Comparison of Short-term and Three-year Oncological Outcomes Between Robotic and Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: A Large Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term and long-term outcomes between robotic gastrectomy (RG) and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer. BACKGROUND: The clinical outcomes of RG over LG have not yet been effectively demonstrated. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 3599 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy at eight high-volume hospitals in China from January 2015 to June 2019. Propensity score matching was performed between patients who received RG and LG. The primary end point was 3-year disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: After 1:1 propensity score matching, 1034 pairs of patients were enrolled in a balanced cohort for further analysis. The 3-year DFS in the RG and LG was 83.7% and 83.1% ( P =0.745), respectively, and the 3-year overall survival was 85.2% and 84.4%, respectively ( P =0.647). During 3 years of follow-up, 154 patients in the RG and LG groups relapsed (cumulative incidence of recurrence: 15.0% vs 15.0%, P =0.988). There was no significant difference in the recurrence sites between the 2 groups (all P >0.05). Sensitivity analysis showed that RG had comparable 3-year DFS (77.4% vs 76.7%, P =0.745) and overall survival (79.7% vs 78.4%, P =0.577) to LG in patients with advanced (pathologic T2-4a) disease, and the recurrence pattern within 3 years was also similar between the 2 groups (all P >0.05). RG had less intraoperative blood loss, lower conversion rate, and shorter hospital stays than LG (all P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For resectable gastric cancer, including advanced cases, RG is a safe approach with comparable 3-year oncological outcomes to LG when performed by experienced surgeons.

Accurate measurement of the frequency offset of the laser based on electromagnetically induced transparency.

We propose a method using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) to measure the frequency offset of the laser relative to a cavity's resonance frequency, thereby reducing the laser detuning when preparing Rydberg atoms. Laser reflection by the vapor cell enables observation of two EIT peaks corresponding to the co-propagating and counter-propagating beams, and the peaks' position is related to laser detuning, allowing us to estimate the frequency offset of the probe and coupling lasers. The method reduces the measurement uncertainty compared to directly observing saturated absorption spectroscopy (SAS) and EIT, making it suitable for applications that require strict control over laser detuning.

Clinical Study on the Use of Omalizumab for IgE-Mediated Allergic Diseases.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of the combined use of omalizumab with conventional anti-allergy treatment for IgE-mediated allergic diseases and to provide new treatment options for the clinical management of IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Methods: Patients with IgE-mediated allergic diseases who visited the Allergy Department of the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University between June 2020 and June 2022 were randomly divided into two groups: the conventional anti-allergy treatment group (control) and the experimental group receiving conventional treatment combined with omalizumab. The treatment lasted for 24 weeks, with patient follow-up and evaluation of treatment effects for seasonal allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and urticaria. Results: The evaluation of treatment effects for seasonal allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and allergic rhinitis showed that the experimental group had significantly better outcomes than the control group. Conclusion: The combined use of omalizumab with conventional anti-allergy treatment was effective in treating IgE-mediated seasonal allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and allergic asthma, providing a new therapeutic option for the clinical management of IgE-mediated allergic diseases.

Iron-based autotrophic denitrification driven by sponge iron for nitrite removal in an anaerobic bioreactor: Effect of iron and carbon source.

The study investigated the denitrification effect of the iron autotrophic denitrification process for removing nitrite under anaerobic conditions, utilizing sponge iron as the electron donor. When the C/N ratio equaled 1, defined as the ratio of chemical oxygen demand to total nitrogen (TN), and the influent nitrite nitrogen (NO2--N) was at 80 mg/L, the average steady-state TN effluent concentration of this system was 41.94 mg/L during the 79-day experiment. The TN value exhibited a significant decrease compared to both the sponge iron system (68.69 mg/L) and the carbon source system (56.50 mg/L). Sponge iron is beneficial for providing an electron donor and ensuring an anaerobic system, fostering an environment that promotes microorganism growth while effectively inhibiting the conversion of nitrite to nitrate. In addition, carbon sources play a vital role in ensuring microorganism growth and reproduction, thereby aiding in TN removal. The optimal parameters based on the effectiveness of TN removal in the iron autotrophic denitrification system were determined to be s-Fe0 dosage of 30 g/L and C/N = 1.5. These results suggest that the iron autotrophic denitrification process, driven by sponge iron, can effectively remove nitrite under anaerobic conditions.

[Network Meta-analysis of Chinese patent medicines combined with antibiotics in treatment of pelvic inflammatory diseases].

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease(PID) using network Meta-analysis. The databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Web of Science were searched, and from the time of database construction to July 16, 2023, the randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Chinese patent medicines combined with antibiotics in the treatment of PID included in these databases was collected. The quality of the included literature was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and data was analyzed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 16 software. Forty-six RCTs were finally included, including Kangfu Xiaoyan Suppositories, Fuke Qianjin Tablets/Capsules, Kangfuyan Capsules, Fuyanxiao Capsules, Huahong Tablets/Capsules, Fuyanshu Capsules, Fuyue Tablets, Jingangteng Capsules, and Fuyan Kangfu Capsules. Network Meta-analysis showed that,(1) in terms of clinical effective rate, the optimal intervention was Kangfu Xiaoyan Suppositories combined with antibiotics.(2) In terms of lowering hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), the optimal intervention was Huahong Tablets/Capsules combined with antibiotics.(3) In terms of lowering tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), the optimal intervention was Fuyue Tablets combined with antibiotics.(4) In terms of lowering recurrence rate, the optimal intervention was Fuyanshu Capsules combined with antibiotics.(5) In terms of safety, the intervention with the least adverse reactions was Kangfuyan Capsules combined with antibiotics. The results show that Chinese patent medicines combined with antibiotics in the treatment of PID can improve the comprehensive efficacy, reduce the patient's hs-CRP and TNF-α, and have a low recurrence rate, as well as safe and reliable efficacy. In clinical treatment, Kangfu Xiaoyan Suppositories or Kangfuyan Capsules combined with antibiotics can be preferred. Due to the limitations of the sample size and the quality of the literature, more large-sample and high-quality studies are needed to validate the conclusions.

A Triply Linked Porphyrin-Norcorrole Hybrid with Singlet Diradical Character.

Norcorrole Ni(II) complexes have recently received considerable attention because they are readily accessible antiaromatic molecules. Their high stability under ambient conditions and ease of synthesis have enabled the exploration of the intrinsic properties of antiaromatic molecules. Here, we report the synthesis and properties of meso-meso singly linked porphyrin-norcorrole hybrids and a triply linked porphyrin-norcorrole hybrid. The singly linked and triply linked porphyrin-norcorrole hybrids were fully characterized, including an X-ray structural analysis. Due to their orthogonal conformation, the singly linked hybrids maintain the individual electronic properties of their porphyrin and norcorrole subunits, while the triply linked hybrid shows a significantly smaller electrochemical HOMO-LUMO gap (0.45 eV) than that of Ni(II) dimesitylnorcorrole (1.08 eV). Furthermore, the triply linked hybrid exhibits singlet diradical characteristics, as confirmed by VT NMR, ESR, and SQUID experiments.

The impact of the chalcogen-substitution element and initial spectroscopic state on excited-state relaxation pathways in nucleobase photosensitizers: a combination of static and dynamic studies.

The substitution of oxygen with chalcogen in carbonyl group(s) of canonical nucleobases gives an impressive triplet generation, enabling their promising applications in medicine and other emerging techniques. The excited-state relaxation S2(ππ*) → S1(nπ*) → T1(ππ*) has been considered the preferred path for triplet generation in these nucleobase derivatives. Here, we demonstrate enhanced quantum efficiency of direct intersystem crossing from S2 to triplet manifold upon substitution with heavier chalcogen elements. The excited-state relaxation dynamics of sulfur/selenium substituted guanines in a vacuum is investigated using a combination of static quantum chemical calculations and on-the-fly excited-state molecular dynamics simulations. We find that in sulfur-substitution the S2 state predominantly decays to the S1 state, while upon selenium-substitution the S2 state deactivation leads to simultaneous population of the S1 and T2,3 states in the same time scale and multi-state quasi-degeneracy region S2/S1/T2,3. Interestingly, the ultrafast deactivation of the spectroscopic S3 state of both studied molecules to the S1 state occurs through a successive S3 → S2 → S1 path involving a multi-state quasi-degeneracy S3/S2/S1. The populated S1 and T2 states will cross the lowest triplet state, and the S1 → T intersystem crossing happens in a multi-state quasi-degeneracy region S1/T2,3/T1 and is accelerated by selenium-substitution. The present study reveals the influence of both the chalcogen substitution element and initial spectroscopic state on the excited-state relaxation mechanism of nucleobase photosensitizers and also highlights the important role of multi-state quasi-degeneracy in mediating the complex relaxation process. These theoretical results provide additional insights into the intrinsic photophysics of nucleobase-based photosensitizers and are helpful for designing novel photo-sensitizers for real applications.

Muscle dynamics analysis by clustered categories during jogging in patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency (ACLD) tend to have altered lower extremity dynamics. Little is known about the changes in dynamic function and activation during jogging in patients with ACLD. METHODS: Twenty patients with an injured ACL before ACL reconstruction (ACLD group) and nine healthy male volunteers (control group) were recruited. Each volunteer repeated the jogging experiment five times. Based on the experimental data measured, a musculoskeletal multibody dynamics model was employed to simulate the tibiofemoral joint dynamics during jogging. Eighteen muscles were used for analysis. The obtained dynamics data were used for clustering and curve difference analysis. RESULTS: The 18 muscles studied were divided into 3 categories. All the quadriceps, the soleus, the gastrocnemius, and the popliteus were classified as label 1. All the hamstrings were classified as label 2, and the sartorius muscles were classified as label 3. Among them, the classification of the short head of the biceps femoris was significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). The force curves of all 18 muscles and the between-group differences were studied according to clustered categories. Most muscle force in label 1 was approaching zero in the terminal stance phase, which was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The muscle force in label 2 had areas with significant differences in the stance phase. Muscle force in label 3 was significantly lower than that in the control group in the pre-swing phase. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that there are various changes of muscle function and activation in patients with ACLD. Through clustering and curve analysis, the joint reactions and changes of different muscle forces in the gait cycle between the ACLD and control groups could be further clarified.

Development and validation of a nomogram for survival prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma after partial hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is complex due to its high level of heterogeneity, even after radical resection. This study was designed to develop and validate a prognostic nomogram for predicting the postoperative prognosis for HCC patients following partial hepatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We extracted data on HCC patients and randomly divided them into two groups (primary and validation cohorts), using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. We developed the prediction model based on the data of the primary cohort and prognostic factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. A nomogram was constructed for predicting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival probability of HCC patients after surgery based on the results of the multivariate Cox regression analysis. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated in terms of its discrimination and calibration. To validated the model, discrimination and calibration were also evaluated in the validation cohort. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed to assess the clinical utility of the nomogram. RESULTS: A total of 890 patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for HCC were included in the study. The primary cohort enrolled 628 patients with a median follow-up time of 39 months, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate were 95.4%, 52.7% and 25.8% during follow-up. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that differentiation, tumor size, AFP and fibrosis were independently association with the prognosis of HCC patients after partial hepatectomy. The nomogram showed a moderate discrimination ith a C-index of 0.705 (95% CI 0.669 to 0.742), and good calibration. Similar discrimination with a C-index of 0.681 (95% CI 0.625 to 0.737), and calibration were also observed in the validation cohort. Decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram could be useful to predicting the prognosis in HCC patients following partial hepatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed nomogram is highly predictive and has moderate calibration and discrimination, potentially contributing to the process of managing HCC patients after partial hepatectomy in an individualized way.

MicroRNA miR171b Positively Regulates Resistance to Huanglongbing of Citrus.

Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most severe citrus diseases in the world, causing huge economic losses. However, efficient methods of protecting citrus from HLB have not yet been developed. microRNA (miRNA)-mediated regulation of gene expression is a useful tool to control plant diseases, but the miRNAs involved in regulating resistance to HLB have not yet been identified. In this study, we found that miR171b positively regulated resistance to HLB in citrus. Upon infection with HLB bacteria, the bacteria were detected in the second month in the control plants. However, in the miR171b-overexpressing transgenic citrus plants, the bacteria could not be detected until the 24th month. RNA-seq data indicated that multiple pathways, such as photosynthesis, plant-pathogen interaction, the MAPK signaling pathway, etc., might be involved in improving the resistance to HLB in miR171b-overexpressing plants compared with the control. Finally, we determined that miR171b could target SCARECROW-like (SCL) genes to downregulate their expression, which then led to promoted resistance to HLB stress. Collectively, our results demonstrate that miR171b plays a positive regulatory role in resistance to citrus HLB, and provides a new insight into the role of miRNAs in the adaptation of citrus to HLB stress.

A model for predicting the overall survival of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms after surgery.

BACKGROUND: The increase in the incidence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NENs) and refined morphological imaging techniques have led to a rise in the number of patients undergoing surgery. However, there is still a paucity of objective, clinically reliable and personalized tools to evaluate patient prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database who underwent surgery for GEP-NEN from 1975 to 2018. The predictors associated with OS were investigated by Multivariate Cox proportional hazards (PHs) regression analysis in the primary cohort; a prognostic nomogram was then built based on the multivariate analysis results. The performance of the nomogram was assessed by Harrell's concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve and compared with the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. RESULTS: A total of 45,889 patients were enrolled in our study; 32,321 were included in the primary cohort, and 13,568 were included in the validation cohort. A nomogram incorporating Age, Differentiation, M staging, and AJCC staging was subsequently built based on the multivariate analysis. The C-index (0.833 for the primary cohort and 0.845 for the validation cohort) and calibration curves indicated good discriminative ability and calibration of the nomogram. Further analysis demonstrated that the nomogram had superior discriminatory ability than the AJCC staging system (C-index= 0.706). CONCLUSION: The proposed nomogram showed excellent prediction with good calibration and discrimination, which can be used to make well-informed and individualized clinical decisions regarding the clinical management of GEP-NENs.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome secondary to acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in a child: a case report from the Tibetan plateau.

BACKGROUND: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a disorder of reversible vasogenic brain oedema with acute neurologic symptoms. It is a rare but serious disease that affects the central nervous system. PRES is a rare complication of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN). High altitude can accelerate vasogenic brain oedema by increasing cerebral blood flow (CBF), impairing cerebral autoregulation and promoting vascular inflammation. We report a case of PRES induced by acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in a high-altitude environment. CASE PRESENTATION: A fourteen-year-old Tibetan girl presented with progressive headache with haematuria, facial swelling, dizziness and vomiting for 2 weeks as well as multiple episodes of tonic-clonic seizures for 14 h. She was diagnosed with APSGN based on laboratory tests and clinical symptoms. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral frontal, parietal and occipital lesions that were compatible with the radiological diagnosis of PRES. The treatments included an antibiotic (penicillin), an antiepileptic drug, and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. Follow-up MRI obtained 1 week after admission and CT obtained 4 weeks and 6 weeks after admission demonstrated complete resolution of the brain lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The case illustrates a rare occurrence of PRES following APSGN in a 14-year-old child in the Tibetan Plateau. The hypoxic conditions of a high-altitude setting might lower the cerebral autoregulation threshold and amplify the endothelial inflammatory reaction, thus inducing PRES in patients with APSGN. It is important to recognize the clinical and radiologic features of PRES, and adjuvant HBO therapy can promote rapid recovery from this condition in high-altitude areas.

Alcohol drinking inhibits NOTCH-PAX9 signaling in esophageal squamous epithelial cells.

Alcohol drinking has been established as a major risk factor for esophageal diseases. Our previous study showed that ethanol exposure inhibited PAX9 expression in human esophageal squamous epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular pathways through which alcohol drinking suppresses PAX9 in esophageal squamous epithelial cells. We first demonstrated the inhibition of NOTCH by ethanol exposure in vitro. NOTCH regulated PAX9 expression in KYSE510 and KYSE410 cells in vitro and in vivo. RBPJ and NOTCH intracellular domain (NIC) D1 ChIP-PCR confirmed Pax9 as a direct downstream target of NOTCH signaling in mouse esophagus. NOTCH inhibition by alcohol drinking was further validated in mouse esophagus and human tissue samples. In conclusion, ethanol exposure inhibited NOTCH signaling and thus suppressed PAX9 expression in esophageal squamous epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Our data support a novel mechanism of alcohol-induced esophageal injury through the inhibition of NOTCH-PAX9 signaling. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Flat-Tunnel Technique With Independently Tensioned Bundles Better Restores Rotational Stability Than Round-Tunnel Technique in Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstring Graft: A Cadaveric Biomechanical Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the kinematics differences between round-tunnel (ROT) and flat-tunnel (FLT) techniques in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction when using hamstring graft. METHODS: Nine matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were evaluated for the kinematics of intact, ACL-sectioned, and either ROT or FLT reconstructed knees. The graft bundles for FLT technique were separately tensioned. A 6 degrees of freedom robotic system was used to assess knee laxity: (1) 134-N anterior tibial load at 0°, 15°, 30°, 60°, and 90°of knee flexion; (2) 10 Nm of valgus torque followed by 5 Nm of internal rotation torque simulates a pivot-shift test at 15° and 30°; (3) 5-Nm internal and external rotation torques at 0°, 15°, 30°, 60°, and 90°; (4) 10-Nm varus and valgus torques at 15° and 30°. RESULTS: Significant differences were found for ROT versus FLT techniques in terms of the simulated pivot-shift test at 15° (2.5 mm vs 1.4 mm, respectively, difference from intact; P =.039) and the internal rotation test at 15° (2.5° vs 0.5°, respectively, difference from intact; P =.034) and 30° (2.0° vs 0.4°, respectively, difference from intact; P =.014). No significant differences were found between groups during 134-N anterior tibial load, external rotation and valgus/varus rotation. Neither technique was able to reproduce the intact state during an anterior tibial load and simulated pivot-shift test. CONCLUSIONS: The FLT technique with independently tensioned bundles shows the same anterior control as the ROT technique but better restores rotational stability in terms of the simulated pivot-shift test and the internal rotation test in anatomic ACL reconstruction at time zero. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The FLT technique with independently tensioned bundles of ACL reconstruction appears to be a viable, more anatomic technique than the ROT technique in mimicking flat anatomy and rotational stability of native ACL.

Arthroscopic modified Broström procedure achieves faster return to sports than open procedure for chronic ankle instability.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes, rate of return to sports, postural control, and muscle strength between the arthroscopic and open modified Broström procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) patients. METHODS: From September 2018 to April 2019, 70 patients diagnosed with CLAI were prospectively included with arthroscopic modified Broström procedure (n = 36) and open modified Broström procedure (n = 34). They were evaluated at five time points (preoperation and 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively). The main results examined the rate of return to sports, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), visual analogue scale (VAS), centre of pressure (COP) excursion velocity, time to boundary (TTB), plantar pressure, isokinetic muscle strength and complications. RESULTS: Compared with the open group, the arthroscopic group demonstrated a significantly shorter period of return to the preinjury sport (13.2 ± 2.4 weeks vs. 18.7 ± 3.1 weeks, P = 0.023) and a higher early sport ratio (80.6 vs. 61.8%, P = 0.011) combined with better FAAM sports and AOFAS at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively and VAS at 3 months postoperatively. In addition, better anterior-posterior postural control stability, less time to peak force under lateral hindfoot and better dorsiflexion strength were shown in the arthroscopic group at 6 months postoperatively. No significant difference was found in clinical scores, posture control or muscle strength at the 1- or 2-year follow-up between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Shorter period and higher rates of return to sport activities and better clinical scores, posture control and muscle strength were achieved in the arthroscopic group at 6 months postoperatively, and no clinical differences were found between arthroscopic and open modified Broström procedure 1 year or 2 years postoperatively. Arthroscopic modified Broström procedure is a reliable procedure for CLAI injuries with the demand for fast exercise recovery. CLINICAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1900023999. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Distribution of trace metals in a soil-tea leaves-tea infusion system: characteristics, translocation and health risk assessment.

The effects of metal pollution on tea are of great concern to consumers. We apply Geographic information systems technology to study the distribution of heavy metal elements in tea plantation ecosystems in Jiangsu Province, explore the relationships among metals in the soil, tea leaves and tea infusions, and assess the human safety risks of metals. The concentrations of nine metals in a soil-tea leaves-tea infusion system were studied at 100 randomly selected tea plantations in Jiangsu Province, China. Concentrations of selected metals, zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu), were quantified using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), and cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), plumbum (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were quantified using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Arc-Map 10.3 was used for the spatial analysis of metals in soil, tea leaves and tea infusions. We found that the contents of Mn, Ni and Zn are high level in soil, tea leaves and tea infusions. The Mn level showed a spatial distribution pattern with greater concentrations at the junction of Nanjing and Yangzhou, southwest of Changzhou and west of Suzhou. The hazard index (HI) values in north-central Nanjing, southern Suzhou, southwestern Changzhou and northern Lianyungang were relatively greater. The Zn, Ni, Mn, Cr and Cu levels in the soil-tea infusion system were 17.3, 45.5, 54.5, 1.5 and 14.3%, respectively. The order of the leaching rates of the elements was Ni > Cr > Zn > Mn > Cu. The relative contribution ratios of HI were in the order of Mn > Ni > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cd > As > Hg. In tea infusions, the Mn level has the greatest potential health risks to consumers. Moreover, using Csoil it was inferred that the safety thresholds of Zn, Ni, Mn, Cr and Cu in soil were 27,700, 50, 1230, 493,000 and 16,800 mg L-1, respectively. The content of heavy metals in soil and tea varies greatly in different regions of Jiangsu Province, 92% of the soil has heavy metal content that meets the requirements of pollution-free tea gardens, 91% of tea samples met the requirements of green food tea. The thresholds for Ni (50 mg L-1) and Mn (1230 mg L-1) can be used as maximum limits in tea plantation soils. The consumption of tea infusions did not pose metal-related risks to human health.

Clinical Characteristics and Influence Factor Analysis of ABO Typing Discrepancy Among Patients in a Tertiary Hospital.

BACKGROUND: An accurate interpretation of the ABO blood group of an individual is of utmost importance to ensure patient safety and good transfusion practices. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and causes of ABO typing discrepancies among patients and analysis of the clinical characteristics as well. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was carried out in the Department of Laboratory Medicine in the General Hospital of Chinese PLA from March 2018 to December 2020. Records of patients were collected and analyzed for frequency, clinical characteristics, and influencing factors of ABO typing discrepancies. RESULTS: There were 132 ABO typing discrepancies patients (57 females, 75 males), aged from 3 to 84 (50.3 ± 19.3) years, with history of operation 89 cases (67.42%) and blood transfusion 23 cases (17.42%). In the control group, there were 142 cases (63 females and 79 males), aged 10 - 78 years (50.5 ± 15.55), with operation history 68 cases (47.88%) and blood transfusion history 2 cases (1.40%). Among the inconsistent blood types group, there were 59 cases (44.7%) type B, 38 cases (28.8%) type A, 28 cases (21.2%) type AB, and 7 cases (5.3%) type O. There were 21 cases (15.9%) in the department of hematology, 15 cases (11.36%) in the department of orthopedics, 14 cases (10.6%) in the department of hepatobiliary surgery, 11 cases (8.33%) in the department of general surgery, 11 cases (8.33%) in the department of vascular surgery, and less than 5% in other departments. The common cause of ABO typing discrepancies was due to low/weak affinity antibody (3.79%), low/weak affinity antibody B (18.18%), weak A antigen (3.03%), weak B antigen (12.12%), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (10.60%), irregular antibody (46.70%), subtype (3.79%), and cold agglutination (1.51%). The diseases in the ABO discrepancy group mainly included hematological disorders, malignant tumors, osteoarthritis and so on. Binary logistic regression showed that hematological disorders, malignant tumors, history of operation (p = 0.01), and history of blood transfusion (p = 0.017) were the influencing factors of ABO typing discrepancies. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that the antibody of ABO blood group system could not be detected. The independent influence factors were hematological disorders, malignant tumor, blood transfusion history and operation history for ABO typing discrepancies. It was necessary to analyze the causes correctly and judge the correct blood group by serological methods.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Non-Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid Combined with L-carnosine for Horizontal Neck Wrinkles Treatment.

Background Horizontal neck wrinkle formation is gaining more attention among cosmetic practitioners and clients. To date, hyaluronic acid products are one of the most common treatment options for this aesthetic concern. However, different therapeutic strategies should be given to solve the problem due to multiple etiological reasons. Given that oxidative damage plays a critical role in neck wrinkle formation, anti-oxidative compounds are now considered by physicians when making a treatment plan. Aims To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler in combination with L-carnosine in treating horizontal neck wrinkles. Methods Thirteen patients with a Wrinkle Assessment Scale (WAS) of 2-5 for horizontal neck wrinkles were treated with L-carnosine-containing non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Participants were followed-up for 3 months after treatment. The post-treated WAS scores evaluated by physicians were collected when patient satisfaction was surveyed. Any post-treatment adverse events were recorded. Results With a single injection of the above filler, the physician-evaluated WAS scores improved by at least one score at one month and the improvement kept consistent as far as three months after injection. According to the last follow-up visit, 11/13 patients were satisfied with the treatment effect of their neck wrinkle. Moreover, adverse events were rare after filler injection, except for local complications that were considered common reactions to the filler injection procedure. Conclusion The non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler containing L-carnosine is safe and effective for treating horizontal neck wrinkles.Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Is digital technology the magic bullet for performing work at home? Lessons learned for post COVID-19 recovery in hospitality management.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has suddenly brought about a number of disruptions to when and where work is undertaken for hospitality employees. The rapid spread of COVID-19 forced many hospitality managers to use digital technologies to perform work from home, termed digital work connectivity. Yet little is known about how hospitality employees cope with it. The purpose of this study is to investigate an important yet underspecified issue as to how digital work connectivity can be detrimental for employees' work behavior. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: We test our hypotheses using multi-wave and multi-source data collected from 467 middle managerial-level hospitality employees in China. FINDINGS: The findings show that digital work connectivity can lead to self-control depletion, which in turn is associated with disengagement from work. Further, the findings show that relational energy is an important resource that can buffer the detrimental effects of digital work connectivity on hospitality employees. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The association of digital work connectivity with employee withdrawal behavior highlights the urgent need for hospitality enterprises to have clear guidelines that regulate technology use at home for work purposes. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Our research shows that the absence of clear guidelines in relation to the use of digital technology for work at home risks producing unintended consequences for both hospitality employees and their enterprises. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Our research draws from recent advances in resource allocation theories of self-control and adopts a more nuanced approach to uncover a counterintuitive reality that while people use digital technology to remain connected with work, doing so can actually contribute to their withdrawal behavior.

Molecular and functional diversity of organelle RNA editing mediated by RNA recognition motif-containing protein ORRM4 in tomato.

Plant organellar RNA editing is a distinct type of post-transcriptional RNA modification that is critical for plant development. We showed previously that the RNA editing factor SlORRM4 is required for mitochondrial function and fruit ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). However, a comprehensive atlas of the RNA editing mediated by SlORRM4 is lacking. We observed that SlORRM4 is targeted to both chloroplasts and mitochondria, and its knockout results in pale-green leaves and delayed fruit ripening. Using high-throughput sequencing, we identified 12 chloroplast editing sites and 336 mitochondrial editing sites controlled by SlORRM4, accounting for 23% of chloroplast sites in leaves and 61% of mitochondrial sites in fruits, respectively. Analysis of native RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing revealed that SlORRM4 binds to 31 RNA targets; 19 of these targets contain SlORRM4-dependent editing sites. Large-scale analysis of putative SlORRM4-interacting proteins identified SlRIP1b, a RIP/MORF protein. Moreover, functional characterization demonstrated that SlRIP1b is involved in tomato fruit ripening. Our results indicate that SlORRM4 binds to RNA targets and interacts with SlRIP1b to broadly affect RNA editing in tomato organelles. These results provide insights into the molecular and functional diversity of RNA editing factors in higher plants.