SciMedicine journal最新文献

{"title":"Non-mass Enhancement in Breast MRI: Characterization with BI-RADS Descriptors and ADC Values","authors":"W. Buchberger, W. Oberaigner, C. Kremser, K. Gautsch, U. Siebert","doi":"10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0302-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0302-1","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging in distinguishing benign from malignant non-mass-like breast lesions. Methods: 103 lesions showing non-mass-like enhancement in 100 consecutive patients were analyzed. Distribution, internal enhancement patterns, and contrast kinetic curve patterns were classified according to the BI-RADS lexicon. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were obtained from manually placed regions of interest (ROIs) on diffusion-weighted images. The optimal ADC value threshold for the distinction between benign and malignant lesions was determined by ROC analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of malignancy, and the probability of malignancy was calculated for various combinations of findings. Histological diagnosis obtained by means of core needle biopsy was used as gold standard. Results: According to the univariate and multivariate analysis, odds ratios for malignancy were significantly elevated for clumped or clustered ring internal enhancement and low ADC values (p < 0.001), whereas distribution patterns and contrast kinetic patterns were not significantly correlated with benignity or malignancy. In non-mass lesions with homogeneous or heterogeneous internal enhancement and ADC values greater than 1.26×10-3mm2/s, no malignancy was detected, while all other combinations of findings had a probability of malignancy ranging from 22.2 to 76.6%. Conclusions: A combination of BI-RADS descriptors of internal enhancement and ADC values is useful for the differential diagnosis of lesions showing non-mass enhancement. Lesions with homogeneous or heterogeneous enhancement and high ADC can be followed up, while all other lesions should be biopsied. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0302-1 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47575619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Why did the COVID-19 Epidemic Stop in China and does not Stop in the Rest of the World? (Application of the Two-Component Model)","authors":"J. Dimaschko, V. Shlyakhover, M. Iabluchanskyi","doi":"10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0302-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0302-2","url":null,"abstract":"The vastly different courses of the COVID-19 epidemic in China and the rest of the world are investigated and explained within two-component epidemic model. The model is based on separate accounting for the contribution to the epidemic from two types of immune response to a viral infection - innate and adaptive immunity. Any infected person becomes asymptomatic with probability (1−𝑝) or symptomatic with probability 𝑝. In the first case, innate immunity is sufficient to protect a person. In the second case, innate immunity is insufficient, and adaptive immunity comes into play. In the asymptomatic state, the person remains outwardly healthy, mobile and can spread the infection. In the symptomatic state, the person becomes ill, isolated and cannot spread the infection. We assume that the contribution to the epidemic process from asymptomatic carriers is dominant in comparison with the contribution from the usual incubation period in the symptomatic state. The key parameters of the model are the virus lifetime 𝑇 in the asymptomatic state and the spread rate 𝛽. At moderate 𝛽𝑇 values, the model describes a long, slowly decreasing morbidity plateau, which transforms into wave-like solution at 𝛽𝑇. In the case of 𝛽𝑇→∞, which corresponds to a stable non-pathogenic strain, the model solution is limited to single wave only. We believe that the spread of such a non-pathogenic strain and its subsequent dominance is responsible for ending the epidemic after the single wave of incidence in China. A way to stop the epidemic in the rest of the world may consist in displacing the circulating pathogenic virus with its stable non-pathogenic strain. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0302-2 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46442302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Polyvagal and Global Cytokine Theory of Safety and Threat Covid-19 – Plan B","authors":"D. Hanscom, David Roger Clawson, Stephen W. Porges, Ray Bunnage, L. Aria, S. Lederman, James Taylor, C. S. Carter","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2020-02-si-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2020-02-si-2","url":null,"abstract":"We are presenting this document to medical providers as a systematic approach to improve outcomes of patients with COVID-19. The following variables are considered: Autonomic nervous system viewed from the perspective of the Polyvagal Theory; Timing of interventions in terms of phase of the body’s defense (Fight, Flight, Freeze, Faint); The nervous system considered the context of a “One System” perspective; Protein/Enzyme function; Immune system; Cytokine load - activity, inflammation and metabolic response; Viral load; Angiotensin 2 load.The ARDS and multi-system organ failure of the COVID-19 is a complex problem. This approach acknowledges the complexity and presents a structure where the variables are systematically addressed.1. The common risk factors for death are associated with baseline elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Measures can be taken to lower them before being exposed to the virus–Plan A.2. Strategies to optimize the body’s defenses should be assessed and optimized. These include nutrition, vitamins, and trace elements, sleep, exercise, and minimizing threat.3. The body’s own resources are utilized through recruiting the autonomic nervous system to counteract elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines. The interventions are implemented in the context of what stage of defense the body is in–fight, flight, freeze, or faint.4. Progressive pharmacological interventions are considered with the early interventions being those with minimal risk.We are asking the following:This approach is viewed as the foundation for clinical interventions. They should be implemented in a systematic and stepwise manner.Most of the treatments are already medically proven with minimal or no risk.All basic treatments are in place before more aggressive interventions are implemented.That this process be considered a framework to test clinical protocols and novel therapies. Much work needs to be done regarding dosing and timing.We are particularly interested in the potential of the following interventions, which do need to be looked at in a protocol.o Allowing ketosis in the Mid and Late Phases of the illness.o Considering the use of ketone bodies instead of glucose for fuel in Mid and Late Phases of illness.o Eliminating glucocorticosteroids in the Early and Mid-Phases the use of steroids.o Utilizing the anti-inflammatory cholinergic nervous system (vagal stimulation, nicotine patches, etc.).o Closer monitoring of IL-6 to in real time deliver the most appropriate interventions.","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46762682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Culture of Microalgae with Ultrafiltered Seawater: A Feasibility Study","authors":"C. Cordier, Killian Guyomard, C. Stavrakakis, P. Sauvade, Franz Coelho, P. Moulin","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2020-0202-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2020-0202-2","url":null,"abstract":"The culture of microalgae is important for the production and maintenance of bivalves. One of the major challenges is to maintain the reliability of microalgae forages over the long term. The aim of this work is to use Ultrafiltered (UF) seawater to cultivate them. Thus, cultures in a volume of 300 L of 2 species of microalgae Tetraselmis and T-isochrysis, were monitored in UF water (membrane pore size: 20 nm) and in sea water usually used on the Ifremer mollusk experimental platform of Bouin (France) (Prefiltration, 3 filtrations and 2 UV). The major result is the securing of microlagae cultures with the absence of parasites in all cultures supplied with ultrafiltered water, unlike analyses of the various control cultures. In the case of T-isochrysis, 3 cultures out of 4 resulted in higher microalgae concentrations, up to 30%, in ultrafiltered water thus bringing a benefit on the algal density. These conclusions and the ease of recovering water (linked to the reduction in treatment stages) allowed a transfer of technology. In fact the 300 L cultures hitherto carried out on the experimental platform are now produced in ultrafiltered water since early 2019.","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41363332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolation and Characterization of Glutaminase-free L-asparaginase Produced by Staphylococcus sp. MGM1","authors":"G. Ebrahimipour, M. Y. Avini, Mahtab Ghorbanmovahhed","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2020-0202-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2020-0202-1","url":null,"abstract":"L-asparaginase is an important therapeutic enzyme used in combination with other drugs for therapy of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). L-asparaginase catalyzes the conversion of asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia. In recent years, this enzyme gained applications in many fields of science such as clinical research, pharmacological, and food industries. This study was aimed at isolation and identification of a strain with the ability to producing extracellular glutaminase free L-asparaginase from soil and determination of enzyme stability. The isolation was done on M9 medium. Biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence was used for strain identification. L-asparaginase was partially purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis, and DEAE-anion exchange chromatography. The effect of pH and temperature on enzyme activity was investigated. The isolated bacteria were identified as Staphylococcus sp. The optimum pH and temperature for maximum L-asparaginase activity were found at 8 and 35 °C. The enzyme purification showed a single band around 115 kDa on SDS-Page. The optimal activity for the enzyme produced by MGM1 was similar to the physiological conditions of the human body, therefore, further studies on this enzyme would be of great value in finding a new efficient asparaginase enzyme.","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43747801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategies for Supporting and Building Student Resilience in Canadian Secondary and Post-Secondary Educational Institutions","authors":"Brenda Gamble, Dan Lawson Crouse","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2020-0202-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2020-0202-4","url":null,"abstract":"Communication, problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence, and mental health and well-being are key characteristics of a resilient student. These skills are also needed to navigate increasingly complex life and work environments in the 21st century. In addition, resilient students are dedicated to learning, are focused on academic success, and are better equipped to adapt to change and the evolving workplace. An interdisciplinary team from both secondary and post-secondary educational institutions situated at Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Canada have collaborated to develop and implement strategies and curricula to support and enhance student resilience. The Mental Health Commission of Canada recommends “increase collaboration between (these) institutions - sharing best practices and processes for effective strategy development, and implementation” to better support student reliance and the successful transition from secondary to post-secondary education.  We present the overall rationale and approach taken to support capacity building for student resilience in post-secondary institutions.  As well as highlighting specific curricula and virtual strategies implemented (e.g., Graphic Novel, Mandalas, Resiliency Handbook) to engage students in building and maintaining resilience.","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42687466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential Diagnosis of Malignant Melanoma and Benign Cutaneous Lesions by Ultrasound Analysis","authors":"M. Hambardzumyan, A. Hayrapetyan","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2020-0202-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2020-0202-7","url":null,"abstract":"Background:  The purpose of the study is to evaluate the assessment of ultrasound analysis in the differential diagnosis of skin melanoma and benign cutaneous lesions. Objective: 61 patients (23 men and 38 women) between 17 and 87 years of age, with melanomas, atheromas, hemangiomas, keratoses, and naevi were studied. Methods: High-frequency gray-scale ultrasound analysis, color Doppler, power Doppler, advanced dynamic flow, strain Elastography, digital Dermoscopy were performed in all cases. Results: In malignant melanoma cases we have mainly: sharp margins, hypoechoic, homogenous structure, absent of posterior shadowing, central and disorganized circulatory pattern with multiple peduncles. In some benign pathology, several ultrasound criteria were exclusive: microcalcifications are only in atheroma, posterior shadowing, and circular rim - in keratosis. The incidence of other ultrasound criteria can vary in atheroma, hemangioma, keratosis, and nevus. Tumor longitudinal and thickness relation were higher (7.9±1.96) than in all benign pathologies (2.1-4.8). The Elastography stiffness of the 26 skin melanomas was 2.95±0.18 and was higher than the group of 35 patients with all benign skin pathology (0.96±0.59), including atheroma (2.0±0.78), hemangioma (0.55±0.21), keratosis (1.21±0.21) and nevus (0.78±0.45). Conclusion: Multimodal approaches to exploring high-frequency ultrasound analytic criteria can be helpful in the differential diagnosis of malignant melanoma and benign cutaneous lesions.","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46127321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Physicist View of COVID-19 Airborne Infection through Convective Airflow in Indoor Spaces","authors":"L. Anchordoqui, E. Chudnovsky","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2020-02-si-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2020-02-si-5","url":null,"abstract":"General Idea: Naturally produced droplets from humans (such as those produced by breathing, talking, sneezing, and coughing) include several types of cells (e.g., epithelial cells and cells of the immune system), physiological electrolytes contained in mucous and saliva (e.g. Na+, K+, Cl-), as well as, potentially, several infectious agents (e.g. bacteria, fungi, and viruses). In response to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, which has become a major public health issue worldwide, we provide a concise overview of airborne germ transmission as seen from a physics perspective. We also study whether coronavirus aerosols can travel far from the immediate neighbourhood and get airborne with the convective currents developed within confined spaces. Methodology: Methods of fluid dynamics are utilized to analyse the behavior of various-size airborne droplets containing the virus. Study Findings: We show that existing vortices in the air can make a location far away from the source of the virus be more dangerous than a nearby (e.g., 6 feet away) location. Practical Implications: Our study reveals that it seems reasonable to adopt additional infection-control measures to the recommended 6 feet social distancing. We provide a recommendation that could help to slow down the spread of the virus.","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41950311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Raman-Enhanced Spectroscopy (RESpect) Probe for Childhood Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.","authors":"Melissa Agsalda-Garcia,&nbsp;Tiffany Shieh,&nbsp;Ryan Souza,&nbsp;Natalie Kamada,&nbsp;Nicholas Loi,&nbsp;Robert Oda,&nbsp;Tayro Acosta-Maeda,&nbsp;So Yung Choi,&nbsp;Eunjung Lim,&nbsp;Anupam Misra,&nbsp;Bruce Shiramizu","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2020-0201-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2020-0201-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Raman-enhanced spectroscopy (RESpect) probe, which enhances Raman spectroscopy technology through a portable fiber-optic device, characterizes tissues and cells by identifying molecular chemical composition showing distinct differences/similarities for potential tumor markers or diagnosis. In a feasibility study with the ultimate objective to translate the technology to the clinic, a panel of pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma tissues and non-malignant specimens had RS analyses compared between standard Raman spectroscopy microscope instrument and RESpect probe. Cryopreserved tissues were mounted on front-coated aluminum mirror slides and analyzed by standard Raman spectroscopy and RESpect probe. Principal Component Analysis revealed similarities between non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes but not follicular hyperplasia. Standard Raman spectroscopy and RESpect probe fingerprint comparisons demonstrated comparable primary peaks. Raman spectroscopic fingerprints and peaks of pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes and follicular hyperplasia provided novel avenues to pursue diagnostic approaches and identify potential new therapeutic targets. The information could inform new insights into molecular cellular pathogenesis. Translating Raman spectroscopy technology by using the RESpect probe as a potential point-of-care screening instrument has the potential to change the paradigm of screening for cancer as an initial step to determine when a definitive tissue biopsy would be necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":"2 1","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8172049/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9247508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gods or Monsters? Non-Explicit Consent in the hastening of deaths by Intensivists in Belgium","authors":"Shanthi Van Zeebroeck","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2019-0103-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2019-0103-3","url":null,"abstract":"The Belgian Euthanasia Act of 2002 (The Act), amended in 2014 to include the Minor Act (The Minor Act), has drawn international criticisms for its liberal laws and practices regarding Euthanasia. This research study is a response to media allegations that the liberal laws on euthanasia has encouraged doctors to adopt a paternalistic approach towards their patients by terminating their lives without their explicit consent, i.e. engaging in involuntary Euthanasia. Although in theory, only voluntary euthanasia (explicit patient request and therefore consent) is permitted in Belgium, the media allegations implied that in practice, involuntary euthanasia (no explicit patient request and therefore no consent) is practiced, especially in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Belgium. One major criticism is that because of its liberal laws, Belgian doctors are killing patients without their non-explicit consent. Specifically, it is alleged that Intensivists are shortening lives or hastening the deaths of their patients without their non-explicit consent in the ICUs in the Wallonia Region in Belgium. This research study conducted an empirical-qualitative study to discover if these media allegations were true or false, by interviewing heads of ICUs in five major hospitals in the Wallonia region in Belgium. The research discovered that the media allegations are true, but they are also false. The media allegations are true because shortening life or hastening the death is sometimes practiced in the ICUs without the patient’s non-explicit consent. The media allegations are false because consent is not available due to the patient’s critical condition, and not because it was not asked for. In other words, what is practiced in the ICUs is non-voluntary euthanasia or where patient is unable to request or consent to euthanasia.","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47584965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}