The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of maternal recto-vaginal extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriacea (ESBL-E) colonization, identify risk factors for maternal ...and neonatal ESBL-E colonization, and subsequent impact on neonatal mortality.
A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital from April 2016 to May 2017. Maternal–neonatal pairs were screened for ESBL-E exposure at time of delivery. Neonatal mortality was assessed at 28 days.
A total of 1161 singleton deliveries were evaluated. In total, 9.7% (113/1161) of mothers and 4.3% (50/1161) of infants had ESBL-E-positive cultures at delivery. Maternal antibiotic exposure was associated with ESBL-E recto-vaginal colonization (18.6% (21/113) vs. 8.4% (88/1048), p < 0.001)). Maternal ESBL-E colonization (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 14.85; 95% CI 7.83–28.15) and vaginal delivery (AOR 6.35; 95% CI 2.63–17.1) were identified as a risk factor for positive ESBL-E neonatal surface cultures. Neonatal positive ESBL-E surface cultures were a risk factor for neonatal mortality (stillbirths included, AOR 4.84; 95% CI 1.44–16.31). The finding that maternal ESBL-E recto-vaginal colonization appeared protective in regards to neonatal mortality (AOR 0.22; 95% CI .06–0.75) requires further evaluation.
Maternal ESBL-E recto-vaginal colonization is an independent risk factor for neonatal ESBL-E colonization and neonates with positive ESBL-E surface cultures were identified as having increased risk of neonatal mortality.
Differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non-neoplastic lesions may be challenging. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) can help in the comparative morphologic evaluation of HCC and its mimics. ...Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear metabolic receptor essential for bile salts homeostasis and other biological functions of liver cells. Preliminary studies have shown that FXR can be useful for diagnosing HCC. This study aimed to assess the role of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) combined with Glypican 3 (GPC3) in differentiation between HCC and non-neoplastic hepatic lesions.
Immunohistochemistry of GPC3 and FXR was performed in 38 cases of primary hepatic lesions using an automated immunohistochemical stainer. The study included 17 primary HCC cases and 21 non-neoplastic hepatic lesions (5 cases were focal nodular hyperplasia, 7 were regenerative nodules and 9 were dysplastic nodules).
The percentage of positive GPC3 and low or negative FXR expression was significantly higher in HCC cases than non-neoplastic hepatic lesions (P value <0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of GPC3 in differentiating HCC from non-neoplastic hepatic lesions were 70.6% and 85.7%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of FXR were 58.8% and 100%, respectively.
The present work revealed that FXR could be combined with GPC3 in distinguishing between HCC and non-neoplastic hepatic lesions with improved specificity rather than using an individual marker.
Background
Pediatric-onset SLE (pSLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease. Recently, the ficolin-2 (FCN2) gene has emerged as a potential candidate gene for susceptibility to SLE.
Objectives
The ...objective of this study was to evaluate the association of the FCN2 gene polymorphisms at positions −986 (G/A), −602 (G/A), −4 (A/G) and SNP C/T (rs3124954) located in intron 1, with susceptibility to pSLE in Egyptian children and adolescents.
Methods
This was a multicenter study of 280 patients diagnosed with pSLE, and 280 well-matched healthy controls. The FCN2 promoter polymorphisms at –986 G/A (rs3124952), −602 G/A (rs3124953), −4 A/G (rs17514136) and SNP C/T (rs3124954) located in intron 1 were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction, while serum ficolin-2 levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
The frequencies of the FCN2 GG genotype and G allele at −986 and −602 positions were significantly more represented in patients with pSLE than in controls (p < 0.001). Conversely, the FCN2 AA genotype and A allele at position −4 were more common in patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Moreover, patients carrying the FCN2 GG genotype in −986 position were more likely to develop lupus nephritis (odds ratio: 2.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.4–4.78); p = 0.006). The FCN2 AA genotype at position −4 was also identified as a possible risk factor for lupus nephritis (odds ratio: 3.12 (95% confidence interval: 1.25–7.84); p = 0.024).
Conclusion
The FCN2 promoter polymorphisms may contribute to susceptibility to pSLE in Egyptian children and adolescents. Moreover, the FCN2 GG genotype at position −986 and AA genotype at position −4 were associated with low serum ficolin-2 levels and may constitute risk factors for lupus nephritis in pSLE.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background There is still a great controversy among oncologic surgeons regarding the role of lateral lymph node dissection in patients with papillary thyroid cancer, although tumors spread to this ...compartment have been established. To optimize the management of such patients, we intended to study the predictors for lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. Patients and methods This study included 63 patients whose data were retrospectively reviewed. All of them underwent total thyroidectomy with central and lateral lymph node dissection. They were divided into two groups based on the final histopathological analysis: group A (LLNM +ve) and group B (LLNM -ve). Results The incidence of LLNM was 41.27%, making 26 patients included in group A, and the remaining 37 patients included in group B. Group A expressed younger age and higher prevalence of male sex. Operative time was statistically comparable between the two groups. Although group A had significantly larger tumors, other tumor criteria, including number, bilaterality, capsular, and extracapsular spread, showed no significant difference between the two groups. Nonetheless, upper-pole lesions, lymphovascular invasion, and the number of harvested and infiltrated central lymph nodes were significantly increased in group A. Although most of the significant factors maintained their significance on univariate analysis, only the central lymph node status remained significant on the multivariate one. Conclusion Younger age, male sex, larger tumors, upper-pole lesions, lymphovascular invasion, concomitant thyroiditis, and increased metastatic central lymph nodes are strongly associated with LLNM.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract This study suggests that ionic species dynamics generate electrostatic ion-acoustic solitary waves (IASWs) in Mars’ lower ionosphere. It has been determined through observations that the ...lower ionosphere of Mars, specifically between 200 and 350 km above the surface, is mostly made up of ions like O 2 + , O + , and CO 2 + , along with superthermal electrons. This study investigates the occurrence, propagation, and properties of IASWs. The derivation of the evolution equation is conducted for waves with a small-but-finite-amplitude. In order to analyze IASWs with large amplitude, the Sagdeev pseudo-potential is obtained. The model predicts the propagation of electrostatic IASWs within an electric field range of 1 to 6 mV/m and a pulse duration period of 0.5 to 4 ms. Fast Fourier analysis of the electric field pulse reveals pulses from 0.8 to 4 kHz.
This paper presents a proposed sensorless algorithm for induction motor(IM)speed control based on artificial neural networks (ANNs).The Indirect rotor field oriented (IRFO) technique is applied to ...control the motor. It is designed based on the proportional-integral (PI) controller. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used as a good solution for the problems associated with the design of the proportional-integral (PI) controller gains.The PSO is compared with the conventional methods. The proposed controller (PSO-PI) is then integrated with the artificial neural network(ANN) speed estimator. The MATLAB/Simulink is used for the simulation of the system. The obtained simulation results for the proposed technique are very close to the actual ones.
Numerous studies have been published regarding outcomes of cancer patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus causing the coronavirus disease 2019 ...(COVID-19) infection. However, most of these are single-center studies with a limited number of patients. To better assess the outcomes of this new infection in this subgroup of susceptible patients, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection on cancer patients. We performed a literature search using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for studies that reported the risk of infection and complications of COVID-19 in cancer patients and retrieved 22 studies (1018 cancer patients). The analysis showed that the frequency of cancer among patients with confirmed COVID-19 was 2.1% (95% confidence interval CI: 1.3–3) in the overall cohort. These patients had a mortality of 21.1% (95% CI: 14.7–27.6), severe/critical disease rate of 45.4% (95% CI: 37.4–53.3), intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate of 14.5% (95% CI: 8.5–20.4), and mechanical ventilation rate of 11.7% (95% CI: 5.5–18). The double-arm analysis showed that cancer patients had a higher risk of mortality (odds ratio OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.71–6.13), severe/critical disease (OR = 3.91, 95% CI: 2.70–5.67), ICU admission (OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.85–5.17), and mechanical ventilation (OR = 4.86, 95% CI: 1.27–18.65) than non-cancer patients. Furthermore, cancer patients had significantly lower platelet levels and higher D-dimer levels, C-reactive protein levels, and prothrombin time. In conclusion, these results indicate that cancer patients are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection-related complications. Therefore, cancer patients need diligent preventive care measures and aggressive surveillance for earlier detection of COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19 is a pandemic disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is an RNA virus similar to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the replication process. Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir is an approved drug to treat HCV ...infection. This study investigates the efficacy of Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir as a treatment for patients with moderate COVID-19 infection. This is a single-blinded parallel-randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomized equally into the intervention group that received Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (S.L. group), and the control group received Oseltamivir, Hydroxychloroquine, and Azithromycin (OCH group). The primary outcomes were the cure rate over time and the incidence of serious adverse events. The secondary outcomes included the laboratory findings. 250 patients were divided equally into each group. Both groups were similar regarding gender, but age was higher in the S.L. group (p=0.001). In the S.L. group, 89 (71.2%) patients were cured, while only 51 (40.8%) patients were cured in the OCH group. The cure rate was significantly higher in the S.L. group (RR=1.75, p<0.001). Kaplan-Meir plot showed a considerably higher cure over time in the S.L. group (Log-rank test, p=0.032). There were no deaths in the S.L. group, but there were six deaths (4.8%) in the OCH group (RR=0.08, p=0.013). Seven patients (5.6%) in the S.L. group and six patients (4.8%) in the OCH group were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) (RR=1.17, P=0.776). There were no significant differences between treatment groups regarding total leukocyte and neutrophils count, lymph, and urea. Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir is suggestive of being effective in treating patients with moderate COVID-19 infection. Further studies are needed to compare Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir with new treatment protocols.
New tungsten ion source is produced by using single and double-pulse laser ablation system. Combined collinear Nd：YAG laser beams（266＋1064 nm） are optimized to focus on the sample in air. ...Optimization of the experimental parameters is achieved to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of the emission spectra. The velocity distribution of the emitted plasma cloud is carefully measured. The influences of the potential difference between the bias electrodes, laser wavelength and intensity on the current signal are also studied. The results show that the increase in the tungsten ion velocity under the double-pulse lasers causes the output current signal to increase by about three folds. The electron density and temperature are calculated by using the Stark-broadened line profile of tungsten line and Boltzmann plot method of the upper energy levels, respectively. The signal intensity dependence of the tungsten ion angular distribution is also analyzed. The results indicate that the double-pulse laser ablation configuration is more potent technique for producing more metal ion source deposition, thin film formation, and activated plasma-facing component material.
Drug dependence is a chronic brain disease characterized by craving and recurrent episodes of relapse. Tramadol HCl is a promising agent for withdrawal symptoms management, considering its relatively ...low abuse potential and safety. Oral administration, however, is not preferred in abstinence maintenance programs. Introducing an implantable, long-lasting formula is suggested to help outpatient abstinence programs achieve higher rates of treatment continuation. Tramadol implants (T350 and T650) were prepared on polycaprolactone polymer ribbons by the wet method. Male Wistar rats were adapted to heroin-conditioned place preference (CPP) at escalating doses (3–30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, for 14 days). Implants were surgically implanted in the back skin of rats. After 14 days, the CPP score was recorded. Naloxone (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was used to induce withdrawal on day 15, and symptoms were scored. Elevated plus maze and open field tests were performed for anxiety-related symptoms. Striata were analyzed for neurochemical changes reflected in dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and serotonin levels. Brain oxidative changes including glutathione and lipid peroxides were assessed. The tramadol implants (T350 and T650) reduced heroin CPP and limited naloxone-induced withdrawal symptoms. The striata showed increased levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid, and serotonin and decreased levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid and dopamine after heroin withdrawal induction, which were reversed after implanting T350 and T650. Implants restore the brain oxidative state. Nonsignificant low naloxone-induced withdrawal score after the implant was used in naive subjects indicating low abuse potential of the implants. The presented tramadol implants were effective at diminishing heroin CPP and withdrawal in rats, suggesting further investigations for application in the management of opioid withdrawal.
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