Annals of medicine
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Controlling the epidemic spread and establishing the immune barrier in a short time through accurate vaccine demand prediction and optimised vaccine allocation strategy are still urgent problems to be solved under the condition of frequent virus mutations. ⋯ This is the first study to use a particle swarm optimisation algorithm to study the cross-regional allocation of COVID-19 vaccines. These data provide a theoretical basis for countries and regions to develop more targeted and sustainable vaccination strategies.KEY MESSAGEThe innovative combination of particle swarm optimisation and cross-regional SEIR model to simulate the pandemic trajectory and predict the vaccine demand helped to speed up and stabilise the construction of the immune barrier, especially faced with new virus mutations.We proposed that priority should be given to regions where it is possible to prevent more infections rather than regions where it is at high initial risk, thus regional outbreak risk should be considered when making vaccine allocation decisions.An optimal health-oriented strategy for vaccine allocation in the COVID-19 pandemic is determined considering both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical policy interventions, including speed of isolation, degree of social distancing control, and frequency of mask-wearing.
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To analyse the clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations and chest CT findings of children infected by the B.1.617.2 variant of COVID-19 and to compare the differences between clinical subtypes. ⋯ The pathogenetic condition of children with B.1.617.2 variant infection is mild. Although there were intergroup differences in some blood cell analyses, T-lymphocyte counts, and comprehensive biochemical indicators, no factors had a significant effect on clinical typing and the presence or absence of symptoms. CT findings and CT scores reflect disease stage and pathological changes and correlate moderately with laboratory tests, making them of good value for disease diagnosis and monitoring.Key MessagesPaediatric patients infected with B.1.617.2 variant have a milder clinical and imaging presentation than adults and are similar to the prototype infection.CT findings and scores which reflect disease stages and pathological changes.There is a correlation between chest CT and laboratory tests, which can be useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease.
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Art-science multidisciplinary collaborations to address the scientific challenges posed by COVID-19.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 constitutes a scientific and social challenge. The application of mixed-methods research with multidisciplinary collaborations increases the success of experimental design and interpretation of results to approach scientific challenges. The objective is to develop and implement protean art algorithms with interactions between artists and scientists for scientific research in areas of molecular biology, immunology, ecology and biomedicine. ⋯ KEY MESSAGEMixed-methods research with multidisciplinary collaborations increases the success of experimental design and interpretation of results. Implementation of protean art algorithms through interactions between artists and scientists advances scientific research. Proposed research objectives inspired by artist contributions contribute to approach COVID-19 scientific and social challenges with results that may translate into new diagnosis and control interventions.
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Tumour characteristics and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) criteria are risks for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In Asia, most HCC is caused by chronic hepatitis B infection. Whether hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) is a risk factor for HCC recurrence after OLT is not clear. ⋯ Individuals with preoperative undetectable HBV DNA had advanced tumour characteristics and a higher proportion of HCC recurrence. Antiviral treatment for HCC should be performed, and HBV DNA undetectable should be obtained before OLT. But for an urgent OLT, preoperative detectable HBV DNA may not affect long-term survival.KEY MESSAGESPatients with HBV DNA detectable had advanced tumour characteristics, a higher proportion of extended OLT criteria, and HCC-recurrence.HBV DNA >2000 IU/mL was a risk factor for HCC recurrence.HBV DNA detectable was not a risk for HCC related death; extended OLT criteria affected long-term survival.
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The large-cell Niti-S stent is useful for multiple stenting in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). Recently, a novel uncovered self-expandable metallic stent (USEMS) (a Niti-S large-cell SR slim delivery system) was developed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of this USEMS slim delivery system in MHBO patients. ⋯ Placing multiple USEMSs in patients with a past history of abdominal surgery or in reintervention is difficult. Although difficult cases were included in this study, stent-in-stent placement with the novel Niti-S large-cell SR slim delivery system was useful in treating MHBO patients. In addition, this novel stent might be the first choice for MHBO patients.KEY MESSAGESEndoscopic multistenting for MHBO is challenging. In addition, reintervention or multistenting for MHBO patients with a past history of abdominal surgery becomes more difficult.The novel Niti-S large-cell SR slim delivery USEMS is useful as an additional stent because the delivery system is thin and suitable for a 0.025 guidewire. In addition, the novel stent is of the braided type and has a large mesh. Therefore, the novel stent is expected to have strong radial force and can be used as the first SEMS.The Niti-S large-cell SR slim delivery stent is long enough to be used in patients with upper gastrointestinal reconstruction. Although this study included patients with reintervention or a past history of upper gastrointestinal reconstruction, the technical success rate of multiple stenting for MHBO patients was 100%. The slim-delivery stent might overcome several difficulties of endoscopic multistenting.