Background
The pneumonia caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, also called 2019-nCoV) recently break out in Wuhan, China, and was named as COVID-19. With the spread of the disease, ...similar cases have also been confirmed in other regions of China. We aimed to report the imaging and clinical characteristics of these patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Guangzhou, China.
Methods
All patients with laboratory-identified SARS-CoV-2 infection by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were collected between January 23, 2020, and February 4, 2020, in a designated hospital (Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital). This analysis included 90 patients (39 men and 51 women; median age, 50 years (age range, 18–86 years). All the included SARS-CoV-2-infected patients underwent non-contrast enhanced chest computed tomography (CT). We analyzed the clinical characteristics of the patients, as well as the distribution characteristics, pattern, morphology, and accompanying manifestations of lung lesions. In addition, after 1–6 days (mean 3.5 days), follow-up chest CT images were evaluated to assess radiological evolution.
Findings
The majority of infected patients had a history of exposure in Wuhan or to infected patients and mostly presented with fever and cough. More than half of the patients presented bilateral, multifocal lung lesions, with peripheral distribution, and 53 (59%) patients had more than two lobes involved. Of all included patients, COVID-19 pneumonia presented with ground glass opacities in 65 (72%), consolidation in 12 (13%), crazy paving pattern in 11 (12%), interlobular thickening in 33 (37%), adjacent pleura thickening in 50 (56%), and linear opacities combined in 55 (61%). Pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, and lymphadenopathy were uncommon findings. In addition, baseline chest CT did not show any abnormalities in 21 patients (23%), but 3 patients presented bilateral ground glass opacities on the second CT after 3–4 days.
Conclusion
SARS-CoV-2 infection can be confirmed based on the patient’s history, clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, and laboratory tests. Chest CT examination plays an important role in the initial diagnosis of the novel coronavirus pneumonia. Multiple patchy ground glass opacities in bilateral multiple lobular with periphery distribution are typical chest CT imaging features of the COVID-19 pneumonia.
The rates of carbon bio‐sequestration within silica phytoliths of the leaf litter of 10 economically important bamboo species indicates that (a) there is considerable variation in the content of ...carbon occluded within the phytoliths (PhytOC) of the leaves between different bamboo species, (b) this variation does not appear to be directly related to the quantity of silica in the plant but rather the efficiency of carbon encapsulation by the silica. The PhytOC content of the species under the experimental conditions ranged from 1.6% to 4% of the leaf silica weight. The potential phytolith carbon bio‐sequestration rates in the leaf‐litter component for the bamboos ranged up to 0.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents (t‐e‐CO2) ha−1 yr−1 for these species. Assuming a median phytolith carbon bio‐sequestration yield of 0.36 t‐e‐CO2 ha−1 yr−1, the global potential for bio‐sequestration via phytolith carbon (from bamboo and/or other similar grass crops) is estimated to be ∼1.5 billion t‐e‐CO2 yr−1, equivalent to 11% of the current increase in atmospheric CO2. The data indicate that the management of vegetation such as bamboo forests to maximize the production of PhytOC has the potential to result in considerable quantities of securely bio‐sequestered carbon.
Background
Gardenia jasminoides
is a species of Chinese medicinal plant, which has high medicinal and economic value and rich genetic diversity, but the study on its genetic diversity is far not ...enough.
Methods
In this study, one wild and one cultivated gardenia materials were resequenced using
Illumina
HiSeq sequencing platform and the data were evaluated to understand the genomic characteristics of
G. jasminoide
s.
Results
After data analysis, the results showed that clean data of 11.77G, Q30 reached 90.96%. The average comparison rate between the sample and reference genome was 96.08%, the average coverage depth was 15X, and the genome coverage was 85.93%. The SNPs of FD and YP1 were identified, and 3,087,176 and 3,241,416 SNPs were developed, respectively. In addition, SNP non-synonymous mutation, InDel mutation, SV mutation and CNV mutation were also detected between the sample and the reference genome, and KEGG, GO and COG database annotations were made for genes with DNA level variation. The structural gene variation in the biosynthetic pathway of crocin and gardenia, the main medicinal substance of
G. jasminoides
was further explored, which provided basic data for molecular breeding and genetic diversity of
G. jasminoide
s in the future.
The lack of DXA has made the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis extremely difficult in the vast rural areas of China, which has the largest population with high risks of osteoporosis. The aims ...of this cross-sectional study were to evaluate the association between the osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) and calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in populations residing in Shanghai, China, and their assessment in predicting osteoporotic fractures and falls. A population of 12,033 participants, including 1272 males (average age 68.3 ± 9.8 years, range 28-100 years) and 10,761 females (average 56.8 ± 11.4 years, range 23-99 years), was gathered. OSTA and calcaneus QUS (Sonost 2000, OsteoSys) values were measured. Spearman's correlation and Cohen's kappa were used to determine the association and agreement between the OSTA and QUS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were adapted to assess the performance and optimal cutoff values for the OSTA and QUS in osteoporotic fracture and fall screening. In total, the prevalence of osteoporotic fractures (low-trauma fractures including fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, humerus and ribs) was 15.2% in women, and 17.7% reported a history of falls (falling from standing height more than once in the past year). The percentages of men with the same history were 8.4% and 11.7%, respectively. The association between the OSTA and QUS was found to be
= 0.393, κ = 0.137,
< 0.001. The OSTA (cutoff < -1) revealed an area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.590 in identifying female individuals with moderate or high risk of osteoporosis defined by QUS (T-score < -1). The QUS T-score lower than -1.55 or -1.40 in postmenopausal women may lead to an increased risk of falls or osteoporotic fractures, respectively. The agreement between QUS and the OSTA seemed to be limited in determining individuals at risk of osteoporosis. Measuring bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) may still be necessary in the clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis. OSTA and QUS T-scores less than the respective cutoff values may indicate an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and falls that individual should be further treated and screened by DXA.
Cucurbita
Linn. vegetables have a long history of cultivation and have been cultivated all over the world. With the increasing area of saline–alkali soil,
Cucurbita
Linn. is affected by salt stress, ...and calmodulin-binding transcription activator (CAMTA) is known for its important biological functions. Although the CAMTA gene family has been identified in several species, there is no comprehensive analysis on
Cucurbita
species. In this study, we analyzed the genome of
Cucurbita maxima
and
Cucurbita moschata
. Five
C. moschata
calmodulin-binding transcription activators (
CmoCAMTAs
) and six
C. maxima
calmodulin-binding transcription activators (
CmaCAMTAs
) were identified, and they were divided into three subfamilies (Subfamilies I, II, and III) based on the sequence identity of amino acids. CAMTAs from the same subfamily usually have similar exon–intron distribution and conserved domains (CG-1, TIG, IQ, and Ank_2). Chromosome localization analysis showed that
CmoCAMTAs
and
CmaCAMTAs
were unevenly distributed across four and five out of 21 chromosomes, respectively. There were a total of three duplicate gene pairs, and all of which had experienced segmental duplication events. The transcriptional profiles of
CmoCAMTAs
and
CmaCAMTAs
in roots, stems, leaves, and fruits showed that these
CAMTAs
have tissue specificity.
Cis
-acting elements analysis showed that most of
CmoCAMTAs
and
CmaCAMTAs
responded to salt stress. By analyzing the transcriptional profiles of
CmoCAMTAs
and
CmaCAMTAs
under salt stress, it was shown that both
C. moschata
and
C. maxima
shared similarities against salt tolerance and that it is likely to contribute to the development of these species. Finally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) further demonstrated the key role of
CmoCAMTAs
and
CmaCAMTAs
under salt stress. This study provided a theoretical basis for studying the function and mechanism of
CAMTAs
in
Cucurbita
Linn.
The synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) via transesterification of ethylene carbonate (EC) and methanol (MeOH) was an environmental and practical strategy. Herein, poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) with ...swelling abilities were synthesized by free radical copolymerization of N-vinylimidazolium ionic liquids, sodium 4-vinylbenzoate and cross-linker 1,8-triethylene glycoldiyl-3,3ʹ-divinylimidazolium bromide ((EG)3-DVImBr2). The swelling abilities of PILs in various solvents were measured, and PILs could swell in methanol (MeOH). The swelling ability of PILs in MeOH could be modulated by changing the cross-linker content and chain length of 3-alkyl-substituents on imidazolium. The swollen state of PILs in MeOH presented a porous cross-linked network structure observed by the cryo-scanning electron microscope (cryo-SEM). The swelling PILs were used to catalyze the transesterification of ethylene carbonate (EC) and MeOH to prepare the DMC, and the catalytic activities was correlated with the swelling abilities of PILs. The PIL with 3-butyl-substituent and 2.5 mol% cross-linker (polyVBIm-VBA-DVIm-2.5%) had the highest swelling ratio (Q = 12.4 (g/g)) in MeOH and EC mixed solvents and exhibited excellent catalytic activities, which was similar to corresponding homogeneous ionic liquid. Furthermore, the catalyst could be reused up to seven runs without any considerable loss of its initial activity.
Display omitted
•PILs containing benzoate anion and having swelling ability in MeOH were synthesized for the first time.•PolyVBIm-VBA-DVIm-2.5% exhibited comparable catalytic activity with corresponding homogeneous IL in transesterification.•The PILs were highly stable and displayed remarkable recyclabilities in the transesterification.
Acidic poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) with swelling ability were synthesized by free radical copolymerization of N-vinylimidazolium ionic liquids, divinylbenzene (DVB) and sodium acrylate (NaAA), and ...further acidification by sulfuric acid. The swelling ability of acidic PILs was greatly affected by cross-linker content and chain length of 3-alkyl-substituents on imidazolium. Cross-linked network structures could be observed from the cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) images of the swollen acidic PILs in formic acid. Acidic PILs with network structures in swollen state exhibited excellent activities in the esterification of cyclohexene and formic acid, and the catalytic activities were in positive correlation with their swelling abilities. Acidic PIL with 3-octyl-substituent and 2.5 mol% DVB (PIL-C8-2.5DVB-HSO4) had the highest swelling ability in formic acid and exhibited comparable catalytic activities with homogeneous catalysts such as sulfuric acid and p-toluenesulfonic acid.
Acidic PILs with high swelling abilities in formic acid exhibited excellent catalytic activities in the esterification of cyclohexene and formic acid, which was comparable with homogeneous catalysts. Display omitted
Background
Post-cardiac arrest (CA) brain injury is the main cause of death in patients resuscitated from CA. Previous studies demonstrated that hydrogen inhalation mitigates post-CA brain injury. ...However, factors affecting the efficacy of hydrogen remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the influence of oxygen concentration and targeted temperature on neuroprotective effect in a CA rat model of ventricular fibrillation (VF).
Methods
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated after 7 min of untreated VF in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats. Immediately following successful resuscitation, animals were randomized to be ventilated with 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen (21%O
2
); 2% hydrogen, 21% oxygen, and 77% nitrogen (2%H
2
+ 21%O
2
); 2% hydrogen, 50% oxygen, and 48% nitrogen (2%H
2
+ 50%O
2
); or 2% hydrogen and 98% oxygen (2%H
2
+ 98%O
2
) for 3 h. For each group, the target temperature was 37.5°C for half of the animals and 35.0°C for the other half.
Results
No statistical differences in baseline measurements and CPR characteristics were observed among groups. For animals with normothermia, 2%H
2
+ 50%O
2
(123 369 vs. 500 393,
p
= 0.041) and 2%H
2
+ 98%O
2
(73 66 vs. 500 393,
p
= 0.002) groups had significantly lower neurological deficit scores (NDSs) at 96 h and significantly higher survival (75.0 vs. 37.5%,
p
= 0.033 and 81.3 vs. 37.5%,
p
= 0.012) than 21%O
2
group. For animals with hypothermia, no statistical difference in NDS among groups but 2%H
2
+ 98%O
2
has significantly higher survival than the 21%O
2
group (93.8 vs. 56.3%,
p
= 0.014).
Conclusion
In this CA rat model, inhaling 2% hydrogen combined with a high concentration of oxygen improved 96-h survival, either under normothermia or under hypothermia.
Background Myocardial dysfunction is a critical cause of post-cardiac arrest hemodynamic instability and circulatory failure that may lead to early mortality after resuscitation. Trimetazidine is a ...metabolic agent that has been demonstrated to provide protective effects in myocardial ischemia. However, whether trimetazidine protects against postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction is unknown. Methods and Results Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated after 8 minutes of untreated ventricular fibrillation in Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were randomized to 4 groups immediately after resuscitation (n=15/group): (1) normothermia control (NTC); (2) targeted temperature management; (3) trimetazidine-normothermia; (4) trimetazidine-targeted temperature management. TMZ was administered at a single dose of 10 mg/kg in rats with trimetazidine. The body temperature was maintained at 34.0°C for 2 hours and then rewarmed to 37.5°C in rats with targeted temperature management. Postresuscitation hemodynamics, 96-hours survival, and pathological analysis were assessed. Heart tissues and blood samples of additional rats (n=6/group) undergoing the same experimental procedure were collected to measure myocardial injury, inflammation and oxidative stress-related biomarkers with ELISA-based quantification assays. Compared with normothermia control, tumor necrosis factor-α, and cardiac troponin-I were significantly reduced, whereas the left ventricular ejection fraction and 96-hours survival rates were significantly improved in the 3 experimental groups. Furthermore, inflammation and oxidative stress-related biomarkers together with collagen volume fraction were significantly decreased in rats undergoing postresuscitation interventions. Conclusions Trimetazidine significantly alleviates postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction and improves survival by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation in a ventricular fibrillation rat model. A single dose of trimetazidine administrated immediately after resuscitation can effectively improve cardiac function, whether used alone or combined with targeted temperature management.
Non-shockable rhythms represent an increasing proportion of reported cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest but with an associated poor prognosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects ...of hydrogen inhalation on cardiac and neurological function after cardiopulmonary resuscitation and compared the therapeutic benefit with hypothermia in an asphyxial rat model of cardiac arrest.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated after 5 min of untreated asphyxial cardiac arrest. Animals were randomly assigned to three experimental groups immediately after successful resuscitation: ventilation with 2% hydrogen/98% oxygen under normothermia (H2 inhalation), ventilation with 2% nitrogen/98% oxygen under normothermia (Control), and ventilation with 2% nitrogen/98% oxygen under hypothermia (TH). Mixed gas inhalation continued for 1 h while hypothermia continued for 2 h. Animals were observed up to 96 h for assessment of survival and neurologic recovery.
No statistical differences in baseline measurements were observed among groups and all the animals were successfully resuscitated. Serum cardiac troponin T and S100B measured during earlier post-resuscitation period were markedly reduced in both H2 inhalation and hypothermic groups. However, significantly better left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac work, and neurological deficit score were observed in the H2 inhalation group. Ninety-six hours survival rate was significantly higher in the H2 inhalation group (75.0%), either compared with TH (45.8%) or compared with Control (33.3%). But there was no statistical difference between TH and Control.
Small amounts of inhaled hydrogen were superior to mild hypothermia in improving cardiac function and neurological outcome in this asphyxial rat model of cardiac arrest.
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