The Application of Deep Learning in the Risk Grading of Skin Tumors for Patients Using Clinical Images.

According to diagnostic criteria, skin tumors can be divided into three categories: benign, low degree and high degree malignancy. For high degree malignant skin tumors, if not detected in time, they can do serious harm to patients' health. However, in clinical practice, identifying malignant degree requires biopsy and pathological examination which is time costly. Furthermore, in many areas, due to the severe shortage of dermatologists, it's inconvenient for patients to go to hospital for examination. Therefore, an easy to access screening method of malignant skin tumors is needed urgently. Firstly, we spend 5 years to build a dataset which includes 4,500 images of 10 kinds of skin tumors. All instances are verified pathologically thus trustworthy; Secondly, we label each instance to be either low-risk, high-risk or dangerous in which Junctional nevus, Intradermal nevus, Dermatofibroma, Lipoma and Seborrheic keratosis are low-risk, Basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease and Actinic keratosis are high-risk, Squamous cell carcinoma and Malignant melanoma are dangerous; Thirdly, we apply the Xception architecture to build the risk degree classifier. The area under the curve (AUC) for three risk degrees reach 0.959, 0.919 and 0.947 respectively. To further evaluate the validity of the proposed risk degree classifier, we conduct a competition with 20 professional dermatologists. The results showed the proposed classifier outperforms dermatologists. Our system is helpful to patients in preliminary screening. It can identify the patients who are at risk and alert them to go to hospital for further examination.

The efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of intra-operative cell salvage in high-bleeding-risk cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a prospective randomized and controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Intra-operative cell salvage (CS) was reported to be ineffective, safe and not cost-effective in low-bleeding-risk cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but studies in high-bleeding-risk cardiac surgery are limited. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of intra-operative CS in high-bleeding-risk cardiac surgery with CPB. METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients were randomly assigned to either with intra-operative CS group (Group CS) or without intra-operative CS group (Group C). Study endpoints were defined as perioperative allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, perioperative impairment of blood coagulative function, postoperative adverse events and costs of transfusion-related. RESULTS: Both the proportion and quantity of perioperative allogeneic RBC transfusion were significantly lower in Group CS than that in Group C (p=0.0002, <0.0001, respectively). The incidence of residual heparin and total impairment of blood coagulative function in the 24 hours after surgery, the incidence of postoperative excessive bleeding, were significantly higher in Group CS than that in Group C (p=0.018, 0.042, 0.034, respectively). Cost of both allogeneic RBC transfusion and total allogeneic blood transfusion were significantly lower in Group CS than that in Group C (p<0.001, =0.002, respectively). Cost of total blood transfusion was significantly higher in Group CS than that in Group C (p =0.001). CONCLUSION: Intra-operative CS in high-bleeding-risk cardiac surgery with CPB is effective, generally safe, and cost-effective in developed countries but not in China.

The comprehensive risk assessment of the Tangjiashan landslide dam incident, China.

Risk assessment for landslide dams is very important to avoid unanticipated landslide failure and calamity. Recognition of the risk of landslide dams associated with changing influencing factors is to identify the risk grade and provide early warning of oncoming failure, while quantitative risk analysis of landslide dams due to many influencing factors changing in spatiotemporal domain is currently lacking. We applied the model to analyze the risk level of the Tangjiashan landslide dam caused by the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 earthquake. The risk evaluation, obtained according to the analysis of the influencing factors located in the risk assessment grade criteria, clearly shows that the risk reaches a higher level at that moment. Our analysis shows that the risk level of landslide dams can be quantitatively analyzed with our assessment method. Our results suggest that the risk assessment system can be an effective measure to dynamically predict the risk level and provide a sufficient early warning of the oncoming hazard by analyzing the variables of influencing factors at different times.

[Comparison of Heart, Grace Scores and clinical parameters as predictors of cardiovascular events in patients with chest pain in the Emergency Department]. / Comparacion de las escalas Heart, Grace Score y los parámetros clínicos como predictores de eventos cardiovasculares en pacientes con dolor torácico en Urgencias.

OBJECTIVE: Risk assessment of patients with chest pain is based on clinical parameters; however, without a scoring system, such as risk stratification scales, estimates are less precise and accurate. The aim of this paper was to compare the HEART, GRACE score and clinical parameters in the prediction of major cardiovascular events (cardiovascular mortality or acute myocardial infarction) during hospitalization, in patients with chest pain attended in the emergency department. METHODS: A descriptive observational study of patients with ischemic chest pain, who attended to the Miguel Servet University Hospital emergency department (Zaragoza, Spain) during one year was carried out. HEART and GRACE scores were calculated retrospectively from clinical history. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean (±standard deviation), and qualitative variables as frequencies and percentages. A bivariate analysis was carried out using the chi-square test. The performance of the scales and clinical parameters was compared by calculating the area under the curve. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a major cardiovascular event (cardiovascular mortality or acute myocardial infarction) during hospital admission. RESULTS: 306 patients were registered (66.3% men, n=203), with a mean age of 71.45±12.85 years and a 48.7% history of ischemic heart disease. The areas under the curve for HEART scales, GRACE and clinical parameters were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.86), 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72-0.85) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.68-0.80), respectively. During hospitalization, the incidence of the primary event was 13.4% and no low-risk patient, in both scales, presented a major cardiovascular event. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ischemic chest pain attended in the emergency department, the GRACE and HEART scale have a greater area under curve than clinical parameters.

OBJECTIVE: La valoración del riesgo de los pacientes con dolor torácico se basa en los parámetros clínicos. Sin embargo, sin un sistema de puntuación, como las escalas de estratificación del riesgo, las estimaciones son menos precisas y exactas. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar las escalas HEART, GRACE Score y los parámetros clínicos en la predicción de eventos mayores cardiovasculares (mortalidad cardiovascular o infarto agudo de miocardio) durante la hospitalización, en pacientes con dolor torácico atendidos en Urgencias. METHODS: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de pacientes que, durante un año, acudieron a Urgencias del Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet (Zaragoza) por dolor torácico de tipo isquémico. Las puntuaciones HEART y GRACE se calcularon retrospectivamente a partir de las historias clínicas. Las variables cuantitativas se expresaron como media (±desviación estándar), y las cualitativas como frecuencias y porcentajes. Se llevó a cabo un análisis bivariante mediante la prueba chi cuadrado. El rendimiento de las escalas y parámetros clínicos se comparó mediante el cálculo del área bajo la curva. El resultado primario fue la ocurrencia de un evento mayor cardiovascular (mortalidad cardiovascular o infarto agudo de miocardio) durante el ingreso hospitalario. RESULTS: Se registraron 306 pacientes (66,3% eran hombres, n=203), con edad media de 71,45±12,85 años y un 48,7% de antecedentes de cardiopatía isquémica. El área bajo la curva, para el evento primario, de las escalas HEART, GRACE y parámetros clínicos fue 0,80 (IC al 95%: 0,73-0,86), 0,79 (IC al 95%: 0,72- 0,85) y 0,74 (IC del 95%: 0,68-0,80), respectivamente. Durante la hospitalización, la incidencia del evento primario fue del 13,4% y ningún paciente de bajo riesgo, en ambas escalas, presentó un evento mayor cardiovascular. CONCLUSIONS: En pacientes con dolor torácico de tipo isquémico atendidos en Urgencias, tanto la escala GRACE como la escala HEART presentan un área bajo la curva más alta que los parámetros clínicos.

Raf kinase inhibitor protein combined with phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase offers valuable prognosis in gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib, have been used as first-line therapy for the treatment of GISTs. Although these drugs have achieved considerable efficacy in some patients, reports of resistance and recurrence have emerged. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) protein, as a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, is a core molecule of this signaling pathway. Nowadays, research reports on the important clinical and prognostic value of phosphorylated-ERK (P-ERK) and phosphorylated-MAPK/ERK kinase (P-MEK) proteins closely related to raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) have gradually emerged in digestive tract tumors such as gastric cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer. However, literature on the expression of these downstream proteins combined with RKIP in GIST is scarce. This study will focus on this aspect and search for answers to the problem. AIM: To detect the expression of RKIP, P-ERK, and P-MEK protein in GIST and to analyze their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of this disease. Try to establish a new prognosis evaluation model using RKIP and P-ERK in combination with analysis and its prognosis evaluation efficacy. METHODS: The research object of our experiment was 66 pathologically diagnosed GIST patients with complete clinical and follow-up information. These patients received surgical treatment at China Medical University Affiliated Hospital from January 2015 to January 2020. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of RKIP, P-ERK, and P-MEK proteins in GIST tissue samples from these patients. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate of 63 patients with complete follow-up data. A Nomogram was used to represent the new prognostic evaluation model. The Cox multivariate regression analysis was conducted separately for each set of risk evaluation factors, based on two risk classification systems [the new risk grade model vs the modified National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2008 risk classification system]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used for evaluating the accuracy and efficiency of the two prognostic evaluation systems. RESULTS: In GIST tissues, RKIP protein showed positive expression in the cytoplasm and cell membrane, appearing as brownish-yellow or brown granules. The expression of RKIP was related to GIST tumor size, NIH grade, and mucosal invasion. P-ERK protein exhibited heterogeneous distribution in GIST cells, mainly in the cytoplasm, with occasional presence in the nucleus, and appeared as brownish-yellow granules, and the expression of P-ERK protein was associated with GIST tumor size, mitotic count, mucosal invasion, and NIH grade. Meanwhile, RKIP protein expression was negatively correlated with P-ERK expression. The results in COX multivariate regression analysis showed that RKIP protein expression was not an independent risk factor for tumor prognosis. However, RKIP combined with P-ERK protein expression were identified as independent risk factors for prognosis with statistical significance. Furthermore, we establish a new prognosis evaluation model using RKIP and P-ERK in combination and obtained the nomogram of the new prognosis evaluation model. ROC curve analysis also showed that the new evaluation model had better prognostic performance than the modified NIH 2008 risk classification system. CONCLUSION: Our experimental results showed that the expression of RKIP and P-ERK proteins in GIST was associated with tumor size, NIH 2008 staging, and tumor invasion, and P-ERK expression was also related to mitotic count. The expression of the two proteins had a certain negative correlation. The combined expression of RKIP and P-ERK proteins can serve as an independent risk factor for predicting the prognosis of GIST patients. The new risk assessment model incorporating RKIP and P-ERK has superior evaluation efficacy and is worth further practical application to validate.

Retrospective validation of acute heart failure risk stratification in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Heart Failure (HF) is a primary diagnosis for hospital admission from the Emergency Department (ED), although not all patients require hospitalization. The Emergency Heart Failure Mortality Risk Grade (EHMRG) estimates 7-day mortality in patients with acute HF in ED settings, but further validation is needed in the United States (US). OBJECTIVES: To validate EHMRG scores by risk-stratifying patients with acute HF in a large tertiary healthcare center in the US and analyze outcome measures to determine if EHMRG risk scores safely identify low-risk groups that may be discharged or managed in ED observation units (EDOUs). METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of 304 patients with acute HF presenting to an ED at a large, tertiary healthcare center was completed. EHMRG scores were calculated to stratify patients according to published thresholds. Mortality and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates were analyzed. RESULTS: No deaths occurred in very low and low-risk EHMRG groups at 7 days post discharge. 30-day mortality was significantly less in the lower risk groups (3.1%) when compared to all other patients (11.1%). MACE rates at 30 days in the very low risk group (15%) were significantly less when compared to all other patients (31.3%). Hospitalizations occurred in 23.4% of patients in lower risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: ED risk stratification with EHMRG differentiates high-risk patients requiring hospitalization from lower risk patients who can be safely managed in alternative settings with good outcomes. Data supports improved pathways for patients with acute HF during a time of high hospital volumes.

Ultrasound radiomics model-based nomogram for predicting the risk Stratification of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a nomogram based on an ultrasound radiomics model to predict the risk grade of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). 216 GIST patients pathologically diagnosed between December 2016 and December 2021 were reviewed and divided into a training cohort (n = 163) and a validation cohort (n = 53) in a ratio of 3:1. The tumor region of interest was depicted on each patient's ultrasound image using ITK-SNAP, and the radiomics features were extracted. By filtering unstable features and using Spearman's correlation analysis, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm, a radiomics score was derived to predict the malignant potential of GISTs. a radiomics nomogram that combines the radiomics score and clinical ultrasound predictors was constructed and assessed in terms of calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness. The radiomics score from ultrasound images was significantly associated with the malignant potential of GISTs. The radiomics nomogram was superior to the clinical ultrasound nomogram and the radiomics score, and it achieved an AUC of 0.90 in the validation cohort. Based on the decision curve analysis, the radiomics nomogram was found to be more clinically significant and useful. A nomogram consisting of radiomics score and the maximum tumor diameter demonstrated the highest accuracy in the prediction of risk grade in GISTs. The outcomes of our study provide vital insights for important preoperative clinical decisions.

The role of acute heart failure index (AHFI) combined with emergency heart failure mortality risk grade (EHMRG) in the evaluation of clinical outcomes and prognosis in patients with acute heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical value for the risk model of acute heart failure index (AHFI) combined with emergency heart failure mortality risk grade (EHMRG) in evaluating clinical outcomes and prognosis of patients with acute heart failure (AHF). METHODS: The present prospective observational cohort study enrolled a total of 228 patients with AHF who were admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to January 2020. The AHF patients were divided into four groups: (1) the high AHFI and high EHMRG group, n = 61; (2) the low AHFI and low EHMRG group, n = 92; (3) the high AHFI and low EHMRG group, n = 34; (4) the low AHFI and high EHMRG group, n = 41. AHFI and EHMRG were used to identify the risk of death for AHF patients. Serum levels of Troponin I, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and NT-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were detected by the ELISA method. Kaplan-Meier curve was performed for analysis of survival time and a logistic regression model was used to analyse 1-year mortality of patients. Pearson's analysis was used to determine the correlation between biomarkers and EHMRG. RESULTS: AHFI combined with the EHMRG model was associated with cardiac function status and EHMRG score was positively related to the level of Troponin I, BNP, and NT-proBNP. AHF high-risk AHFI and high-risk EHMRG indicated that patients might have a higher incidence of MACEs during hospitalisation. In addition, AHFI and high-risk EHMRG groups had shorter survival times, and AHFI was associated with 1-year mortality and was the risk factor for 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: AHFI combined with a high EHMRG risk model was associated with clinical outcomes and prognosis.

Investigation of the factors influencing surgical treatment of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (DGIST) is a rare tumor with a specific anatomic site and biological characteristics. As the incidence of lymph node metastasis is very low, the main treatment method is surgery. Two main surgical techniques (local resection and Whipple) are performed in patients with DGISTs. The critical question is which surgical technique to choose. AIM: To identify factors influencing the choice of surgery for DGISTs. METHODS: The clinicopathological data of patients with DGISTs who underwent surgery between January 1999 and January 2021 were analyzed. We used the Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test and the χ 2 test or Fisher's exact test to determine the differences between the two groups of patients. Furthermore, we used logistic analysis to identify the relevant factors and independent factors related to the type of surgery. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the patient's survival information and Cox regression analysis was performed to determine prognostic risk factors. RESULTS: Overall, 86 patients were analyzed, including 43 men (50%) and 43 women (50%). We divided the patients into two groups based on surgical technique (local resection or Whipple surgery). There were no differences in the age, mitotic figures, and complications between the two groups; however, the tumor size, tumor location, risk grade, postoperative hospital stay, and abdominal drainage time were significantly different. Based on univariate logistic analysis, the Whipple procedure was chosen if the tumor size was ≥ 5.0 cm, the tumor was located in the descending part of the duodenum, or the risk grade was medium or high. In our research, the five-year overall survival rate of patients was more than 90%. We also describe two DGIST patients with liver metastases at first diagnosis and analyzed their management in order to provide advice on complicated cases. CONCLUSION: The Whipple procedure was performed if the primary tumor was in the descending part of the duodenum, tumor size was ≥ 5.0 cm, or the tumor risk grade was medium or high.

Development of a seven-gene tumor immune microenvironment prognostic signature for high-risk grade III endometrial cancer.

Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma locally infiltrates numerous immune cells and other tumor immune microenvironment components. These cells are involved in malignant tumor growth and proliferation and the process of resistance toward immunotherapies. Here, we aimed to develop a tumor immune microenvironment-related prognostic signature for high-risk grade III endometrial carcinoma based on The Cancer Genome Atlas. The signature was systematically correlated with immune infiltration characteristics of the tumor microenvironment. The seven-gene Riskscore signature was robust and performed well in training, testing, and Gene Expression Omnibus-independent cohorts. A nomogram comprising the gene signature accurately predicted patient prognosis, with our model performing better than other endometrial cancer-related signatures. Analysis of the IMvigor210 immunotherapy cohort revealed that subgroups with a low Riskscore had a better prognosis than subgroups with a high Riskscore. Subgroups with a low Riskscore exhibited immune cell infiltration and inflammatory profiles, whereas subgroups with a high Riskscore experienced progressive disease. The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that risk score, neoantigen, and tumor mutation burden models together accurately predicted treatment response. Taken together, we developed a tumor microenvironment-based seven-gene prognostic stratification system to predict the prognosis of patients with high-risk endometrial cancer and guide more effective immunotherapy strategies.

A dynamic, convenient and accurate method for assessing the flood risk of people and vehicle.

With the increase of extreme rainstorm caused by climate change, and the development of urbanization and the improvement of people's living standard, there is an urgent need to draw a dynamic, convenient and accurate flood risk map for different disaster bearing bodies, so as to protect people's lives and properties, as well as improve people's risk awareness and facilitate people's lives. This study mainly researched a method of drawing a dynamic, convenient and accurate flood risk map for people and vehicle. In this study, the surface runoff is simulated by GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) Accelerated Surface Water Flow and Transport model (GAST model), meanwhile, the flood risk of people and vehicle is graded base on the incipient velocity formulas, the most unfavorable principle and grading method, finally, the method is applied in two application cases. The following results are obtained: (1) this method could assess the flood risk of people and vehicle dynamically, conveniently and accurately; (2) the flood risk of people is less than that of vehicle, for the same flood hazard, time and place; (3) the adverse effect of water depth on flood risk for vehicle is greater than that for people. This method of assessing the flood risk map of people and vehicle is of great significance, for flood risk management, land use plan and emergency management department to reduce flood disaster risk.

Risk grade assessment of sudden water pollution based on analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation.

Sudden water pollution is a global environmental issue. On a large spatial scale, any pollution source may cause water pollution incidents. Dividing a large watershed into several units and giving each unit a different level would be favorable for managing sudden water pollution incidents. To scientifically divide an area into units and determine their risk grade of sudden water pollution, data of pollution sources were collected, and an area was divided into risk assessment units of sudden water pollution. The risk grade assessment was conducted following the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. The technology combined with the AHP and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (F-AHP) can generate the hydrology, pollution source, natural geography, and socioeconomic characteristics of each unit and provide a risk grade evaluation. A risk grade assessment was conducted using the Yongding River as a case study. The results show that the areas with high sudden water pollution risk were mainly distributed in Shanxi Datong and Hebei Zhangjiakou. Sufficient control of pollution sources in production processes and the establishment of necessary measures to strengthen inspections should reduce the risk of sudden water pollution.

Combinação de Ferramentas de Telecardiologia para Estratificação de Risco Cardiovascular na Atenção Primária: Dados do Estudo PROVAR+ / Combination of Tele-Cardiology Tools for Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in Primary Care: Data from the PROVAR+ Study

Resumo Fundamento: As ferramentas de telecardiologia são estratégias valiosas para melhorar a estratificação de risco. Objetivo: Objetivamos avaliar a acurácia da tele-eletrocardiografia (ECG) para predizer anormalidades no ecocardiograma de rastreamento na atenção primária. Métodos: Em 17 meses, 6 profissionais de saúde em 16 unidades de atenção primária foram treinados em protocolos simplificados de ecocardiografia portátil. Tele-ECGs foram registrados para diagnóstico final por um cardiologista. Pacientes consentidos com anormalidades maiores no ECG pelo código de Minnesota e uma amostra 1:5 de indivíduos normais foram submetidos a um questionário clínico e ecocardiograma de rastreamento interpretado remotamente. A doença cardíaca grave foi definida como doença valvular moderada/grave, disfunção/hipertrofia ventricular, derrame pericárdico ou anormalidade da motilidade. A associação entre alterações maiores do ECG e anormalidades ecocardiográficas foi avaliada por regressão logística da seguinte forma: 1) modelo não ajustado; 2) modelo 1 ajustado por idade/sexo; 3) modelo 2 mais fatores de risco (hipertensão/diabetes); 4) modelo 3 mais história de doença cardiovascular (Chagas/cardiopatia reumática/cardiopatia isquêmica/AVC/insuficiência cardíaca). Foram considerados significativos valores de p < 0,05. Resultados: No total, 1.411 pacientes realizaram ecocardiograma, sendo 1.149 (81%) com anormalidades maiores no ECG. A idade mediana foi de 67 anos (intervalo interquartil de 60 a 74) e 51,4% eram do sexo masculino. As anormalidades maiores no ECG se associaram a uma chance 2,4 vezes maior de doença cardíaca grave no ecocardiograma de rastreamento na análise bivariada (OR = 2,42 [IC 95% 1,76 a 3,39]) e permaneceram significativas (p < 0,001) após ajustes no modelo 2 (OR = 2,57 [IC 95% 1,84 a 3,65]), modelo 3 (OR = 2,52 [IC 95% 1,80 a 3,58]) e modelo 4 (OR = 2,23 [IC 95% 1,59 a 3,19]). Idade, sexo masculino, insuficiência cardíaca e doença cardíaca isquêmica também foram preditores independentes de doença cardíaca grave no ecocardiograma. Conclusões: As anormalidades do tele-ECG aumentaram a probabilidade de doença cardíaca grave no ecocardiograma de rastreamento, mesmo após ajustes para variáveis demográficas e clínicas.

Abstract Background: Tele-cardiology tools are valuable strategies to improve risk stratification. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of tele-electrocardiography (ECG) to predict abnormalities in screening echocardiography (echo) in primary care (PC). Methods: In 17 months, 6 health providers at 16 PC units were trained on simplified handheld echo protocols. Tele-ECGs were recorded for final diagnosis by a cardiologist. Consented patients with major ECG abnormalities by the Minnesota code, and a 1:5 sample of normal individuals underwent clinical questionnaire and screening echo interpreted remotely. Major heart disease was defined as moderate/severe valve disease, ventricular dysfunction/hypertrophy, pericardial effusion, or wall-motion abnormalities. Association between major ECG and echo abnormalities was assessed by logistic regression as follows: 1) unadjusted model; 2) model 1 adjusted for age/sex; 3) model 2 plus risk factors (hypertension/diabetes); 4) model 3 plus history of cardiovascular disease (Chagas/rheumatic heart disease/ischemic heart disease/stroke/heart failure). P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: A total 1,411 patients underwent echo; 1,149 (81%) had major ECG abnormalities. Median age was 67 (IQR 60 to 74) years, and 51.4% were male. Major ECG abnormalities were associated with a 2.4-fold chance of major heart disease on echo in bivariate analysis (OR = 2.42 [95% CI 1.76 to 3.39]), and remained significant after adjustments in models (p < 0.001) 2 (OR = 2.57 [95% CI 1.84 to 3.65]), model 3 (OR = 2.52 [95% CI 1.80 to3.58]), and model 4 (OR = 2.23 [95%CI 1.59 to 3.19]). Age, male sex, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease were also independent predictors of major heart disease on echo. Conclusions: Tele-ECG abnormalities increased the likelihood of major heart disease on screening echo, even after adjustments for demographic and clinical variables.

Comparacion de las escalas Heart, Grace Score y los parámetros clínicos como predictores de eventos cardiovasculares en pacientes con dolor torácico en Urgencias / Comparison of Heart, Grace Scores and clinical parameters as predictors of cardiovascular events in patients with chest pain in the Emergency Department

Fundamentos: La valoración del riesgo de los pacientes con dolor torácico se basa en los parámetros clínicos. Sin embargo, sin un sistema de puntuación, como las escalas de estratificación del riesgo, las estimaciones son menos precisas y exactas. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar las escalas HEART, GRACE Score y los parámetros clínicos en la predicción de eventos mayores cardiovasculares (mortalidad cardiovascular o infarto agudo de miocardio) durante la hospitalización, en pacientes con dolor torácico atendidos en Urgencias. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de pacientes que, durante un año, acudieron a Urgencias del Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet (Zaragoza) por dolor torácico de tipo isquémico. Las puntuacionesHEART y GRACE se calcularon retrospectivamente a partir de las historias clínicas. Las variables cuantitativas se expresaron como media (±desviación estándar), y las cualitativas como frecuencias y porcentajes. Se llevó a cabo un análisis bivariante mediante la prueba chi cuadrado. El rendimiento de las escalas y parámetros clínicos se comparó mediante el cálculo del área bajo la curva. El resultado primario fue la ocurrencia de un evento mayor cardiovascular (mortalidad cardiovascular o infarto agudo de miocardio) durante el ingreso hospitalario. Resultados: Se registraron 306 pacientes (66,3% eran hombres, n=203), con edad media de 71,45±12,85 años y un 48,7% de antecedentes de cardiopatía isquémica. El área bajo la curva, para el evento primario, de las escalasHEART, GRACE y parámetros clínicos fue 0,80 (IC al 95%: 0,73-0,86), 0,79 (IC al 95%: 0,72- 0,85) y 0,74 (IC del 95%: 0,68-0,80), respectivamente. Durante la hospitalización, la incidencia del evento primario fue del 13,4% y ningún paciente de bajo riesgo, en ambas escalas, presentó un evento mayor cardiovascular. Conclusiones: En pacientes con dolor torácico de tipo isquémico atendidos en Urgencias, tanto la escala...(AU)

Background: Risk assessment of patients with chest pain is based on clinical parameters; however, without a scoring system, such as risk stratification scales, estimates are less precise and accurate. The aim of this paper was to compare the HEART, GRACE score and clinical parameters in the prediction of major cardiovascular events (cardiovascular mortality or acute myocardial infarction) during hospitalization, in patients with chest pain attended in the emergency department.Methods: A descriptive observational study of patients with ischemic chest pain, who attended to the Miguel Servet University Hospital emergency department (Zaragoza, Spain) during one year was carried out.HEART and GRACE scores were calculated retrospectively from clinical history. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean (±standard deviation), and qualitative variables as frequencies and percentages. A bivariate analysis was carried out using the chi-square test. The performance of the scales and clinical parameters was compared by calculating the area under the curve. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a major cardiovascular event (cardiovascular mortality or acute myocardial infarction) during hospital admission. Results: 306 patients were registered (66.3% men, n=203), with a mean age of 71.45±12.85 years and a 48.7% history of ischemic heart disease. The areas under the curve for HEART scales, GRACE and clinical parameters were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.86), 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72-0.85) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.68-0.80), respectively. During hospitalization, the incidence of the primary event was 13.4% and no low-risk patient, in both scales, presented a major cardiovascular event. Conclusions: In patients with ischemic chest pain attended in the emergency department, the GRACE and HEART scale have a greater area under curve than clinical parameters.(AU)

Health risk assessment of cadmium pollution emergency for urban populations in Foshan City, China.

With rapid socioeconomic development, water pollution emergency has become increasingly common and could potentially harm the environment and human health, especially heavy metal pollution. In this paper, we investigate the Cd pollution emergency that occurred in the Pearl River network, China, in 2005, and we build a migration and transformation model for heavy metals to simulate the spatiotemporal distribution of Cd concentrations under various scenarios of Cd pollution emergency in Foshan City. Moreover, human health hazard and carcinogenic risk for local residents of Foshan City were evaluated. The primary conclusions were as follows: (1) the number of carcinogen-affected people per year under scenario 1 reached 254.41 when the frequency was 0.1 year/time; specifically, the number of people with cancer per year in the area of the Datang, Lubao, and Nanbian waterworks was 189.36 accounting for 74% of the total number per year; (2) at the frequency of 5 years/time, the Lubao waterwork is the only one in extremely high- or high-risk grade, while besides it, the risk grade in the Datang, Nanbian, Xinan, Shitang, and Jianlibao waterworks is in the extremely high or high grade when the frequency is 0.1 year/time; (3) when Cd pollution accidents with the same level occurs again, Cd concentration decreases to a low level in the water only if the migration distance of Cd is at least 40-50 km. Based on the health risk assessment of Cd pollution, this study gives the recommendation that the distance should keep above 50 km in tidal river network of the Pearl River Delta between those factories existing the possibility of heavy metal pollution and the drinking water source. Only then can the public protect themselves from hazardous effects of higher levels of heavy metal.

Consumo de cannabis, grau de risco e policonsumos numa amostra de adultos portugueses / Cannabis use, risk grade, and polydrug use in Portuguese adults / Consumo de cannabis, grado de riesgo y policonsumo en una muestra de adultos portugueses

Resumo Enquadramento: O Observatório Europeu da Droga e da Toxicodependência refere um crescente número de utentes em tratamento por consumo de opiáceos e cannabis. Em Portugal, foram identificadas 72 mortes induzidas por drogas na faixa etária entre os 15 e os 64 anos. Objetivos: Caracterizar, numa amostra de adultos portugueses, os consumos de cannabis, o grau de risco e os policonsumos. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo, descritivo, correlacional e transversal, com utilização do Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Resultados: Os resultados revelam frequências de consumo mais elevadas que os estudos epidemiológicos de âmbito nacional para todas as substâncias (com exceção do álcool). O consumo de cannabis é maioritariamente de baixo risco, mas há consumo nocivo e provável dependência. O policonsumo existe, principalmente da cannabis com o álcool e tabaco. Conclusão: O consumo de cannabis aumentou nos últimos anos. Há associação do consumo de cannabis com outras substâncias e há uma relativização dos problemas associados à utilização da cannabis, apesar de a avaliação do grau de risco apontar noutro sentido.

Abstract Background: The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction reports an increasing number of patients in treatment for opioid and cannabis use. In Portugal, 72 drug-induced deaths were identified in the 15-64 age group. Objectives: To characterize cannabis use, risk grade, and polydrug use in Portuguese adults. Methodology: Quantitative, descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study, using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Results: The results reveal higher frequencies of consumption than nationwide epidemiological studies for all substances (except alcohol). Cannabis use is mostly low risk, but there is harmful use and probable dependence. Polydrug use exists, mainly of cannabis with alcohol and tobacco. Conclusion: Cannabis use has increased in recent years; there is an association of cannabis use with other substances; problems associated with cannabis use are relativized, despite the risk assessment pointing in another direction.

Resumen Marco contextual: El European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction informa de un número creciente de usuarios en tratamiento por consumo de opioides y cannabis. En Portugal, se identificaron 72 muertes inducidas por drogas en el grupo de edad de 15 a 64 años. Objetivos: Caracterizar, en una muestra de adultos portugueses, el consumo de cannabis, el grado de riesgo y el policonsumo. Metodología: Estudio cualitativo, descriptivo, correlacional y transversal, para el cual se utilizó el Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Resultados: Los resultados muestran frecuencias de consumo superiores a las de los estudios epidemiológicos nacionales para todas las sustancias (excepto el alcohol). El consumo de cannabis es mayoritariamente de bajo riesgo, pero existe un consumo perjudicial y una probable dependencia. Existe policonsumo, principalmente de cannabis con alcohol y tabaco. Conclusión: El consumo de cannabis ha aumentado en los últimos años. Este consumo se asocia a otras sustancias y hay una relativización de los problemas asociados al consumo de cannabis, aunque la evaluación de riesgos apunta en otra dirección.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: correlation of modified NIH risk stratification with diffusion-weighted MR imaging as an imaging biomarker.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation of risk grade of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) based on modified National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria with conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging. METHODS: We included 22 patients with histopathologically proven GISTs in the stomach or small bowel who underwent pre-operative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging and DW imaging. We retrospectively assessed correlations between morphologic findings, qualitative (signal intensity, consensus from two observers) and quantitative (degree of dynamic enhancement using signal intensity of tumour/muscle ratio and apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]) values, and the modified NIH criteria for risk stratification. Spearman partial correlation analysis was used to control for tumour size as a confounding factor. The optimal cut-off level of ADC values for intermediate or high risk GISTs was analyzed using a receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Except tumour size and necrosis, conventional MR imaging findings, including the degree of dynamic enhancement, were not significantly different according to the modified NIH criteria (p>0.05). Tumour ADC values were negatively correlated with the modified NIH criteria, before and after adjustment of tumour size (ρ=-0.754; p<0.001 and ρ=-0.513; p=0.017, respectively). The optimal cut-off value for the determination of intermediate or high-risk GISTs was 1.279 × 10(-3)mm(2)/s (100% sensitivity, 69.2% specificity, 81.8% accuracy). CONCLUSION: Except tumour size and necrosis, conventional MR imaging findings did not correlate with the risk grade. However, the ADC value can be used as an imaging biomarker to assess the risk grade of GISTs, regardless of tumour size.

Avaliação do risco de ulceração nos pés em pessoas com diabetes mellitus na atenção primária / Evaluación del riesgo de ulceración en piesdepersonas con diabetes mellitus en la atención primaria de salud / Risk evaluation of feet ulceration in people with diabetes mellitus in primary care

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o risco de ulceração nos pés de pessoas com diabetes mellitus atendidas na atenção primária. Método: estudo transversal analítico realizado em Teresina, Piauí, com 308 pacientes, sendo incluídos maiores de 18 anos diagnosticados com diabetes mellitus e excluídos aqueles com ulceração ativa e/ou neuropatia atribuída a outros agravos. Os dados foram coletados mediante formulário sociodemográfico, clínico e de classificação do risco de ulceração nos pés, no período de fevereiro a agosto de 2019. A análise ocorreu a partir de estatísticas descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: dos participantes, 56,5% tinham mais de 60 anos, 59,7% não realizavam o controle da glicemia, 56,2% não praticavam atividade física, 51,3% estavam com sobrepeso e 54,2% apresentaram grau de risco 1 para ulceração nos pés. A situação conjugal, ocupação e diabetes mellitus há mais de 10 anos, controle glicêmico inadequado, hipertensão arterial, dislipidemia e obesidade tiveram associação estatisticamente significativa com o risco de ulceração. Aqueles com pele seca, deformidades, reflexo do tornozelo e percepção de vibração no hálux alterados apresentaram mais probabilidade de ulceração nos pés. Constatou-se que o exame clínico dos pés e a sensibilidade preservada ao monofilamento foram fatores de proteção. Conclusão: observouse que os aspectos sociodemográficos e clínicos interferem na probabilidade de ulceração, sendo que a maioria apresentou risco baixo. Além disso, no exame clínico dos pés, as alterações na sensibilidade vibratória e no reflexo do tornozelo aumentaram a probabilidade de ulceração, destacando-se que a classificação do risco de ulceração é imprescindível na assistência às pessoas com diabetes mellitus.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar el riesgo de ulceración del pie en personas con diabetes mellitus tratadas en atención primaria. Método: estudio analítico transversal realizado en Teresina, Piauí, con 308 pacientes, incluidos los mayores de 18 años diagnosticados de diabetes mellitus y excluidos aquéllos con ulceración activa y / o neuropatía atribuida a otras condiciones. Los datos se recogieronde febrero a agosto de 2019 por medio de un formulario sociodemográfico, clínico y de clasificación de riesgo para la ulceración en el pie. El análisis se realizó a través de estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados: el 56,5% de los participantes tenía más de 60 años, el 59,7% no realizaba control glucémico, el 56,2% no practicaba actividad física, el 51,3% tenía sobrepeso y el 54,2% tenía un grado de riesgo 1 de ulceración del pie. La situación conjugal, ocupación, diabetes mellitus durante más de 10 años, el inadecuado control glucémico, la hipertensión arterial, la dislipidemia y la obesidad tuvieron una asociación estadísticamente significativa con el riesgo de ulceración. Aquéllos con piel seca, deformidades, reflejo del tendón de Aquiles alterado y percepción alterada de la vibración del hallux tenían más probabilidades de ulceración de pies. Se encontró que el examen clínico de los pies y la sensibilidad conservada al monofilamento eran factores protectores. Conclusión: se observó que los aspectos sociodemográficos y clínicos interfieren con la probabilidad de ulceración, siendo la mayoría de bajo riesgo. Además, en el examen clínico de los pies, los cambios en la sensibilidad vibratoria y en el reflejo del tendón de Aquiles aumentaron la probabilidad de ulceración, destacando que la clasificación del riesgo de ulceración es esencial en la atención de las personas con diabetes mellitus.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the risk of foot ulceration in people with diabetes mellitus treated in primary care. Method: this is a cross-sectional analytical study carried out in Teresina, Piauí, with 308 patients, including those over 18 years old diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and excluding those with active ulceration and/ or neuropathy attributed to other conditions. The data were collected using a sociodemographic, clinical, and risk classification form for the foot ulceration, from February to August 2019. The analysis was based on descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: in the study, 56.5% of the participants were over 60 years old, 59.7% did not perform glycemic control, 56.2% did not practice physical activity, 51.3% were overweight and 54.2% had a degree of risk 1 for foot ulceration. Marital status, occupation, and diabetes mellitus for more than 10 years, inadequate glycemic control, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity had a statistically significant association with the risk of ulceration. Those with dry skin, deformities, ankle reflexes, and altered perception of hallux vibration were more likely to have foot ulcers. We found that the clinical examination of the feet and the preserved sensitivity to the monofilament were protective factors. Conclusion: we observed that the sociodemographic and clinical aspects interfere with the probability of ulceration and most of them present a low risk. Also, in the clinical examination of the feet, changes in vibratory sensitivity and ankle reflex increased the likelihood of ulceration, noting that the classification of the risk of ulceration is essential in assisting people with diabetes mellitus.

Correlation between MRI features and tumor risk grade in gastrointestinal stromal tumors / 中国肿瘤临床

To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and tumor risk grade of gas-trointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods: Between September 2007 to December 2017, 54 patients who underwent MRI and were pathologically diagnosed in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed MRI features including the size, location, shape, boundary, and growth pattern of the tumor; cystic necrosis; metastasis; T1WI and T2WI signal intensities; enhancement signal intensity-time (SIT) curve pattern; and average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) val-ues. The MRI features were compared with the tumor risk grade. Results: Of the 54 cases, 16 were of low-risk grade, 13 were of inter-mediate-risk grade, and 25 were of high-risk grade. Statistical analysis showed that tumor size, location, shape, boundary, cystic necro-sis, signal intensity, and average ADC values were correlated with tumor risk grade (P<0.05). However, tumor growth pattern, metasta-sis, and enhancement SIT curve pattern were not correlated with tumor risk grade (P>0.05). GISTs with higher aggressive features were more likely to have larger size, irregular shape, unclear boundary, cystic necrosis, heterogeneous signal intensity, and lower ADC values on MRI. Conclusions: MRI has the potential to predict the risk grade of GISTs before surgery, thereby guiding clinical manage-ment, and evaluating prognosis.

Analysis on working posture and risk evaluation on musculoskeletal disorders among workers in greenhouse vegetable plantation / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To identify the poor working posture on musculoskeletal disorders of workers in greenhouse vegetable plantation(hereinafter referred to as “vegetable workers”) in different planting stages, and to evaluate the risk grade of working posture. METHODS: A total of 28 vegetable workers in a greenhouse vegetable planting base in Shandong Province were taken as research subjects using convenient sampling method. Video data were collected from field observation. Working posture analysis system was used to code the working posture of vegetable workers. The composition of working posture was analyzed, and the risk grade of working posture was evaluated. RESULTS: In the planting and seedling period, the main poor working postures of workers were lumbar back leaning forward, legs squatting, lumbar back bending, and legs bending, and the composition ratios were 60.4%, 42.9%, 38.6% and 38.4% respectively. In the management period, the main poor working postures were neck forward, waist back bending, hands higher than elbows, and the composition ratios were 52.0%, 34.2% and 30.0% respectively. In the harvest period, the main poor working postures were neck leaning forward, one hand above elbow, lumbar back bending, walking and lumbar back leaning, and the composition ratios were 50.4%, 42.6%, 39.6%, 39.1% and 35.4% respectively. In the period of planting and seedling, management and harvest, there were 81.6%, 23.4% and 52.9% of the work position in the risk grade Ⅲ; there was 1.4% of the work position in the risk grade Ⅳ in the harvest period. CONCLUSION: Working postures with obvious hazards existed at different planting periods. Effective intervention measures should be taken to prevent the problems of poor working posture in greenhouse workers.