Temporal changes of quantitative CT findings from 102 patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) imaging combined with artificial intelligence is important in the diagnosis and prognosis of lung diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate temporal changes of quantitative CT findings in patients with COVID-19 in three clinic types, including moderate, severe, and non-survivors, and to predict severe cases in the early stage from the results. METHODS: One hundred and two patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. Based on the time interval between onset of symptoms and the CT scan, four stages were defined in this study: Stage-1 (0 ∼7 days); Stage-2 (8 ∼ 14 days); Stage-3 (15 ∼ 21days); Stage-4 (> 21 days). Eight parameters, the infection volume and percentage of the whole lung in four different Hounsfield (HU) ranges, ((-, -750), [-750, -300), [-300, 50) and [50, +)), were calculated and compared between different groups. RESULTS: The infection volume and percentage of four HU ranges peaked in Stage-2. The highest proportion of HU [-750, 50) was found in the infected regions in non-survivors among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate rapid deterioration in the first week since the onset of symptoms in non-survivors. Higher proportion of HU [-750, 50) in the lesion area might be a potential bio-marker for poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19.

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Alterations in the number of motoneurons containing immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)& choline acetyltransferase(ChAT) in the cervical spinal cord of the wobbler mouse during the development of the motoneuron disease

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100141226 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 53 ◽

pp. 970-971

Author(s):

L. Vacca-Galloway ◽

Y.Q. Zhang ◽

P. Bose ◽

S.H. Zhang

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Early Stage ◽

Cervical Spinal Cord ◽

Wild Type Mouse ◽

Reflex Response ◽

Mouse Strains ◽

Behavioral Tests ◽

Wobbler Mouse ◽

Stage 4 ◽

Stage 1

The Wobbler mouse (wr) has been studied as a model for inherited human motoneuron diseases (MNDs). Using behavioral tests for forelimb power, walking, climbing, and the “clasp-like reflex” response, the progress of the MND can be categorized into early (Stage 1, age 21 days) and late (Stage 4, age 3 months) stages. Age-and sex-matched normal phenotype littermates (NFR/wr) were used as controls (Stage 0), as well as mice from two related wild-type mouse strains: NFR/N and a C57BI/6N. Using behavioral tests, we also detected pre-symptomatic Wobblers at postnatal ages 7 and 14 days. The mice were anesthetized and perfusion-fixed for immunocytochemical (ICC) of CGRP and ChAT in the spinal cord (C3 to C5).Using computerized morphomety (Vidas, Zeiss), the numbers of IR-CGRP labelled motoneurons were significantly lower in 14 day old Wobbler specimens compared with the controls (Fig. 1). The same trend was observed at 21 days (Stage 1) and 3 months (Stage 4). The IR-CGRP-containing motoneurons in the Wobbler specimens declined progressively with age.

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Usage of Compromised Lung Volume in Monitoring Steroid Therapy on Severe COVID-19

10.21203/rs.3.rs-698051/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ying Su ◽

Ze-song Qiu ◽

Jun Chen ◽

Min-jie Ju ◽

Guo-guang Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Steroid Therapy ◽

Lung Volume ◽

Quantitative Computed Tomography ◽

Hounsfield Unit ◽

Ct Scans ◽

Quantitative Ct ◽

Longitudinal Cohort ◽

Stage 4 ◽

Stage 1

Abstract BackgroundQuantitative computed tomography (QCT) analysis may serve as a tool for assessing the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and for monitoring its progress. The present study aimed to assess the association between steroid therapy and quantitative CT parameters in a longitudinal cohort with COVID-19.MethodsBetween February 7 and February 17, 2020, 300 chest CT scans from 72 patients with severe COVID-19 were retrospectively collected and classified into five stages according to the interval between hospital admission and follow-up CT scans: Stage 1 (at admission); Stage 2 (3–7 days); Stage 3 (8–14 days); Stage 4 (15–21 days); and Stage 5 (22–31 days). QCT was performed using a threshold-based quantitative analysis to segment the lung according to different Hounsfield unit (HU) intervals. The primary outcomes were changes in percentage of compromised lung volume (%CL, –500 to 100 HU) at different stages. Multivariate Generalized Estimating Equations were performed after adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsOf 72 patients, 31 patients (43.1%) received steroid therapy. Steroid therapy was associated with a decrease in %CL (-3.27% [95% CI, -5.86 to -0.68, P = 0.01]) after adjusting for duration and baseline %CL. Associations between steroid therapy and changes in %CL varied between different stages or baseline %CL (all interactions, P < 0.01). Steroid therapy was associated with decrease in %CL after stage 3 (all P < 0.05), but not at stage 2. Similarly, steroid therapy was associated with a more significant decrease in %CL in the high CL group (P < 0.05), but not in the low CL group.ConclusionsSteroid administration was independently associated with a decrease in %CL, with interaction by duration or disease severity in a longitudinal cohort. The quantitative CT parameters, particularly compromised lung volume, may provide a useful tool to monitor COVID-19 progression during the treatment process. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04953247. Registered July 7, 2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04953247

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Serum REG4 protein in pancreatic cancer as a tumor marker: A prospective study

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.15063 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽

pp. 15063-15063

Author(s):

A. Sawaki ◽

R. Takayama ◽

N. Mizuno ◽

M. Tajika ◽

N. Hoki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Early Stage ◽

Diagnostic Sensitivity ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

T Stage ◽

Stage 4 ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Stage 1 ◽

And Control

15063 Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) shows the worst mortality rate in common malignancies, with 5-year survival rate of 4%. The only way to cure the disease is surgical resection of early stage PC. Establishment of a screening strategy to detect early stage PC is eagerly expected. REG4, a member of the regenerating islet-derived (REG) family, are secreted proteins that play a role in tissue regeneration and inflammation in digestive organs. We reported overexpression of REG4 in PC cells and serum, and preliminary data of the serum REG4 level of pancreatic disease patients including PC patients. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the role of serum REG4 in PC. Methods: The series included 57 patients diagnosed pathologically as PC between November 2004 and December 2005. Serum REG4 was quantified by standard sandwich ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) using original kit (MBL116: provided by Medical and Biological Laboratories Co., LTD, Japan) before treatment. The upper limit of the test was set at 3.52ng/ml and was based on studies of serum from 48 healthy control subjects. Results: With a specificity of 100%, the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy were 63.2% and 80.0%, respectively. The ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis showed that area under the curve was 0.91. REG4 levels were a significant differences between PC and control (p<0.001), between each T stage and control (T1,T2, T3 or T4 v control), and between each TMN stage and control (stage 1, stage 2, stage 3 or stage 4 v control), but were not a statistical significance with T stage (T1 v T2 v T3 v T4), M stage (M0 v M1) or TNM stage (stage 1 v stage 2 v stage 3 v stage 4) in PC patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA>5.0ng/ml) and carbohydrate antigen19–9 (CA19–9>50U/ml) was 56.5% and 68.4%, respectively. No significant correlation was demonstrated between REG4 and CA19–9 (coefficient of correlation [rs]=0.45). Conclusions: This study shows the potential of serum REG4 as a screening test for PC, especially for early PC. REG4 is considered to be a more useful marker in combination with CA19- 9. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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Usage of Compromised Lung Volume in Monitoring Steroid Therapy on Severe COVID-19

10.21203/rs.3.rs-698051/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ying Su ◽

Ze-song Qiu ◽

Jun Chen ◽

Min-jie Ju ◽

Guo-guang Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Steroid Therapy ◽

Lung Volume ◽

Quantitative Computed Tomography ◽

Hounsfield Unit ◽

Ct Scans ◽

Quantitative Ct ◽

Longitudinal Cohort ◽

Stage 4 ◽

Stage 1

Abstract BackgroundQuantitative computed tomography (QCT) analysis may serve as a tool for assessing the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)and for monitoringits progress. The present study aimed to assess the association between steroid therapy and quantitative CT parameters in a longitudinal cohort with COVID-19.MethodsBetween February 7 and February 17, 2020, 300 chest CT scans from 72 patients with severe COVID-19 were retrospectively collected and classified into five stages according to the interval between hospital admission and follow-up CT scans: Stage 1 (at admission); Stage 2 (3–7 days); Stage 3 (8–14 days); Stage 4 (15–21 days); and Stage 5 (22–31 days). QCT was performed using a threshold-based quantitative analysis to segment the lungaccording to different Hounsfield unit (HU) intervals. The primary outcomeswerechanges in percentage of compromised lung volume (%CL, –500 to 100 HU) at different stages. Multivariate Generalized Estimating Equations were performed after adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsOf 72 patients, 31 patients (43.1%) received steroid therapy. Steroid therapy was associated with a decrease in %CL (-3.27% [95%CI, -5.86 to -0.68,P = 0.01]) after adjusting for duration and baseline %CL. Associations between steroid therapy and changes in %CL varied between different stages or baseline %CL (all interactions,P<0.01). Steroid therapy was associated with decrease in %CL after stage 3 (all P<0.05), but not at stage 2. Similarly, steroid therapy was associated with a more significant decrease in %CL in the high CL group (P<0.05), but not inthe low CL group.ConclusionsSteroid administration was independently associated with a decrease in %CL, with interaction by duration or disease severity in a longitudinal cohort. The quantitative CT parameters, particularly compromised lung volume, may provide a useful tool to monitor COVID-19 progression during the treatment process. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04953247. Registered July 7, 2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04953247

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Origin and Evolution of Ore-Forming Fluid and Gold-Deposition Processes at the Sanshandao Gold Deposit, Jiaodong Peninsula, Eastern China

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min9030189 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 189 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yazhou Liu ◽

Liqiang Yang ◽

Sirui Wang ◽

Xiangdong Liu ◽

Hao Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fluid Inclusion ◽

Gold Deposit ◽

Early Stage ◽

Gold Deposition ◽

Main Stage ◽

Type Ii ◽

Type Iii ◽

Stage 4 ◽

Stage 1 ◽

Stage Stage

The Early Cretaceous Sanshandao gold deposit, the largest deposit in the Sanshandao-Cangshang goldfield, is located in the northwestern part of the Jiaodong peninsula. It is host to Mesozoic granitoids and is controlled by the north by northeast (NNE) to northeast (NE)-trending Sanshandao-Cangshang fault. Two gold mineralizations were identified in the deposit’s disseminated and stockwork veinlets and quartz–sulfide veins, which are typically enveloped by broad alteration selvages. Based on the cross-cutting relationships and mineralogical and textural characteristics, four stages have been identified for both styles of mineralization: Pyrite–quartz (stage 1), quartz–pyrite (stage 2), quartz–pyrite–base metal–sulfide (stage 3), and quartz–carbonate (stage 4), with gold mainly occurring in stages 2 and 3. Three types of fluid inclusion have been distinguished on the basis of fluid-inclusion assemblages in quartz and calcite from the four stages: Pure CO2 gas (type I), CO2–H2O inclusions (type II), and aqueous inclusions (type III). Early-stage (stage 1) quartz primary inclusions are only type II inclusions, with trapping at 280–400 °C and salinity at 0.35 wt %–10.4 wt % NaCl equivalent. The main mineralizing stages (stages 2 and 3) typically contain primary fluid-inclusion assemblages of all three types, which show similar phase transition temperatures and are trapped between 210 and 320 °C. The late stage (stage 4) quartz and calcite contain only type III aqueous inclusions with trapping temperatures of 150–230 °C. The δ34S values of the hydrothermal sulfides from the main stage range from 7.7‰ to 12.6‰ with an average of 10.15‰. The δ18O values of hydrothermal quartz mainly occur between 9.7‰ and 15.1‰ (mainly 10.7‰–12.5‰, average 12.4‰); calculated fluid δ18O values are from 0.97‰ to 10.79‰ with a median value of 5.5‰. The δDwater values calculated from hydrothermal sericite range from −67‰ to −48‰. Considering the fluid-inclusion compositions, δ18O and δD compositions of ore-forming fluids, and regional geological events, the most likely ultimate potential fluid and metal would have originated from dehydration and desulfidation of the subducting paleo-Pacific slab and the subsequent devolatilization of the enriched mantle wedge. Fluid immiscibility occurred during the main ore-forming stage due to pressure decrease from the early stage (165–200 MPa) to the main stage (90–175 MPa). Followed by the changing physical and chemical conditions, the metallic elements (including Au) in the fluid could no longer exist in the form of complexes and precipitated from the fluid. Water–rock sulfidation and pressure fluctuations, with associated fluid unmixing and other chemical changes, were the two main mechanisms of gold deposition.

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Study on SARS-COV-2 transmission and the effects of control measures in China

10.1101/2020.02.16.20023770 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bo Zhang ◽

Hongwei Zhou ◽

Fang Zhou

Keyword(s):

Early Stage ◽

Back Propagation ◽

Hubei Province ◽

Control Measures ◽

Reproductive Number ◽

Wuhan City ◽

Stage 4 ◽

Epidemic Area ◽

Data Source ◽

Stage 1

ObjectiveTo reconstruct the transmission trajectory of SARS-COV-2 and analyze the effects of control measures in China.MethodsPython 3.7.1 was used to write a SEIR class to model the epidemic procedure and a back propagation class to estimate the initial true infected number. The epidemic area in China was divided into three parts, Wuhan city, Hubei province (except Wuhan) and China (except Hubei) based on the different transmission pattern. A limitation factor for the medical resource was imposed to model the infected but not quarantined. Credible data source from Baidu Qianxi were used to assess the number of infected cases migrated from Wuhan to other areas.ResultsBasic reproduction number, R0, was 3.6 in the very early stage. The true infected number was 4508 in our model in Wuhan before January 22, 2020. By January 22 2020, it was estimated that 1764 infected cases migrated from Wuhan to other cities in Hubei province. Effective reproductive number, R, gradually decreased from 3.6 (Wuhan, stage 1), 3.4 (Hubei except Wuhan, stage 1) and 3.3 (China except Hubei, stage 1) to 0.67 (Wuhan, stage 4), 0.83 (Hubei except Wuhan, stage 2) and 0.63 (China except Hubei, stage 2), respectively. Especially after January 23, 2020 when Wuhan City was closed, the infected number showed a turning point in Wuhan. By early April, there would be 42073, 21342 and 13384 infected cases in Wuhan, Hubei (except Wuhan) and China (except Hubei) respectively, and there would be 2179, 633 and 107 death in Wuhan, Hubei (except Wuhan) and China (except Hubei) respectively.ConclusionA series of control measures in China have effectively prevented the spread of COVID-19, and the epidemic will end in early April.

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Mechanism and situation of injuries in fast bowlers: A YouTube-based video analysis study

10.25259/jassm_40_2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 207-211

Author(s):

Ravi Gupta ◽

Anil Kapoor ◽

Akash Singhal ◽

Aakanksha Dogra ◽

Bharath Patil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Video Analysis ◽

Early Stage ◽

Acute Injury ◽

Analysis Study ◽

Contact Stage ◽

Lower Back ◽

Stage 4 ◽

Proper Training ◽

Ground Conditions ◽

Stage 1

Objectives: The present study was conducted with the objective of identifying the cause of injuries in fast bowlers. Materials and Methods: The present study is a video analysis study, keywords such as “fast bowler’s injury,” “failure of bowling,” and “cricket injuries” were searched on YouTube. Bowling action was divided into four stages – Stage 1 – jump, Stage 2 – back foot contact, Stage 3 – front foot contact, and Stage 4 – follow-through. The type and timing of injury (stage) were noted after analyzing the videos. Results: Sixteen injuries were identified in five videos. It was observed that 15 athletes had acute injury to lower limb and 1 athlete had an acute injury to lower back. 13/16 injuries happened in Stage 2 and 3/16 injuries happened in Stage 4. Conclusion: Most of the injuries happened at the time of landing and follow-through. Therefore, improvement of ground conditions, especially around the bowling area, and addition of exercise-based injury prevention programs can reduce the risk of injuries. This is more important for young fast bowlers at the club levels and state levels, as proper training at an early stage, can prevent injuries in many young fast bowlers.

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A comprehensive investigation of colorectal cancer progression, from the early to late-stage, a systems biology approach

10.1101/2020.10.24.353292 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad Ghorbani ◽

Yazdan Asgari

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Wnt Signaling ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Late Stage ◽

Early Stage ◽

Differentially Expressed Gene ◽

Stage 4 ◽

Colorectal Cancer Progression ◽

Stage 1 ◽

Canonical Wnt

AbstractColorectal cancer is a widespread malignancy with a concerning mortality rate. It could be curable at the first stages, but the progress of the disease and reaching to the stage-4 could make shift the treatments from curative to palliative. In this stage, the survival rate is meager, and therapy options are limited. The question is, what are the hallmarks of this stage and what genes are involved? What mechanism and pathways could drive such a malign shift from stage-1 to stage-4? In this study, first we identified the core modules for both the stage-1 and stage-4 which four of them have a significant role in stage-1 and two of them have a role in stage-4. Then we investigated the gene ontology and hallmarks analysis for each stage. According to the results, the immune-related process, especially interferon-gamma, impacts stage-1 in colorectal cancer. Concerning stage-4, extracellular matrix ontologies, and metastatic hallmarks are in charge. At last, we performed a differentially expressed gene analysis of stage-4 vs. stage-1 and analyzed their pathways which reasonably undergone a hypo/hyperactivity or being abnormally regulated through the cancer progression. We found that lncRNA in canonical WNT signaling and colon cancer has the most significant pathways, followed by WNT signaling, which means that these pathways may be the driver for the development from early-stage to late-stage. Of these lncRNAs, we had two upregulated kind, H19, and HOTAIR, which both can be involved and mediate metastasis and invasion in colorectal cancer.

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Novel staging classification of primary mitral regurgitation based on the presence of cardiac damage

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.1998 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

A.L Van Wijngaarden ◽

Y.L Hiemstra ◽

P Van Der Bijl ◽

V Delgado ◽

N Ajmone Marsan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mitral Regurgitation ◽

Kidney Function ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Prognostic Impact ◽

Cardiac Damage ◽

Stage 4 ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Primary Mitral Regurgitation ◽

Stage 1 ◽

Staging Classification

Abstract Background The indication for surgery in patients with severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR) is currently based on the presence of symptoms, left ventricular (LV) dilatation and dysfunction, atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of a new staging classification based on cardiac damage including the known risk factors but also including global longitudinal strain (GLS), severe left atrial (LA) dilatation and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Methods In total 614 patients who underwent surgery for severe primary MR with available baseline transthoracic echocardiograms were included. Patients were classified according to the extent of cardiac damage (Figure): Stage 0-no cardiac damage, Stage 1-LV damage, Stage 2-LA damage, Stage 3-pulmonary vasculature or tricuspid valve damage and Stage 4-RV damage. Patients were followed for all-cause mortality. Results Based on the proposed classification, 172 (28%) patients were classified as Stage 0, 102 (17%) as Stage 1, 134 (21%) as Stage 2, 135 (22%) as Stage 3 and 71 (11%) as Stage 4. The more advanced the stage, the older the patients were with worse kidney function, more symptoms and higher EuroScore. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that patients with more advanced stages of cardiac damage had a significantly worse survival (log-rank chi-square 35.2; p<0.001) (Figure). On multivariable analysis, age, male, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney function, and stage of cardiac damage were independently associated with all-cause mortality. For each stage increase, a 22% higher risk for all-cause mortality was observed (95% CI: 1.064–1.395; p=0.004). Conclusion In patients with severe primary MR, a novel staging classification based on the extent of cardiac damage, may help refining risk stratification, particularly including also GLS, LA dilatation and RV dysfunction in the assessment. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Identification of BHLHE40 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as a novel biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90515-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pattapon Kunadirek ◽

Chaiyaboot Ariyachet ◽

Supachaya Sriphoosanaphan ◽

Nutcha Pinjaroen ◽

Pongserath Sirichindakul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Mononuclear Cells ◽

Early Stage ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽

Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽

Transcription Profiles ◽

Blood Mononuclear Cells

AbstractNovel and sensitive biomarkers is highly required for early detection and predicting prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated transcription profiles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 8 patients with HCC and PBMCs from co-culture model with HCC using RNA-Sequencing. These transcription profiles were cross compared with published microarray datasets of PBMCs in HCC to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A total of commonly identified of 24 DEGs among these data were proposed as cancer-induced genes in PBMCs, including 18 upregulated and 6 downregulated DEGs. The KEGG pathway showed that these enriched genes were mainly associated with immune responses. Five up-regulated candidate genes including BHLHE40, AREG, SOCS1, CCL5, and DDIT4 were selected and further validated in PBMCs of 100 patients with HBV-related HCC, 100 patients with chronic HBV infection and 100 healthy controls. Based on ROC analysis, BHLHE40 and DDIT4 displayed better diagnostic performance than alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in discriminating HCC from controls. Additionally, BHLHE40 and DDIT4 had high sensitivity for detecting AFP-negative and early-stage HCC. BHLHE40 was also emerged as an independent prognostic factor of overall survival of HCC. Together, our study indicated that BHLHE40 in PBMCs could be a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HBV-related HCC.

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