BACKGROUND Many studies have revealed a link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NA-FLD)and coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),making understanding the relationship between these two conditions an absolute requi...BACKGROUND Many studies have revealed a link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NA-FLD)and coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),making understanding the relationship between these two conditions an absolute requirement.AIM To provide a qualitative synthesis on the currently present data evaluating COVID-19 and NAFLD.METHODS This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines pro-vided by preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and the questionnaire utilized the population,intervention,comparison,and outcome framework.The search strategy was run on three separate databases,PubMed/MEDLINE,Scopus,and Cochrane Central,which were systematically searched from inception until March 2024 to select all relevant studies.In addition,ClinicalTrials.gov,Medrxiv.org,and Google Scholar were searched to identify grey literature.RESULTS After retrieval of 11 studies,a total of 39282 patients data were pooled.Mortality was found in 11.5%and 9.4%of people in NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups.In all,23.2%of NAFLD patients and 22%of non-NAFLD admissions diagnosed with COVID-19 were admitted to the intensive care unit,with days of stay varying.Ventilatory support ranged from 5%to 40.5%in the NAFLD cohort and from 3.1%to 20%in the non-NAFLD cohort.The incidence of acute liver injury showed significance.Clinical improvement on days 7 and 14 between the two classifications was significant.Hospitalization stay ranged from 9.6 days to 18.8 days and 7.3 days to 16.4 days in the aforementioned cohorts respectively,with 73.3%and 76.3%of patients being discharged.Readmission rates varied.CONCLUSION Clinical outcomes except mortality consistently showed a worsening trend in patients with NAFLD and concomitant COVID-19.Further research in conducting prospective longitudinal studies is essential for a more powerful conclusion.展开更多
AIM: To determine patient and process of care factors associated with performance of timely laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of 88 consecutive patien...AIM: To determine patient and process of care factors associated with performance of timely laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of 88 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis was conducted. Data collected included demographic data, co-morbidities, symptoms and physical findings at presentation, laboratory and radiological investigations, length of stay, complications, and admission service (medical or surgical). Patients not undergoing cholecystectomy during this hospitalization were excluded from analysis. Hierarchical generalized linear models were constructed to assess the association of pre-operative diagnostic procedures, presenting signs, and admitting service with time to surgery.RESULTS: Seventy cases met inclusion and exclusion criteria, among which 12 were admitted to the medical service and 58 to the surgical service. Mean ± SD time to surgery was 39.3 ± 43 h, with 87% of operations performed within 72 h of hospital arrival. In the adjusted models, longer time to surgery was associated with number of diagnostic studies and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP, P = 0.01) as well with admission to medical service without adjustment for ERCP (P < 0.05). Patients undergoing both magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and computed tomography (CT) scans experienced the longest waits for surgery. Patients admitted to the surgical versus medical service underwent surgery earlier (30.4 ± 34.9 vs 82.7 ± 55.1 h, P < 0.01), had less post-operative complications (12% vs 58%, P < 0.01), and shorter length of stay (4.3 ± 3.4 vs 8.1 ± 5.2 d, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Admission to the medical service and performance of numerous diagnostic procedures, ERCP, or MRCP combined with CT scan were associated with longer time to surgery. Expeditious performance of ERCP and MRCP and admission of medically stable patients with suspected cholecystitis to the surgical service to speed up time to surgery should be considered.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the expression and activity of NAD（P）H quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1） in human liver specimens obtained from patients with liver damage due to acetaminophen （APAP） overdose or primary bilia...AIM： To investigate the expression and activity of NAD（P）H quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1） in human liver specimens obtained from patients with liver damage due to acetaminophen （APAP） overdose or primary biliary cirrhosis （PBC）. METHODS： NQOt activity was determined in cytosol from normal, APAP and PBC liver specimens. Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to determine patterns of NQO1 expression using a specific antibody against NQO1. RESULTS： NQO1 protein was very low in normal human livers. In both APAP and PBC livers, there was strong induction of NQO1 protein levels on Western blot. Correspondingly, significant up-regulation of enzyme activity （16- and 22-fold, P〈0.05） was also observed in APAP and PBC livers, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis highlighted injury-specific patterns of NQO1 staining in both APAP and PBC livers. CONCLUSION： These data demonstrate that NQO1 protein and activity are markedly induced in human livers during both APAP overdose and PBC. Up-regulation of this cytoprotective enzyme may represent an adaptive stress response to limit further disease progression by detoxifying reactive species.展开更多
This paper proposes the‘skin effect’of the machining-induced damage at high strain rates.The paper first reviews the published research work on machining-induced damage and then identifies the governing factors that...This paper proposes the‘skin effect’of the machining-induced damage at high strain rates.The paper first reviews the published research work on machining-induced damage and then identifies the governing factors that dominate damage formation mechanisms.Among many influential factors,such as stress-strain field,temperature field,material responses to loading and loading rate,and crack initiation and propagation,strain rate is recognized as a dominant factor that can directly lead to the‘skin effect’of material damage in a loading process.The paper elucidates that material deformation at high strain rates(>103 s−1)leads to the embrittlement,which in turn contributes to the‘skin effect’of subsurface damage.The paper discusses the‘skin effect’based on the principles of dislocation kinetics and crack initiation and propagation.It provides guidance to predicting the material deformation and damage at a high strain-rate for applications ranging from the armor protection,quarrying,petroleum drilling,and high-speed machining of engineering materials(e.g.ceramics and SiC reinforced aluminum alloys).展开更多
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry provides two modes of head computed tomography （CT） angiography scanning： neuro-digital subtraction angiography and dual-energy CT angiography （DE-CTA）. Previous studies have comp...Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry provides two modes of head computed tomography （CT） angiography scanning： neuro-digital subtraction angiography and dual-energy CT angiography （DE-CTA）. Previous studies have compared image quality, radiation exposure, and bone removal between neuro-digital subtraction angiography and DE-CTA. However, the number of cases was relatively small. The present study examined 300 suspected cases of cerebrovascular disease and observed the methods and duration of post-processing, examination time, and data volume. Results demonstrated similar image quality between the two methods, but lower radiation doses and shorter examination time in DE-CTA. DE-CTA allowed for faster and more stable scanning performance and post-processing methods, facilitating accurate and direct diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease.展开更多
Arc reactor is the design for a compact fusion reactor.In this paper,the mechanism of an arc reactor is discussed which is a multi-isotope radio-decay cell that can be created using low energy nuclear reactor technolo...Arc reactor is the design for a compact fusion reactor.In this paper,the mechanism of an arc reactor is discussed which is a multi-isotope radio-decay cell that can be created using low energy nuclear reactor technology which is a low-radiation fusion reactor.Here,palladium isotope is used as a core,and it generates a significant amount of power.It also introduces a new portable method to generate power without generating too much heat and heavy radiation.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Many studies have revealed a link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NA-FLD)and coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),making understanding the relationship between these two conditions an absolute requirement.AIM To provide a qualitative synthesis on the currently present data evaluating COVID-19 and NAFLD.METHODS This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines pro-vided by preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and the questionnaire utilized the population,intervention,comparison,and outcome framework.The search strategy was run on three separate databases,PubMed/MEDLINE,Scopus,and Cochrane Central,which were systematically searched from inception until March 2024 to select all relevant studies.In addition,ClinicalTrials.gov,Medrxiv.org,and Google Scholar were searched to identify grey literature.RESULTS After retrieval of 11 studies,a total of 39282 patients data were pooled.Mortality was found in 11.5%and 9.4%of people in NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups.In all,23.2%of NAFLD patients and 22%of non-NAFLD admissions diagnosed with COVID-19 were admitted to the intensive care unit,with days of stay varying.Ventilatory support ranged from 5%to 40.5%in the NAFLD cohort and from 3.1%to 20%in the non-NAFLD cohort.The incidence of acute liver injury showed significance.Clinical improvement on days 7 and 14 between the two classifications was significant.Hospitalization stay ranged from 9.6 days to 18.8 days and 7.3 days to 16.4 days in the aforementioned cohorts respectively,with 73.3%and 76.3%of patients being discharged.Readmission rates varied.CONCLUSION Clinical outcomes except mortality consistently showed a worsening trend in patients with NAFLD and concomitant COVID-19.Further research in conducting prospective longitudinal studies is essential for a more powerful conclusion.
文摘目的探讨^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT最大标准化摄取值(SUV max)在前列腺癌(PCa)与增生病变的鉴别诊断,以及在PCa预后预测中的价值。方法回顾性收集经病理证实、未经治疗的PCa同时伴有腺体增生的患者59例,治疗前行^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT全身显像,其中PCa灶86个,前列腺增生灶35个。比较良恶性病灶SUV max组间差异,绘制受试者工作特性曲线(ROC),获得cut-off值。进一步根据Gleason评分对PCa灶进行分组(≤6分为低危组,=7分为中危组,≥8为高危组),比较组间SUV max并进行事后检验分析,同时对癌灶SUV max与Gleason评分、前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)水平进行相关性分析。结果PCa灶的SUV max显著高于增生灶,两组间差异具有显著统计学意义(F=27.659,P<0.001),以SUV max 8.85作为cut-off值,ROC曲线下面积为0.843,诊断PCa的敏感性和特异性分别为69.77%和91.43%。PCa低、中、高危组SUV max差异无统计学意义(F=1.857,P=0.163),事后检验两两组间均未见统计学差异(P=0.744,P=0.191,P=0.075)。此外,PCa灶SUV max与Gleason评分、PSA之间差异均无统计学意义(P=0.248,P=0.101,P=0.064)。结论初步研究显示,^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT SUV max对前列腺病变良恶性鉴别具有较高价值,以SUV max 8.85作为cut-off值可获得较为理想的诊断效能。对于PCa分级及预后预测,^(18)F-PSMA PET/CT SUV max价值有限。
文摘AIM: To determine patient and process of care factors associated with performance of timely laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of 88 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis was conducted. Data collected included demographic data, co-morbidities, symptoms and physical findings at presentation, laboratory and radiological investigations, length of stay, complications, and admission service (medical or surgical). Patients not undergoing cholecystectomy during this hospitalization were excluded from analysis. Hierarchical generalized linear models were constructed to assess the association of pre-operative diagnostic procedures, presenting signs, and admitting service with time to surgery.RESULTS: Seventy cases met inclusion and exclusion criteria, among which 12 were admitted to the medical service and 58 to the surgical service. Mean ± SD time to surgery was 39.3 ± 43 h, with 87% of operations performed within 72 h of hospital arrival. In the adjusted models, longer time to surgery was associated with number of diagnostic studies and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP, P = 0.01) as well with admission to medical service without adjustment for ERCP (P < 0.05). Patients undergoing both magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and computed tomography (CT) scans experienced the longest waits for surgery. Patients admitted to the surgical versus medical service underwent surgery earlier (30.4 ± 34.9 vs 82.7 ± 55.1 h, P < 0.01), had less post-operative complications (12% vs 58%, P < 0.01), and shorter length of stay (4.3 ± 3.4 vs 8.1 ± 5.2 d, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Admission to the medical service and performance of numerous diagnostic procedures, ERCP, or MRCP combined with CT scan were associated with longer time to surgery. Expeditious performance of ERCP and MRCP and admission of medically stable patients with suspected cholecystitis to the surgical service to speed up time to surgery should be considered.
文摘AIM： To investigate the expression and activity of NAD（P）H quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1） in human liver specimens obtained from patients with liver damage due to acetaminophen （APAP） overdose or primary biliary cirrhosis （PBC）. METHODS： NQOt activity was determined in cytosol from normal, APAP and PBC liver specimens. Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to determine patterns of NQO1 expression using a specific antibody against NQO1. RESULTS： NQO1 protein was very low in normal human livers. In both APAP and PBC livers, there was strong induction of NQO1 protein levels on Western blot. Correspondingly, significant up-regulation of enzyme activity （16- and 22-fold, P〈0.05） was also observed in APAP and PBC livers, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis highlighted injury-specific patterns of NQO1 staining in both APAP and PBC livers. CONCLUSION： These data demonstrate that NQO1 protein and activity are markedly induced in human livers during both APAP overdose and PBC. Up-regulation of this cytoprotective enzyme may represent an adaptive stress response to limit further disease progression by detoxifying reactive species.
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the supports by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51575084)and the Peacock Program of Shenzhen(Grant No.KQJSCX20180322152221965).
文摘This paper proposes the‘skin effect’of the machining-induced damage at high strain rates.The paper first reviews the published research work on machining-induced damage and then identifies the governing factors that dominate damage formation mechanisms.Among many influential factors,such as stress-strain field,temperature field,material responses to loading and loading rate,and crack initiation and propagation,strain rate is recognized as a dominant factor that can directly lead to the‘skin effect’of material damage in a loading process.The paper elucidates that material deformation at high strain rates(>103 s−1)leads to the embrittlement,which in turn contributes to the‘skin effect’of subsurface damage.The paper discusses the‘skin effect’based on the principles of dislocation kinetics and crack initiation and propagation.It provides guidance to predicting the material deformation and damage at a high strain-rate for applications ranging from the armor protection,quarrying,petroleum drilling,and high-speed machining of engineering materials(e.g.ceramics and SiC reinforced aluminum alloys).
文摘Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry provides two modes of head computed tomography （CT） angiography scanning： neuro-digital subtraction angiography and dual-energy CT angiography （DE-CTA）. Previous studies have compared image quality, radiation exposure, and bone removal between neuro-digital subtraction angiography and DE-CTA. However, the number of cases was relatively small. The present study examined 300 suspected cases of cerebrovascular disease and observed the methods and duration of post-processing, examination time, and data volume. Results demonstrated similar image quality between the two methods, but lower radiation doses and shorter examination time in DE-CTA. DE-CTA allowed for faster and more stable scanning performance and post-processing methods, facilitating accurate and direct diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease.
文摘Arc reactor is the design for a compact fusion reactor.In this paper,the mechanism of an arc reactor is discussed which is a multi-isotope radio-decay cell that can be created using low energy nuclear reactor technology which is a low-radiation fusion reactor.Here,palladium isotope is used as a core,and it generates a significant amount of power.It also introduces a new portable method to generate power without generating too much heat and heavy radiation.
