[Preliminary outcomes of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy combined with transoral robotic surgery for locally advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (NACI) combined with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the treatment of locally advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Methods: This was a retrospective study of 15 patients with locally advanced OPSCC who underwent TORS after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from April 2019 to February 2023. There were 12 males and 3 females, aged 31 to 74 years. Twelve cases were tonsil cancer, and 3 cases were tongue base cancer. There were 11 cases in stage Ⅲ and 4 cases in stage Ⅳ. Two patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 13 patients received NACI, with 2 to 3 cycles, and all patients underwent TORS after multidisciplinary team consultation. The clinicopathological characteristics, surgical outcomes, and oncological results were summarized. Results: All surgeries were successfully completed with negative surgical margins, and no case was required conversion surgery. All patients were fed via nasogastric tubes postoperatively, with a median gastric tube stay of 7 days (range: 2-60 days). No tracheotomy was applied. There were no major complications such as postoperative bleeding. Pathological complete response (pCR) was found in 10 cases (76.9%) among the 13 patients with NACI. The follow-up time was 21 months (range: 10-47 months), and there was no death or distant metastasis. One patient with rT0N3M0 tonsil cancer had local recurrence 5 months after surgery. The 2-year overall survival and 2-year disease-free survival were respectively 100.0% and 93.3% in the 15 patients. Conclusion: NACI combined with TORS provides a safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment for patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

[Mitigating metal artifacts from cobalt-chromium alloy crowns in cone-beam CT images through deep learning techniques].

Objective: To develop and evaluate metal artifact removal systems (MARS) based on deep learning to assess their effectiveness in removing artifacts caused by different thicknesses of metals in cone-beam CT (CBCT) images. Methods: A full-mouth standard model (60 mm×75 mm×110 mm) was three-dimensional (3D) printed using photosensitive resin. The model included a removable and replaceable target tooth position where cobalt-chromium alloy crowns with varying thicknesses were inserted to generate matched CBCT images. The artifacts resulting from cobalt-chromium alloys with different thicknesses were evaluated using the structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS were developed using a convolutional neural network and U-net architecture, respectively. The effectiveness of both MARSs were assessed through visualization and by measuring SSIM and PSNR values. The SSIM and PSNR values were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (α=0.05). Results: Significant differences were observed in the range of artifacts produced by different thicknesses of cobalt-chromium alloys (all P<0.05), with 1 mm resulting in the least artifacts. The SSIM values for specimens with thicknesses of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm were 0.916±0.019, 0.873±0.010, and 0.833±0.010, respectively (F=447.89, P<0.001). The corresponding PSNR values were 20.834±1.176, 17.002±0.427, and 14.673±0.429, respectively (F=796.51, P<0.001). After applying CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS to artifact removal, the SSIM and PSNR values significantly increased for images with the same thickness of metal (both P<0.05). When using the CNN-MARS for artifact removal, the SSIM values for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm were 0.938±0.023, 0.930±0.029, and 0.928±0.020 (F=2.22, P=0.112), while the PSNR values were 30.938±1.495, 30.578±2.154 and 30.553±2.355 (F=0.54, P=0.585). When using the U-net-MARS for artifact removal, the SSIM values for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm were 0.930±0.024, 0.932±0.017 and 0.930±0.012 (F=0.24, P=0.788), and the PSNR values were 30.291±0.934, 30.351±1.002 and 30.271±1.143 (F=0.07, P=0.929). No significant differences were found in SSIM and PSNR values after artifact removal using CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS for different thicknesses of cobalt-chromium alloys (all P>0.05). Visualization demonstrated a high degree of similarity between the images before and after artifact removal using both MARS. However, CNN-MARS displayed clearer metal edges and preserved more tissue details when compared with U-net-MARS. Conclusions: Both the CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS models developed in this study effectively remove the metal artifacts and enhance the image quality. CNN-MARS exhibited an advantage in restoring tissue structure information around the artifacts compared to U-net-MARS.

[Analysis of the complete genome characterization of 11 human astrovirus strains in Shandong Province].

Objective: To study the complete genome characterization of Human Astrovirus (HAstV) in Shandong Province. Methods: Stool samples from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in Shandong Province from 2020 to 2022 were collected, and HAstV nucleic acid was examined by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was conducted for the positive samples to obtain complete genome sequences and identify the genotype. Homology comparison and phylogenetic analysis were performed by using BioEdit and Mega software. Results: A total of 667 samples were examined by qPCR, of which 14 were HAstV-positive (2.1%), including HAstV-1 (n=6), MLB1 (n=6), MLB2 (n=1), and VA2 (n=1). The complete genome sequences were obtained from 11 samples. The six HAstV-1 sequences of this study had 98.2% to 99.9% nt similarities with each other and 87.6% to 98.6% with those from other regions. The four MLB1 sequences of this study had 99.1% to 99.9% nt similarities with each other and 92.2% to 99.4% with those from other regions. The VA2 sequence of this study had 96.0% to 96.3% nt similarities with those from other regions. Phylogenetic analysis based on ORF2 region showed that the local HAstV-1 sequences were most closely related to Japanese strains, and had distinct topology with phylogenies based on ORF1a and ORF1b regions. Conclusion: The complete genome sequences of 11 HAstV strains are obtained, and the VA2 complete genome is found.

Dietary isoleucine supplementation enhances growth performance, modulates the expression of genes related to amino acid transporters and protein metabolism, and gut microbiota in yellow-feathered chickens.

This study investigated the effects of dietary isoleucine (Ile) on growth performance, intestinal expression of amino acid transporters, protein metabolism-related genes and intestinal microbiota in starter phase Chinese yellow-feathered chickens. Female Xinguang yellow-feathered chickens (n = 1,080, aged 1 d) were randomly distributed to 6 treatments, each with 6 replicates of 30 birds. Chickens were fed diets with 6 levels of total Ile (6.8, 7.6, 8.4, 9.2, 10.0, and 10.8 g/kg) for 30 d. The average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were improved with dietary Ile levels (P < 0.05). Plasma uric acid content and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase activity were linearly and quadratically decreased with increasing dietary Ile inclusion (P < 0.05). Dietary Ile level had a linear (P < 0.05) or quadratic (P < 0.05) effect on the jejunal expression of ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1 and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1. The relative expression of jejunal 20S proteasome subunit C2 and ileal muscle ring finger-containing protein 1 decreased linearly (P < 0.05) and quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary Ile levels. Dietary Ile level had a linear (P = 0.069) or quadratic (P < 0.05) effect on the gene expression of solute carrier family 15 member 1 in jejunum and solute carrier family 7 member 1 in ileum. In addition, bacterial 16S rDNA full-length sequencing showed that dietary Ile increased the cecal abundances of the Firmicutes phylum, and Blautia, Lactobacillus, and unclassified_Lachnospiraceae genera, while decreased that of Proteobacteria, Alistipes, and Shigella. Dietary Ile levels affected growth performance and modulated gut microbiota in yellow-feathered chickens. The appropriate level of dietary Ile can upregulate the expression of intestinal protein synthesis-related protein kinase genes and concomitantly inhibit the expression of proteolysis-related cathepsin genes.

[Preliminary experience of gasless transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy].

Objective: To explore the feasibility and safety of the gasless transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy using skin suspension. Methods: The clinical data of 20 patients underwent gasless transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from February 2022 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 18 were females and 2 were males, aged (38.7±8.0) years old. The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, postoperative swallowing function swallowing impairment score-6 (SIS-6), postoperative aesthetic VAS score, postoperative voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10) voice quality, postoperative pathology and complications were recorded. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: The operations were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery in all patients. Pathological examination showed papillary thyroid carcinoma in 18 cases, retrosternal nodular goiter in 1 case, and cystic change in goiter in 1 case. The operative time for thyroid cancer was 161.50 (152.75, 182.50) min [M (P25, P75), the same below] and the average operative time for benign thyroid diseases was 166.50 minutes. The intraoperative blood loss 25.00 (21.25, 30.00) ml. In 18 cases of thyroid cancer, the mean diameter of the tumors was (7.22±2.02) mm, and lymph nodes (6.56±2.14) were dissected in the central region, with a lymph node metastasis rate of 61.11%. The postoperative pain VAS score was 3.00 (2.25, 4.00) points at 24 hours, the mean postoperative drainage volume was (118.35±24.32) ml, the postoperative hospital stay was 3.00 (3.00, 3.75) days, the postoperative SIS-6 score was (4.90±1.58) points at 3 months, and the postoperative VHI-10 score was 7.50 (2.00, 11.00) points at 3 months. Seven patients had mild mandibular numbness, 10 patients had mild cervical numbness, and 3 patients had temporary hypothyroidism three months after surgery and 1 patient had skin flap burn, but recovered one month after surgery. All patients were satisfied with the postoperative aesthetic effects, and the postoperative aesthetic VAS score was 10.00 (10.00, 10.00). Conclusion: Gasless transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy using skin suspension is a safe and feasible option with good postoperative aesthetic effect, which can provide a new treatment option for some selected patients with thyroid tumors.

[Mitigating metal artifacts in cone-beam CT images through deep learning techniques].

Objective: To develop and evaluate metal artifact removal systems (MARSs) based on deep learning to assess their effectiveness in removing artifacts caused by different thicknesses of metals in cone-beam CT (CBCT) images. Methods: A full-mouth standard model (60 mm×75 mm×110 mm) was three-dimensional (3D) printed using photosensitive resin. The model included a removable and replaceable target tooth position where cobalt-chromium alloy crowns with varying thicknesses were inserted to generate matched CBCT images. The artifacts resulting from cobalt-chromium alloys with different thicknesses were evaluated using the structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS were developed using a convolutional neural network and U-net architecture, respectively. The effectiveness of both MARSs were assessed through visualization and by measuring SSIM and PSNR values. The SSIM and PSNR values were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (α=0.05). Results: Significant differences were observed in the range of artifacts produced by different thicknesses of cobalt-chromium alloys (all P<0.05), with 1 mm resulting in the least artifacts. The SSIM values for specimens with thicknesses of 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.0 mm were 0.916±0.019, 0.873±0.010, and 0.833±0.010, respectively (F=447.89, P<0.001). The corresponding PSNR values were 20.834±1.176, 17.002±0.427, and 14.673±0.429, respectively (F=796.51, P<0.001). After applying CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS to artifact removal, the SSIM and PSNR values significantly increased for images with the same thickness of metal (both P<0.05). When using the CNN-MARS for artifact removal, the SSIM values for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm were 0.938±0.023, 0.930±0.029, and 0.928±0.020 (F=2.22, P=0.112), while the PSNR values were 30.938±1.495, 30.578±2.154 and 30.553±2.355 (F=0.54, P=0.585). When using the U-net-MARS for artifact removal, the SSIM values for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm were 0.930±0.024, 0.932±0.017 and 0.930±0.012 (F=0.24, P=0.788), and the PSNR values were 30.291±0.934, 30.351±1.002 and 30.271±1.143 (F=0.07, P=0.929). No significant differences were found in SSIM and PSNR values after artifact removal using CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS for different thicknesses of cobalt-chromium alloys (all P>0.05). Visualization demonstrated a high degree of similarity between the images before and after artifact removal using both MARSs. However, CNN-MARS displayed clearer metal edges and preserved more tissue details when compared with U-net-MARS. Conclusions: Both the CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS models developed in this study effectively remove the metal artifacts and enhance the image quality. CNN-MARS exhibited an advantage in restoring tissue structure information around the artifacts compared to U-net-MARS.

Effects of radial stress on piezoelectric ceramic tubes and transducers.

Static analysis is performed for fiber windings to quantitatively control the radial stress at the outer radius of the piezoelectric ceramic tube. The radial stress is verified both experimentally and theoretically, and the dependence of the resonant and material properties of the piezoelectric ceramic tubes on the radial stress is clarified. The resonance frequencies and dielectric loss remain relatively stable, but the relative permittivity and the short circuit elastic constant decrease with the radial stress. The variations of the increased bandwidth and decreased electromechanical coupling coefficient (k31), piezoelectric constant (d31 and g31), and mechanical quality factor (Qm) are associated with the height-to-radius ratio. The properties of three cylindrical transducers applied with various radial stress show similar change tendencies, and a difference of 0.34 MPa radial stress results in a variation of approximately 13 in the bandwidth, 14 in Qm, 15 in k31, d31, and g31, and 16 in the amplitude of the first pulse. These results suggest that the consistency of the radial stress is essential, and it should be relatively small. These findings guide the design and preparation of the enhanced transducer.

[Analysis of Neisseria Meningitidis carriage characteristics among healthy population in Shandong province from 2008 to 2020].

Objective: To analyze the carriage characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) among healthy population of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in Shandong province. Methods: From April 2008 to April 2020, a total of 16 848 healthy population were recruited from Lixia District of Jinan City, Gaomi City of Weifang City, Jiaxiang County of Jining City, Wendeng District of Weihai City, Tancheng County of Linyi City and Linyi County of Dezhou City for the investigation.Throat swab samples were collected, Nm was isolated, cultured and identified, and Nm carrying characteristics of healthy population with different characteristics were analyzed. Results: Among the 16 848 healthy population, male accounted for 51.86% (8 737). A total of 136 Nm strains were isolated, and the carriage rate was 0.81%. Among the 136 Nm strains, serogroup B (60.29%) and ungroupable strains (23.53%) were dominant. Analysis of the Nm carriage rate, that were higher in the healthy population of Linyi (1.39%) and Jinan (1.14%), higher in 13-16 years old (1.60%) and 17-19 years old (1.10%) healthy population, and higher in male (1.02%). Conclusion: The Nm carriage rate of healthy population is relatively low in Shandong Province, and the proportion of serogroup B and ungroupable Nm is relatively high.

Reproductive performance, metabolism and oxidative stress profile in Chinese yellow-feathered broiler breeder hens fed multiple levels of isoleucine.

1. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary isoleucine (Ile) on reproductive performance and certain indices of metabolism and oxidative stress in Chinese yellow-feathered broiler breeder hens.2. A total of 600, 40-week-old Chinese yellow-feathered broiler breeder hens were fed a basal diet formulated with maize, corn gluten meal and spray-dried blood cell meal containing 3.3 g/kg Ile, or supplemented to contain 4.5, 5.7, 6.9, or 8.1 g/kg Ile for five weeks. Each dietary treatment had six replicates with 20 birds per replicate. After three weeks of receiving the trial diets, 24 eggs were collected at random from each replicate to measure egg quality. Starting after four weeks of treatment, 50 settable eggs per replicate were collected for 7 d in succession for hatching. After five weeks of being fed the treatment diets, birds were slaughtered for tissue and organ collection.3. For the overall period, laying rate, egg weight, egg mass and hatchling weight linearly (P < 0.05) and quadratically (P < 0.05) increased with dietary Ile levels. Final body weight, feed intake and relative liver weight of birds fed 3.3 g/kg Ile was lower compared to birds fed the other diets (P < 0.05). There was no effect of Ile level on egg quality (P > 0.05). Hatchling weight was linearly (P < 0.05) and quadratically increased (P < 0.05) in line with dietary supplemental Ile.4. After three weeks on the trial diets, birds fed the diet containing 3.3 g/kg Ile had decreased blood TG concentrations compared to breeders fed 6.9 or 8.1 g/kg Ile (P < 0.05). Activities of CK were significantly higher in breeders fed the 3.3 g/kg Ile diet compared to all other levels of dietary Ile after five weeks of treatment. A quadratic effect (P < 0.05) was evident for glucose at 8.1 g/kg Ile level. After five weeks of treatment, plasma TG concentrations in birds fed 3.3 g/kg Ile were significantly lower than in birds fed all other levels of Ile. Glucose concentrations in breeder hens receiving the 3.3 g/kg Ile diet were lowest and the highest concentrations were in birds fed 5.7 g/kg Ile (P < 0.05). Plasma activities of LDH were highest in breeders on the 3.3 g/kg Ile diet but were only significantly different (P < 0.05) for birds fed 5.7 g/kg Ile.5. The current study indicated that Ile deficiency decreased reproductive performance and appeared to serve as a stressor. The optimal dietary Ile for Chinese yellow-feathered broiler breeder hens in the laying period was 5.79 g/kg feed (0.75 g/d).

[Molecular epidemiological characterization of group A rotavirus in domestic sewage in Jinan from 2016 to 2018].

Objective: To understand the detection of group A rotavirus (RVA) in domestic sewage and its molecular epidemiological characteristics, and further explore the feasibility and necessity of RVA environmental surveillance. Methods: From 2016 to 2018, we collected domestic sewage samples monthly in Jinan city, and concentrated them via anion membrane adsorption-elution method. Then RNA extraction and RVA VP7 and VP4 coding region RT-PCR amplification were performed. After purification, TA cloning and sequencing, homology analysis and phylogenetic analysis were conducted on the obtained sequences. Results: RVA G gene was detected in 31 of the 36 sewage samples (86.1% detection rate); RVA P genotype was detected in 33 samples (91.7% detection rate). A total of 536 RVA sequences were obtained, of which 225 G-type sequences belonged to 6 genotypes, and the G9 accounted for 92.4% (208/225); 311 P-type sequences were obtained, which belonged to 4 genotypes. The dominant P[8] accounted for 50.1% (156/311), followed by P[4] with 41.8% (130/311). Phylogenetic analysis shows that there were multiple transmission chains circulating in the dominant genotypes G9 and P[8]. Conclusion: The genotype, homology, and phylogenetic characteristics of sequences obtained from domestic sewage in Jinan area were described, which further confirmeing that RVA environmental surveillance is not feasible but also necessary.

[Combining intraoperative ultrasound-guided irreversible electroporation with chemotherapy for treating locally advanced pancreatic cancer: a clinical report of 64 cases].

Objective: To examine the safety and clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided irreversible electroporation (IRE) using the open surgery approach, after induction chemotherapy, in the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) . Methods: The data of 64 LAPC patients who underwent ultrasound-guided IRE using the open surgery approach after induction chemotherapy at Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from August 2015 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The study comprised of 30 males and 34 females, with median age of 58.5 years old (range: 34 to 87 years old) , were included in this study.The tumor was located in the pancreatic head and body/tail in 30 and 34 patients, respectively.The largest recorded tumor size was 6.1 cm (≤4.0 cm: n=35; >4.0 cm: n=29) .To create an electric field around the tumor, Two to six probes were parallelly inserted into each patient's tumor, based on the size of the tumor, at a distance of 2 cm apart through the transverse mesocolon in a caudal-to-cranial direction.According to the numerical sequence of patients undergoing ultrasound-guided IRE, the first 15 cases and following 49 patients were categorized as the primary and secondary treatment group, respectively.T text or χ(2) test was analyzed to the data between two groups.The study endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) , which were investigated using Kaplan-Meier method, and their differences were compared using log-rank test. Results: The overall length of hospital stay was (8.9±2.7) days (range: 5 to 20 days) . Four patients were lost to follow-up.The study follow-up rate was 93.8%, with a median follow-up time of 29.3 months (range: 13.5 to 55.7 months) .The median OS and PFS of the entire cohort was 24.6 months (95% CI: 22.0 to 27.3 months) and 12.0 months (95%CI: 8.8 to 15.2 months) , respectively.One month after IRE, abdominal pain was significantly relieved in 95.3% of the patients (t=-28.55, P<0.01) .The rate of complications in the entire cohort was 20.3% and all were classified as grade B.Of them, pancreatic fistula, incisional infection, and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage were observed in 7, 4, and 2 cases, respectively.The rate of complications for patients in the primary and secondary treatment groups were significantly different (10/15 vs. 6.1%) , respectively (χ(2)=26.01, P<0.01) .Further, two deaths were observed after IRE in the primary treatment group, while none was observed in the secondary treatment group. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided IRE using the open surgery approach after induction chemotherapy is found to be safe and effective in treating patients with LAPC.However, these findings should be validated in prospective randomized trials before wide clinical application.

[Evaluation of computer-aided diagnosis system for detecting dental approximal caries lesions on periapical radiographs].

Objective: To establish and to evaluate a computer-aided system based on deep-learning for detection and diagnosis of dental approximal caries on periapical radiographs. Methods: One hundred and sixty human premolars and molars extracted for orthodontic or periodontal reasons were obtained from Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Fujian Medical University. A total of 160 periapical radiographic images were divided into a training dataset (n=80) and a test dataset (n=80). A deep-learning based computer-aided caries diagnosis system was established and trained. The performances of computer-aided diagnosis system and human observer were compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, precision-recall (P-R) curves, the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). The AUC values of human observers and caries diagnosis system was compared by using an online statistical tool (SPSSAU 20.0). Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences between human observers and caries diagnosis system (ɑ=0.05). Results: The AUC values of human observers and caries diagnosis system were 0.729 (95%CI: 0.650-0.808) and 0.762 (95%CI: 0.685-0.839), respectively (P>0.05). No significant differences were found for the specificity, PPV and NPV between the caries diagnosis system and human observers (P all>0.05). The caries diagnosis system was significantly more sensitive in detecting dental proximal caries than human observers (P<0.05). For the diagnosis of level-1 caries (caries limited to outer 1/2 of enamel), the sensitivity of human observers and computer-aided detection system were 27% and 77%, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions: The computer-aided diagnosis system provided similar accuracy as human observers and significantly better sensitivity than human observers, especially for shallow caries in enamel.

Effects of dietary incorporation of linseed oil with soybean isoflavone on fatty acid profiles and lipid metabolism-related gene expression in breast muscle of chickens.

The meat quality of chicken is an important factor affecting the consumer's health. It was hypothesized that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) could be effectively deposited in chicken, by incorporating antioxidation of soybean isoflavone (SI), which led to improved quality of chicken meat for good health of human beings. Effects of partial or complete dietary substitution of lard (LA) with linseed oil (LO), with or without SI on growth performance, biochemical indicators, meat quality, fatty acid profiles, lipid-related health indicators and gene expression of breast muscle were examined in chickens. A total of 900 males were fed a corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with 4% LA, 2% LA + 2% LO and 4% LO and the latter two including 30 mg SI/kg (2% LA + 2% LO + SI and 4% LO + SI) from 29 to 66 days of age; each of the five dietary treatments included six replicates of 30 birds. Compared with the 4% LA diet, dietary 4% LO significantly increased the feed efficiency and had no negative effect on objective indices related to meat quality; LO significantly decreased plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol (TCH); abdominal fat percentage was significantly decreased in birds fed the 4% LO and 4% LO + SI diets. Chickens with LO diets resulted in higher contents of α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), EPA (C20:5n-3) and total n-3 PUFA, together with a lower content of palmitic acid (C16:0), lignoceric acid (C24:0), saturated fatty acids and n-6:n-3 ratio in breast muscle compared to 4% LA diet (P < 0.05); they also significantly decreased atherogenic index, thrombogenic index and increased the hypocholesterolemic to hypercholesterolemic ratio. Adding SI to the LO diets enhanced the contents of EPA and DHA (C22:6n-3), plasma total superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione and muscle GSH content, while decreased plasma total triglyceride and TCH and malondialdehyde content in plasma and breast muscle compared to its absence (P < 0.05). Expression in breast muscle of fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), FADS2, elongase 2 (ELOVL2) and ELOVL5 genes were significantly higher with the LO diets including SI than with the 4% LA diet. Significant interactions existed between LO level and inclusion of SI on EPA and TCH contents. These findings indicate that diet supplemented with LO combined with SI is an effective alternative when optimizing the nutritional value of chicken meat for human consumers.

Alterations of the fatty acid composition and lipid metabolome of breast muscle in chickens exposed to dietary mixed edible oils.

The fatty acid composition of chicken's meat is largely influenced by dietary lipids, which are often used as supplements to increase dietary caloric density. The underlying key metabolites and pathways influenced by dietary oils remain poorly known in chickens. The objective of this study was to explore the underlying metabolic mechanisms of how diets supplemented with mixed or a single oil with distinct fatty acid composition influence the fatty acid profile in breast muscle of Qingyuan chickens. Birds were fed a corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with either soybean oil (control, CON) or equal amounts of mixed edible oils (MEO; soybean oil : lard : fish oil : coconut oil = 1 : 1 : 0.5 : 0.5) from 1 to 120 days of age. Growth performance and fatty acid composition of muscle lipids were analysed. LC-MS was applied to investigate the effects of CON v. MEO diets on lipid-related metabolites in the muscle of chickens at day 120. Compared with the CON diet, chickens fed the MEO diet had a lower feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05), higher proportions of lauric acid (C12:0), myristic acid (C14:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1n-7), oleic acid (C18:1n-9), EPA (C20:5n-3) and DHA (C22:6n-3), and a lower linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) content in breast muscle (P < 0.05). Muscle metabolome profiling showed that the most differentially abundant metabolites are phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholines (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PE), which enriched the glycerophospholipid metabolism (P < 0.05). These key differentially abundant metabolites - PC (14:0/20:4), PC (18:1/14:1), PC (18:0/14:1), PC (18:0/18:4), PC (20:0/18:4), PE (22:0/P-16:0), PE (24:0/20:5), PE (22:2/P-18:1), PE (24:0/18:4) - were closely associated with the contents of C12:0, C14:0, DHA and C18:2n-6 in muscle lipids (P < 0.05). The content of glutathione metabolite was higher with MEO than CON diet (P < 0.05). Based on these results, it can be concluded that the diet supplemented with MEO reduced the feed conversion ratio, enriched the content of n-3 fatty acids and modified the related metabolites (including PC, PE and glutathione) in breast muscle of chickens.

[Clinical analysis of 8 cases with anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characterization, treatment and prognosis of anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome. Methods: The clinical data of 8 patients with positive serum anti-GQ1b antibody from the Department of Neurology of Nanjing Brain Hospital between June 2016 and July 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Their serums were tested by immunoblotting. Relevant literatures were reviewed to investigate possible pathogenesis. Results: Of the 8 cases, 4 cases were male, 4 cases were female; their age ranged from 16 to 76 (47±21) years old. Seven of them were with acute onset, the time course of the disease ranged from 2 to 15 (7±4) days. Six cases had a history of influenza prior to the onset of the presenting symptoms. In terms of the clinical manifestations of the eight patients, two were affected with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), two with Cavernous sinus syndrome, one with Miller Fisher syndrome, one with both GBS and spinal cord demyelination, one with Bulbar paralysis, and one with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). The anti-GQ1b antibody IgG in serum was positive in 6 patients, two of whom were combined with positive IgG of anti-GD1b antibody in serum. The anti-GQ1b antibody IgM in serum was positive in 1 patient, and the anti-GQ1b antibody IgM and anti-GT1b antibody IgM in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were both positive in the other patient. In terms of the treatment, 3 patients (3/8) received vitamin B treatment only, 2 patients (2/8) received steroid plus vitamin B treatment, 2 patients (2/8) received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) plus vitamin B treatment, and 1 patient (1/8) received steroid plus IVIG treatment. During the 8-33 months' follow-up after discharge, 6 patients were significantly improved in their symptoms, one with mild diplopia, one with limbs weakness, numbness and difficulty in walking. The symptoms of one patient (case 3) fluctuated twice and recovered again after treatment. Conclusions: The disease spectrum of anti-GQ1b antibodies syndrome is broad, and main symptom is ophtalmoplegia. Immunotherapy with IVIG and steroid would be beneficial to prognosis.

Diminutive Incision Acromioplasty Assisted with Arthroscopy in the Treatment of Chinese Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome / Acromioplastia de Incisión Diminuta Asistida con Artroscopia en el Tratamiento de Pacientes Chinos con Síndrome de Pinzamiento Subacromial

ABSTRACT Background: Many causes can lead to shoulder pain and subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most frequently recorded disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of diminutive incision acromioplasty assisted with arthroscopy for the treatment of Chinese patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Subject and Methods: Twenty-two patients with 24-painful shoulders subacromial impingement syndrome were enrolled. All painful shoulders were in Grades II (8) and III (16) according to Neer's classification. Detailed physical examination was performed. Conventional radiography and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder region of all patients were done. The University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder (UCLA) score system was used for all patients to evaluate their satisfaction after surgery. The preoperative recordings of the UCLA scores were collected and all enrolled cases including 24-painful shoulders were available for follow-up in 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery. Results: According to the UCLA scoring system, the symptom of all painful shoulders were improved after one year postoperatively. The average score before surgery from 15.4 points increased to 31.2 points postoperatively, showing a statistical difference (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A diminutive incision acromioplasty assisted with arthroscopy is a reliable approach to treat Chinese patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. All painful shoulders were obviously improved in one year after surgery.

ABSTRACT Antecedentes: Muchas causas pueden provocar dolor de hombro y síndrome de compresión subacromial (SIS) es el trastorno más frecuentemente registrado. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la clínica. Efectos de la acromioplastia con incisión diminuta asistida con artroscopia para el tratamiento de Pacientes chinos con síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial. Sujeto y métodos: Se incluyeron veintidós pacientes con síndrome de afectación subacromial de 24-hombros dolorosos. Todos los hombros dolorosos estaban en Grados II (8) y III (16) de acuerdo con la clasificación de Neer. Se realizó examen físico detallado. Se realizaron radiografías convencionales y, posteriormente, imágenes de resonancia magnética (IRM) de la región del hombro de todos los pacientes. El sistema de puntuación de la Universidad de California en Los Angeles Shoulder (UCLA) se utilizó para que todos los pacientes evaluaran su satisfacción después de la cirugía. Los registros preoperatorios de las puntuaciones de UCLA se recopilaron y todos los casos incluidos, incluidos 24-hombros dolorosos, estaban disponibles para el seguimiento en 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses después de la cirugía. Resultados: De acuerdo con el sistema de puntuación de UCLA, el síntoma de todos los hombros dolorosos mejoró después de un año después de la operación. La puntuación promedio antes de la cirugía de 15.4 puntos aumentó a 31.2 puntos después de la operación, mostrando una diferencia estadística (p < 0.05) Conclusiones: Una acromioplastia de incisión diminuta asistida con artroscopia es un enfoque confiable para tratar a pacientes chinos con síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial. Todas las lesiones dolorosas se mejoraron obviamente en un año después de la cirugía.

Sodium and chloride requirements of yellow-feathered chickens between 22 and 42 days of age.

Sodium and chloride are the key factors maintaining normal osmotic pressure (OSM) and volume of the extracellular fluid, and influencing the acid-base balance of body fluids. The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Na+ and Cl- level on growth performance, excreta moisture, blood biochemical parameters, intestinal Na+-glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) messenger RNA (mRNA), and Na+-H+ exchanger 2 (NHE2) mRNA, and to estimate the optimal dietary sodium and chlorine level for yellow-feathered chickens from 22 to 42days. A total of 900 22-day-old Lingnan yellow-feathered male chickens were randomly allotted to five treatments, each of which included six replicates of 30 chickens per floor pen. The basal control diet was based on corn and soybean meal (without added NaCl and NaHCO3). Treatments 2 to 5 consisted of the basal diet supplemented with equal weights of Na+ and Cl-, constituting 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% of the diets. Supplemental dietary Na+ and Cl- improved the growth performance (P<0.05). Average daily gain (ADG) showed a quadratic broken-line regression to increasing dietary Na+ and Cl- (R2=0.979, P<0.001), and reached a plateau at 0.1%. Supplemental Na+ and Cl- increased (P<0.05) serum Na+ and OSM in serum and showed a quadratic broken-line regression (R2=0.997, P=0.004) at 0.11%. However, supplemental Na+ and Cl- decreased (P<0.05) serum levels of K+, glucose (GLU) and triglyceride. Higher levels of Na+and Cl- decreased duodenal NHE2 transcripts (P<0.05), but had no effect on ileal SGLT1 transcripts. The activity of Na+ /K+-ATPase in the duodenum decreased (P<0.05) with higher levels of dietary Na+ and Cl-. In conclusion, the optimal dietary Na+ and Cl- requirements for yellow-feathered chickens in the grower phase, from 22 to 42 days of age, to optimize ADG, serum Na+, OSM, K+ and GLU were 0.10%, 0.11%, 0.11%,0.17% and 0.16%, respectively, by regression analysis.

[Analysis of current epidemiological and clinical characteristics for laboratory confirmed epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis cases in Shandong Province, 2007-2016].

Objective: To analyze epidemiological and clinical characteristics of laboratory confirmed epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis cases. Methods: Epidemiological and clinical informations and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood specimens of AMES (acute meningitis/encephalitis syndrome) cases were collected in the six sentinel hospitals from 2007 to 2016. neisseria meningitides (Nm) species and serogroup identification were detected by the methods of real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and bacterial culture, and epidemiological and clinical characteristics of laboratory confirmed epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis cases were analyzed. Results: 6 809 AMES cases were reported from 2007 to 2016. Total 4 422 cases were detected, and 90 cases were Nm positive. Through the methods of Real-time PCR, bacterial blood culture and CSF culture, the numbers of Nm positive cases were 90, 2 and 1 respectively. Twenty-two Nm cases were identified from 2007 to 2011 (4 cases were ungrouped), which with the highest incidence in serogroup C cases (17/18), and one cases was ungroupable Nm. Nm laboratory confirmed cases (68 cases) were increased dramatically and mainly occurred in serogroup B cases (43/67, 64.2%) from 2012 to 2016, with serogroup C cases highly decreased (5/67, 7.5%) and ungroupable Nm cases increased (13/67, 19.4%) meanwhile. Serogroup W135 and X cases were first detected at 2012 and 2014, and serogroup A remaining a low level which only detected one case at 2013. The morbidity of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis was occured in the whole year, and mainly in winter and spring. The ratio of Nm laboratory confirmed cases to AMES cases during November to May (3.5%, 67/1 920) was higher than that during June to October (0.9%, 23/2 502) (χ(2)=34.45, P<0.001). Most Nm cases were children, students and farmers, and account for 30.0% (27/90), 31.1% (28/90), 18.9% (17/90), respectively. The majority of Nm cases were under 20 years old (60/90, 66.67%), and serogroup C cases (17/22, 77.3%) mainly occurred in over 12 years old population, while serogroup B (24/43, 55.8%) and ungroupable (6/14) cases mainly occurred in under 12 years old population. The main clinical symptoms of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis cases were fever (78/90, 86.7%), headache (59/90, 65.6%) and vomiting (51/90, 56.7%). Misdiagnosis rate of admitting diagnosis was up to 87.8% (79/90) for the reason of atypical features in specific symptoms and blood or CSF positive index. The well-healed ratio in correct diagnosed group (7/11) was higher than that in misdiagnosed group (2.5%, 2/79) (χ(2)=40.61, P<0.001). Conclusion: The clinical symptoms of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis cases were atypical, and the diagnosed sensitivity and accuracy would be improved by enhanced molecular biology detection. The predominant epidemic serogroup of Nm switched from serogroup C to B, and the key work was surveaylance of serogroup transition.

[Etiologic surveillance and analysis of acute meningitis and encephalitis syndrome in Jinan city in 2013-2016].

Objective: To characterize the etiology and epidemiological characteristics of the acute meningitis and encephalitis syndrome (AMES) in Jinan city in 2013-2016. Methods: The epidemiological data, clinical diagnosis, serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were collected from 3 577 AMES cases in 6 sentinel hospitals in Jinan city in 2013-2016. Samples of all cases were made sero-diagnosis for Immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibody to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and negative cases of JEV for enterovirus (EV), mumps virus (MuV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Virus isolation and molecular identification were performed. Positive rates were analyzed by Chi-square test. Results: In 2013-2016, the positive rates of JEV, EV, MuV and HSV were 9.0% (322/3 577 cases), 22.1% (643/2 916 cases), 9.9% (289/2 916 cases), 26.9% (783/2 916), respectively. Of these, the positive rates of JEV were 32.9% (261/794), 1.2% (14/1 175), 1.0% (8/807) and 4.9% (39/801 cases); EV: 19.5% (91/466), 35.1% (342/974 cases), 15.5% (115/743) and 13.0% (95/733); MuV: 9.2% (43/466), 14.4% (140/974), 9.0% (67/743) and 5.3% (39/733). HSV: 35.4% (165/466), 38.5% (375/974), 25.7% (191/743) and 7.1% (52/733). There were significant differences in positive rates of 4 kinds of viruses in 2013-2016 (P<0.001). A total of 81 EV strains belonging to 8 serotypes were isolated from 1 020 CSF specimens. The positive rates were 4.8% (6 cases), 13.1% (55 cases), 4.1% (7 cases) and 4.2% (13 cases) from 2013 to 2016. Coxsackievirus (CV) B5, echovirus (E) 6 and E30 accounted for 46% (37 isolates), 22% (18 isolates) and 21% (17 isolates) of all strains. Conclusion: The AMES cases in Jinan city in 2013-2016 were mainly caused by HSV, EV, MuV, JEV. CVB5, E6 and E30 were the dominant serotypes of EV associated with AMES cases in Jinan city.