Impact of the Coronavirus disease pandemic on early breast cancer.

Objective: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation, treatment, and survival of patients with early breast cancer (Stage I-III).

Methods: This study utilized data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020. Patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2020 were compared to those diagnosed in 2018 or 2019.

Synthesis and Characterization of Crosslinked Castor Oil-Based Polyurethane Nanocomposites Based on Novel Silane-Modified Isocyanate and Their Potential Application in Heat Insulating Coating.

An isocyanate with trimethoxysilane groups at the side chains (IPDI-M) was synthesized via an addition between the mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane groups (MPTMS) and IPDI tripolymer (IPDI-T). Then, silane grafted isocyanate as the functional hard segment, castor oil as the soft segment, poly (ethylene adipate) diol (PEA) as the chain extender, and MPTMS as an end-capping reagent were applied to form a series of organosilicon hybrid bio-based polyurethane (CPUSi). The effect of the IPDI-M contents on the thermal stability, mechanical properties, and surface properties of the resulting product was systematically investigated.

Post-Diagnosis use of Antioxidant Vitamin Supplements and Breast Cancer Prognosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Antioxidant vitamin supplements (AVSs) are widely used among breast cancer survivors. Whether post-diagnosis use of AVSs would impair cancer survival is unclear. To assess the association between breast cancer survival and post-diagnosis AVSs use.

Recent development of near-infrared photoacoustic probes based on small-molecule organic dye.

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI), which integrates the higher spatial resolution of optical imaging and the deeper penetration depth of ultrasound imaging, has attracted great attention. Various photoacoustic probes including inorganic and organic agents have been well fabricated in last decades. Among them, small-molecule based agents are most promising candidates for preclinical/clinical applications due to their favorite features and facile functionalization.

Precise Species Identification for Acinetobacter: a Genome-Based Study with Description of Two Novel Acinetobacter Species.

The genus Acinetobacter comprises species with ecological significance and opportunistic pathogens and has a complicated taxonomy. Precise species identification is a foundation for understanding bacteria. In this study, we found and characterized two novel Acinetobacter species, namely, Acinetobacter tianfuensis sp.

KPC-12 with a L169M substitution in the Ω loop has reduced carbapenemase activity.

KPC-12 is a variant of KPC-2 with a L169M substitution in the Ω loop, but its resistance spectrum was not reported. bla was cloned, and KPC-12 exhibited significantly decreased activities against imipenem, meropenem, aztreonam, and piperacillin-tazobactam with ≥4-fold lower MICs than KPC-2. However, unlike the L169P substitution in KPC-35, activities against ceftazidime and ceftazidime-avibactam of KPC-12 were unaltered.

Electrosprayed Ultra-Thin Coating of Ethyl Cellulose on Drug Nanoparticles for Improved Sustained Release.

In nanopharmaceutics, polymeric coating is a popular strategy for modifying the drug release kinetics and, thus, new methods for implementing the nanocoating processes are highly desired. In the present study, a modified coaxial electrospraying process was developed to formulate an ultra-thin layer of ethyl cellulose (EC) on a medicated composite core consisting of tamoxifen citrate (TAM) and EC. A traditional single-fluid blending electrospraying and its monolithic EC-TAM nanoparticles (NPs) were exploited to compare.

Is nab-paclitaxel better than conventional taxanes as neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer? A meta-analysis.

Objective: This study compared the efficacy and safety of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) with conventional taxanes as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Methods: We searched the literature using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from their inception to December 15, 2019 based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The relevant studies compared pathologic complete response (pCR) and adverse event rates.

Characterization of Acinetobacter chengduensis sp. nov., isolated from hospital sewage and capable of acquisition of carbapenem resistance genes.

Two strains of the genus Acinetobacter, WCHAc060005 and WCHAc060007, were isolated from hospital sewage in China. The two strains showed different patterns of resistance to clinically important antibiotics and their taxonomic positions were investigated. Cells are Gram-negative, obligate aerobic, non-motile, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative coccobacilli.

[Pathogen Diagnosis of a Febrile HIV Case by the Metagenomic Next-generation Sequencing].

This study is aimed to explore the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in diagnosing pathogen in fever patients. It is often a challenge to identify the pathogen that caused the infection in the HIV patients with fever. How could the mNGS be helpful for pathogen diagnosis is unclear.

Fabrication of a Tyrosine-Responsive Liquid Quantum Dots Based Biosensor through Host-Guest Chemistry.

Design and fabrication of smart liquid quantum dots (LQDs) with high biomolecule selectivity and specificity remains a challenge. Herein, a multifunctional calix[4]arene derivative (PCAD) was rationally designed and applied to fabricate a Tyr-responsive CdSe-LQD system through host-guest chemistry. Such a biosensor displays an outstanding fluorescence/macroscopic response for Tyr and reversible fluidic features due to the hydrogen interaction between the PCAD of CdSe-LQDs and Tyr.

Rapid and visual detection for hypochlorite of an AIE enhanced fluorescence probe.

In this paper, a new 'turn-on' fluorescence probe for the rapid, sensitive, and visual detection of hypochlorite is reported. The push-pull type trianiline-tricyanofuran-based fluorescent probe was prepared using a condensation reaction between tricyanofuran and the thiophene-trianiline derivative that had high quantum yields and showed aggregation-induced emission enhanced properties. Upon exposure to hypochlorite, prominent fluorescence enhancement of the probe was observed via the release of the fluorophore from the probe.

Two-channel near-infrared fluorescence Ag ion sensing of a new star-shaped dendrimer.

A new near-infrared fluorescence sensor PDI-PD for Ag ions was successfully prepared and its structure characterized by H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), C NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry; matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HRMS MALDI-TOF). The probe exhibited rapid, sensitive, and selective two-channel fluorescence responses towards Ag ions and protons. The probe has a marked high binding affinity and high sensitivity for Ag , with a detection limit of 1.

The Process⁻Property⁻Performance Relationship of Medicated Nanoparticles Prepared by Modified Coaxial Electrospraying.

In pharmaceutical nanotechnology, the intentional manipulation of working processes to fabricate nanoproducts with suitable properties for achieving the desired functional performances is highly sought after. The following paper aims to detail how a modified coaxial electrospraying has been developed to create ibuprofen-loaded hydroxypropyl methylcellulose nanoparticles for improving the drug dissolution rate. During the working processes, a key parameter, i.

Rhomboidal Pt(II) metallacycle-based NIR-II theranostic nanoprobe for tumor diagnosis and image-guided therapy.

Fluorescent theranostics probes at the second near-IR region (NIR-II; 1.0-1.7 µm) are in high demand for precise theranostics that minimize autofluorescence, reduce photon scattering, and improve the penetration depth.

Recent advances in near-infrared II fluorophores for multifunctional biomedical imaging.

In recent years, owing to unsatisfactory clinical imaging clarity and depths in the living body for early diagnosis and prognosis, novel imaging modalities with high bioimaging performance have been actively explored. The remarkable headway made in the second near-infrared region (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) has promoted the development of biomedical imaging significantly. NIR-II fluorescence imaging possesses a number of merits which prevail over the traditional and NIR-I (400-900 nm) imaging modalities in fundamental research, such as reduced photon scattering, as well as auto-fluorescence and improved penetration depth.

[Analysis of Pathogens and Clinical Characteristics in 157 Cases with Infective Endocarditis].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of infective endocarditis (IE) in culture-positive patients,so as to provide the evidences for reasonable diagnosis and treatment of IE.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 157 culture-positive IE cases,which were diagnosed according to modified Duke criteria for IE from Jan. 2008 to Aug.

Gracilibacillus eburneus sp.nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from Xinjiang province, China.

A novel Gram-staining positive, moderately halophilic, endospore-forming, motile, rod-shaped and strictly aerobic strain, designated YIM 93565, was isolated from a salt lake in Xinjiang province of China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain YIM 93565 grew in the range of pH 6.0-9.

Remarkable Diversity of Carrying from Hospital Sewage with the Identification of Two New Variants.

The plasmid-borne colistin-resistant gene has rapidly become a worldwide public health concern. This study aims to determine the host bacterial strains, plasmids, and genetic contexts of in hospital sewage. A 1-ml hospital sewage sample was cultured.

Whole genome sequences of three Clade 3 Clostridium difficile strains carrying binary toxin genes in China.

Clostridium difficile consists of six clades but studies on Clade 3 are limited. Here, we report genome sequences of three Clade 3 C. difficile strains carrying genes encoding toxin A and B and the binary toxin.

Comparison of clinical features and prognostic factors in HIV-negative adults with cryptococcal meningitis and tuberculous meningitis: a retrospective study.

Background: The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) and tuberculous meningitis (TBM) have gradually increased in recent years. These two types of meningitis are easily misdiagnosed which leads to a poor prognosis. In this study we compared differences of clinical features and prognostic factors in non-HIV adults with CM and TBM.

IncP Plasmid Carrying Colistin Resistance Gene mcr-1 in Klebsiella pneumoniae from Hospital Sewage.

A Klebsiella pneumoniae strain of sequence type 313 (ST313) recovered from hospital sewage was found carrying the plasmid-borne colistin resistance gene mcr-1, which was bracketed by two copies of the insertion sequence ISApl1 on a 57-kb self-transmissible IncP-type plasmid of a new IncP-1 clade. The carriage of mcr-1 on a self-transmissible broad-host-range plasmid highlights that mcr-1 has the potential to spread beyond the Enterobacteriaceae family.

Impact of hepatic function on serum procalcitonin for the diagnosis of bacterial infections in patients with chronic liver disease: A retrospective analysis of 324 cases.

Although procalcitonin (PCT) is a valid marker for early diagnosis of bacterial infections, it is unclear whether its accuracy in predicting bacterial infections is affected by impaired liver function. This study aimed to assess the impact of compromised liver function on the diagnostic value of PCT.This retrospective study was conducted between January 2013 and May 2015.

The First Outbreak Caused by Acinetobacter baumannii ST208 and ST195 in China.

This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients and molecular mechanisms of the first outbreak mainly caused by sequence types (STs) 208 multidrug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii in China. A total of 10 clinical samples were collected from 5 patients who were involved in the outbreak. Bacterial identification and antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed by the VITEK-2 COMPACT automated system.