Notes

Ion-channel degeneracy: A number of ion channels heterogeneously manage intrinsic structure of rat hippocampal granule tissues.
Quantitative evaluation showed that 3D MEDIC provided higher SNR, higher CNR and lower NU than 2D MEDIC. However, 2D MEDIC provided better anatomical visibility for the GM, WM and CSF, and higher image clarity (lower artefacts) compared to 3D MEDIC.

2D MEDIC provides better information for depicting the internal structures of the cervical spinal cord compared to 3D MEDIC.
2D MEDIC provides better information for depicting the internal structures of the cervical spinal cord compared to 3D MEDIC.
Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common psychosocial sequela among cancer survivors, but data on patients with multiple myeloma are scarce. This study calculated the prevalence of FCR and identified family and social factors that predict FCR in the study population.

We recruited 127 myeloma patients and their partners to participate in a cross-sectional survey from a regional tertiary cancer centre in China. The questionnaires included items on demographic characteristics and from the fear of disease progression simplified scale, family hardiness index and Social Support Scale. Univariate and multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of FCR.

Of the participants, 56.4% patients reported high-level FCR, which was similar to the partner-reported proportion. The partners' FCR was positively associated with the patients' FCR, while family hardiness and social support were statistically significant, negative predictors.

Interventions to mitigate partners' FCR and improve family hardiness and social support may help with the psychological adjustment and well-being of myeloma patients.
Interventions to mitigate partners' FCR and improve family hardiness and social support may help with the psychological adjustment and well-being of myeloma patients.
Weight gain in the first year following kidney transplantation increases the risk of adverse health outcomes. Currently, there is no recognized intervention available to prevent weight gain after kidney transplantation. An online kidney transplant-specific resource, entitled Exercise in Renal Transplant Online (ExeRTiOn), has been co-created by a multi-professional team, including patients, to assist with weight prevention. This study aimed to evaluate patient and health care professional usability and experience of the ExeRTiOn online resource.

Qualitative study utilizing 'Think-Aloud' and semi-structured interviews.

Participants (n=17) were purposively sampled to include new kidney transplant recipients (n=11) and transplant health care professionals (n=6). Kidney transplant recipient participants were from a spread of physical activity levels based on scores from the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ). 'Think-Aloud' interviews assessed the usability of ExeRTiOn. Semi-structured ExeRTiOn in preparation for a randomized controlled feasibility trial.To date, four species of porcine circoviruses (PCVs), including PCV1-4, have been reported to exist in the clinical cases. Fast and effective differential detection is critical to monitor the infection and co-infection status of PCVs for adopting reliable control strategies. selleck However, currently available methods cannot simultaneously differentiate the four species of PCV strains. In this study, a quadruplex real-time PCR assay based on TaqMan probes was developed for differential detection of PCV1-4. The new quadruplex real-time PCR assay exhibited satisfied specificity, sensitivity, repeatability and reproducibility. In addition, the new assay was applied to the detection of 120 clinical samples collected from 2016 to 2020 in Jiangsu province of China and compared with previously reported PCV1-4 singleplex conventional PCR assays. Based on the clinical performance, the results from the quadruplex real-time PCR and conventional PCR assays showed 100% agreement. A total of 47 samples were detected as PCV positive by the quadruplex real-time PCR assay, including 1, 2, 1 samples were co-infected with PCV1 and PCV4, PCV2 and PCV3, PCV2 and PCV4, respectively. Full-length ORF2 sequencing and phylogenetic analysis supported the real-time PCR results that 5, 34, 8 and 4 of the 51 PCV sequences were PCV1, PCV2, PCV3 and PCV4, respectively. This study provides a promising alternative tool for rapid differential detection of PCVs and confirms the coexistence of all species of PCV1-4 strains in Jiangsu province in recent years.
To describe the incidence and fatality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and identify risk factors to fatality in patients with inflammatory articular diseases (IAD).

This is a cross-sectional observational study of IAD patients and COVID-19 with controls matched for age, sex, and RT-PCR. A control group was used to compare the cumulative incidence (CI) and case fatality rate (CFR). The main outcomes of the study were CI and CFR. Other variables included comorbidities, treatments, and characteristics of the COVID-19. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate risk factors for fatality in patients with IAD.

Of the 1537 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 23/1537 (1.49%) had IAD 13 (0.8%) had rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 5 psoriatic arthritis (PsA) (0.3%) and 5 axial spondyloarthritis (0.3%). There were no significant differences in CI of COVID-19 and CFR in patients with IAD compared with COVID-19 patients without IAD. In RT-PCR positive patients, the CI of COVID-19 in PsA and AS was higher. Of the 23 IAD patients, 2 RA patients (8.6%) died. The patients did no show characteristics of the COVID-19 disease different from the population. In multivariate analysis, the factor associated with fatality in patients with IAD was older age (OR [95% CI], 1.1 [1.0-1.2]).

COVID-19 CI, fatality rate and other features do not seem to be increased in IAD patients. Older age was associated with fatality in patients with IAD.
COVID-19 CI, fatality rate and other features do not seem to be increased in IAD patients. Older age was associated with fatality in patients with IAD.
Different types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells not only augment but also dampen antitumor immunity in the microenvironment of melanoma. Therefore, it is critical to provide an overview of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in melanoma and explore a novel strategy for immunotherapies.

We analyzed the immune states of different stages in melanoma patients by the immune, stromal, and estimation of stromal and immune cells in malignant tumor tissues using expression data (ESTIMATE) scores. Immune cell types were identified by the estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts (CIBERSORTx) algorithm in 471 melanoma and 324 healthy tissues. Moreover, we performed a gene set variation analysis (GSVA) to determine the differentially regulated pathways in the tumor microenvironment.

In melanoma cohorts, we found that ESTIMATE and immune scores were involved in survival or tumor clinical stage. Among the 22 immune cells, CD8
T cells, M2 macrophages, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) showed significant differences using the CIBERSORTx algorithm. Furthermore, GSVA identified the immune cell-related pathways; the primary immunodeficiency pathway, intestinal immune network for IgA, and TGF-β pathways were identified as participants of the crosstalk in CD8
T cells, Tregs, and M2 macrophages in the melanoma microenvironment.

These results reveal the cellular and molecular characteristics of immune cells in melanoma, providing a method for selecting targets of immunotherapies and promoting the efficacy of therapies for the treatment of melanoma.
These results reveal the cellular and molecular characteristics of immune cells in melanoma, providing a method for selecting targets of immunotherapies and promoting the efficacy of therapies for the treatment of melanoma.
Distal Roux-en-Y gastrojejunal bypass (DRYGJB) gives better weight reduction than standard Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) but at the risk of increased malnutrition side-effects. This study compared the effects of RYGB and DRYGJB on gastrointestinal symptoms, eating patterns and health-related quality of life (QoL).

This was a single-blind RCT from a university-affiliated obesity centre. Patients with a BMI of 50 kg/m
or above were invited to participate. Treatment arms were standard gastric bypass with an alimentary limb of 150 cm and a biliopancreatic limb of 60 cm, with a variable common channel length, or DRYGJB with biliopancreatic limb of 200 cm, common channel limb of 150 cm and variable alimentary limb length. Baseline and follow-up data to 5 years on quality of life, obesity-related problems and gastrointestinal symptoms were collected using prospectively created and validated questionnaires.

Some 140 patients were included. Those with a DRYGJB had better weight loss at 5 years (mean(s.d.) 68·3(21·8)kg versus 55·7(19·8)kg for standard RYGB; P=0·011). Eating patterns improved, with no difference between the groups. Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea, indigestion) worsened significantly in both groups, but only patients with DRYGJB had significantly worse diarrhoea at the end of the study than at baseline (P=0·006). Both groups had improved perceived generic QoL over baseline, and obesity-related problems were markedly reduced.

Standard RYGB and both improved generic and disease-specific QoL and eating behavioural pattern. Diarrhoea was increased more following DRYGJB than after RYGB. Registration number NCT01514799 (https//clinicaltrials.gov).
Standard RYGB and both improved generic and disease-specific QoL and eating behavioural pattern. Diarrhoea was increased more following DRYGJB than after RYGB. Registration number NCT01514799 (https//clinicaltrials.gov).Ectotympanic bone morphology is commonly used as a large-scale phylogenetic indicator across primates. Less well-understood is the intraspecies variation in this characteristic and the dynamic ways in which it affects and is affected by overall basicranial shape. This study attempts to clarify relationships between the external ear canal and basicranial shape among humans in a sample of archaeological human crania. The ectotympanic length and orientation were hypothesized to correlate with the shape of the cranial base and particularly with shape variables associated with relative brachycephaly. Basicranial shape in 80 computed tomography (CT) scans of adult humans were quantified using landmark coordinate data, with particular emphasis on the cranial base and auditory structures. Scaled ectotympanic lengths were taken from interlandmark distances and then compared to shape variation of the whole basicranium as summarized by procrustes shape variables and principal components analysis (PCA). The length of the ectotympanic bone was correlated with total cranial base variation. Long ectotympanic bones were found to be associated with brachycephalic individuals and less flexed basicrania. Additionally, long ectotympanic bones were found to be more horizontally oriented, as opposed to inferiorly sloped. We suggest that as brachycephaly increases the distance between the otic capsule and the pinna, the ectotympanic bone lengthens in response.It is recommended that browse should be an important part of diets for browsing and intermediate feeding type ruminants. However, provision of browse in winter time is problematic for many zoos located in the temperate climate. Drying or freezing of branches are commonly practiced solutions to this problem, but ensiling of tree leaves could also be an attractive option. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of drying and ensiling of different tree leaves on preference of their intake by nyala antelope (Tragelaphus angasii), an intermediate feeding type ruminant. A study was conducted on five nyala fed a standard diet (meadow hay, dehydrated chopped lucerne and limited concentrates) before and during the study. Preference of intake of five feeds was tested dried maple (A. platanoides), oak (Q. robur), willow (S. alba), and ensiled maple and lime (T. cordata) leaves. Each day two tested feeds were offered to each animal. After 4 h of presentation, feed refusals were weighed and preference ratio for each tested feed and animal was calculated.
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