Hypertension is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a cohort study

Abstract

Background

Comorbidities are commonly seen in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the clinical implication is not yet well-delineated. We aim to characterize the prevalence and clinical implications of comorbidities in patients with COVID-19.     

Pick’s disease with Pick bodies combined with progressive supranuclear palsy without tuft‐shaped astrocytes: A clinical,neuroradiologic and pathological study of an autopsied case

We report clinical, neuroradiologic features, and neuropathologic findings of a 76‐year‐old man with coexistent Pick’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. The patient presented with loss of recent memory, abnormal behavior and change in personality at the age of 60. The symptoms were progressive. Three years later, repetitive or compulsive behavior became prominent. About 9 years after onset, he had difficulty moving and became bed‐ridden because of a fracture of his left leg. His condition gradually deteriorated and he developed mutism and became vegetative. The patient died from pneumonia 16 years after the onset of symptoms. Serial MRI scans showed progressive cortex atrophy, especially in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes. Macroscopic inspection showed severe atrophy of the whole brain, including cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum. Microscopic observations showed extensive superficial spongiosis and severe neuronal loss with gliosis in the second and third cortical layers in the frontal, temporal and parietal cortex. There were Pick cells and argyrophilic Pick bodies, which were tau‐ and ubiquitin‐positive in neurons of layers II–III of the above‐mentioned cortex. Numerous argyrophilic Pick bodies were observed in the hippocampus, especially in the dentate fascia. In addition, moderate to severe loss of neurons was found with gliosis and a lot of Gallyas/tau‐positive globus neurofibrillary tangles in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, thalamus, substantia nigra, locus coeruleus and dentate nucleus. Numerous thorned‐astrocytes and coiled bodies but no‐tuft shaped astrocytes were noted in the basal ganglion, brainstem and cerebellar white matter. In conclusion, these histopathological features were compatible with classical Pick’s disease and coexistence with progressive supranuclear palsy without tuft‐shaped astrocytes.     

介绍一种针头拔出器

临床工作中，医务人员在分离注射器、输液器针头时，常用止血钳、纱布或直接用手分离，这些方法易被针头刺伤。在许多医院使用自动针头毁形器。现介绍一种低成本、易制作及安装的简易针头拔出器。     

In vitro reversal MDR of human carcinoma cell line by an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide-doxorubicin conjugate.

A conjugate of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS ODN) covalently linked with deoxorubicin (DOX) was synthesized. Its properties and antitumour activity in human carcinoma DOX resistant cells (KB-A-1) were investigated in vitro. The results showed that the conjugate was strongly stable both in Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) and in culture medium. The intracellular concentration of the conjugate was higher than that of the AS DON by HPLC analysis. The conjugate showed potent dose-dependent inhibition to the growth of KB-A-1 cells. Chemosensitivity of KB-A-1 cells to DOX was also investigated in vitro. When the cells were first exposed to the conjugate (0.5 microM) and then exposed to DOX for 24 h, the IC50 value of DOX decreased from 21.5 to 2.2 microM. In contrast, when treated with the mixture of the same concentration of the AS ODN with equivalent DOX, the IC50 value of DOX was 16.8 microM. Intracellular DOX concentration was detected in KB-A-1 treatment with the conjugate in vitro by HPLC. The results showed that the intracellular DOX concentration was 6.4-fold increased in KB-A-1 cells treated with the conjugate compared to treatment with DOX alone. In contrast, 1.8-fold increasing was observed when treated with the AS ODN. Western blot analysis showed a significantly decrease in the amount of P-glycoprotein in KB-A-1 cells. These results suggest that the conjugate is effective in reversing multidrug resistance. Certainly, further studies are conducting to explore the antitumour effect of the conjugate in vivo.     

Cathodes for fuel cells using proton-conducting Li2SO4–Al2O3 electrolyte

The performances of three widely different cathode materials (Pt, strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM), and NiO) have been compared for use with proton conducting Li₂SO₄–Al₂O₃ composite electrolyte, using H₂S–air and H₂–air fuel cells operating at 600 °C. Surface analysis and electrochemical techniques were used to characterize fresh and used electrode materials. Pt or LSM cathodes each became covered with Li₂SO₄ and Al₂O₃ and, as a consequence, the fuel cells showed poor performance. In contrast, the NiO cathode catalyst did not become covered with Li₂SO₄ and good fuel cell performance was achieved. Exceptionally good current densities of over 100 mA/cm² and power densities of over 30 mW/cm² were obtained for H₂S–air fuel cells having Mo–Ni–S anode catalysts. Slight agglomeration of NiO particles during fuel cell operation had only a minor effect on performance.     

彩色多普勒组织显像对川崎病心肌病变的诊断价值

应用彩色多普勒组织显像(DTI)比较观察10例川畸病(KD)患儿与143例正常儿童二尖半环、左室壁及心内膜不同时相运动速度的变化.结果显示10例KD患儿的二尖半环舒张早期运动速度(MVR-DeV)明显降低,与对照组比较有显著差异,同时KD患儿M VR-DeV的异常率显著高于DTI的其它检查指标.