Evaluation of choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in Chinese pregnant women and healthy non-pregnant women.

Purpose: To evaluate choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in different trimesters using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Methods: A prospective comparative study included 45 healthy pregnant women in the first trimester, 45 women in the second, 45 women in the third and 45 healthy non-pregnant women as the control group. Macular choroidal thickness was measured at three locations: The subfoveal, 1 â€‹mm temporal, and 1 â€‹mm nasal from the fovea with EDI-OCT. Peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) and RNFL thickness parameters were automatically calculated by the Spectralis OCT. Results: The subfoveal, temporal and nasal macular choroidal thickness were all significantly thicker in the second trimester, compared with those parameters in the first, the third trimesters and the control group (all P â€‹< â€‹0.05). The PPCT was significantly increased in the second trimeter compared with the control group at global, temporal, temporal inferior, nasal and nasal inferior positions (all P â€‹< â€‹0.05). The RNFL thickness was also significantly increased in pregnant women at nasal superior and nasal inferior quadrants (all P â€‹< â€‹0.05). Conclusions: The choroidal thickness in pregnant women was found to be thicker than the control group, regardless of macular or optic disc location. Findings of RNFL thickening might indicate subclinical involvement of the central nervous system.

Higher Education Environment Monitoring and Quality Assessment Model Using Big Data Analysis and Deep Learning.

A university exists to help students develop their skills. The goal of university development is to raise the standard of personnel training, and the core component of university development is teaching quality. Whether the level of practical training can as soon meet the requirements of enterprise employment. For responding to the demands of professions and occupations, it is essential. Teaching quality evaluation is a crucial cornerstone for ensuring the quality of instruction. Universities and colleges should therefore concentrate on evaluating instruction. Schools and colleges can more rapidly and thoroughly comprehend how their off-campus cooperative adult education programmes are running while also enhancing the efficacy and impartiality of their quality assessment by utilising educational data mining and learning analysis technology. Currently, issues with backward evaluation instruments, a single evaluation topic, and easy evaluation methods exist when evaluating the quality of schooling. Big data technology is used to create a higher vocational education environment monitoring and quality evaluation system that offers new and varied approaches to evaluate teaching quality. The technique for evaluating the quality of schooling is expanded upon in this research using various big data mining technologies. The improved collaborative filtering algorithm's mean absolute difference is approximately 18.23% when the data set is larger. In conclusion, when applied to big data sets, the technique in this work performs with greater accuracy than the conventional collaborative filtering algorithm. The scoring matrix becomes denser as there are more scoring items in the model. In turn, this results in a more accurate similarity calculation at the beginning of the programme, albeit the similarity calculation error increases as the scoring matrix becomes denser.

A functionalized collagen-I scaffold delivers microRNA 21-loaded exosomes for spinal cord injury repair.

MicroRNA (miRNA)-based therapies have shown great potential in the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). MicroRNA 21 (miR21) has been proven to have an essential protective effect on SCI. However, there are some challenges for miRNAs application due to their easy degradation and ineffective cell penetration. As natural vesicles, exosomes were considered ideal carriers for miRNAs delivery for their advantages of low immunogenicity, inherent stability and tissue/cell penetration. However, poor targeting and the low capacity of specific miRNAs impede their practical applications. This study aims to develop a type of genetically engineered miR21-loaded exosomes that can be entrapped in collagen-I (Col-I) scaffold to repair SCI. The collagen-binding domain (CBD)-fused lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 2b (Lamp2b) protein (CBD-LP) and miR21 were overexpressed in host HEK293T (293T) cells that were used to produce engineered miR21-loaded exosomes. The CBD peptide fused in Lamp2b on the exosome surface can stably tether exosomes to Col-I scaffold, facilitate the retention of miR21-loaded exosomes in lesion sites, promote the sustained release of miR21 to cells. Finally, a functionalized Col-I scaffold biomaterial enriched with miR21-loaded exosomes was developed and it could benefit the repair of SCI. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: MiRNA-based therapeutics have promising potential in spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. However, easy degradation and ineffective cell penetration impede miRNAs application. Exosomes are natural vehicles for miRNAs delivery but face the challenge of diffusion in vivo. Here, the collagen-binding domain (CBD)-fused Lamp2b and miR21 were overexpressed in HEK293T cells to produce miR21-loaded and CBD-modified exosomes (CBD-LP-miR21-EXOs). The CBD modified on the exosome surface can stably tether exosomes to collagen-I scaffold to form functionalized CBD-LP-miR21-EXO-Col scaffold that can facilitate the retention of miR21-loaded exosomes, promote the sustained release of miR21 to cells and finally benefit SCI repair. Furthermore, this type of functionalized collagen-I materials can be widely applied for other tissue injury repairs by enriching the CBD-LP-EXOs loaded with appropriate miRNAs.

Identification and Fine Mapping of the Candidate Gene Controlling Multi-Inflorescence in Brassica napus.

As a desirable agricultural trait, multi-inflorescence (MI) fulfills the requirement of mechanized harvesting and yield increase in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). However, the genetic mechanism underlying the multi-inflorescence trait remain poorly understood. We previously identified a difference of one pair of dominant genes between the two mapping parental materials. In this study, phenotype and expression analysis indicated that the imbalance of the CLAVATA (CLV)-WUSCHEL (WUS) feedback loop may contribute to the abnormal development of the shoot apical meristem (SAM). BnaMI was fine-mapped to a 55 kb genomic region combining with genotype and phenotype of 5768 BCF1 individuals using a traditional mapping approach. Through comparative and expression analyses, combined with the annotation in Arabidopsis, five genes in this interval were identified as candidate genes. The present findings may provide assistance in functional analysis of the mechanism associated with multi-inflorescence and yield increase in rapeseed.

Clinical Epidemiology of Sporotrichosis in Jilin Province, China (1990-2019): A Series of 4969 Cases.

Introduction: This study was aimed to examine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of sporotrichosis in China and specifically Jilin Province, which is one of the areas with the highest incidence worldwide, and to provide data support for the global prevalence of sporotrichosis. Methods: A total of 4969 cases of sporotrichosis diagnosed at the Second Hospital of Jilin University from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2019 were collected. Results: In Jilin Province, the male-to-female ratio was 1:2, the average age at onset was 48 ± 1 years, and the average disease duration was 4.8 ± 2.7 months. The most susceptible individuals were farmers. Cases occurred more commonly in the winter and spring (71.5%) than in the summer and autumn (28.5%). The fixed type infection was more prevalent. Among the cases, 64.8% showed typical mycological changes, and 77.6% showed atypical pathological changes. Regarding the epidemiological characteristics of sporotrichosis in China, 6565 cases were retrieved from the literature from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019. Among them, the most affected area was Jilin Province, followed by Heilongjiang Province, and Liaoning Province. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.46. The fixed type infection was the most common. A total of 241 strains were identified by molecular biotechnology; among these, 217 were identified as Sporothrix globosa and 24 were identified as S. schenckii sensu stricto. Discussion: The results add clarity to the clinical epidemiology of sporotrichosis in China and specifically Jilin Province. We believe these data will help improve the epidemiology knowledge of sporotrichosis worldwide.

Savings and Losses of Scarce Virtual Water in the International Trade of Wheat, Maize, and Rice.

The international cereal trade can mitigate global water stress by saving virtual scarce water (VSW). Based on bilateral trade data, this study assessed VSW savings and losses in the international trade of three major cereals (i.e., wheat, maize, and rice) from 2008 to 2017 by incorporating the water stress index (WSI) into a virtual water assessment. We found that the trade in wheat and maize saved a significant amount of VSW, while the rice trade led to increasingly severe losses of VSW. This study identified the top trades of VSW savings and losses for each cereal. Wheat and maize were primarily exported from the countries that are relatively abundant in water resources (e.g., United States, Brazil, Argentina, Russia) to water-scarce countries (e.g., Mexico and Egypt), whereas rice was exported mainly from India and Pakistan, two of the most water-stressed countries. We suggest that policy makers consider VSW savings and losses when making cereal trading decisions to alleviate global water stress.

A general strategy towards personalized nanovaccines based on fluoropolymers for post-surgical cancer immunotherapy.

Cancer metastases and recurrence after surgical resection remain an important cause of treatment failure. Here we demonstrate a general strategy to fabricate personalized nanovaccines based on a cationic fluoropolymer for post-surgical cancer immunotherapy. Nanoparticles formed by mixing the fluoropolymer with a model antigen ovalbumin, induce dendritic cell maturation via the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated signalling pathway, and promote antigen transportation into the cytosol of dendritic cells, which leads to an effective antigen cross-presentation. Such a nanovaccine inhibits established ovalbumin-expressing B16-OVA melanoma. More importantly, a mix of the fluoropolymer with cell membranes from resected autologous primary tumours synergizes with checkpoint blockade therapy to inhibit post-surgical tumour recurrence and metastases in two subcutaneous tumour models and an orthotopic breast cancer tumour. Furthermore, in the orthotopic tumour model, we observed a strong immune memory against tumour rechallenge. Our work offers a simple and general strategy for the preparation of personalized cancer vaccines to prevent post-operative cancer recurrence and metastasis.

Measurement and Analysis of Central Corneal Thickness at Different Postnatal Stages in Chinese Premature Infants.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate central corneal thickness (CCT) in Chinese premature infants at different postnatal stages to study the peak point and analyze influential factors on CCT development. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of premature infants. Initial CCT measurement was taken at 34 weeks of gestational age (GA) and at intervals until 88 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) was reached. The comparison and correlation analysis were carried out to access the association of CCT with gender, birth weight (BW), GA, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) for each PMA. The premature infants were divided into the thick CCT group and the thin CCT group according to the average CCT at 40 w. And the difference in CCT between the two groups at subsequent 52 w and 64 w was compared. RESULTS: A total of 1726 premature infants (3463 measurements) with an average of 2.21 ± 1.57 measurements were included in this study. The CCT decreased from 34 w GA to 52 w PMA (R = 92.36, P < 0.0001) and then reached a plateau (R = 2.541, P=0.3567). Male (P < 0.05), low BW (P < 0.05), and low GA (P < 0.05) were associated with thicker CCT at the early stage of PMA. The premature infants who had thick CCT at 40 w would have thick CCT at 52 w and 64 w accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: The CCT values of premature infants decreased over time and plateaued at 52 w PMA. Gender, BW, and GA were considered as the influential factors of CCT at the early stage of PMA. Moreover, CCT at 40 w could forecast its development trend at 52 w or 64 w after birth.

Facile Preparation of Cu2Se Nanosheets as Dual-Functional Antibacterial Agents.

The spread of antibiotic-resistance poses a great threat, making it a growing need to develop other antibacterial strategies and therapeutics. Recently, owing to their excellent physicochemical properties, copper chalcogenides have received extensive attention as photothermal agents. However, most reports are focused on Cu2-xS nanoparticles, whereas very few water-dispersible Cu2-xSe nanomaterials have been reported due to their difficult preparation process. Herein, water-dispersible and biocompatible cuprous selenide nanosheets (Cu2Se NSs) were synthesized by a simple anion exchange method starting from cuprous oxide nanorods (Cu2O NRs), which could also help avoid any environmental pollution caused by the organic solvent used during synthesis. The obtained Cu2Se NSs showed strong absorption in the second near-infrared window (NIR II) with a good photothermal conversion efficiency as high as ∼61.16%, outstanding among the previously reported NIR II photothermal agents. Interestingly, using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as model pathogens, these Cu2Se NSs possess an intrinsic bacteriostatic effect and could inhibit the growth of both bacteria species. Furthermore, both the fluorescent-based microscopy and the bacterial morphology analysis using a scanning electron microscope have demonstrated that incubation of both species of bacteria with Cu2Se NSs under laser irradiation (1064 nm) would lead to complete disruption of the bacterial cell wall. Our work presents a facile method to prepare water-dispersible Cu2Se NSs-, which could serve as highly efficient dual-functional antibacterial agents.

Changes in Metamorphopsia, Visual Acuity, and Central Macular Thickness after Epiretinal Membrane Surgery in Four Preoperative Stages Classified with OCT B-Scan Images.

PURPOSE: To observe the changes in metamorphopsia, visual acuity, and central macular thickness (CMT) in patients undergoing vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membranes (iERM); all of which were preoperatively stratified into 4 stages according to the anatomical structure of the macula seen on the optical coherence tomography (OCT) b-scan images. METHODS: A total of 108 eyes of 106 patients were included. We evaluated and classified the severity of each preoperative ERM based on OCT. Changes in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), metamorphopsia, and CMT were studied by comparing the pre- and postoperative measurements. The follow-up time was at least 6 months. RESULTS: There were 41 eyes at stage 2, 35 at stage 3, 32 at stage 4, and none at stage 1. BCVA and metamorphopsia significantly improved at the final visit in all patients (P < 0.01). However, comparing the pre- and postoperative measurements at each stage, only the BCVA and CMT improved significantly for all stages (P < 0.001). For stages 2 and 3 ERMs, the horizontal (MH) and vertical (MV) metamorphopsia scores decreased significantly after surgery (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in either MH or MV for stage 4 ERMs (P both >0.05). The preoperative BCVA, MH, and CMT had significant difference among the three stages (P < 0.05). Similarly, the postoperative values in the three variables mentioned above also had significant difference among the three stages (P < 0.05). For stage 2 ERMs, the baseline MH and MV were positively correlated with the baseline CMT. The MH and MV at the final follow-up also presented a significant positive correlation with the baseline CMT. For stage 3 ERMs, only the baseline MV showed significant correlation with the CMT. CONCLUSION: Categorization of the preoperative ERMs is a useful method to predict the postoperative improvement in metamorphopsia, which would aid in surgical decisions for patients with ERMs.

Retinoschisis: A Predictive Factor in Vitrectomy for Lamellar Macular Holes in Highly Myopic Eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for lamellar macular hole (LMH) with or without macular retinoschisis in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: In this retrospective, consecutive case-control study, 21 highly myopic patients (22 eyes) with LMH were divided into two groups based on preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT): the "flat group" had no macular retinoschisis (n = 10), and the "retinoschisis group" had macular retinoschisis (n = 12). The average follow-up time was 17.2 ± 12.6 months. Outcomes were based on 6-month postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), integrity of the ellipsoid zone (EZ), external limiting membrane (ELM), and residual foveal thickness (RFT). RESULTS: The appearance of the macula on OCT was normalized in 19 eyes (86.3%) at the final follow-up visit. Compared to the flat group, the retinoschisis group presented a significantly higher incidence of epiretinal membrane (p = 0.046) and lower refractive error (p = 0.033), shorter axial length (p = 0.0009), better integrity of ELM and EZ (p = 0.005 and p = 0.005, respectively), and better preoperative and postoperative BCVAs (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: PPV is an effective method to achieve a high anatomical success, improve postoperative vision, and prevent foveal thinning in highly myopic eyes with LMH. In these eyes, the presence of retinoschisis strongly indicates the need for vitrectomy.

Cell-Penetrating Peptide Enhanced Antigen Presentation for Cancer Immunotherapy.

The development of effective cancer vaccines is an important direction in the area of cancer immunotherapy. Although certain types of preventive cancer vaccines have already been used in the clinic, therapeutic cancer vaccines for treatment of already established tumors are still in high demand. In this study, we develop a new type of cancer vaccine by mixing cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) conjugated antigen as the enhanced antigen, together with CpG as the immune adjuvant. A special CPP, cytosol-localizing internalization peptide 6 (CLIP6), which has the ability to enter cells exclusively via a nonendosomal mechanism, i.e., direct translocation across the cell membrane, is conjugated with model antigen ovalbumin (OVA). Compared to naked OVA, the obtained CLIP6-OVA conjugates show greatly increased uptake by dendritic cells (DCs) and, more importantly, remarkably enhanced antigen cross-presentation, eliciting stronger cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) mediated immune responses with the help of CpG. This CLIP6-OVA/CpG formulation offers effective protection for mice against challenged B16-OVA tumors, and is able to further function as a therapeutic vaccine, which, in combination with immune checkpoint blockade therapy, can significantly suppress the already-established tumors. Such a CLIP6-based cancer vaccine developing strategy shows promising potential toward clinical practice owing to its features of easy preparation, low cost, and remarkable biocompatibility.

Use of iOCT in Vitreoretinal Surgery for Dense Vitreous Hemorrhage in a Chinese Population.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and utility of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) surgery for dense vitreous hemorrhage (VH). METHODS: A retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series. A total of 68 dense VH patients (71 eyes) were enrolled, and the patients were divided into two groups. The control group (43 eyes) did not receive iOCT and the experimental group (28 eyes) did. All patients with macular structures that could not be assessed by preoperative OCT underwent PPV for dense VH. iOCT images were qualitatively evaluated for retinal abnormalities that might affect intraoperative management. The assessment of iOCT utility was evaluated by the surgeon. Intraoperative membrane peeling, postoperative macular structure, and postoperative visual acuity were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in sex, age, different etiologies of VH, or best corrected visual acuity between the two groups at baseline. In the experimental group, iOCT revealed macular edema (eight eyes, 28.6%), epiretinal membranes (ERM, five eyes, 17.9%), macular atrophy (one eye, 3.6%), lamellar macular hole (one eye, 3.6%), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (one eye, 3.6%), and the existence of both macular edema with ERM (one eye, 3.6%). Eight cases showed macular abnormalities on the iOCT images that were inconsistent with the surgeon's judgment without iOCT. iOCT imaging affected the surgical plan for seven of the eight cases. Significantly more iOCT eyes had intraoperative membrane peeling than control eyes (P = 0.01), while significantly fewer iOCT eyes had postoperative ERMs (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: iOCT during PPV for VH may provide the surgeon with clinically relevant information that influences surgical management. The iOCT group had a higher incidence of ERM peeling intraoperatively and lower incidence of ERM postoperatively compared with the control group.

Sensitivities of periodic acid-Schiff staining, Grocott's silver staining and calcofluor white staining in the diagnosis of human sporotrichosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the sensitivity of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, Grocott's silver staining (GSS) and calcofluor white (CFW) staining in the diagnosis of sporotrichosis. METHODS: Paraffin embedded tissues (n = 100) which were diagnosed with sporotrichosis by fungal culture were subjected to PAS, GSS, and CFW staining, and the detection rate of sporotrichosis was determined. RESULTS: The sensitivity of PAS, GSS, and CFW staining was 31%, 40% and 74%, respectively, in the diagnosis of sporotrichosis. CONCLUSION: CFW staining has a high sensitivity in the diagnosis of sporotrichosis, and sections are easily observed and can be repeatedly stained after CFW staining. For patients suspected to have sporotrichosis, CFW staining may be employed for early diagnosis before a fungal culture.

Comparison of persistent submacular fluid in different preoperative macular status after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

AIM: To compare the incidence of persistent submacular fluid (SMF) and visual outcome after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in different preoperative macular status according to optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: A non-randomized, retrospective review was performed for patients who underwent successful PPV for RRD. OCT exams were taken preoperatively and 1mo after surgery, until SMF disappeared. According to the preoperative macular status on OCT, patients were divided into two groups: macula-off RRD (Group A) and macula-on RRD (Group B). In Group A, there were two subgroups: macula partly detached (Group A1) and macula totally detached (Group A2). The main outcome measures were the presence of SMF on OCT 1mo after surgery, and the preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuities (BCVA), among the different groups and depending on the presence or absence of persistent SMF. RESULTS: A total of 139 eyes of 139 patients were included in the study. Persistent SMF at 1mo after surgery was 15.8% (22/139), all occurring in Group A (22/101); Group B had no SMF at 1mo after surgery (0/38, P=0.002). The incidence of persistent SMF at 1mo after surgery in Group A1 was 50% (14/28), and in Group A2 was 11.0% (8/73, P<0.001). Significant differences were shown between the presence and absence of persistent SMF on foveola-off RRD, the preoperative BCVA, the 1mo postoperative BCVA, and the degree of the BCVA improvement from 1mo postoperatively to the final follow-up (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the final BCVA (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Persistent SMF after PPV for retinal detachment is associated with preoperative macular status. Macula-uninvolving RRD shows no persistent SMF after PPV. Macular partly detached RRD has a higher incidence of SMF than macula totally detached RRD after PPV. The persistence of SMF may be responsible for the delayed visual recovery, whereas there were no significant differences in the final visual acuity.

Effect of intravitreal conbercept treatment before vitrectomy in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal conbercept (IVC) injections as pretreatment for pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent PPV for PDR from January 2014 to October 2016. Patients who underwent IVC injection before PPV were assigned to the IVC group; the others were assigned to the control group. The IVC was performed 3-7d before surgery in the IVC group. All the eyes in the two groups were operated by the same doctor to complete the vitrectomy. Intraoperative complications and the changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 68 eyes of 63 patients (22 eyes in the IVC group and 46 eyes in the control group) were examined. The risk of intraoperative bleeding was lower in the IVC group (2/22) than in the control group (25/46, P=0.000). Furthermore, the use of endodiathermy was significantly lower in the IVC group (1/22) than in the control group (12/46, P=0.047). The surgical time in the IVC group (112.64±34.52min) was significantly shorter than in the control group (132.85±40.04min, P<0.05). Compared to the BCVA before surgery, the mean BCVA was significantly improved after surgery for both groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PPV is an effective treatment and can improve vision in patients with PDR. Preoperative intravitreal injection of conbercept could reduce the chances of intraoperative bleeding and the use of endodiathermy and shorten the operative time, which are beneficial in the management of PDR.