Risk factors and prognostic factors associated with retinal detachment and visual outcomes in acute retinal necrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors and prognostic factors that affect the long-term clinical outcomes of acute retinal necrosis (ARN). METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with ARN who underwent treatment and completed follow-up in our ophthalmology department from 2011 to 2021 was conducted. The incidence and risk factors of retinal detachment (RD) and prognostic factors affecting long-term clinical outcomes, such as late-onset RD and final vision loss (< 20/200), were analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 59 ARN patients (65 eyes) with an average follow-up of 48.9 months were enrolled. During the follow-up period, RD occurred in 34 eyes (52.3%). The risk factors for RD included quadrants of involved retinal necrosis (odds ratio [OR], 4.181; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.950-10.834) and initial intraocular viral load (OR, 1.721; 95% CI, 1.071-3.083). Early intravitreal antiviral treatment (OR, 1.204; 95% CI, 1.040-1.480) was independently associated with a decreased risk of late-onset RD. The factors independently associated with an increased risk of final vision loss were worse initial visual acuity (OR, 3.895; 95% CI, 1.551-13.662) and late-onset RD (OR, 8.043; 95% CI, 1.380-67.216). In addition, we utilized the fluctuating magnitude of viral load to quantify the extent of its reduction in comparison to its original value following the initial intravitreal antiviral injection (IAI). This ratio was strongly related to initial intraocular IL-8 concentration (Spearman correlation coefficient=-0.741, P = 0.000) and moderately related to the initial degree of aqueous flare (Spearman correlation coefficient=-0.508, P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: RD is a common and severe complication of ARN with multiple risk factors, such as initial retinitis involvement area and initial intraocular viral load. Active local antiviral therapy may reduce the risk of late-onset RD. The antiviral medication should be adjusted according to the inflammatory state. Therefore, timely detection of causative viruses and intensive systemic and local antiviral therapy is crucial for preserving visual function in ARN patients.

Heterotrophic nitrification by Alcaligenes faecalis links organic and inorganic nitrogen metabolism.

Heterotrophic nitrification remains a mystery for decades. It has been commonly hypothesized that heterotrophic nitrifiers oxidize ammonia to hydroxylamine and then to nitrite in a way similar to autotrophic AOA and AOB. Recently, heterotrophic nitrifiers from Alcaligenes were found to oxidize ammonia to hydroxylamine and then to N2 ("dirammox", direct ammonia oxidation) by the gene cluster dnfABC with a yet-to-be-reported mechanism. The role of a potential glutamine amidotransferase DnfC clues the heterotrophic ammonia oxidation might involving in glutamine. Here, we found Alcaligenes faecalis JQ135 could oxidize amino acids besides ammonia. We discovered that glutamine is an intermediate of the dirammox pathway and the glutamine synthetase gene is essential for both A. faecalis JQ135 and the E. coli cells harboring dnfABC gene cluster to oxidize amino acids and ammonia. Our study expands understanding of heterotrophic nitrifiers and challenges the classical paradigm of heterotrophic nitrification.

Effectiveness of acupuncture in treating patients with pain and mental health concerns: the results of the Alberta Complementary Health Integration Project.

Background: This study presents real-world evidence on the clinical outcomes of the Alberta Complementary Health Integration Project (ABCHIP), which utilized acupuncture to address pain and mental health issues in two vulnerable populations in Alberta: youth (aged 24 and below) and elderly (aged 55 and above). Methods: Over 282 days, a total of 606 patients received 5,424 acupuncture treatments. Tailored to each patients' specific pain and mental health concerns, an individualized treatment plan was selected, following a standard treatment protocol lasting 1 to 3 months. Patients were evaluated at least twice: initially and upon completing therapy. Primary treatment outcomes were assessed using various measures, including the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9), PROMIS Anxiety 8a and its pediatric form PROMIS Anxiety-Pediatric, PROMIS Short Form v1.0 Fatigue 8a and its pediatric counterpart PROMIS Pediatric Short Form v2.0 Fatigue 10a, PROMIS Short Form v1.1 Anger 5a and its version PROMIS SF v2.0 5a, and EQ-5D-5L. These measures gauged pain reduction, improved sleep quality, reduced depression, anxiety, fatigue, anger, and quality of life, respectively. Results: Analysis of data from 500 patients who received at least 6 acupuncture sessions through ABCHIP showed statistically significant improvements in clinical outcomes. Among this group, the subgroup of 235 patients who received at least 12 sessions demonstrated the most favorable treatment outcomes, including an 75.5% reduction in pain severity, a 53.1% improvement in sleep quality, a 78.4% drop in depression, a 41.1% decline in anxiety, a 43.7% decrease in fatigue, a 38.2% decrease in anger, and a 42.6% improvement in overall quality of life. Conclusion: Integrating acupuncture with usual care demonstrates promise in enhancing mental health, alleviating chronic and general pain, and improving overall quality of life. The findings suggest that integrative programs, such as ABCHIP, present an effective approach to addressing pain and mental health concerns in vulnerable populations, providing valuable insights for future healthcare interventions.

[Biomanufacturing of propionic acid].

Propionic acid as an important C3 platform chemical has been widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical fields. The chemical synthesis of propionic acid from petroleum and other chemical products has serious environmental pollution and is not sustainable. In recent years, the production of propionic acid by microbial transformation of renewable resources has received extensive attention. Focusing on the biomanufacturing of propionic acid, this paper firstly reviews the studies about the metabolic engineering of Propionibacterium and the pathway reconstruction in heterogeneous hosts such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Secondly, this paper reviews the recent progress in the synthesis of high-purity propionic acid from L-threonine or bio-based 1, 2-propanediol by the design and modification of the pathway of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 based on synthetic biology.

Impregnate Carbonation: CO2-Guided In Situ Growth of Robust Superhydrophobic Structures on Concrete Surfaces.

Superhydrophobic surfaces applying on concrete can greatly improve the durability of concrete by preventing the damage from water. However, traditional design of superhydrophobic concrete surfaces by external coating encounters to problems of flaking and poor surface robustness, while that by adding hydrophobic agents or particles faces the challenges of strength damage of concrete. Drawing inspiration from the carbonation phenomenon of concrete, here a new design of in situ growing superhydrophobic structures on concrete is proposed: The concrete sample is impregnated into Mg2+-containing silane-water system with continuous CO2 injection. The contact angle of the concrete surface achieves 171.9° without obvious strength decrease after 120 min, which are mainly attributed to the formation of CaxMg1-xCO3 crystals with micro-nano-structures and the reduction of carbonates surface energy by silane. This superhydrophobic concrete structure can be divided into a superhydrophobic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic three layers structure, providing the stable water-proof protection under mechanical fatigue, capillary water absorption, UV aging, sulfate attack, and impurity water impact tests due to the in situ growing robust superhydrophobic structures. Furthermore, it captures 29.80 g m-2 CO2 during the reaction process, providing new insights for the design and preparation of eco-friendly superhydrophobic concrete.

Recurrent lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma: A case report and literature review.

Introduction: Lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (LGACC) is characterized by a high rate of recurrence, perineural invasion, and propensity for distant metastasis, resulting in poor prognosis. This case report aimed to highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of LGACC, underscore the importance of resectioning the tumor as completely as possible for the first time, adhere to postoperative adjuvant therapy, and provide detailed insights into its surgical and diagnostic management that may not be extensively covered in large case series and meta-analyses. Case presentation: A 34-year-old man presented with progressive left eye proptosis for 4 months. Initial evaluation and imaging led to a high suspicion of LGACC, which was confirmed after an eye-sparing excision of the left orbital tumor. The patient declined to undergo postoperative radiotherapy, which was recommended after the surgery. Thus, despite surgical intervention, the patient experienced tumor recurrence 3 months post-surgery, leading to orbital exenteration. Pathological examination confirmed the presence of poorly differentiated LGACC.This time the patient underwent postoperative radiotherapy, as recommended. However, despite local control, the patient developed an intracranial metastasis within a year. Conclusion: LGACC presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges owing to its insidious onset, lack of specific symptoms, and high potential for recurrence and metastasis. Thus, this case emphasizes the need for early diagnosis, aggressive treatment, and adherence to postoperative adjuvant therapy to improve patient outcomes. Future research should focus on understanding the pathogenesis of LGACC and on developing standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols to enhance patient prognosis and survival.

A Novel AIE-Active Salicylaldehyde-Schiff Base Probe with Carbazole Group for Al3+ Detection in Aqueous Solution.

A donor-acceptor Schiff-base fluorescent probe BKS with chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) mechanism was designed and synthesized via benzophenone(Acceptor), salicylaldehyde and carbazole(Donor) for Al3+ detection, which exhibited typical aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristic. BKS probe could provide outstanding selectivity to Al3+ with a prominent fluorescence "turn-on" at 545 nm in a wide pH range from 2 to 11. By the Job's plot, the binding stoichiometry ratio of probe BKS to Al3+ was determined 1:1. The proposed strategy offered a very low limit of detection at 1.486 µM in THF/H2O(V/V = 1:4, HEPBS = 10 mM, pH = 7.40), which was significantly lower than the standard of WHO (Huang et al., Microchem J 151:104195, 2019)-(Yongjie Ding et al., Spectrochim Acta Mol Biomol Spectrosc 167:59-65, 2021) guidelines for drinking water. BKS probe could provide a wider linear detection range of 50 to 500 µM. Furthermore, the probe could hardly be interfered by other examined metal ions. The analysis of Al3+ in real water samples with appropriate recovery (100.72 to 102.85) with a relative standard deviation less than 2.82% indicated the accuracy and precision of BKS probe and the great potential in the environmental monitoring of Al3+.

Adverse event reporting of the IGF-1R monoclonal antibody teprotumumab: a real-world study based on the US food and drug administration adverse event reporting system.

Background: Teprotumumab, an IGF-1R monoclonal antibody, has shown significant efficacy in treating thyroid eye disease (TED). However, since teprotumumab was launched in 2020 and first approved in the United States, there were limited reports of post-marketing adverse events (AEs). In this study, we aimed to mine and analyze the AEs signals with teprotumumab on the basis of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) to provide instructions in clinical practice concerning adverse reactions and assistance in drug development and import/export into other countries. Methods: All AE reports were obtained from the FAERS database from the first quarter of 2020 to the fourth quarter of 2023. To comprehensively analyze the AEs, we applied four disproportionality analysis algorithms, including the reporting odds ratio (ROR), the proportional reporting ratio (PRR), the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and the multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS) algorithms. Results: A total of 687 reports from 200 patients related to administration of teprotumumab were obtained, and 78% of the cases was female. Signal detection of teprotumumab at the system organ class (SOC) level included gastrointestinal disorders, ear and labyrinth disorders, general disorders and administration site conditions, nervous system disorders, and musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders. AEs that ranked top five at the preferred terms (PTs) level were muscle spasms, fatigue, tinnitus, headache, and deafness. The median time to those AEs onsets was 48 days (interquartile range 19.0-92.0 days) after administering drugs. Additionally, our results indicated the AEs in reproductive system and breast disorders because the prevalence of TED was more common in women. Conclusion: This study identified many AEs associated with teprotumumab and unveiled potential new AE signals. These results can provide valuable evidence for further clinical application of teprotumumab and are important in enhancing clinical medication safety.

Synergistic induction of ferroptosis by targeting HERC1-NCOA4 axis to enhance the photodynamic sensitivity of osteosarcoma.

Over the past 30 years, the survival rate for osteosarcoma (OS) has remained stagnant, indicating persistent challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a novel and promising treatment modality for OS. Despite apoptosis being the primary mechanism attributed to PDT, it fails to overcome issues such as low efficacy and resistance. Ferroptosis, a Fe2+-dependent cell death process, has the potential to enhance PDT's efficacy by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the Fenton reaction. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor mechanism of PDT and introduced an innovative therapeutic strategy that synergistically induces apoptosis and ferroptosis. Furthermore, we have identified HERC1 as a pivotal protein involved in the ubiquitination and degradation of NCOA4, while also uncovering a potential regulatory factor involving NRF2. Ultimately, by targeting the HERC1-NCOA4 axis during PDT, we successfully achieved full activation of ferroptosis, which significantly enhanced the anti-tumor efficacy of PDT. In conclusion, these findings provide new theoretical evidence for further characterizing mechanism of PDT and offer new molecular targets for the treatment of OS.

Remarkable improvement of symptoms and signs of severe dry eye treated by ocular immersion hydrotherapy.

Key Clinical Message: Traditional treatment options are often insufficient in treating severe dry eyes caused by systemic diseases. This case demonstrates that ocular immersion hydrotherapy significantly alleviated symptoms and ocular surface inflammation in ocular graft-versus-host disease. Based on these findings, we propose it as a promising option for managing severe dry eye disease. Abstract: This case report investigates the efficacy of ocular immersion hydrotherapy (OIH) in treating severe dry eye secondary to ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD). A 35-year-old female with a history of acute myeloid leukemia-M2 and subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) developed high-intensity oGVHD unresponsive to conventional treatments, including topical corticosteroids and lubricants. We introduced OIH, utilizing sterilized swimming goggles filled with intraocular irrigating solutions, providing a moist microenvironment for the ocular surface. Symptoms were significantly relieved after treatment. Corneal filaments and epithelial defects were significantly reduced, and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) demonstrated resolution of inflammation and reappearance of corneal nerves. This case indicates that OIH could be a promising therapeutic approach for severe dry eye conditions arising from oGVHD, particularly for patients refractory to traditional treatments. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the long-term benefits and mechanisms of OIH in oGVHD management.

Correlations of chemical weathering indicators with major chemical constituents in sediments to obtain palaeoclimate information from Chaohu Lake, China.

The main chemical compositions of 201 surface sediments and 53 deep sediment samples from Chaohu Lake, China, were analysed. Since the surface sediments (0-2 cm depth) in Chaohu Lake are modern sediments, this paper mainly focuses on the deep sediments (50-100 cm depth) in Chaohu Lake. Particle size analysis and magnetization determination of the CH3 and CH4 column sediment samples were carried out. The age determination data of the CH-1 column sediment samples are reported. A systematic study of the rocks and their chemical compositional characteristics in the Chaohu Lake Basin was also carried out. The results of this study show that four positive chemical weathering indicators and one negative chemical weathering indicator are applicable to the study of Chaohu Lake. The mean CIA of the Chaohu Lake sediments was less than 65, indicating that the Chaohu Lake Basin experienced weak chemical weathering and that the palaeoclimate was cold and dry. Vertical variations in the mean grain size and magnetization in the CH3 and CH4 columnar sediments reflect changes in the depositional environment and climate during deposition of the Chaohu Lake sediments. The age data from the CH-1 column sediment samples directly indicate deposition of the deep sediments in Chaohu Lake during the Little Ice Age in eastern China (AD 1380-1880). The Th/U, Sc/Th, Rb/Sr, Na2O/K2O, CaO/MgO and OC/N ratios of the Chaohu sediments reflect palaeoclimate characteristics and the chemical compositions of the source rocks in the Chaohu Lake basin. The correlations of the CIA, CIW, PIA, and CIX with the chemical compositional ratios provide information on the palaeoclimate and the distribution of the chemical compositions. The CIA, CIW, PIA, and CIX were not correlated with Cd, Pb, As, Hg, or P. In contrast, the CIA, CIW, PIA, and CIX were significantly positively correlated with Cr and N. The WIP was inconsistently correlated with the selected chemical components. Therefore, the study of the correlations of chemical weathering indicators with four heavy metals and two eutrophication-related elements is of little significance. The study of the chemical weathering characteristics of deep sediments of inland lakes should be combined with assessment of the geological characteristics of the lake basins, particularly the analysis of the chemical composition of the rocks in the lake basins.

Effect of flow-optimized pressure control ventilation-volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) on postoperative pulmonary complications: a consort study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after one-lung ventilation (OLV) significantly impact patient prognosis and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of an optimal inspiratory flow rate on PPCs in thoracic surgery patients. METHODS: One hundred eight elective thoracic surgery patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups in this consort study (control group: n = 53 with a fixed inspiratory expiratory ratio of 1:2; and experimental group [flow rate optimization group]: n = 55). Measurements of Ppeak, Pplat, PETCO2, lung dynamic compliance (Cdyn), respiratory rate, and oxygen concentration were obtained at the following specific time points: immediately after intubation (T0); immediately after starting OLV (T1); 30 min after OLV (T2); and 10 min after 2-lung ventilation (T4). The PaO2:FiO2 ratio was measured using blood gas analysis 30 min after initiating one-lung breathing (T2) and immediately when OLV ended (T3). The lung ultrasound score (LUS) was assessed following anesthesia and resuscitation (T5). The occurrence of atelectasis was documented immediately after the surgery. PPCs occurrences were noted 3 days after surgery. RESULTS: The treatment group had a significantly lower total prevalence of PPCs compared to the control group (3.64% vs. 16.98%; P = 0.022). There were no notable variations in peak airway pressure, airway plateau pressure, dynamic lung compliance, PETCO2, respiratory rate, and oxygen concentration between the two groups during intubation (T0). Dynamic lung compliance and the oxygenation index were significantly increased at T1, T2, and T4 (P < 0.05), whereas the CRP level and number of inflammatory cells decreased dramatically (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Optimizing inspiratory flow rate and utilizing pressure control ventilation -volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) mode can decrease PPCs and enhance lung dynamic compliance in OLV patients.

[Advances in ectoine biosynthesis and biochemical characteristics of key enzymes].

Compatible solutes are highly water-soluble organic osmolytes produced by microorganisms to adapt to extreme environments, such as high salinity and osmotic pressure. Among these, ectoine plays a crucial role in repairing and protecting nucleic acids, protein, biofilms, and cells. As a result, it has found widespread applications in cosmetics, biological agents, the enzyme industry, medicine, and other fields. Currently, the market value of ectoine is around US$ 1 000/kg, with a global demand reaching 15 000 tons per year. Although halophilic bacteria serve as the natural source of ectoine synthesis, its production in high-salinity media presents challenges such as equipment corrosion and high cost for industrial production. Advancements in functional genomics, systems biology, and synthetic biology have paved the way for the development of high-yielding cell factories through metabolic engineering, leading to significant progress. For example, engineered Escherichia coli achieved a maximum ectoine titer of 131.8 g/L, with a productivity of 1.37 g/(L·h). This review aims to explore the biosynthetic pathway, biochemical characteristics of key enzymes, and the biosynthesis of ectoine, shedding light on current research status and offering insights for industrial-scale ectoine production.

[Advances in the synthesis of cytidine-5'-diphosphate choline].

Cytidine-5'-diphosphate choline (CDP-choline) plays a crucial role in the formation of the phospholipid bilamolecular layer in cell membranes and the stabilization of the neurotransmitter system, acting as a precursor to phosphatidylcholine and acetylcholine. CDP-choline has been found effective in treating functional and consciousness disorders resulting from brain injury, Parkinson's disease, depression and glaucoma, and other conditions. As such, CDP-choline is widely utilized in clinical medicine and health care products. The conventional chemical synthesis process of CDP-choline is gradually being replaced by biosynthesis due to the expensive and toxic reagents involved, the production of various by-products, and the high cost of industrial production. Biosynthesis of CDP-choline offers two strategies: microbial fermentation and biocatalysis. Microbial fermentation utilizes inexpensive raw materials but results in a relatively low conversion rate and requires a complex separation and purification process. Biocatalysis, on the other hand, involves two stages: the growth of a living "catalyst" and the conversion of the substrate. Although the synthetic process in biocatalysis is more complex, it offers a higher conversion ratio, and the downstream processing technique for extraction is relatively less costly. Consequently, biocatalysis is currently the primary strategy for the industrial production of CDP-choline. This review aims to summarize the progress made in both chemical synthesis and biosynthesis of CDP-choline, with particular focus on the metabolic pathway and the synthetic processes involved in biocatalysis, in order to provide insights for the industrial production of CDP-choline.

Feasibility study of use of desflurane combined with dexmedetomidine in inhibiting postoperative neurocognitive disorders in elderly patients under general anesthesia: A perspective study.

This study aimed to explore whether the combined application of desflurane and dexmedetomidine (Dex) reduces the occurrence of postoperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) in patients. We selected patients in our hospital who underwent surgery under general anesthesia, and divided them into two groups: Dex and desflurane (Dex + Des) and desflurane (Des) groups. The data of patients were collected and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was used to assess cognitive status. The blood cell counts were determined preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 6, and the percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes were also recorded. The statistical methods used were the independent-samples t-test and the χ 2 test. Pearson's correlation was used to analyze the correlation between PND and inflammation. The incidence of PND in the Dex + Des group was lower than that in the Des group. The postoperative MMSE scores in the Dex + Des group were higher than those in the Des group (p = 0.032). The percentage of neutrophils in the Dex + Des group was significantly lower than that in the Des group on the first and third days after surgery (p = 0.007; p = 0.028). The MMSE scores on the first day after surgery were negatively correlated with the multiple changes in white blood counts and the percentage of neutrophils (r = -0.3038 and -0.3330). Dex combined with Des reduced the incidence of PND and reduced the postoperative inflammatory cell counts.

Mechanisms for the Enhancement of Caproic Acid and H2 Production in Ruminococcaceae Bacterium CPB6 by Fe(II) and Mg(II): Growth and Gene Transcription Analyses.

The production of caproic acid (CA) and hydrogen gas (H2) from organic wastewater is economically attractive. The Ruminococcaceae bacterium CPB6 has demonstrated potential for CA production from lactate-containing wastewater. However, our understanding of the effects of Fe2+ and Mg2+ on the growth and metabolism of strain CPB6 remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of Fe2+ and Mg2+ on CA and H2 production, as well as on the expression of key genes involved in CA and H2 biosynthesis pathway. The results indicate that Fe2+ positively affects cell proliferation and H2 production while minimally impacting CA production. The highest levels of H2 production were achieved with the addition of 200 mg/L Fe2+. Conversely, Mg2+ significantly enhances CA and H2 production, with the optimal yield observed in a medium enriched with 300 mg/L Mg2+. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis reveals that Fe2+ promotes the expression of the hydrogenase gene, whereas Mg2+ has a negligible effect on hydrogenase expression. Notably, Fe2+ and Mg2+ inhibit the expression of key genes involved in CA synthesis. These findings suggest that Fe2+ enhances H2 production by boosting cell biomass and the expression of the hydrogenase gene, whereas Mg2+ improves CA and H2 production primarily by increasing cell biomass rather than influencing the expression of functional genes involved in CA biosynthesis.

Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the diagnosis of Bartonella neuroretinitis: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is caused by Bartonella henselae infection. In atypical cases of CSD, pathogen determination is challenging. We report a case of Bartonella neuroretinitis with neither a clear history of scratches nor typical general symptoms. The diagnosis was made using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), a high-throughput sequencing technology. CASE PRESENTATION: A female patient presented to the ophthalmologist with complaint of blurred vision in her right eye. Although with history of raising a cat, she reported no clear history of scratches or typical general symptoms, except a fever of unknown origin which resolved spontaneously. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the right eye was count fingers. Fundus examination showed optic disc oedema, macular exudates and inferior exudative retinal detachment. Laboratory examination results showed increased value of serum C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Ocular involvement of toxoplasmosis, syphilis and tuberculosis were excluded. To identify the possible causative pathogen of the disease, mNGS of aqueous humour sample was performed and 521 reads of B. henselae were identified. Serological test results further showed a positive immunoglobulin G (IgG) titre of 1:64. Taking the contact history, clinical manifestations, mNGS and serological results into consideration, the diagnosis of Bartonella neuroretinitis (ocular CSD) was made. After appropriate treatment, the BCVA of the right eye improved to 20/25 in the last follow-up. Fundus examination showed a normal optic disc and macula, and the exudates had reduced. CONCLUSION: mNGS, a fast and unbiased method, can be used to detect B. henselae (if present) in intraocular fluid samples.; however, the results should be interpreted together with the clinical symptoms and other auxiliary test results.

Development of a High-throughput Sequencing Platform for Detection of Viral Encephalitis Pathogens Based on Amplicon Sequencing.

Objective: Viral encephalitis is an infectious disease severely affecting human health. It is caused by a wide variety of viral pathogens, including herpes viruses, flaviviruses, enteroviruses, and other viruses. The laboratory diagnosis of viral encephalitis is a worldwide challenge. Recently, high-throughput sequencing technology has provided new tools for diagnosing central nervous system infections. Thus, In this study, we established a multipathogen detection platform for viral encephalitis based on amplicon sequencing. Methods: We designed nine pairs of specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for the 12 viruses by reviewing the relevant literature. The detection ability of the primers was verified by software simulation and the detection of known positive samples. Amplicon sequencing was used to validate the samples, and consistency was compared with Sanger sequencing. Results: The results showed that the target sequences of various pathogens were obtained at a coverage depth level greater than 20×, and the sequence lengths were consistent with the sizes of the predicted amplicons. The sequences were verified using the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST, and all results were consistent with the results of Sanger sequencing. Conclusion: Amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing technology is feasible as a supplementary method for the pathogenic detection of viral encephalitis. It is also a useful tool for the high-volume screening of clinical samples.

EXAMINATION OF GALACTOMANNAN LEVELS IN INTRAOCULAR FLUID TO ASSIST THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASPERGILLUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of galactomannan testing of intraocular fluid in the diagnosis of Aspergillus endophthalmitis (AE). METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled three groups of patients, including those with 17 eyes with AE; 20 eyes with intraocular infection of bacteria, viruses, or other fungi; and 19 eyes with cataract. Intraocular fluid from all these patients was collected for galactomannan testing. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic curves and diagnostic significance were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean optical density index (ODI) of galactomannan was 5.77 ± 1.73 in the AE group, which was significantly higher than that in the non- Aspergillus intraocular infection group (0.19 ± 0.11, P < 0.001) and the negative control group (0.29 ± 0.27, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve) was 1.00 (95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.00; P < 0.001) in the AE group and the other two groups. At a cutoff optical density index of 1.88, the sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 100.0%, respectively, and the Youden index reached its highest value of 1.00. CONCLUSION: Galactomannan testing of intraocular fluid indicated good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of AE, thereby promising a rapid diagnostic modality for AE.

In-Plane Elastic Properties of 3D-Printed Graded Hierarchical Hexagonal Honeycombs.

In this study, the graded hierarchical hexagonal honeycomb (GHHH) integrating gradient design and hierarchical design was fabricated using the 3D-printing technique, and its in-plane elastic properties were investigated theoretically, experimentally, and numerically. Theoretical solutions were developed based on the Euler beam theory to predict the effective elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of GHHH, and theoretical values were in good agreement with the experimental and numerical results. The effect of gradient design and hierarchical design on the in-plane elastic properties of GHHH was also analyzed and compared. Results showed that the hierarchical design has a more significant effect on Poisson's ratio and adjusting the internal forces of GHHH compared with the gradient design. In addition, it was found that GHHH exhibited higher stiffness compared with regular hexagonal honeycomb (RHH), graded hexagonal honeycomb (GHH), and vertex-based hierarchical hexagonal honeycomb (VHHH) under the constraint of the same relative density, respectively. Specifically, the effective elastic modulus of GHHH can be enhanced by 119.82% compared to that of RHH. This research will help to reveal the effect of integrating hierarchical design and gradient design on the in-plane elastic properties of honeycombs.