Flexible Nanoarchitectonics for Biosensing and Physiological Monitoring Applications.

Flexible and implantable electronics hold tremendous promises for advanced healthcare applications, especially for physiological neural recording and modulations. Key requirements in neural interfaces include miniature dimensions for spatial physiological mapping and low impedance for recognizing small biopotential signals. Herein, a bottom-up mesoporous formation technique and a top-down microlithography process are integrated to create flexible and low-impedance mesoporous gold (Au) electrodes for biosensing and bioimplant applications. The mesoporous architectures developed on a thin and soft polymeric substrate provide excellent mechanical flexibility and stable electrical characteristics capable of sustaining multiple bending cycles. The large surface areas formed within the mesoporous network allow for high current density transfer in standard electrolytes, highly suitable for biological sensing applications as demonstrated in glucose sensors with an excellent detection limit of 1.95 µm and high sensitivity of 6.1 mA cm-2  µM-1 , which is approximately six times higher than that of benchmarking flat/non-porous films. The low impedance of less than 1 kΩ at 1 kHz in the as-synthesized mesoporous electrodes, along with their mechanical flexibility and durability, offer peripheral nerve recording functionalities that are successfully demonstrated in vivo. These features highlight the new possibilities of our novel flexible nanoarchitectonics for neuronal recording and modulation applications.

Sevoflurane preconditioning protects against acute MI/R injury via enhancing AdipoR1-Cav3 interaction and alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Whether and how sevoflurane preconditioning (SevoPre) exerts protection against acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury remains elusive. We observed significant myocardial injury, as evidenced by infarct size, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and circulating troponin-I, at 3 h of MI/R in both wildtype and adiponectin knockout mice. The injury was significantly ameliorated by SevoPre in wildtype mice, but not in adiponectin knockout mice. In wildtype mice, we found that MI/R could increase endoplasmic reticulum stress of cardiomyocytes, and impair association of adiponectin receptor 1 and ceveolin-3, both of which processes were largely restored by SevoPre. In summary, we demonstrated that significant injury had already took place at 3 h of MI/R, which could be ameliorated by SevoPre via promoting affinity of adiponectin receptor 1 and ceveolin-3, and then attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress of cardiomyocytes.

Effects of heterospecific pollen on stigma behavior in Campsis radicans: Causes and consequences.

PREMISE: Pollinator sharing of co-flowering plants may result in interspecific pollen receipt with a fitness cost. However, the underlying factors that determine the effects of heterospecific pollen (HP) are not fully understood. Moreover, the cost of stigma closure induced by HP may be more severe for plants with special touch-sensitive stigmas than for plants with non-touch-sensitive stigmas. Very few studies have assessed HP effects on stigma behavior. METHODS: We conducted hand-pollination experiments with 10 HP donors to estimate HP effects on stigma behavior and stigmatic pollen germination in Campsis radicans (Bignoniaceae) at low and high pollen loads. We assessed the role of phylogenetic distance between donor and recipient, pollen size, and pollen aperture number in mediating HP effects. Additionally, we observed pollen tube growth to determine the conspecific pollen-tube-growth advantage. RESULTS: Stigma behavior differed significantly with HP of different species. Pollen load increased, while pollen size decreased, the percentage of permanent closure and stigmatic germination of HP. Stigmatic HP germination increased with increasing aperture number. However, HP effects did not depend on phylogenetic distance. In addition, conspecific pollen had a pollen-tube-growth advantage over HP. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide a good basis for understanding the stigma-pollen recognition process of plant taxa with touch-sensitive stigmas. We concluded that certain flowering traits drive the HP effects on the post-pollination period. To better understand the impact of pollinator sharing and interspecific pollen transfer on plant evolution, we highlight the importance of evaluating more factors that determine HP effects at the community level.

Loss of Atg7 in Endothelial Cells Enhanced Cutaneous Wound Healing in a Mouse Model.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence has linked autophagy to skin wound healing; however, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. The present study was designed to determine the role of autophagy in endothelial cell (EC)-mediated skin wound healing in mice. METHODS: Autophagy-related gene (Atg7) in mouse ECs was inactivated by the Cre-loxP system under the control of an EC-specific VE-Cadherin (Cdh5) promoter (Atg7EC-/- mice). Full-thickness skin wounds were created on the dorsum of wild-type (WT), Cdh5-Cre+, floxed Atg7 (Atg7F/F), and Atg7EC-/- mice. Autophagic activity was determined by autophagic flux assay in the primary culture of ECs isolated from these mice. The wound re-epithelialization and angiogenesis was examined by histological analyses. The angiogenic activity of ECs was evaluated by tube formation assay in vitro. EC proliferation was examined by a cell count CCK-8 kit. EC-originated intercellular communication with dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes was assessed by measuring the effect of EC conditional medium on the growth of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The levels of VEGF, EGF, bFGF in EC conditional medium were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Autophagy deficiency in ECs markedly enhanced the re-epithelialization and the wound closure during skin wound healing. However, it has minimal impact on angiogenesis in the wounded skin. Notably, autophagy deficiency in ECs did not affect their proliferation and migration or angiogenic activity per se but enhanced the EC conditional medium-induced proliferation and migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate for the first time an inhibitory role of autophagy in the EC-originated paracrine regulation of skin wound healing.

Efficacy of fully covered self-expandable metal stents for the management of pancreatic duct strictures in chronic pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recently, there has been burgeoning interest in the utilization of fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) for managing main pancreatic duct strictures (MPDS) in chronic pancreatitis (CP). The primary aim was to investigate stricture resolution and recurrence rates of FCSEMS placement in patients with symptomatic CP complicated with MPDS. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science and Cochrane Library (up to December 2019) were searched to identify eligible studies. A meta-analysis of stricture resolution and recurrence rates was carried out using R. The crude rate of adverse events related to stent therapy was also calculated. RESULTS: Ten studies involving 163 patients were included. The weighted pooled rate of MPDS resolution was 93% (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 84-99%) with substantial heterogeneity (I2  = 63%). Duration of stent placement more than 3 months did not result in a significantly higher resolution rate than that of 3 months or less (93% vs 93%, P = 0.91). The weighted pooled rate of stricture recurrence was 5% (95%CI: 0-12%). The stricture recurrence rate for patients with duration of stent placement more than 3 months (3%; 95%CI: 0-10%) was lower than that in patients with 3 months or less of stent placement (7%; 95%CI: 0-23%), but not significantly (P = 0.45). The overall rate of adverse events related to stent therapy was 34.9%, and spontaneous stent migration occurred in 14.1% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The use of FCSEMSs appears to be effective and safe in the management of MPDS caused by symptomatic CP.

Bacterial Lactase Gene Characteristics in Intestinal Contents of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea Mice Treated with Debaryomyces hansenii.

BACKGROUND Debaryomyces hansenii exhibits a therapeutic effect on antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) by promoting the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria. Previous research has reported that AAD involves not only dysbacteriosis but also dysfunction of the activity of intestinal enzymes (such as lactase). Enzyme activities can be influenced by many other factors, such as gene expression. The present study showed that D. hansenii has a curative effect on AAD at the lactase gene level. MATERIAL AND METHODS The effect of D. hansenii on the lactase gene from intestinal bacteria in AAD mice was investigated. The diarrhea model was established with a gentamycin sulfate and cefradine capsule mixture. The antibiotic mixture (23.33 mL·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹) was intragastrically administered for 5 days. Subsequently, half of the diarrhea mice were treated with D. hansenii twice a day for 3 days while the other mice were intragastrically administered with the same volume of distilled water. Next, the intestinal contents were collected, and metagenomic DNA was extracted for high-throughput sequencing analysis. RESULTS The Chao1 and Shannon indices decreased significantly following treatment with D. hansenii (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). Moreover, the clusters in the D. hansenii group mice were quite different from those in the normal group mice and model group mice. Following treatment with D. hansenii, the quantity of lactase genes in Enterobacter sp. 638 and Modestobacter increased markedly, and the richness of intestinal bacterial lactase genes in Fretibacterium recovered. CONCLUSIONS D. hansenii altered the lactase-producing bacterial community structure and promoted the growth of several critical lactase-producing bacteria, such as Enterobacter sp. 638 and Modestobacter.

Graphene platelets versus phosphorus compounds for elastomeric composites: flame retardancy, mechanical performance and mechanisms.

Polymers are widely used but their flammability remains a serious issue causing fatalities and property damage. Herein we present an investigation into the effectiveness of graphene platelets (GnPs) to simultaneously improve the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). EPDM was melt compounded respectively with GnPs and a commercial flame retardant (ammonium polyphosphate, APP) to produce two groups of composites. Although both fillers were well dispersed in EPDM, GnPs significantly improved the mechanical properties of EPDM whilst APP compromised some of the mechanical properties particularly at high fractions. This difference was attributed to the filler particle size and interfacial bonding. Through cone calorimetry testing, 21 wt% char yield was recorded for the EPDM/GnP composite at 12.0 vol%, in comparison with 8 wt% for the EPDM/APP composite. APP was able to lower the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and specific mass loss rate (MLR), but unfortunately it decreased the ignition time and fire performance index (FPI). By contrast, GnPs has been found to increase ignition time by 29% and FPI by 62%, while still achieved the same level of reductions in PHRR and specific MLR, demonstrating clear advantages over APP. During combustion the highly thermally stable GnPs bonded with the viscous, degraded EPDM macromolecules, forming a thick solid char layer which prevented the transport of heat and smoke, contributing to its superior flame retarding performance over APP.

[Huanshao Capsules combined with levocarnitine for the treatment of asthenospermia, oligospermia and teratozoospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effects of Huanshao Capsules (HSC) combined with levocarnitine (LC) on asthenospermia, oligospermia, teratozoospermia, and the semen parameters of the patients. METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical study included 186 infertility patients with spleen and kidney asthenia. We randomly divided them into three groups of equal number and treated them orally with HSC at the dose of 3 capsules tid, LC at 10 ml tid, and HSC+LC, respectively, all for 12 weeks. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment, we obtained the semen parameters from the patients and compared them among the three groups. RESULTS: Totally, 180 of the patients completed the study, 61 in the HSC, 59 in the LC and 60 in the HSC+LC group. After 12 weeks of medication, the patients of the HSC+LC group showed an increase of 42.77% in the semen volume, 142.37% in sperm concentration, 28.61% in sperm motility, and 24.39% in the percentage of grade a+b sperm and a decrease of 6.27% in the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm as compared with the baseline (P <0.05). The patients treated with HSC+LC showed significantly more improvement in all the above parameters than those treated with LC alone (P <0.05) as well as in sperm motility and the percentage of progressively motile sperm than those treated with HSC alone (P <0.05). The HSC group exhibited remarkable improvement in the above parameters after treatment as compared with the baseline (P <0.05) and higher semen volume and sperm concentration than the LC group (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Huanshao Capsulescombined with levocarnitinedeserves a wide clinical application as a safe and efficacious therapy forasthenospermia, oligospermia,and teratozoospermia.

Arsenic trioxide combined with transarterial chemoembolization for primary liver cancer: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The benefit of combination therapy of arsenic trioxide (As2 O3 ) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is debated. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine whether As2 O3 &TACE therapy achieves better therapeutic effects compared with TACE alone for primary liver cancer. METHODS: A systematic search of both English and Chinese databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials. The main outcomes were therapeutic responses, survival rates, improvement in quality of life, and adverse events. All data analyses in this study were carried out using Review Manager software and STATA software. RESULTS: Eighteen randomized controlled trials involving 1412 participants were included. The pooled objective response rate was significantly higher in the As2 O3 &TACE group compared with the TACE group (relative risk [RR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.58, P < 0.0001), and the pooled clinical benefit rate was also significantly higher (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.08-1.29, P = 0.0002). A higher pooled result was obtained from the combination group for 1-year survival rate (RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.23-1.53, P < 0.00001). As2 O3 &TACE therapy was not superior to TACE alone for improvement in quality of life (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.98-1.36, P = 0.09). There was no significant difference in the risk of adverse effects. When a subgroup analysis was performed, both administration methods of As2 O3 (intravenous or arterial) were effective for all evaluating indicators except the improvement in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant As2 O3 therapy combined with TACE achieves better therapeutic effects compared with TACE alone. Both the intravenous administration of As2 O3 and the arterial administration of As2 O3 were good options for clinical practice.

Efficacy and safety of submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection for upper gastrointestinal submucosal tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) has emerged as a novel therapeutic endoscopic technique for upper gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMTs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of STER for upper gastrointestinal SMTs. METHODS: A systematic search of both English and Chinese databases was performed until November 15, 2015. Complete resection and en bloc resection rates were considered the primary outcome measures. Prevalence of complications was considered the secondary outcome measure. A random-effects model was used to generate conservative estimates of the prevalence of the main outcome variables. All data analyses were performed using Meta-Analyst software (version beta 3.13). RESULTS: A total of 28 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. The pooled complete resection and en bloc resection rates were 97.5 % (95 % CI 96.0-98.5 %) and 94.6 % (95 % CI 91.5-96.7 %), respectively. The common complications associated with STER were air leakage symptoms and perforation. The pooled prevalence of air leakage symptoms was 14.8 % (95 % CI 10.5-20.5 %) for subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum, 6.1 % (95 % CI 4.0-9.0 %) for pneumothorax and 6.8 % (95 % CI 4.7-9.6 %) for pneumoperitoneum. Additionally, the pooled prevalence of perforation was 5.6 % (95 % CI 3.7-8.2 %). Only a few cases of bleeding were reported in two studies. CONCLUSIONS: STER is a highly feasible and safe treatment option for upper gastrointestinal SMTs.

[Differences of Therapeutic Efficacy Between Different Kinds of Somatostatin Analogue for Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of SOM230, octreotide and lanreotide on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7402 In vivoand In vitro, and to analyze the differences of their therapeutic efficacy with relevant mechanisms. METHODS: At different time points (24, 48, 72 h), the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to evaluate cell proliferation (drug concentration 1×10-10-1×10-5mol/L) and the Annexin Ⅴ-FITC/PI staining was used to assess cell apoptosis (drug concentration 1×10-5mol/L), while the real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect cellular SSTRexpression changes before and after interventions. A transplanted tumor model was set up, and the tumor-bearing nude mice were treated by three drugs with a common dose of 100 µg/ (kg·d) or same volume of normal saline, respectively. After a treatment period of 6 weeks, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot test were performed to detect the expression changes ofSSTR in tumor tissues from the level of gene and protein. RESULTS: All three drugs could inhibit the cell proliferation of Bel-7402. However, they were unable to promote the cell apoptosis. In vitro, the expressions ofSSTR1, SSTR4genes did not change over time in each group. The expressions ofSSTR2gene were decreased in three intervention groups while the expressions ofSSTR5gene were increased first and then decreased. Compared with the control group, all differences have statistical significance (P<0.05). All three drugs could improve the survival rate and quality of life for nude mice bearing hepatoma. In vivo, the expression ofSSTR1gene in SOM230 group was increased when compared with that of the other groups; the expressions ofSSTR2gene in three intervention groups were increased when compared with that of the control group; the expressions of SSTR5gene in SOM230 group and lanreotide group were increased when compared with that of the octreotide group and the control group, and all differences have statistical significance (P<0.05). The Western blot test confirmed these results from the protein level. CONCLUSION: In a certain concentration range, the long-term treatment of SSTA with high affinities to SSTR2 and SSTR5 could inhibit the growth of HCC.

[Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitors on Severe Acute Pancreatitis--a Prospective Randomized Trial].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) therapy on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients. METHODS: Forty five patients with SAP recruited in our center from October 2015 to October 2016,were randomly assigned into two groups: convention group (C group,n=21) and convention+esomeprazole group (C+E group,n=24). C+E group received esomeprazole 40 mg/d intravenously for 1 week,whereas C group only received baseline treatment. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and procalcitonin (PCT) were detected by ELISA on the first day (baseline) and the seventh day. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ scores (APACHE Ⅱ),systemic inflammatory response syndrome scores (SIRS) and modified Marshall scoring system (Marshall) were obtained at 1 d (baseline),3 d and 7 d. Upper gastrointestinal manifestation (peptic ulcer) and gastric pH were detected by endoscopic examination at 7 d. Fecal occult blood test was performed at 7 d. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in CRP,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α and PCT between the two groups ( P>0.05),also no difference in APACHE Ⅱ,SIRS and Marshall scores ( P>0.05). The gastric pH was remarkably higher in C+E group when compared to C group (5.02±1.61 vs.2.83±1.08, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of peptic ulcer and the rate of positive fecal occult blood between the two groups. CONCLUSION: PPIs therapy did not show benefit on alleviating systemic inflammatory response and clinical scores in SAP patients,and didn't improve the prevention of peptic ulcer and gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 alleviates liver cirrhosis via improvement of the dysfunctional gut-liver axis in rats.

Inflammatory transport through the gut-liver axis may facilitate liver cirrhosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been considered as one of the important molecules that regulates intestinal epithelial barrier function. This study was aimed to test the hypothesis that inhibition of COX-2 by celecoxib might alleviate liver cirrhosis via reduction of intestinal inflammatory transport in thiacetamide (TAA) rat model. COX-2/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)/EP-2/p-ERK integrated signal pathways regulated the expressions of intestinal zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and E-cadherin, which maintain the function of intestinal epithelial barrier. Celecoxib not only decreased the intestinal permeability to a 4-kDa FITC-dextran but also significantly increased expressions of ZO-1 and E-cadherin. When celecoxib greatly decreased intestinal levels of LPS, TNF-α, and IL-6, it significantly enhanced T cell subsets reduced by TAA. As a result, liver fibrosis induced by TAA was significantly alleviated in the celecoxib group. These data indicated that celecoxib improved the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier, blocked inflammatory transport through the dysfunctional gut-liver axis, and ameliorated the progress of liver cirrhosis.

[The Expressions of Somatostatin and Cycloxygenase-2 in Chronic Hepatitis, Hepatic Cirrhosis, Precancerous Lesion and Hepatocellular Carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression difference of somatostatin (SST) , SST receptors (SSTR) and COX-2 in chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, precancerous lesion and hepatocellular Carcinoma, and explore the relationship between portal hypertension and SST/SSTR expressions. METHODS: A series of human liver tissues were obtained from surgery, including normal liver 4 cases, chronic hepatitis 14 cases, hepatic cirrhosis 40 cases, precancerous lesion 40 cases and HCC tissues 40 cases. Peripheral bloods were collected from 20 patients before and after the operation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). SSTR 1-5 subtypes in hepatic tissues were detected by immunohistochemical study and RT-PCR. Levels of SST and COX-2 were quantified by radioimmunoassay and Western blot. RESULTS: 90% of precancerosis expressed high levels of SSTR 2, 5 subtypes, and SSTR mainly distributed surrounding portal vein. At lest 60%o of HCC expressed SSTR 2, 5 subtypes, and there were positive correlations between levels of SSTR 1-5 and SST. Levels of SST in peripheral blood of cirrhotic patients significantly increased after TIPS(P<0. 05). Levels of COX-2 were highest in cirrhosis (about 90%), and decreased in precancerosis (about 80%) and HCC tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Precancerosis or early stage of HCC may be the optimum time for synergetic medication of SST analogue and COX-2 inhibitor.

Mitochondrial dysfunction represses HIF-1α protein synthesis through AMPK activation in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is an important transcription factor that modulates cellular responses to hypoxia and also plays critical roles in cancer progression. Recently, somatic mutations and decreased copy number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were detected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These mutations were shown to have the potential to cause mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the effects and mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction on HIF-1α function are not fully understood. This study aims to explore the underlying mechanism by which mitochondrial dysfunction regulates HIF-1α expression. METHODS: Human hepatoma HepG2 cells were treated with various mitochondrial respiration inhibitors and an uncoupler, respectively, and the mRNA and protein expressions as well as transactivation activity of HIF-1α were determined. The role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was further analyzed by compound C and AMPK knock-down. RESULTS: Treatments of mitochondrial inhibitors and an uncoupler respectively reduced both the protein level and transactivation activity of HIF-1α in HepG2 cells under normoxia or hypoxia. The mitochondrial dysfunction-repressed HIF-1α protein synthesis was associated with decreased phosphorylations of p70(S6K) and 4E-BP-1. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction decreased intracellular ATP content and elevated the phosphorylation of AMPK. Treatments with compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, and knock-down of AMPK partially rescued the mitochondrial dysfunction-repressed HIF-1α expression. CONCLUSIONS: Mitochondrial dysfunctions resulted in reduced HIF-1α protein synthesis through AMPK-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results provided a mechanism for communication from mitochondria to the nucleus through AMPK-HIF-1α. Mitochondrial function is important for HIF-1α expression in cancer progression.

Causal association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D status and cataract development: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin deficiencies are linked to various eye diseases, and the influence of vitamin D on cataract formation has been noted in prior research. However, detailed investigations into the causal relationship between 25-(OH)D status and cataract development remain scarce. AIM: To explore a possible causal link between cataracts and vitamin D. METHODS: In this study, we explored the causal link between 25-(OH)D levels and cataract development using Mendelian randomization. Our analytical approach included inverse-variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode methods. The primary analyses utilized IVW with random effects, supplemented by sensitivity and heterogeneity tests using both IVW and MR-Egger. MR-Egger was also applied for pleiotropy testing. Additionally, a leave-one-out analysis helped identify potentially impactful single-nucleotide polymorphisms. RESULTS: The analysis revealed a positive association between 25-(OH)D levels and the risk of developing cataracts (OR = 1.11, 95%CI: 1.00-1.22; P = 0.032). The heterogeneity test revealed that our IVW analysis exhibited minimal heterogeneity (P > 0.05), and the pleiotropy test findings confirmed the absence of pleiotropy within our IVW analysis (P > 0.05). Furthermore, a search of the human genotype-phenotype association database failed to identify any potentially relevant risk-factor single nucleotide polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: There is a potential causal link between 25-(OH)D levels and the development of cataracts, suggesting that greater 25-(OH)D levels may be a contributing risk factor for cataract formation. Further experimental research is required to confirm these findings.

Syringo-Subarachnoid Shunt with Tube Versus T-Tube via the Dorsal Root Entry Zone Approach for Eccentric Syringomyelia.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the clinical therapeutic efficacy of syringo-subarachnoid shunt placement with direct tube and T-tube via the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) approach for treatment of eccentric syringomyelia. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of 41 patients with idiopathic or secondary eccentric syringomyelia from November 2011 to December 2022. Syringo-subarachnoid shunt placement with direct tube or T-tube via the DREZ approach was performed. The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association low back pain scale was used to investigate the severity of clinical symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to investigate therapeutic efficacy（reduction of the cavity volume by >10% was considered an improvement and 50% was considered a significant improvement). RESULTS: Incision length of the spinal cortex in the direct tube group was shorter than in the T-tube group (3.10 ± 0.28 cm vs. 5.03 ± 0.19 cm), with a significant difference between the 2 groups (t = -52.56, P < 0.001). Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score 3 months postoperatively was significantly better than the preoperative score in both the direct tube group（t = 40.954, P < 0.001） and the T-tube group（t = 24.769, P < 0.001）. Statistical comparison revealed there was no difference in imaging improvement between the direct tube group and T-tube group 3 months (χ2 = 0.20, P = 0.655) and 12 months (χ2 = 0.21, P = 0.647) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Syringo-subarachnoid shunt placement with direct tube via the DREZ approach for treatment of eccentric syringomyelia is safer than with T-tube via the DREZ approach due to smaller incision length and less of a space-occupying effect with same therapeutic efficacy.

Genomic structure analysis and construction of DNA fingerprint for four sheep populations.

The Yongdeng Qishan sheep (QS) is a sheep population found locally in China. To gain in-depth knowledge of its population characteristics, three control groups were chosen, comprising the Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep (LFT), TAN sheep (TAN), and Minxian black fur sheep (MBF), inhabiting the nearby environments. This study genotyped a total of 120 individuals from four sheep populations: QS, LFT, TAN, and MBF. Using Specific-Locus Amplified Fragment Sequencing, we conducted genetic diversity, population structure, and selective sweep analysis, and constructed the fingerprint of each population. In total, there were 782 535 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variations identified, with most being situated within regions that are intergenic or intronic. The genetic diversity analysis revealed that the QS population exhibited lower genetic diversity compared to the other three populations. Consistent results were obtained from the principal component, phylogenetic tree, and population structure analysis, indicating significant genetic differences between QS and the other three populations. However, a certain degree of differentiation was observed within the QS population. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns among the four populations showed clear distinctions, with the QS group demonstrating the most rapid LD decline. Kinship analysis supported the findings of population structure, dividing the 90 QS individuals into two subgroups consisting of 23 and 67 individuals. Selective sweep analysis identified a range of genes associated with reproduction, immunity, and adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia. These genes hold potential as candidate genes for marker-assisted selection breeding. Additionally, a total of 86 523 runs of homozygosity (ROHs) were detected, showing non-uniform distribution across chromosomes, with chromosome 1 having the highest coverage percentage and chromosome 26 the lowest. In the high-frequency ROH islands, 79 candidate genes were associated with biological processes such as reproduction and fat digestion and absorption. Furthermore, a DNA fingerprint was constructed for the four populations using 349 highly polymorphic SNPs. In summary, our research delves into the genetic diversity and population structure of QS population. The construction of DNA fingerprint profiles for each population can provide valuable references for the identification of sheep breeds both domestically and internationally.

Clinical manifestation, lifestyle, and treatment patterns of chronic erosive gastritis: A multicenter real-world study in China.

BACKGROUND: Although chronic erosive gastritis (CEG) is common, its clinical characteristics have not been fully elucidated. The lack of consensus regarding its treatment has resulted in varied treatment regimens. AIM: To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and short-term outcomes in CEG patients in China. METHODS: We recruited patients with chronic non-atrophic or mild-to-moderate atrophic gastritis with erosion based on endoscopy and pathology. Patients and treating physicians completed a questionnaire regarding history, endoscopic findings, and treatment plans as well as a follow-up questionnaire to investigate changes in symptoms after 4 wk of treatment. RESULTS: Three thousand five hundred sixty-three patients from 42 centers across 24 cities in China were included. Epigastric pain (68.0%), abdominal distension (62.6%), and postprandial fullness (47.5%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Gastritis was classified as chronic non-atrophic in 69.9% of patients. Among those with erosive lesions, 72.1% of patients had lesions in the antrum, 51.0% had multiple lesions, and 67.3% had superficial flat lesions. In patients with epigastric pain, the combination of a mucosal protective agent (MPA) and proton pump inhibitor was more effective. For those with postprandial fullness, acid regurgitation, early satiety, or nausea, a MPA appeared more promising. CONCLUSION: CEG is a multifactorial disease which is common in Asian patients and has non-specific symptoms. Gastroscopy may play a major role in its detection and diagnosis. Treatment should be individualized based on symptom profile.

[Study on an optical system of small ultraviolet imaging spectrometer with high resolution in broadband].

An ultraviolet imaging spectrometer was studied based on the principle of the small scale ultraviolet spectral instrument. The scheme composed of an off-axis parabolic mirror telescope and a single toroidal grating spectral imaging system was designed. The optimization of the optical system is the optimum processing for the parameters of the toroidal grating. The optical path function and the aberration equations of the grating were analyzed. The perfect anastigmatism conditions and imaging conditions of the single toroidal grating system were obtained. These two conditions that cannot be satisfied by the algebra calculation method limit the field of view and waveband of the spectrometer. The genetic algorithm was introduced to solve the problem. A solar-blind ultraviolet imaging spectrometer for 200-280 nm was designed to verify the design method. The optimum initial configuration was calculated and simulated. A system with F/# 5.7, focal length 102 mm and high spatial resolution was designed. The modulation transfer functions (MTF) of all fields of view are more than 0.65 in the waveband in the required Nyquist frequency (20 1p x mm(-1)). The design results indicate that the optical system theory can be applied to the small scale ultraviolet imaging spectrometer with high resolution and spectral broadband.