Angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs). A secondary objective is to assess associations with higher severity of the disease in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: We searched multiple COVID-19 databases (WHO, CDC, LIT-COVID) for longitudinal studies globally reporting mortality and severity published before January 18th, 2021. Meta-analyses were performed using 53 studies for mortality outcome and 43 for the severity outcome. Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios were generated to describe overall effect size using random effect models. To account for between study results variations, multivariate meta-regression was performed with preselected covariates using maximum likelihood method for both the mortality and severity models. Result: Our findings showed that the use of ACEIs/ARBs did not significantly influence either mortality (OR = 1.16 95% CI 0.94–1.44, p = 0.15, I(2) = 93.2%) or severity (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 0.94–1.48, p = 0.15, I(2) = 91.1%) in comparison to not being on ACEIs/ARBs in COVID-19 positive patients. Multivariate meta-regression for the mortality model demonstrated that 36% of between study variations could be explained by differences in age, gender, and proportion of heart diseases in the study samples. Multivariate meta-regression for the severity model demonstrated that 8% of between study variations could be explained by differences in age, proportion of diabetes, heart disease and study country in the study samples. Conclusion: We found no association of mortality or severity in COVID-19 patients taking ACEIs/ARBs. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Persistent Hiccups as an Atypical Initial Presentation of COVID-19: A Case Report | INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that causes acute respiratory syndrome in humans. It is also known as COVID-19 and was first discovered in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China in December 2019 and soon became a global pandemic. The common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; however, there are some atypical symptoms that remain either unreported or underreported. CASE SUMMARY: In this case report, we described a 48-year-old diabetic man who presented with the chief complaint of persistent hiccups (<48h) to the emergency room with no history of malignancy, GI, cardiovascular, or neurological diseases. The patient also mentioned intermittent cough and mild dyspnea initiated the morning of admission day. On physical examination, other than mild tachycardia and tachypnea, there were no notable findings. Following an abnormal chest X-Ray, a chest CT scan was carried out, and peripheral ground-glass opacities along with scattered round opacities were identified in both lungs' fields. Given the strong suspicion of COVID-19, an RT-PCR test was performed, and the symptomatic treatment was initiated. The patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 following the PCR result release. The treatment was initiated per the protocol, and the patient was transferred to the isolated room and discharged after four days following the relief of the symptoms. CONCLUSION: It is critical for medical practitioners to seriously consider the possibility of COVID-19 in a patient with similar presentations and isolate the patient at the asymptomatic stages to eliminate the possibility of virus transmission. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
Protective effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats: Study on intestine and liver | BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nanoparticles could represent a therapeutic approach for the treatment of various diseases. It has been reported that cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO(2) NPs) have potential useful effects. Therefore, we aimed to examine the protective effects of the CeO(2) NPs in two models of liver injury, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver fibrosis, in rats. METHODS: In this experimental study, male rats were randomly divided into different experimental groups including: Experiment 1; group1: healthy rats received normal saline, 2: CCl(4) group, 3: CCl(4) + nanoparticle. Experiment 2; group1: healthy rats received chow diet, 2: NAFLD group, 3: NAFLD + nanoparticle. The oxidative stress markers were determined in the liver and intestine. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were measured by ELISA. Histopathological changes of liver and intestine were evaluated by light microspore. RESULTS: Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione (GSH) levels significantly decreased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant status (TOS) were significantly increased in the liver, and intestine of the NAFLD and CCl(4) group compared with control rats. However, the use of nanoparticles significantly normalized these markers. The levels of the TNF-α were significantly reduced in the nanoparticle group as compared with NAFLD model and CCl(4)-treated rats. CeO(2) NPs also normalized the liver and intestinal histological changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding revealed that CeO(2) NPs has potential protective effects by increasing antioxidant activity, and reducing inflammation. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |
A Comparative Analysis of Clinical Stage 3 COVID-19 Vaccines using Knowledge Representation | The emergence of a novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus at the end of 2019 and its accelerated spread worldwide to become a pandemic has had, from the medical biotechnology point of view, an unprecedented global response, to the point that there are currently 176 vaccine candidates in preclinical stage, 66 in clinical stage, of which 19 are in phase 3, and 5 of these are massively applied worldwide. The purpose of the present work is to elaborate a hierarchical landscape of the current status of phase 3 vaccines, taking into account their attributes of technological platform, safety and efficacy. The methodology used was that of conceptual knowledge representation, resulting in, firstly, an appropriate classification of stage 3 vaccines, The Conceptual Lattice for COVID-19 vaccines, constructed according to how they relate to each other with respect to the set of their attributes. Secondly, the approach used allows proposing rational strategies for the design of heterologous vaccination schemes, which are urgently needed to control the pandemic. | Please summerize the given abstract to a title |