Room Temperature Synthesis of Vertically Aligned Amorphous Ultrathin NiCo-LDH Nanosheets Bifunctional Flexible Supercapacitor Electrodes

Developing a simple scalable method to fabricate electrodes with high capacity and wide voltage range is desired for the real use of electrochemical supercapacitors.Herein,we synthesized amorphous NiCo-LDH nanosheets vertically aligned on activated carbon cloth substrate,which was in situ transformed from Co-metal-organic framework materials nano-columns by a simple ion exchange process at room temperature.Due to the amorphous and vertically aligned ultrathin structure of NiCo-LDH,the NiCo-LDH/activated carbon cloth composites present high areal capacities of 3770 and 1480 mF cm^(-2)as cathode and anode at 2 mA cm^(-2),and 79.5%and 80%capacity have been preserved at 50 mA cm^(-2).In the meantime,they all showed excellent cycling performance with negligible change after>10000 cycles.By fabricating them into an asymmetric supercapacitor,the device achieves high energy densities(5.61 mWh cm^(-2)and 0.352 mW cm^(-3)).This work provides an innovative strategy for simplifying the design of supercapacitors as well as providing a new understanding of improving the rate capabilities/cycling stability of NiCo-LDH materials.

一类具有脉冲干预措施的COVID-19模型的稳定性分析

建立了一类对易感人群实施脉冲干预措施的COVID-19模型,得出了模型的基本再生数R_(0)和无病周期解。当R_(0)<1时,根据脉冲微分不等式和Lyapunov函数分析了无病周期解的全局稳定性,并数值模拟了这一结论。最后,探讨了脉冲预防策略在COVID-19传染病预防中的效果。

Immunobiology of COVID-19: Mechanistic and therapeutic insights from animal models

The distribution of the immune system throughout the body complicates in vitro assessments of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)immunobiology,often resulting in a lack of reproducibility when extrapolated to the whole organism.Consequently,developing animal models is imperative for a comprehensive understanding of the pathology and immunology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.This review summarizes current progress related to COVID-19 animal models,including non-human primates(NHPs),mice,and hamsters,with a focus on their roles in exploring the mechanisms of immunopathology,immune protection,and long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection,as well as their application in immunoprevention and immunotherapy of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Differences among these animal models and their specific applications are also highlighted,as no single model can fully encapsulate all aspects of COVID-19.To effectively address the challenges posed by COVID-19,it is essential to select appropriate animal models that can accurately replicate both fatal and non-fatal infections with varying courses and severities.Optimizing animal model libraries and associated research tools is key to resolving the global COVID-19 pandemic,serving as a robust resource for future emerging infectious diseases.

Long non-coding RNA H19 regulates neurogenesis of induced neural stem cells in a mouse model of closed head injury

Stem cell-based therapies have been proposed as a potential treatment for neural regeneration following closed head injury.We previously reported that induced neural stem cells exert beneficial effects on neural regeneration via cell replacement.However,the neural regeneration efficiency of induced neural stem cells remains limited.In this study,we explored differentially expressed genes and long non-coding RNAs to clarify the mechanism underlying the neurogenesis of induced neural stem cells.We found that H19 was the most downregulated neurogenesis-associated lnc RNA in induced neural stem cells compared with induced pluripotent stem cells.Additionally,we demonstrated that H19 levels in induced neural stem cells were markedly lower than those in induced pluripotent stem cells and were substantially higher than those in induced neural stem cell-derived neurons.We predicted the target genes of H19 and discovered that H19 directly interacts with mi R-325-3p,which directly interacts with Ctbp2 in induced pluripotent stem cells and induced neural stem cells.Silencing H19 or Ctbp2 impaired induced neural stem cell proliferation,and mi R-325-3p suppression restored the effect of H19 inhibition but not the effect of Ctbp2 inhibition.Furthermore,H19 silencing substantially promoted the neural differentiation of induced neural stem cells and did not induce apoptosis of induced neural stem cells.Notably,silencing H19 in induced neural stem cell grafts markedly accelerated the neurological recovery of closed head injury mice.Our results reveal that H19 regulates the neurogenesis of induced neural stem cells.H19 inhibition may promote the neural differentiation of induced neural stem cells,which is closely associated with neurological recovery following closed head injury.

A Comparative Study of Myocardial Damage Caused by Novel Coronavirus Infection and Influenza A Virus Infection in Children during the COVID-19 Epidemic Period

Objective: To explore the comparative study of myocardial damage in children infected with COVID-19 and influenza A virus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Retrospective analysis of myocardial injury caused by COVID-19 infection and influenza A virus infection in children during the COVID-19 from October 2022 to May 2023, including 106 cases of COVID-19 infection, that is, the COVID-19 group;And 164 cases of influenza A virus infection, namely, H1N1 group;Two groups were tested for various indicators of myocardial enzyme spectrum, and the situation of myocardial injury was compared between the two groups. Result: In the enrolled cases, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate of men and women in the COVID-19 group (P > 0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the average age between men and women (P > 0.05);The comparison of the incidence rates between males and females in the H1N1 group showed a statistically significant difference (P 0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the average age between the two groups of girls (P > 0.05). A comparison between two groups of various indicators of myocardial enzyme spectra showed that the results of AST, -HBDH and LDH were statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: Both COVID-19 infection and influenza A virus infection in children have different degrees of myocardial damage, but COVID-19 infection causes more myocardial damage than influenza A virus infection, and influenza A virus is more prone to myocardial infarction, which deserves our attention.

Excess non-COVID-19-related mortality among inflammatory bowel disease decedents during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic disrupted healthcare in the United States.AIM To investigate COVID-19-related and non-COVID-19-related death and characteristics associated with excess death among inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)decedents.METHODS We performed a register-based study using data from the National Vital Statistics System,which reports death data from over 99%of the United States population,from January 1,2006 through December 31,2021.IBD-related deaths among adults 25 years and older were stratified by age,sex,race/ethnicity,place of death,and primary cause of death.Predicted and actual age-standardized mortality rates(ASMRs)per 100000 persons were compared.RESULTS 49782 IBD-related deaths occurred during the study period.Non-COVID-19-related deaths increased by 13.14%in 2020 and 18.12%in 2021[2020 ASMR:1.55 actual vs 1.37 predicted,95%confidence interval(CI):1.26-1.49;2021 ASMR:1.63 actual vs 1.38 predicted,95%CI:1.26-1.49].In 2020,non-COVID-19-related mortality increased by 17.65%in ulcerative colitis(UC)patients between the ages of 25 and 65 and 36.36%in non-Hispanic black(NHB)Crohn’s disease(CD)patients.During the pandemic,deaths at home or on arrival and at medical facilities as well as deaths due to neoplasms also increased.CONCLUSION IBD patients suffered excess non-COVID-19-related death during the pandemic.Excess death was associated with younger age among UC patients,and with NHB race among CD patients.Increased death at home or on arrival and due to neoplasms suggests that delayed presentation and difficulty accessing healthcare may have led to increased IBD mortality.

Epidemiological Aspects of Stillbirth and Neonatal Deaths in the Delivery Room at the Libreville Mother-Child University Hospital from 2019 to 2022

Introduction: Stillbirths are estimated at 2 million each year, of which more than 40% occur during labour. Our objective was to study the epidemiological aspects of stillbirth and neonatal deaths in the delivery room in our health facility. Patients and methods: Prospective, descriptive and analytical study, conducted at the Jeanne Ebori Foundation Mother-Child University Hospital over 4 years (January 2019-December 2022). All neonatal deaths in the delivery room or foetal death in utero, were included. Results: Among the 18,346 deliveries performed, 512 newborns were declared dead in the delivery room (27.9‰ live births), divided into in utero foetal death (19.0‰) and immediate neonatal death (8.9‰). The mean age was 34.3 weeks of amenorrhea. The rate of preterm birth was 60.4%. The sex ratio was 1.1. The average weight was 2186.6. The main causes were vascular (46.1%), foetal (20.2%), adnexal (17.1%) and asphyxia per partum (16.6%). Foetal causes were more likely to result in IUFD than other causes (OR = 6.4 [2.4 - 15.7], p < 0.001). After birth, partum asphyxia was more likely to lead to death before 15 minutes of life than other causes (OR = 11 [6.1 - 18.9], p Conclusion: The causes of stillbirth and early neonatal mortality are dominated by maternal vascular pathologies. However, the proportion of childbirth-related causes remains worrying. Better monitoring of pregnancy and labour will minimize this prevalence in our hospital.

Genomic Profile of SARS-COV-2 Associated with COVID-19 Outbreaks in N’Djamena, Chad

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has circulated worldwide with dramatic consequences. In Chad, we have no data reported of variants. The aim of this study was to identify the SARS-CoV-2 variants that circulated during the epidemic from 2020 to 2021. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out between 2020 and 2021. Samples from patients with suspected COVID-19 were tested in five laboratories in N’Djamena. One hundred quality samples of the positives were sequenced in Kinshasa using Oxford nanopore technologies minion and the Protocol Midnight SARS-CoV2. Data were processed using Excel version 16 software. Results: Of the 100 samples sequenced, 77 (77%) produced sequences, 23 (23%) did not. The genomic profiles were wild-type Wuhan and minor mutations (19A, 19B (A), 20A (B.1, B.2), 20B (AV.1), 20D (B.1.1.1 /C.36), 20C), variant of concern Alpha (20I), variant of concern Delta (21A/J), variant of interest Eta (21D), variant of concern Omicron (21K) and unclassified variant under surveillance (B.1.640). Of these variants, the maximums were detected in patients aged 26 - 35 with 30.26% and 25.26% in 36 - 45. However, 24.67% were in travelers and 75.32% in residents, 35.06% in those vaccinated against COVID-19 and 62.33% in non-vaccinates. The estimated case-fatality rate was 2.44% (107/4374). Conclusion: This work has provided preliminary data on COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating during the 2020-2021 epidemics in Chad.

Prospective randomized study to evaluate and compare the post-procedural sexual function in patients undergoing semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy for distal ureteric stones in three different operating room settings

Objective:To evaluate and compare the effect of semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy on post-procedural sexual function with three different operating room settings.Methods:In this prospective randomized study,consecutive sexually active patients with normal pre-operative sexual function undergoing uncomplicated semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy for distal ureteric stones were randomized into three groups,with three different operating room settings.Procedure-related anxiety and sexual function were assessed pre-operatively using Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale and Brief Sexual Function Inventory(in males)and Female Sexual Function Index-6(in females),respectively.All the participants were stented following the procedure,and the stent was removed after 3 weeks.Post-procedural sexual function and general discomfort were assessed and compared between three groups at 1 week,3 weeks,and 12 weeks.The effect of surgery-related anxiety,preoperative sexual function,age,and general discomfort(including stent-related discomfort)on post-procedural sexual function were analyzed using multiple regression analysis.A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Totally,327 eligible patients were randomized into three groups.The group of patients who underwent the procedural with a screen separating the operating area from the patient vision,while the patient could watch the endoscopy through a separate monitor,had better post-procedural sexual function compared to those who had total vision of the operating area as well as to those whose eyes were blocked.This difference was statistically significant.This post-procedural reduction in sexual function could not be attributed to in situ stent alone.Conclusions:Our study showed that semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy can have significant negative effect on sexual function,which can be reduced with proper preoperative counseling and an ideal operating room settings.

De Novo Glomerular Diseases after COVID-19 Vaccination: Consequence or Coincidence?

Introduction: Vaccination against COVID-19 has proven highly effective in preventing severe forms of the disease. However, the literature reports several cases associating renal damage and the anti-COVID vaccine. The aim of our work was to report a case series of patients who developed glomerulopathy after anti-COVID-19 vaccine. We evaluated the type of vaccine, the clinico-biological profile, and the anatomopathological, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects. Material and Methods: Prospective descriptive study conducted at the Nephrology Department of CHU IbnSina in Rabat between December 2021 and June 2022 including 9 patients who presented with glomerulopathy after the 1st dose of anti-COVID-19 vaccine. We excluded patients followed for nephropathy. Results: The mean age of our patients was 33 ± 16 years with a sex ratio of 0.8. Six patients received an inactivated vaccine, 2 patients received a mRNA vaccine and 1 patient received a viral vector vaccine. The mean delay between the onset of signs and the date of the first vaccine dose was 3.1 +/? 0.65 months (1 - 6 months). All patients had a nephrotic syndrome, 2 pure and 7 impure: 3 patients had acute renal failure and microscopic hematuria, 2 patients had microscopic hematuria and 2 patients had acute renal failure. Histologically, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was noted in 4 patients, lupus nephropathy in 3, and membranous nephropathy (MN) in 2. Specific treatment was administered to each patient, depending on the histological type of renal involvement and the context. After 6 months, complete remission was achieved in 5 patients, with no improvement in 2, and one patient was placed on hemodialysis. One patient died of another cause. Conclusion: The causal link between anti-COVID 19 vaccination and renal disease is highly probable, but remains to be confirmed.

The Impact of Optimizing Details in the Operating Room on the Level of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Hospital Infection Prevention and Control by Surgeons, as Well as the Effectiveness of Infection Control

Objective: This paper aims to explore the impact of optimizing details in the operating room on the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of hospital infection prevention and control by surgeons, as well as the effectiveness of infection control. Methods: From January 2022 to June 2023, a total of 120 patients were screened and randomly divided into a control group (routine care and hospital infection management) and a study group (optimizing details in the operating room). Results: Significant differences were found between the two groups in the data of surgeons’ level of knowledge, attitude, and practice in hospital infection prevention and control, infection rates, and nursing satisfaction, with the study group showing better results (P Conclusion: The use of optimizing details in the operating room among surgeons can effectively improve surgeons’ level of knowledge, attitude, and practice in hospital infection prevention and control, reduce infection occurrence, and is worth promoting.

Mass Screening Using Antigenic and Molecular Diagnostic Tests of COVID-19 in Bangui at the Beginning of the Second Wave in July 2021

Objective: COVID-19 surveillance was established as early as March 2020 in the Central African Republic (CAR), after the WHO statement relating to the identification of several cases outside China. However, given the non-performing molecular biology technical platform in many developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the second wave promised to be surprising and formidable. In this context, a mass survey was launched in Bangui to determine the prevalence of COVID-19. Patients and Methods: From March 18 to April 2, 2021, a mass screening campaign took place in tourist places, companies and the main hospital infrastructures. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from participants with and without symptoms of Influenza-like illness (ILI) and stored in VTM tubes. The Ag (COVID-19) and RT-PCR tests were carried out in Bangui at the LNBCSP. The sequencing of RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 positives was carried out at the INRB. Results: We included 1480 participants of whom 33 (2.23%) were SARS-COV-2 positive, of whom 24 were male and 9 female. This sex difference was statistically significant (p = 0.012) as the sex ratio M/F was 1.09. Sampling sites located in the 1st arrondissement were the most prolific (p = 0.006) and were sequenced. In addition to the analysis of the 33 samples from the predefined sites under study, 17 control sequences from the provinces generated during the same period are added. We detected 2 Variants Of Concern (VOC) including the predominant B.1.620 (43.86%) followed by B.1.1.7 or Alpha (5.10%). Conclusion: The study showed the importance of surveillance and the availability of means of diagnosis of COVID-19. The identified risk factors were sex and sampling site. This study has shown the importance of setting up sentinel sites for COVID-19 surveillance in all regions of the country and the appropriate use of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine.

Leveraging Nanotechnology for Addressing COVID-19: Revealing Antiviral Approaches and Hurdles

The emergence of COVID-19 has caused extensive harm and is recognized as a significant threat to human life worldwide. Currently, the application of nanomedicine techniques in pre-clinical studies related to various infections, such as respiratory viruses, herpes viruses, human papillomavirus, and HIV, has demonstrated success. Nanoparticles, due to their specific attributes, have garnered considerable attention in combating COVID-19. Strategies employing nanomaterials for COVID-19 prevention encompass the development of rapid, precise diagnostic tools, the creation of effective disinfectants, the delivery of mRNA vaccines to the biological system, and the administration of antiretroviral medications within the body. This article focuses on recent research regarding the effectiveness of nano platforms as antiviral measures against coronaviruses. It delves into the molecular characteristics of coronaviruses and the affected target systems, highlighting challenges and limitations in combating SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, it explores potential nanotechnology-based treatments to confront current and future variants of coronaviruses associated with COVID-19 infections.

Socio-Demographic and Economic Factors Associated with Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccine among Pregnant Women at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya

Introduction: Pregnant women are a highly vulnerable population for COVID-19 with increased risk of hospitalization, intensive-care unit admission, invasive ventilation support, and mortality. Objective: This study determined the socio-demographic and economic factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women utilizing antenatal care services in Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Nairobi County-Kenya. Methods: The study was carried out from 15 June to 23 July 2023. Systematic sampling was used to select 302 women from whom data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS software in which bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done at a significance level of p Results: A total of 302 pregnant women participated in the study. Of these, 105 (34.8%) were aged between twenty-six (26) and thirty (30) years. The mean age of the women was 28.60 ± (SD = 5.297). The uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine was 41.1%. The common side effects reported to be associated with the vaccines were fever, headache, joint pain, vomiting and skin rash. Uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine was significantly associated with being married (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI: 0.62 - 1.80, p = 0.001), having a secondary level of education (AOR = 3.78, 95% CI: 0.99 - 2.88, p = 0.001) and being employed (COR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.31 - 3.06, p = 0.001). Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination uptake remains low among pregnant women in seeking ANC in Nairobi. The individual factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant Women at Pumwani maternity hospital in Nairobi County were being married, having secondary level of education and being employed. Integration of the COVID-19 vaccine with other routine vaccinations as per the national immunization program in Kenya and the enhancement of education regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy and breastfeeding and economic empowerment of women are recommended.

Investigating Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Vaccination through Hesitancy, Refusal, and Access Limitation: A Community-Based Survey from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction: Vaccination plays a pivotal role in mitigating the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, vaccination campaigns encounter obstacles, especially in developing countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study aimed at investigating the roles of vaccine hesitancy, refusal, and access barriers, while identifying individual-level factors associated with non-vaccination in Mbujimayi, DRC. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in three health districts and included 1496 residents. Attitudes and behaviors related to seeking COVID-19 vaccination were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Hierarchical logistic regression modeling was used to assess factors potentially affecting non-compliance with vaccination. Results: Among participants (median age = 33, IQR = 23.3, M/F sex ratio = 0.7), 60% displayed misconceptions about COVID-19 or its vaccine, while only 35.2% perceived COVID-19 as a significant health threat. Vaccination coverage was estimated at 49.1% (95% CI: 47.5;52.6), with 71.8% of vaccinated individuals having received one dose. Among the unvaccinated individuals, 50.9% expressed no intention to be vaccinated in the future, citing hesitation (30.4%) or refusal (39.6%) mainly due to side effects or distrust of vaccines. Conversely, 32.7% of the unvaccinated persons expressed access barriers despite willingness to be vaccinated. Misconceptions about COVID-19 and its vaccines were the main drivers of vaccination non-compliance. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate significant vaccine non-compliance driven by hesitancy, refusal, and access barriers. Strategies to enhance vaccination coverage and pandemic preparedness should address misconceptions, sociodemographic barriers, and geographic disparities.

Analysis on the Changes of Research Hotspots in the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 by Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on Knowledge Graph

Objective: To grasp the changing trend of research hotspots of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and to better play the role of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and other diseases. Methods: The research literature from 2020 to 2022 was searched in the CNKI database, and CiteSpace software was used for visual analysis. Results: The papers on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 by traditional Chinese medicine changed from cases, overviews, reports, and efficacy studies to more in-depth mechanism research, theoretical exploration, and social impact analysis, and finally formed a theory-clinical-society Influence-institutional change and other multi-dimensional achievement systems. Conclusion: Analyzing the changing trends of TCM hotspots in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 can fully understand the important value of TCM, take the coordination of TCM and Western medicine as an important means to deal with public health security incidents, and promote the exploration of the potential efficacy of TCM, so as to enhance the role of TCM in Applications in social stability, emergency security, clinical practice, etc.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy among Pregnant Women: A Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceived Risks Survey in Lusaka, Zambia

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by SARS-CoV-2. Since its emergence, there have been increased rates of transmission and spread, morbidity and mortality which led to the development of COVID-19 vaccines to address the pandemic. This study assessed acceptance, knowledge, attitude, and perceived risks regarding COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant women attending antenatal care at two First-Level Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted among 241 pregnant women using a questionnaire from August 2023 to October 2023 in two First-Level Hospitals in Lusaka district, Zambia. The collected data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Statistical analysis was performed using a Chi-square test. The statistical significance was set at a 95% confidence level. Results: Of the 241 participants, 107 (42.7%) were aged between 24 and 34 years. Overall, 64.3% accepted the COVID-19 vaccines, of which 122 (50.6%) were already vaccinated. Further, 203 (84.6%) of the pregnant women had good knowledge, and 199 (82.6%) had positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines. However, 58.5% thought COVID-19 vaccines were not safe and could cause infertility. Alongside this, 70.1% thought that COVID-19 vaccines were harmful during pregnancy. Having good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines was associated with age (p = 0.049), education status (p = 0.001), and employment status (p = 0.001). Having a positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccines was associated with education status (p = 0.001) and employment status (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study found that most pregnant women had good knowledge, and positive attitudes, and the majority accepted the COVID-19 vaccine. Encouragingly, most of the pregnant women who accepted the COVID-19 vaccines were already vaccinated. Most pregnant women thought that COVID-19 vaccines had side effects, were not safe, and could be harmful during pregnancy. Consequently, this could have contributed to the hesitancy to receive a vaccine among some participants. The findings of this study demonstrate the need to provide pregnant women with continuous educational programs on the benefits of vaccinations for themselves and their children.

Expression level of interferon-stimulated genes PKR,OAS1,MX1,and ISG15 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of COVID-19 patients:A retrospective study

Objective:To explore expression level of interferon-stimulated genes PKR,OAS1,MX1,and ISG15 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of COVID-19 patients.Methods:In this study,changes in the expression of four interferon-stimulated genes(ISGs),including PKR,OAS1,MX1,and ISG15,in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 45 COVID-19 patients with different severities were evaluated by real-time PCR method.Results:OAS1,MX1,PKR,and ISG15 were differently expressed in COVID-19 patients with different severity.The results showed that the expression of OAS1,MX1,PKR,and ISG15 genes was significantly(P=0.001)lower in severe patients.Conclusions:Weak and defective IFN response and subsequent disruption of ISGs may be associated with COVID-19 severity.

Effect of cytochrome P4502C19(CYP2C19)gene polymorphism and clopidogrel reactivity on long term prognosis of patients with coronary heart disease after PCI

Objective To investigate the impact of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism on clopidogrel reactivity and its association with longterm clinical outcome in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods In total,675 patients were enrolled.Based on the platelet inhibition rate,patients were categorized into two groups:clopidogrel low responsiveness(CLR)and normal clopidogrel responsiveness(NCR).The CLR group was divided into ticagrelor and clopidogrel group based on the antiplatelet drugs used in the follow-up treatment.Patients were classified into three groups(normal metabolizer,intermediate metabolizer,and poor metabolizer)based on the CYP2C19 genotype.We aimed to evaluate the impact of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism on clopidogrel reactivity.The cumulative rates of 12-month all-cause deaths,major adverse cardiovascular events(MACCEs),and bleeding events were calculated.Results CLR was observed in 44.4%of the overall population.Significant differences were observed in the platelet inhibition rate of clopidogrel among the three metabolic genotypes(P<0.05).At the 12-month follow-up,13 patients(1.9%)died and 96 patients(14.2%)experienced MACCEs.Patients with CLR(9.6%vs.11.7%vs.22.1%,P<0.05)or poor metabolizer(10.7%vs.16.4%vs.22.6%,P=0.026)experienced a higher rate of MACCEs.A MACCEs risk score between zero and two was calculated.The highest incidence of MACCEs significantly increased with the 2-positive results,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.712(95%CI:0.650-0.774,P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the group with a score of one and the occurrence of MACCEs(P>0.05).Conclusions Low response to clopidogrel in CHD patients is correlated with CYP2C19 gene polymorphism.CYP2C19 genotyping combined with platelet reactivity is an independent predictor of 12-months MACCEs in patients with clopidogrel treatment after PCI,which is better than either test alone.

Transparent and Accurate COVID-19 Diagnosis:Integrating Explainable AI with Advanced Deep Learning in CT Imaging

In the current landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic,the utilization of deep learning in medical imaging,especially in chest computed tomography(CT)scan analysis for virus detection,has become increasingly significant.Despite its potential,deep learning’s“black box”nature has been a major impediment to its broader acceptance in clinical environments,where transparency in decision-making is imperative.To bridge this gap,our research integrates Explainable AI(XAI)techniques,specifically the Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations(LIME)method,with advanced deep learning models.This integration forms a sophisticated and transparent framework for COVID-19 identification,enhancing the capability of standard Convolutional Neural Network(CNN)models through transfer learning and data augmentation.Our approach leverages the refined DenseNet201 architecture for superior feature extraction and employs data augmentation strategies to foster robust model generalization.The pivotal element of our methodology is the use of LIME,which demystifies the AI decision-making process,providing clinicians with clear,interpretable insights into the AI’s reasoning.This unique combination of an optimized Deep Neural Network(DNN)with LIME not only elevates the precision in detecting COVID-19 cases but also equips healthcare professionals with a deeper understanding of the diagnostic process.Our method,validated on the SARS-COV-2 CT-Scan dataset,demonstrates exceptional diagnostic accuracy,with performance metrics that reinforce its potential for seamless integration into modern healthcare systems.This innovative approach marks a significant advancement in creating explainable and trustworthy AI tools for medical decisionmaking in the ongoing battle against COVID-19.