Assessment value of X-ray angiography in postoperative recurrence,curative effect and the reduction of the perfusion of liver tumor of interventional TACE for liver cancer / 中国医学装备

Objective:To investigate the assessment value of X-ray angiography in postoperative recurrence,curative effect and reduction of the perfusion of liver tumor of interventional transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)for liver cancer.Methods:A total of 59 patients with liver cancer who were treated in The Third the People's Hospital of Bengbu from January 2015 to December 2020 were selected.All patients underwent the examination of routine X-ray angiography one week before surgery and four weeks after surgery.The obtained image sequences were imported into the workstation equipped with imaging technology software of color coded digital subtraction angiography(ccDSA)to conduct analysis.The region of interest(ROI)was manually defined on the ccDSA images before and after TACE.And then,the time intensity curve was obtained,and the quantitative perfusion parameters included the time to peak(TTP),area under curve(AUC),maximum slope(MS)were exported from that.The receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve was drawn,and the area under curve(AUC)of that was calculated to analyze the assessment efficacy of perfusion parameters on the postoperative recurrence,curative effect and reduction of the perfusion of liver tumor of TACE for liver cancer.Results:In the 59 patients who were included in the study,39 cases occurred postoperative recurrence and 20 cases did not occurred postoperative recurrence according to the definition of postoperative recurrence,and the perfusion TTP(7.38±1.22)s of patients with postoperative recurrence was significantly lower than that(9.03±1.01)s of patients without postoperative recurrence,and the difference of that between them was significant(t=5.198,P<0.05).The AUC and MS of patients with postoperative recurrence were significantly lower than those of patients without postoperative recurrence(t=2.868,31.499,P<0.05),respectively.There were not significant differences in TTP,AUC and MS between patients with and without postoperative recurrence before surgery(P>0.05).According to the determination criteria of curative effect,35 cases were effectiveness,and 24 cases were ineffectiveness,and the postoperative TTP(9.09±1.08)s of patients with effectiveness was significantly higher than that(7.84±2.07)s of patients without effectiveness(t=3.029,P<0.05),and AUC and MS of patients with effectiveness were significantly higher than those of patients without ineffectiveness(t=3.852,54.366,P<0.05),and there were not significant differences in preoperative TTP,AUC and MS between patients with and without effectiveness(P>0.05),and the values of TTP,AUC and MS of the group with effectiveness and group without effectiveness after surgery were significantly higher than those before surgery,and the differences of them between two groups were significant(t=3.029,3.852,54.366,P<0.05),respectively.According to the grading criteria of subjective angiographic endpoints(SACE),33 cases were grade Ⅲ,and 26 cases were grade Ⅳ,and there were not significant in TTP,AUC and MS between patients with grade Ⅲ and patients with grade IV(P>0.05).The postoperative TTP,AUC and MS of patients with grade Ⅳ were significantly lower than those of patients with grade Ⅲ(t=7.679,3.498,58.968,P<0.05),respectively.The sensitivities of TTP,AUC and MS were respectively 66.70%,89.70% and 59.00% in assessing postoperative recurrence of interventional TACE for liver cancer,and the specificities of them were respectively 55.00%,55.00% and 55.00%,and the AUC values of them were respectively 0.629(95% CI:0.478-0.779),0.827(95% CI:0.723-0.931)and 0.512(95% CI:0.356-0.667).The sensitivities of TTP,AUC and MS were respectively 64.10%,79.50% and 61.50% in assessing postoperatively curative effect of interventional TACE for liver cancer,and the specificities of them were respectively 55.00%,65.00% and 55.00%,and the AUC values of them were respectively 0.609(95% CI:0.462-0.756),0.808(95% CI:0.698-0.918)and 0.580(95% CI:0.413-0.747).The sensitivities of TTP,AUC and MS were respectively 69.20%,82.10% and 53.80% in assessing the postoperative reduction of the perfusion of liver tumor of interventional TACE for liver cancer,and the specificities of them were respectively 70.00%,75.00% and 55.00%,and the AUC values of them were respectively 0.745(95% CI:0.613-0.877),0.842(95% CI:0.724-0.960)and 0.507(95% CI:0.360-0.654).Conclusion:The TTP,AUC and MS of perfusion parameters that are obtained by ccDSA quantitative analysis for the data after X-ray angiography examination have a certain application value in assessing the postoperative recurrence,curative effect and the reduction of the perfusion of liver tumor of interventional TACE for liver cancer.

Antibody Attributes that Predict the Neutralization and Effector Function of Polyclonal Responses to SARS-CoV-2

While antibodies provide significant protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease sequelae, the specific attributes of the humoral response that contribute to immunity are incompletely defined. In this study, we employ machine learning to relate characteristics of the polyclonal antibody response raised by natural infection to diverse antibody effector functions and neutralization potency with the goal of generating both accurate predictions of each activity based on antibody response profiles as well as insights into antibody mechanisms of action. To this end, antibody-mediated phagocytosis, cytotoxicity, complement deposition, and neutralization were accurately predicted from biophysical antibody profiles in both discovery and validation cohorts. These predictive models identified SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM as a key predictor of neutralization activity whose mechanistic relevance was supported experimentally by depletion. Validated models of how different aspects of the humoral response relate to antiviral antibody activities suggest desirable attributes to recapitulate by vaccination or other antibody-based interventions.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody signatures robustly predict diverse antiviral functions relevant for convalescent plasma therapy

Convalescent plasma has emerged as a promising COVID-19 treatment. However, the humoral factors that contribute to efficacy are poorly understood. This study functionally and phenotypically profiled plasma from eligible convalescent donors. In addition to viral neutralization, convalescent plasma contained antibodies capable of mediating such Fc-dependent functions as complement activation, phagocytosis and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against SARS-CoV-2. These activities expand the antiviral functions associated with convalescent plasma and together with neutralization efficacy, could be accurately and robustly from antibody phenotypes. These results suggest that high-throughput profiling could be used to screen donors and plasma may provide benefits beyond neutralization.

Features and Functions of Systemic and Mucosal Humoral Immunity Among SARS-CoV-2 Convalescent Individuals

Understanding humoral immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection will play a critical role in the development of vaccines and antibody-based interventions. We report systemic and mucosal antibody responses in convalescent individuals who experienced varying disease severity. Robust antibody responses to diverse SARS-CoV-2 antigens and evidence of elevated responses to endemic CoV were observed among convalescent donors. SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA and IgG responses were often negatively correlated, particularly in mucosal samples, suggesting subject-intrinsic biases in isotype switching. Assessment of antibody-mediated effector functions revealed an inverse correlation between systemic and mucosal neutralization activity and site-dependent differences in the isotype of neutralizing antibodies. Serum neutralization correlated with systemic anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM response magnitude, while mucosal neutralization was associated with nasal SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA. These findings begin to map how diverse Ab characteristics relate to Ab functions and outcomes of infection, informing public health assessment strategies and vaccine development efforts.

Households' characteristics and perceptions of weather variability impact on rice yield: empirical analysis of small scale farmers in Tanzania / Características dos agregados familiares e percepções da variabilidade climática na produção de arroz: análise empírica de pequenos agricultores na Tanzânia

ABSTRACT: Rice farming is characterized by various factors including environmental and non-environmental factors. The current paper analyses the influence of households' characteristics, and perceptions of weather variability on rice yield. Authors used primary data collected from small-scale rice farmers in the Mbeya region of Tanzania. Garret technique and Stata software were used for data analyses. Results confirmed that farmer's education, marital status, gender, and land ownership have a positive influence on rice yield. Thus, for every 1% increase in each variable increases rice yield by 14%, 98%, 26%, and 21% respectively. Owing to empirical results on farmers' perceptions, it is confirmed that if the drought period increased by 1%, would on average reduce rice yield by 20%. The majority of farmers (70%) have perceived that drought period reduced their rice yield. In addition, farmers' used averagely less quantity of rice seeds which have impaired their rice yields. If farmers increased the seed quantity by 1%, rice yields would increase by 17%. Our findings also revealed that the previous market price has positive association with the next seasons' rice yield. Therefore, our study concluded that among households' variables and their perceptions have positive implications on rice yield; however, with the empirical analyses other variables were insignificant due to multicollinearity effects. Authors recommended to the government and other responsible organizations to capitalize on irrigation infrastructures, agricultural extension and technological services to restraint the enduring food insecurity coercions in Tanzania.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho analisa a influência das características das famílias e as percepções da variabilidade climática na produção de arroz. Os autores usaram dados primários coletados de pequenos produtores de arroz na região de Mbeya, na Tanzânia. A técnica de Garret e o software Stata foram utilizados para análise de dados. Os resultados confirmam que a educação do agricultor, estado civil, gênero e propriedade da terra têm uma influência positiva no rendimento do arroz. Assim, para cada aumento de 1% em cada variável aumenta a produção de arroz em 14%, 98%, 26% e 21%, respectivamente. Devido aos resultados empíricos sobre as percepções dos agricultores confirma-se que se o período de seca aumentar 1%, reduziria em média a produção de arroz em 20%. A maioria dos agricultores (70%) percebeu o período de seca para reduzir o rendimento do arroz. Além disso, os agricultores usam uma quantidade média menor de sementes de arroz que prejudicaram o rendimento do arroz. Se os agricultores aumentarem a quantidade de sementes em 1%, o rendimento do arroz aumentará em 17%. Nossas descobertas também revelaram que o preço de mercado anterior tem associação positiva com a produção de arroz das próximas safras. Portanto, nosso estudo conclui que entre as variáveis das famílias e suas percepções apresentam uma implicação positiva na produção de arroz, no entanto, com as análises empíricas, outras variáveis foram insignificantes devido aos efeitos de multicolinearidade. Os autores recomendaram ao governo e a outras organizações responsáveis que capitalizassem as infraestruturas de irrigação, a extensão agrícola e os serviços tecnológicos para conter as coercões duradouras de insegurança alimentar na Tanzânia.

Design and implementation of X-ray diagnosis simulation training system based on field X-ray diagnostic vehicle / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To design a vehicle-mounted X-ray diagnosis simulation training system based on the field X-ray diagnostic vehicle to solve the problems during its training and utilization.Methods The field X-ray diagnostic vehicle had its internal and external structure analyzed,and was divided into several functional modules.The technologies of computer programming and database were used for the simulation of the modules.An example was given to simulate the operating process of the vehicle by establishing traumatic condition model,war injury image library and etc.esults The system developed realized the simulation training of the vehicle,and the trainee gained feedback after simulation as references.Conclusion The system implements informatized training of the field X-ray diagnostic vehicle,shortens the training period,decreases the training cost and increases the training efficacy.

Farmer field school's training on knowledge level of citrus growers regarding improved production practices / Impacto do treinamento da escola de campo para agricultores quanto ao nível de conhecimento dos produtores de citros em relação às melhores práticas de produção

ABSTRACT: The major objective of this paper was to assess the impact of the Farmer field school (FFS) training program on the knowledge level of farmers (citrus growers) regarding improved citrus production practices. Distract Sargodha was the targeted research area for this study being the leading producer of citrus in Pakistan. Quantitative data were collected through interview schedule and analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). It was conclude that young people were more tend towards getting training under FFS program than old age farmers. Educated farmers were in majority in FFS farmers while; conversely illiterate farmers were in majority in the category of non-FFs farmers. In category of FFS farmers livestock farming was their primary income as reported by majority (31.3%) of FFS farmers and in the case of non-FFS farmer's crop sale was their primary income source as reported by 28.4% of non-FFs farmers. In addition to that both FFS and non-FFS farmers also earn income from nonfarm sources like business, job, foreign remittances and labour. FFS training program had positive and significant impact on the knowledge level of farmers regarding citrus production and protection practices. T-test statistics showed highly significant (P<0.05) difference in knowledge level of FFS farmers and non-FFS farmers.

RESUMO: O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi avaliar o impacto do programa de treinamento da escola de campo para agricultores (FFS) quanto ao nível de conhecimento dos agricultores (produtores de citros) em relação às melhores práticas de produção de citros. O Distrito de Sargodha foi a área de pesquisa escolhida para este estudo por ser o principal produtor de citros no Paquistão. Os dados quantitativos foram coletados por meio de entrevistas e analisados por meio do Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Conclui-se que os jovens eram mais tendenciosos à obtenção de treinamento através do programa FFS do que os agricultores mais velhos. Os agricultores escolarizados estavam, em sua maioria, na categoria de agricultores FFS, enquanto que os agricultores analfabetos estavam, na categoria de não FF. Na categoria de FFS, a pecuária se mostrou o principal rendimento, conforme relatado pela maioria dos agricultores (31,3%), enquanto que, em 28% dos agricultores não-FFs, a principal fonte de renda era a venda de suas colheitas. Além disso, tanto os agricultores FFS como não FFS também ganham renda com fontes não agrícolas. O programa de treinamento FFS teve impacto positivo e significativo sobre o nível de conhecimento dos agricultores em relação às práticas de produção e proteção de citrus. O teste-T mostrou diferença altamente significativa (P<0,05) no nível de conhecimento dos agricultores FFS dos não-FFS.

The value of preventive tracheal intubation in the first-aid of serious severe trauma / 重庆医学

Objective To evaluate the value of early preventive tracheal intubation in the early first‐aid of serious severe trau‐ma and improve the early first‐aid ability of serious severe trauma .Methods Using retrospective study ,among 258 patients of acute airway obstruction caused by severe trauma ,those who have reached the standard of obstruction and respiratory failure according to observation were as the contrast group (n=84) ,and those who had the tendency of airway obstruction instant treatment of preven‐tive trachea intubation were as early preventive tracheal intubation group (n=174) .The average in hospital days ,the occurrence rate of multiple organ failure and death rate were contrasted .Results In the early preventive tracheal intubation group ,in hospital days were 17 .2 on average ,the occurrence rate of multiple organ failure was 44 .59% and the death rate was 10 .67% .In the con‐trast group ,it was 27 .9 d ,67 .51% and 33 .75% ,the two groups had shown significant difference(P<0 .05) .Conclusion Early tra‐chea intubation have a good trachea management of serious severe traumas ,improve inspiration ,shorten the hospitalization days ,and reduce the occurrence rate of complication .It is important to improving rescuing rate .

Expression of the estrogen receptor α and β in mouse thymus / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective: To detect estrogen receptor α and β(ER-α, ER-β)protein expression in different age of mouse thymus.Methods:Protein expression of ER-α and ER-β in thymus was analyzed via immunohistochemistry.Moreover,the relationship between ER-α and cytokeratin 18(epithelial cell marker)was further tested through fluorescence double-staining.Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both ER-α and β protein was found in nuclei of some thymocytes of 3 month mice.However,expression of ER-β was absence while ER-α was still positive in aged mice, such as 12 months and 16 months old.Double staining further confirmed that lots of ER-α/β positive cells were Foxp3 negative cells.Conclusion: Expression of ER-β is absent while ER-α is still positive in thymus of aged mice, which indicates ER-α is the critical estrogen receptor that involves in thymic involution.Moreover, ER-α/β do not participate in Treg development within thymus.

The significance of erythrocyte fragment count to predicting hemolysis in roller pumps / 生物医学工程学杂志

Hemolysis in blood pumps has been measured by various in vitro tests, in which normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) was established. As NIH is complicated and difficult to calculate, erythrocyte fragment count (EFC) is proposed in the present study to predict hemolysis in roller pumps. Five paired in vitro tests were conducted using the POLYSTAN pediatric pump (group A) and COBE pump (group B). Ten whole blood samples (400ml) were circled in the roller pump for 16 hours. Erythrocyte fragments count and plasma-free hemoglobin (FHb) were measured before pumping and every 2 hours through circulation after 4 hours pumping. The morphological changes of erythrocyte were observed by scanning electron microscope. Simple linear regression analysis showed the two groups' EFC and FHb levels increased linearly during a long period of pumping, and the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.64. These data suggested that Erythrocyte fragments count could be used as an index in evaluating the in vitro hemolytic properties of blood pumps.

Observation of the antithrombotic property of a new prosthetic heart valve in sheep / 生物医学工程学杂志

<p><b>UNLABELLED</b>To observe the antithrambotic property of a new prosthetic made double bileaflet valve of all-pyrolytic carbon.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Fifteen sheeps underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) with this new mechanical valve. Each animal was placed on cardiopulmonary bypass. All of the sheep were given in an anticoagulation protocol and followed for three months. Final studies were performed on all animals surviving for more than 12 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Ten sheeps died within 48 h after operation, five sheeps survived. The long-term survivors were killed forautopsies, two sheeps were killed in the 1st week after operation, one in 12th weeks and two in 2.5 years. Pathological examination of 10 sheeps which died early after operation revealed that there was no either evidence of thromboembotic phenomenon, or any failures of the mechanical valve. Autopsy studies in the five long-term survivors revealed that the sewing ring was covered by a thin layer of microthrombi consisted most of platelets and fibrin in 1th week after operation. The sewing rings was covered by a tissue layer, with partial organized micro thrombi and endothelialization in 12th weeks after the operation. Two and half years after operation, the complete endothelialization presented around the sewing ring without restriction of bileaflet motion. The tissue ingrowth tends to stop at the pyrolytic carbon-fabric interface on both surfaces of left atrium and ventricle. This study demonstrated that the new prosthetic heart valve had not promoted thrombosis and thrombembolism.</p>

Expression of the estrogen receptor ? and ? in mouse thymus / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To detect estrogen receptor ? and ?(ER-?,ER-?) protein expression in different age of mouse thymus.Methods:Protein expression of ER-? and ER-? in thymus was analyzed via immunohistochemistry.Moreover,the relationship between ER-? and cytokeratin 18(epithelial cell marker) was further tested through fluorescence double-staining.Results:Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both ER-? and ? protein was found in nuclei of some thymocytes of 3 month mice.However,expression of ER-? was absence while ER-? was still positive in aged mice,such as 12 months and 16 months old.Double staining further confirmed that lots of ER-?/? positive cells were Foxp3 negative cells.Conclusion:Expression of ER-? is absent while ER-? is still positive in thymus of aged mice,which indicates ER-? is the critical estrogen receptor that involves in thymic involution.Moreover,ER-?/? do not participate in Treg development within thymus.