Using Mendelian randomization to explore the causal association between gut microbiota and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / 安徽医科大学学报

Objective To explore the causal association between gut microbes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)by Mendelian randomisation analysis.Methods Genetic instrumental variables for gut microbiota were identified from a gene-wide association study of 18 340 participants,and summary statistics for NAFLD were ob-tained from the FinnGen database,which provided data on 894 NAFLD cases and 217 898 controls using the IVW method as the primary analysis.In order to test the robustness of the results,MR-Egger method,WM method,Simple Mode method,Weighted Mode method were used for Mendelian randomisation analysis,and heterogeneity test,sensitivity analysis,and multiplicity analysis were performed.Results class Gammaproteobacteria IVW re-sults showed(OR=0.621,95％CI=0.412～0.934,P=0.022);family Enterobacteriaceae IVW results showed(OR=1.481,95％CI=1.069～2.053,P=0.018);genus Lachnospiraceae IVW results showed(OR=1.405,95％CI=1.036～1.904,P=0.029);genus Prevotella7 IVW results showed(OR=0.834,95％CI=0.714～0.974,P=0.021);genus Prevotella9 IVW results showed(OR=1.251,95％CI=1.025～1.527,P=0.027);order Desulfovibrionales IVW results showed(OR=0.714,95％CI=0.519～0.982,P=0.038);or-der Enterobacteriales IVW results showed(OR=1.481,95％CI=1.069～2.053,P=0.018).And there was no heterogeneity in the heterogeneity test,and the sensitivity analyses all showed robustness and no pleiotropy was found.Conclusion This study implicates class Gammaproteobacteria,family Enterobacteriaceae,genus Lachno-spiraceae,genus Prevotella7,genus Prevotella9,order Desulfovibrionales,order Enterobacteriales seven species of gut microorganisms have a causal relationship with NAFLD.

Effectiveness of health education for intracranial artery stenosis patients undergoing interventional diagnosis and treatment based on 3D modeling of cerebral blood vessels / 陆军军医大学学报

Objective To explore the effect of health education based on interactive 3D-modeling of intracranial artery on interventional diagnosis and treatment for patients with intracranial artery stenosis.Methods A total of 70 patients requiring interventional diagnosis and treatment due to intracranial artery stenosis admitted to our department in 2022 were enrolled,and randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 35 cases in each group.Their stenotic sites of intracranial arteries included the vertebral and middle cerebral arteries.The observation group received the preoperative conventional education mode combined with interactive 3D-modeling to carry out health education,while the control group got the unified education sheet and slides to carry out routine preoperative health education.A self-made publicity and education effectiveness rating scale was used to score before and after the publicity and education,and their scores of awareness of intracranial artery stenosis,awareness of treatment plans,and satisfaction with medical treatment were compared between the 2 groups.Results Before the health education,there was no statistical differences in their awareness scores concerning intracranial vessels(normal intracranial arteries,intracranial arterial occlusion,and vascular stenosis treatment)between the 2 groups patients.After the implementation of education,the awareness scores of intracranial vessels were elevated in both groups,but the awareness scores of the normal intracranial artery,intracranial artery occlusion,vascular stenosis treatment,and treatment satisfaction were significantly higher in the observation group than the control group(P＜0.05).Moreover,the patients with middle cerebral artery and vertebral artery stenosis from the observation group obtained obviously higher propaganda score than those from the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The health education model combined with 3D-modeling can improve the patient's awareness of the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial artery stenosis,promote their satisfaction of medical treatment,and thus increase their compliance and the rate of interventional diagnosis and treatment,and then finally,prevent strokes caused by intracranial artery stenosis.

Clinical Observation on Therapeutic Effect of Huatan Jieyu Anshen Decoction Combined with Abdominal Vibration Tuina Manipulations on Chronic Insomnia in the Elderly / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Huatan Jieyu Anshen Decoction(mainly with the actions of resolving phlegm,relieving depression and calming mind)combined with abdominal vibration tuina manipulations on chronic insomnia in the elderly.Methods Ninety-four cases of elderly patients with chronic insomnia of phlegm-heat harassing the interior type were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group,with 47 cases in each group.The control group was given Huatan Jieyu Anshen Decoction orally,while the observation group was given oral use of Huatan Jieyu Anshen Decoction combined with abdominal vibration tuina manipulations.The course of treatment for the two groups lasted for 4 weeks.Before and after the treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score,Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS)score,Fatigue Scale-14(FS-14)score,World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Brief Scale(WHOQOL-BREF)score,and the serum levels of melatonin(MT),dopamine(DA),and cortisol(CORT).After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 97.88%(46/47),while that of the control group was 87.23%(41/47),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the scores of primary and secondary TCM symptoms in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of the scores of primary and secondary TCM symptoms in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the PSQI scores,AIS scores,and FS-14 scores in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the WHOQOL-BREF scores were significantly increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of the PSQI scores,AIS scores and FS-14 scores as well as the increase of the WHOQOL-BREF scores in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the serum MT level of both groups was significantly higher than that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the serum DA and CORT levels were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05).The increase in serum MT level and the decrease in serum DA and CORT levels of the observation group were significantly superior to those of the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion The combined therapy of Huatan Jieyu Anshen Decoction combined with vibration tuina manipulations can achieve satisfactory efficacy in the elderly patients with chronic insomnia of phlegm-heat harassing the interior syndrome.The therapy is effective on regulating the central nervous system of the patients,improving the quality of the sleep,and promoting the relief of fatigue and the enhancement of the quality of life,which has great significance to the enhancement of the overall therapeutic efficacy of insomnia.

Establishment and validation of embryo high-quality prediction models based on the third-day 340 nm absorbance embryo culture / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:A large number of previous studies have confirmed that a high concentration of metabolites is significantly correlated with embryo quality and clinical outcome,and the theory of silencing embryo development indicates that normally developed embryos maintain a low level of material exchange with the outside world during in vitro culture,while embryos often show abnormal metabolic activity due to stress repair mechanism when DNA damage occurs. OBJECTIVE:To establish and verify an embryo quality prediction model based on the third-day 340 nm absorbance embryo cultures to provide the basis for a more objective and accurate embryo quality assessment. METHODS:269 patients at the Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation from November 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them,on day 3,162 cases who had 873 optimal embryos and 214 high-quality blastocysts were included in the high-quality embryo group.On day 3,107 cases who had 859 non-optimal embryos and 214 non-high-quality blastocysts were included in the non-high-quality embryo group.Lambert-beer law was used to screen out the characteristic wavelength with distinguishing degree between superior and non-superior embryos,analyze its correlation and influence trend with high-quality embryos,and establish the clinical prediction model and validation of absorbance for high-quality and non-high-quality embryos at this wavelength. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was a significant difference in absorbance between high-quality and non-high-quality embryos at 340 nm on day 3(P<0.001),and a negative correlation was found with the formation of high-quality embryos on day 3(r=-0.486,P<0.001).The absorbance of high-quality and non-high-quality blastocyst at 340 nm was significantly different(P<0.05),and was negatively correlated with the formation of high-quality blastocyst(r=-0.642,P<0.001).(2)The optimal cut-off value of absorbance at 340 nm between high-quality and non-high-quality embryos on day 3 was 0.235.The area under the curve was 0.799.Sensitivity was 62.9%.Specificity was 78.0%.Accuracy was 70.5%.The optimum cutoff value of high-quality and non-high-quality blastocysts of absorbance at 340 nm was 0.175.The area under the curve was 0.871.Sensitivity was 74.3%.Specificity was 89.1%.Accuracy was 82.2%.(3)Restricted cubic spline curve analysis showed that when the absorbance of the culture medium at 340 nm was greater than 0.221,there was a significant positive trend on the formation of non-high-quality embryos at day 3,and when the absorbance of the culture medium at 340 nm was greater than 0.160,there was a significant positive trend on the formation of non-high-quality blastocysts.(4)The clinical decision curve and clinical influence curve showed that the absorbance of the culture medium at 340 nm had the maximum clinical net benefit for the prediction models of high-quality embryos and high-quality blastocysts on the third day when the valve probability was 0.18-0.95 and 0.16-1.00,respectively,and the ratio of loss to gain within the valve probability range was always less than 1.It is proven that the prediction model has good efficacy in clinical applications.The results of embryo transfer showed that the absorbance of embryo culture medium at 340 nm in non-pregnant patients was significantly higher than that in clinical pregnancy,biochemical pregnancy and early abortion patients(P<0.05).(5)The high-quality and non-high-quality embryo culture in 340 nm absorbance has a significant difference with correlation.The embryo quality prediction model has a certain clinical value and application effectiveness.The joint embryo morphology evaluation to a certain extent improves the objectivity and accuracy of embryo quality evaluation.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of male dermatomyositis patients with positive anti-melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 antibody / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of male with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) autoantibody.Methods:The clinical data of 246 patients with DM and anti-MDA5 autoantibodies hospitalized by Jiangsu Myositis Cooperation Group from 2017 to 2020 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square test was performed to compared between counting data groups; Quantitative data were expressed by M ( Q1, Q3), and rank sum test was used for comparison between groups; Single factor survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank test; Cox regression analysis were used for multivariate survival analysis. Results:①The male group had a higher proportion of rash at the sun exposure area [67.1%(47/70) vs 52.8%(93/176), χ2=4.18, P=0.041] and V-sign [50.0%(35/70) vs 30.7%(54/176), χ2=8.09, P=0.004] than the female group. The male group had higher levels of creatine kinase [112(18, 981)U/L vs 57 (13.6, 1 433)U/L, Z=-3.50, P<0.001] and ferritin [1 500 (166, 32 716)ng/ml vs 569 (18, 14 839)ng/ml, Z=-5.85, P<0.001] than the female group. The proportion of ILD [40.0%(28/70) vs 59.7%(105/176), χ2=7.82, P=0.020] patients and the red blood cell sedimentation rate[31.0(4.0, 101.5)mm/1 h vs 43.4(5.0, 126.5)mm/1 h, Z=-2.22, P=0.026] in the male group was lower than that of the female group, but the proportion of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (PR-ILD) [47.1%(33/70) vs 31.3%(55/176), χ2=5.51, P=0.019] was higher than that of the female group. ②In male patients with positive anti-MDA5 antibodies,the death group had a shorter course of disease[1.0(1.0, 3.0) month vs 2.5(0.5,84) month, Z=-3.07, P=0.002], the incidence of arthritis [16.7%(4/24) vs 42.2%(19/45), χ2=4.60, P=0.032] were low than those in survival group,while aspartate aminotransferase (AST)[64(22.1, 565)U/L vs 51(14,601)U/L, Z=-2.42, P=0.016], lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [485(24,1 464)U/L vs 352(170, 1 213)U/L, Z=-3.38, P=0.001], C-reactive protein (CRP) [11.6(2.9, 61.7) mg/L vs 4.95(0.6, 86.4) mg/L, Z=-1.96, P=0.050], and ferritin levels [2 000(681, 7 676) vs 1 125 (166, 32 716)ng/ml, Z=-3.18, P=0.001] were higher than those in the survival group, and RP-ILD [95.8%(23/24) vs 22.2%(10/45), χ2=33.99, P<0.001] occurred at a significantly higher rate. ③Cox regression analysis indicated that the course of disease LDH level, and RP-ILD were related factors for the prognosis of male anti-MDA5 antibodies [ HR (95% CI)=0.203(0.077, 0.534), P=0.001; HR (95% CI)=1.002(1.001, 1.004), P=0.003; HR (95% CI)=95.674 (10.872, 841.904), P<0.001]. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of male anti-MDA5 antibody-positive patients are different from those of female. The incidence of ILD is low, but the proportion of PR-ILD is high. The course of disease, serum LDH level, and RP-ILD are prognostic factors of male anti-MDA5 antibody-positive patients.

Diagnostic value of machine learning model based on 18F-FDG PET/CT for polymyalgia rheumatic / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of machine learning model based on 18F-FDG PET/CT for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Methods:From November 2014 to December 2022, 177 patients (119 males, 58 females; age: 67.0 ( 61.0, 72.0) years) admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the First People′s Hospital of Changzhou, with suspected PMR and undergoing 18F-FDG PET/CT examination were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were randomly divided into training set and validation set at the ratio of 7∶3. Three machine learning models, including classification and regression tree (CART), the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm, and logistic regression, were established based on the PET/CT imaging features to aid in the diagnosis of PMR. The diagnostic efficacy of each model was evaluated by ROC curve analysis and differences among AUCs were analyzed by Delong test. Results:There were 78(44.1%, 78/177) PMR patients and 99(55.9%, 99/177) non-PMR patients, and 124 patients in the training set and 53 patients in the validation set. The logistic regression model (training set: AUC=0.961; validation set: AUC=0.930) was superior to the CART (training set: AUC=0.902, z=2.96, P=0.003; validation set: AUC=0.844, z=2.46, P=0.014) in diagnosing PMR, and was similar to LASSO algorithm (training set: AUC=0.957, z=0.95, P=0.340; validation set: AUC=0.930, z=0.00, P=1.000), but with fewer sites evaluated. The simplified PMR-Logit score had the AUC of 0.951 in the overall population, with the sensitivity of 89.74%(70/78) and the specificity of 90.91%(90/99). Conclusion:Machine learning models based on 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging features are expected to be an effective diagnostic tool for PMR.

A modified procedure for replantation of severed digit-tips in Tamai zones I - II and the clinical effects / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of a modified surgical procedure for replantation of severed digit-tips in Tamai zones I-II.Methods:From November 2019 to October 2022, the Department of Hand and Foot Microsurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College employed a modified procedure (to abandon the anatomically labelling of blood vessels and nerves after naked-eye debridement and fracture fixation, then perform the microscopic dissections and anastomoses of blood vessels and nerves, and the anastomosis of dorsal veins though an auxiliary small incision by the lateral nail fold of the severed digit-tip) to replant severed digit-tips in Tamai zones I-II of 26 patients (29 digits). The patients were 20 males (23 digits) and 6 females (6 digits), aged 3-66 years old, with mean age at 28 years old. Nineteen digit-tips were severed in Tamai zone I and 10 in Tamai zone II. The severed digit-tips were 7 of thumbs, 9 of index fingers, 5 of middle fingers, 5 of ring fingers and 3 of little fingers. Causes of injury were 12 of cut, 8 of crush and 6 of avulsion. Postoperative management included infection prevention, antispasmodic for 3 days and keeping in bed for 5 days. The time of surgery was recorded on all patients. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted at outpatient clinics for 6 to 12 months to observe the survival of digit-tips and the appearance, recovery of sensation and motor functions, strength of digits and patient satisfaction.Results:(1)The surgical time was about 1.0 hour for replantation of a severed digit-tip in Tamai zone I, while it took about 1.5 hours for those in Tamai zone II. (2)Survival rate and appearance: all 29 replanted digit-tips survived, except 2 in Tamai zone I which encountered venous occlusion and survived after small incision for bloodletting. Twenty-two digit-tips gained pulp fat pads with full digit pulps. Four avulsed digit-tips had mild atrophy of pulp. The 15 digit-tips severed in Tamai zone I were about 2 mm shorter than the healthy sides, but without deformity. One digit-tip had poor nail appearance due to preoperative fungal infection of nail bed. (3)Sensory recovery: with the British Medical Research Council (BMRC), 23 digit-tips recovered to S 3+, and 2 digit-tips of avulsion and 1 digit-tip of crush recovered to S 3. TPD of the replanted digit-tips were: 4-7 mm in those of cut injury; 6-8 mm in those of crush and 9-11 mm in those of avulsion. (4)Motion and digit strength: results of functional assessment according to the total active mobility standard promoted by China's Society for Surgery of the Hand were: 21 cases of excellent and 5 of good, without pain in digit pulp when pinching and griping. The mobility of the digits with replanted digit-tips of both Tamai zones I and II were close to that of the healthy sides. The motions of the digits with replanted digit-tips in Tamai zone I were close to the healthy sides and the 5 of those in Tamai zone II had 0° in extension and 2°-3° in flexion, due to the severed plane at distal interphalangeal joint. (5)Patient satisfaction: 25 patients were satisfied, however 1 patient was dissatisfied to the poor function of the distal interphalangeal joint due to the severed thumb-tip in Tamai zone II. Conclusion:Modified replantation procedure for severed digit-tip in Tamai zones I-II has significant achievement in cutting down the surgical time through a modified procedure of debridement and fracture fixation (tendon suture) by naked-eyes operation first, followed by dissections and anastomoses of the blood vessels and nerves under the surgical microscope. The auxiliary small incision by the lateral nail fold of digit-tip in Tamai zone I facilitates an exposure of a constant, healthy lateral nail fold vein. It enables the anastomosis with a high-quality vein, hence improves the success rate of replantation. The appearance and function of the replanted digit-tip are found better in the severed digit-tips of cut injury than those with injuries of avulsion and crush.

Developing a prenatal health literacy tool for Filipino women

@#Pregnancy is a critical period in every woman's life. The health of both the mother and her unborn child is at stake, with poor access to needed prenatal care services. Obtaining prenatal care is affected by the pregnancy literacy of the expectant mother. However, the assessment tool for health literacy among Filipino pregnant women is limited. This paper aimed to examine existing maternal health literacy instruments. Hopefully, an adopted tool can be found for assessing prenatal health literacy. After examining existing maternal health literacy tools, 18 questions were suggested that can be further modified before they are used for Filipino pregnant women to assess their prenatal health literacy.

Effects of bisdemethoxycurcumin promoting neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells in mice and its mechanism / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of the curcumin derivative bisdemethoxycurcumin （BC） promoting neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells Neuro-2a （N2a） in mice and its mechanism. METHODS The effects of BC （1， 2， 4， 6， 8， 10 μmol/L） on the viability of N2a cells were detected by MTT assay to determine the concentration range of drug treatment. The control group， retinoic acid （RA） group （10 μmol/L） and BC groups （1， 2 and 4 μmol/L） were set up， and the length of neural protrusions of the differentiated cells was measured and the cell differentiation rate was calculated after 48 h and 72 h of culture. Compared with 0 min group， Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B （Akt）， extracellular- signal regulated kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38） proteins in cells treated by 4 μmol/L BC for 5， 15， 30， 60， 120 min. After intervention with inhibitors LY294002 （LY） and PD98059 （PD）， the effects of BC on Akt and ERK1/2 protein phosphorylation levels and promoting neural differentiation were further validated. RESULTS According to the MTT experiment， the BC concentrations for subsequent induction of cell differentiation were determined to be 1， 2， and 4 μmol/L. After 48 hours of differentiation， compared with the control group， the cell differentiation rate in RA group and BC 1， 2 and 4 μmol/L groups， the length of cellular neural processes wjxhhxx413@163.com in the BC 4 μmol/L group significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；after inducing differentiation of BC for 72 hours，compared with the control group， the cell differentiation rate and the length of cellular neural processes in the RA group， the cell differentiation rate in the BC 4 μmol/L group， and the length of cellular neural processes in the BC 2 μmol/L group all significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）.Compared with the 0 min group， the phosphorylation levels of Akt， ERK1/2， and p38 proteins in cells of the 5， 15， 30， 60 and 120 min groups increased to varying degrees after treated by 4 μmol/L BC， and some differences were statistically significant （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. After adding the inhibitor LY/PD， compared with the BC group， the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 protein in the PD+BC group cells were significantly reduced （P＜0.01）， and the cell differentiation rates in the LY group， LY+BC group， PD group， and PD+BC group was significantly reduced （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS BC promotes N2a cell differentiation mainly by increasing cell differentiation rate and neural protrusion length. The mechanism may be related to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/ ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Comparison of IOL Master 700 versus Lenstar LS900 for preoperative biometric measurement and intraocular lens calculation in cataract patients with high myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To compare the differences, correlations and consistency of IOL Master 700 or Lenstar LS900 in preoperative ocular biometry and the accuracy of intraocular lens(IOL)degree calculation of cataract patients with high myopia.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 136 cases(136 eyes)of high myopia and cataract patients who underwent phacoemulsification at the ophthalmology department of Army Medical Center of PLA from March 2021 to March 2023 were collected, with a mean age of 57.38±8.08 years. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on axial length(AL): 41 eyes in group A(26 mm≤ AL ≤28 mm), 43 eyes in group B(28 mm&#x003C; AL ≤30 mm)and 52 eyes in group C(AL &#x003E;30 mm). AL, mean keratometry(Km), anterior chamber depth(ACD), lens thickness(LT)and white-to-white(WTW)were preoperatively measured by two instruments, respectively. Barrett Universal II formula was used to calculate the IOL degrees of all patients, the appropriate reserved diopter was decided individually, and the prediction error(PE)and absolute error(AE)of the two instruments were compared.RESULTS:The AL and ACD of patients in the three groups measured by Lenstar LS900 were higher than the AL measurd by IOL Master 700(all P&#x003C;0.05), with a difference of AL measured by the two devices: group C&#x003E;group B&#x003E;group A. However, there was no statistical significance in LT, Km, and WTW measured by the two instruments(all P&#x003E;0.05). All biometric parameters measured by the two devices were positively correlated(all r&#x003E;0.9, P&#x003C;0.05), and consistent(95% LoA of all groups were narrow). There was no statistically significant difference in AE calculated by the two devices(P&#x003E;0.05), but the IOL Master 700 calculated a smaller PE than Lenstar LS900(P&#x003C;0.05), with lower percentage of hyperopic shift in IOL Master 700.CONCLUSION:In cataract patients with high myopia, AL measured by Lenstar LS900 is longer than that by IOL Master 700, and the differences of AL increase along with the growth of AL. Both devices have a good prediction for IOL calculation, but IOL Master 700 has less refractive error, lower percentage of hyperopic shift, and greater clinical advantages IOL Master 700.

Intermittent heat exposure induces thoracic aorta injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats by activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of different manners of heat exposure on thoracic aorta injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and explore the underlying mechanism.@*METHODS@#Normal 6 to 7-week-old male SHRs were randomized into control group (cage at room temperature), intermittent heat exposure group (SHR-8 group, exposed to 32 ℃ for 8 h daily for 7 days) and SHR-24 group (with continuous exposure to 32 ℃ for 7 days). After the treatments, the pathologies of the thoracic aorta of the rats were observed with HE staining, and the expressions of Beclin1, LC3B and p62 were detected with Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay; TUNEL staining was used to observe cell apoptosis in the thoracic aorta, and the expressions of caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 were detected using Western blotting. The effects of intraperitoneal injections of 3-MA (an autophagy agonist), rapamycin (an autophagy inhibitor) or compound C 30 min before intermittent heat exposure on the expressions of proteins associated with autophagy, apoptosis and the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway in the aorta were examined with immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#In SHR-8 group, the rats showed incomplete aortic intima with disordered cell distribution and significantly increased expressions of Beclin1, LC3II/LC3I and Bax, lowered expressions of p62 and Bcl-2, and increased apoptotic cells in the thoracic aorta (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with 3-MA obviously inhibited the expressions of autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins, whereas rapamycin promoted their expressions. Compared with the control group, the rats in SHR-8 group had significantly down-regulated p-mTOR and up-regulated p-AMPK and p-ULK1 expression of in the aorta; Treatment with compound C obviously lowered the expressions of p-AMPK and p-ULK1 and those of LC3B and Beclin1 as well.@*CONCLUSION@#In SHRs, intermittent heat exposure causes significant pathologies and promotes autophagy and apoptosis in the thoracic aorta possibly by activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway.

Application of deep learning artificial intelligence in the auxiliary diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Since the advent of artificial intelligence(AI), it has been increasingly applied and rapidly developed in various fields. In the field of medicine, image features can be automatically extracted and the performance of feature learning and classification can be completed with the help of AI. In the field of ocular fundus disease, AI can give a diagnosis of age-related maculopathy by analyzing and identifying fundus photography and optical coherence tomography with an accuracy rate similar to that of ophthalmologists. In the future, AI may assist physicians in making a diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration, aid basic hospital in screening and curb its progression in the early stage of the disease. However, the technique has problems such as uncertain model recognition performance, opaque operation process, and excessive amount of clinical data required, which still cannot be widely used in the clinic. In recent years, a lot of research has been done in China in the application of deep learning with AI to assist diagnosis of ophthalmic diseases, and the results show that AI combined with imaging analysis of ophthalmic diseases has such characteristics as objectivity, efficiency and accuracy. In this article, studies on deep learning in the auxiliary diagnosis of age-related maculopathy are reviewed, and the progress on its application and the limitations that exist are analyzed, so as to provide more information on the use and extension of AI in this disease.

Difference and consistency of corneal refractive power and astigmatism in cataract patients measured by CASIA2 and IOL Master 700 / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To compare the difference and consistency of corneal refractive power and astigmatism measured by CASIA2 and IOL Master 700 in patients with age-related cataract.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 153 patients(232 eyes)with age-related cataract admitted to Daping hospital from November to December 2021 were selected. The flat keratometry(Kf), steep keratometry(Ks), mean keratometry(Km), degree and axis of astigmatism(vector representation J0 and J45)of the anterior, posterior surfaces together with the total cornea from cataract patients were measured by CASIA2 and IOL Master 700, respectively. The difference, correlation and consistency of the two instruments were analyzed.RESULTS:There was no significant difference in J45 values of posterior corneal surface measured by CASIA2 and IOL Master 700(-0.006±0.038D vs. -0.005±0.044D, P&#x003E;0.05), but there were significant differences in other parameters(all P&#x003C;0.05). All parameters measured by the two instruments were significantly positive correlated(all r/rs&#x003E;0.7, P&#x003C;0.001); Bland-Altman analysis showed that the refractive power and astigmatism of the anterior cornea surface measured by the two facilities were in good consistency, while the refractive power of the posterior surface and the whole cornea showed poor consistency.CONCLUSION: CASIA2 and IOL Master 700 showed little differences and good consistency in the refractive power and astigmatism of the anterior, posterior and total corneal surface in cataract patients, which seems interchangeable. However, the refractive power of the posterior surface and the whole cornea has significant differences and poor consistency, which should not be interchange casually.

Progress and prospect of heart transplantation in children / 器官移植

Pediatric heart transplantation is the standard treatment for children complicated with refractory heart failure which is difficult to be treated by conventional surgery or drugs. At present, an increasing quantity of pediatric heart transplantation is being performed worldwide, whereas relevant experience is still lacking in China. In recent 10 years, significant progress has been achieved in pediatric heart transplantation. On one hand, the number of pediatric heart transplantation has been increased year by year. On the other hand, ABO-incompatible heart transplantation, application of ventricular assist device in children, and recipient-donor weight mismatch transplantation have been widely employed to resolve the shortage of donor heart in pediatric heart transplantation. However, relevant experience of pediatric heart transplantation is lacking in China, especially in understanding the indications of pediatric heart transplantation and the application of specific strategies for pediatric heart transplantation, etc. In this article, the development history, advances in therapeutic strategy and clinical prognosis of pediatric heart transplantation were reviewed.

Risk factors and predictive analysis of hyperkalemia after heart transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To analyze clinical prognosis, risk factors and predictive indexes of hyperkalemia in recipients after heart transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 158 recipients were retrospectively analyzed. According to the serum potassium levels within postoperative 1-year follow-up, all recipients were divided into the normal serum potassium level group (n=83), hyperkalemia group (n=43) and severe hyperkalemia group (n=32). The incidence and prognosis of hyperkalemia after heart transplantation were summarized. The risk factors and predictive indexes of hyperkalemia after heart transplantation were identified. Results The incidence of hyperkalemia and severe hyperkalemia within postoperative 1 year was 47.5%(75/158) and 20.3%(32/158), respectively. In the severe hyperkalemia group, the fatality was 16%(5/32), higher than 8%(7/83) in the normal serum potassium level group and 7%(3/43) in the hyperkalemia group. The mean serum creatinine (Scr) within 6 months before heart transplantation, the final total bilirubin level before heart transplantation, postoperative hemodialysis time, the Scr level and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level at postoperative 1 d were the independent risk factors for hyperkalemia following heart transplantation (all P < 0.05). The mean Scr level within 6 months before heart transplantation, postoperative hemodialysis time, and Scr levels at postoperative 1 and 7 d could be used to predict postoperative severe hyperkalemia. Conclusions The recipients with severe hyperkalemia after heart transplantation obtain poor prognosis. The mean Scr level within 6 months before heart transplantation, the final total bilirubin level before heart transplantation, postoperative hemodialysis time, and the Scr level and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level at postoperative 1 d are the independent risk factors for hyperkalemia after heart transplantation. Perioperative Scr level and postoperative hemodialysis time may be used to predict the incidence of severe hyperkalemia within 1 year after heart transplantation.

Cembranoids and their bioactivities in soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum / 中国中药杂志

Chemical constituents in soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum were separated and purified by various chromatographic methods. Based on the spectral data, physicochemical properties, and comparison with the data reported in the literature, nine cembranoids, including a new cembranoid named sefsarcophinolide(1) together with eight known cembranoids, namely(+)-isosarcophine(2), sarcomilitatin D(3), sarcophytonolide J(4),(1S,3E,7E,13S)-11,12-epoxycembra-3,7,15-triene-13-ol(5), sarcophytonin B(6),(-)-eunicenone(7), lobophytin B(8), and arbolide C(9), were identified. As revealed by biological activity experiment results, compounds 2-6 had weak acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, and compound 5 displayed weak cytotoxicity against K562 tumor cell line.

Monoterpenoids from Paeoniae Radix Rubra based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS / 中国中药杂志

The ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to conduct the qualitative analysis of the monoterpene chemical components from Paeoniae Radix Rubra. Gradient elution was performed on C_(18) HD(2.1 mm×100 mm, 2.5 μm) column with a mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid(A) and acetonitrile(B). The flow rate was 0.4 mL·min~(-1) and the column temperature was 30 ℃. MS analysis was conducted in both positive and negative ionization modes using electrospray ionization(ESI) source. Qualitative Analysis 10.0 was used for data processing. The identification of chemical components was realized by the combination of standard compounds, fragmentation patterns, and mass spectra data reported in the literature. Forty-one monoterpenoids in Paeoniae Radix Rubra extract were identified. Among them, 8 compounds were reported in Paeoniae Radix Rubra for the first time and 1 was presumed to be the new compound 5″-O-methyl-galloylpaeoniflorin or its positional isomer. The method in this study realizes the rapid identification of monoterpenoids from Paeoniae Radix Rubra and provides a material and scientific basis for quality control and further study on the pharmaceutical effect of Paeoniae Radix Rubra.

Effects of Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on proteomics and autophagy in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus induced by high-fat diet coupled with streptozotocin / 中国中药杂志

To compare the pancreatic proteomics and autophagy between Rehmanniae Radix-and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata-treated mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). The T2DM mouse model was established by high-fat diet coupled with streptozotocin(STZ, intraperitoneal injection, 100 mg·kg~(-1), once a day for three consecutive days). The mice were then randomly assigned into a control group, low-(5 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(15 g·kg~(-1)) Rehmanniae Radix groups, low-(150 mg·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(300 mg·kg~(-1)) catalpol groups, low-(5 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(15 g·kg~(-1)) Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata groups, low-(150 mg·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(300 mg·kg~(-1)) 5-hydroxymethyl furfuraldehyde(5-HMF) groups, and a metformin(250 mg·kg~(-1)) group. In addition, a normal group was also set and each group included 8 mice. The pancreas was collected after four weeks of administration and proteomics tools were employed to study the effects of Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on protein expression in the pancreas of T2DM mice. The expression levels of proteins involved in autophagy, inflammation, and oxidative stress response in the pancreatic tissues of T2DM mice were determined by western blotting, immunohistochemical assay, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the differential proteins between the model group and Rehmanniae Radix/Rehmanniae Radix Prae-parata group were enriched in 7 KEGG pathways, such as autophagy-animal, which indicated that the 7 pathways may be associated with T2DM. Compared with the control group, drug administration significantly up-regulated the expression levels of beclin1 and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR)/mTOR and down-regulated those of the inflammation indicators, Toll-like receptor-4(TLR4) and Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), in the pancreas of T2DM mice, and Rehmanniae Radix showed better performance. In addition, the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), and heine oxygenase-1(HO-1) in the pancreas of T2DM mice were down-regulated after drug administration, and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata demonstrated better performance. The results indicate that both Rehmanniae Radix and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata can alleviate the inflammatory symptoms, reduce oxidative stress response, and increase the autophagy level in the pancreas of T2DM mice, while they exert the effect on different autophagy pathways.

Arsenic speciation and valence / 中国中药杂志

As arsenic widely exists in nature and has been used in the pharmaceutical preparations, the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) with arsenic include realgar(As_2S_2 or As_4S_4), orpiment(As_2S_3), and white arsenic(As_2O_3). Among the above representative medicine, the TCM compound formulas with realgar are utilized extensively. Just in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), there are 37 Chinese patent medicines including realgar. The traditional element analysis focuses on the detection of the total amount of elements, which neglects the study on the speciation and valence of elements. The activity, toxicity, bioavailability, and metabolic pathways of arsenic in vivo are closely related to the existence of its form, and different forms of arsenic have different effects on organisms. Therefore, the study on the speciation and valence of arsenic is of great importance for arsenic-containing TCMs and their compound formulas. This paper reviewed four aspects of the speciation and valence of arsenic, including property, absorption and metabolism, toxicity, and analytical assay.

Surgical technique and effectiveness of titanium elastic nail assisted retrograde channel screw implantation in superior pubic branch / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the surgical technique and effectiveness of titanium elastic nail (TEN) assisted retrograde channel screw implantation of superior pubic branch.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 31 patients with pelvic or acetabular fractures treated with retrograde channel screw implantation in superior pubic branch between January 2021 and April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 16 cases were implanted with assistance of TEN (study group) and 15 cases were implanted under the guidance of C-arm X-ray machine (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, Tile classification of pelvic fracture, Judet-Letournal classification of acetabular fracture, and time from injury to operation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, fluoroscopy times, and intraoperative blood loss of each superior pubic branch retrograde channel screw were recorded during operation. X-ray films and three-dimensional CT were reexamined after operation, the quality of fracture reduction was evaluated by Matta score standard, and the position of channel screw was evaluated by screw position classification standard. The fracture healing time was recorded during the follow-up, and the postoperative functional recovery was evaluated by Merle D'Aubigne Postel score system at last follow-up.@*RESULTS@#Nineteen and 20 retrograde channel screws of superior pubic branch were implanted in the study group and the control group, respectively. The operation time, fluoroscopy times, and intraoperative blood loss of each screw in the study group were significantly less than those in the control group ( P<0.05). According to the postoperative X-ray films and three-dimensional CT, none of the 19 screws in the study group penetrated out of the cortical bone or into the joint, and the excellent and good rate was 100% (19/19); in the control group, there were 4 screws of cortical bone penetration, and the excellent and good rate was 80% (16/20); the difference between the two groups was significant ( P<0.05). Matta score standard was used to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction, there was no patient in the two groups with poor reduction results, and the difference was not significant between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incisions of the two groups healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as incision infection, skin margin necrosis, and deep infection. All patients were followed up 8-22 months, with an average of 14.7 months. There was no significant difference in healing time between the two groups ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the difference in functional recovery evaluated by the Merle D'Aubigne Postel scoring system between the two groups was not significant ( P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#TEN assisted implantation technique can significantly shorten the operation time of retrograde channel screw implantation of superior pubic branch, reduce the times of fluoroscopy, and have less intraoperative blood loss and accurate screw implantation, which provides a new safe and reliable method for minimally invasive treatment of pelvic and acetabular fractures.