Background:Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is a global pandemic issue.In addition to the well-known respiratory and fever symptoms,gastrointestinal symptoms have also been reported.This study aimed to evaluate the p...Background:Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is a global pandemic issue.In addition to the well-known respiratory and fever symptoms,gastrointestinal symptoms have also been reported.This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and prognosis of patients with COVID-19 infection complicated with acute pancreatitis in intensive care unit(ICU).Methods:This was a retrospective observational cohort study,and patients aged 18 years or older,ad-mitted into the ICU in a single tertiary center from January 1,2020,to April 30,2022 were enrolled.Patients were identified by electronic medical records and reviewed manually.The primary outcome was the prevalence of acute pancreatitis among ICU patients with COVID-19.The secondary outcomes were the length of hospital stay,need for mechanical ventilation(MV),need for continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT),and in-hospital mortality.Results:A total of 4133 patients,admitted into the ICU,were screened.Among these patients,389 were infected by COVID-19,and 86 were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.COVID-19 positive patients were more likely to present with acute pancreatitis than COVID-19 negative patients(odds ratio=5.42,95%confidence interval:2.35-6.58,P<0.01).However,the length of hospital stay,need for MV,need for CRRT,and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between acute pancreatitis patients with and without COVID-19 infection.Conclusions:Severe COVID-19 infections may cause acute pancreas damage in critically ill patients.How-ever,the prognosis may not differ between acute pancreatitis patients with and without COVID-19 infec-tion.展开更多
We present the characteristics of the commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STI) at a clinic of Monkey Bay community hospital by a retrospective study. We conducted an audit of patients’ hospital record...We present the characteristics of the commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STI) at a clinic of Monkey Bay community hospital by a retrospective study. We conducted an audit of patients’ hospital records from a STIs clinic at Monkey Bay community hospital in Mangochi District (Malawi) covering a period from January 2019 to June 2019 (18 months). Data was tabulated in excel and analyses were made based on sex, age, male circumcision status, pregnancy and the pattern of STIs diagnosed within the chosen study period. A total number of 659 clients presented at STI clinic of Monkey Bay community hospital between January 2018 and June 2019. Out these clients, 409 (62%) were females and 250 (38%) were males. Most of the patients were in the age range of 25 years or above (447, 68%). Majority of the patients were HIV negative (523, 79%). Out of the 250 males, 113 (45%) were circumcised. Among female patients 56 of the 409 (14%) were pregnant. The most common presentations for all cases put together were lower abdominal pain (253, 38%), then urethral discharge (189, 29%), abnormal vaginal discharge (141, 21%), genital ulcer disease (64, 10%), in that order. Syphilis, genital warts, inguinal bubo and scrotal swelling were less common. The most common presentation in males was urethral discharge (178, 71%), while in females it was lower abdominal pain (214, 52%). Our audit showed that in Mangochi (Malawi) sexually transmitted diseases of various types are more common among young adults, females and uncircumcised men. There was no much difference in the percentage of STI’s between HIV positive and HIV negative people. These results point to an alarmingly high level of risky sexual behaviors among sexually active age groups in this part of Malawi, a country which still has one of the highest HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. This calls for continued and better research and control for transmission of STIs in the district.展开更多
Non-specific lipid transfer proteins(nsLTPs) are small, basic proteins that are characterized by an eight-cysteine motif. The biological functions of these proteins have been reported to involve plant reproduction and...Non-specific lipid transfer proteins(nsLTPs) are small, basic proteins that are characterized by an eight-cysteine motif. The biological functions of these proteins have been reported to involve plant reproduction and biotic or abiotic stress response. With the completion of the barley genome sequence, a genome-wide analysis of nsLTPs in barley(Hordeum vulgare L.)(HvLTPs) will be helpful for understanding the function of nsLTPs in plants. We performed a genome-wide analysis of the nsLTP gene family in barley and identified 70 nsLTP genes,which can be divided into five types(1, 2, C, D, and G). Each type of nsLTPs shares similar exon and intron gene structures. Expression analysis showed that barley nsLTPs have diverse expression patterns, revealing their various roles. Our results shed light on the phylogenetic relationships and potential functions of barley nsLTPs and will be useful for future studies of barley development and molecular breeding.展开更多
The coast of Japan is a migratory corridor for the western stock of the gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), which was once considered as extinct and remains endangered. According to the historical records, from 1955 ...The coast of Japan is a migratory corridor for the western stock of the gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), which was once considered as extinct and remains endangered. According to the historical records, from 1955 to 2014, only 21 gray whales occurrence has been recorded in 59 years. However, from 2015 to 2016, intensive occurrence including the seven sightings and the two strandings were noted. In this paper, we found that those sightings were re-sightings of the same individual, which was initially sighted off Sakhalin during August, 2014. On 4 March, 2016, a young female gray whale (8.9 m in body length) was stranded at Wadaura beach, Chiba prefecture. We also conducted research on this animal including taking pictures and external measurements. In addition, we flensed this animal to observe the internal organs and collect a skeletal specimen. The reason for the death of this animal remains unclear;however, from its external characteristics, we identified that this animal was not an identical one, sighted off Sakhalin and the coast of Japan from 2014 to 2016. On 5 April, 2016, another young female gray whale (7 m in body length) was stranded at Arai beach, Shizuoka prefecture. We concluded that from 2015 to 2016, at least three distinct gray whales have migrated along the coast of Japan.展开更多
The current study was performed to evaluate the beneficial effect in the power output of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) through supplementation of dried red pepper (Capsicum annuum) powder into the anodic chamber. Mediat...The current study was performed to evaluate the beneficial effect in the power output of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) through supplementation of dried red pepper (Capsicum annuum) powder into the anodic chamber. Mediator-less H-type MFCs were set up where the anode chamber contained rumen microorganisms as inocula on cellulose (Avicel) and the cathode chamber of phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4), both separated by cation exchange membrane. Electrical power generation in MFC was monitored daily over a 10-day period and the accumulated amounts and components of gaseous byproducts were measured at the end of 10 d operation of MFC. For both groups of MFCs with red pepper and the control, the head space gases collected were methane and CO2, and its volume and composition were similar between treatments. Methane and CO2 produced for 10 d operation were 210.7 and 106.5 mL, respectively, in MFC. The addition of red pepper powder caused an average power density to increase from 24.0 mW/m2 to 39.6 mW/m2 (P 2 for control and bellflower, respectively. This study provides the strong evidence that red pepper (Capsicum annuum) supplementation might modify the anaerobic fermentation characteristics of rumen microorganisms in anode chamber and improve the cellulosic bioenergy production in MFC.展开更多
Challenges in the understanding of three-dimensional(3D)brain networks by simultaneously recording both surface and intracortical areas of brain signals remain due to the difficulties of constructing mechanical design...Challenges in the understanding of three-dimensional(3D)brain networks by simultaneously recording both surface and intracortical areas of brain signals remain due to the difficulties of constructing mechanical design and spatial limitations of the implanted sites.Here,we present a foldable and flexible 3D neural prosthetic that facilitates the 3D mapping of complex neural circuits with high spatiotemporal dynamics from the intracortical to cortical region.This device is the tool to map the 3D neural transmission through sophisticatedly designed four flexible penetrating shanks and surface electrode arrays in one integrated system.We demonstrate the potential possibilities of identifying correlations of neural activities from the intracortical area to cortical regions through continuous monitoring of electrophysiological signals.We also exploited the structural properties of the device to record synchronized signals of single spikes evoked by unidirectional total whisker stimulation.This platform offers opportunities to clarify unpredictable 3D neural pathways and provides a next-generation neural interface.展开更多
基金conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the institutional review board of Kang-nam Sacred Heart Hospital,Seoul,Korea(No.2022-06-008-001).
文摘Background:Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is a global pandemic issue.In addition to the well-known respiratory and fever symptoms,gastrointestinal symptoms have also been reported.This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and prognosis of patients with COVID-19 infection complicated with acute pancreatitis in intensive care unit(ICU).Methods:This was a retrospective observational cohort study,and patients aged 18 years or older,ad-mitted into the ICU in a single tertiary center from January 1,2020,to April 30,2022 were enrolled.Patients were identified by electronic medical records and reviewed manually.The primary outcome was the prevalence of acute pancreatitis among ICU patients with COVID-19.The secondary outcomes were the length of hospital stay,need for mechanical ventilation(MV),need for continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT),and in-hospital mortality.Results:A total of 4133 patients,admitted into the ICU,were screened.Among these patients,389 were infected by COVID-19,and 86 were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.COVID-19 positive patients were more likely to present with acute pancreatitis than COVID-19 negative patients(odds ratio=5.42,95%confidence interval:2.35-6.58,P<0.01).However,the length of hospital stay,need for MV,need for CRRT,and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between acute pancreatitis patients with and without COVID-19 infection.Conclusions:Severe COVID-19 infections may cause acute pancreas damage in critically ill patients.How-ever,the prognosis may not differ between acute pancreatitis patients with and without COVID-19 infec-tion.
文摘We present the characteristics of the commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STI) at a clinic of Monkey Bay community hospital by a retrospective study. We conducted an audit of patients’ hospital records from a STIs clinic at Monkey Bay community hospital in Mangochi District (Malawi) covering a period from January 2019 to June 2019 (18 months). Data was tabulated in excel and analyses were made based on sex, age, male circumcision status, pregnancy and the pattern of STIs diagnosed within the chosen study period. A total number of 659 clients presented at STI clinic of Monkey Bay community hospital between January 2018 and June 2019. Out these clients, 409 (62%) were females and 250 (38%) were males. Most of the patients were in the age range of 25 years or above (447, 68%). Majority of the patients were HIV negative (523, 79%). Out of the 250 males, 113 (45%) were circumcised. Among female patients 56 of the 409 (14%) were pregnant. The most common presentations for all cases put together were lower abdominal pain (253, 38%), then urethral discharge (189, 29%), abnormal vaginal discharge (141, 21%), genital ulcer disease (64, 10%), in that order. Syphilis, genital warts, inguinal bubo and scrotal swelling were less common. The most common presentation in males was urethral discharge (178, 71%), while in females it was lower abdominal pain (214, 52%). Our audit showed that in Mangochi (Malawi) sexually transmitted diseases of various types are more common among young adults, females and uncircumcised men. There was no much difference in the percentage of STI’s between HIV positive and HIV negative people. These results point to an alarmingly high level of risky sexual behaviors among sexually active age groups in this part of Malawi, a country which still has one of the highest HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. This calls for continued and better research and control for transmission of STIs in the district.
基金supported by funds from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0100903)
文摘Non-specific lipid transfer proteins(nsLTPs) are small, basic proteins that are characterized by an eight-cysteine motif. The biological functions of these proteins have been reported to involve plant reproduction and biotic or abiotic stress response. With the completion of the barley genome sequence, a genome-wide analysis of nsLTPs in barley(Hordeum vulgare L.)(HvLTPs) will be helpful for understanding the function of nsLTPs in plants. We performed a genome-wide analysis of the nsLTP gene family in barley and identified 70 nsLTP genes,which can be divided into five types(1, 2, C, D, and G). Each type of nsLTPs shares similar exon and intron gene structures. Expression analysis showed that barley nsLTPs have diverse expression patterns, revealing their various roles. Our results shed light on the phylogenetic relationships and potential functions of barley nsLTPs and will be useful for future studies of barley development and molecular breeding.
文摘The coast of Japan is a migratory corridor for the western stock of the gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), which was once considered as extinct and remains endangered. According to the historical records, from 1955 to 2014, only 21 gray whales occurrence has been recorded in 59 years. However, from 2015 to 2016, intensive occurrence including the seven sightings and the two strandings were noted. In this paper, we found that those sightings were re-sightings of the same individual, which was initially sighted off Sakhalin during August, 2014. On 4 March, 2016, a young female gray whale (8.9 m in body length) was stranded at Wadaura beach, Chiba prefecture. We also conducted research on this animal including taking pictures and external measurements. In addition, we flensed this animal to observe the internal organs and collect a skeletal specimen. The reason for the death of this animal remains unclear;however, from its external characteristics, we identified that this animal was not an identical one, sighted off Sakhalin and the coast of Japan from 2014 to 2016. On 5 April, 2016, another young female gray whale (7 m in body length) was stranded at Arai beach, Shizuoka prefecture. We concluded that from 2015 to 2016, at least three distinct gray whales have migrated along the coast of Japan.
文摘The current study was performed to evaluate the beneficial effect in the power output of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) through supplementation of dried red pepper (Capsicum annuum) powder into the anodic chamber. Mediator-less H-type MFCs were set up where the anode chamber contained rumen microorganisms as inocula on cellulose (Avicel) and the cathode chamber of phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4), both separated by cation exchange membrane. Electrical power generation in MFC was monitored daily over a 10-day period and the accumulated amounts and components of gaseous byproducts were measured at the end of 10 d operation of MFC. For both groups of MFCs with red pepper and the control, the head space gases collected were methane and CO2, and its volume and composition were similar between treatments. Methane and CO2 produced for 10 d operation were 210.7 and 106.5 mL, respectively, in MFC. The addition of red pepper powder caused an average power density to increase from 24.0 mW/m2 to 39.6 mW/m2 (P 2 for control and bellflower, respectively. This study provides the strong evidence that red pepper (Capsicum annuum) supplementation might modify the anaerobic fermentation characteristics of rumen microorganisms in anode chamber and improve the cellulosic bioenergy production in MFC.
基金support received from the National Research Foundation of Korea (Grant Nos.NRF-2019R1A2C2086085,NRF-2021R1A4A1031437,and NRF2018M3A7B4071109)support provided by the National Institutes of Health (Award Nos.R21EB030140,U01DA056242,and R61HL154215).
文摘Challenges in the understanding of three-dimensional(3D)brain networks by simultaneously recording both surface and intracortical areas of brain signals remain due to the difficulties of constructing mechanical design and spatial limitations of the implanted sites.Here,we present a foldable and flexible 3D neural prosthetic that facilitates the 3D mapping of complex neural circuits with high spatiotemporal dynamics from the intracortical to cortical region.This device is the tool to map the 3D neural transmission through sophisticatedly designed four flexible penetrating shanks and surface electrode arrays in one integrated system.We demonstrate the potential possibilities of identifying correlations of neural activities from the intracortical area to cortical regions through continuous monitoring of electrophysiological signals.We also exploited the structural properties of the device to record synchronized signals of single spikes evoked by unidirectional total whisker stimulation.This platform offers opportunities to clarify unpredictable 3D neural pathways and provides a next-generation neural interface.
