Sun-like light source design considering non-visual performance to improve working efficiency.

With the discovery of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, we have a better understanding of the non-visual effects of lighting. In this study, the optimum spectral power distribution in sunlight of different color temperatures is calculated by MATLAB software. At the same time, the ratio of the non-visual effect and visual effect (K e,α ) at different color temperatures is calculated according to the sunlight spectrum to evaluate the non-visual and visual effects of white LEDs at the corresponding color temperature. Then based on the characteristics of monochromatic LED spectra, the joint-density-of-states model is used as a mathematical model, and the optimal solution is calculated for its database. According to the calculated combination scheme, Light Tools software is used to optimize and simulate the expected light source parameters. The final color temperature is 7525 K, the color coordinate is (0.2959, 0.3255), and the color rendering index reaches 92. The high efficiency light source has not only the function of lighting, but also the effect of improving work efficiency with lower blue light hazard efficiency of radiation than normal LEDs.

[Research progress on the effects of proanthochanidins in reshaping microbiota and suppressing inflammation].

Proanthocyanidins (PCs) are a class of polyphenols that are composed of flavanate monomers and their polymers, which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties with very few side effects. This article reviews the mechanism by which PCs differentially regulate microbiota, reshape microflora diversity and play a role in suppressing inflammation, providing a reference for the basic research of PCs in improving female vaginal health, and is expected to provide a new idea and breakthrough for the combined use of PCs with other antibacterial drugs in the treatment of vaginitis.

[Utilizing ultra-small volume graft in auxiliary liver transplantation for portal hypertension].

Objective: To examine the clinical effect of auxiliary liver transplantation with ultra-small volume graft in the treatment of portal hypertension. Methods: Twelve cases of portal hypertension treated by auxiliary liver transplantation with small volume graft at Liver Transplantation Center,Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University between December 2014 and March 2022 were studied retrospectively. There were 8 males and 4 females,aged 14 to 66 years. Model for end-stage liver disease scores were 1 to 15 points and Child scores were 6 to 11 points. The grafts was derived from living donors in 9 cases,from split cadaveric donors in 2 cases,from whole cadaveric liver of child in 1 case. The graft recipient body weight ratios of 3 cadaveric donor livers were 0.79% to 0.90%, and of 9 living donor livers were 0.31% to 0.55%.In these cases, ultra-small volume grafts were implanted. The survivals of patient and graft, complications, portal vein blood flow of residual liver and graft, abdominal drainage and biochemical indexes of liver function were observed. Results: All the grafts and patients survived. Complications included outflow tract torsion in 2 cases, acute rejection in 1 case, bile leakage in 1 case, and thyroid cancer at the later stage of follow-up in 1 case, all of which were cured. The torsion of outflow tract was attributed to the change of anastomotic angle after the growth of donor liver. After the improvement of anastomotic method, the complication did not recur in the later stage. There was no complication of portal hypertension. The measurement of ultrasonic portal vein blood flow velocity showed that the blood flow of residual liver decreased significantly in the early stage after operation, and maintained a very low blood flow velocity or occlusion in the long term after operation, and the blood flow of transplanted liver was stable. Conclusions: Auxiliary liver transplantation can implant ultra-small donor liver through compensation of residual liver. This method may promote the development of living donor left lobe donation and split liver transplantation. However, the auxiliary liver transplantation is complex, and it is difficult to control the complications. Therefore, this method is currently limited to centers that are skilled in living related liver transplantation and that have complete ability to monitor and deal with complications.

[The association between bisphenol A exposure and obesity/overweight in children and adolescents: dose-response Meta analysis].

Objective: To explore the relationship between bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and obesity/overweight in children and adolescents through Dose-response Meta analysis. Methods: Articles published up to September 1st 2021 were systematically searched in PubMed, Web of science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane library, CNKI, Wanfang databases and VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal by using "bisphenol A" "BPA" "obesity" "weight" "fat""overweight" "body mass index" "BMI" "waist circumference" (both in English and in Chinese) as keywords. Use Stata 15.1 software to calculate the pooled OR (95%CI), perform heterogeneity test, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, publication bias and the exposure-response relationship fitting. Results: A total of 9 English articles were included from 1 948 articles retrieved, including 8 articles from American and 1 article from China. 15 614 children/adolescents and 3 446 obese/overweight cases were further used for Meta-analysis of dose-response relationship. Meta-analysis results showed that there was heterogeneity among the highest dose groups in different studies(I2=52.1%, P=0.033). The random effect model-analysis found that compared with those in the lowest group, the OR(95%CI) for those in the highest group of urine BPA was 1.56(1.18-1.94)for the risk of obesity/overweight in children and adolescents, but there was no linear or nonlinear dose-response relationship. Sensitivity analyses showed that the results were robust, Egger's test(P=0.263) and Begg's test(P=0.348) showed that there was no publication bias. Conclusion: Bisphenol A exposure may increase the risk of obesity/overweight epidemics in children and adolescent.

[The advances on the formation and toxic effects of haloacetaldehydes disinfection by-products in drinking water].

Haloacetaldehydes (HALs), as emerging disinfection by-products in drinking water, are the third largest group by weight of identified disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water. The formation of HALs is associated with the level of natural organic matter and halide in the source water, the treatment process of drinking water and the type of disinfectant. Recent studies have shown that HALs are more cytotoxic and genotoxic than regulated trihalomethanes and halo-acetic acids in drinking water. Currently, only a few countries and regions have set limit values for trichloroacetaldehyde with high detection rate in drinking water. However, there is growing evidence that unregulated HALs have a higher potential risk to human health compared to regulated HALs. This paper reviews the current research progress on the formation and transformation, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of HALs in drinking water, and looks forward to the problems that should be paid attention in the future toxicological research of HALs in order to support the development of scientific drinking water standards.

[Study on the precision of the robot-assisted sacroiliac screw placement].

Objective: To evaluate the precision of the robot-assisted sacroiliac screw placement for posterior pelvis injury and the impacting factors. Methods: The clinical data of twenty-four cases of posterior pelvic fractures treated by percutaneous sacroiliac screw placement in Yantai shan Hospital from August 2016 to May 2018 were studied retrospectively. There were 17 males and 7 females with a mean age of 44.1 years (ranged from 17 to 71 years). According to AO classification, 17 cases were type B fractures (9 cases of type B1 and 8 type B2), and 7 cases were type C factures (3 cases of type C1, 2 type C2 and 2 type C3). All cases were treated by robot-assisted percutaneous sacroiliac screw placement (AO cannulated screws with a diameter of 7.3 mm). In the posterior pelvic surgeries for the 24 cases, 26 S(1) sacroiliac screws fixations and 18 S(2) sacroiliac screw fixations were placed in total, with single S(1) segmental fixation in 8 cases, single S(2) segmental fixation in 3 cases, S(1) and S(2) combined fixation in 13 cases, S(1) unidirectional one-sided fixation in 18 cases, S(1) bidirectional two-sided fixation in 3 cases, S(2) unidirectional one-sided fixation in 14 cases, S(2) bidirectional two-sided fixation in 2 cases and S(1) unidirectional double screws fixation in 2 cases. X-ray and CT examinations were taken for all 24 cases after operation. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain were performed before and after the operation. Results: All the sacroiliac screws were successfully implanted at once as planned with the assistance of the robot. The postoperative X-ray films and CT showed that none of the sacroiliac screws broke through the sacral body and the contralateral sacral wing's frontal cortex nor did they stray into the sacral canal and the intervertebral space. In 3 cases, the sacroiliac screws went closely against and wore out the front edge of iliac cortical density line and sacral alar slope and finally re-entered the sacral body. In 3 cases, sacroiliac screws touched upon the sacral nerve canals but did not break through the nerve canals. The mean VAS of pain was improved from 7.1 points (4-10 points) before the operation to 1.9 points (0-3 points) after. Conclusions: The robot-assisted sacroiliac screw placement shows high precision, and hence is worthy of clinical promotion; however the primary role of the surgeon could not be replaced.

[Concern about lung damage caused by guanidine cationic disinfectants].

This article summarized the use of guanidine disinfectants in China and the use of guanidine cationic disinfectants, polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG), in South Korea, which had caused severe lung damage events such as pulmonary fibrosis. The authors reviewed the studies that Chinese scientists employed ultrasonic atomization technology to simulate the actual scenario of human exposure to PHMG and proved the findings that PHMG could cause pulmonary fibrosis. These results could highlight the necessity of full attention to lung damage caused by guanidine disinfectants and its mechanism, so as to provide the important scientific basis for the protection of public health safety and the formulation of corresponding policies.

Automated E-FRET microscope for dynamical live-cell FRET imaging.

Acceptor-sensitised 3-cube fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging (also termed as E-FRET imaging) is a popular fluorescence intensity-based FRET quantification method. Here, an automated E-FRET microscope with user-friendly interfaces was set up for dynamical online quantitative live-cell FRET imaging. This microscope reduces the time of a quantitative E-FRET imaging from 12 to 3 s. After locating cells, calibration of the microscope and E-FRET imaging of the cells can be performed automatically by clicking 'Capture' button on interfaces. E-FRET imaging was performed on the microscope for living cells expressing different FRET tandem constructs. Dynamical E-FRET imaging on the microscope for live cells coexpressing CFP-Bax and YFP-Bax treated by staurosporine (STS) revealed three Bax redistribution stages: Bax translocation from cytosol to mitochondria within 10 min, membrane insertion with conformational change on mitochondrial membrane within about 30 min, and subsequent oligomerisation within about 10 min. Because of excellent user-friendly interface and stability, the automated E-FRET microscope is a convenient tool for quantitative FRET imaging of living cell. LAY DESCRIPTION: Acceptor-sensitised 3-cube fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging (also termed as E-FRET) is a popular fluorescence intensity-based FRET quantification methods. E-FRET measurements are currently performed manually, and a complete FRET measurement takes about 12 s. E-FRET measurement necessitates not only a skilled operator and specialised equipment but also expertise in the interpretation of FRET signals, a considerable challenge in the application of FRET technology in living cells. Furthermore, manual E-FRET microscope is hard to perform dynamical quantitative FRET measurement, the ever-increasing applications in mapping the biochemical signal transduction within cells. Here, an automated E-FRET microscope with user-friendly interfaces was set up for dynamical online quantitative live-cell FRET imaging. This microscope reduces the time of a quantitative E-FRET imaging from 12 to 3 s. After locating cells, calibration of the microscope and E-FRET imaging of the cells can be performed automatically by clicking 'Capture' button on interfaces. Because of excellent user-friendly interface and stability, the automated E-FRET microscope is a convenient tool for quantitative FRET imaging of living cell.

Biosynthetic potential of culturable bacteria associated with Apostichopus japonicus.

AIMS: Isolating culturable bacteria associated with sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) and investigating their potential bioactivities are important approaches to discover natural marine products. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 161 isolates were obtained from sea cucumber collected along the Weihai coast of the North Yellow Sea, China. Identification and phylogenetic analysis of 61 isolates were conducted by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolates belonged to 13 genera from 10 families in three phyla, including Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. The antimicrobial activities of all strains were determined using six indicator strains. Of the 161 isolates, 93 showed antibacterial activities against at least one of the indicator strains. The 26 strains with the strongest inhibitory effects were selected for screening the biosynthetic gene clusters of polyketide synthase (PKS-I, -II) and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS). Phylogenetic trees based on the amino acid sequences of the PKS or NRPS genes were constructed. Eleven strains with PKS genes and four strains with NRPS genes were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The data reveal the diversity of culturable bacteria associated with A. japonicus. Most strains showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, and some strains with antimicrobial activities possessed PKS and NRPS genes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results suggest that culturable bacteria associated with A. japonicus may act as a promising source of bioactive substances.

[Research progress on exposure levels and toxic pathways of typical persistent organic pollutants in foods].

Dioxins, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and benzo(a)pyrene are common organic pollutants in food. They have been of concern to academics and government administrations due to high residue and persistence, easy accumulation and strong harmful effects. The National Research Council of the United States of America published Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and Strategy in 2007, which proposed a new concept of toxicity testing that toxicity testing should take full consideration of population exposure data and base on in vitro tests, human cell lines, toxicity pathways and high-throughput screening. Meanwhile, systems biology, bioinformatics and rapid assay technologies will be used to better understand toxicity pathways-the cellular response pathways that can lead to adverse health effects when sufficient perturbing induced by chemicals exposure. The new toxicity testing strategy has changed the traditional testing pattern and has brought a wide impact on the international relevant fields. The European Union, the World Health Organization, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Center for Toxicological Research have organized relevant discussions and exploratory studies to address the new toxicity testing concept and how to evaluate and utilize the results of traditional toxicity test researches. Compared to the discussion, 'whether to do it', ten years ago, the question, 'how to do it', has become the concern of the current discussion. Therefore, how to respond to the concept of toxicity testing and how to effectively utilize and excavate traditional toxicity test data have been the focus of multi-disciplines and interdisciplinary academia such as toxicology, food hygiene and environmental science. Therefore, this article provides an overview of the exposure levels of dioxin, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and benzo[a]pyrene, which are typical persistent organic pollutants in food in China and the current research status of toxic pathways based on whole animal experiments. The exposure level, toxic effect and toxicity mechanism of three contaminants are analyzed and summarized in order to provide basis for future results based on the 21st century toxicity test compared with traditional tests and data mining analysis of these two kinds of data. Meanwhile, it also lays the foundation for the establishment of a toxicity testing framework based on exposure characteristics, toxic pathways, and biomarkers.

Simultaneous measurement of quantum yield ratio and absorption ratio between acceptor and donor by linearly unmixing excitation-emission spectra.

Quantum yield ratio (QA /QD ) and absorption ratio (KA /KD ) in all excitation wavelengths used between acceptor and donor are indispensable to quantitative fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurement based on linearly unmixing excitation-emission spectra (ExEm-spFRET). We here describe an approach to simultaneously measure QA /QD and KA /KD values by linearly unmixing the excitation-emission spectra of at least two different donor-acceptor tandem constructs with unknown FRET efficiency. To measure the QA /QD and KA /KD values of Venus (V) to Cerulean (C), we used a wide-field fluorescence microscope to image living HepG2 cells separately expressing each of four different C-V tandem constructs at different emission wavelengths with 435 nm and 470 nm excitation respectively to obtain the corresponding excitation-emission spectrum (SDA ). Every SDA was linearly unmixed into the contributions (weights) of three excitation-emission spectra of donor (WD ) and acceptor (WA ) as well as donor-acceptor sensitisation (WS ). Plot of WS /WD versus WA /WD for the four C-V plasmids from at least 40 cells indicated a linear relationship with 1.865 of absolute intercept (QA /QD ) and 0.273 of the reciprocal of slope (KA /KD ), which was validated by quantitative FRET measurements adopting 1.865 of QA /QD and 0.273 of KA /KD for C32V, C5V, CVC and VCV constructs respectively in living HepG2 cells.

Anti-TNF-α antibody alleviates insulin resistance in rats with sepsis-induced stress hyperglycemia.

PURPOSE: To explore the effects and mechanisms of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) antibody on insulin resistance (IR) in rats with sepsis-induced stress hyperglycemia. METHODS: The sepsis-induced stress hyperglycemic rat model was constructed by cecal ligation and puncture combined with the intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide. The rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control (NC) group, surgical rats (Cntl) group, high-dose anti-TNF-α antibody therapy (TNF, 6 mg/kg) group, low-dose anti-TNF-α antibody therapy (Tnf, 3 mg/kg) group, insulin therapy (INS) group, and INS + Tnf group. The blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations were detected, followed by analysis of intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Finally, the expression levels of phospho-Akt (p-Akt), Akt, p-mTOR, mTOR, nuclear factor-κB (NFκB), I kappa beta kinase (IKKß), and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS-3) were detected by western blotting. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in blood glucose concentrations among these groups, while the serum insulin concentration in TNF and Tnf groups was lower than that in the Cntl group at postoperative 6 h (P < 0.05). IPGTT analysis revealed that blood glucose level was lower in the TNF group than that in the Cntl group (P < 0.05). The glucose infusion rate in the Cntl group was lower than that in the Tnf and TNF groups (P < 0.05). The p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR ratio, and expression levels of NFκB, IKKß and SOCS-3 were lower in the drug intervention than that in the Cntl group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-TNF-α antibody could reduce IR by inhibiting AKt/mTOR signaling pathway and the expression levels of NFκB, IKKß, and SOCS-3 in rats with sepsis-induced stress hyperglycemia.

[Computer aided design and three-dimensional printing for apicoectomy guide template].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an apicoectomy guide template design and manufacturing method, based on multi-source data fusion, computer aided design (CAD) and fused deposition modeling (FDM). The feasibility of the guide template was preliminary evaluated by the in vitro model experiment. METHODS: An extracted upper anterior tooth, after root canal treatment, was optical scanned, after which the extracted upper anterior tooth was poured in an apicoectomy plaster model. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning of the apicoectomy plaster model was performed, after which optical scanning of the plaster model for apical resection surgery was carried out. All of the relevant CBCT and optical scanning data of the extracted upper anterior tooth and the apicoectomy plaster model were introduced into the Geomagic Studio 2012 software. The multi-source data fusion technology was used to virtually simulate the three-dimensional positional relationship of the extracted tooth, the dentition, the alveolar bone and the gingival, based on which, the three-dimensional design of the apicoectomy guide template was completed in the Geomagic Studio 2012 software. With the technology of fused deposition modeling, the apical resection surgical guide template was three-dimensionally printed with the material of polylactic acid (PLA). Under the guidance of the surgical guide template, the root apical resection was performed on the plaster model. After the apicoectomy, the extracted upper anterior tooth was taken off from the apicoectomy plaster model and then was given the optical scanning. The apical resection length and angle were calculated by the function of distance measurement and angle measurement, and the results were compared with the preset values. RESULTS: The length of the apical resection was 2.88 mm along the direction of the long axis of the tooth, which was 0.12 mm lower than the preset 3 mm. The included angle between the apical resection plane and the long axis of the tooth was 77.9°, 12.1° lower than the preset 90°. CONCLUSION: This study successfully established a digital design and production method of apicoectomy guide template by combing the multi-source data fusion, CAD and FDM technology. The design route and the production method are feasible. The study will provide a technology and methodology reference for the development of domestic special software for the digital design of apicoectomy guide template.

[Management and safety assessment of nanomaterials in food: status and prospects].

The safety assessment of nanomaterials in food is essential for safeguarding supervision and maintaining public health. However, there are still no safety assessment procedures for nanomaterials established in national-level in China and no specific toxicology and safety assessment procedures about nanomaterials for food, too. These factors lead to restriction on food safety protection and supervision. Current methods of evaluating the safety of nanomaterials mainly rely on traditional toxicological assessment that are extrapolated based on animal experiment from high doses to low doses and from animals to humans. These uncertainties restrict the accuracy of safety assessment for nanomaterials and also limit the development of scientific and effective evaluation procedures and regulatory measures. Currently, the key issues need to be solved including exposure assessment and evaluation methods of nanomaterials in food and the established methods of the toxicity test for nanomaterials that are consistent with the objectives of toxicity test in the 21st century vision and strategy. In this article, we reviewed current administrative regulatory, situations, and existing issues of food nanomaterials either in China or some developed countries in order to provide a scientific basis in establishing safety assessment procedures for nanomaterials in food in the future.

[Effect of robot navigation assisted core decompression combined with bone graft treatment of early stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of orthopedic robot navigation system used in core decompression combined with bone graft surgery for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 9 patients (16 hips) underwent core decompression surgery combined with bone graft treatment for early ONFH in ARCO Ⅱat Department of Osteoarthropathy, Yantaishan Hospital from June 2016 to February 2018.There were 7 males and 2 females, aged 44.6 years (range: 28-60 years). All surgery procedures were completed by the same doctor under the navigation of orthopedic surgery robot using the specific designed tools. The preoperative and postoperative Harris Hip Score and visual analogue score were compared and the time of intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy was recorded. Results: The mean follow-up period was (12.7±3.5)months (range: 6-18 months). Four cases of treatment failure were observed in 16 hips at the last follow-up and the hip survival rate was 12/16.In stage ARCO Ⅱa, Ⅱb and Ⅱc, the survival rate was 1/1, 2/2, and 9/13.The Harris Hip Score (88.3±1.9 vs.70.0±3.8, t=16.81, P=0.000) and visual analogue score (3.7±0.7 vs. 0.9±0.6, t=13.49, P=0.000) were improved significantly at the last follow-up compared with preoperative value. The total times of intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy were 15.9±2.5, including 5.8±1.2 before the insertion of the guiding wire and 10.1±1.7 after the insertion of the guiding wire. Conclusions: The domestic orthopedic surgery robot can be applied successfully in the core decompression combined with bone graft surgery for ONFH . It is less invasive with less fluoroscopy time and better bone graft effects.

[Investigations on occupational hazards in a kitchen waste treatment plant].

Objective: To explore the distribution and intensity of kitchen waste treatment plant, providing scientific basis for occupational diseases prevention and treatment in that industry. Methods: 30 operating personnel in a kitchen waste disposal enterprise were selected as the research group and 16 non-operating personnel as the control group. The epidemiological survey was carried out in June 2015 and July 2016, and the results of occupational hazards and occupational health monitoring during 2015 to 2017 were analyzed. Results: The results of various occupational hazards factors during 2015 to 2017 were all in accordance with the occupational health limit, but the results of occupational health examination were abnormal. The occupational correlation could not be ruled out by the abnormality of electrical audiometry, electrocardiogram and Department of Dermatology examination. Conclusion: Workers in kitchen waste treatment plant are likely to suffer low-intensity, continuous health damage. There is occupational health risk in that industry. The accumulation of basic information and the improvement of relevant standards and methods are needed for further study.

[Treatment of geriatric ankle osteoarthritis by arthrodesis with screw fixation through lateral malleolus osteotomy].

Objective: To evaluate the Treatment effect of geriatric ankle osteoarthritis by arthrodesis with screw fixation through lateral malleolus osteotomy. Methods: Thirty-three patients with severe osteoarthritis according to the classification of Takakura-Tanakawere treated by ankle arthrodesis through lateral malleolus osteotomy with screw fixation from January 2010 to June 2015. Twenty-five patients were combined with more than 1 internal diseases. Twenty-six patients owned ankle injury history. Clinical and radiologic evaluations were performed before surgery and at the most recent follow-up. Results: The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scale was (50.9±12.0) points beforesurgery and (78.8±9.6) points at the most recent follow-up (P<0.01). The visual analogue scalein last follow up was significantly decreased to (1.7±1.1), compared with (6.1±1.7)preoperatively.Seven patients were accompanied with incision complications. 27 patients(81.8 percent) reached complete solid fusion , which was confirmed by CT. 4 patients was partially bony fused, which could also perform weight-bearing walk. The other 2 patients with nonunion were reoperated lastly. Conclusions: Ankle arthrodesis by screw fixation through lateral malleolus osteotomy is the preferable surgical treatment option in patients with end-stage geriatric ankle arthritis, showing high reliability and effectivity in pain relieving and function improvement. Incision and bony healing complications should draw attention especially in patients combined with internal disease.

[Quantities and function of NK cells in patients with immune thrombocytopenia].

Objective: To investigate natural killer (NK) cell quantities and function in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) . Methods: A total of 66 ITP patients (34 newly diagnosed and 32 in complete remission) were collected from September 2015 to May 2016 in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. The percentages of NK cells and their subsets in peripheral blood, the expression of activating receptor (NKp44), inhibitory receptor (NKG2A) and CD16, perforin and granzyme ß were detected by flow cytometry. The correlation between the above parameters and patients' immune status and platelet level were evaluated. Results: (1)The percentage of CD3(-)CD56(+) NK cells in newly diagnosed patients (10.99%±4.89%)and patients in complete remission (9.73%±6.75%) were significantly lower than that in healthy controls (14.67%±7.24%)(P=0.023, 0.003). The percentage of NK cells Bright subset was significantly lower in the newly diagnosed patients(0.48%±0.23%)and those in complete remission (0.41%±0.33%) than in healthy controls(0.64%±0.32%)(P=0.037, 0.002); the percentage of Dim subset was also significantly lower in the newly diagnosed (10.16%±5.02%) and patients in complete remission (8.07%±5.74%) than in healthy controls(14.16%±7.19%) (P=0.009, 0.007). (2)The proportion of Bright subset in total NK cells in new diagnosed ITP patients (6.48%±4.33%) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (4.21%±2.70%)(P=0.020); the proportion of Dim NK cells subset in new diagnosed ITP patients (93.51%±4.33%) was significantly lower than that in healthy controls(95.79%±2.70%) (P=0.020). (3)The expression of activating receptor NKp44 in new diagnosed ITP patients was significantly lower than that in complete remission group and healthy controls[0.28%(0.95%)vs 0.61%(2.05%), 0.92%(0.90%); P=0.047, 0.048]; the expression of inhibitory receptor NKG2A in new diagnosed ITP patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls(42.34%±23.86% vs 29.25%±12.83%, P=0.009). The proportion of CD16 was significantly lower in the newly diagnosed patients than in healthy controls(93.51%±4.33%95.79%±2.70%, P=0.020). (4)The expression of perforin in the newly diagnosed ITP patients was significantly lower than that in healthy controls [87.52%(25.29%)vs 91.55%(8.29%), P=0.025]; the expression of granzyme ß in ITP patients and controls showed no statistically significant difference. (5)The level of NK cells in ITP patients was negatively correlated with CD3(+) CD8(+) T cells (r=-0.387, P=0.012) and CD5(+) CD19(+) B cells in peripheral blood (r=-0.273, P=0.028), positively correlated with the ratio of CD3(+) CD4(+) /CD3(+) CD8(+) (r=0.358, P=0.028) and peripheral platelet count (r=0.314, P=0.011). Conclusion: Deceased quantities and impaired total NK function, insufficient suppression of autoreactive T and B cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of ITP.

[NIX-mediated mitochondrial autophagy in pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndrome anemia].

Objective: To investigate the change of NIX level of bone marrow nucleated red blood cells in anemia patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), to explore the significance of NIX-mediated mitochondrial autophagy in the pathogenesis of MDS anemia. Methods: A total of 54 patients with MDS diagnosed in the Department of Hematology of General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University from July 2015 to July 2016 were enrolled into the MDS group, 33 cases of immune thrombocytopenia or idiopathic leukopenia as controls.The level of NIX, the number of mitochondria, mitochondrial membrane potential, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in GlycoA(+) nucleated red blood cells were measured by flow cytometry; the level of NIX mRNA was measured by PCR. Results: (1) The expression of NIX in GlycoA(+) nucleated red blood cells in high-risk MDS patients (0.61±0.24) was significantly lower than that in controls (0.79±0.16, P=0.027), and lower than that in low-risk MDS patients (0.81±0.15, P=0.011), while there was no significant difference between the controls and low-risk MDS patients. The expression of NIX mRNA in GlycoA(+) nucleated red blood cells in high-risk MDS group (0.36±0.09) was lower than that in the controls (1.44±0.41, P=0.027) and that in the low-risk group (1.02±0.22, P=0.012); there was no significant difference between the controls and the low-risk group. (2) The number of mitochondria in GlycoA(+) nucleated red blood cells in high-risk MDS patients (937.17±707.85) was significantly higher than that in the controls (513.49±372.33, P=0.019) and that in low-risk MDS patients (461.74±438.02, P=0.008); while there was no significant difference between low-risk MDS patients and the controls. (3) The level of mitochondrial membrane potential in GlycoA(+) nucleated red blood cells in high-risk MDS patients (0.33±0.18) was significantly lower than that in the controls (0.61±0.32, P=0.001) and that in low-risk MDS patients (0.61±0.34, P=0.001); with no significant difference between low-risk MDS patients and the controls. (4)The level of ROS in GlycoA(+) nucleated red blood cells in high-risk MDS patients (438.65±322.83) was significantly higher than that in the controls (242.77±136.87, P=0.006), and higher than that in low-risk MDS patients (197.40±95.07, P=0.001); no significantly different between low-risk MDS patients and the controls. (5) The number of mitochondria in GlycoA(+) nucleated red blood cell was positively correlated with the percentage of ring sideroblast (r=0.457, P=0.028) in the MDS patients.(6) The number of mitochondria in GlycoA(+) nucleated red blood cells was negatively correlated with the concentration of hemoglobin (r=-0.521, P=0.009) in high-risk MDS patients, but not correlated with the concentration of hemoglobin in low-risk MDS patients. Conclusion: NIX level is reduced in nucleated red blood cells of high-risk MDS patients, which leads to impaired mitochondrial autophagy, increased damaged mitochondria and apoptosis of nucleated red blood cells, thus related with anemia.

[Quantitative structure-activity relationship prediction of carcinogenicity of N-nitroso compounds based on category approach and read-across].

Objective: New quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) method was used to predict N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) carcinogenicity. This could provide evidences for health risk assessment of the chemicals. Methods: Total 74 chemical substances of NOCs were included as target chemicals for this validation study by using QSAR Toolbox based on category approach and read-across. The included 74 NOCs were categorized and subcategorized respectively using "Organic functional groups, Norbert Haider " profiler and "DNA binding by OASIS V.1.1" profiler. Carcinogenicity of rat were used as target of prediction, the carcinogenicity results: of analogues in chemical categories were cross-read to obtain the carcinogenic predictive results of the target chemicals. Results 74 NOCs included 26 nonclic N-nitrosamines, 24 cyclic N-nitrosamines and 24 N-nitrosamides The sensitivity, specificity and concordance of the category approach and read-across for predicting carcinogenicity of 74 NOCs were 75% (48/64), 70%(7/10) and 74% (55/74) respectively. The concordance for noncyclic N-nitrosamines, cyclic N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosamides were 88% (23/26), 71% (17/24) and 63% (15/24) respectively. Conclusion: QSAR based on category approach and read-across is good for prediction of NOCs carcinogenicity, and can be used for high-throughput qualitative prediction of NOCs carcinogenicity.