A unified framework of transformations based on the Jordan-Wigner transformation.

Quantum simulation of chemical Hamiltonians enables the efficient calculation of chemical properties. Mapping is one of the essential steps in simulating fermionic systems on quantum computers. In this work, a unified framework of transformations mapping fermionic systems to qubit systems is presented and many existing transformations-such as Jordan-Wigner, Bravyi-Kitaev, and parity transformations-are included in this framework. Based on this framework, the Multilayer Segmented Parity (MSP) transformation is proposed. The MSP transformation is a general mapping with an adjustable parameter vector, which can be viewed as a generalization of the above-mentioned mappings. Furthermore, the MSP transformation can adjust flexibly when dealing with different systems. Applying these mappings to the electronic structure Hamiltonians of various molecules, the MSP transformation is found to perform better on a number of Pauli operators and gates needed in the circuit of Hamiltonian simulation. The MSP transformation will reduce the qubit gate requirement for Hamiltonian simulation on noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices, and it will provide a much wider choice of mappings for researchers.

Mid-term results of total hip arthroplasty with modified trochanteric osteotomy in Crowe type IV developmental dysplasia of the hip.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore mid-term clinical results of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) with modified trochanteric osteotomy in Crowe type IV developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). METHODS: Thirteen patients (13 hips) with Crowe type IV DDH who underwent THA with modified trochanteric osteotomy between May 2013 and October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The mean follow-up duration was 5.2 years (range, 4.9-6.1 years). RESULTS: The mean Harris Hip Score (HHS) significantly (p < 0.05) improved from 30.7 (range, 22-38) to 87.5 (range, 83-93). The mean leg length discrepancy (LLD) was 53.4 mm (range, 42.1-68.5 mm) preoperatively. The final LLD was 5.6 mm (range, 2.4-9.1 mm; p < 0.05). The mean leg length after surgery was 47.4 mm (range, 33.6-67.2 mm) and the femur shortening distance was 43.8 mm (range, 31.2-53.4 mm). The average duration of bone union for the greater trochanter (GT) was 2.5 months (range, 1.5-3.6 months). There was no infection, GT non-union, or loosening (septic or aseptic) of the stem or cup in any case. CONCLUSIONS: THA with modified trochanteric osteotomy with a cementless cup is an effective treatment for Crowe type IV DDH. It can rebuild complex biomechanics and biology of hip dysplasia without increasing complications.

Revision total hip arthroplasty with metal on metal bearing for ceramic bearing fractures.

BACKGROUND: Due to concern of potential metallosis caused by residual microscopic ceramic particles, metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing is deemed undesirable in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) for ceramic bearing fracture. We determined whether MoM bearing is suitable to be used in revision THA for ceramic fractures and also evaluated whether this treatment increases serum iron levels compared with MoM bearing revision THA for polyethylene failure. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2012, 22 patients underwent revision surgery using MoM bearing (28 mm femoral head in 18 hips and 32 mm in 4 hips) for ceramic bearing fracture and followed average 52.1 months. We assessed radiological parameter and functional outcome using Harris hip score (HHS) and WOMAC score. Also, serum cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) blood tests were performed and compared with the result obtained from age, sex- and follow-up duration-matched patients with MoM revision THA for failed polyethylene bearing. RESULTS: The mean HHS improved from 60.6 preoperatively to 90.3 at final follow-up. There were no changes in cup position, progression of osteolytic lesions, and measurable wear of MoM bearing articulation at final follow-up radiographs. There was one case of recurrent dislocation after surgery, which was treated with greater trochanter distal advancement and one case of deep infection, which underwent two-stage revision. Mean serum Co level (1.7 vs. 1.4 µg/dl; p = 0.211) and Cr level (0.70 vs. 1.01 µg/dl; p = 0.327) showed no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: MoM articulation with liner cementation into the acetabular cup along with total synovectomy can be chosen in revision surgery for ceramic fracture with good midterm follow-up. However, the use of MoM bearing is indicated when the stem and metal shell can be retained and ceramic on ceramic or ceramic on polyethylene bearing cannot be selected. Also long-term outcome needs to be further evaluated.

[Distribution of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of diabetic retinopathy and correlation between symptoms].

To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Syndromes of diabetic retinopathy and explore the correlation between various symptoms. Based on the literature in databases of China Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), Wanfang database, VIP network, China biomedical literature database (CBM) and PubMed, SPSS 20.0 and IBM SPSS Modeler 14.1 software were used to analyze the location of disease, symptoms, tongue and pulse, and syndrome type distribution through frequency statistics. In addition, association rule algorithm was used to explore the basic rules for underlying symptoms combinations of diabetic retinopathy. A total of 560 articles were retrieved, and a total of 240 articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In these documents, 62 types of TCM syndromes were found, involving 9 820 cases, 201 symptoms, 29 tongue conditions, and 36 pulses conditions; the first two locations for the disease were liver and kidney. Then the association rule analysis of high frequency symptoms was used to dig out 15 groups of latent syndrome, and 3 underlying symptom combinations among high frequency symptoms, tongue conditions and pulse conditions. The results of the study showed that Qi and yin deficiency was most common for the diabetic retinopathy, and the location of the disease was closely related to liver and kidney. In addition, these high-frequency symptoms and tongue conditions, pulse conditions, and underlying symptom combinations can occur as main symptoms at diagnosis, providing reference for us to study the epidemiology of PRO scale of the disease. They can also increase the weight of these symptoms directly as the main symptoms, which can be also used as an alternative entry pool for TCM syndrome diagnostic scale, laying foundation for the construction and optimization of TCM symptom database of diabetic retinopathy.

Radiation dose and survival of patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer undergoing concurrent chemotherapy and thoracic three-dimensional radiotherapy: reanalysis of the findings of a single-center prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the radiation dose and response in terms of local-regional progression-free survival (LRPFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing concurrent chemotherapy and thoracic three-dimensional radiotherapy. METHODS: In all, we enrolled 201 patients with stage IV NSCLC in this study and analyzed OS in 159 patients and LRPFS in 120. RESULTS: The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 46.2%, 19.5%, 11.7%, and 5.8%, respectively, the median survival time being 12 months. The median survival times in differential treatment response of primary tumors were 19 of complete response, 13 of partial response, 8 of stable disease, and 6 months of progressive disease, respectively (P = 0.000). The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year LRPFS rates of patients undergoing four to five cycles with doses ≥63 Gy and <63 Gy were 77.4% and 32.6%, 36.2% and 21.7%, 27.2% and 0, and 15.9% and 0, respectively (P = 0.002). According to multivariate analyses, four to five cycles of chemotherapy, gross tumor volume <175.00 cm3 and post-treatment Karnofsky Performance Status score stable or increased by at least 10 units were independent prognostic factors for better OS (P = 0.035, P = 0.008, and P = 0.000, respectively). Radiation dose to the primary tumor ≥63 Gy resulted in better OS (P = 0.057) and LRPFS (P = 0.051), both findings being of borderline significance. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of IV NSCLC with joint administration of four to five cycles of chemotherapy and three-dimensional radiotherapy may prolong survival, particularly in patients receiving ≥63 Gy radiotherapy, with gross tumor volume <175.00 cm3 and post-treatment Karnofsky Performance Status score not lower than pretreatment values.

Overall survival and toxicities regarding thoracic three-dimensional radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer: results of a prospective single-center study.

BACKGROUND: The role of chemotherapy given concurrently with thoracic three-dimensional radiotherapy for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not well defined. We performed this study to investigate overall survival and toxicity in patients with stage IV NSCLC treated with this modality. METHODS: From 2003 to 2010, 201 patients were enrolled in this study. All patients received chemotherapy with concurrent thoracic three-dimensional radiotherapy. The study endpoints were the assessment of overall survival (OS) and acute toxicity. RESULTS: For all patients, the median survival time (MST) was 10.0 months, and the 1-, 2- and 3-year OS rates were 40.2%, 16.4%, and 9.6%, respectively. The MST was 14.0 months for patients who received a total radiation dose ≥63 Gy to the primary tumor, whereas it was 8.0 months for patients who received a total dose <63 Gy (P = 0.000). On multivariate analysis, a total dose ≥63 Gy, a single site of metastatic disease, and undergoing ≥4 cycles of chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for better OS (P = 0.007, P = 0.014, and P = 0.038, respectively); radiotherapy involving metastatic sites was a marginally significant prognostic factor (P = 0.063). When the whole group was subdivided into patients with metastasis at a single site and multiple sites, a higher radiation dose to the primary tumor remained a significant prognostic factor for improved OS. For patients who received ≥4 cycles of chemotherapy, high radiation dose remained of benefit for OS (P = 0.001). Moreover, for the subgroup that received <4 chemotherapy cycles, the radiation dose was of marginal statistical significance regarding OS (P = 0.063). Treatment-related toxicity was found to be acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation dose to primary tumor, the number of metastatic sites, and the number of chemotherapy cycles were independent prognostic factors for OS in stage IV NSCLC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. In addition to systemic chemotherapy, aggressive thoracic radiotherapy was shown to play an important role in improving OS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered on (ChiCTR-TNC-10001026).

[Clinical observation of lymphangiectasis in conjunctivochalasis cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the occurrence and development of conjunctivochalasis and bulbar conjunctival lymphangiectasia. METHODS: Case control study. One hundred cases with conjunctivochalasis treated from January to March 2012 were selected to study, and 100 cases with no conjunctivochalasis as the control group at the same time. To observe bulbar conjunctiva lymphatic duct dilatation using slit lamp microscope, analysis bulbar conjunctiva and fascia images by OCT scanning, and ablate lymphatic of conjunctival tissue for pathologic examine. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes of the bulbar conjunctiva lymphangiectasia associated with 100 cases (183 eyes) conjunctivochalasis patients, accounting for 15.84%; 8 eyes of the ball conjunctival lymphatic dilation in control group of 100 cases ( 200 eyes), accounting for 4.00%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ(2) = 15.36, P < 0.001). OCT scanning showed that lymphangiectasia of the conjunctiva is at the subcutaneous mainly, some in the conjunctival lamina propria. They are border-clear, full-filled fluid, single-lumen or multi lumens, not involving the fascia. The histopathological examination showed that the lamina propria of the bulbar conjunctiva mildly chronic inflammatory changes accompanied by a large number of lymphangiectasia. CONCLUSION: Bulbar conjunctival lymphangiectasia may be one of the reasons for the conjunctivochalasis.

Visual analysis of image-guided radiation therapy based on bibliometrics: A review.

Radiation therapy plays an important role in tumor treatment. The development of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) technology provides a strong guarantee for precise radiation therapy of tumors. However, bibliometric studies on IGRT research have rarely been reported. This study uses literature collected from the Web of Science during 1987 to 2021 as a sample and uses the bibliometric method to reveal the current research status, hotspots, and development trends in IGRT. Based on 6407 papers published from the Web of Science during 1987 to 2021, we utilized Microsoft Excel 2007 and cite space software to perform statistical analysis and visualization of IGRT. A total of 6407 articles were included, this area of IGRT has gone through 4 stages: budding period, growth period, outbreak period, and stationary period. The research category is mainly distributed in Radiology Nuclear Medicine Medical Imaging, which intersects with the research categories of Materials, Physics, and Mathematics. Yin FF, Tanderup K, and Sonke JJ are highly productive scholars who are active in IGRT research, while Jaffray DA, van Herk M and Guckenberger M are authors with high impact in this field. The team of scholars has close cooperation within the team and weak cooperation among teams. The League of European Research Universities, University of Texas System, University of Toronto, and Princess Margaret Cancer are the main research institutions in this field. The United States has the most research literature, followed by China and Germany. Six thousand four hundred seven articles are distributed in 712 journals, and the top 3 journals are Med Phys, Int J Radiat Oncol, and Radiather Oncol. Precise registration, intelligence, magnetic resonance guidance, and deep learning are current research hotspots. These results demonstrate that the research in this field is relatively mature and fruitful in the past 35 years, providing a solid theoretical basis and practical experience for precision radiotherapy.

The Promoter SNPs Were Associated with Both the Contents of Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) and the Expressions of PUFA-Related Genes in Common Carp.

The allo-tetraploid common carp encodes two duplicated fads2 genes (fads2a and fads2b) and two duplicated elovl5 genes (elovl5a and elovl5b). The coding SNPs (cSNPs) of these genes were reported to be significantly associated with the PUFA contents. Whether the promoter SNPs (pSNPs) were associated with the PUFA contents has not been reported yet. In this study, after sequencing the promoters of these four genes, we identified six pSNPs associated with the contents of PUFAs in common carp, including one elovl5a pSNP, one elovl5b pSNP, and four fads2b pSNPs. The pSNPs were predicted in the locations of transcriptional factor binding sites. Together with previously identified cSNPs in fads2b and elovl5b, the pSNPs and cSNPs of these two genes had the joint effects on the PUFA contents with higher explained percentage of phenotypic variation of the PUFA contents than single gene. The expression levels of both fads2a and fads2b were significantly positively correlated with the contents of six PUFAs. The fads2b pSNPs corresponding to higher fads2b expression levels were associated with higher PUFA contents. The pSNPs and cSNPs will be useful for the future selection breeding of common carp with higher PUFA contents.

Collagen changes in rabbit conjunctiva after conjunctival crosslinking.

This study aims to determine the ultrastructural changes in collagen fibrils in rabbit conjunctiva after conjunctival crosslinking using riboflavin and ultraviolet A (UVA) light at an irradiation intensity of 45 mW/cm2. Conjunctival crosslinking may increase conjunctival stiffness. The supertemporal quadrants of the right eyes of 24 adult rabbits were treated with a topical riboflavin solution (0.25%) before irradiation with UVA light at 45 mW/cm2 for 4 min. After 3 weeks, the collagen fibrils in fibril bundles were examined by electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of collagen I and collagen III in the rabbits' conjunctiva. The diameter of the collagen fibrils in the fibril bundles varied slightly, ranging from 30 to 60 nm in the conjunctival stroma of the control group. In the treatment group, the diameter of collagen fibrils ranged from 60 to 90 nm. The thickest collagen fibrils were observed in the treatment group (up to 90 nm in diameter). In contrast, those in the conjunctival stroma of the control group were considerably smaller (up to 60 nm in diameter). However, thicknesses of collagen fibrils displayed a unimodal distribution. Both collagen I and collagen III increased after treatment with riboflavin and UVA light irradiation at 45 mW/cm2. The data indicate that in rabbits, conjunctival crosslinking with riboflavin and UVA light at 45 mW/cm2 for 4 min is safe and does not induce ultrastructural alterations of the conjunctival cells. The conjunctival crosslinking with riboflavin and UVA light at 45 mW/cm2 can increase the diameter of collagen fibrils, but the average densities of collagen I and collagen III have no statistical significance.

Factors affecting do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) decisions among adult patients in the emergency department of a general tertiary teaching hospital in China: a retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) orders are designed to allow patients to opt out of receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of a cardiac arrest. While DNAR has become a standard component of medical care, there is limited research available specifically focusing on DNAR orders in the context of emergency departments in China. This study aimed to fill that gap by examining the factors related to DNAR orders among patients in the emergency department of a general tertiary teaching hospital in China. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Emergency department. PARTICIPANTS: This study and analysis on adult patients with DNAR or no DNAR data between 1 January 2022 and 1 January 2023 in the emergency department of a large academic comprehensive tertiary teaching hospital. A total of 689 were included in our study. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Whether the patient received DNAR was our dependent variable. RESULTS: Among the total patients, 365 individuals (53.0%) had DNAR orders. The following variables, including age, sex, age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI), primary diagnosis of cardiogenic or cancer related, history of neurological dysfunction or cancer, were independently associated with the difference between the DNAR group and the no DNAR group. Furthermore, there were significant statistical differences observed in the choice of DNAR among patients with different stages of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to the no DNAR group, patients with DNAR were characterised by being older, having a higher proportion of female patients, higher ACCI scores, a lower number of patients with a primary diagnosis of cardiogenic and a higher number of patients with a primary diagnosis of cancer related, history of neurological dysfunction or cancer.

[The clinical observation of conjunctivochalasis crescent conjunctival resection with bipolar coagulation].

OBJECTIVE: To seek safe, effective, economical, simple treatment conjunctivochalasis surgical methods, optimize treatment, evaluation conjunctivochalasis surgical treatment. METHODS: A prospective randomized control study, 60 patients (60 eyes) conjunctivochalasis surgery patients were randomly divided into two groups, one line of bipolar coagulation therapy, another group of crescent conjunctival resection. After comparing the two surgical methods ocular surface disease index (OSDI) points, the degree of relaxation conjunctiva, tear meniscus height, BUT, surgical complications, the operation time to evaluate the two kinds of surgical methods of clinical efficacy. RESULTS: Bipolar coagulation therapy with crescent conjunctival resection in 8 weeks after the OSDI points, loose conjunctiva residual points, tear meniscus, BUT the difference was not statistically significant. 8 weeks after bipolar coagulation complications points lower than the crescent conjunctival resection is low, the difference was statistically significant (t = 4.67, P = 0.029); bipolar coagulation operating time (9.53 ± 3.15) min crescent than conjunctival resection time (18.59 ± 7.68) min short, the difference was statistically significant (t = 13.26, P > 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctivochalasis line bipolar coagulation and removal of loose conjunctiva crescent with considerable effect, bipolar coagulation was significantly shorter operative time, a significant reduction in postoperative complications, surgical procedures easier.

[Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on the Physiology of Allium sativum L.]

The pollution of micro/nanoplastics in the natural environment is becoming increasingly serious, but the potential effects of nanoplastics on crops remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) with a particle size of 80 nm on the chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and nutritional quality of Allium sativum L. were explored via hydroponic culture. The results showed that the chlorophyll contents in leaves of A. sativum treated with PS-NPs were significantly lower than those in the control, indicating that the synthesis of chlorophyll was inhibited. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, and proline contents in leaves of A. sativum initially increased but then decreased with the increase in ρ(PS-NPs). The activity of guaiacol peroxidase (POD) increased with the increase in ρ(PS-NPs) for 10 days of treatment; however, it was inhibited for 20 days of treatment. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased with the rise in ρ(PS-NPs). When ρ(PS-NPs) increased to 100 mg·L-1, the MDA content in leaves of A. sativum increased by 43.24% and 89.70% for 10 and 20-day treatments, respectively, compared with those in the control. Meanwhile, the contents of soluble protein, soluble sugar, and vitamin C were higher than those in the control for 10-day treatments; however, the vitamin C content decreased by 26.53% after 20 days of treatment. These results indicated that PS-NPs had a significant oxidative stress on A. sativum, and a high concentration of PS-NPs stress would have deleterious effects on the nutritional quality of A. sativum.

Association Analysis between Genetic Variants of elovl5a and elovl5b and Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The allo-tetraploid common carp, one widely cultured food fish, is able to produce poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The genetic markers on the PUFA contents for breeding was limited. The polymorphisms in elovl5a and elovl5b, the rate-limiting enzymes in the PUFA biosynthesis, have not been investigated yet. Herein, we identified one coding SNP (cSNP) in elovl5a associated with the content of one PUFA and two cSNPs in elovl5b with the contents of eight PUFAs. The heterozygous genotypes in these three loci were associated with higher contents than the homozygotes. Together with previously identified two associated cSNPs in fads2b, we found the joint effect of these four cSNPs in fads2b and elovl5b on the PUFA contents with the increased explained percentages of PUFA contents. The genotype combinations of more heterozygotes were associated with higher PUFA contents than the other combinations. Using ten genomic selection programs with all cSNPs in fads2b and elovl5b, we obtained the high and positive correlations between the phenotypes and the estimated breeding values of eight PUFAs. These results suggested that elovl5b might be the major gene corresponding to common carp PUFA contents compared with elovl5a. The cSNP combinations in fads2b and elovl5b and the optimal genomic selection program will be used in the future selection breeding to improve the PUFA contents of common carp.

Bulked Segregant Analysis and Association Analysis Identified the Polymorphisms Related to the Intermuscular Bones in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The allotetraploid common carp is one of the most important freshwater food fish. However, the IBs found in allotetraploid common carp increase the difficulty in fish meat processing and consumption. Although candidate genes associated with the total IB number have been identified, the SNPs associated with the numbers of the total IBs and different forms of IBs have not yet been identified, hindering the breeding of IB-reduced common carp. Herein, the numbers of different types of IBs in three common carp strains were measured. Using whole-genome resequencing and bulked segregant analysis in three pairs of IB-more and IB-less groups, we identified the consensus nonsynonymous SNPs in three strains of common carp. Screening the flanking regions of these SNPs led to the detection of other SNPs. Association study detected 21 SNPs significantly associated with the number of total IBs, epineural-IBs, and ten detailed types of IBs. We observed the joint effects of multiple SNPs on each associated IB number with an improved explained percentage of phenotypic variation. The resulting dataset provides a resource to understand the molecular mechanisms of IB development in different common carp strains. These SNPs are potential markers for future selection to generate IB-reduced common carp.

[Ozone Formation and Key VOCs of a Continuous Summertime O3 Pollution Event in Ji'nan].

In the summer of 2019, field measurements of ozone (O3) and its precursors[volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)] were carried out at an urban site in Ji'nan. We found that the daily maximum 8-hour averages φ(O3) were (103.0±14.5)×10-9. The average φ(NOx) and φ(VOCs), which are ozone precursors, were (16.7±11.3)×10-9and (22.4±9.4)×10-9, respectively. The ·OH reactivity of VOCs was determined (9.6±3.8) s-1. Ji'nan suffered from serious O3 pollution. An observation-constrained chemical box model was deployed to evaluate in situ photochemical O3 production, which indicated that chemical reactions made positive contributions to O3 production rates between 07:00 and 19:00 LT, with the average hourly O3 production rate of 35.6×10-9 h-1. To evaluate the effectiveness of various ozone precursor control strategies in reducing ozone pollution, we combined the observation-based model (OBM) with the relative incremental reactivity (RIR) method. The key indicators that affect the local ozone production rate were identified. Ji'nan was under VOC-limited conditions and the key VOC precursors were alkenes. The O3 formation mechanism changed from the VOC-limited regime in the morning to the transitional regime in the afternoon. Correspondingly, the simulated local O3 production rate was increased from 18.3×10-9 h-1 to 29.6×10-9 h-1. To further explore the role of anthropogenic emissions in ozone pollution, we used the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model to identify the major sources contributing to VOCs. The major sources in Ji'nan were vehicular exhaust and gasoline evaporation, accounting for more than 50% of the observed VOCs. Therefore, constraints on vehicular emissions is the most effective strategy to control O3 pollution in Ji'nan.

Hoffa fracture associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture: clinical feature and treatment.

Hoffa fracture associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture is very rare. Three cases of this rare type of injury were retrospectively reviewed. The sites of femoral shaft fractures and Hoffa fractures were documented. All femoral shaft fractures were managed with internal fixation. The rate of misdiagnosis for the Hoffa fractures was documented. Functions of the affected knees were evaluated according to the modified Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores at two years follow-up. Femoral fractures were either transverse or composite in all three cases. Ipsilateral Hoffa fractures occurred at medial condyle in two cases, and lateral condyle in one case. Only one Hoffa fracture was identified preoperatively. All the femoral shaft fractures healed uneventfully. In the patient whose Hoffa fracture was correctly diagnosed, the modified HSS score was 94. In another patient, whose Hoffa fracture was treated by a second operation, the modified HSS score was 93. And in the third case, who refused additional operation for the Hoffa fracture, the modified HSS score was only 70. Conclusively femoral shaft fracture can be associated with ipsilateral Hoffa fracture, especially in motorcycle accident. This type of injury is very rare and misdiagnosis is common.

Latanoprost eye drops induce conjunctival lymphatic vessel development.

AIM: To investigate the effect of latanoprost eye drops on the conjunctival lymphatics. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy New Zealand White rabbits weighing 1.5 to 2.0 kg were randomly divided into three groups: latanoprost group (n=8) administered with latanoprost eye drops once a day for 2mo, carteolol group (n=8) administered with carteolol eye drops once a day for 2mo, and control group (n=8) without any treatment. The conjunctival tissues in the three groups were extracted to investigate the expression levels of 5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nase) by Western blot, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. RESULTS: The protein expression level of 5'-Nase was significantly higher in latanoprost group than carteolol group (F=231.175, P<0.001) and control group (P<0.001), while there was no significant difference between the carteolol group and the control group (P>0.05). The mRNA expression level of 5'-Nase in the latanoprost group was also significantly higher than carteolol group (F=71.169 P<0.005) and control group (P<0.005). The conjunctival lymphatics were positive immunofluorescence stained with the 5'-Nase antibodies in the latanoprost group and not stained in the control group. CONCLUSION: Latanoprost eye drops can induce conjunctival lymphangiogenesis which may be concerned in clinical implications.

Association between the Polymorphisms of fads2a and fads2b and Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Fatty acid desaturase 2 (fads2) is one of the rate-limiting enzymes in PUFAs biosynthesis. Compared with the diploid fish encoding one fads2, the allo-tetraploid common carp, one most important food fish, encodes two fads2 genes (fads2a and fads2b). The associations between the contents of different PUFAs and the polymorphisms of fads2a and fads2b have not been studied. The contents of 12 PUFAs in common carp individuals were measured, and the polymorphisms in the coding sequences of fads2a and fads2b were screened. We identified five coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNPs) in fads2a and eleven cSNPs in fads2b. Using the mixed linear model and analysis of variance, a synonymous fads2a cSNP was significantly associated with the content of C20:3n-6. One non-synonymous fads2b cSNP (fads2b.751) and one synonymous fads2b cSNP (fads2b.1197) were associated with the contents of seven PUFAs and the contents of six PUFAs, respectively. The heterozygous genotypes in both loci were associated with higher contents than the homozygous genotypes. The fads2b.751 genotype explained more phenotype variation than the fads2b.1197 genotype. These two SNPs were distributed in one haplotype block and associated with the contents of five common PUFAs. These results suggested that fads2b might be the major gene responding to common carp PUFA contents and that fads.751 might be the main effect SNP. These cSNPs would be potential markers for future selection to improve the PUFA contents in common carp.