YouTube as a source of information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: YouTube is a popular website where public can access and gain information from videos related to COVID-19. This paper seeks to assess the quality and validity of information available on YouTube, based on the current Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Methods: We identified the 250 most-viewed videos from 1 January 2020 to 12 May 2020 on YouTube using keyword 'COVID 19'. Two independent reviewers analyzed the English-language videos as useful, misleading, or news updates. Result: After excluding non-English and irrelevant videos, 100 videos were analyzed. Forty-four videos were classified as useful, 33 videos were classified as news updates, and 23 videos were classified as misleading. Independent users had five times increased odds of posting misleading videos (40% vs. 12%, OR = 5.05, 95% CI = 1.84-13.9, P = 0.001), whereas news agencies have 2.8 greater odds of posting useful or update videos (87% vs 44%, OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 0.959-8.45, P = 0.087). Conclusion: YouTube is an increasingly important source of medical information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the videos were useful, however due to the public nature of the platform, misleading information may also be easily disseminated. Independent users are more likely to post-misleading videos.

The maintenance effect of acupuncture on breast cancer-related menopause symptoms: a systematic review.

Background: Acupuncture has been used for many breast cancer treatment-related problems, but how long the effect lasts is unknown. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate how long the effect of acupuncture on breast cancer-related hot flushes and menopause symptoms lasts.Methods: The research design followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement, without language restrictions. Seven databases from inception through February 2019 were accessed; only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that examined the maintenance effect of acupuncture on hot flushes or menopause symptoms after treatment were included. Cochrane criteria were followed and RevMan 5.2 software was used to analyze trials.Results: In total, 943 patients from 13 RCTs were analyzed. The meta-analysis showed that acupuncture had no significant long-term maintenance effect on the frequency or severity of hot flushes (p = 0.29; p = 0.34), but had a significant 3-month maintenance effect of ameliorating menopause symptoms at 3 months after treatment ended (p = 0.001). No adverse events were reported.Conclusions: Acupuncture significantly alleviated menopause symptoms for at least 3 months, but not hot flushes. Breast cancer patients concerned about the adverse effects of hormone therapy could consider acupuncture as an alternative. Additional acupuncture at 3 months after the initial treatment course could be considered. A large-scale study may help to define the optimal guideline for this issue.

Using graphical representations to enhance the quality-of-care for colorectal cancer patients.

The study was to enhance adherence to quality-of-care guidelines for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients through plotting graphical representations. Rasch analysis was performed to examine the unidimensional measurement of the 13 core indicators. An author-made Excel module was applied to plot the so-called Wright map and KIDMAP in education field to report physicians' adherence to the quality-of-life guidelines. We found that the scale of the quality-of-care guidelines for patients with colon cancer is unidimensional. A total of 15 (3.8%) and 14 (3.5%) persons' response patterns (i.e., Outfit MNSQs >2.0 and 4.0, respectively) are aberrantly dispersed from the majority of sample according to their estimated parameters of persons and indicators. It can be used for investigating the root cause of the 1ow measures and/or the most unexpected aberrant pattern of responses using Rasch analysis once any one indicator of unexpectedly aberrant treatment (p < .05) presents. The Rasch model can deal with these binary and/or missing data frequently seen in clinical settings. We confirm this computer module can contribute to ensuring that hospitals adhere to the treatment guidelines for patients with colon cancer.

A central role of TRAX in the ATM-mediated DNA repair.

DNA repair is critical for the maintenance of genome stability. Upon genotoxic stress, dysregulated DNA repair may induce apoptosis. Translin-associated factor X (TRAX), which was initially identified as a binding partner of Translin, has been implicated in genome stability. However, the exact role of TRAX in DNA repair remains largely unknown. Here, we showed that TRAX participates in the ATM/H2AX-mediated DNA repair machinery by interacting with ATM and stabilizing the MRN complex at double-strand breaks. The exogenous expression of wild-type (WT) TRAX, but not a TRAX variant lacking the nuclear localization signal (NLS), rescued the vulnerability of TRAX-null mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). This finding confirms the importance of the nuclear localization of TRAX in the repair of DNA damage. Compared with WT MEFs, TRAX-null MEFs exhibited impaired DNA repair (for example, reduced phosphorylation of ATM and H2AX) after treatment with ultra violet-C or γ-ray irradiation and a higher incidence of p53-mediated apoptosis. Our findings demonstrate that TRAX is required for MRN complex-ATM-H2AX signaling, which optimizes DNA repair by interacting with the activated ATM and protects cells from genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis.

Discovery of genes related to formothion resistance in oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) by a constrained functional genomics analysis.

Artificial selection can provide insights into how insecticide resistance mechanisms evolve in populations. The underlying basis of such phenomena can involve complex interactions of multiple genes, and the resolution of this complexity first necessitates confirmation that specific genes are involved in resistance mechanisms. Here, we used a novel approach invoking a constrained RNA sequencing analysis to refine the discovery of specific genes involved in insecticide resistance. Specifically, for gene discovery, an additional constraint was added to the traditional comparisons of susceptible vs. resistant flies by the incorporation of a line in which insecticide susceptibility was 'recovered' within a resistant line by the removal of insecticide stress. In our analysis, the criterion for the classification of any gene as related to insecticide resistance was based on evidence for differential expression in the resistant line as compared with both the susceptible and recovered lines. The incorporation of this additional constraint reduced the number of differentially expressed genes putatively involved in resistance to 464, compared with more than 1000 that had been identified previously using this same species. In addition, our analysis identified several key genes involved in metabolic detoxification processes that showed up-regulated expression. Furthermore, the involvement of acetylcholinesterase, a known target for modification in insecticide resistance, was associated with three key nonsynonymous amino acid substitutions within our data. In conclusion, the incorporation of an additional constraint using a 'recovered' line for gene discovery provides a higher degree of confidence in genes identified to be involved in insecticide resistance phenomena.

National surveillance for influenza and influenza-like illness in Vietnam, 2006-2010.

Influenza virus infections result in considerable morbidity and mortality both in the temperate and tropical world. Influenza surveillance over multiple years is important to determine the impact and epidemiology of influenza and to develop a national vaccine policy, especially in countries developing influenza vaccine manufacturing capacity, such as Vietnam. We conducted surveillance of influenza and influenza-like illness in Vietnam through the National Influenza Surveillance System during 2006-2010. At 15 sentinel sites, the first two patients presenting each weekday with influenza-like illness (ILI), defined as fever and cough and/or sore throat with illness onset within 3 days, were enrolled and throat specimens were collected and tested for influenza virus type and influenza A subtype by RT-PCR. De-identified demographic and provider reported subsequent hospitalization information was collected on each patient. Each site also collected information on the total number of patients with influenza-like illness evaluated per week. Of 29,804 enrolled patients presenting with influenza-like illness, 6516 (22%) were influenza positive. Of enrolled patients, 2737 (9.3%) were reported as subsequently hospitalized; of the 2737, 527 (19%) were influenza positive. Across all age groups with ILI, school-aged children had the highest percent of influenza infection (29%) and the highest percent of subsequent hospitalizations associated with influenza infection (28%). Influenza viruses co-circulated throughout most years in Vietnam during 2006-2010 and often reached peak levels multiple times during a year, when >20% of tests were influenza positive. Influenza is an important cause of all influenza-like illness and provider reported subsequent hospitalization among outpatients in Vietnam, especially among school-aged children. These findings may have important implications for influenza vaccine policy in Vietnam.

Effects of an intervention on nutrition consultation for cancer patients.

We assessed whether cancer patients given a nutritional consultation by dietitians when discharged from the hospital experienced more health benefits than those not given a nutritional consultation. The McNemar test and the general linear model were used to examine the effect of nutrition intervention. A bubble chart was plotted to show the comparison between cancer groups. A total of 537 cancer patients discharged from a 1200-bed medical centre in Taiwan in 2011 were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, nutritional status [evaluated using the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) Classification technique], weight loss, and food intake recovery were significantly affected and returned to their usual levels, but in the control group, only food intake recovery was significantly affected. The effect of nutrition consultation intervention for cancer patients is thus evident. Significant positive effects were cancer-stage-dependent but not cancer-type-dependent. Future studies are recommended using the present study's methods to see whether the nutrition intervention effect occurs in cancer patients discharged from other hospitals throughout the world.

Using a bubble chart to enhance adherence to quality-of-care guidelines for colorectal cancer patients.

This study examines whether a higher rate of physician adherence to quality-of-care indicators for colorectal cancer patients is associated with improved survival and using a bubble chart to help interpret physician performance. A set of 13 core measures was used to evaluate the quality of care in 708 colorectal cancer patients treated from 2004 to 2007 at a hospital in Taiwan. A 100% adherence standard was used to measure the relationship of adherence to patient survival. Each indicator assigned by each cancer stage was dichotomously coded. The associations between the adherence and survival rates and demographic characteristics were assessed using Cox's proportional hazard regression. Physician adherence to core indicators was plotted using a bubble chart to motivate physicians' performance adhering to quality-of-care guidelines for colorectal cancer patients. The 100% adherence rate criterion contributed to a relatively low hazard ratio of 0.36 (95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.85; P= 0.02). The association between the adherence rate and survival indicated significant improvements for stage III patients compared with stage I patients. A graphical representation of bubble charts helped to monitor physician performance, which improved the adherence rate to quality-of-care guidelines for colorectal cancer patients.

Combining scanning tunneling microscopy and synchrotron radiation for high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy with chemical, electronic, and magnetic contrast.

The combination of high-brilliance synchrotron radiation with scanning tunneling microscopy opens the path to high-resolution imaging with chemical, electronic, and magnetic contrast. Here, the design and experimental results of an in-situ synchrotron enhanced x-ray scanning tunneling microscope (SXSTM) system are presented. The system is designed to allow monochromatic synchrotron radiation to enter the chamber, illuminating the sample with x-ray radiation, while an insulator-coated tip (metallic tip apex open for tunneling, electron collection) is scanned over the surface. A unique feature of the SXSTM is the STM mount assembly, designed with a two free-flex pivot, providing an angular degree of freedom for the alignment of the tip and sample with respect to the incoming x-ray beam. The system designed successfully demonstrates the ability to resolve atomic-scale corrugations. In addition, experiments with synchrotron x-ray radiation validate the SXSTM system as an accurate analysis technique for the study of local magnetic and chemical properties on sample surfaces. The SXSTM system's capabilities have the potential to broaden and deepen the general understanding of surface phenomena by adding elemental contrast to the high-resolution of STM.

Clinical significance of signal pattern of high-risk human papillomavirus using a novel fluorescence in situ hybridization assay in cervical cytology.

The present study aimed to evaluate a novel fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay for detecting the high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA and signal pattern in cervical cytology specimens and for identifying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions. One hundred and ninety-six liquid-based cytology specimens with CIN were recruited. The signal pattern (punctate, mixed punctate and diffuse, and diffuse) detected by FISH was compared with E6 mRNA and correlated with histological classification. FISH and E6-type specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) had fair to good agreement for detecting HPV DNA across all grades of CIN (kappa coefficient, 0.37-0.73). Among 44 samples of negative FISH and positive E6 type-specific PCR in HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 52 and 58, 82% (36/44) of E6 mRNA were not detected, in contrast to 41% (48/118) of positive FISH and positive E6 type-specific PCR (p <0.0001). Among HR-HPV DNA positive cases tested by the FISH assay, the specificity of predicting CIN3 using the punctuate pattern is higher than that using E6 mRNA (96.3% vs. 44.8%). The punctate pattern was 0% in patients with

Ultrasound-triggered release of materials entrapped in microbubble-liposome constructs: a tool for targeted drug delivery.

We investigated the preparation of ultrasound-triggered drug delivery system, based on a pendant complex of microbubble coated with liposomes. Biotinylated decafluorobutane microbubbles were coated with biotinylated liposomes via a streptavidin linker. Liposomes were prepared incorporating calcein and thrombin. Based on initial concentration of calcein, over 1 um(3) payload volume per each microbubble-liposome particle was achieved, when 100 nm liposomes were used. Insonation of microbubble-liposome pendants in vitro resulted in the complete destruction of microbubbles and triggered release of a significant fraction of the entrapped material. Treatment with 1MHz ultrasound (5 pulses, 100 ms, 7 MPa peak negative acoustic pressure) resulted in the release of ~30% of entrapped calcein, as estimated by the fluorescence quenching assay. Thrombin release from liposomes complexed with microbubbles (11% of entrapped material) due to ultrasound treatment was estimated by a chromogenic substrate study. Prior to insonation, substrate hydrolysis was at background level. Ultrasound-triggered release of thrombin from the pendant complexes caused an acceleration of blood clotting.

National influenza surveillance in Vietnam, 2006-2007.

In 2006, national influenza surveillance was implemented in Vietnam. Epidemiologic and demographic data and a throat swab for influenza testing were collected from a subset of outpatients with influenza-like illness (ILI). During January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007, of 184,521 ILI cases identified at surveillance sites, 11,082 were tested and 2112 (19%) were positive for influenza by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Influenza viruses were detected year-round, and similar peaks in influenza activity were observed in all surveillance regions, coinciding with cooler and rainy periods. Studies are needed to ascertain the disease burden and impact of influenza in Vietnam.

Surface geometric and electronic structures of BaFe2As2(001).

BaFe2As2 exhibits properties that are characteristic of the parent compounds of the newly discovered iron (Fe)-based high-T(C) superconductors. By combining real-space imaging of scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM+STS) with momentum-space quantitative low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), we have identified the surface plane of cleaved BaFe2As2 crystals as the As terminated Fe-As layer-the plane where superconductivity occurs. LEED and STM+STS data on the BaFe2As2(001) surface indicate an ordered arsenic (As) terminated metallic surface without reconstruction or lattice distortion. It is surprising that STM images the different Fe-As orbitals associated with the orthorhombic structure, but not the As atoms in the surface plane.

Spatial analysis of falls in an urban community of Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Falls are an issue of great public health concern. This study focuses on outdoor falls within an urban community in Hong Kong. Urban environmental hazards are often place-specific and dependent upon the built features, landscape characteristics, and habitual activities. Therefore, falls must be examined with respect to local situations. RESULTS: This paper uses spatial analysis methods to map fall occurrences and examine possible environmental attributes of falls in an urban community of Hong Kong. The Nearest neighbour hierarchical (Nnh) and Standard Deviational Ellipse (SDE) techniques can offer additional insights about the circumstances and environmental factors that contribute to falls. The results affirm the multi-factorial nature of falls at specific locations and for selected groups of the population. CONCLUSION: The techniques to detect hot spots of falls yield meaningful results that enable the identification of high risk locations. The combined use of descriptive and spatial analyses can be beneficial to policy makers because different preventive measures can be devised based on the types of environmental risk factors identified. The analyses are also important preludes to establishing research hypotheses for more focused studies.

Microbubble spectroscopy of ultrasound contrast agents.

A new optical characterization of the behavior of single ultrasound contrast bubbles is presented. The method consists of insonifying individual bubbles several times successively sweeping the applied frequency, and to record movies of the bubble response up to 25 million frames/s with an ultrahigh speed camera operated in a segmented mode. The method, termed microbubble spectroscopy, enables to reconstruct a resonance curve in a single run. The data is analyzed through a linearized model for coated bubbles. The results confirm the significant influence of the shell on the bubble dynamics: shell elasticity increases the resonance frequency by about 50%, and shell viscosity is responsible for about 70% of the total damping. The obtained value for shell elasticity is in quantative agreement with previously reported values. The shell viscosity increases significantly with the radius, revealing a new nonlinear behavior of the phospholipid coating.

Modulation of HER2 expression by ferulic acid on human breast cancer MCF7 cells.

BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanisms underlying the mitogenic effect of ferulic acid (FA), an active compound derived from Angelica sinensis, have never been elucidated. It was the aim of this study to investigate the proliferative effect of FA on human breast cancer cell lines and to elucidate its modulation mechanism on HER2 expression in MCF7 line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By using MCF7 (oestrogen receptor-positive; ER+, HER2-low), BT474 (ER+, HER2-high), MDAMB231 (ER-, HER2-low) and SKBR3 (ER-, HER2-high) human breast cancer cell lines as in vitro models, the mitogenic effects of FA were assessed by trypan blue dye exclusion assay and DNA flow cytometry. Ferulic acid-modulated cell signalling and HER2 gene expression were evaluated in MCF7 line by Western blot and real-time RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: Ferulic acid ER-dependently stimulated cell proliferation on MCF7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The HER2 oncogene (one of the prognostic factors of breast cancer) and ESR1 gene (oestrogen receptor-alpha; ERalpha) transcription were markedly up-regulated by FA treatment. Besides, HER2 signalling and its downstream molecules such as AKT and ERK1/2 were involved in FA-modulated ERalpha and cyclin D1 synthesis. Addition of anti-HER2 antibody, trastuzumab, abrogated FA-enhanced proliferative effect on MCF7 cells, indicated a positive feedback control for the action of HER2 in this setting. The fact that the ER antagonist blocked most of the FA-up-regulated HER2 expression, and that trastuzumab down-regulated ERalpha gene expression, suggested a cross-talk between ERalpha and HER2 signalling on MCF7 cells. CONCLUSION: The authors' conclude that FA causes human breast cancer cell proliferation by up-regulation of HER2 and ERalpha expression.

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract relaxes rabbit corpus cavernosum through multitargets on nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling pathway.

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim (EbM) has been reputed to have sexual stimulation effects on males. The study is aimed to test the hypothesis that EbM extracts relaxed the corpus cavernosum (CC) smooth muscle through activation of multitargets on nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway. Water extract of EbM and its subfraction (EP-20) were prepared and standardized by high-performance liquid chromatography. Isolated rabbit CC strips were mounted in organ baths and isometric tension was recorded in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors related to NO/cGMP signaling such as L-N(G)-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) or phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) inhibitors. cGMP level was determined in EP-20-treated CC strips. The results showed that EP-20 enriched the content of L-arginine in the process of purification and relaxed the CC smooth muscle precontracted with phenylephrine (PE, 1 microM) in a concentration-dependent manner. Besides, EP-20 increased the amount of cGMP production in rabbit CC tissues. Coincubation with EP-20 and L-NAME or ODQ significantly decreased EP-20-induced relaxation whereas EP-20 increased sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation in PE-precontracted CC strips. Besides, EP-20 increased the potency and the duration of the relaxation effects caused by electrical field stimulation. Finally, EP-20 could potentiate PDE 5 inhibitors in relaxation of PE-precontracted CC strips. We concluded that extract of EbM relax the CC smooth muscle through multitargets in NO/cGMP/PDE 5 pathway and might bring into perspective the treatment strategy for those patients with erectile dysfunction.

Spatially localized self-injection of electrons in a self-modulated laser-wakefield accelerator by using a laser-induced transient density ramp.

By using a laser-induced transient density ramp, we demonstrate self-injection of electrons in a self-modulated laser-wakefield accelerator with spatial localization. The number of injected electrons reaches 1.7 x 10(8). The transient density ramp is produced by a prepulse propagating transversely to drill a density depression channel via ionization and expansion. The same mechanism of injection with comparable efficiency is also demonstrated with a transverse plasma waveguide driven by Coulomb explosion.

Optically controlled seeding of Raman forward scattering and injection of electrons in a self-modulated laser-wakefield accelerator.

Optical seeding of plasma waves and the injection of electrons are key issues in self-modulated laser-wakefield accelerators. By implementing a copropagating laser prepulse with proper timing, we are able to control the growth of Raman forward scattering and the production of accelerated electrons. The dependence of the Raman intensity on prepulse timing indicates that the seeding of Raman forward scattering is dominated by the ionization-induced wakefield, and the dependence of the divergence and number of accelerated electrons further reveals that the stimulated Raman backward scattering of the prepulse plays the essential role of injecting hot electrons into the fast plasma wave driven by the main pulse.

Design of focused and restrained subsets from extremely large virtual libraries.

With the current and ever-growing offering of reagents along with the vast palette of organic reactions, virtual libraries accessible to combinatorial chemists can reach sizes of billions of compounds or more. Extracting practical size subsets for experimentation has remained an essential step in the design of combinatorial libraries. A typical approach to computational library design involves enumeration of structures and properties for the entire virtual library, which may be unpractical for such large libraries. This study describes a new approach termed as on the fly optimization (OTFO) where descriptors are computed as needed within the subset optimization cycle and without intermediate enumeration of structures. Results reported herein highlight the advantages of coupling an ultra-fast descriptor calculation engine to subset optimization capabilities. We also show that enumeration of properties for the entire virtual library may not only be unpractical but also wasteful. Successful design of focused and restrained subsets can be achieved while sampling only a small fraction of the virtual library. We also investigate the stability of the method and compare results obtained from simulated annealing (SA) and genetic algorithms (GA).