bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Outer Membrane Vesicles in Bacterial Physiology and Host Cell Interactions
Authors: Gao Lingyu , van der Veen Stijn 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical particles shed from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, which contain the typical components present in the outer membrane, although enrichment of specific molecules may occur, and furthermore a variety of periplasmic components and occasionally some inner membrane or cytoplasmic fractions. Although the detailed mechanisms of OMV biogenesis are not fully illuminated yet, several models have been proposed that demonstrate OMV biogenesis is an orchestrated well-regulated process. OMV secretion offers a way for both intra- and inter-species bacterial communication and for interaction or modulation of the bacterial environment. Therefore, OMVs have proven to be functionally versatile and important for bacterial physiology and survival of the host environment. In the host, OMVs are internalized via host cell endocytosis pathways, allowing them to subsequently trigger a variety of cellular responses. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in establishing the mechanisms involved in OMV biogenesis and the impact of OMVs on bacterial physiology and intracellular modulation of the host.
Suboptimal Chlamydia trachomatis Detection Method Is Still Widely Used in China: Results of External Quality Assessments from 2013 to 2018
Authors: Han Yan , Yin Yue-Ping , Zhong Ming-Ying , Chen Kai , Shi Mei-Qin , Chen Xiang-Sheng 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objective:
Laboratory capacity for Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) detection is important in the diagnosis and treatment of C. trachomatis infection, appropriate clinical management of patients, and providing evidence for prevention programs. We conducted this study to assess laboratory capabilities for detecting C. trachomatis in China by analysis of external quality assessment (EQA) results from 2013 to 2018.

Methods:
Overall, 310/1,048 (29.58%) laboratories at national sexually transmitted disease (STD) sentinel site with 252–272 laboratories per time participated in six times of EQA. Each laboratory was requested to test the samples from EQA organization by the common method used, and the test results were reported to EQA organization for assessment. Z test and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used for data analyses.

Results:
Immunochromatographic test, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), and ELISA were used and accounted for 76.69%, 21.54%, 1.77%, respectively of all participating laboratories from 2013 to 2018. The total specificity for negative samples was 94.76%, the sensitivity for positive samples with medium and high concentration of C. trachomatis samples were 94.31% and 95.51%, respectively, but the sensitivity for sample with low concentration of C. trachomatis was 36.89%, and the immunochromatographic test had the worst sensitivity for detection of this sample (21.17% [95% CIs: 18.93%–23.60%]) among the three methods. Three factors were found to be significantly associated with the sensitivity of the low-concentration sample: the location of laboratories (East China: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.98, 95% CIs: 1.69–5.25, P < 0.05; South China: AOR = 3.34, 95% CIs: 1.38–5.48, P < 0.05; Southwest China: AOR = 2.75, 95% CIs: 1.37–5.48, P < 0.05, as compared with Northwest China); the types of hospitals (prevention and control agencies: AOR = 0.56, 95% CIs: 0.40–0.80, P < 0.05, as compared with general hospitals); and the method used (NAAT: AOR = 46.99, 95% CIs: 28.49–77.48, P < 0.050; ELISA: AOR = 5.42, 95% CIs: 2.40–12.25, P < 0.05, as compared with immunochromatographic test).

Conclusion:
Immunochromatographic test is widely used for C. trachomatis antigen in China; however, based on its suboptimal detection sensitivity, methods with high sensitivity such as NAAT-based point-of-care diagnostic method are recommended to apply for C. trachomatis detection, and efforts should be performed to promote the high-sensitivity methods among laboratories.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Leprosy in China, 2018
Authors: Wang Le , Sun Pei-Wen , Yu Mei-Wen , Gu Heng , Wang Hong-Sheng , Chen Xiang-Sheng 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objective:
To describe the epidemiological characteristics of leprosy in China in 2018 and provide the essential evidences for leprosy control.

Methods:
We collected data of leprosy cases nationwide from Leprosy Management Information System in China (LEPMIS) except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. And then we performed a descriptive and comparative analysis.

Results:
A total of 521 new leprosy cases were detected nationwide in 2018, with a case detection rate of 0.037/100,000. The proportion of children under 15 years of age, multi-bacillary (MB) cases, and cases with WHO grade 2 disability (G2D) were 1.3%, 89.4%, and 19.0%, respectively. There were 2,479 registered cases of leprosy in China by the end of 2018, accounting for a prevalence rate of 0.178/100,000, with 43 replase cases. Southwest China separately accounted for 312/521 (59.9%) newly detected cases and 1180/2479 (47.6%) registered cases of leprosy in China.

Conclusion:
China is a low endemic country for leprosy and the detection rate was much lower than the global average. Southwest China is still the key regions for leprosy control, including Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan. In addition, leprosy in low endemic provinces also needs to be focused.
Erosive Pustular Dermatosis of the Scalp After Excision and Skin Grafting of Scalp Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: He Xun , Wang Chao-Qun , Lu Wei , Gong Yu-Gang , Sha Xiao-Wei , Shen Zhu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Introduction:
Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is an uncommon condition with unknown etiology. The clinical exclusive diagnosis needs to be differentiated from similar diseases.
Here, we present a case of EPDS after surgical treatment of scalp squamous cell carcinoma.

Case presentation:
A 68-year-old woman presented with an eight-month history of a chronic scalp eruption. She had been diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma by biopsy nine months ago, and had been treated by surgical excision and skin grafting. One month later, she was referred for evaluation of the newly enlarged lesion which was observed at the skin grafting site. She was diagnosed of EPDS based on characteristics of lesions, clinicopathological findings and laboratory data. The condition had clinically improved with systemic steroid therapy and topical tacrolimus for two weeks. Relapses occurred after complete withdrawal of both treatments. After repeating the above therapy and applying topical tacrolimus as maintenance therapy, the condition was well controlled at the one-year follow-up.

Discussion:
EPDS is an uncommon inflammatory dermatosis with main incidence rate of elderly patients and female predominance. The diagnosis of EPDS cant be made only by histopathological examination, which is helpful for differential diagnosis. Microbiological investigations commonly remain negative. For the high risk of relapse, it is important for clinicians to be aware of maintenance treatment and a long- term management.

Conclusion:
It should be recognized by clinicians that EPDS is an uncommon and relapse disease, leading to serious cosmetic problems. The treatment lacks evidence-based medicine data, clinician should choose the appropriate therapy according to the condition of patients.
Effects of Honokiol on Activation of Transient Receptor Potential Channel V1 and Secretion of Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin in HaCaT Keratinocytes
Authors: Xie Bo , Song Sha-Sha , Wang Yong-Fang , Wu Jian-Bing , Li Xin-Yu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objective:
This study was performed to investigate the effects of honokiol on the activation of transient receptor potential channel V1 (TRPV1) and the secretion of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in a human benign epidermal keratinocyte line (HaCaT).

Methods:
HaCaT keratinocytes were cultivated and divided into six groups: capsaicin-induced model control group, capsazepine control group, solvent control group, and three honokiol treatment groups (7.81, 15.63, and 31.25 mg/L of honokiol). The effect of honokiol on calcium (Ca2+) influx was measured by a Ca2+ fluorescence imaging system. The fluorescence intensity (F) of cells was measured. The rate of change in F (ΔF/F
0) was calculated, and the ΔF/F
0–time curve was constructed. HaCaT keratinocytes were stimulated with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, recombinant human tumor necrosis factor α, and recombinant human interleukin 4. Different concentrations of honokiol (15.63, 7.81, and 3.91 mg/L) were added to the cells in the respective honokiol groups; 20 mg/L of dexamethasone or 0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide was added to the cells in the positive control group or solvent control group. The TSLP concentration in the HaCaT keratinocytes of each group was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett t test.

Results:
The capsazepine-induced Ca2+ fluorescence intensity in HaCaT keratinocytes was significantly inhibited in the 31.25 mg/L honokiol group; ΔF/F
0 at 45 second was 0.76 in the model control group and 0 in the 31.25 mg/L honokiol group. The TSLP level in the 15.63 and 7.81 mg/L honokiol groups was lower than that in the solvent control group (t = 7.382, P = 0.003, and t = 2.766, P = 0.023, respectively), while the TSLP level in the 3.91 mg/L honokiol group was not significantly different from that in the solvent control group (t = 1.872, P = 0.124).

Conclusions:
Honokiol inhibited the Ca2+ influx induced by capsazepine (TRPV1 agonist) in HaCaT keratinocytes. Honokiol has an inhibitory effect on TSLP secretion in HaCaT keratinocytes.
Tinea of Vellus Hair Caused by Trichophyton violaceum in a Child: A Case Report
Authors: Song Ge , Liang Guan-Zhao , Liu Wei-Da 
Published: April 2020

Introduction:
Tinea of vellus hair is a rare dermatophytosis, caused by dermatophyte infection in the vellus hair. The clinical symptoms of tinea of vellus hair are more serious and the conventional topical treatment are often ineffective.
Here, we report a case of tinea of vellus hair caused by Trichophyton violaceum in a child.

Case presentation:
A 7-year-old boy presented with a localized, scaly, and itchy erythema on his left cheek for two months. He once used a topical corticosteroid but without any clinical improvement, the erythema was progressively enlarging and spread to the left eyebrow. He denied any contact with animals. Direct microscopy found abundant spores and hyphae on the vellus hair; T. violaceum was identified by culture and PCR examination. The patient was diagnosed with tinea of vellus hair and cured after treating with oral terbinafine 125 mg/day and topical treatment for two weeks. There was no recurrence during the follow-up period.

Discussion:
The clinical symptoms of tinea of vellus hair are often atypical and easy to be misdiagnosed. Timely fungal examination is necessary for suspicious patients and confirmed patients should be treated with oral antifungal drugs.

Conclusion:
The diagnosis and treatment of tinea of vellus hair need to be paid more attention in clinical works.
Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau With Excellent Response to Topical Calcipotriol/Betamethasone Ointment: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Zhao Yu-Kun , Wu Hui-Hui , Liu Juan-Hua , Luo Di-Qing 
Published: April 2020

Introduction:
Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is an uncommon chronic cutaneous disorder. Up to date, its treatment is still difficult and frustrating although various topical and systemic agents alone or in different combinations have been tried with variable benefits.
Herein, we report two cases of ACH successfully treated with calcipotriol/betamethasone ointment.

Case presentation:
Two cases of ACH were characterized by thumb involvement alone and showed an excellent response to calcipotriol/betamethasone ointment (1 g: calcipotriol 50 µg and betamethasone 0.5 mg).

Discussion:
Treatment of ACH is challenging for physicians. Multiple systemic therapies and topical drugs have been applied, however, no universally effective treatment regimen has yet been established for long-lasting remission. Combination of calcipotriol and betamethasone is more effective in treating psoriasis than the individual components alone, and the current 2 cases with ACH were reported to be treated successfully by the calcipotriol/betamethasone ointment.

Conclusion:
Topical calcipotriol/betamethasone compound is an optional agent for the treatment of ACH with a novel effect.
Nail Changes as the Initial Sign of Psoriasis: A Case Report
Authors: Zhang Jing , Chen Xue-Yan , Man Xiao-Yong , Zheng Min 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Introduction:
Nail psoriasis has a profound negative influence on quality of life and has a more closely relationship with psoriatic arthritis. However, patients with nail changes only were often overlooked with the diagnosis of psoriasis. It is necessary to pay more attention to nail psoriatic changes.
Herein, we report a 24-year-old male patient with nail changes as the initial sign of psoriasis who was finally diagnosed with nail psoriasis.

Case presentation:
The nails presented with white streaks, deformations, and had been missed for 8 months. Physical examination further revealed one erythematous scaly plaque on the buttock, anusand scalp respectively with positive Auspitz sign. Combined with the negative fungal microscopic, dermoscopic results and pathological results, the diagnosis of nail psoriasis was made. Oralacitretin (30 mg/day) and topical calcipotriene liniment was prescribed for 3 months followed with etanercept (50 mg once per week), and the nail symptoms were well controlled.

Discussion:
Nail psoriasis is usually noticed after the occurrence of skin lesions, but may occur simultaneously with or before skin psoriasis. Occasionally, nail involvement is the only manifestation of psoriasis. Nail lesions maybe one of the strongest clinical predictors of psoriatic and it has a profound negative influence on quality of life, so that timely recognition and proper treatment are improtant.

Conclusion:
Nail psoriasis can cause substantial physical and psychological impairment. However, nail involvement is an often overlooked feature of psoriasis. More attention should be paid to nail psoriatic changes and the administration of appropriate treatment.
Eosinopenia Phenotype in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Multi-center Retrospective Study from Anhui, China
Authors: Cheng Yusheng , Zhou Yun , Zhu Mengde , Zha Lei , Lu Zhiwei , Ding Zhen , Jianghua Yang , Yang Gang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has become a global unprecedented pandemic infecting more than one millon people, which is declared by WHO as a international public health emergency. Eosinopenia may predict a poor prognosis of COVID-19. However, to date, there is no detailed analysis of the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with eosinopenia.Research questionThe aim of this study was to describe clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with eosinopenia.Study Design and MethodsThis was a multi-center retrospective study conducted in three tertiary hospitals. A total of 59 patients with COVID-19 were reviewed from January 23, 2020 to March 10, 2020. We described clincial characteristics of patients with COIVD-19 and eosinopenia phenotype.ResultsThe median age of patients with COVID-19 was 39 years old, and 32 (54,2%) were male. Patients with severe type had higher proportions of dyspnea (50%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (50%) compared with mild or moderate patients. Laboratory findings indicated that lower counts of lymphocyte and eosnophils were observed in patients with severe type. Cough, sputum, and fatigue were more common symptoms in eosinopenia patients compared with non-eosinopenia patients. High proportion of comorbidities was observed in eosinopenia patients. Laboratory findings indicated that lymphocyte counts (median: 101 cells/μl) in eosinopenia patients were significantly less than those of non-eosinopenia patients (median: 167 cells/μl, p<0.001). The use of corticosteroids therapy in COVID-19 patients with eosinopenia were notably higher than those in patients with non-eosinopenia (50% vs 13.8%, respectively, p=0.005). Compared with parameters in non-eosinopenia patients, eosinopenia patients were more inclined to have less lymphocyte counts (OR value 6.566, 95%CI[1.101-39.173], p=0.039).InterpretationEosinopenia are very common in COVID-19 patient, particularly in severe patients. Common symptoms included fever, cough, sputum, and fatigue are frequent in eosinopenia patients. Eosinopenia may represent a novel phenotype in COVID-19, which needs further investigation.
Relative disease burdens of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza in New York City, February 1 - April 18, 2020
Authors: Faust Jeremy Samuel , Rio Carlos del 
Published: April 2020

AbstractComparisons between the mortality burdens of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza often fail to account for the fact that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports annual influenza mortality estimates which are calculated based upon a series of assumptions about the underreporting of flu deaths. COVID-19 deaths, in contrast, are being reported as raw counts. In this report, we compare COVID-19 death counts to seasonal influenza death counts in New York City during the interval from February 1 - April 18, 2020. Using this approach, COVID-19 appears to have caused 21.4 times the number of deaths as seasonal influenza during the same period. We also assessed excess mortality in order to verify this finding. New York City has had approximately 13,032 excess all-cause mortality deaths during this time period. We assume that most of these deaths are COVID-19 related. We therefore calculated the ratio of excess deaths (i.e. assumed COVID-19 deaths) to seasonal influenza deaths during the same time interval and found a similar ratio of 21.1 COVID-19 to seasonal influenza deaths. Our findings are consistent with conditions on the ground today. Comparing COVID-19 deaths with CDC estimates of yearly influenza-related deaths would suggest that, this year, seasonal influenza has killed approximately the same number of Americans as COVID-19 has. This does not comport with the realities of the pandemic we see today.
A predictive model to estimate survival of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from admission data
Authors: Levy Todd J. , Richardson Safiya , Coppa Kevin , Barnaby Douglas P. , McGinn Thomas , Becker Lance B. , Davidson Karina W. , Hirsch Jamie S. , Zanos Theodoros P. ,   And the Northwell COVID-19 Research Consortium, Cohen Stuart L. , Debnath Shubham , Dominello Andrew J. , Falzon Louise , Gitman Michael , Kim Eun-Ji , Makhnevich Alexander , Mogavero Jazmin N. , Molmenti Ernesto P. , Paradis Marc d. , Tóth Viktor 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveOur primary objective was to use initial data available to clinicians to characterize and predict survival for hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. While clinical characteristics and mortality risk factors of COVID-19 patients have been reported, a practical survival calculator based on data from a diverse group of U.S. patients has not yet been introduced. Such a tool would provide timely and valuable guidance in decision-making during this global pandemic.DesignWe extracted demographic, laboratory, clinical, and treatment data from electronic health records and used it to build and test the predictive accuracy of a survival probability calculator referred to as “the Northwell COVID-19 Survival (‘NOCOS’) calculator.”Setting13 acute care facilities at Northwell Health served as the setting for this study.Participants5,233 hospitalized COVID-19–positive patients served as the participants for this study.Main outcome measuresThe NOCOS calculator was constructed using multivariate regression with L1 regularization (LASSO) to predict survival during hospitalization. Model predictive performance was measured using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of the calculators.ResultsPatient age, serum blood urea nitrogen, Emergency Severity Index, red cell distribution width, absolute neutrophil count, serum bicarbonate, and glucose were identified as the optimal predictors of survival by multivariate LASSO regression. The predictive performance of the NOCOS calculator had an AUC of 0.832, reaching 0.91 when updated for each patient daily, with stability assessed and maintained for 14 consecutive days. This outperformed other established models, including the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (0.732).ConclusionsWe present a practical estimate of survival probability that outperforms other general risk models. The seven early predictors of in-hospital survival can help clinicians identify patients with increased probabilities of survival and provide critical decision support as COVID-19 spreads across the U.S.Trial registrationN/A
Clinical evaluation of an immunochromatographic IgM/IgG antibody assay and chest computed tomography for the diagnosis of COVID-19
Authors: Imai Kazuo , Tabata Sakiko , Ikeda Mayu , Noguchi Sakiko , Kitagawa Yutaro , Matsuoka Masaru , Miyoshi Kazuyasu , Tarumoto Norihito , Sakai Jun , Ito Toshimitsu , Maesaki Shigefumi , Tamura Kaku , Maeda Takuya 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundWe evaluated the clinical performance of an immunochromatographic (IC) IgM/IgG antibody assay for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) and chest computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).MethodsWe examined 139 serum specimens collected from 112 patients with COVID-19 and 48 serum specimens collected from 48 non-COVID-19 patients. The presence of IgM/IgG antibody for SARS-CoV2 was determined using the One Step Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) IgM/IgG Antibody Test. Chest CT was performed in COVID-19 patients on admission.FindingsOf the139 COVID-19 serum specimens, IgM was detected in 27.8%, 48.0%, and 95.8% of the specimens collected within 1 week, 1–2 weeks, and >2 weeks after symptom onset and IgG was detected in 3.3%, 8.0%, and 62.5%, respectively. Among the 48 non-COVID-19 serum specimens, 1 generated a false-positive result for IgM. Thirty-eight of the 112 COVID-19 patients were asymptomatic, of whom 15 were positive for IgM, and 74 were symptomatic, of whom 22 were positive for IgM and 7 were positive for IgG. The diagnostic sensitivity of CT scan alone and in combination with the IC assay was 57.9 % (22/38) and 68.4% (26/38) for the asymptomatic patients and 74.3% (55/74) and 82.4% (61/74) for the symptomatic patients, respectively.ConclusionThe IC assay had low sensitivity during the early phase of infection, and thus IC assay alone is not recommended for initial diagnostic testing for COVID-19. If RT-qPCR is not available, the combination of chest CT and IC assay may be useful for diagnosing COVID-19.