Coronavirus disease 2019: a clinical review.

In December 2019, an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in Wuhan, China, and it subsequently spread in many countries around the world. Many efforts have been applied to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, and many scientific studies have been conducted in a short period of time. Here we present an overview of the viral structure, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and clinical features of COVID-19 based on the current state of knowledge, and we compare its clinical characteristics with SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Current researches on potentially effective treatment alternatives are discussed. We hope this review can help medical workers and researchers around the world contain the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Nutrition therapy in esophageal cancer-Consensus statement of the Gastroenterological Society of Taiwan.

A number of clinical guidelines on nutrition therapy in cancer patients have been published by national and international societies; however, most of the reviewed data focused on gastrointestinal cancer or non-cancerous abdominal surgery. To collate the corresponding data for esophageal cancer (EC), a consensus panel was convened to aid specialists from different disciplines, who are involved in the clinical nutrition care of EC patients. The literature was searched using MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the ISI Web of Knowledge. We searched for the best evidence pertaining to nutrition therapy in the case of EC. The panel summarized the findings in 3 sections of this consensus statement, based on which, after the diagnosis of EC, an initial distinction is made between the patients, as follows: (1) Assessment; (2) Therapy in patients with resectable disease; patients receiving chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy prior to resection, and patients with unresectable disease, requiring chemoradiotherapy or palliative therapy; and (3) Formula. The resulting consensus statement reflects the opinions of a multidisciplinary group of experts, and a review of the current literature, and outlines the essential aspects of nutrition therapy in the case of EC. The statements are: Patients with EC are among one of the highest risk to have malnutrition. Patient generated suggestive global assessment is correlated with performance status and prognosis. Nutrition assessment for patients with EC at the diagnosis, prior to definitive therapy and change of treatment strategy are suggested and the timing interval can be two weeks during the treatment period, and one month while the patient is stable. Patients identified as high risk of malnutrition should be considered for preoperative nutritional support (tube feeding) for at least 7-10 days. Various routes for tube feedings are available after esophagectomy with similar nutrition support benefits. Limited intrathoracic anastomotic leakage postesophagectomy can be managed with intravenous antibiotics and self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) or jejunal tube. Enteral nutrition in patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiation provides benefits of maintaining weight, decreasing toxicity, and preventing treatment interruption. Tube feeding or SEMS can offer nutrition support in patients with unresectable esophageal cancer, but SEMS is not recommended for those with neoadjuvant chemoradiation before surgery. Enteral immunonutrition may preserve lean body mass and attenuates stress response after esophagectomy. Administration of glutamine may decrease the severity of chemotherapy induced mucositis. Enteral immunonutrition achieves greater nutrition status or maintains immune functions during concurrent chemoradiation.

Spatial distributions and potential risk analysis of total soil selenium in Guangdong Province, China.

A total of 260 soil profiles were examined to investigate the spatial distribution of total soil selenium (Se) in Guangdong province, China. In the investigated area, the soil Se concentrations follow an approximately lognormal distribution. The soil Se geometric mean concentration of 0.23 mg kg(-1) is higher than that of Chinese soils; however, Se concentration varies over the study area. The baseline concentration of 0.13 to 0.41 mg kg(-1) indicates that the soil Se concentration is mostly in the range of deficiency to medium level for surface soils in Guangdong province. In A-, B-, and C-horizon, soil Se spatial distribution is correlated with the nature of the parent material, with high Se concentration mainly located in limestone and sandshale areas and low Se concentration associated with purple shale and granite areas. The spatial distribution pattern of soil Se concentrations suggests that potential Se deficiency may be an issue for human health in this province. Moreover, due to soil degradation and erosion, calculated soil Se exported into surrounding waters could reach approximately 23,000 kg yr(-1) in the study area.

Characterization of recombinant type II collagen: arthritogenicity and tolerogenicity in DBA/1 mice.

Recombinant human type II collagen (rhCII) was produced using both the HT1080 mammalian cell expression system (rhCIIht) and a baculovirus expression system (rhCIIbac). The biosynthesis of CII requires extensive post-translational modifications, such as the hydroxylation of prolyl and lysyl residues and glycosylation of hydroxylysyl residues. Amino acid analyses indicated that the rhCIIbac was adequately hydroxylated at prolyl residues but underhydroxylated at lysyl residues and underglycosylated compared with tissue-derived hCII, while rhCIIht was hyperhydroxylated and hyperglycosylated at lysyl residues. When the murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was used to investigate the immunological properties of the two forms of recombinant CII, each induced a high incidence of arthritis following immunization of susceptible mice when emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). However, the severity of the arthritis, as assessed by the number of affected limbs, was significantly higher in mice immunized with rhCIIht than in mice immunized with rhCIIbac. These data indicate that the degree of hydroxylysine glycosylation may play a role in the induction of the arthritogenic response to CII. Each of the recombinant collagens was comparable to tissue-derived hCII in their ability to induce tolerance and suppress arthritis when given as intravenous or oral tolerogens. Taken together, our data suggest that recombinant CII can be prepared in adequate amounts for therapeutic uses and that the material is immunologically comparable to tissue-derived hCII when used to induce tolerance.

Orally administered glycolipid derivative LIGA20 reduces infarct volume and behavioral impairment after focal cerebral ischemia.

The efficacy of p.o. semisynthetic glycolipid LIGA20 (II3Neu5-AcGgOse4-2-d-erythro-1,3-dihydroxy-2-dichloro-aceta mide-4-trans- octadecene) treatment in stroke was studied in a permanent left middle cerebral artery occlusion model in the rat. A dose-dependent increase of plasma LIGA20 and its presence in the brain were documented after p.o. drug application. Oral administration of 50 to 200 mg/kg of LIGA20, initiated 24 hr before middle cerebral artery occlusion and continued for 7 days, reduced the motor and cognitive impairment after the stroke, measured by the rotarod and the passive avoidance test, respectively. The 10-mg/kg dose was effective when given i.v. but not p.o. Oral treatment with 100 mg/kg of LIGA20 reduced the infarct size in the cortex but not in the ischemic core (the striatum). No biochemical or behavioral adverse effects of LIGA20 treatment were observed. Further studies are needed to evaluate the full therapeutic potential of this compound.

Examination of the roles of selenium in the Kaschin-Beck disease. Cartilage cell test and model studies.

The Kaschin-Beck Disease, an endemic disease in China, occurs in low-selenium areas. Using human embryonic cartilage cell as a system, the effect of selenite and another etiological factors, such as, organic matters in water, and grain from disease regions, were studied. It was shown that Se(IV), as well as superoxide dismutase, could prevent the cells from damage by organic matters, and increase the activity of GSHpx and decrease the production of lipid peroxide. A model test of adrenalin autooxidation was carried out, and it was found that the oxy-radical can be eliminated by Se(IV). Thus, it was assumed, that selenium was a protective factor and free radical scavenger for Kaschin-Beck Disease.

Bioavailability of selenium to residents in a low-selenium area of China.

For 8 wk 5 groups of 10 men each were given 0.5 g/day DL-methionine, 150 micrograms Se/day as sodium selenite with or without methionine or 150 micrograms Se/day as selenomethionine with or without methionine. Twenty subjects received placebo as controls. Initially plasma Se rose more rapidly than RBC Se. Increases in Se levels were significantly greater with selenomethionine than with the selenite supplement. In the placebo and methionine supplemented groups neither plasma nor RBC Se varied significantly over the course of the study. Supplementation with selenium resulted in marked increases in plasma and RBC GSH-Px within 2 and 4 wk, respectively. Plasma and RBC GSH-Px activity did not differ significantly between Se-supplemented groups. These studies suggest that selenomethionine-Se was more effective in raising plasma and RBC Se than was selenite-Se. Methionine supplements may increase the bioavailability of selenium in severely deficient subjects.

Selenium intake and metabolic balance of 10 men from a low selenium area of China.

Selenium intake and urinary and fecal Se excretion of 10 healthy men from a low Se area in China were determined for three consecutive days, in summer, fall, and winter of 1983, and the spring of 1984 while self-selected diets were being consumed. Mean daily Se intake was 8.8 micrograms/day with a range of 2.3-35.5 micrograms/day, and was far below the recommended range of safe and adequate Se intake of 50-200 micrograms Se/day (National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council). Mean urinary and fecal Se outputs were 3.7 and 3.4 micrograms Se/day, respectively. Mean Se balance during this time was +1.8 micrograms Se/day. Apparent absorption of Se approximated 57%. The low Se intake in this area is a cause for concern since the residents of Molimo may be at risk for Se deficiency diseases.

Tulobuterol: one-month intravenous safety studies in rats and dogs.

Tulobuterol was given intravenously to rats and dogs at dosages of 1, 5, or 25 mg/kg/day and 0.6, 2, or 6 mg/kg/day, respectively. The no-toxic-effect dosages were 5 mg/kg/day in rats and 6 mg/kg/day in dogs. Two rats died at 25 mg/kg/day. Convulsions, jerking movements, hyperactivity, tremors, hypoactivity and ptyalism were observed in rats given 25 mg/kg/day. Restlessness, ptyalism and hypoactivity were also observed in dogs at 2 and 6 mg/kg/day. Cutaneous and/or mucosal erythema were observed in rats and dogs at all dosages. Increased body weight gain occurred in drug-treated rats and in mid- and high-dose female dogs. Slight elevations in serum creatinine and BUN were seen in rats and dogs at the highest dosages. Heart weights were increased in rats at all dosages after 1 month of treatment and in rats given 25 mg/kg/day after 2 weeks of recovery. There were no treatment-related morphologic changes in either species.