Relationship between genotype, phenotype, and refractive status in patients of inherited retinal degeneration.

BACKGROUND: To elucidate the relationship between inherited retinal disease, visual acuity and refractive error development in Asian patients. SUBJECTS: Five hundred phakic eyes with refractive data were analysed in this retrospective cohort. Diseases were categorized by clinical phenotypes, and the prevalent genotypes identified in the Taiwan Inherited Retinal Degeneration Project were analysed. Consecutive surveys in Taiwan have provided the rates of myopia in the general population. RESULTS: No differences were observed among the disease phenotypes with respect to myopia (P = 0.098) and high myopia rates (P = 0.037). The comparison of refractive error between retinitis pigmentosa and diseases mainly affecting the central retina showed no difference, and the refraction analyses in diseases of different onset ages yielded no significance. Moreover, there was no difference in the myopia rate between the diseases and general population. Among the genotypes, a higher spherical equivalent was seen in RPGR and PROM1-related patients and emmetropic trends were observed in patients with CRB1 and PRPF31 mutations. Furthermore, significantly poorer visual acuity was found in ABCA4, CRB1 and PROM1-related patients, and more preserved visual acuity was seen in patients with EYS, USH2A, and RDH12 mutations. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were observed in visual acuity, refractive state and myopia rate between patients with inherited retinal disease and the general population, and different subtypes of inherited retinal disease shared similar refractive state, except for higher cylindrical dioptres found in patients with Leber's congenital amaurosis. The heterogeneity of disease-causing genes in Asian patients may lead to variable refractive state.

Enhanced Atlantic Meridional Mode predictability in a high-resolution prediction system.

Accurate prediction of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the tropical North Atlantic on multiyear timescales is of paramount importance due to its notable impact on tropical cyclone activity. Recent advances in high-resolution climate predictions have demonstrated substantial improvements in the skill of multiyear SST prediction. This study reveals a notable enhancement in high-resolution tropical North Atlantic SST prediction that stems from a more realistic representation of the Atlantic Meridional Mode and the associated wind-evaporation-SST feedback. The key to this improvement lies in the enhanced surface wind response to changes in cross-equatorial SST gradients, resulting from Intertropical Convergence Zone bias reduction when atmospheric model resolution is increased, which, in turn, amplifies the positive feedback between latent and sensible surface heat fluxes and SST anomalies. These advances in high-resolution climate prediction hold promise for extending tropical cyclone forecasts at multiyear timescales.

Heterogenous liver parenchymal enhancement in CT is a favorable prognosis of HCC after hepatic resection.

This study aimed to define the role of heterogeneity of liver parenchymal enhancement on computed tomography (CT) in the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatic resection. The medical records of patients with HCCs and who had undergone hepatic resection were retrospectively reviewed. The standard deviation (SD) of three different enhanced CT scan images was used to estimate the heterogeneity of liver parenchymal enhancement: SD of > 5.6, heterogenous enhancement, and SD of ≤ 5.6, homogeneous enhancement. A total of 57 patients had heterogenous enhancement, and 143 patients had homogeneous enhancement. The patients with heterogenous enhancement had longer disease-free and overall survivals than those with other enhancements (log-rank test, P < 0.001 and P = 0.036). The pathologic exam showed that heterogenous enhancement tended to develop septa in the peritumoral liver tissues. The prevalence of CD8+ cells was significantly higher in the peritumor liver tissues with septa than in those without (0.83% vs. 0.26%, P < 0.001). The peritumoral CD8/Foxp3 ratio was higher in the liver tissues with septa than in those without (1.22 vs. 0.47, P = 0.001), and patients with CD8/Foxp3 of > 0.8 had better overall survival than those with CD8/Foxp3 of ≤ 0.8 (log-rank test, P = 0.028). In conclusion, patients who had undergone hepatic resection with a heterogenous liver parenchymal enhancement tended to develop hepatic septa, which was associated with a higher CD8/Foxp3 ratio and longer survival. Therefore, contrast-enhanced CT scans might be a useful tool to predict the outcome of HCC.

Efficacy and safety of different polymyxin-containing regimens for the treatment of pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The optimal administration of polymyxins for treating multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial (MDR-GNB) pneumonia remains unclear. This study aimed to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of three polymyxin-containing regimens by conducting a comprehensive network meta-analysis. METHODS: We comprehensively searched nine databases. Overall mortality was the primary outcome, whereas the secondary outcomes encompassed microbial eradication rate, clinical success, acute kidney injury, and incidence of bronchospasm. Extracted study data were analyzed by pairwise and network meta-analyses. Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and the Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) assessment tool were used to assess the risk of bias in randomized trials and cohort studies, respectively. RESULTS: This study included 19 observational studies and 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), encompassing 3318 patients. Six studies with high risk of bias were excluded from the primary analysis. In the pairwise meta-analysis, compared to the intravenous (IV) polymyxin-containing regimen, the intravenous plus inhaled (IV + IH) polymyxin-containing regimen showed a significant decrease in overall mortality, while no statistically significant difference was found in the inhaled (IH) polymyxin-containing regimen. The network meta-analysis indicated that the IV + IH polymyxin-containing regimen had significantly lower overall mortality (OR 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-0.88), higher clinical success rate (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.20-3.00), better microbial eradication rate (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.90-3.90) than the IV polymyxin-containing regimen, and significantly better microbial eradication rate when compared with the IH polymyxin-containing regimen (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.30-4.20). Furthermore, compared with IV + IH and IV polymyxin-containing regimens, the IH polymyxin-containing regimen showed a significant reduction in acute kidney injury. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that among the three administration regimens, the IV + IH polymyxin-containing regimen may be the most effective for treating MDR-GNB pneumonia, with a significantly lower overall mortality compared to the IV regimen and a considerably higher microbial eradication rate compared to the IH regimen. The IH regimen may be considered superior to the IV regimen due to its substantially lower incidence of acute kidney injury, even though the reduction in overall mortality was not significant.

Targeted Stimulation of Micropores by CS2 Extraction on Molecular of Coal.

The targeted stimulation of micropores based on the transformation of coal's molecular structure is proposed due to the chemical properties and difficult-to-transform properties of micropores. Carbon disulfide (CS2) extraction is used as a targeted stimulation to reveal the internal evolution mechanism of micropore transformation. The variations of microcrystalline structures and micropores of bituminous coal and anthracite extracted by CS2 were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), low-temperature carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption, and molecular simulation. The results show that CS2 extraction, with the broken chain effect, swelling effect, and aromatic ring rearrangement effect, can promote micropore generation of bituminous coal by transforming the microcrystalline structure. Furthermore, CS2 extraction on bituminous coal can decrease the average micropore size and increase the micropore volume and area. The aromatic layer fragmentation effect of CS2 extraction on anthracite, compared to the micropore generation effect of the broken chain effect and swelling effect, can enlarge micropores more remarkably, as it induces an enhancement in the average micropore size and a decline in the micropore volume and area. The research is expected to provide a theoretical basis for establishing reservoir stimulation technology based on CS2 extraction.

Reduction in antimicrobial resistance in a watershed after closure of livestock farms.

Natural environments play a crucial role in transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Development of methods to manage antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in natural environments are usually limited to the laboratory or field scale, partially due to the complex dynamics of transmission between different environmental compartments. Here, we conducted a nine-year longitudinal profiling of ARGs at a watershed scale, and provide evidence that restrictions on livestock farms near water bodies significantly reduced riverine ARG abundance. Substantial reductions were revealed in the relative abundance of genes conferring resistance to aminoglycosides (42%), MLSB (36%), multidrug (55%), tetracyclines (53%), and other gene categories (59%). Additionally, improvements in water quality were observed, with distinct changes in concentrations of dissolved reactive phosphorus, ammonium, nitrite, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Antibiotic residues and other pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) maintain at a similarly low level. Microbial source tracking demonstrates a significant decrease in swine fecal indicators, while human fecal pollution remains unchanged. These results suggest that the reduction in ARGs was due to a substantial reduction in input of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes from animal excreta. Our findings highlight the watershed as a living laboratory for understanding the dynamics of AMR, and for evaluating the efficacy of environmental regulations, with implications for reducing environmental risks associated with AMR on a global scale.

3D-printed Bi2Te3-based Thermoelectric Generators for Energy Harvesting and Temperature Response.

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are environmentally friendly energy harvesting technologies that hold great promise in the field of self-powered electronics and sensing. However, the current development of thermoelectric (TE) devices has largely lagged behind the development of thermoelectric materials, especially in the preparation of thermoelectric components with customizable shapes and excellent properties, which largely limits their practical applications. These issues can be effectively addressed by using 3D printing technology. Here, we print multiple p-type thermoelectric legs (pins) consecutively with this simple technique, and the printed TEGs have excellent thermal potential (288 µV K-1 at room temperature) and excellent temperature response properties, which exhibited an output voltage of 127.94 mV at a temperature difference (ΔT) of 40 K. The 3D-printed thermoelectric generator enables the collection of thermal energy. In addition, the device has excellent temperature sensing characteristics, and this temperature signal to electrical signal conversion is very rapid, which enables temperature sensing alarms in a wide temperature domain. Combining these features, an energy harvesting and electrical alarm concept for home-scale applications is proposed, which is expected to provide a diverse research idea for the application of next-generation thermoelectric devices.

MicroRNA-361-5p Alleviates Leydig Cell Apoptosis and Promotes Cell Growth by Targeting PIAS1 in Late-Onset Hypogonadism.

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is an age-related syndrome characterized by deficiency of serum testosterone produced by Leydig cells. Previous evidence suggested that microRNA (miR)-361-3p can serve as a promising biomarker for LOH. Nonetheless, its detailed function and molecular mechanism in LOH remain unclarified. The 24-month-old male mice were selected as an animal LOH model, and mouse Leydig cell line TM3 was stimulated with H2O2. ELISA was employed for testosterone level evaluation. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was implemented for histologic analysis of mouse testicular tissues. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were utilized for evaluating molecular protein and RNA expression, respectively. Functional experiments were conducted to test miR-361-5p roles. Luciferase reporter assay was for verifying the interaction between miR-361-5p and protein inhibitor of activated STAT 1 (PIAS1). miR-361-5p displayed a decreased level in the testes of LOH mice. Overexpressing miR-361-5p attenuated Leydig cell loss in the testis and elevated serum and intratesticular testosterone levels in LOH mice. H2O2 stimulation impaired TM3 cell viability, proliferation and intracellular testosterone production and enhanced cell apoptosis. miR-361-5p targeted PIAS1 in TM3 cell. PIAS1 upregulation counteracted miR-361-5p overexpression-mediated alleviation of cell apoptosis and elevation of testosterone synthesis in H2O2-stimualetd TM3 cells. miR-361-5p ameliorates LOH progression by increasing testosterone production and alleviate Leydig cell apoptosis via downregulation of PIAS1.

Conical quasi-phase-matching second harmonic generation in a 2D photonic crystal with hybrid Ewald geometric method.

The direction variation of the fundamental wave in the same nonlinear photonic crystal would cause different pattern of harmonics generation. In a 2D/3D crystal with dense reciprocal lattice vectors, there will be large numbers of conical harmonic beams evolving with direction change of the fundamental wave. By rearranging the Ewald sphere and superposing it into the Ewald shell, we have a hybrid Ewald construction. It becomes a simple but useful geometric method to comprehensively depict the distribution of these quasi-phase-matching second harmonics and their conical form evolution. It presents conical second harmonic beams by their related reciprocal lattice vectors and simplifies the beams' distribution according to spatial arrangement of those reciprocal lattice vectors. It finds that the conical beams will create, annihilate, or get enhanced in specific order when fundamental waves change incident directions. We applied the method on a periodically poled 2D LiTaO3 crystal and all observed phenomena, meet the method's predictions. In our experiment, we observed that the conical beams distorted along the optic axis of the sample due to anisotropy, which was generally overlooked by earlier researches. The eccentricities of their ring projections suggest a potential auxiliary approach for crystal dispersion measurement.

Overexpression of COX7A1 Promotes the Resistance of Gastric Cancer to Oxaliplatin and Weakens the Efficacy of Immunotherapy.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common clinical malignant tumors worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality. Presently, the overall response rate to immunotherapy is low, and current methods for predicting the prognosis of GC are not optimal. Therefore, novel biomarkers with accuracy, efficiency, stability, performance ratio, and wide clinical application are needed. Based on public data sets, the chemotherapy cohort and immunotherapy cohort from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, a series of bioinformatics analyses, such as differential expression analysis, survival analysis, drug sensitivity prediction, enrichment analysis, tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion analysis, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, stemness index calculation, and immune cell infiltration analysis, were performed for screening and preliminary exploration. Immunohistochemical staining and in vitro experiments were performed for further verification. Overexpression of COX7A1 promoted the resistance of GC cells to Oxaliplatin. COX7A1 may induce immune escape by regulating the number of fibroblasts and their cellular communication with immune cells. In summary, measuring the expression levels of COX7A1 in the clinic may be useful in predicting the prognosis of GC patients, the degree of chemotherapy resistance, and the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Experimental and numerical evaluation of the dust suppression efficiency of an innovative vortex pneumatic fog screen dust control device.

To effectively control the dust generated by coal mining operations, a new type of cyclonic pneumatic mist curtain dust control device was developed. Using CFD software, numerical simulations were conducted on the internal airflow velocity field, the exit velocity of the cyclonic pneumatic mist curtain, and the mist droplet particle field of the curtain. Experiments were carried out to measure the spray coverage, droplet size, and the dust control performance of the model device. The results indicate that when the water pump supply pressure is 8 MPa, the fan supply wind speed is 12 m/s, and the nozzle installation angle is 75 degrees, the cyclonic pneumatic mist curtain dust control device model operates under optimal conditions. The effective coverage of the cyclonic mist curtain is 380 × 3300 mm, fully suppressing dust generation on one side of the curtain. An optimal dust removal distance of about 90 cm was determined. After installing the cyclonic pneumatic mist curtain dust control device, the average dust reduction efficiency for respirable dust reached 91.07%, and the overall dust reduction efficiency achieved 93.34%.

Diagnosis and treatment of syphilitic uveitis: Taiwan experts consensus.

A recent resurgence in the incidence of syphilis has sparked a new interest in this old disease. Syphilitic uveitis remains a challenging disease, among the variable syphilis infections, due to the diagnostic complexity and the wide clinical manifestations. Here, we provide recommendations regarding clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment for patients with syphilitic uveitis in Taiwan based on an expert meeting and consensus from experienced uveitis specialists.

Predicting the association of different levels of physical activity on postoperative pulmonary complications using the international physical activity questionnaire in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung surgery under general anaesthesia: protocol for a prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) occur frequently in patients undergoing lung surgery under general anaesthesia and are strongly associated with longer postoperative hospital stays and increased mortality. The existing literature has shown that a higher level of preoperative physical activity (PA) plays a positive role in the low incidence of postoperative complications and the quality of life in patients undergoing lung surgery. However, the association between preoperative PA levels and the incidence of PPCs has rarely been studied, particularly in thoracoscopic lung surgery. This study aims to evaluate PA levels in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung surgery using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and to investigate the association between PA levels and the incidence of PPCs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A total of 204 participants aged 18-80 years undergoing thoracoscopic lung surgery (thoracoscopic wedge resection, thoracoscopic segmentectomy and thoracoscopic lobectomy) will be included in the study. The primary outcome is the incidence of PPCs within the first 5 postoperative days. The secondary outcomes include the number of PPCs, the incidence of PPCs 1 month postoperatively, the arterial blood levels of inflammatory markers, the incidence of postoperative adverse events within the first 5 postoperative days, extubation time, unplanned admission to the intensive care unit, postoperative length of stay and mortality 1 month postoperatively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University on 31 March 2022 (YXLL-KY-2022(014)) and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. We plan to disseminate the data and findings of this study in international and peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The trial has been prospectively registered at the clinicaltrials.gov registry (NCT05401253).

Use of corticosteroids in non-infectious uveitis - expert consensus in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: To offer consensus on the utilization of corticosteroids (CS) for treating non-infectious uveitis in the context of clinical practice in Taiwan. This entails examining the different administration methods, their advantages and disadvantages, and considering alternative treatments according to the prevailing evidence and health policies. METHODS: Ten ophthalmologists and one rheumatologist convened on December 11, 2022, to review and discuss literature on the topic. The databases explored were the Central Cochrane library, EMBASE, Medline, PUBMED, and Web of Science using relevant keywords. The search spanned from January 1996 to June 2023. After the initial results of the literature review were presented, open voting determined the final statements, with a statement being accepted if it secured more than 70% agreement. This consensus was then presented at significant meetings for further discussions before the final version was established. RESULTS: A flow chart and nine statements emerged from the deliberations. They address the importance of CS in uveitis management, guidelines for using topical CS, indications for both periocular or intravitreal and systemic therapies, and tapering and discontinuation methods for both topical and systemic CS. CONCLUSION: While CS are a cornerstone for non-infectious uveitis treatment, their administration requires careful consideration, depending on the clinical situation and the specific type of uveitis. The consensus generated from this article provides a guideline for practitioners in Taiwan, taking into account local health policies and the latest research on the subject. It emphasizes the significance of strategic tapering, the potential for alternative therapies, and the importance of patient-centric care.

Research on the trajectory and influential factors of poly-victimization: A longitudinal study of Chinese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Poly-victimization is more detrimental to adolescents' physical and mental health than is a single type of victimization. However, there has been limited research on the trajectory of poly-victimization among Chinese adolescents. OBJECTIVE: Identify the different developmental trajectories of poly-victimization among Chinese adolescents over time and examine the influencing factors of poly-victimization trajectories. METHODS: Data from four surveys conducted between 2020 and 2022, encompassing a cohort of 319 adolescents who had experienced poly-victimization, were utilized to identify their developmental trajectories via group-based trajectory modeling. Potential influencing factors were screened and compared using ANOVA or chi-square tests, while factors affecting the developmental trajectories of poly-victimization were analyzed through multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: We identified three poly-victimization trajectories among adolescents: increasing poly-victimization (n = 39, 12.2 %), relieved poly-victimization (n = 228, 71.5 %), and fluctuating poly-victimization (n = 52, 16.3 %). Our findings indicate that boys, and those with poor class grade ranking, a lower level of parental education, lower household economy, smoking, drinking, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation, constitute the primary focus for the prevention and treatment of poly-victimization. CONCLUSION: We identified three poly-victimization trajectories, highlighting a significant heterogeneity in poly-victimization development. Understanding the characteristics of these developmental trajectories is crucial for realizing the dynamics of different poly-victimization subgroups and informing effective interventions.

Lhx2 promotes axon regeneration of adult retinal ganglion cells and rescues neurodegeneration in mouse models of glaucoma.

The axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) form the optic nerve, transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. Damage or loss of RGCs and their axons is the leading cause of visual functional defects in traumatic injury and degenerative diseases such as glaucoma. However, there are no effective clinical treatments for nerve damage in these neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we report that LIM homeodomain transcription factor Lhx2 promotes RGC survival and axon regeneration in multiple animal models mimicking glaucoma disease. Furthermore, following N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced excitotoxicity damage of RGCs, Lhx2 mitigates the loss of visual signal transduction. Mechanistic analysis revealed that overexpression of Lhx2 supports axon regeneration by systematically regulating the transcription of regeneration-related genes and inhibiting transcription of Semaphorin 3C (Sema3C). Collectively, our studies identify a critical role of Lhx2 in promoting RGC survival and axon regeneration, providing a promising neural repair strategy for glaucomatous neurodegeneration.

Effects of Helicobacter pylori and Moluodan on the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in mice with precancerous gastric cancer lesions.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the primary risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), the Wnt/ß-Catenin signaling pathway is closely linked to tumourigenesis. GC has a high mortality rate and treatment cost, and there are no drugs to prevent the progression of gastric precancerous lesions to GC. Therefore, it is necessary to find a novel drug that is inexpensive and preventive to against GC. AIM: To explore the effects of H. pylori and Moluodan on the Wnt/ß-Catenin signaling pathway and precancerous lesions of GC (PLGC). METHODS: Mice were divided into the control, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), H. pylori + MNU, and Moluodan groups. We first created an H. pylori infection model in the H. pylori + MNU and Moluodan groups. A PLGC model was created in the remaining three groups except for the control group. Moluodan was fed to mice in the Moloudan group ad libitum. The general condition of mice were observed during the whole experiment period. Gastric tissues of mice were grossly and microscopically examined. Through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting analysis, the expression of relevant genes were detected. RESULTS: Mice in the H. pylori + MNU group showed the worst performance in general condition, gastric tissue visual and microscopic observation, followed by the MNU group, Moluodan group and the control group. QRT-PCR and Western blotting analysis were used to detect the expression of relevant genes, the results showed that the H. pylori + MNU group had the highest expression, followed by the MNU group, Moluodan group and the control group. CONCLUSION: H. pylori can activate the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, thereby facilitating the development and progression of PLGC. Moluodan suppressed the activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, thereby decreasing the progression of PLGC.

Two new diatom species of the genus Gomphonemopsis (Bacillariophyceae) from the coast of China and two new combinations for the genus.

Two new diatom species belonging to the genus Gomphonemopsis are described, Gomphonemopsisnanasp. nov. and Gomphonemopsisgaoisp. nov. These two species were compared in detail with congeners. Gomphonemopsisnana is distinguished by its high stria density and small size. This species was found so far to be epiphytic only on the eelgrass collected from Qingdao Bay (Yellow Sea). Gomphonemopsisgaoi is characterized by its isopolar valves, simple proximal raphe endings and acutely rounded apices. This taxon was separated from the exoskeleton of marine copepods sampled from the Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve (South China Sea). In addition, two new combinations, Gomphonemopsisoahuensis (Hustedt) Lang Li, Yuhang Li & Changping Chen, comb. nov. and Gomphonemopsisplatypus (Østrup) Lang Li, Yuhang Li & Junxiang Lai, comb. nov. are proposed. This study increases the records and knowledge of Gomphonemopsis along the coast of China.