COVID toe in an adolescent boy: a case report Wong, J S C; Wong, T S; Chua, G T ...
Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi,
04/2022, Letnik:
28, Številka:
2
Journal Article
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The appearance of chilblain-like lesions was not thought to be associated with a poor disease outcome.2 3 A major limitation of these reports is that only 11% of cases hospitalised tested positive ...for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with the remainder untested or testing negative. Another systematic review also concluded that some, but not all paediatric cases, who developed chilblain-like lesions during the COVID-19 pandemic had positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR, serology or viral particles confirmed in electron microscopy.5 Larger-scale epidemiological study is needed to confirm an association between these chilblain-like lesions and COVID-19 infection. Joshua SC Wong 1 †; TS Wong 1 †; Gilbert T Chua 2 †; Christy Wan 1; SH Lau 1; Samuel CS Ho 1; Jaime S Rosa Duque 2; Ian CK Wong 3,4; Kelvin KW To 5; Winnie WY Tso 2; Christine S Wong 6; Marco HK Ho 2; Janette Kwok 7; CB Chow 1; Paul KH Tam 8,9; Godfrey CF Chan; 2; WH Leung 2; YL Lau 2; Patrick Ip 2; Mike YW Kwan; CUHK 1 1 Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong 2 Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 3 Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 4 Research Department of Practice and Policy, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, United Kingdom 5 Department of Microbiology, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 6 Dermatology Division, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong 7 Division of Transplantation and Immunogenetics, Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong 8 Division of Paediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 9 Dr Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong–Karolinska Institutet Collaboration in Regenerative Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong † Co-first authors
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be major regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. However, bacterial RNAs comparable in size to eukaryotic miRNAs (18–22 nucleotides) have received little ...attention. Recently, a novel class of small RNAs similar in size to miRNAs (miRNA-size, small RNAs or msRNAs) have also been found in several bacteria. Like miRNAs, msRNAs are approximately 15 to 25 nucleotides in length, and their precursors are predicted to form a hairpin loop secondary structure. Here, we identified msRNAs in the periodontal pathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponema denticola. We examined these msRNAs using a deep sequencing method and characterized dozens of msRNAs through bioinformatic analysis. Highly expressed msRNAs were selected for further validation. The findings suggest that this class of small RNAs is well conserved across the domains of life. Indeed, msRNAs secreted via bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were detected. The ability of bacterial OMVs to deliver RNAs into eukaryotic cells was also observed. These msRNAs in OMVs allowed us to identify their potential human immune-related target genes. Furthermore, we found that exogenous msRNAs could suppress expression of certain cytokines in Jurkat T cells. We propose msRNAs may function as novel bacterial signaling molecules that mediate bacteria-to-human interactions. Furthermore, this study may provide fresh insight into bacterial pathogenic mechanisms of periodontal diseases.
The development and application of second generation high temperature superconducting (2G-HTS) tapes have attracted much attention in China recently. Progress in upscaling high performance 2G-HTS ...tape production at Shanghai Superconductor Technology (SST) is reported in this paper. With ion beam assisted deposition, biaxially textured buffer layers with a configuration of CeO2/LaMnO3/MgO/Y2O3/Al2O3/C-276 have successfully been fabricated. In-plane and out-of-plane texture degrees of CeO2 films achieve 2°-4° and 2°, respectively. A multi-plume multi-turn pulsed laser deposition (PLD) system combined with the so-called 'radiation assisted conductive heater' has been proposed and further developed for REBCO layer deposition. Our effort was focused on minimizing the temperature variations in the deposition region by modifying the heating shield that assists the conductive heater of the drum-like cylinder. A tape travelling speed of 100-180 m h−1 can be achieved with a steady temperature profile when passing through the deposition zone, which is very beneficial for the growth of the REBCO layer. Taking advantage of the liquid phase growth mode, several compositions of superconducting films with a thickness in the range of 1-2.5 m have been grown with high growth rates of over 40 nm s−1. Furthermore, the microstructures and superconducting performance were investigated in detail. Based on these studies, superconducting tapes with piece lengths of up to 500 meters have been developed. High Ic values at 77 K, self-field (over 520 A cm−1 width) or at low temperature, high magnetic field conditions (over 560 A/4 mm width at 4.2 K, 10 T, perpendicular field) have been achieved. Lamination and jointing techniques have also been developed by SST for power and magnet applications.
Earth-abundant insulators are seldom exploited as photocatalysts. In this work, we constructed a novel family of insulator-based heterojunctions and demonstrated their promising applications in ...photocatalytic NO purification, even under visible light irradiation. The heterojunction formed between the insulator SrCO3 and the photosensitizer BiOI, via a special SrCO3–BiOI core–shell structure, exhibits an enhanced visible light absorbance between 400–600 nm, and an unprecedentedly high photocatalytic NO removal performance. Further density functional theory (DFT) calculations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that the covalent interaction between the O 2p orbital of the insulator (SrCO3, n-type) and the Bi 6p orbital of photosensitizer (BiOI, p-type) can provide an electron transfer channel between SrCO3 and BiOI, allowing the transfer of the photoexcited electrons from the photosensitizer to the conduction band of insulator (confirmed by charge difference distribution analysis and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy). The •O2 – and •OH radicals are the main reactive species in photocatalytic NO oxidation. A reaction pathway study based on both in situ FT-IR and molecular-level simulation of NO adsorption and transformation indicates that this heterojunction can efficiently transform NO to harmless nitrate products via the NO → NO+ and NO2 + → nitrate or nitrite routes. This work provides numerous opportunities to explore earth-abundant insulators as visible-light-driven photocatalysts, and also offers a new mechanistic understanding of the role of gas-phase photocatalysis in controlling air pollution.
Olfactory dysfunction is an increasingly recognised condition, associated with reduced quality of life and major health outcomes such as neurodegeneration and death. However, translational research ...in this field is limited by heterogeneity in methodological approach, including definitions of impairment, improvement and appropriate assessment techniques. Accordingly, effective treatments for smell loss are limited. In an effort to encourage high quality and comparable work in this field, among others, we propose the following ideas and recommendations. Whilst the full set of recommendations are outlined in the main document, points include the following: - Patients with suspected olfactory loss should undergo a full examination of the head and neck, including rigid nasal endoscopy with small diameter endoscopes. - Subjective olfactory assessment should not be undertaken in isolation, given its poor reliability. - Psychophysical assessment tools used in clinical and research settings should include reliable and validated tests of odour threshold, and/or one of odour identification or discrimination. - Comprehensive chemosensory assessment should include gustatory screening. - Smell training can be helpful in patients with olfactory loss of several aetiologies.
We hope the current manuscript will encourage clinicians and researchers to adopt a common language, and in so doing, increase the methodological quality, consistency and generalisability of work in this field.
Background
In gallbladder cancer, stage T2 is subdivided by tumour location into lesions on the peritoneal side (T2a) or hepatic side (T2b). For tumours on the peritoneal side (T2a), it has been ...suggested that liver resection may be omitted without compromising the prognosis. However, data to validate this argument are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of tumour location in T2 gallbladder cancer, and to clarify the adequate extent of surgical resection.
Methods
Clinical data from patients who underwent surgery for gallbladder cancer were collected from 14 hospitals in Korea, Japan, Chile and the USA. Survival and risk factor analyses were conducted.
Results
Data from 937 patients were available for evaluation. The overall 5‐year disease‐free survival rate was 70·6 per cent, 74·5 per cent for those with T2a and 65·5 per cent among those with T2b tumours (P = 0·028). Regarding liver resection, extended cholecystectomy was associated with a better 5‐year disease‐free survival rate than simple cholecystectomy (73·0 versus 61·5 per cent; P = 0·012). The 5‐year disease‐free survival rate was marginally better for extended than simple cholecystectomy in both T2a (76·5 versus 66·1 per cent; P = 0·094) and T2b (68·2 versus 56·2 per cent; P = 0·084) disease. Five‐year disease‐free survival rates were similar for extended cholecystectomies including liver wedge resection versus segment IVb/V segmentectomy (74·1 versus 71·5 per cent; P = 0·720). In multivariable analysis, independent risk factors for recurrence were presence of symptoms (hazard ratio (HR) 1·52; P = 0·002), R1 resection (HR 1·96; P = 0·004) and N1/N2 status (N1: HR 3·40, P < 0·001; N2: HR 9·56, P < 0·001). Among recurrences, 70·8 per cent were metastatic.
Conclusion
Tumour location was not an independent prognostic factor in T2 gallbladder cancer. Extended cholecystectomy was marginally superior to simple cholecystectomy. A radical operation should include liver resection and adequate node dissection.
Antecedentes
En el cáncer de vesícula biliar, la ubicación del tumor subdivide el estadio T2 en tumores con invasión del lado peritoneal y del lado del hígado (T2a y T2b). Para los tumores que invaden el lado peritoneal (T2a) se sugiere que se puede obviar la resección hepática sin que ello comprometa el pronóstico. Sin embargo, este argumento no ha sido validado. El estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar el valor pronóstico de la localización del tumor en el cáncer de vesícula biliar T2 y establecer la extensión adecuada de la resección quirúrgica.
Métodos
Se recogieron los datos clínicos de pacientes que se sometieron a cirugía por cáncer de vesícula biliar en 14 hospitales de Corea, Japón, Chile y Estados Unidos. Se realizaron análisis de la supervivencia y de los factores de riesgo.
Resultados
Se dispuso de datos de 937 pacientes para ser evaluados. La tasa de supervivencia global libre de enfermedad a los 5 años fue del 70,6%, y las de T2a y T2b del 74,5% y 65,5% (P = 0,028). Con respecto a la resección hepática, la colecistectomía extendida presentó una tasa mejor de supervivencia libre de enfermedad a los 5 años que la colecistectomía simple (73,0% versus 61,5%, P = 0,012). La tasa de supervivencia libre de enfermedad a los 5 años fue marginalmente mejor para la colecistectomía extendida que para la colecistectomía simple tanto en T2a (76,5% versus 66,1%, P = 0,094) como en T2b (68,2% versus 56,2%, P = 0,084). Las tasas de supervivencia libre de enfermedad a los 5 años no fueron diferentes entre la resección hepática en cuña y la segmentectomía S4b+S5 (74,1% versus 71,5%, P = 0,720). En el análisis multivariable, los factores de riesgo independientes para la recidiva fueron la presencia de síntomas (cociente de riesgos instantáneos, hazard ratio, HR 1,52, P = 0,002), la resección R1 (HR 1,96, P = 0,004) y el estadio N1/N2 (N1 HR 3,40, P < 0,001; N2 HR 9,56, P < 0,001). El 70,8% de las recidivas eran metastásicas.
Conclusión
La localización del tumor no fue un factor pronóstico independiente en el cáncer de vesícula biliar T2. La colecistectomía extendida fue marginalmente superior que la colecistectomía simple. La cirugía radical debe incluir una resección hepática y una linfadenectomía adecuada.
This multinational multicentre cohort study was undertaken to investigate the prognostic value of tumour location in T2 gallbladder cancer and to clarify the adequate extent of surgical resection. Although tumour location influenced prognosis, it was not an independent prognostic factor in T2 gallbladder cancer. T2 gallbladder cancer requires extended cholecystectomy including hepatic resection and lymph node dissection, regardless of the location.
challenges current TNM system
In this paper, the prediction skills of five ensemble methods for temperature and precipitation are discussed by considering 20 yr of simulation results (from 1989 to 2008) for four regional climate ...models (RCMs) driven by NCEP–Department of Energy and ECMWF Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) boundary conditions. The simulation domain is the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) for East Asia, and the number of grid points is 197 × 233 with a 50-km horizontal resolution. Three new performance-based ensemble averaging (PEA) methods are developed in this study using 1) bias, root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) and absolute correlation (PEA_BRC), RMSE and absolute correlation (PEA_RAC), and RMSE and original correlation (PEA_ROC). The other two ensemble methods are equal-weighted averaging (EWA) and multivariate linear regression (Mul_Reg). To derive the weighting coefficients and cross validate the prediction skills of the five ensemble methods, the authors considered 15-yr and 5-yr data, respectively, from the 20-yr simulation data. Among the five ensemble methods, the Mul_Reg (EWA) method shows the best (worst) skill during the training period. The PEA_RAC and PEA_ROC methods show skills that are similar to those of Mul_Reg during the training period. However, the skills and stabilities of Mul_Reg were drastically reduced when this method was applied to the prediction period. But, the skills and stabilities of PEA_RAC were only slightly reduced in this case. As a result, PEA_RAC shows the best skill, irrespective of the seasons and variables, during the prediction period. This result confirms that the new ensemble method developed in this study, PEA_RAC, can be used for the prediction of regional climate.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this study, researchers describe the clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in a selected cohort of 1099 patients with laboratory-confirmed disease throughout mainland China during ...the first 2 months of the current outbreak.
An up‐to‐date map of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) fronts is constructed from the latest version of mean dynamic topography (MDT) from satellite altimetry and reveals the narrowest ACC ...width in the Udintsev Fracture Zone (UFZ), with the strongest concentration of the three major ACC fronts within a limited distance as short as 170 km, about 40% narrower than that at Drake Passage. At 144°W, at the entrance of the UFZ, which lies between the Pacific‐Antarctic Ridge (PAR) and its eastwardly offset segment (offset PAR segment), there is a triple confluence of the Subantarctic Front, Polar Front, and Southern ACC Front . Downstream of this longitude, the Subantarctic Front progressively meanders northward over the relatively shallow offset PAR segment before channeling through the Eltanin Fracture Zone, thus diverging from the Polar Front which proceeds through the UFZ. In situ observations from two recent cruises at 144°W confirm the satellite altimetry‐derived frontal circulation in the UFZ region and yield a baroclinic transport relative to the bottom of 113 × 106 m3/s, comparable to that through Drake Passage. The hydrographic sections show no Antarctic bottom water colder than 0.2 °C. Characteristics of major water masses are described, and the implications for their potential downstream modifications at Drake Passage are discussed in terms of the meridional overturning circulation across the ACC. Mesoscale eddy activity with periods shorter than 90 days is predominantly concentrated in the immediate downstream area of the offset PAR segment, suggesting a substantial poleward eddy heat flux there.
Key Points
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is only 170 km wide in the Udintsev Fracture Zone, forming the narrowest circumpolar choke point
First observations of high‐quality hydrography in the Udintsev Fracture Zone show no Antarctic bottom water colder than 0.2 °C
The Udintsev Fracture Zone is a suitable site for a long‐term monitoring of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Microstructural evolution associated with the shear banding in nano-scale twin/matrix (T/M) lamellae of a Cu–Al alloy processed by means of dynamic plastic deformation was investigated using ...transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM. The development of a shear band was found to be a two-stage process, namely a nucleation stage resulting in a narrow band composed of nano-sized (sub)grains intersecting the T/M lamellae, followed by a thickening stage of the narrow band into adjacent T/M lamellae regions. The nucleation stage occurred within a narrow region of an almost constant thickness (100–200
nm thick, referred to as “core” region) and consisted of three steps: (1) initiation of localized deformation (bending, necking, and detwinning) against the T/M lamellae, (2) evolution of a dislocation structure within the detwinned band, and (3) transformation of the detwinned dislocation structure (DDS) into a nano-sized (sub)grain structure (NGS). On the two sides of a core region, two transition layers (TRLs) exist where the T/M lamellae experienced much less shear strain. The interface boundaries separating the core region and the TRLs are characterized by very large shear strain gradients accommodated by high density of dislocations. Increasing shear strains leads to thickening of shear bands at the expense of the adjoining T/M lamellae, which is composed of thickening of the core region by transforming the TRLs into the core region with DDS and NGS, analogous to steps (2) and (3) of the nucleation process, and outward movement of the TRLs by deforming the adjoining T/M lamellae. Grain sizes in the well-developed shear bands are obviously larger than the lamellar thickness of original T/M lamellae.
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