Artificial intelligence technology for diagnosing COVID-19 cases: a review of substantial issues.

Today, the world suffers from the rapid spread of COVID-19, which has claimed thousands of lives. Unfortunately, its treatment is yet to be developed. Nevertheless, this phenomenon can be decelerated by diagnosing and quarantining patients with COVID-19 at early stages, thereby saving numerous lives. In this study, the early diagnosis of this disease through artificial intelligence (AI) technology is explored. AI is a revolutionizing technology that drives new research opportunities in various fields. Although this study does not provide a final solution, it highlights the most promising lines of research on AI technology for the diagnosis of COVID-19. The major contribution of this work is a discussion on the following substantial issues of AI technology for preventing the severe effects of COVID-19: (1) rapid diagnosis and detection, (2) outbreak and prediction of virus spread, and (3) potential treatments. This study profoundly investigates these controversial research topics to achieve a precise, concrete, and concise conclusion. Thus, this study provides significant recommendations on future research directions related to COVID-19.

Growth of liver allografts over time in pediatric transplant recipients.

The liver's capacity to grow in response to metabolic need is well known. However, long-term growth of liver allografts in pediatric recipients has not been characterized. A retrospective review of pediatric recipients at a single institution identified patients who had cross-sectional imaging at 1, 5, and 10 years post-transplant. Using volumetric calculations, liver allograft size was calculated and percent SLV were compared across the different time points; 18 patients ranging from 0.3 to 17.7 years old were identified that had imaging at 2 or more time points. Measured liver volumes increased by 59% after 5 years and 170% after 10 years. The measured liver volumes compared to calculated %SLV for these patients were 123 ± 37%, 97 ± 19%, and 118 ± 27% at 1, 5, and 10 years after transplant, respectively. Our data suggest that liver allografts in pediatric recipients increase along with overall growth, and reach SLVs for height and weight by 5 years post-transplantation. Additionally, as pediatric recipients grow, the livers appear to maintain appropriate SLV.

Comparative analysis of low complexity regions in Plasmodia.

Low complexity regions (LCRs) are a common feature shared by many genomes, but their evolutionary and functional significance remains mostly unknown. At the core of the uncertainty is a poor understanding of the mechanisms that regulate their retention in genomes, whether driven by natural selection or neutral evolution. Applying a comparative approach of LCRs to multiple strains and species is a powerful approach to identify patterns of conservation in these regions. Using this method, we investigate the evolutionary history of LCRs in the genus Plasmodium based on orthologous protein coding genes shared by 11 species and strains from primate and rodent-infecting pathogens. We find multiple lines of evidence in support of natural selection as a major evolutionary force shaping the composition and conservation of LCRs through time and signatures that their evolutionary paths are species specific. Our findings add a comparative analysis perspective to the debate on the evolution of LCRs and harness the power of sequence comparisons to identify potential functionally important LCR candidates.

Frequency of gonadal tumours in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS): A retrospective case-series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) is an X-linked recessive disorder of sex development (DSD) where affected individuals are phenotypically female, but have an XY karyotype and testes. The risk of gonadal tumour development in CAIS may increase with age; incidence rates have been reported to be 0.8-22% in patients who have retained their gonads into adulthood. Consequently, gonadectomy has been recommended either during childhood or after puberty is complete, although there is no consensus on the optimal timing for this procedure. OBJECTIVE AND HYPOTHESES: To establish the frequency of histological abnormalities in CAIS in relation to the age at gonadectomy. METHOD: Data were collected from the Cambridge DSD database on patients with CAIS (n = 225; age range 3-88 years) who had undergone gonadectomy, and their age of gonadectomy, gonadal histology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Evaluable data were obtained from 133 patients. Median age at gonadectomy was 14.0 years (range: 18 days-68 years). Pubertal status was: prepuberty, n = 62; postpuberty, n = 68. Thirteen cases were aged >20 years at gonadectomy. The pattern of histology is summarised in the Summary table. DISCUSSION: In this large case series of CAIS patients who had undergone gonadectomy, while the combined malignant and premalignant gonadal histology prevalence was 6.0%, the findings confirm the low occurrence of gonadal malignancy in CAIS, with a frequency of 1.5%. The two cases of malignancy were postpubertal. Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) was observed in six cases, of which one occurred prepuberty and five postpuberty. The study highlighted difficulties in diagnosis of GCNIS and the need for histological analysis in expert centres. CONCLUSION: The results support the current recommendation that gonads in CAIS can be retained until early adulthood. The small number of individuals with gonadectomy after age 20 years do not allow firm conclusion regarding later adulthood. Therefore, it is recommended that the option of gonadectomy be discussed in adulthood. Some form of regular surveillance of the gonads is then recommended, although none of the available options are ideal.

Safety in out-of-hours operating in trauma and orthopaedics at a district general hospital.

INTRODUCTION According to the National Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Deaths (NCEPOD), out-of-hours operating in trauma and orthopaedics should be reserved for life or limb threatening cases only. The aim of our study was to determine the nature of non-emergency work carried out in our trust at night in 2015. The overall efficacy and clinical safety of the services provided was evaluated. METHODS Surgical activity undertaken after 9pm was reviewed along with patient ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) grade, grade of operating surgeon and any complications that occurred following the procedure. Furthermore, the clinical urgency and safety of cases was assessed based on whether there was any record of life or limb threatening indications at the time of admission. RESULTS Overall, 131 procedures were performed after 9pm, with 102 performed between 9pm and midnight, and 29 after midnight. Consultants performed 16 cases and the remaining 115 cases were operated on by middle grades or specialty trainees. A fifth (20%) of the cases were genuinely life or limb threatening. A total of 123 procedures were classed as having good outcomes. The complication rate was 8%. CONCLUSIONS In our study, 80% of the procedures performed after 9pm could not be categorised as life or limb threatening. Appropriate NCEPOD classification would ensure that only life or limb threatening cases were listed for theatre after 9pm. Alternative methods of operating within working hours should be considered.

The pharmacogenetics of codeine pain relief in the postpartum period.

The objective of this study was to examine interindividual variability in codeine requirements and pain management by examining select genetic polymorphisms in the codeine pharmacological pathway. The study included a nested cohort of 98 women who were prescribed codeine following cesarean section. Participants were genotyped for select polymorphisms of the COMT, ABCB1, CYP2D6, UGT2B7 and OPRM1 genes and instructed to describe their level of pain using the visual analog scale (mm) 1 h following each dose of codeine. Analysis revealed that reported pain increases with maternal age (P=0.041). Asians required more codeine than Caucasians (P=0.048). Significant differences in mean dose consumption were seen among the genotypic groups of the OPRM1 A118G (P=0.001) and UGT2B7 C802T (P=0.015) variants. These variants were found to predict codeine consumption in the cohort overall (P=0.000) and among Caucasians (P=0.001). These findings will assist in customizing therapy to effectively manage postpartum pain.

Tendon overload results in alterations in cell shape and increased markers of inflammation and matrix degradation.

Tendon injury is thought to involve both damage accumulation within the matrix and an accompanying cell response. While several studies have characterized cell and matrix response in chronically injured tendons, few have assessed the initial response of tendon to overload-induced damage. In this study, we assessed cell response to cyclic loading. Fascicle bundles from the equine superficial digital flexor tendon were exposed to cyclic loading in vitro, designed to mimic a bout of high-intensity exercise. Changes in cell morphology and protein-level alterations in markers of matrix inflammation and degradation were investigated. Loading resulted in matrix damage, which was accompanied by cells becoming rounder. The inflammatory markers cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin-6 were increased in loaded samples, as were matrix metalloproteinase-13 and the collagen degradation marker C1,2C. These results indicate upregulation of inflammatory and degradative pathways in response to overload-induced in vitro, which may be initiated by alterations in cell strain environment because of localized matrix damage. This provides important information regarding the initiation of tendinopathy, suggesting that inflammation may play an important role in the initial cell response to tendon damage. Full understanding of the early tenocyte response to matrix damage is critical in order to develop effective treatments for tendinopathy.

Sub-segmental pulmonary embolism in three academic teaching hospitals: a review of management and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The availability of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has led to an increase in the diagnosis of sub-segmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE). Current clinical practice guidelines do not make any treatment distinctions for SSPE, though the benefits of anticoagulation for SSPE have not been established. OBJECTIVES: To review the frequency of pulmonary embolism and sub-segmental pulmonary embolism identified through CTPA as well as their management. METHODS: Cross-sectional review of the charts of 2213 patients who underwent CTPA in three Hamilton teaching hospitals from 2009 to 2011. In-depth review of the charts of patients with SSPE was undertaken to determine the frequency with which patients received anticoagulation therapy for SSPE, as well as bleeding complications and recurrent thrombosis. RESULTS: A total of 2216 CTPAs were reviewed. The frequency of PE was 24.8% (n = 550). The most frequent filling defect was SSPE in 82 patients (3.9% of total scans and 15.0% of identified PEs). In 55 of these 82 SSPEs, an alternative diagnosis to PE was identified on CT to explain the patients' symptoms. Approximately 52.4% (n = 43) received anticoagulation for SSPE. Major life-threatening bleeding complications occurred in two of the 43 who received anticoagulation for SSPE. There was no documented recurrent thrombosis in any patients with SSPE, with or without anticoagulation. SUMMARY/CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of patients received anticoagulation for SSPE (52%) and two developed life-threatening bleeding complications. Randomized controlled trial data are needed to further investigate the risks and benefits of anticoagulation in patients with SSPE.

Reward processing in obesity, substance addiction and non-substance addiction.

Similarities and differences between obesity and addiction are a prominent topic of ongoing research. We conducted an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis on 87 studies in order to map the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) response to reward in participants with obesity, substance addiction and non-substance (or behavioural) addiction, and to identify commonalities and differences between them. Our study confirms the existence of alterations during reward processing in obesity, non-substance addiction and substance addiction. Specifically, participants with obesity or with addictions differed from controls in several brain regions including prefrontal areas, subcortical structures and sensory areas. Additionally, participants with obesity and substance addictions exhibited similar blood-oxygen-level-dependent fMRI hyperactivity in the amygdala and striatum when processing either general rewarding stimuli or the problematic stimuli (food and drug-related stimuli, respectively). We propose that these similarities may be associated with an enhanced focus on reward--especially with regard to food or drug-related stimuli--in obesity and substance addiction. Ultimately, this enhancement of reward processes may facilitate the presence of compulsive-like behaviour in some individuals or under some specific circumstances. We hope that increasing knowledge about the neurobehavioural correlates of obesity and addictions will lead to practical strategies that target the high prevalence of these central public health challenges.

Rate and prognosis of patients under conscious sedation requiring emergent intubation during neuroendovascular procedures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuroendovascular procedures are performed with the patient under conscious sedation (local anesthesia) in varying numbers of patients in different institutions, though the risk of unplanned conversion to general anesthesia is poorly characterized. Our aim was to ascertain the rate of failure of conscious sedation in patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures and compare the in-hospital outcomes of patients who were converted from conscious sedation to general anesthesia with those whose procedures were initiated with general anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who had an endovascular procedure initiated under general anesthesia or conscious sedation were identified through a prospective data base maintained at 2 comprehensive stroke centers. Patient clinical and procedural characteristics, in-hospital deaths, and favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-2) at discharge were ascertained. RESULTS: Nine hundred seven endovascular procedures were identified, of which 387 were performed with the patient under general anesthesia, while 520 procedures were initiated with conscious sedation. Among procedures initiated with intent to be performed under conscious sedation, 9 (1.7%) procedures required emergent conversion to general anesthesia. Favorable clinical outcome and in-hospital mortality in patients requiring emergent conversion from conscious sedation to general anesthesia and in those with procedures initiated with general anesthesia were not statistically different (42% versus 50%, P = .73 and 17% versus 13%, P = 1.00, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, there was a very low rate of conscious sedation failure and associated adverse outcomes among patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures. Proper patient selection is important if procedures are to be performed with the patient under conscious sedation. Limitations of the methodology used in our study preclude us from offering specific recommendations regarding when to use a specific anesthetic protocol.

Autocrine IL-1ß-TRAF6 signalling promotes squamous cell carcinoma invasion through paracrine TNFα signalling to carcinoma-associated fibroblasts.

The invasion of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Here, we identify an E3 ligase, Traf6 and a de-ubiquitinating enzyme, Cezanne/ZA20D1, as important regulators of this process in organotypic models. Traf6 can promote the formation of Cdc42-dependent F-actin microspikes. Furthermore, Traf6 has a key role in autocrine interleukin-1ß signalling in SCC cells, which in turn is required to drive the expression of tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα). TNFα acts in a paracrine manner to increase the invasion-promoting potential of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Exogenous TNFα signalling can restore invasion in cells depleted of Traf6. In conclusion, Traf6 has two important roles in SCC invasion: it promotes cell intrinsic Cdc42-dependent regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and enables production of the paracrine signal, TNFα, that enhances the activity of CAFs.

Microcatheter to recanalization (procedure time) predicts outcomes in endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke: when do we stop?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke consists of various mechanical and pharmacologic modalities used for recanalization of arterial occlusions. We performed this study to determine the relationship among procedure time, recanalization, and clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing endovascular treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent endovascular treatment during a 6-year period. Demographic characteristics, NIHSS score before and 24 hours after the procedure, and discharge mRS score were ascertained. Procedure time was defined by the time interval between microcatheter placement and recanalization or completion of the procedure. We estimated the procedure time after which favorable clinical outcome was unlikely, even after adjustment for age, time from symptom onset, and admission NIHSS scores. RESULTS: We analyzed 209 patients undergoing endovascular treatment (mean age, 65 ± 16 years; 109 [52%] men; mean admission/preprocedural NIHSS score, 15.3 ± 6.8). Complete or partial recanalization was observed in 176 (84.2%) patients, while unfavorable outcome (mRS 3-6) was observed in 138 (66%) patients at discharge. In univariate analysis, patients with procedure time ≤30 minutes had lower rates of unfavorable outcome at discharge compared with patients with procedure time ≥30 minutes (52.3% versus 72.2%, P = .0049). In our analysis, the rates of favorable outcomes in endovascularly treated patients after 60 minutes were lower than rates observed with placebo treatment in the Prourokinase for Acute Ischemic Stroke Trial. In logistic regression analysis, unfavorable outcome was positively associated with age (P = .0012), admission NIHSS strata (P = .0017), and longer procedure times (P = .0379). CONCLUSIONS: Procedure time in patients with acute ischemic stroke appears to be a critical determinant of outcomes following endovascular treatment. This highlights the need for procedure time guidelines for patients being considered for endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke.

Effects of caffeinated coffee consumption on intraocular pressure, ocular perfusion pressure, and ocular pulse amplitude: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of caffeinated coffee consumption on intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in those with or at risk for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, double-masked, crossover, randomized controlled trial with 106 subjects: 22 with high tension POAG, 18 with normal tension POAG, 20 with ocular hypertension, 21 POAG suspects, and 25 healthy participants. Subjects ingested either 237 ml of caffeinated (182 mg caffeine) or decaffeinated (4 mg caffeine) coffee for the first visit and the alternate beverage for the second visit. Blood pressure (BP) and pascal dynamic contour tonometer measurements of IOP, OPA, and heart rate were measured before and at 60 and 90 min after coffee ingestion per visit. OPP was calculated from BP and IOP measurements. Results were analysed using paired t-tests. Multivariable models assessed determinants of IOP, OPP, and OPA changes. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline IOP, OPP, and OPA between the caffeinated and decaffeinated visits. After caffeinated as compared with decaffeinated coffee ingestion, mean mm Hg changes (± SD) in IOP, OPP, and OPA were as follows: 0.99 (± 1.52, P<0.0001), 1.57 (± 6.40, P=0.0129), and 0.23 (± 0.52, P<0.0001) at 60 min, respectively; and 1.06 (± 1.67, P<0.0001), 1.26 (± 6.23, P=0.0398), and 0.18 (± 0.52, P=0.0006) at 90 min, respectively. Regression analyses revealed sporadic and inconsistent associations with IOP, OPP, and OPA changes. CONCLUSION: Consuming one cup of caffeinated coffee (182 mg caffeine) statistically increases, but likely does not clinically impact, IOP and OPP in those with or at risk for POAG.

Requirements for emergent neurosurgical procedures among patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures in contemporary practice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Provisions for an emergent neurosurgical procedure have been a mandatory component of centers that perform neuroendovascular procedures. We sought to determine the need for emergent neurosurgical procedures following neuroendovascular interventions in 2 comprehensive stroke centers in settings with such provisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of retrospectively collected data from procedure logs and patient charts was performed to identify patients who required immediate (before the termination of the intervention) or adjunctive (within 24 hours of the intervention) neurosurgical procedures related to a neuroendovascular intervention complication. The types of neurosurgical procedures and in-hospital outcomes of identified patients are reported as an aggregate and per endovascular procedure-type analyses. RESULTS: We reviewed a total of 933 neuroendovascular procedures performed during 3.5 years (2006-2010). A total of 759 intracranial procedures were performed. There was a need for emergent neurosurgical procedures in 8 patients (0.85% cumulative incidence and 1.05% for major intracranial procedures) (mean age, 46 years; 7 were women); the procedures were categorized as 3 immediate and 5 adjunctive procedures. There were 5 in-hospital deaths (62.5%) among these 8 patients. Neurosurgical procedures performed were external ventricular drainage placement in 6 (6 of 8, 75%) patients, decompressive craniectomy in 1 (12.5%) patient, and both surgical procedures in 1 (12.5%) patient. CONCLUSIONS: The need for emergent neurosurgical procedures is very low among patients undergoing intracranial neuroendovascular procedures. Survival in such patients despite emergent neurosurgical procedures is quite low.