Research status of Bowman layer transplantation in the treatment of keratoconus / 中华实验眼科杂志

The Bowman membrane separates the corneal epithelium from the anterior stroma.It may be closely associated with retaining corneal transparency and stabilizing corneal morphology and biomechanics.Keratoconus presents with histopathological manifestations such as disruption of the Bowman membrane and stromal collagen filling.Bowman layer transplantation is a new type of keratoplasty for patients with progressive severe keratoconus who show no good efficacy after corneal contact lenses treatment and are not suitable for ultraviolet corneal cross-linking and corneal ring implantation therapy.The procedure uses an intact eye or anterior lamellar corneal implant as the donor and the implant is implanted into the corneal stroma of the affected eye using the stromal bed or stromal pocket method.Complications include intraoperative corneal perforation and acute postoperative corneal edema.The postoperative 5-year overall surgical success rate is 84%, with significant improvement in visual quality and corneal morphology, as well as prevention of disease progression and delay or avoidance of penetrating keratoplasty and deep lamellar keratoplasty.Bowman layer transplantation has the advantages of minimal trauma and few intraoperative and postoperative complications, but this surgical technique requires a high degree of precision and is difficult.The theoretical basis of Bowman layer transplantation, the latest surgical techniques and the prognosis and regression were reviewed in this article.

Research progress on the diagnosis and treatment of demodex blepharitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Demodex is one of the most common parasites in the human body. It can be classified into demodex folliculorum and demodex brevis based on the parasitic sites. It is an opportunistic pathogenic microorganism, and clinical symptoms may not appear in part of infected people, but the parasite can cause multiple common ocular diseases represented by blepharitis. Its typical symptoms include dry eyes, foreign body sensation in eyes, secretion attached to eyelashes, and ocular surface irritation. The diagnosis of demodex blepharitis should be based on the clinical manifestations and the results of etiological tests. The treatment is related to many kinds of drugs including plant essential oil and physical therapy. At present, diagnosing and treating demodex blepharitis is increasingly sophisticated, but the relationship between demodex infection and its pathogenicity remains unclear. This paper summarizes the current characteristics of demodex and the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment, and existing issues of demodex blepharitis, hoping to provide a reference for future studies in demodex.

Effect of three-dimensional motion platform training on balance and walking function of stroke patients / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of three-dimensional motion platform training on balance and walking function of stroke patients. MethodsFrom August, 2021 to August, 2022, 80 stroke patients from Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University were selected and randomly divided into control group (n = 40) and experimental group (n = 40). The control group received routine rehabilitation training, and the experimental group received three-dimensional motion platform training on the basis of routine rehabilitation training. Before and four weeks after treatment, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) and 3D gait analysis (step speed, step frequency, percentage of standing phases on the affected side, percentage of double support phase) were used to assess the balance and walking function of patients. ResultsFour weeks after treatment, the scores of BBS, FAC, and step speed, step frequency, percentage of standing phases on the affected side and percentage of double support phase significantly improved in both groups (|t| > 4.423, |Z| > 5.292, P < 0.001), and they were better in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 3.748, |Z| = 2.646, P < 0.05). ConclusionThree-dimensional motion platform training could facilitate to improve the balance and walking function of stroke patients.

Assessment of the diagnostic value and prognosis of different detection markers in endocervical adenocarcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To study the diagnostic value of different detection markers in histological categories of endocervical adenocarcinoma (ECA), and their assessment of patient prognosis. Methods: A retrospective study of 54 patients with ECA in the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from 2005-2010 were performed. The cases of ECA were classified into two categories, namely human papillomavirus-associated adenocarcinoma (HPVA) and non-human papillomavirus-associated adenocarcinoma (NHPVA), based on the 2018 international endocervical adenocarcinoma criteria and classification (IECC). To detect HR-HPV DNA and HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA in all patients, we used whole tissue section PCR (WTS-PCR) and HPV E6/E7 mRNA in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques, respectively. Additionally, we performed Laser microdissection PCR (LCM-PCR) on 15 randomly selected HR-HPV DNA-positive cases to confirm the accuracy of the above two assays in identifying ECA lesions. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the efficacy of markers to identify HPVA and NHPVA. Univariate and multifactorial Cox proportional risk model regression analyses were performed for factors influencing ECA patients' prognoses. Results: Of the 54 patients with ECA, 30 were HPVA and 24 were NHPVA. A total of 96.7% (29/30) of HPVA patients were positive for HR-HPV DNA and 63.3% (19/30) for HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA, and 33.3% (8/24) of NHPVA patients were positive for HR-HPV DNA and HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA was not detected (0/24), and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). LCM-PCR showed that five patients were positive for HR-HPV DNA in the area of glandular epithelial lesions and others were negative, which was in good agreement with the E6/E7 mRNA ISH assay (Kappa=0.842, P=0.001). Analysis of the ROC results showed that the AUC of HR-HPV DNA, HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA, and p16 to identify HPVA and NHPVA were 0.817, 0.817, and 0.692, respectively, with sensitivities of 96.7%, 63.3%, and 80.0% and specificities of 66.7%, 100.0%, and 58.3%, respectively. HR-HPV DNA identified HPVA and NHPVA with higher AUC than p16 (P=0.044). The difference in survival rates between HR-HPV DNA (WTS-PCR assay) positive and negative patients was not statistically significant (P=0.156), while the difference in survival rates between HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA positive and negative patients, and p16 positive and negative patients were statistically significant (both P<0.05). Multifactorial Cox regression analysis showed that International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) staging (HR=19.875, 95% CI: 1.526-258.833) and parametrial involvement (HR=14.032, 95% CI: 1.281-153.761) were independent factors influencing the prognosis of patients with ECA. Conclusions: HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA is more reflective of HPV infection in ECA tissue. The efficacy of HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA and HR-HPV DNA (WTS-PCR assay) in identifying HPVA and NHPVA is similar, with higher sensitivity of HR-HPV DNA and higher specificity of HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA. HR-HPV DNA is more effective than p16 in identifying HPVA and NHPVA. HPV E6/E7 mRNA and p16 positive ECA patients have better survival rates than negative.

Long-term influence of donor graft thickness and size on corneal endothelial cell density of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To explore the long-term influence of donor central graft thickness (CGT) and donor graft size on corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).Methods:An observational case series study was conducted.One hundred and forty-four eyes of 134 patients who underwent DSAEK in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2013 to December 2017 with at least 24-month follow-up were enrolled.Preoperative donor ECD was evaluated by specular microscopy, and ECD was determined by in vivo confocal microscopy at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively.Donor CGT was measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography.According to the 3-month postoperative donor CGT, the subjects were divided into thinner graft group (45 eyes with CGT<100 μm), medium-thick graft group (66 eyes with CGT≥100-<150 μm) and thicker graft group (33 eyes with CGT≥150 μm). According to the donor trephination size, the subjects were divided into smaller graft group (31 eyes with trephination size≥7-<8 mm) and larger graft group (113 eyes with trephination size≥8-<9 mm). The changes of the donor CGT and corneal endothelial cell loss rate were compared at different time points after surgery.The relationships between 24-month postoperative ECD and donor ECD, donor graft size and donor CGT were analyzed.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University Third Hospital (No.IRB00006761-2008025). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to any medical examination. Results:The donor CGT was 129.0 (90.8, 160.8), 115.5 (93.0, 146.0), 115.5 (89.0, 151.0), 112.5 (94.3, 146.8) and 114.0 (89.0, 144.5) μm at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery, showing a statistically significant difference ( H=37.369, P<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between 1-month and 3-month postoperative CGT ( P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the endothelial cell loss rate among the three different donor CGT groups and between the two different donor graft size groups at any postoperative time points (all at P>0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the 24-month postoperative ECD was strongly positively correlated with the preoperative donor ECD( rs=0.783, P<0.001), which was not associated with donor graft size and donor CGT ( rs=0.141, P=0.093; rs=-0.044, P=0.600). Conclusions:Larger postoperative ECD is correlated with larger preoperative ECD of donor graft.Lower long-term corneal endothelial cell loss rate after DSAEK is associated with thinner and larger diameter of donor graft.

Progress in the treatment of ocular graft-versus-host disease / 中华实验眼科杂志

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective therapy for the treatment of hematological benign and malignant tumors, but the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) will affect the whole organs and tissues, causing serious damages to the patient's body.This not only seriously affects the life quality of patients, but also increases the mortality of patients after transplantation.Ocular GVHD is a manifestation of ocular rejection, and 60%-90% of patients with chronic GVHD are accompanied by ocular GVHD, the manifestations of which are dry eye, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and so on.Severe ocular GVHD can cause vision loss.But there is no unified treatment standard at present.The commonly used treatments include artificial tears, autologous serum eye drops, topical glucocorticoid, topical immunosuppressive agents, punctal occlusion, and contact lens wearing.The treatment progress of ocular GVHD was reviewed in this article.

Research advances in new technologies in targeted protein degradation / 药学学报

In recent years, the targeted protein degradation technology has developed quickly, with proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) as the best-known strategy through exploring the ubiquitin-proteasome system. A number of new targeted protein degradation strategies have been emerging to expand the scope of protein degradation technology, including lysosome-targeting chimeras (LYTACs), autophagy-targeting chimeras (AUTACs), autophagosome-tethering compounds (ATTECs) and chimeras based on chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). The emerging methodologies have explored another important protein degradation system in eukaryotes-lysosomal systems, such as the endosome-lysosome pathway and the autophagy-lysosome pathway. This review summaries the mechanisms and features of different strategies for targeted protein degradation, with a special emphasis on the new targeted protein degradation technologies, such as their current status, advantages and limitations.

Knowledge about, attitude and acceptance towards, and predictors of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among cancer patients in Eastern China: A cross-sectional survey / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a serious impact on health all over the world. Cancer patient, whose immunity is often compromised, faces a huge challenge. Currently, some COVID-19 vaccines are being developed and applied on general population; however, whether cancer patients should take COVID-19 vaccine remains unknown. Our study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude, acceptance, and predictors of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among cancer patients in Eastern China.@*METHODS@#A cross-sectional study was conducted in Eastern China from June 17th to September 3rd, 2021. Patients were selected using a convenience sampling method. A self-report questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine, attitude towards the vaccine and acceptance of the vaccine; following a review of similar studies previously published in the scientific literature, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.@*RESULTS@#A total of 2158 cancer patients were enrolled in this study. The rate of vaccine hesitancy was 24.05% (519/2158); further, among the participants of vaccine acceptance, 767 had taken COVID-19 vaccine (35.54%), and 872 were willing to get vaccinated (40.01%). A total of 24 variables including demographic characteristics, clinical status of cancer, impact of COVID-19 pandemic on study participants, patients' knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine, and attitude towards the vaccine, had significant differences between the "vaccine hesitancy" population and "vaccine acceptance" population. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that parameters including alcohol consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 1.849; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.375-2.488; P-reference [P-Ref] < 0.001 vs non-drinkers), income impacted by COVID-19 pandemic (OR = 1.930, 2.037 and 2.688 for mild, moderate, and severe impact, respectively; all P-Ref < 0.01 vs no impact), knowledge of how the vaccine was developed (OR = 1.616; 95% CI: 1.126-2.318; P-Ref = 0.009 vs unknown), believing in the safety of the vaccine (OR = 1.502; 95% CI: 1.024-2.203; P-Ref = 0.038 vs denying the safety of vaccine), willingness to pay for the vaccine (OR = 3.042; 95% CI: 2.376-3.894; P-Ref < 0.001 vs unwilling), and willingness to recommend families and friends to get vaccinated (OR = 2.744; 95% CI: 1.759-4.280; P-Ref < 0.001 vs do not recommend) were contributors to vaccine acceptance. While such as being retired (OR = 0.586; 95% CI: 0.438-0.784; P-Ref < 0.001 vs unemployed), undergoing multiple therapies of cancer (OR = 0.408; 95% CI: 0.221-0.753; P-Ref = 0.004 vs no ongoing treatment), and worrying that the vaccine might deteriorate the prognosis of cancer (OR = 0.393; 95% CI: 0.307-0.504; P-Ref < 0.001 vs might not) were contributors to vaccine hesitancy.@*CONCLUSION@#This study provided preliminary estimates of the rates of vaccine acceptance and vaccine hesitancy among cancer patients in Eastern China. The intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was impacted by factors such as patient occupation, alcohol consumption, and some parts of knowledge about and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine. It is recommended to develop individualized vaccination plans that meet the healthcare needs of cancer patients.

Study on the regulatory effect of active ingredient group from Periploca forrestii Schltr.Compound on collagin-induced arthritis rats based on gut microbiota / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the therapeutie effect thritis (CIA) rats based on the variation of gut micro- of active ingredient group ( AIG) in the compounds biota.Methods CIA model rats were induced by in- from Periploca forrestii Schltr.on collagin-induced ar- jection of emulsion containing bovine type II collagen.anrl enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) was used to investigate the changes of TNF-a and IL-6 in ankle joint of rats in each group.Meanwhile, the gut microbial communities were measured using 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology and its function was predicted by KEGG.Results AIG could signifi¬cantly restrain inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue proliferation in synovial tissues of CIA rats,and allevi¬ate joint swelling while significantly reducing the con¬tents of IL-6 and TNF-a in ankle joint of CIA rats.The analysis of gut microbial communities showed that AIG could increase the relative abundances of Bacte- roidetes, Alloprevotella and Prevotella _9 , and decrease the relative abundances of 1 1 genera such as Dubosiel- la, Lachnospiraceae_NKAA 136_group, etc.in CIA rats.The functional prediction showed that AIG coulrl influ¬ence apoptosis and other signaling pathways.Conclu¬sions AIG can obviously alleviate joint swelling, re¬strain inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue prolifera¬tion in joint synovium of CIA rats,and repair the disor¬dered gut microbiota structure of CIA rats, while affecting its apoptosis pathway and restore the body immunity.

1,25-dihvdroxy vitamin D3 ameliorates neutrophilic asthma by regulating NLRP3/caspase-l/GSDMD signal axis / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on airway inflammation in a mouse model of neutrophilic asthma and its influence on the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signal axis.Methods Twenty-four female SPF BALB/c mice were selected and randomly(random number table method)divided into three groups:normal control group(A),model group(B),and intervention treatment group(C),with eight mice in each group.An animal model of mouse neutrophilic asthma was made by the method induced by chicken ovalbumin(OVA)combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Group C was given 0.1% 1,25-(OH)2D3 intraperitoneal injection(4 μg·kg-1)before each OVA challenge.A noninvasive pulmonary function test was performed to assess airway responsiveness,and lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were collected.HE staining and AB-PAS staining of lung tissues were performed to observe the pathological changes and airway mucus secretion.Total inflammatory cell count and classification were carried out,and the levels of IL-1β,IL-18,and IL-17 in BALF were detected.Immunohistochemistry staining of Ly-6G was done to confirm the presence of neutrophils in lung.The protein expressions of NLRP3,caspase-1,and GSDMD in lung tissues were determined by Western blot.Results The levels of IL-1β,IL-18,IL-17 in BALF in treatment group was lower than that in model group(P<0.05),and the proportion of neutrophils in BALF was lower than that in model group.Lung histology suggested that airway inflammation in treatment group was less than that in model group.In treatment group,AHR was significantly reduced; NLRP3,caspase-1,GSDMD protein expression levels were significantly lower than those in model group(P<0.05).Conclusions 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 reduces airway inflammation and inflammatory cytokine secretion in mice with neutrophil asthma,and inhibits the expression of NLRP3,caspase-1 and GSDMD in lung.1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 may improve neutrophilic asthma by regulating the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signal axis.

Insights into immune mechanisms of ocular graft-versus-host disease / 中华实验眼科杂志

Ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, the diagnostic criteria for ocular GVHD are controversial and mainly based on clinical experience.Objective and reliable diagnostic parameters for this disease are limited.As a result, most patients can not get early diagnosis and effective management.Tear cytokine profile analysis is a safe, convenient and noninvasive examination which reflects immune mechanisms of systemic and ocular diseases.Levels of certain cytokines in tear can serve as specific biomarkers of GVHD and thus have the potential to act as accurate diagnostic and prognostic tools.In this article, the current status of ocular GVHD diagnosis was summarized, the role of cytokines in immune mechanism and diagnosis of ocular GVHD were reviewed.

Paying close attention to advanced researches of ocular surface mucin and significance in the diagnosis and management of dry eye / 中华实验眼科杂志

As an important part of the tear film, mucin can be divided into secretory mucin and membrane-associated mucin according to different functions.Secretory mucin, secreted by goblet cells, plays a key role in maintaining the stability of the tear film, antimicrobial properties and ocular surface protection.Membrane-associated mucin, expressed by corneal conjunctival epithelium, plays a key role in maintaining the stability of the tear film, barrier, and signal transduction.Quality or quantity abnormal of mucin may damage the stability of tear film, leading to dry eye.While dry eye may damage the integrity of the epithelium of ocular surface, resulting in exacerbation of mucin abnormalities.The detection methods of mucin include tear ferning test, ocular surface staining, impression cytology, confocal microscopy, tear break-up time, and quantitative detection of mucin.P2Y2 receptor agonists and mucin secretion agonists can improve mucin secretion.Ophthalmologists should understand the basic characteristics and functions of ocular surface mucin and pay close attention to current clinical examination and its association with dry eye in order to push forward the related study and develop the precise diagnosis and therapeutic methods for mucin deficiency dry eye as well as the comprehensive therapies of mixed type, midrate to severe dry eye and immune-associated dry eye.

New understanding and trends in the diagnosis and management of dry eye / 中华实验眼科杂志

An expert consensus about the clinical diagnosis and treatment of dry eye was documented in 2013 by a corneal expert group of Chinese Ophthalmological Society.However, due to the rapid development of diagnostic and therapeutic devices of dry eye, researoh on dry eye has made significont progress in China since then.Consequently, the existing expert consensus cannot meet the needs of clinical practice.It is therefore urgent to develop a series of standardized diagnosis and treatment protocols, and publish a new consensus of experts and an operating guideline.At the same time, basic, clinical, and translational research on dry eye should be promoted to provide better services to the patients with dry eyes.On January 12, 2019 many experts in the field of dry eye in China held a panel discussion of dry eye study in Guangzhou to analyze the current development status and trends in the field of dry eye in China and abroad.In that meeting, opinions and recommendations were put forward based on a new understanding of the definition of dry eye, new concepts of dysfunctional dry eye, advances its diagnosis and classification, refinement and standardization of dry eye treatment, and the future development of dry eye research.

Application of WeChat in Following-up after Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To apply WeChat platform for discharged patients after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. Methods:From October, 2018 to February, 2019, 84 patients accepted gynecological laparoscopic surgery were followed up with telephone (control group, n = 42) or WeChat (WeChat group, n = 42) from discharge to three to four weeks after surgery. They were assessed with Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Affectometer 2 on the day of discharge and the last day of follow-up. Results:Seven cases lost in the control group. The comprehensive satisfaction and satisfaction to recovery were better in WeChat group than in the control group (χ2 > 4.614, P < 0.05). The scores of SAS, SDS and Affectometer 2 improved in WeChat group (|t| > 16.255, P < 0.001), and were better than those in the control group (|t| > 10.293, P < 0.001). There were no significant improvement in the control group (|t| < 1.950, P > 0.05). Conclusion:Follow-up based on WeChat platform is effective on psychological recovery and satisfaction after gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

Research on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome of coronavirus disease 2019 based on expert experience research / 第二军医大学学报

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played an important role in the frontline of epidemic prevention and control. At present, the theory of COVID-19 in the domestic TCM community is in a state of booming. This article summarizes and analyzes the main viewpoints of the representative TCM experts on COVID-19, such as disease name, disease nature, pathogenesis, treatment principles and methods, and prescriptions. Most experts believe that COVID-19 belongs to the "wet poison epidemic". "Wet poison" is the pathological core of COVID-19, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis. However, some experts have proposed to explore the pathogenesis of COVID-19 from the perspectives of "excessive internal heat", "Qi failing to control body fluid", "warm heat" and so on. In addition, experts also have their own unique opinions on the disease location and the nature of COVID-19, which directly affect the treatment principles and methods and the choice of prescriptions. Based on the current research, we propose that it is necessary to understand the pathogenesis from the occurrence and development of the disease, to distinguish the different pathogenesis from the perspective of "three-cause measures", attach importance to blood stasis in prognosis of the disease, and achieve the unity of subjectivity and objectivity, personalization and standardization in TCM differentiation and treatment.

GG Genotype at rs1275988 and rs2586886 Loci of TWIK-related Acid-sensitive K Channel-1 Gene is A Potential Risk Factor for Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea / 中国医学科学院学报

To explore the mechanism of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) by assessing the association between human TWIK-related acid-sensitive K channel-1(TASK-1) gene and OSA. A total of 164 patients with severe OSA and 171 patients without OSA were recruited from the Hypertension Center of People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China,from April to December 2016.Two single nucleotide polymorphisms(rs1275988 and rs2586886) in the TASK-1 gene were selected and genotyped using a Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR genotyping system. In patients with blood potassium 3.95 mmol/L in patients with TASK-1 GG genotype may be conducive to reducing the incidence of severe OSA.

Regulation of γδT17 cells by Mycobacterium vaccae through interference with Notch/Jagged1 signaling pathway

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Mycobacterium vaccae on Jagged 1 and gamma delta T17 (γδT17) cells in asthmatic mice. An asthma mouse model was established through immunization with ovalbumin (OVA). Gamma-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) was used to block the Notch signaling pathway. M. vaccae was used to treat asthma, and related indicators were measured. Blocking Notch signaling inhibited the production of γδT17 cells and secretion of cytokine interleukin (IL)-17, which was accompanied by a decrease in Jagged1 mRNA and protein expression in the treated asthma group compared with the untreated asthma group. Similarly, treatment with M. vaccae inhibited Jagged1 expression and γδT17 cell production, which was associated with decreased airway inflammation and reactivity. The Notch signaling pathway may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma through the induction of Jagged1 receptor. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of M. vaccae on Jagged1 receptor in γδT17 cells could be used for the prevention and treatment of asthma.

Genetic variants of rs1275988 and rs2586886 in TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+ channel-1 gene may be potential risk factors for obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains not fully understood. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of OSA by assessing the association between the human tandem of P domains in a weak inwardly rectifying K channel (TWIK)-related acid-sensitive K channel-1 (TASK-1) gene and OSA.@*METHODS@#A total of 164 patients with severe OSA and 171 patients without OSA were recruited from the Center for Hypertension of People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (China) from April to December in 2016. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1275988 and rs2586886) in the TASK-1 gene were selected and genotyped using a kompetitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction genotyping system. Clinical-pathological characteristics and genotype data were compared between the severe and non-OSA groups to explore the association between TASK-1 gene polymorphism and severe OSA.@*RESULTS@#There were no significant differences in genotype distribution, allele frequency, and the recessive and dominant model of the two selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1275988 and rs2586886) between the severe and non-OSA groups in the total population (P > 0.05). However, for patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥28 kg/m, the distribution of genotypes and alleles, and the recessive model (GG + GA vs. AA) exhibited significant differences between the severe and non-OSA group (for genotypes: P = 0.014 and P = 0.026; for alleles: P = 0.006 and P = 0.011; for the recessive model: P = 0.005 and P = 0.009, respectively). The simple logistic regression analysis revealed that the GG genotype was a risk factor for OSA. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 4.902 (1.582-15.186, P = 0.006) for rs1275988 and 4.420 (1.422-13.734, P = 0.010) for rs2586886, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the combination of GG genotypes of rs1275988 with BMI ≥28 kg/m increased the risk of severe OSA (OR = 8.916, 95% CI 4.506-17.645, P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#Both the GG genotype of rs1275988 and GG genotype of rs2586886 in the TASK-1 gene may play as potential risk factors in obese patients with OSA.

Expression of autophagy-related protein Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 2 light chain 3 in periodontal ligament cells in orthodontic tooth pressure areas / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression of autophagy-related protein Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 2 light chain 3 (LC3Ⅱ) in periodontal ligament cells in orthodontic tooth pressure areas.@*METHODS@#Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group and nine experimental groups. In the experimental groups, 0.392 N orthodontic force was used to move the first right upper molars for 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, or 7 d. The blank control group did not receive any treatment. The rats were euthanized. Changes in the morphology of the periodontal membrane in the pressure areas were observed through hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3Ⅱ were detected by immunohistochemical staining, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was performed for the counting of osteoclasts.@*RESULTS@#The HE stains showed that the hyalinization of the periodontal ligament appeared in the pressure areas after 1 day of exertion and was gradually aggravated. The immunohistochemical stains showed that the expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3Ⅱ in the experimental groups gradually increased, peaked after 1 h, and then gradually decreased. The expression levels peaked again after 1 d, then decreased to baseline levels at 7 d of exertion. Beclin-1 and LC3Ⅱ were expressed in the osteoclasts. The TRAP stains indicated that the number of osteoclasts started to increase after 1 day.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Autophagy may participate in the process of periodontal ligament reconstruction in orthodontic tooth pressure areas by mediating the hyalinization of periodontal ligament and affecting the biological effects of osteoclasts.

Research Progress on Detection Methods of Amphetamines in Human Hair / 法医学杂志

Amphetamines are chemical synthetic drugs that are becoming increasingly popular in China. As a common sample in the inspection of poisons, hair has the advantages of easy storage, good stability, and long detection time compared with traditional human body fluid samples （blood, urine）, thus possesses an unique application value in the field of forensic toxicology analysis. By now, methods for detecting amphetamines in human hair have been widely used, and validity of the results has been recognized and adopted by the court. This paper reviews domestic and foreign research progress of the detection of amphetamines in hair samples, including the pretreatment and analytic methods.