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Int J Surg Case Rep 2020 May 21;71:250-256. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, King Fahad Central Hospital, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery is a rare complication of abdominal injury. Prompt intervention is essential to avoid a life-threatening hemorrhage. We report two complicated cases of intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm (IHPA). Read More

Pharmacol Res 2020 May 31:104925. Epub 2020 May 31.

Truba Institute of Pharmacy, Karond-Gandhi Nagar, By Pass Road, Bhopal, 462038, India. Electronic address:

Adaptive cellular stress response confers stress tolerance against inflammatory and metabolic disorders. In response to metabolic stress, the key mediator of cellular adaptation and tolerance is a class of molecules called the molecular chaperones (MCs). MCs are highly conserved molecules that play critical role in maintaining protein stability and functionality. Read More

JAMA 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, China.

Importance: Convalescent plasma is a potential therapeutic option for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but further data from randomized clinical trials are needed.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of convalescent plasma therapy for patients with COVID-19.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Open-label, multicenter, randomized clinical trial performed in 7 medical centers in Wuhan, China, from February 14, 2020, to April 1, 2020, with final follow-up April 28, 2020. Read More

Mol Biol (Mosk) 2020 May-Jun;54(3):445-449

Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991 Russia.

In experiments on mouse and human cells it was demonstrated that rDNA plays an important role in epigenetic regulation of many genes. To identify and study rDNA-contacting genes in Drosophila we used the 4С (circular chromosome conformation capture) approach. We detected very stable contacts of rDNA genes within a 5-kb region inside the Tlk gene residing in X chromosome. Read More

FEBS J 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ZBMZ, University of Freiburg, Germany.

The mitochondrial proteome is built and maintained mainly by import of nuclear-encoded precursor proteins. Most of these precursors use N-terminal presequences as targeting signals that are removed by mitochondrial matrix proteases. The essential mitochondrial processing protease MPP cleaves presequences after import into the organelle thereby enabling protein folding and functionality. Read More

Arq Bras Cardiol 2020 Jun;114(5):773-774

Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Ceará - Cardiologia, Fortaleza, CE - Brasil.

Arq Bras Cardiol 2020 Jun;114(5):764-772

East Carolina University - Department of Psychology and Cardiovascular Sciences Greenville, North Carolina - USA.

Background: In spite of proven effectiveness of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), shock therapy delivered by the device may result in increased levels of anxiety and depression, leading to deleterious effects on quality of life.

Objective: To carry out the translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Florida Shock Anxiety Scale (FSAS) scale into Brazilian Portuguese.

Methods: In this psychometric study, construct validity was performed by exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses, and by item response theory (IRT). Read More

Acta Orthop Belg 2020 Mar;86(1):77-81

Partial meniscectomy is a frequently performed treatment strategy for non-suturable meniscal tears. However, the meniscal volume which can be resected without compromising the load-bearing, shock-absorbing function of the meniscus remains a topic of ongoing research. The aim of this study was to calculate the medio-lateral meniscal volume ratio to estimate this volume. Read More

Biomark Med 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, PR China.

We investigated the effect of the combination of heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 409 patients with HCC, 101 patients with benign liver disorder and 78 healthy individuals were retrospectively analyzed. HSP90α level was higher in HCC patients than in controls. Read More

EMBO J 2020 Jun 3:e104096. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany.

The heat shock response is a universal transcriptional response to proteotoxic stress orchestrated by heat shock transcription factor Hsf1 in all eukaryotic cells. Despite over 40 years of intense research, the mechanism of Hsf1 activity regulation remains poorly understood at the molecular level. In metazoa, Hsf1 trimerizes upon heat shock through a leucine-zipper domain and binds to DNA. Read More

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2020 Jun 26;28:100543. Epub 2020 May 26.

Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Background: Patients with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are at increased risk for sudden cardiac death, often undergo implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation at younger ages, and are at greater risk of experiencing inappropriate shocks. We investigated occurrences of ICD shocks in TOF patients to identify prevalence, characteristics associated with inappropriate shocks, and therapeutic interventions after inappropriate shocks.

Methods: Records of patients with repaired TOF and ICD implantation who were followed at Columbia University Irving Medical Center between 1/1/2000 and 5/1/2019 were analyzed. Read More

Acute Med Surg 2020 Jan-Dec;7(1):e513. Epub 2020 May 31.

Division of Acute and Critical Care Medicine Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine Sapporo Japan.

Aim: Combined detailed analysis of patient characteristics and treatment as well as bacterial virulence factors, which all play a central role in the cause of infections leading to severe illness, has not been reported. We aimed to describe the patient characteristics (Charlson comorbidity index [CCI]), treatment (3-h bundle), and outcomes in relation to bacterial virulence of and beta-hemolytic (BHS).

Methods: This sepsis primary study is part of the larger Focused Outcomes Research in Emergency Care in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Sepsis and Trauma (FORECAST) study, a multicenter, prospective cohort study. Read More

Iran J Basic Med Sci 2020 Apr;23(4):454-460

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.

Objectives: Alginates play a key role in mucoid colonization, biofilm formation, and driving out of cationic antibiotics. alginate lyase (AlgL) is a periplasmic enzyme that is necessary for alginate synthesis and secretion. It also has a role in depolymerization of alginates. Read More

J Intensive Care Soc 2020 May 7;21(2):191-193. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Haematology Department, University College London Hospital, London, UK.

A 19-year-old female with no medical history presented with bloody diarrhoea. Investigations revealed an acute kidney injury, thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic haemolysis. A diagnosis of haemolytic uraemic syndrome secondary to Shiga toxin-producing 055 was confirmed and supportive therapy commenced in the intensive therapy unit. Read More

J Intensive Care Soc 2020 May 8;21(2):183-190. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome in the context of severe sepsis and septic shock represents a serious clinical disorder. A recent case series in patients with septic shock and renal failure receiving hemoadsorption treatment showed rapid hemodynamic stabilization and increased survival, particularly in pneumonia patients and in those where therapy was started early. We hypothesized that patients suffering from pneumonia and refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome to the extent that they required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support could possibly demonstrate the most pronounced benefit from the treatment. Read More

Cancer Biol Ther 2020 Jun 3:1-11. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; Department of Respiration, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College , Bengbu, Anhui Province, China.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains recalcitrant to effective treatment due to tumor relapse and acquired resistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be one mechanism for relapse and resistance and are consequently considered promising drug targets. We report that chetomin, an active component of , blocks heat shock protein 90/hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (Hsp90/HIF1α) pathway activity. Read More

J Agric Food Chem 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Hunan Key Laboratory of Forestry Edible Sources Safety and Processing, Changsha, Hunan 410004, People's Republic of China.

To achieve the accumulation of targeted secondary metabolites, microorganisms must adopt various protection mechanisms to avoid or reduce damage to cells caused by abiotic stresses, which formed from the changes of physical and chemical culture conditions. The protection mechanism of sp. to tolerate high-concentration ammonium chloride was analyzed by sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra-mass spectrometry proteomics in this work, and the results indicated that abiotic stresses caused by high-concentration ammonium chloride inhibited the synthesis of chitin and glycoprotein, leading to a decrease in cell wall integrity and, thus, affecting cell growth. Read More

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2020 Apr;45(7):1509-1514

Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Tianjin 301617, China.

Viral pneumonia is caused by a spreading of lung infection caused by respiratory viruses. Some virus infections were found to be highly aggressive, leading to lung inflammation and severe damage in respiratory system with high fatality rate. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic drugs in the clinic. Read More

J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Monash Cardiac Rhythm Management Department, MonashHeart, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria, 3168, Australia.

Purpose: Since the introduction of the Biotronik Linox S/SD leads in 2006, there have been multiple reports of premature lead failure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the longevity of the Linox S/SD leads and to identify the possible predictors of lead failure in a single tertiary implant center.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent implantation of Linox S/SD leads or Sorin Vigila 1CR/2CR leads (the same Linox S/SD leads marketed by Sorin) at our center. Read More

Geroscience 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario ''Agostino Gemelli'' IRCCS, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.

Physical frailty and sarcopenia (PF&S) is a prototypical geriatric condition characterized by reduced physical function and low muscle mass. The aim of the present study was to provide an initial selection of biomarkers for PF&S using a novel multivariate analytic strategy. Two-hundred community-dwellers, 100 with PF&S and 100 non-physically frail, non-sarcopenic (nonPF&S) controls aged 70 and older were enrolled as part of the BIOmarkers associated with Sarcopenia and Physical frailty in EldeRly pErsons (BIOSPHERE) study. Read More

Mol Biol Rep 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Fredericton Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton, NB, E3B 4Z7, Canada.

Heat stress has a severe impact on potato growth and tuberization process, always resulting in the decrease of tuber yield and quality. Therefore, it is of great significance for potato breeding to illuminate the mechanism of heat stress on potato and explore heat resistant genes. In this study, two cDNA libraries from normal potato leaves (20 °C day/18 °C night) and potato leaves with 3 days of heat treatment (35 °C day/28 °C night) were constructed respectively. Read More

Ann Intensive Care 2020 Jun 1;10(1):69. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Necker-Enfants-Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris University, EA7323, 75006, Paris, France.

Background: A recent increase in children admitted with hypotensive shock and fever in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak requires an urgent characterization and assessment of the involvement of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is a case series performed at 4 academic tertiary care centers in Paris of all the children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with shock, fever and suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection between April 15th and April 27th, 2020.

Results: 20 critically ill children admitted for shock had an acute myocarditis (left ventricular ejection fraction, 35% (25-55); troponin, 269 ng/mL (31-4607)), and arterial hypotension with mainly vasoplegic clinical presentation. Read More

Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Unit of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, IRCCS, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.

Purpose: Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is a relatively uncommon but severe condition that may lead to hemodynamic impairment. It can be elicited by morphological (left ventricular hypertrophy, sigmoid septum, prominent papillary muscle, prolonged anterior mitral valve leaflet) and functional (hypovolemia, low afterload, hypercontractility, catecholamines) factors. We sought to determine the incidence of the most severe form of LVOTO in septic shock patients and describe the therapeutic effects of vasopressin. Read More

Egypt Heart J 2020 Jun 1;72(1):32. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Mansoura Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Background: Renal dysfunction is one of the major causes of in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients. In this study, we evaluated the combined predictive value of eGFR by CKD-EPI equation and shock index for in-hospital mortality and other adverse clinical outcomes in Egyptian patients with STEMI.

Results: A total of 450 STEMI patients were divided into 2 groups according to their eGFR with a cutoff value of 60 ml/min/1. Read More

Nature 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Am J Case Rep 2020 Jun 3;21:e922688. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Public Health, Sector of Plastic Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.

BACKGROUND Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening infection that involves the deep fascia and the surrounding tissue, but rarely involves the female breast. The most common treatment for necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is total mastectomy. However, the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), after surgical debridement, is reported to promote the more rapid development of granulation tissue, before reconstructive surgery. Read More

Curr Opin Cardiol 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

The Cardiovascular Center for Research and Innovation, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Acute mechanical circulatory support devices have become widely used in cardiogenic shock and high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but there remains significant controversy over the evidence supporting their use and the specific roles of various devices. In this review, we summarize major recent studies and identify key areas of future investigation.

Recent Findings: In cardiogenic shock, uncontrolled single arm studies emphasizing early mechanical circulatory support (MCS) have showed promising results, but randomized trials have either been stopped prematurely or enrolled patients with advanced shock unlikely to benefit from MCS. Read More

Curr Opin Crit Care 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Intensive Care Services, St Vincents Health Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Purpose Of Review: Sepsis is a global health issue, and there is a need for effective, low-cost adjunct metabolic treatments. Corticosteroids have been investigated in many trials for decades, and recently the administration of vitamin C, thiamine (vitamin B1), and vitamin D have been proposed as novel therapies in patients with sepsis.

Recent Findings: APROCCHSS (N = 1241) and ADRENAL (N = 3800) trial reported inconsistent results in mortality outcome; however, both demonstrated a decreased duration of shock with low-dose corticosteroids. Read More

Curr Opin Crit Care 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Service de Réanimation Médicale Brabois, CHRU Nancy, Pôle Cardio-Médico-Chirurgical.

Purpose Of Review: Data and interventional trials on vasopressor use during cardiogenic shock are scarce. Their use is limited by their side-effects and the lack of solid evidence regarding their effectiveness in improving outcomes. In the present article, we review the current use of vasopressor therapy during cardiogenic shock. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2020 Jun 2;13(6). Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Hematologist/Oncologist, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.

Eur J Intern Med 2020 May 30. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Intensive Care Medicine and UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background: Anticholinergic drugs may increase the risk of delirium in non-critically ill patients, but it is unclear whether exposure to these drugs is also a risk factor for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) delirium. In this study the hypothesis was tested that anticholinergic drug exposure at ICU admission increases the risk to develop delirium during ICU stay, particularly in patients with advanced age and severe sepsis.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed in the mixed 32-bed medical-surgical ICU of the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands in the period from January 2011 till June 2013. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020 May 30. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Chemico-Pharmacological Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. Electronic address:

Glucocorticoids are released from the adrenal cortex and are important for regulating various physiological functions. However, a persistent increase in glucocorticoids due to chronic stress causes various dysfunctions in the central nervous system which can lead to mental disorders such as depression. Macroautophagy, one of the pathways of the autophagy-lysosome protein degradation system, is dysregulated in psychiatric disorders, implicating a disturbance of protein degradation in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Read More

Crit Care 2020 Jun 1;24(1):280. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

BoReal Study Group, Medical Intensive Care Unit and EA7517, Amiens University Hospital, F-80054, Amiens, France.

Background: The urine biomarkers tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) have been validated for predicting and stratifying AKI. In this study, we analyzed the utility of these biomarkers for distinguishing between transient and persistent AKI in the early phase of septic shock.

Methods: We performed a prospective, multicenter study in 11 French ICUs. Read More

Eur J Med Res 2020 Jun 1;25(1):18. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

North Wales Clinical Research Centre, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, Wales, UK.

Background: The number of patients undergoing shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for kidney stones is increasing annually, and as such the development of post-operative complications, such as haematuria and acute kidney injury (AKI) following SWL, is likely to increase. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in routine blood and novel biomarkers following SWL, for the treatment of kidney stones.

Methods: Twelve patients undergoing SWL for solitary unilateral kidney stones were recruited. Read More

BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2020 Jun 1;20(1):98. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK.

Background: Treatment decision-making by family members on behalf of patients with major stroke can be challenging because of the shock of the diagnosis and lack of knowledge of the patient's treatment preferences. We aimed to understand how, and why, family members made certain treatment decisions, and explored their information and support needs.

Method: Semi-structured interviews with family members (n = 24) of patients with major stroke, within 2 weeks of hospital admission. Read More

J Acoust Soc Am 2020 May;147(5):3550

Blue Ridge Research and Consulting, LLC, Asheville, North Carolina 28801, USA.

Noise from a tactical aircraft can impact operations due to concerns regarding military personnel noise exposure and community annoyance and disturbance. The efficacy of mission planning can increase when the distinct, complex acoustic source mechanisms creating the noise are better understood. For each type of noise, equivalent acoustic source distributions are obtained from a tied-down F-35B operating at various engine conditions using the hybrid method for acoustic source imaging of Padois, Gauthier, and Berry [J. Read More

Rev Sci Instrum 2020 May;91(5):054101

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan.

A newly constructed high-repetition-rate shock tube designed for kinetic studies of high-temperature reactions using spectroscopic methods is described. The instrument operates at a 0.2-Hz cycle rate with a high reproducibility of reaction conditions that permits extensive signal averaging to improve the quality of kinetic trace data. Read More

Rev Sci Instrum 2020 May;91(5):056101

Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave., Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA.

A high speed, high pressure solenoid actuated valve has been developed for use as a driver section for automated shock tubes. The valve is based on a prior design, and significant improvements in the design of the valve are described. The new design retains the performance of prior versions of the valve and creates very reproducible reaction conditions in the shock tube, which are illustrated by several thousand experiments. Read More

Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 2020 Jun;59(6):451-459

Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.

To evaluate the effect of corticosteroids on the prognosis of patients with septic shock. In order to compare administration of corticosteroids with placebo or standard supportive care in adults with septic shock, clinical randomized controlled trials (RCT) were searched and selected, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A systemic assessment and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5. Read More

Microorganisms 2020 May 30;8(6). Epub 2020 May 30.

Disciplina de Microbiologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia-DMIP, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo-SP 04023-062, Brazil.

Escherichia coli EC121 is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain isolated from a bloodstream infection of an inpatient with persistent gastroenteritis and T-zone lymphoma that died due to septic shock. Despite causing an extraintestinal infection, previous studies showed that it did not have the usual characteristics of an extraintestinal pathogenic Instead, it belonged to phylogenetic group B1 and harbored few known virulence genes. To evaluate the pathogenic potential of strain EC121, an extensive genome sequencing and in vitro characterization of various pathogenicity-associated properties were performed. Read More

Microorganisms 2020 May 30;8(6). Epub 2020 May 30.

Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy.

LpxT is an inner membrane protein that transfers a phosphate group from the essential lipid undecaprenyl pyrophosphate (C-55PP) to the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide, generating a lipid A -phosphorylated species. The protein is encoded by the non-essential gene, which is conserved in distantly related Gram-negative bacteria. In this work, we investigated the phenotypic effect of ectopic expression from a plasmid in . Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 May 30;21(11). Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 12/16 Banacha St., 90-237 Lodz, Poland.

Genomic DNA is constantly damaged by factors produced during natural metabolic processes as well as agents coming from the external environment. Considering such a wide array of damaging agents, eukaryotic cells have evolved a DNA damage response (DRR) that opposes the influence of deleterious factors. Despite the broad knowledge regarding DNA damage and repair, new areas of research are emerging. Read More