ABSTRACT
The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 can recognize the ACE2 membrane protein on the host cell and plays a key role in the membrane fusion process between the virus envelope and the host cell membrane. However, to date, the mechanism for the spike protein recognizing host cells and initiating membrane fusion remains unknown. In this study, based on the general assumption that all three S1/S2 junctions of the spike protein are cleaved, structures with different forms of S1 subunit stripping and S2' site cleavage were constructed. Then, the minimum requirement for the release of the fusion peptide was studied by all-atom structure-based MD simulations. The results from simulations showed that stripping an S1 subunit from the A-, B- or C-chain of the spike protein and cleaving the specific S2' site on the B-chain (C-chain or A-chain) may result in the release of the fusion peptide, suggesting that the requirement for the release of FP may be more relaxed than previously expected.
ABSTRACT
Background Burnout has been prevalent among healthcare workers (HCWs). However, the effect of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic on this phenomenon in HCWs is unclear. Objective This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on burnout of HCWs using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Methods A systematic search was performed on PubMed database for articles published between 1 December 2019 and 30 June 2021. Search strategy combined terms for HCWs, COVID-19, burnout, and MBI. The main outcome of interest was burnout, including both mean prevalence and MBI scores for high emotional exhaustion (EE), high depersonalisation (DP) and low personal accomplishment (PA). Results Four cohort studies, 90 cross-sectional studies and one randomised-controlled trial were included for review. Only one cohort study compared burnout data among HCWs before and during COVID-19. It reported a statistically significant increase in mean EE and PA scores from 21.9 to 24.8 (p = .001), and 42.7 to 48.7 (p = .001), respectively. The remaining studies only evaluated burnout data during COVID-19 but were missing burnout data prior to the pandemic for comparison. Across these studies, the overall mean prevalence of burnout among HCWs was 39.95%, with mean MBI EE scores of 22.07, DP scores of 7.83, and PA scores of 32.53. Burnout outcomes were generally comparable across specific healthcare professions such as doctors and nurses. Conclusion Whilst quality research elucidating the effect of pandemic on burnout is lacking, current burnout prevalence among HCWs during COVID-19 is notable.
ABSTRACT
Background: hepatic hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of the liver. However, patients with large hemangiomas that cause compression symptoms or that are at risk of rupture may need further intervention. It is necessary to explore additional minimally invasive and personalized treatment options.Case presentation: A 47-year-old female was diagnosed with right hepatic hemangioma for more than 10 years. Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT and CEUS revealed that there was a large hemangioma in the right liver, with a size of approximately 95x97x117 mm. Due to the patient's refusal of surgical treatment, hepatic artery embolization was performed in the first stage, then after 25 days of liver protection treatment, the liver function indexes decreased to normal levels. Then, B-ultrasound-guided microwave ablation of the giant hepatic hemangioma was performed. Ten days after the surgery, hepatobiliary ultrasonography showed that the hemangioma of the right liver was smaller than the previous size (the volume was reduced by approximately 30%). Then the patient was discharged from the hospital, and CT suggested that the hepatic hemangioma is significantly smaller two months after discharge. Because of COVID-19, the patient's CT examination was delayed.Conclusions: TAE combined with microwave ablation is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for hepatic hemangioma.