[In vitro optical assessment of three types of non-diffractive extended depth-of-focus intraocular lenses].

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro optical performance of three types of non-diffractive extended depth-of-focus (EDoF) intraocular lenses (IOLs). Methods: Experimental study. Three Vivity IOLs, three Eyhance IOLs, and three ES60 IOLs were included. The professional optical bench OptiSpheric® IOL PRO 2 and an ISO-2 corneal model were applied. The through-focus modulation transfer function (MTF) and predicted visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) of different spatial frequencies and different focuses under apertures of 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm were recorded. The aspheric monofocal (Tecnis ZCB00), diffractive EDoF (Tecnis Symfony), and trifocus (STF1) IOLs, as well as the lowest visual requirement criteria of EDoF IOLs of American Academy of Ophthalmology served as assessment controls. Results: For the 3.0-mm aperture, the peak value of the MTF was highest with ZCB00, followed by Eyhance, ES60, Vivity, Symfony, and STF1. All experimental non-diffractive EDoF IOLs had two MTF peaks, and the distance between both peaks was longest with Vivity (1.76 D), followed by ES60 (1.43 D) and Eyhance (1.36 D). Among the control IOLs, Symfony had two MTF peaks, and the peak MTF of the intermediate focus was highest. STF1 had three MTF peaks, and the peak MTF of the near focus was highest. For the 4.5-mm aperture, the ranking of the MTF peak of the six types of IOLs was the same as that for the 3.0-mm aperture. Vivity had an increased MTF peak of the distance focus, but a decreased intermediate focus MTF peak, while the MTF peaks of the distance, intermediate, and near focuses in the other IOLs decreased, compared to those for the 3.0-mm aperture. The predicted visual acuity of the distance focus of the three types of non-diffractive EDoF IOLs was all better than 0.0. The predicted visual acuity of the intermediate focus of the Vivity IOL and the ES60 IOL was 0.11 and 0.05 better than that of the Eyhance IOL, respectively. Based on the predicted visual acuity of 0.2, Vivity and ES60 had a depth of focus of at least 0.50 D exceeding ZCB00, while Eyhance had a depth of focus of 0.40 D exceeding ZCB00. Conclusions: In the experiments in vitro, the three types of non-diffractive EDoF IOLs exhibited varying degrees of intermediate to near focus optical performance while maintaining distance focus optical performance. The Eyhance IOL showed better distance focus optical performance than ES60 and Vivity IOL. The Vivity IOL and the ES60 IOL showed better depth of focus extensions than the Eyhance IOL and met the lowest visual requirement criteria of EDoF IOLs of American Academy of Ophthalmology.(This article was published ahead of print on the Online-First Publishing Platform for Excellent Scientific Researches of Chinese Medical Association Publishing House on April 29, 2024).

Observation of a Strongly Isospin-Mixed Doublet in

ß decay of proton-rich nuclei plays an important role in exploring isospin mixing. The ß decay of ^{26}P at the proton drip line is studied using double-sided silicon strip detectors operating in conjunction with high-purity germanium detectors. The T=2 isobaric analog state (IAS) at 13 055 keV and two new high-lying states at 13 380 and 11 912 keV in ^{26}Si are unambiguously identified through ß-delayed two-proton emission (ß2p). Angular correlations of two protons emitted from ^{26}Si excited states populated by ^{26}P ß decay are measured, which suggests that the two protons are emitted mainly sequentially. We report the first observation of a strongly isospin-mixed doublet that deexcites mainly via two-proton decay. The isospin mixing matrix element between the ^{26}Si IAS and the nearby 13 380-keV state is determined to be 130(21) keV, and this result represents the strongest mixing, highest excitation energy, and largest level spacing of a doublet ever observed in ß-decay experiments.

[A novel nomogram for individualized preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma].

Objective: Constructing and validating a nomogram model for preoperative prediction of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) lymph node metastasis to assist decision making during surgery. Methods: Retrospectively collecting the clinical and pathological data of 1 031 ICC patients who underwent partial hepatectomy at Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital of Naval Military Medical University,General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command,or Zhongda Hospital Southeast University from January 2003 to January 2014. There were 682 males and 349 females; mean age was 54.7 years(range:18 to 82 years). There were 562 patients who underwent lymph node dissection and 469 patients who did not. Among the patients in the dissection group,Lasso regression method was used to filtrate preoperative variables related to lymph node metastasis and establish a nomogram. Bootstrap method was used to internally validate the discrimination of the nomogram,and the accuracy of the nomogram was assessed by using calibration curves. Patients were divided into low-moderate and high-risk groups based on model prediction probability. Propensity score matching(PSM) was used to analyze the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with and without lymph node dissection in the two groups,and to judge the importance of lymph node dissection in the two groups. Results: Six factors related to ICC lymph node metastasis were determined by Lasso regression,including hepatitis B surface antigen,CA19-9,age,lymphadenopathy,carcinoembryo antigen and maximum tumor diameter. These factors were integrated into a nomogram to predict ICC lymph node metastasis. The aera under curve value was 0.764,and the C-index was 0.754. Stratified analysis showed that OS and RFS in the high-risk group of lymph node metastasis were significantly lower than those in the low-medium risk group(median OS:14.6 months vs. 27.0 months,P<0.01; median RFS:9.1 months vs. 15.5 months,P<0.01). In the high-risk group,the median OS was 16.7 months and 6.3 months(Log-rank test: P=0.187;Wilcoxon test:P=0.046),and the median RFS was 11.0 months and 4.8 months(P=0.403),respectively in the lymph node dissection group and undissected group after PSM. In the low-medium-risk group,the median OS was 22.7 months and 26.7 months(P=0.288),and the median RFS was 13.0 months and 14.5 months(P=0.306),respectively in the lymph node dissection group and undissected group after PSM. Conclusions: The nomogram could be used for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis and prognostic stratification in patients with ICC. For patients with high risk of lymph node metastasis predicted by the model,active dissection should be performed. For patients predicted to be at low-moderate risk,lymph node dissection might be optional in some specific cases.

[Digital and anatomical study of posterior atlantooccipital joint-occipital condyle-clivus screw technique].

Objective: To investigate the screw placement parameters, feasibility and safety of posterior atlantooccipital joint-occipital condyle-clivus screw technique in Chinese people. Methods: Upper cervical spine CT images of 46 patients, including 24 males and 22 females, were collected with random number table from June 2019 to May 2020 in Ningbo No.6 Hospital. The patients aged 20-55 years, with a mean age of (39±9) years. Total of 92 sides of upper cervical spine models were obtained by Mimics 19.0 digital three-dimensional reconstruction, and screw placement was conducted simulately. The midpoint of transition zone between the posterior arch of atlas and the inferior articular process of lateral mass was selected as the screw entry point. The diameter and length of screws was 3.5 mm and 50 mm, respectively. Detailed morphometric measurements of the 92 atlantooccipital joint-occipital condyle-clivus screws were conducted. The distance between the screw and its surrounding important structures, screw inside and upper tilting angles, the length of screw trajectory in atlas and the length of screw trajectory on occipital side (occipital condyle-clivus) were all measured. Paired t test was performed on the parameters of left and right screw placement to confirm whether there was difference between the two sides. Results: In the 46 cases of upper cervical spine digital three-dimensional models, 92 posterior atlantooccipital joint-occipital condyle-clivus screws were implanted. All the screws were completely fixed in the clivus, without breaking through the upper sphenoid sinus, entering into the canalis spinalis and foramen magnum, and damaging the surrounding structures such as hypoglossal canal. The screw trajectory parameters between the left and right sides were slightly different, but there was no statistical differences between the two sides (P>0.05). The vertical distance between the screw entry point and the upper edge of atlas was (12.6±1.0) mm, the vertical distance between the screw entry point and the lower edge of atlas was (6.5±0.6) mm, the distance between the screw and the medial border of atlas vertebral artery foramen was (6.7±0.6) mm, the distance between the screw entry point and the medial wall of atlas was (6.6±0.7) mm, the distance between the screw outer margin and the hypoglossal canal was (5.5±0.6) mm, screw inside tilting angle was 21.2°±2.5°, screw upper tilting angle was 52.0°±3.4°, the length of screw trajectory in atlas was (12.1±0.9) mm, the length of screw trajectory on occipital side (occipital condyle-clivus) was (37.9±0.9) mm. Conclusion: The posterior atlantooccipital joint-occipital condyle-clivus screw technique can serve as a feasible and safe treatment for instability of the occipitocervical junction, which can be used as a new posterior occipitocervical fusion technique.

[Biomechanical study of anterior occipital condyle screw plate system].

Objective: To analyze the feasibility of anterior occipitocervical fusion biomechanical characteristic of craniovertebral reconstruction by anterior occipital condyle screw plate system. Methods: Six cervical vertebra specimens including 4 males and 2 females were enrolled, whose mean age of death was (49.3±7.5) years. The normal models were established by soft tissue dissection, and the instability models were established by destroy bone and ligament structure including, anterior arch of the atlas, part of the lateral mass of the atlas, the odontoid process, the odontoid apical ligament, the pterygoid ligament, the transverse ligament of the atlas the joint capsule. The clivus screw fixation models were established by anterior clivus screw fixation, and then those models were performed by anterior occipital condyle screw fixation. All four groups were loaded with a 1.5 N·m continuous pure force in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Then measured the range of motion of specimen C0-C1 and C0-C2. And the pull-out force test was conducted to compare the effects of unicortical and bicortical fixation on the pull-out force of screws. Results: In the C0-C1 segment, the range of motion in flexion-extension (forward and posterior), lateral bending and axial rotation in the clivus group was 6.46°±0.85°, 5.14°±0.76°, 2.73°±0.36°, 1.12°±0.41°, respectively; and it was 5.92°±0.90°, 4.16°±1.06°, 2.86°±0.50°, 1.05°±0.27°, respectively in the occipital condyle group. As for C0-C2 segment, the range of motion in the clivus group was 9.55°±1.99°, 10.46°±2.03°, 6.90°±1.29°, 13.51°±1.37°, respectively; and it was 8.14°±1.38°, 9.53°±1.55°, 4.75°±1.06°, 7.90°±1.68°, respectively, in the occipital condyle group. The ranges of motion in the occipital condyle group were significantly lower than clivus group (all P<0.05). The maximum pull out force by bicortical fixation was significantly better than unicortical fixation ((439±33) N vs (408±28) N, P<0.05). Conclusion: The anterior occipital condyle screw plate system provides better stability especially in anti-bending and anti-rotation than the anterior clival screw fixation.

Large Isospin Asymmetry in

ß-delayed one-proton emissions of ^{22}Si, the lightest nucleus with an isospin projection T_{z}=-3, are studied with a silicon array surrounded by high-purity germanium detectors. Properties of ß-decay branches and the reduced transition probabilities for the transitions to the low-lying states of ^{22}Al are determined. Compared to the mirror ß decay of ^{22}O, the largest value of mirror asymmetry in low-lying states by far, with δ=209(96), is found in the transition to the first 1^{+} excited state. Shell-model calculation with isospin-nonconserving forces, including the T=1, J=2, 3 interaction related to the s_{1/2} orbit that introduces explicitly the isospin-symmetry breaking force and describes the loosely bound nature of the wave functions of the s_{1/2} orbit, can reproduce the observed data well and consistently explain the observation that a large δ value occurs for the first but not for the second 1^{+} excited state of ^{22}Al. Our results, while supporting the proton-halo structure in ^{22}Al, might provide another means to identify halo nuclei.

[Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced sonography and digital subtraction angiography for renal artery stenosis].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for renal artery stenosis (RAS). Methods: Fifty-seven hypertensive patients suspected for RAS admitted in Beijing Hospital from September 2017 to August 2018 were enrolled. All 114 renal arteries were assessed by CEUS and DSA. RAS was subdivided into low-(30%-50%), moderate-(50%-69%) and high-grade (70%-99%) subgroups. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were compared between CEUS and DSA results. Results: Fifty-seven hypertensive patients (31 males, mean age 57.1 years) involving 114 renal arteries were included. Overall, DSA identified RAS in 71(62.3%) renal arteries, mild RAS, 34(29.8%); moderate RAS, 23(20.2%); severe RAS, 14(12.3%). With CEUS, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV for detecting mild-grade RAS were 85.3%, 97.3%, 91.5%, 96.7% and 87.8%; for detecting moderate-grade RAS were 82.6%, 97.9%, 92.9%, 95.0% and 92.2%; for detecting high-grade RAS were 85.7%, 98.2%, 95.8%, 92.3% and 96.5%. The measure of agreement kappa was 0.92 between CEUS and DSA. Conclusion: CEUS is a safe and accurate method for the diagnosis and severity classification of RAS, especially those with kidney injury.

[Feasibility of screw placement on posterior occipital condyle assisted by occipital tangent angulation].

Objective: To investigate the practicability of occipital tangent angle in assisting posterior occipital condylar screw placement and to verify the safety and accuracy of self-made screw placement device for auxiliary screw. Methods: Occipito-cervical region specimens of 12 adult corpses were selected and scanned by thin-cut CT examination.The three-dimensional reconstruction of occipital and atlas was simulated for each specimen, and 3-matic software was used to measure the setting parameters, including occipital tangent angle, head obliquity, internal inclination angle, length of the screw and the distance from the inferior margin of hypoglossal canal to the screw axis.Using the self-designed occipital condylar screw placement device, combined with occipital tangent angle, internal inclination angle and insertion point, the posterior occipital condylar screw specimen was inserted with nails with assisting tool.The occipito-cervical region was reconstructed and scanned by thin-cut CT examination again after the operation to measuring the parameters of screw placement after actual screwing.The paired t test was used to compare the parameters of screw placement before and after operation. Results: Pre-operative three dimensional reconstruction of occipital condyle screw showed that the head obliquity was 5.3°±0.9°, the tangent angle was 14.9°±3.7°, the internal inclination angle was 28.1°±5.9°, and the length of screw insertion was (21.4±1.7) mm respectively; the distance from the inferior margin of hypoglossal canal to the screw axis was (4.74±0.36) mm.There was no significant difference in the parameters of analogue nailing between the left and right occipital condyles before the operation (t=-1.32, -0.48, 0.10, 0.23, 0.09, all P>0.05). The occipital condylar screw was safely implanted with screw placement device.The screw was located in the ideal nail insertion channel after operation by CT scan evaluation, without any injury to the hypoglossal canal, the atlanto-occipital articular surface and other structure.After the operation, the actual nailing parameters were measured: the head inclination angle was 5.2°±0.7°, the tangent angle was 15.1°±3.2°, the internal inclination angle was 28.2°±4.2°, the length of screw insertion was (21.5±1.7) mm, the distance from the inferior margin of hypoglossal canal to the screw axis was (4.54±0.29) mm.There was no significant difference between the left and right side in the actual screw placement parameters (t=-0.77, 0.82, 0.56, 0.22, 0.21, all P>0.05). It was found that there was no significant differences in the head obliquity, the occipital tangent angle, the internal inclination angle, length of screw entry, and the distance from the inferior margin of hypoglossal canal to the screw axis before and after the operation (t=0.56, -0.47, -0.18, -0.70, 1.89, all P>0.05). Conclusion: The occipital tangent angle can be measured directly in the process of posterior occipital condyle screw insertion to guide occipital condylar screw insertion, and the self-made occipital condylar screw placement device can effectively combine the three parameters: occipital tangent angle, head inclination angle and insertion point, which can improve the safety of posterior occipital condylar screw insertion.

[Prevalence of inpatients with liver disease in infectious diseases department of three comprehensive hospitals in Yunnan: a multi-center retrospective analysis].

Objective: To study the constitutional features of diseases spectrum of inpatients with liver disease in infectious diseases department of three comprehensive hospitals to provide resource allocation proposition for the construction of Department of Infectious Diseases. Methods: Inpatients data were extracted from the department of infectious diseases of three comprehensive hospitals (Kunming General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Yuxi People's Hospital and Dali People's Hospital) between January 2010 to December 2015, and were retrospectively analyzed. The distribution of patients with viral hepatitis (A, B, C, E) and severe liver disease (Severe hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer) was further analyzed in hospitalized patients. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. A chi-squared test was used for comparison between groups. The change trends of disease constituent ratio in different years were checked by 2 test. Results: Liver disease, tuberculosis and AIDS were the three common diseases of three comprehensive hospitals in Yunnan, accounting for 58.61% of all admissions. However, an inpatients with liver diseases (17.25%, 3555/20606, 95% CI 16.73%-17.77%) were significantly lower than tuberculosis inpatients (33.98%, 7002/20606, 95% CI 33.34%-34.62%). An observations from different hospitals and at different time points showed that the proportion of patients with liver disease was lower than that of tuberculosis patients. The proportion of inpatients with HBV infection showed a downward trend (P < 0.001), whereas the proportions of inpatients with HCV and severe liver diseases showed an increased trend over time (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The proportion of inpatients with liver diseases was lower than tuberculosis inpatients in the Department of Infectious Diseases of three comprehensive hospitals. Hence, the paucity of the disease spectrum should be considered for resource allocation in the construction of infectious disease department.

[Effect of ultrasound guided patient-controlled paravertebral block on pulmonary function in patients with multiple fractured ribs].

Objective: To investigated the effects of patient controlled intravenous analgesia and ultrasound guided patient-controlled paravertebral block on pulmonary function in patients with multiple fractured ribs. Methods: From May 2015 to March 2016, 60 patients with multiple rib fractures in Ningbo NO.6 Hospital with American Society of Anesthesiologists Ⅱ-Ⅲ underwent internal fixation, including 30 males and 30 females aged from 16 to 70 years(mean age (54.6±15.2) years). All patients were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=30 each): patient controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA) group and patient controlled thoracic paravertebral block(PCPB) group.PCIA solution contained sufentanil 2 µg/kg in 100 ml of normal saline.The PCIA pump was set up to deliver a 2 ml bolus dose with 15 minutes lockout interval and background infusion at 2 ml/hour.In PCPB group, the patients received paravertebral injection of 0.2% ropivocaine 15 ml on the corresponding area of fractured side under ultrasound guidance at the end of operation, and then received PCPB.PCPB solution contained 0.75% ropivacaine 67 ml in 250 ml of normal saline, and the pump was set up to deliver a 5 ml bolus dose, with 15 minutes lock out interval and background infusion at 5 ml/hour. Both analgesia lasted to 72 hours after operation.Before the operation, at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days after analgesia, arterial blood samples were collected to test the levels of pH, PaO2, PaCO2, PaO2/FiO2 and PA-aDO2. The pulmonary function was also examined before and 3 days after the operation through FEV1 and FEV1%. Results: Compared with PCIA group at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days after analgesia, the level of PaO2 ((85.1±9.7)mmHg vs.(72.4±12.3)mmHg, (90.3±12.4)mmHg vs.(73.5±7.8)mmHg, (94.2±8.2)mmHg vs.(86.1±5.6)mmHg, (98.5±7.0)mmHg vs. (88.8±7.5)mmHg, (99.6±9.8)mmHg vs. (91.3±8.6)mmHg, P<0.05)) and PaO2/FiO2 were significantly increased ((405.1±46.0)mmHg vs. (340.1±58.9)mmHg, (430.5±59.1)mmHg vs. (344.0±65.4)mmHg, (448.3±39.1)mmHg vs. (410.1±26.7)mmHg, (460.1±33.5)mmHg vs. (423.2±36.5)mmHg, (465.1±28.2)mmHg vs. (435.1±40.8)mmHg, P<0.05)), the level of PA-aDO2 was decreased ((22.9±4.6)mmHg vs. (36.6±5.1)mmHg, (17.7±4.7)mmHg vs. (34.5±2.9)mmHg, (13.8±4.1)mmHg vs. (21.9±3.2)mmHg, (13.5±4.6)mmHg vs. (19.2±3.8)mmHg, (12.4±2.0)mmHg vs. (17.7±2.4)mmHg, P<0.05)), and FEV1, FEV1% were significantly increased at 3 days after operation in PCPB group ((2.9±0.4)mmHg vs.(2.2±0.5)mmHg, (78.1±4.7)mmHg vs.(64.8±4.3)mmHg; P<0.01)). Conclusion: Ultrasound guided patient-controlled paravertebral block improves the arterial oxygenation function and accelerates the recovery of pulmonary function in patients with multiple-fractured ribs after internal fixation operation.

Novel NPHS1 splice site mutations in a Chinese child with congenital nephrotic syndrome.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) is defined as heavy proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome occurring before 3 months of age. It is characterized by early onset and progresses to end-stage renal disease. Recently, several genes associated with CNS have been identified, including NPHS1 and NPHS2. Mutations in the NPHS1 gene have been identified in patients with CNS in Finland with relatively high frequency. Thus far, only a few case reports about CNS have described an NPHS1 mutation in China. In this study, mutational analyses of NPHS1 and NPHS2 were performed in a Chinese child with CNS. Mutations were analyzed in all exons and exon/intron boundaries of NPHS1 and NPHS2 in the patient and his parents as well as in 50 unrelated controls using polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing techniques. No mutations were detected in NPHS2. A novel splice site mutation (IVS11+1G>A) within intron 11 and a missense mutation within exon 8 (c.928G>A) in the NPHS1 gene were detected in the child. The child's mother had normal urinalysis and a c.928G>A (D310N) heterozygous mutation, and his father had normal urinalysis and IVS11+1G>A. These were not identified in the 50 unrelated controls. The novel splice site mutation of IVS11+1G>A and a missense mutation at c.928G>A in NPHS1 were found to cause CNS in this Chinese child.

Drug resistance analysis of bacterial strains isolated from burn patients.

This study aimed to analyze the spectrum and drug resistance of bacteria isolated from burn patients to provide a reference for rational clinical use of antibiotics. Up to 1914 bacterial strain specimens isolated from burn patients admitted to hospital between 2001 and 2010 were subjected to resistance monitoring by using the K-B paper disk method. Retrospective analysis was performed on drug resistance analysis of burn patients. The top eight bacterium strains according to detection rate. A total of 1355 strains of Gram-negative (G(-)) bacteria and 559 strains of Gram-positive (G(+)) bacteria were detected. The top eight bacterium strains, according to detection rate, were Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Enterococcus. Drug resistance rates were higher than 90% in A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus, which accounted for 52.2, 21.7, 27.8, and 33.3%, respectively, of the entire sample. Those with drug resistance rates lower than 30% accounted for 4.3, 30.4, 16.7, and 16.7%, respectively. Multidrug-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) accounted for 49.2 and 76.4% of the S. epidermis and S. aureus resistance, respectively. Antibacterial drugs that had drug resistance rates to MRSE and MRSA higher than 90% accounted for 38.9 and 72.2%, respectively, whereas those with lower than 30% drug resistance rates accounted for 11.1 and 16.7%, respectively. The burn patients enrolled in the study were mainly infected with G(-) bacteria. These results strongly suggest that clinicians should practice rational use of antibiotics based on drug susceptibility test results.

Androgen receptor inhibition alleviated inflammation in experimental autoimmune myocarditis by increasing autophagy in macrophages.

OBJECTIVE: Experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) is characterized by pronounced macrophage infiltration, cardiac necrosis, and cardiac fibrosis. Our previous studies have demonstrated that suppressed androgen receptor (AR) enables anti-inflammation to promote tissue repair by decreasing M1 macrophages and increasing M2 macrophages in an EAM model. Given that autophagy mediates inflammatory response in macrophages, we investigated whether AR inhibition executes its protective role in inflammation through the autophagy pathway in EAM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine whether AR inhibition can perform its anti-inflammatory effects by upregulating autophagy, we pre-treated mice with 3-methyl adenine (3-MA), a pharmacological inhibitor of autophagy. Immunofluorescence assay and Western blot were used to detect autophagy levels and autophagy activity in five different groups. Immunofluorescence marked F4/80 and LC3 to illustrate the autophagy level in macrophages. TUNEL assays were used to detect the apoptosis level in heart tissue of five different groups. RESULTS: We demonstrated that AR inhibition resolves injury with sustained inhibition of inflammatory cytokines associated with enhanced autophagy, especially in macrophages. Increased LC3II/I expression corroborated complete autolysosome formation detected by electron microscopy and correlated with degradation of SQSTM1/p62 in the AR inhibition group by Western blot. These effects could be reversed within 3-MA, a pharmacological inhibitor of autophagy. Specifically, pharmacological inhibition of autophagy increased apoptosis and inflammation, which could be attenuated by AR inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: AR inhibition alleviates the inflammatory response and tissue apoptosis by enhancing autophagy, especially in macrophages.

Molecular analysis of a novel cathepsin K gene mutation in a Chinese child with pycnodysostosis.

This study investigated the relationship between a cathepsin K (CTSK) gene mutation and the pathogenesis of pycnodysostosis in a Chinese patient. A typical pycnodysostosis case and 30 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples taken from the patient and controls, and the encoding exons of CTSK were amplified and sequenced. Sequencing of the CTSK gene revealed homozygosity for a novel missense mutation in the pycnodysostosis patient, predicting the amino acid exchange from glutamine to proline at position 187 (Q187P). This point mutation in exon 5 of the CTSK gene results in the typical clinical features found in Chinese patients with pycnodysostosis. No similar changes in the CTSK gene sequences were found in the healthy controls.

Monitoring of human cytomegalovirus infection in bone marrow and liver transplant recipients by antigenaemia assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a common complication in transplant recipients. Sensitive, specific and timely diagnostic tests for the detection of HCMV infection remain essential for successful therapy. The results of three tests to detect HCMV in bone marrow and liver transplant recipients were compared: a pp65 antigenaemia assay, an immediate-early (IE) antigenaemia assay and an anti-HCMV immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of 1344 samples, 911 (67.8%) and 917 (68.2%) samples were positive for pp65 and IE, respectively. The coincidence level was 85.1%. There was no statistical difference after transplantation to the first positive detection of HCMV (mean first checkout time) between the pp65 and IE antigenaemia assays. Moreover, the levels of HCMV detected by the pp65 and IE antigenaemia assays were significantly correlated. The HCMV-positivity rate as detected by the anti-HCMV IgM ELISA was 11.1%, which was significantly different from the IE and pp65 antigenaemia assays. We suggest that the IE antigenaemia assay could replace the pp65 antigenaemia assay for monitoring active HCMV infection and early detection of HCMV infection.

A novel HLA-B allele, HLA-B*35:348, was identified by sequencing-based typing.

HLA-B*35:348 has 1 nucleotide substitution, c.817G > C (GTG→CTG at codon 248) compared with B*35:01:01:01.

A novel HLA class II allele, HLA-DRB1*04:01:17, identified in a Chinese volunteer donor for China Marrow Donor Program.

One nucleotide replacement at nucleotide 144 of HLA-DRB1*04:01:01 results in a new allele, HLA-DRB1*04:01:17.

Effect of vitrification solutions on survival rate of cryopreserved Epinephelus moara embryos.

Embryo cryopreservation is important for long-term preservation of germplasm and assisted reproduction. However, it is still very difficult to obtain viable embryos from cryopreserved fish embryos. In this study, embryos of Epinephelus moara were used to investigate the effects of various cryopreservation methods. Embryos in stages 10 pairs somite (10S), 18 pairs somite (18S), 22 pairs somite (22S), tail-bud (TB), embryo twitching (ET) and pre-hatch (PH) were treated with five-step equilibrium penetration in 40% PMG3T vitrification solution, which contained 15.75% 1,2-propylene glycol, 10.50% Methanol, 8.75% Glycerol and 5.00% Trehalose. We found that 18S, 22S, TB and ET stage embryos had higher survival rates and were more tolerant to the vitrification solution. Five-step equilibrium treatments on the embryos at the tail-bud stage were performed using two vitrification solutions: 40% PMG3T and 40% PMG3S, which consisted of 15.75% 1,2-propylene glycol, 10.50% Methanol, 8.75% Glycerol and 5.00% Sucrose. The embryonic survival rate under PMG3S treatment (63.36%) was significantly higher than PMG3T treatment (43.93%) (P < 0.05). PMG3S and PMG3T with concentrations of 35%, 40% and 45% were tested on tail-bud stage embryos. Higher concentration of the vitrification solution led to significantly lower embryonic survival rate (P < 0.05). The survival rate was 36.79-72.05% in PMG3S, and 37.11-55.18% in PMG3T, and there were non-significant differences in embryonic development and malformation rates among the groups treated with different concentrations. The embryonic normal development rates in PMG3S and PMG3T were 21.27% and 11.04%, and the malformation rates were 36.13% and 31.04%, respectively. The optimum treatment condition was 40 min using 40% PMG3S on embryos at the tail-bud stage. Both PMG3S and PMG3T were used for cryopreserving embryos at 16 pairs somite, tail-bud and ET stage in liquid nitrogen, where we obtained 190 surviving embryos, and 44 fishes underwent normal development and hatched. The survival rate of cryopreserved embryos was 5.15%, the normal development rate was 1.31%, and the malformation rate was 3.66%. We found that PMG3S and PMG3T were effective for cryopreservation of Epinephelus moara embryos. The results provide a foundation for further explorations of fish embryo cryopreservation techniques.

Identification of a new HLA-B*51:226 allele in a Chinese bone marrow-related donor.

HLA-B*51:226 was initially identified in a Chinese-related donor for stem cell transplantation.