UNVEILING THE PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS OF PUERARIN AGAINST ACUTE LUNG INJURY: A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLORATION OF THE ROLES AND MECHANISMS OF MST1/ERS SIGNALING.

OBJECTIVES: Puerarin, the principal active constituent extracted from Pueraria, is believed to confer protection against sepsis-induced lung injury. The study aimed to elucidate the role and mechanism of Mst1/ERS in puerarin-mediated protection against acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS: Monolayer vascular endothelial cell permeability was assessed by gauging the paracellular flow of FITC-dextran 40,000 (FD40). ELISA was employed for the quantification of inflammatory cytokines. Identification of target proteins was conducted through Western blotting. Histological alterations and apoptosis were scrutinized using H&E staining and TUNEL staining, respectively. The ultrastructure of the endoplasmic reticulum was observed via transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Puerarin significantly protected mice from LPS-induced ALI, reducing lung interstitial width, neutrophil and lymphocyte infiltration, pulmonary interstitial and alveolar edema, and lung apoptosis. Puerarin treatment also markedly attenuated levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß in both alveolar lavage fluid and serum. Furthermore, puerarin significantly attenuated LPS-induced increases in Mst1, GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase12 protein expression and blunted LPS-induced decrease in ZO-1 protein expression in lung tissues. Puerarin obviously reduced endoplasmic reticulum expansion and vesiculation. Similarly, puerarin significantly mitigated the LPS-induced reduction in HUVEC cell viability and ZO-1 expression. Puerarin also attenuated LPS-induced increase in apoptosis, TNF-α and IL-1ß, FD40 flux, and Mst1, GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase12 expression in HUVEC cells. Nevertheless, the inhibitory impact of puerarin on vascular endothelial cell injury, lung injury, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) was diminished by Mst1 overexpression. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that the Mst1/ERS signaling pathway played a pivotal role in the development of LPS-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and ALI. Puerarin exhibited the ability to attenuate LPS-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and ALI by inhibiting the Mst1/ERS signaling pathway.

Immediate Effect of Electro-acupuncture on Endometrial Blood Flow in Patients with Recurrent Implantation Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on endometrial blood flow among recurrent implantation failure (RIF) patients. METHODS: Eighty RIF patients, enrolled from March 2022 to December 2022, were randomly allocated into either the EA group (40 cases) or the waiting-list (WL) group (40 cases) by using a random number table. The EA group underwent acupuncture at points of Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 4), Benshen (GB 13), bilateral Zigong (EX-CA 1), Huangshu (KI 16), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Xuehai (SP10), and electric acupuncture apparatus was connected to EX-CA 1, KI 16, SP 6, and SP 10 with disperse-dense waves at 4/20 Hz frequencies for 30 min after transvaginal ultrasound, while the WL group received no intervention. The primary outcome measured was the endometrial volume blood flow. The secondary outcomes included the bilateral uterine artery index, endometrial volume, endometrial blood flow type, vascular distribution index (VIMV) for endometrial and ovary, clinical pregnancy rate, and embryo implantation rate. RESULTS: In the EA group, there was a notable decrease in the bilateral pulsatility index and a significant improvement in the endometrial blood flow type post-EA (P<0.05). Both the endometrial blood flow type and VIMV for the endometrium and right ovary were markedly higher in the EA group compared to the WL group post-treatment (P<0.05). Conversely, no significant disparities were observed in vascular index, flow index, vascular blood flow index, uterine arterial blood flow indices, endometrial volume, clinical pregnancy rate and embryo implantation rate between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05). Besides, no adverse events related to EA were observed. CONCLUSIONS: EA can promptly ameliorate VIMV for the endometrial and right ovary, and endometrial blood flow type. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted to investigate the long-term effects of EA on blood flow of RIF patients and its implications for pregnancy outcomes. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2200057377).

Scarless totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) implantation: Surgical technique, preliminary results, learning curve, and patients-reported outcome in 125 breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Minimal-access (endoscopic or robotic-assisted) breast surgery has been increasingly performed and shown better cosmetic results. However, location of totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) for systemic treatment at anterior chest may compromise its aesthetic benefits. Therefore, we proposed a new scarless technique for TIVAP implantation, and reported the preliminary results, learning curve, and patients-surveyed outcome. METHODS: Surgical technique of the new "scarless" TIVAP implantation was proposed. Patients receiving this procedure in a single institution were included. The preliminary results of the scarless TIVAP implantation, learning curve, and patient-reported outcome were analyzed and reported. RESULTS: A total of 125 breast cancer patients received scarless TIVAP procedures were enrolled. The primary success rate of the scarless TIVAP implantation was 100%. Mean operative time was 46 ± 14 min. Mean amount of blood loss was 8.5 ± 3.2 ml. The cumulative sum plot showed operation time significantly decreased after 24th cases. In the initial learning phase, the mean operative time was 55 ± 17 min, and decreased to 43 ± 12 min in the later mature phase (P = 0.003). There were 5 (4%) complications detected, which included 1 (0.8%) seroma formation, 2 (1.6%) revisions, and 2 (1.6%) unplanned explantations. From patients-evaluated questionnaires, more than 90% of responders were satisfied with aesthetic results, experience during surgery, and application of scarless TIVAP for systemic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The scarless TIVAP implantation is a safe & reliable procedure with high patients-reported aesthetic satisfaction, and could be an alternative TIVAP procedure for patients requiring chemotherapy and desiring a less noticeable scar.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation benefits postoperative pain relief of oocyte retrieval: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Transvaginal oocyte retrieval is frequently followed by adverse events related to anesthesia and the procedure. Some research showed that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) can relieve intraoperative pain and postoperative nausea. OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether TEAS can alleviate pain and relieve adverse symptoms after oocyte retrieval. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Altogether 128 patients were randomly divided into the TEAS group and the mock TEAS group. The two groups received a 30-minute-long TEAS or mock TEAS treatment that began 30 min after oocyte retrieval. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score. Secondary outcomes were pressure pain threshold, McGill score, pain rating index (PRI), present pain intensity (PPI), VAS stress score, VAS anxiety score, and postoperative adverse symptoms. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable (P > 0.05). The VAS pain scores of the TEAS group were lower than those of the mock TEAS group at 60 and 90 min after oocyte retrieval (P < 0.05). The McGill score, PRI and PPI in the TEAS group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 60 min after oocyte retrieval (P < 0.05). However, the two groups had equivalent beneficial effects regarding the negative emotions, such as nervousness and anxiety (P > 0.05). The TEAS group was superior to the mock TEAS group for relieving postoperative adverse symptoms (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TEAS treatment can relieve postoperative pain and postoperative adverse symptoms for patients undergoing oocyte retrieval. Please cite this article as: Liu LY, Su Y, Wang RR, Lai YY, Huang L, Li YT, Tao XY, Su MH, Zheng XY, Huang SC, Wu YN, Yu SY, Liang FR, Yang J. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation benefits postoperative pain relief of oocyte retrieval: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(1): 32-38.

Global change progressively increases foliar nitrogen-phosphorus ratios in China's subtropical forests.

Globally increased nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) ratios (N/P) affect the structure and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, but few studies have addressed the variation of foliar N/P over time in subtropical forests. Foliar N/P indicates N versus P limitation in terrestrial ecosystems. Quantifying long-term dynamics of foliar N/P and their potential drivers is crucial for predicting nutrient status and functioning in forest ecosystems under global change. We detected temporal trends of foliar N/P, quantitatively estimated their potential drivers and their interaction between plant types (evergreen vs. deciduous and trees vs. shrubs), using 1811 herbarium specimens of 12 widely distributed species collected during 1920-2010 across China's subtropical forests. We found significant decreases in foliar P concentrations (23.1%) and increases in foliar N/P (21.2%). Foliar N/P increased more in evergreen species (22.9%) than in deciduous species (16.9%). Changes in atmospheric CO2 concentrations ( P CO 2 $$ {\mathrm{P}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} $$ ), atmospheric N deposition and mean annual temperature (MAT) dominantly contributed to the increased foliar N/P of evergreen species, while P CO 2 $$ {\mathrm{P}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} $$ , MAT, and vapor pressure deficit, to that of deciduous species. Under future Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios, increasing MAT and P CO 2 $$ {\mathrm{P}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2} $$ would continuously increase more foliar N/P in deciduous species than in evergreen species, with more 12.9%, 17.7%, and 19.4% versus 6.1%, 7.9%, and 8.9% of magnitudes under the scenarios of SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5, respectively. The results suggest that global change has intensified and will progressively aggravate N-P imbalance, further altering community composition and ecosystem functioning of subtropical forests.

Effect assessment of traditional Chinese medicine, Guilu Erxian Jiao, in patients with osteoporosis: A case-control study of the Chang gung memorial hospital.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a chronic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and increased risk of fracture. In Taiwan, Guilu Erxian Jiao (GEJ) is the commonly used formula of Chinese herbal medicines for patients with osteoporosis. However, the effect of GEJ on subsequent fractures in the long term is unclear. This is the first long-term case-control study of the effects of GEJ on the rates of fracture in patients with osteoporosis. METHODS: We collected data from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2019 from the Chang Gung Research Database. We interpreted from the reports of DXA to confirm whether the patients met the criteria for osteoporosis (T score ≤ -2.5). Eighty-five patients were enrolled in the GEJ group. After two propensity score matchings, 425 patients were identified as the non-GEJ group. We assessed four outcomes to confirm the effects of GEJ in patients with osteoporosis, including the change in the T-score, new occurrences of fractures, cumulative rate of fracture, and how many doses of GEJ need to be administered to effectively reduce fractures RESULTS: There was no significant difference in either the improvement in the T score or the 5-year overall fracture (p = 0.335) between these two groups. At the fracture-prone sites, the fracture in lumbar vertebrae was less in the GEJ group (p = 0.034). A total of 600 GEJ pills are required to effectively reduce the incidence of fractures (p value= 0.0039). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who take at least 600 GEJ pills would have a decreased fracture risk at fracture-prone sites.

Auto-setting multi-soliton temporal spacing in a fiber laser by a hybrid GA-PSO algorithm.

Multi-soliton operation in fiber lasers is a promising platform for the investigation of soliton interaction dynamics and high repetition-rate pulse. However, owing to the complex interaction process, precisely manipulating the temporal spacing of multiple solitons in a fiber laser is still challenging. Herein, we propose an automatic way to control the temporal spacing of multi-soliton operation in an ultrafast fiber laser by a hybrid genetic algorithm-particle swarm optimization (GA-PSO) algorithm. Relying on the intelligent adjustment of the electronic polarization controller (EPC), the on-demand temporal spacing of the double solitons can be effectively achieved. In particular, the harmonic mode locking with equal temporal spacing of double solitons is also obtained. Our approach provides a promising way to explore nonlinear soliton dynamics in optical systems and optimize the performance of ultrafast fiber lasers.

[Source Apportionment of Ambient VOCs in Qingdao Based on Photochemical Loss Correction].

Ozone was one of the major pollutants affecting the environmental air quality in China. The accurate apportionment of key sources and their contributions of ambient ozone and its precursor VOCs played an important role in the effective prevention and control of ozone pollution. Therefore, this study utilized the photochemical-age-based parameterization method to estimate the initial concentrations of ambient VOCs data collected from January 1 to February 28, 2021 in Jiaozhou, Qingdao and corrected the photochemical losses of ambient VOC species. The positive matrix factorization(PMF) and ozone formation potential(OFP) models were used to conduct source apportionment of ambient VOCs and their OFPs so as to provide data support for the prevention and control of ozone pollution in Qingdao. The results showed that the average values of ambient ρ(TVOCs) and OFP in Qingdao during the study period were 65.9 µg·m-3 and 176.7 µg·m-3, respectively. Propane had the highest concentration(12.4 µg·m-3) and percentage(18.9%), whereas m/p-xylene had the highest OFP(24.6 µg·m-3) and percentage(13.9%). The mean initial concentration of TVOCs during the study was 153.1 µg·m-3, and its photochemical loss rate reached 63.8%. Alkenes were the VOC species with the highest photochemical loss rate(92.1%), and the photochemical loss rate of isoprene reached 98.6%, which was substantially higher than that of other VOC species. According to the source apportionment results of initial concentrations(IC-PMF), liquefied petroleum gas(24.2%), solvent use(17.8%), natural gas and petrochemical-related enterprises(16.6%), gasoline volatilization(13.2%), combustion and gasoline vehicle emissions(12.2%), biogenic emissions(8.6%), and diesel vehicle emissions(7.4%) were the main contributing sources of the ambient VOCs in Jiaozhou. Compared with the apportioned results of IC-PMF, the contribution of biogenic emissions was underestimated by 38.9% in the apportioned results based on observed concentrations(OC-PMF), and the contribution of natural gas and petrochemical-related enterprises was underestimated by 28.5%, and the underestimations of their contributions were substantially higher than those of other sources. Compared with that before the Spring Festival, the contribution of gasoline volatilization to ambient VOCs increased markedly during the Spring Festival, whereas the contributions of solvent use, combustion, and gasoline vehicle emissions to ambient VOCs increased most significantly after the Spring Festival. The main contributing sources of ambient ozone during the study period were solvent use(31.3%), natural gas and petrochemical-related enterprises(16.1%), biogenic emissions(14.5%), and combustion and gasoline vehicle emissions(13.2%). The primary contributors of ambient ozone in different Spring Festival periods showed substantial differences. Before the Spring Festival, solvent use had the highest contribution(71.1 µg·m-3), and gasoline volatilization was the highest contributor during the Spring Festival(34.4 µg·m-3), whereas biogenic emissions after the Spring Festival were the highest contributor(39.1 µg·m-3).

Cardiac Dose Predicts the Response to Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Definitive concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) is the standard treatment for cervical esophageal cancer and non-surgical candidates. Initial treatment response affects survival; however, few validated markers are available for prediction. This study evaluated the clinical variables and chemoradiation parameters associated with treatment response. Between May 2010 and April 2016, 86 completed CCRT patients' clinical, dosimetric, and laboratory data at baseline and during treatment were collected. Cox regression analysis assessed the risk factors for overall survival (OS). A receiver operating characteristic curve with Youden's index was chosen to obtain the optimal cut-off value of each parameter. Treatment response was defined per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v.1.1 at the first post-CCRT computed tomography scan. Responders had complete and partial responses; non-responders had stable and progressive diseases. Logistic regression (LR) was used to evaluate the variables associated with responders. The Cox regression model confirmed the presence of responders (n = 50) vs. non-responders (n = 36) with a significant difference in OS. In multivariate LR, cardiac dose-volume received ≥10 Gy; the baseline hemoglobin level, highest neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio during CCRT, and cumulative cisplatin dose were significantly associated with the responders. The initial clinical treatment response significantly determines disease outcome. Cardiac irradiation may affect the treatment response.

Technical note: Evaluation of the dose enhancement effect for a novel transmission-type x-ray tube using the Monte Carlo method.

PURPOSE: Transmission-target x-ray tubes generate more x-rays than reflection thick-target x-ray tubes. A transmission x-ray tube combined with radiosensitizers has a better radiation enhancement effect. This study investigated the feasibility of using a transmission x-ray tube with radiosensitizers in clinical radiotherapy and its effect on radiation dose enhancement. METHODS: This study used MCNP6.2 to simulate the model of a transmission x-ray tube and Co-60 beam.   The radiation enhancement effect of radiosensitizers was examined with iodine-127 (I-127), radioiodinated iododeoxyuridine (IUdR), and gold nanoparticles (GNPs). RESULTS: The study results showed that the dose enhancement factor (DEF) of the transmission x-ray tube with GNPs was 10.27, which was higher than that of I-127 (6.46) and IUdR (3.08). The DEF of the Co-60 beam with GNPs, I-127, and IUdR was 1.23, 1.19, and 1.2, respectively. The Auger electron flux of the transmission x-ray tube with GNPs was 1.19E+05 particles/cm2 . CONCLUSIONS: This study found that a transmission x-ray tube with appropriate radiosensitizers could produce a high rate of Auger electrons to fulfill the radiation enhancement effect, and this procedure has the potential to become a radiotherapy modality.

Comparison of the Effects of Dexmedetomidine and Lidocaine on Stress Response and Postoperative Delirium of Older Patients Undergoing Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of intraoperative intravenous lidocaine or dexmedetomidine infusion on inflammatory factors and cognitive function in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. Patients and Methods: Patients aged >65 years undergoing elective thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy were randomly grouped as dexmedetomidine group (group D), lidocaine group (group L), and control group (group C). The plasma cortisol, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations were measured before anesthesia (T0) and immediately (T1), 24 h (T2), and 48 h postoperatively (T3). Postoperative delirium (POD) was assessed by 3D-CAM on days 2 and 7. Results: The cortisol concentrations decreased for all groups at T1 from T0 although they were significantly higher at T2. Group L had significantly lower interleukin-6 concentrations at T1 and T2 than the other groups (P<0.05). The interleukin-6 concentrations were significantly higher at T1, T2, and T3 than at T0 for all the groups, significantly lower for groups D and L than for group C at T1 and T2 (P<0.05), and significantly lower for group L than for group D at T2 (P<0.05). The tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations were significantly higher at T1, T2, and T3 than at T0 for all the groups and significantly lower for groups D and L than for group C at T1 and T2 (P<0.05), although they were not statistically significantly different for groups D and L. There were no statistically significant differences in the postoperative incidence of POD between the three groups on days 2 and day 7. Conclusion: Intraoperative continuous intravenous lidocaine or dexmedetomidine infusion reduced surgical stress and inflammatory responses. The inhibitory effect of lidocaine on surgical stress remained significant for up to 24 h postoperatively without affecting patient awakening. However, the administration of either drug failed to prevent postoperative POD.

Acupuncture benefits to women with recurrent implantation failure: A propensity score-matched cohort study.

Objectives: The current study aims to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving the live birth rate (LBR), ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), biochemical pregnancy rate (BPR), and pregnancy loss (early abortion rate, late abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate) in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Design: This retrospective study compares the outcomes of patients with RIF who underwent frozen embryo transfer (FET) with or without acupuncture. Setting: The medical records of patients diagnosed with RIF and visiting Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital between January 2018 and June 2021 were reviewed. The Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital Ethics Committee approved this retrospective study (No. 2021-029). Participants: A total of 923 patients with RIF who underwent FET were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the Acupuncture (n = 303) and the Non-acupuncture groups (n = 620). Exposure: The Acupuncture group consisted of 303 RIF patients who received acupuncture therapy in addition to standard hormone replacement therapy (HRT)/delayed hormone replacement therapy (d-HRT) for FET. The Non-acupuncture group consisted of 620 RIF patients who received only standard HRT/d-HRT for FET. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary outcome was the LBR. The secondary outcome referred to OPR, CPR, BPR, and pregnancy loss. Results: The Acupuncture group had significantly higher BPR (P = 0.08) and CPR (P = 0.049) than the Non-acupuncture group. A potentially higher LBR (P = 0.16) and OPR (P = 0.248) were observed in the Acupuncture group than in the Non-acupuncture group. However, the survival analysis did not show that acupuncture significantly promoted live birth. Conclusions: Acupuncture is an appropriate adjunctive technique in the in vitro fertilization process as it improves biochemical and clinical pregnancies. Therefore, it is necessary to be cautious about the role of acupuncture throughout the whole pregnancy cycle.

Mechanisms and rules of social learning in crickets.

A new study on insect social learning shows that crickets learn to prefer a rewarded odorant by observing the choice of a conspecific and without experiencing the reward themselves. The mere perception of the conspecific activates octopaminergic reward neurons in the brain of the observer, thus facilitating odorant learning.

Delivering on NIH data sharing requirements: avoiding Open Data in Appearance Only.

Introduction In January, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) implemented a Data Management and Sharing Policy aiming to leverage data collected during NIH-funded research. The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated that this practice is equally vital for augmenting patient research. In addition, data sharing acts as a necessary safeguard against the introduction of analytical biases. While the pandemic provided an opportunity to curtail critical research issues such as reproducibility and validity through data sharing, this did not materialise in practice and became an example of 'Open Data in Appearance Only' (ODIAO). Here, we define ODIAO as the intent of data sharing without the occurrence of actual data sharing (eg, material or digital data transfers).Objective Propose a framework that states the main risks associated with data sharing, systematically present risk mitigation strategies and provide examples through a healthcare lens.Methods This framework was informed by critical aspects of both the Open Data Institute and the NIH's 2023 Data Management and Sharing Policy plan guidelines.Results Through our examination of legal, technical, reputational and commercial categories, we find barriers to data sharing ranging from misinterpretation of General Data Privacy Rule to lack of technical personnel able to execute large data transfers. From this, we deduce that at numerous touchpoints, data sharing is presently too disincentivised to become the norm.Conclusion In order to move towards Open Data, we propose the creation of mechanisms for incentivisation, beginning with recentring data sharing on patient benefits, additional clauses in grant requirements and committees to encourage adherence to data reporting practices.

Effects of sodium oxybate on hypocretin/orexin and locus coeruleus neurons.

Long-term use of sodium oxybate (SXB), (also called gamma-hydroxybutyrate [GHB]) attenuates the cataplexy and sleepiness of human narcolepsy. We had previously found that chronic opiate usage in humans and long-term opiate administration to mice significantly increased the number of detected hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt) neurons, decreased their size, and increased Hcrt level in the hypothalamus. We also found that opiates significantly decreased cataplexy in human narcoleptics as well as in narcoleptic mice and that cessation of locus coeruleus neuronal activity preceded and was tightly linked to cataplectic attacks in narcoleptic dogs. We tested the hypothesis that SXB produces changes similar to opiates and now report that chronic SXB administration significantly increased the size of Hcrt neurons, the reverse of what we had seen with opiates in humans and mice. Levels of Hcrt in the hypothalamus were nonsignificantly lower, in contrast to the significant increase in hypothalamic Hcrt level after opiates. SXB decreased tyrosine hydroxylase levels in the locus coeruleus, the major descending projection of the hypocretin system, also the reverse of what we saw with opioids. Therefore despite some similar effects on narcoleptic symptomatology, SXB does not produce anatomical changes similar to those elicited by opiates. Analysis of changes in other links in the cataplexy pathway might further illuminate SXB's mechanism of action on narcolepsy.

Neuroethology: Perceived danger inhibits the wanting system of bees.

A dopaminergic wanting system drives foraging in honey bees. A new study shows that encounters with the Asian hornet, a fierce bee predator, decrease brain dopamine levels and thus foraging. Stop signals, used to terminate the waggle dances of receivers, have the same effect, showing the power of bee communication.

[Chemical Characteristics and Source Apportionment for VOCs During the Ozone Pollution Episodes and Non-ozone Pollution Periods in Qingdao].

The ambient concentration of ozone is high in Qingdao, and ozone pollution episodes occur frequently in summer. The refined source apportionment of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their ozone formation potential (OFP) during ozone pollution episodes and non-ozone pollution periods can play an important role in effectively reducing air ozone pollution in coastal cities and continuously improving ambient air quality. Therefore, this study applied the online VOCs monitoring data with hourly resolution in summer (from June to August) in 2020 in Qingdao to analyze the chemical characteristics of ambient VOCs during the ozone pollution episodes and non-ozone pollution periods and conducted the refined source apportionment of ambient VOCs and their OFP using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. The results showed that the average mass concentration of ambient VOCs in Qingdao in summer was 93.8 µg·m-3, and compared with that during the non-ozone pollution period, the mass concentration of ambient VOCs during the ozone pollution episodes increased by 49.3%, and the mass concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons increased by 59.7%. The total OFP of ambient VOCs in summer was 246.3 µg·m-3. Compared with that in the non-ozone pollution period, the total OFP of ambient VOCs in the ozone pollution episodes increased by 43.1%; that of alkanes increased the most, reaching 58.8%. M-ethyltoluene and 2,3-dimethylpentane were the species with the largest increase in OFP and its proportion during the ozone pollution episodes. The main contributors of ambient VOCs in Qingdao in summer were diesel vehicles (11.2%), solvent use (4.7%), liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas (LPG/NG) (27.5%), gasoline vehicles (8.9%), gasoline volatilization (26.6%), emissions of combustion- and petrochemical-related enterprises (16.4%), and plant emissions (4.8%). Compared with that in the non-ozone pollution period, the contribution concentration of LPG/NG in the ozone pollution episodes increased by 16.4 µg·m-3, which was the source category with the largest increase. The contribution concentration of plant emissions increased by 88.6% in the ozone pollution episodes, which was the source category with the highest increase rate. In addition, emissions from combustion- and petrochemical-related enterprises were the largest contributor to the OFP of ambient VOCs in summer in Qingdao, with its OFP and contribution proportion being 38.0 µg·m-3and 24.5%, respectively, followed by that of LPG/NG and gasoline volatilization. Compared with the non-ozone pollution period, the total contributions of LPG/NG, gasoline volatilization, and solvent use to the increase in OFP for ambient VOCs in the ozone pollution episodes were 74.1%, which were the main contribution source categories.

Association between axial length and HDL in children: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the relationship between axial length and levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in children. METHODS: A retrospective, hospital-based cross-sectional research with 69 right eyes from 69 children who underwent health examination by Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital was carried out. The participants were split into three groups: Group A (axial length < = 23 mm), Group B (axial length 23-24 mm), and Group C (axial length > 24 mm). Demographic epidemiological information, blood biochemical parameters and ophthalmic characteristics including refractive status and ocular geometric parameters were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: 69 right eyes from 69 patients (25 males and 44 females) with a median age of 10.00 years old (IQR: 8.00-11.00 years) were included in the study. Within Group A, there were a total of 17 individuals; Group B consisted of 22 individuals; Group C included 30 individuals. The mean axial length of three groups was 22.148(0.360), 23.503(0.342) and 24.770(0.556) mm, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean HDL levels were significantly different in three groups are 1.824(0.307), 1.485(0.253) and 1.507 (0.265) mmol/L, respectively. By applying a Pearson Coefficient, we evaluated the association between axial length and HDL and discovered that there was a statistically significant (p = 0.00025) and adverse (R = -0.43) association between axial length and HDL. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded from our study that there was a significantly inverse relationship between axial length and the levels of HDL in children.

Oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgeon performance and impact on breast reconstructions: Clinical outcomes, learning curve, and patients' satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Compared to mastectomy alone, the addition of breast reconstruction could improve quality of life and it is usually performed by two-team approach, which consisted of both breast surgeons and plastic surgeons. This study aims to illustrate the positive impacts of the dual-trained oncoplastic reconstructive breast surgeon (ORBS) and reveal the factors influencing reconstruction rates. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 542 breast cancer patients who undergone mastectomy with reconstruction performed by a particular ORBS between January 2011 and December 2021 at a single institution. Clinical and oncological outcomes, impact of case accumulation on performance and patient-reported aesthetic satisfactions were analyzed and reported. Furthermore, in this study 1851 breast cancer patients treated with mastectomy combined with or without breast reconstructions, which included 542 performed by ORBS, were reviewed to identify factors affecting breast reconstructions. RESULTS: Among the 524 breast reconstructions performed by the ORBS, 73.6% were gel implant reconstructions, 2.7% were tissue expanders, 19.5% were transverse rectus abdominal myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps, 2.7% were latissimus dorsi (LD) flaps, 0.8% were omentum flaps, and 0.8% involved LD flaps and implants. There was no total flap loss in the 124 autologous reconstructions, and the implant loss rate was 1.2% (5/403). Patient-reported aesthetic evaluations showed that 95% of the patients were satisfied. As the ORBS's accumulated case experiences, the implant loss rate decreased, and the overall satisfaction rate increased. According to the cumulative sum plot learning curve analysis, it took 58 procedures for the ORBS to shorten the operative time. In multivariate analysis, younger age, MRI, nipple sparing mastectomy, ORBS, and high-volume surgeon were factors related to breast reconstruction. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated that a breast surgeon after adequate training could become an ORBS and perform mastectomies with various types of breast reconstruction with acceptable clinical and oncological outcomes for breast cancer patients. ORBSs could increase breast reconstruction rates, which remain low worldwide.

Systematic review of acupuncture to improve ovarian function in women with poor ovarian response.

Objective: To determine the effect of acupuncture in treating poor ovarian response (POR). Methods: We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, CNKI, CBM, VIP database, Wanfang Database, and relevant registration databases from inception to January 30, 2023. In this review, both Chinese and English peer-reviewed literature were included. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using acupuncture as an intervention for POR patients undergoing in vitro fertilization were considered. Results: Seven clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eventually included for comparison (516 women). The quality of included studies was generally low or very low. For the meta-analysis, seven studies showed that compared with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) therapy, acupuncture combined with COH therapy could significantly increase the implantation rate (RR=2.13, 95%CI [1.08, 4.21], p=0.03), the number of oocytes retrieved (MD=1.02, 95%CI [0.72, 1.32], p<0.00001), the thickness of endometrium (MD=0.54, 95%CI [0.13, 0.96], p=0.01), and the antral follicle count (MD=1.52, 95%CI [1.08, 1.95], p<0.00001), reduce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (MD=-1.52, 95%CI [-2.41, -0.62], p=0.0009) and improve estradiol (E2) levels (MD=1667.80, 95%CI [1578.29, 1757.31], p<0.00001). Besides, there were significant differences in the duration of Gn (MD=0.47, 95%CI [-0.00, 0.94], p=0.05) between the two groups. However, no statistical variation was observed in improving clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, luteinizing hormone (LH) value, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) value, or reducing the dose of gonadotropin (Gn) values between the acupuncture plus COH therapy group and the COH therapy group. Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with COH therapy is doubtful in improving the pregnancy outcome of POR patients. Secondly, acupuncture can also improve the sex hormone level of POR women, and improve ovarian function. Furthermore, more RCTs of acupuncture in POR are needed to be incorporated into future meta-analyses. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42020169560.