Increased COVID-19 mortality among immigrants compared with US-born individuals: a cross-sectional analysis of 2020 mortality data.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple studies have shown that racially minoritized groups had disproportionate COVID-19 mortality relative to non-Hispanic White individuals. However, there is little known regarding mortality by immigrant status nationally in the United States, despite being another vulnerable population. STUDY DESIGN: This was an observational cross-sectional study using mortality vital statistics system data to calculate proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) and mortality rates due to COVID-19 as the underlying cause. METHODS: Rates were compared by decedents' identified race, ethnicity (Hispanic vs non-Hispanic), and immigrant (immigrants vs US born) status. Asian race was further disaggregated into "Asian Indian," "Chinese," "Filipino," "Japanese," "Korean," and "Vietnamese." RESULTS: Of the over 3.4 million people who died in 2020, 10.4% of all deaths were attributed to COVID-19 as the underlying cause (n = 351,530). More than double (18.9%, n = 81,815) the percentage of immigrants who died of COVID-19 compared with US-born decedents (9.1%, n = 269,715). PMRs due to COVID-19 were higher among immigrants compared with US-born individuals for non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and most disaggregated Asian groups. Among disaggregated Asian immigrants, age- and sex-adjusted PMR due to COVID-19 ranged from 1.58 times greater mortality among Filipino immigrants (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53, 1.64) to 0.77 times greater mortality among Japanese immigrants (95% CI: 0.68, 0.86). Age-adjusted mortality rates were also higher among immigrant individuals compared with US-born people. CONCLUSIONS: Immigrant individuals experienced greater mortality due to COVID-19 compared with their US-born counterparts. As COVID-19 becomes more endemic, greater clinical and public health efforts are needed to reduce disparities in mortality among immigrants compared with their US-born counterparts.

Elevated risk of multimorbidity post-COVID-19 infection: protective effect of vaccination.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has affected multimorbidity incidence among those with one pre-existing chronic condition, as well as how vaccination could modify this association. AIM: To examine the association of Covid-19 infection with multimorbidity incidence among people with one pre-existing chronic condition, including those with prior vaccination. DESIGN: Nested case-control study. METHODS: We conducted a territory-wide nested case-control study with incidence density sampling using Hong Kong electronic health records from public healthcare facilities and mandatory Covid-19 reports. People with one listed chronic condition (based on a list of 30) who developed multimorbidity during 1 January 2020-15 November 2022 were selected as case participants and randomly matched with up to 10 people of the same age, sex and with the same first chronic condition without having developed multimorbidity at that point. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of multimorbidity. RESULTS: In total, 127 744 case participants were matched with 1 230 636 control participants. Adjusted analysis showed that there were 28%-increased odds of multimorbidity following Covid-19 [confidence interval (CI) 22% to 36%] but only 3% (non-significant) with prior full vaccination with BNT162b2 or CoronaVac (95% CI -2% to 7%). Similar associations were observed in men, women, older people aged 65 or more, and people aged 64 or younger. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significantly elevated risk of multimorbidity following a Covid-19 episode among people with one pre-existing chronic condition. Full vaccination significantly reduced this risk increase.

Punctuated growth of InAs quantum dashes-in-a-well for enhanced 2-µm emission.

InAs quantum dashes (Qdash) engineered to emit near 2 µm are envisioned to be promising quantum emitters for next-generation technologies in sensing and communications. In this study, we explore the effect of punctuated growth (PG) on the structure and optical properties of InP-based InAs Qdashes emitting near the 2-µm wavelength. Morphological analysis revealed that PG led to an improvement in in-plane size uniformity and increases in average height and height distribution. A 2 × boost in photoluminescence intensity was observed, which we attribute to improved lateral dimensions and structural stabilization. PG encouraged formation of taller Qdashes while photoluminescence measurements revealed a blue-shift in the peak wavelength. We proposed that the blue-shift originates from the thinner quantum well cap and decreased distance between the Qdash and InAlGaAs barrier. This study on the punctuated growth of large InAs Qdashes is a step toward realizing bright, tunable, and broadband sources for 2-µm communications, spectroscopy, and sensing.

Analysis of the Safety and Pregnancy Outcomes of Fertility-sparing Surgery in Ovarian Malignant Sex Cord-stromal Tumours: A Multicentre Retrospective Study.

AIMS: To assess the difference in survival between fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) and radical surgery and explore pregnancy outcomes after FSS in stage I malignant sex cord-stromal tumours (MSCSTs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a multicentre retrospective cohort study on patients who were diagnosed with MSCSTs and the tumour was confined to one ovary. The patients were divided into FSS and radical surgery groups. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance variables between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the difference in disease-free survival (DFS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to find risk factors of DFS. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors of pregnancy. RESULTS: In total, 107 patients were included, of whom 54 (50.5%) women underwent FSS and 53 (49.5%) received radical surgery. After IPTW, a pseudo-population of 208 was determined and all of the covariates were well balanced. After a median follow-up time of 50 months (range 7-156 months), 10 patients experienced recurrence and two died. There was no significant difference in DFS between the two groups, both in unweighted (P = 0.969) or weighted cohorts (P = 0.792). In the weighted cohort, stage IC (P = 0.014), tumour diameter >8 cm (P = 0.003), incomplete staging surgery (P = 0.003) and no adjuvant chemotherapy (P < 0.001) were the four high-risk factors associated with a shorter DFS. Among 14 patients who had pregnancy desire, 11 (78.6%) women conceived successfully; the live birth rate was 76.9%. In univariate analysis, only adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.009) was associated with infertility. CONCLUSIONS: On the premise of complete staging surgery, FSS is safe and feasible in early stage MSCSTs with satisfactory reproductive outcomes.

A large outbreak of the Kappa mutation of COVID-19 in Cork, Ireland, April-May 2021.

BACKGROUND: In May 2021, the B.1.617 variant of SARS-CoV-2 emerged in Ireland, and both Delta and Kappa sub-lineages were initially deemed variants of concern (VOCs) on a precautionary basis. We describe a large outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.1 (Kappa mutation) linked to a private gathering among third level students in Cork, Ireland. METHODS: Surveillance data were available from the Health Service Executive COVID Care Tracker. The epidemiological sequence of infection for each new case in this outbreak was tracked and whole genome sequencing was requested on all linked cases. Enhanced public health control measures were implemented by the Department of Public Health HSE-South to contain onward spread of VOCs, including retrospective contact tracing, lengthy isolation and quarantine periods for cases and close contacts. Extensive surveillance efforts were used to describe and control onward transmission. RESULTS: There were 146 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases linked to the outbreak. All sequenced cases (53/146; 36%) confirmed Kappa mutation. The median age was 21 years (range 17-65). The majority (88%) had symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. There were 407 close contacts; the median was 3 per case (range 0-14). There were no known hospitalisations, ICU admissions or deaths. Vaccination data was unavailable, but the outbreak pre-dated routine availability of COVID-19 vaccines among younger adults in Ireland. CONCLUSION: Enhanced public health control measures for new and emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 may be burdensome for cases and close contacts. The overall public health benefit of enhanced controls may only become apparent when evidence on disease transmissibility and severity becomes more complete.

[Prognosis and fertility outcomes of patients with borderline ovarian tumors after fertility-sparing surgery].

Objective: To explore the clinical prognosis and fertility outcomes in patients with borderline ovarian tumors (BOT) who underwent fertility-sparing surgery, and evaluate the related risk factors. Methods: The study examined the clinicopathological characteristics of 280 patients diagnosed with BOT from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between January 2009 and December 2019. According to the surgery plan, the patients were divided into the fertility-sparing group (167 cases) and the radical surgery group (113 cases). The information of the patients' age, preoperative serum CA-125 level, surgery method, pathological type, FIGO stage (2014), tumor location, and whether focal canceration combined were collected. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare disease-free survival (DFS) between the fertility-sparing surgery group and the radical surgery group. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to explore high-risk factors associated with DFS. Results: A total of 280 BOT patients were identified in the study, with a median age of 35.0 (26.0, 51.0) years old. The median follow-up time was 55.2 (34.7, 79.3)months. 25 patients (15.0%) developed recurrence in the fertility-sparing surgery group, 11 patients (8.7%) developed recurrence in the radical surgery group. There was no significant difference in 5-year DFS rate between the two groups (84.4% vs 90.1%, P=0.223). Only FIGO stage was found to be related to DFS through the univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, and patients with FIGO Ⅱ/Ⅲ had higher risk of recurrence [HR (95%CI) 2.872(1.283-6.431)] (P=0.010); Fertility-sparing surgery does not increase the recurrence risk of BOT patients (P=0.116). Pregnancies were reported in 39 patients (54.2%), among whom 37 patients gave birth successfully, and 2 patients selected to terminate pregnancy. Conclusions: The fertility-sparing surgery does not increase the risk of recurrence in BOT patients, and patients who underwent the fertility-sparing surgery have a favorable outcome. FIGO stage is the independent risk factor of DFS in BOT patients.

[Importance and practice of standardized children's refractive development records].

The prevalence of myopia in China is increasing. The early onset and rapid progression of myopia in younger children have attracted more attention. The establishment of standardized children's refractive development records is the basis of myopic prevention and control. It would be helpful to follow the refractive status and pay more attention to the refractive development of potential myopic children, so as to reduce the prevalence of myopia. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 724-726).

Failure to meet extubation criteria in the setting of suspected buffalo chest physiology.

We report the case of a patient who failed to meet tracheal extubation criteria due to low tidal volumes from suspected buffalo chest, which is a single pleural space physiology. This presentation followed the resection of a large pleural mass in a 59-year-old woman with a history of exercise-induced asthma, hypertension and tumour-related chronic respiratory failure. Creation of a pleuro-pleural communication during the resection of this large, unilateral pleural mass led to bilateral pneumothoraces and contributed to patients inability to generate negative inspiratory force leading to failure to meet extubation criteria. Buffalo chest may be more prevalent than suspected and should be a differential diagnosis for low tidal volumes with spontaneous ventilation following thoracic surgery. It can be differentiated from other causes of decreased tidal volume using clinical examination, ultrasound and radiography. Bilateral chest tube placement can be considered to expedite pneumothorax resolution and tracheal extubation.

[It is essential to diagnose and correct children's ametropia after cycloplegic refraction].

It is essential to diagnose and assess children's ametropia after cycloplegic refraction. The use of cyclopentolate 1% eyedrops in children is safe and effective for cycloplegic refraction. An accurate prescription should be based on the actual eye position and accommodation, as well as cycloplegic refraction in children. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 86-88).

Reduced graphene oxide coated porous carbon-sulfur nanofiber as a flexible paper electrode for lithium-sulfur batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted great attention owing to their excellent electrochemical properties, such as the high discharge voltage of 2.3 V, specific capacity of 1675 mA h g-1 and energy density of 2600 Wh kg-1. The widely used slurry made electrodes of Li-S batteries are plagued by the serious shuttle effect and insulating nature of sulfur. Herein, a reduced graphene oxide coated porous carbon nanofiber flexible paper (rGO@S-PCNP) was fabricated and directly used as an additive-free cathode for Li-S batteries. The results show that the rGO@S-PCNP is certified to be effective at relieving the shuttle effect and improving the conductivity, thus achieving high electrochemical performance. The rGO@S-PCNP composite with a sulfur content of 58.4 wt% delivers a high discharge capacity of 623.7 mA h g-1 after 200 cycles at 0.1 C (1 C = 1675 mA g-1) with the average Coulombic efficiency of 97.1%. The excellent cyclability and high Coulombic efficiency indicate that the as-prepared rGO@S-PCNP composite paper can be a promising cathode for lithium-sulfur batteries, and is envisioned to have great potential in high energy density flexible power devices. This facile strategy brings great significance for large-scale industrial fabrication of flexible lithium-sulfur batteries.

[Influence of wearing long wavelength filter glasses on refractive development of children's hyperopia].

Objective: To investigate the effect of wearing long wavelength filter glasses on refractive development of children's hyperopia. Methods: Case control study. Seventeen 5-7 years' old children with high hyperopia from optometry clinic of Eye and ENT Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University were enrolled in this research. The experiment design was self-control between right and left eye, 3 children were lost during two years' period of observation, all the children's hyperopic refraction were more than +6.00 D, cycloplegic by 1% atropine. All the children were required to wear long wavelength filter glasses for 6 hours after waking up, the rest of the time with the conventional glasses. Refraction, axis and red/green match point were tested before the intervention and 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months, after the intervention. Results: After two years' intervention, hyperopia decreased, eye axis increased, the best corrected visual acuity increased both in experimental eyes and control eyes, but there were no statistically significant difference between the two groups at each time point. All children were with normal color vision, compared to the long-wavelength light, the hyperopic eyes were more sensitive to middle-wavelength light, no significant difference was found between two groups, red/green match points were 42.802±1.216 and 42.889±1.560 respectively. After wearing long wavelength filter, red/green match point were significant decreased in the experimental group in 6 months and 12 months time points (6 months: 0.995±0. 543 vs. 0.104±0.143, t=3.04, P=0.005, 12 months: 1.096±0.392 vs. 0.17±0.248, t=2.725, P=0.008). The experiment eyes were more sensitive to long-wavelength light than the control eyes. But in later time, there was no significant difference between two groups. Conclusion: Wearing long wavelength filter glasses two years has no effect on refractive development on children with high hyperopia, but it can cause short-term chromatic adaptation, making hyperopic eyes more sensitive to the long-wavelength light. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 33-38).

[The histopathological observation of rabbit corneas after small incision lenticule extraction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the morphological changes during corneal wound healing after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). METHODS: Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups (group A of 12 rabbits and group B of 9 rabbits) using the toss of a coin. All the right eyes were treated. Group A underwent SMILE, and group B underwent femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), with the same refractive corrections of-6.00 DS/-1.00 DC. The surface regularity on the refractive corneal lenticules and flaps was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were applied to observe changes in the cornea on postoperative week 1, months 1 and 3. The contralateral eye of three rabbits served as control. RESULTS: All the operations were successful, and the postoperative corneal healing was uneventful in both groups. The recovery of corneas was faster in the SMILE group by slit-lamp examination. Light microscopy confirmed the mild edema of corneal stroma with a clear intrastromal crevice in the SMILE group and the adhesion of the flap and stromal bed in the LASIK group on postoperative week 1. The filling of epithelial cells at the flap margin and the irregular arrangement of collagens were demonstrated in both groups. On postoperative month 1, stromal edema was dissipated, and collagens became more regular in both groups. The intrastromal crevice in the SMILE group disappeared on postoperative month 3. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed the edema of keratocyte mitochondria within 1 month, and the keratocytes recovered to normal on month 3. The surface regularity of the front surface was better than that of the back. CONCLUSIONS: Smooth intrastromal lenticules can be safely prepared by femtosecond laser. The corneal healing in the SMILE group was better than that in the LASIK group. The intrastromal crevice in the early postoperative period after SMILE should be paid attention to clinically. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 507-513).

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody as a marker of erosive arthritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody is an established marker in the diagnosis and prognostication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Infrequently, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients also develop a deforming erosive arthritis, similar to that of RA. Our objective was to determine whether anti-CCP antibody is a useful marker of erosive disease in SLE patients presenting with arthritis. METHODS: Electronic databases EMBASE, MEDLINE and non-indexed MEDLINE citations were searched through April 11, 2014, using the outlined key terms. Studies meeting predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were reviewed. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of included articles using previously described criteria. The DerSimonian-Laird random effects model was used to calculate pooled sensitivity and specificity of anti-CCP antibody for erosive arthritis in SLE. RESULTS: Seven articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 609 SLE patients with arthritis were identified, 70 of whom had erosive disease. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of anti-CCP antibody for erosive arthritis was 47.8% (95% CI, 26.2%-70.2%) and 91.8% (95% CI, 78.4%-97.2%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that anti-CCP antibody is a highly specific marker for erosive arthritis in SLE. Longitudinal prospective studies are needed to determine if anti-CCP antibody can be used as a predictor of erosive disease.

Higher dietary folate intake reduces the breast cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many epidemiological studies have investigated the association between folate intake, circulating folate level and risk of breast cancer; however, the findings were inconsistent between the studies. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and MEDLINE databases updated to January, 2014 and performed the systematic review and meta-analysis of the published epidemiological studies to assess the associations between folate intake level, circulating folate level and the overall risk of breast cancer. RESULTS: In all, 16 eligible prospective studies with a total of 744 068 participants and 26 205 breast cancer patients and 26 case-control studies with a total of 16 826 cases and 21 820 controls that have evaluated the association between folate intake and breast cancer risk were identified. Pooled analysis of the prospective studies and case-control studies suggested a potential nonlinearity relationship for dietary folate intake and breast cancer risk. Prospective studies indicated a U-shaped relationship for the dietary folate intake and breast cancer risk. Women with daily dietary folate intake between 153 and 400 µg showed a significant reduced breast cancer risk compared with those <153 µg, but not for those >400 µg. The case-control studies also suggested a significantly negative correlation between the dietary folate intake level and the breast cancer risk. Increased dietary folate intake reduced breast cancer risk for women with higher alcohol intake level, but not for those with lower alcohol intake. No significant association between circulating folate level and breast cancer risk was found when the results of 8 identified studies with 5924 participants were pooled. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies suggested that folate may have preventive effects against breast cancer risk, especially for those with higher alcohol consumption level; however, the dose and timing are critical and more studies are warranted to further elucidate the questions.

Critical role of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein phosphorylation in mitotic death.

Microtubule inhibiting agents (MIAs) characteristically induce phosphorylation of the major anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members Mcl-1, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and although this leads to Mcl-1 degradation, the role of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL phosphorylation in mitotic death has remained controversial. This is in part due to variation in MIA sensitivity among cancer cell lines, the dependency of cell fate on drug concentration and uncertainty about the modes of cell death occurring, thus making comparisons of published reports difficult. To circumvent problems associated with MIAs, we used siRNA knockdown of the anaphase-promoting complex activator, Cdc20, as a defined molecular system to investigate the role, specifically in mitotic death, of individual anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins and their phosphorylated forms. We show that Cdc20 knockdown in HeLa cells induces mitotic arrest and subsequent mitotic death. Knockdown of Cdc20 in HeLa cells stably overexpressing untagged wild-type Bcl-2, Bcl-xL or Mcl-1 promoted phosphorylation of the overexpressed proteins in parallel with their endogenous counterparts. Overexpression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL blocked mitotic death induced by Cdc20 knockdown; phospho-defective mutants were more protective than wild-type proteins, and phospho-mimic Bcl-xL was unable to block mitotic death. Overexpressed Mcl-1 failed to protect from Cdc20 siRNA-mediated death, as the overexpressed protein was susceptible to degradation similar to endogenous Mcl-1. These results provide compelling evidence that phosphorylation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins has a critical role in regulation of mitotic death. These findings make an important contribution toward our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of action of MIAs, which is critical for their rational use clinically.

Helicobacter pylori infection and expressions of apoptosis-related proteins p53, ASPP2 and iASPP in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions.

AIMS: There has been limited information about the relations between Helicobacter pylori infection and expressions of apoptosis-related proteins p53, ASPP and iASPP in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions. METHODS: H. pylori in gastric mucosa were identified by W-S staining and rapid urease test. Expression of apoptosis-related proteins P53, ASPP2 and iASPP in the gastric tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The concentrations of H. pylori and expressions of p53 and iASPP in gastric carcinoma group and precancerous lesion group were higher than in benign gastric diseases group (P<0.05). The expressions of ASPP2 in gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesion group were lower than in benign gastric diseases group (P<0.05). The expressions of p53 and iASPP in H. pylori positive group were higher than in H. pylori negative group (P<0.05), whereas ASPP2 in H. pylori positive group were lower than in H. pylori negative group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a higher rate H. pylori infection, an increased expression of apoptosis inhibitor iASPP, and decreased expression of apoptosis stimulator ASPP2 in gastric cancer or precancerous tissues. These results suggest that H. pylori may cause gastric cancer by up-regulating iASPP and down-regulating ASPP2.

Arg555Gln mutation of TGFBI gene in geographical-type Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy in a Chinese family.

OBJECTIVE: Mutations of the transforming growth factor ß-induced (TGFBI) gene were studied in a Chinese family with Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy (RBCD). METHODS: Six family members with RBCD and six unaffected family members were investigated. The pedigree showed a typical dominant inheritance pattern. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leucocytes from all study participants. Exons 4, 12 and 14 of the TGFBI gene were analysed using polymerase chain reaction, and standard automated sequencing was performed. Corneal tissue sampled from the proband during phototherapeutic keratectomy was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: A typical geographical pattern of fine opacities in Bowman's layer of the cornea was seen in all six patients on slit-lamp examination. An Arg555Gln (R555Q) mutation of the TGFBI gene was identified in all six patients but was absent in all unaffected family members. TEM revealed rod-shaped bodies in Bowman's layer of the cornea. CONCLUSIONS: In this Chinese family an R555Q mutation of the TGFBI gene was associated with RBCD. As the RBCD phenotype is usually associated with an R124L mutation, this novel genotype-phenotype correlation may prompt further investigation of Bowman's layer corneal dystrophy.