Limonitum Ameliorates Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhoea in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota.

Diarrhoea is a common clinical condition; its pathogenesis is strongly associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. Limonitum is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that exerts appreciable benefits regarding the amelioration of diarrhoea. However, the mechanism through which Limonitum ameliorates diarrhoea remains unclear. Here, the efficacy and underlying mechanism of Limonitum decoction (LD) regarding diarrhoea were explored from the aspect of gut microbiota. Castor oil (CO) was used to induce diarrhoea in mice, which were then used to evaluate the effects of LD regarding the timing of the first defecation, diarrhoea stool rate, degree of diarrhoea, diarrhoea score, intestinal propulsive rate, and weight of intestinal contents. The concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric and valeric acids, were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology was applied to evaluate changes in the gut microbiota under exposure to LD. LD was found to effectively ameliorate the symptoms of diarrhoea, and the diversity and relative abundance of gut microbiota were restored to normal levels following LD treatment. Additionally, LD significantly restored the observed reductions in SCFAs. These results provide strong evidence that LD can sufficiently ameliorate diarrhoea in mice by regulating their gut microbiota. The findings presented here highlight that Limonitum may constitute a prospective remedy for diarrhoea.

[A preliminary investigation on a deep learning convolutional neural networks based pulmonary tuberculosis CT diagnostic model].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of a pulmonary tuberculosis CT diagnostic model based on deep learning convolutional neural networks (CNN). Methods: From March 2017 to March 2018,a total of 1 764 patients with positive sputum for tuberculous bacterium and had received high-resolution chest CT scan in radiology department of Hebei province chest hospital were enrolled. Among them, 937 were male, and 827 were female, aging from 17-73 years (average 38.4). A total of 20 139 CT images (17 kinds of image features) classified by 4 radiologists were used as training dataset to create a tuberculosis CT CNN diagnostic model. The top 5 image features in training set were: infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis, cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis, pleural thickening, caseous pneumonia and pleural effusion. A total of 302 images were randomly selected from the marked images as testing dataset. The diagnosis of 2 senior radiologists was taken as "golden standard". The differences of sensitivity and accuracy in CT diagnosis between the CNN diagnostic model and the radiologists were compared. The classification error types and numbers of the CNN diagnostic model were recorded. FROC(free response operating characteristic curve)curve was drawn and the highest diagnostic efficiency of the model was measured. Results: The diagnostic accuracy of infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis, cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis, pleural thickening, caseous pneumonia and pleural effusion by the CNN diagnostic model were 95.33%(10 982/11 520), 73.68%(2 151/2 920), 73.07%(1 128/1544), 83.33%(1 020/1225)and 94.11%(814/865), respectively. The overall diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy of the CNN model were 95.49%(339/355)and 90.40%(339/375), respectively, and the corresponding values ​​of radiologists were 93.80%(348/371)and 92.80%(348/375), respectively, and there was no statistical difference between the CNN model and the radiologists(sensitivity χ2=1.022,P=0.312;accuracy χ2=1.404,P=0.236). FROC curve showed that when sensitivity of the CNN model was 78% and FPI value was 2.48, it reached the highest diagnostic efficiency. The classification error of CNN diagnostic models was mainly confusion of fiber stripe components, cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis, caseous pneumonia and infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusions: The CNN-based pulmonary tuberculosis CT diagnostic model exhibited high sensitivity and accuracy (95.49% and 90.40% respectively). It could assist radiologists in CT diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and deserve further clinical application.

An automated approach to determine antibody endpoint titers for COVID-19 by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

While a variety of therapeutic options continue to emerge for COVID-19 treatment, convalescent plasma (CP) has been used as a possible treatment option early in the pandemic. One of the most significant challenges with CP therapy, however, both when defining its efficacy and implementing its approach clinically, is accurately and efficiently characterizing an otherwise heterogenous therapeutic treatment. Given current limitations, our goal is to leverage a SARS antibody testing platform with a newly developed automated endpoint titer analysis program to rapidly define SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in CP donors and hospitalized patients. A newly developed antibody detection platform was used to perform a serial dilution enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM, and IgA SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Data were then analyzed using commercially available software, GraphPad Prism, or a newly developed program developed in Python called TiterScape, to analyze endpoint titers. Endpoint titer calculations and analysis times were then compared between the two analysis approaches. Serial dilution analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels revealed a high level of heterogeneity between individuals. Commercial platform analysis required significant time for manual data input and extrapolated endpoint titer values when the last serial dilution was above the endpoint cutoff, occasionally producing erroneously high results. By contrast, TiterScape processed 1008 samples for endpoint titer results in roughly 14 minutes compared with the 8 hours required for the commercial software program analysis. Equally important, results generated by TiterScape and Prism were highly similar, with differences averaging 1.26 ± 0.2 percent (mean ± SD). The pandemic has created unprecedented challenges when seeking to accurately test large numbers of individuals for SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels with a rapid turnaround time. ELISA platforms capable of serial dilution analysis coupled with a highly flexible software interface may provide a useful tool when seeking to define endpoint titers in a high-throughput manner. Immunohematology 2021;37:33-43.While a variety of therapeutic options continue to emerge for COVID-19 treatment, convalescent plasma (CP) has been used as a possible treatment option early in the pandemic. One of the most significant challenges with CP therapy, however, both when defining its efficacy and implementing its approach clinically, is accurately and efficiently characterizing an otherwise heterogenous therapeutic treatment. Given current limitations, our goal is to leverage a SARS antibody testing platform with a newly developed automated endpoint titer analysis program to rapidly define SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in CP donors and hospitalized patients. A newly developed antibody detection platform was used to perform a serial dilution enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM, and IgA SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Data were then analyzed using commercially available software, GraphPad Prism, or a newly developed program developed in Python called TiterScape, to analyze endpoint titers. Endpoint titer calculations and analysis times were then compared between the two analysis approaches. Serial dilution analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels revealed a high level of heterogeneity between individuals. Commercial platform analysis required significant time for manual data input and extrapolated endpoint titer values when the last serial dilution was above the endpoint cutoff, occasionally producing erroneously high results. By contrast, TiterScape processed 1008 samples for endpoint titer results in roughly 14 minutes compared with the 8 hours required for the commercial software program analysis. Equally important, results generated by TiterScape and Prism were highly similar, with differences averaging 1.26 ± 0.2 percent (mean ± SD). The pandemic has created unprecedented challenges when seeking to accurately test large numbers of individuals for SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels with a rapid turnaround time. ELISA platforms capable of serial dilution analysis coupled with a highly flexible software interface may provide a useful tool when seeking to define endpoint titers in a high-throughput manner. Immunohematology 2021;37:33­43.

Identification of circulating biomarkers for differentiating patients with papillary thyroid cancers from benign thyroid tumors.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the potential circulating biomarkers of protein, mRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to differentiate the papillary thyroid cancers from benign thyroid tumors. METHODS: The study population of 100 patients was classified into identification (10 patients with papillary thyroid cancers and 10 patients with benign thyroid tumors) and validation groups (45 patients with papillary thyroid cancers and 35 patients with benign thyroid tumors). The Sengenics Immunome Protein Array-combined data mining approach using the Open Targets Platform was used to identify the putative protein biomarkers, and their expression validated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Next-generation sequencing by Illumina HiSeq was used for the detection of dysregulated mRNAs and lncRNAs. The website Timer v2.0 helped identify the putative mRNA biomarkers, which were significantly over-expressed in papillary thyroid cancers than in adjacent normal thyroid tissue. The mRNA and lncRNA biomarker expression was validated by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Although putative protein and mRNA biomarkers have been identified, their serum expression could not be confirmed in the validation cohorts. In addition, seven lncRNAs (TCONS_00516490, TCONS_00336559, TCONS_00311568, TCONS_00321917, TCONS_00336522, TCONS_00282483, and TCONS_00494326) were identified and validated as significantly downregulated in patients with papillary thyroid cancers compared to those with benign thyroid tumors. These seven lncRNAs showed moderate accuracy based on the area under the curve (AUC = 0.736) of receiver operating characteristic in predicting the occurrence of papillary thyroid cancers. CONCLUSIONS: We identified seven downregulated circulating lncRNAs with the potential for predicting the occurrence of papillary thyroid cancers.

Ethnic Disparities in Dental Caries among Adolescents in China.

Comprehensive research on ethnic disparities in dental caries in China is limited. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to compare the levels of dental caries in adolescents between the Han ethnic group and ethnic minority groups in China and to explore the risk indicators for dental caries within ethnic subgroups. Data from the Fourth National Oral Health Survey in 2015, which covered all 31 province-level administrative divisions in mainland China, were used. The dental caries status in the permanent dentition of adolescents aged 12, 13, 14, and 15 y was measured using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DFMT) score, and sociodemographic characteristics and oral health-related behaviors were also collected. A total of 118,601 adolescents were included, with ethnic minority groups accounting for 13.15%. Of the Han and minority groups, the standardized prevalence of dental caries experience was 40.58% and 47.67%, and the mean DMFT scores were 0.97 and 1.28, respectively. According to the multivariate zero-inflated negative binomial regression analysis, the caries status of minorities was more severe than Han adolescents (adjusted prevalence rate ratio [PRR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.18). This disparity was greater among adolescents who lived in rural areas, had mid-level economic status, and frequently consumed sugary beverages. After propensity score matchings, Uygur (PRR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.25-1.67), Tibetan (PRR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.3-1.48), and Yi (PRR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.04-1.48) adolescents were significantly more likely to have caries than Han adolescents. Subgroup analyses revealed that gender, age, location of residence, economic status, region, consumption of sweet snacks and sugary beverages, and dental visit pattern were significantly associated with dental caries within ethnic minorities.

A torque type full tensor gravity gradiometer based on a flexure-strip suspension.

Full tensor gravity gradiometers based on accelerometer pair combination are widely employed in earth resource explorations using gravity gradient measurements. However, the extremely high requirements of accelerometer dynamic range and the scale factor consistency of accelerometer pairs are the two main limitations to further improve their performances. In order to overcome these two extreme challenges, the torque type gravity gradiometer based on the Etövös torsion balance pendulum is re-considered. In this paper, an improved torque type full tensor gravity gradiometer with a flexure-strip suspension is proposed, which balances the mechanical sensitivity and the response time. The proposed gradiometer can be used to measure the full tensor gravity gradient by observing angle variations at three azimuths. The principle and feasibility of the torque type full tensor gravity gradiometer based on a flexure-strip suspension are introduced, and the main noise sources including mechanical thermal noise, position sensing noise, and readout noise are analyzed. A prototype gravity gradiometer with a designed resolution of 2 E/Hz1/2 at 0.1 Hz is constructed (1 E = 10-9/s2), and the experimental results indicate that its resolution comes to 3 E/Hz1/2 at 0.1 Hz, which is mainly limited by the seismic noise. This type of gravity gradiometer can be further improved due to its high potential resolution and independence of matching combination requirement, which allows it to be applied in next generation gravity resource exploration.

Survival after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and oesophagectomy versus definitive chemoradiotherapy for patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Whether there is a difference in survival after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgery (CRT-S) compared with definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) in patients with locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remains controversial. METHODS: Patients with SCC who underwent curative treatment from 2008 to 2014 were identified from the Taiwan Cancer Registry. Propensity score matching was undertaken to balance pretreatment clinical variables. Overall survival was compared between patients undergoing CRT-S or dCRT. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 5832 patients with clinical stage II and III oesophageal SCC receiving CRT-S (1754) or dCRT (4078) were included. After propensity score matching, each group included 1661 patients. The 3-year overall survival rate for patients treated with CRT-S was 41·1 per cent compared with 17·9 per cent for those who had dCRT (P < 0·001). In multivariable analysis, treatment modality was an independent prognostic factor in the overall cohort before propensity score matching: hazard ratio 0·45 (95 per cent c.i. 0·40 to 0·51) for CRT-S versus dCRT (P < 0·001). In separate analyses of patients with clinical stage II and those with stage III disease, CRT-S was associated with significantly better overall survival than dCRT. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and oesophagectomy is associated with better overall survival than dCRT in patients with stage II and III oesophageal SCC.

Correlation Between Blood Transfusion and Blood Glucose Levels in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of dextrose contained in banked blood products on the changes of blood glucose levels in adult living donor liver transplantation patients retrospectively. METHODS: Four hundred seventy-seven patients were divided into a non-blood transfusion (BT) group (G1) and a BT group (G2). The changes in blood glucose levels during the operation were compared using a Mann-Whitney U test, and a P value less than .05 was regarded as significant. RESULTS: No significant changes were detected in blood glucose levels after anesthesia, during dissection phase, in the anhepatic phase, or after reperfusion between the groups. Estimated blood loss for G1 (n = 89) and G2 (n = 388) were 718 ± 514 and 5804 ± 877 mL respectively, G1 had no blood transfusion but G2 had received 4350 ± 6230 mL leukocyte-poor red blood cell transfusion, the pre- and end operation hemoglobin for G1 and G2 were 13.2 ± 2.0, 10.2 ± 1.9 and 10.1 ± 1.6, 10.2 ± 1.9 mg/dL respectively, indicating that they were not under or over transfused. CONCLUSION: When banked blood products are used to replace ongoing blood loss, the dextrose contained in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine seems to have no effect on the changes in the blood glucose levels of the recipients.

Comparison of Core Temperature Changes Between Pediatric Patients Lying on Regular Operating Room Linen Drapes and Water-Repellent Sheepskin Rug in Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to compare the core temperature changes between pediatric patients lying on regular operating room linen drapes and a water-repellent sheepskin rug during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and to evaluate the effectiveness of using a water-repellent sheepskin rug in preventing profound hypothermia due to fluid overflow from the abdominal cavity during LDLT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The operative records of pediatric patients who underwent LDLT from June 1994-September 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. The nasopharyngeal temperature (NT) changes during the LDLT procedure between patients lying on regular operating room drapes (GI) and water-repellent sheepskin rug (GII) were compared and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. A P value <.05 was regarded as significant. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were included in GI and 56 in GII. Profound hypothermia was not observed in any recipients lying on a water-repellent sheepskin rug (GII). The NT after induction and the following 4 hours into the LT procedure were significantly higher in GII than GI. CONCLUSION: Pediatric patients lying on water-repellent sheepskin preserved their core temperature better in comparison to patients lying on linen drapes. The use of a water-repellent sheepskin rug seems to be effective in preventing profound hypothermia related to physical contact with abdominal fluid overflow during the LDLT.

Eye Protection in Liver Transplantation Patients Under General Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Opsite (Smith & Nephew, Hull, UK) is widely used in wound care but its use in eye protection against corneal abrasion during major surgery is rarely reported. The purpose of the current study is to compare the effectiveness of using Opsite in eye protection with either wet gauze alone or with wet gauze following application of eye ointment in patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: This is a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Forty-one patients undergoing liver transplantation were enrolled. One eye of each patient was protected with sterile gauze soaked with normal saline solution and covered with Opsite. Duratears (ALCON, Fort Worth, Tex, United States) ointment was applied to the other eye before covering it with sterile wet gauze and Opsite (ointment group). The corneal examination was carried out after fluorescein staining before and at the end of surgery by the same doctor. A Student t-test and a χ2 test were used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Forty-one patients with 82 eyes were observed in this study. No corneal epithelial defects were found in either the normal saline group or the ointment group. CONCLUSION: Opsite combined with wet gauze with or without additional eye ointment provided 100% protection against corneal abrasion in patients undergoing LDLT.

Anesthesia Management and Fluid Therapy in Right and Left Lobe Living Donor Hepatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Right lobe living donor hepatectomy poses a greater risk for the donor in relation to blood loss. The aims of this study were to compare anesthetic and intraoperative fluid management in right and left lateral segment living donor hepatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The anesthesia records of living donor hepatectomy patients were retrospectively reviewed. Donor age and weight, anesthesia time, central venous pressure, blood loss, blood product transfusion, intravenous fluids used, doses of furosemide, and urine output were compared and analyzed between groups using the Mann Whitney U test. RESULTS: Forty-six patients underwent living donor left lateral segment hepatectomy (Group I); while 31 patients underwent right lobe hepatectomy (Group II). The mean blood loss in Group II was significantly higher compared to Group I (118 ± 81 mL vs 68 ± 64 mL), but clinically such amount of blood loss was not high enough to affect the hemodynamics. The fluid management was therefore not meaningfully different between the two groups. No blood transfusions or colloid infusions were required for either group. Urine output, hemoglobin changes, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine pre- and postoperatively were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: As long as blood loss is minimal, we found no difference in the anesthetic management and fluid replacements between right and left lateral segment living donor hepatectomy.

The Correlation Between CVP and SVV and Intraoperative Minimal Blood Loss in Living Donor Hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Blood loss during liver surgery is found to be correlated with central venous pressure (CVP). The aim of the current retrospective study is to find out the cutoff value of CVP and stroke volume variation (SVV), which may increase the risk of having intraoperative blood loss of more than 100 mL during living liver donor hepatectomies. METHOD AND PATIENTS: Twenty-seven adult living liver donors were divided into 2 groups according to whether they had intraoperative blood loss of less (G1) or more than 100 mL (G2). The mean values of the patients' CVP and SVV at the beginning of the transaction of the liver parenchyma was used as the cutoff point. Its correlation to intraoperative blood loss was evaluated using the χ2 test; P < .001 was regarded as significant. RESULTS: The cutoff points of CVP and SVV were 8 mm Hg and 13% respectively. The odds ratio of having blood loss exceeding 100 mL was 91.25 (P < .001) and 0.36 (P < .001) for CVP and SVV, respectively. CONCLUSION: CVP less than 5 mm Hg, as suggested by most authors, is not always clinical achievable. Our results show that a value of less than 8 mm Hg or SVV 13% is able to achieve a minimal blood loss of 100 mL during parenchyma transaction during a living donor hepatectomy. Measurements used to lower the CVP or increased SVV in our serial were intravenous fluids restriction and the use of a diuretic.

Risk of developing pressure sore in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients - a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Prior investigations with few cases have disclosed lack of pressure sore (PrS) formation was characteristic in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. However, studies with larger samples are lacking to ascertain this concept. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether patients with ALS have higher risk of PrS. METHODS: Utilizing a Taiwan National Insurance claims data set with 23 million participants, we extracted 514 patients with ALS and 2056 controls from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2008. Both groups were followed up until PrS occurrence during study period (2000-2011). The PrS risk was calculated with Cox proportional regression model. RESULTS: The patients with ALS had a greater PrS risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 8.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.90-15.9, P < 0.001) than the controls did. PrS risk was much higher in ALS women (aHR = 26.6, 95% CI = 9.05-78.2, P < 0.001) than in ALS men (aHR = 4.38, 95% CI = 1.99-9.68, P < 0.001). Besides, in people aged 20-54, ALS was linked with a much greater PrS risk (aHR = 27.7, 95% CI = 5.79-132, P < 0.001) than in those aged ≥55 (aHR = 6.10, 95% CI = 3.10-12.0, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is discovered to be correlated with an enhanced PrS risk. For PrS prevention, it is needed to pay more attention to the management of the patients with ALS, particularly in women and those with relatively younger age. Further investigations are needed to confirm the findings in this study.

The effectiveness of a saline mouth rinse regimen and education programme on radiation-induced oral mucositis and quality of life in oral cavity cancer patients: A randomised controlled trial.

Radiation therapy (RT) and concurrent chemotherapy RT (CCRT) generate radiation-induced oral mucositis (OM) and lower quality of life (QOL). This study assessed the impact of a saline mouth rinse regimen and education programme on radiation-induced OM symptoms, and QOL in oral cavity cancer (OCC) patients receiving RT or CCRT. Ninety-one OCC patients were randomly divided into a group that received saline mouth rinses and an education programme and a control group that received standard care. OM symptoms and QOL were assessed with the WHO Oral Toxicity Scale, MSS-moo and UW-QOL. Data were collected at the first postoperative visit to the radiation department (T0) and at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after beginning RT or CCRT. Patients in both groups had significantly higher levels of physical and social-emotional QOL at 8 weeks after beginning RT or CCRT compared to the first visit. Patients in the saline rinse group had significantly better physical and social-emotional QOL as compared to the standard care group at 8 weeks. Radiation-induced OM symptoms and overall QOL were not different between the groups. We thus conclude the saline rinse and education programme promote better physical and social-emotional QOL in OCC patients receiving RT/CCRT.

Factors associated with healthcare professional's rating of disfigurement and self-perceived body image in female patients with head and neck cancer.

The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with self-perceived body image in female patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), and factors associated with healthcare professional's rating of disfigurement, as well as the correlation between patient and observer ratings. This cross-sectional study recruited 105 women with HNC at a large medical centre. Measures of facial disfigurement and body image, as well as demographic and clinical characteristics, were collected. Multivariate multiple linear regression modelling was used to identify factors associated with healthcare professional's rating of disfigurement and patient self-perceived body image. Disfigurement ratings by healthcare professionals were positively associated with patient self-perceived body image. Medical treatment, cancer stage, radiation dose and cancer site were significantly associated with disfigurement. Medical treatment was an important predictor of perceived body image. These findings indicate a moderate prevalence of disfigurement among women with HNCs. Patients with more disfigurement were more likely to have dissatisfaction with their body image. Nursing professionals need to carefully assess the appearance of women with HNC. Camouflage interventions can be used to help appropriately cope with the disfigurement, and to achieve improved satisfaction with their body image.

The inner retinal structures of the eyes of children with a history of retinopathy of prematurity.

PurposeTo investigate the microstructural differences of the inner retina in the peripapillary and macular areas in children with or without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).MethodsThis prospective cohort study included school-age children with a history of ROP and age-matched healthy, full-term children. The macular ganglion cell complex (mGCC), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), refractive status, and ocular biometry were measured. The metrics of the mGCC and associated anatomical changes were the primary outcomes. Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-squared tests were used to compare variables between the two groups.ResultsA total of 41 eyes from 21 preterm children with ROP and 34 eyes from 17 full-term children were enrolled. ROP eyes had significantly thicker mGCC (P<0.001) with uneven distribution compared with full-term eyes. The RNFLs of ROP eyes were thicker in the temporal quadrants but thinner in the nasal quadrants (P=0.01 and.04, respectively). In addition, the ROP eyes had shallower anterior chamber depths (ACDs), thicker lenses, and higher degrees of refractive errors (all P<0.05) but similar axial lengths (ALs) (P=0.58) compared with full-term eyes.ConclusionsThe mGCC was thicker in children with ROP, and their inner retinal structures had a different distribution pattern than those in full-term children. The myopia of children with ROP was associated with the abnormal development of the anterior segment rather than long ALs. These alterations in inner retinal anatomy and optic components emphasize the importance of careful examinations to monitor the development of glaucoma or visual decline in children with ROP.

Therapeutic potential of amniotic fluid stem cells to treat bilateral ovarian dystrophy in dairy cows in a subtropical region.

Amniotic fluid is a rich source of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) have become a new source of stem cells; they have low immunogenicity and are easily harvested. For this reason, they may be useful in clinical tissue engineering. Moreover, AFSCs have anti-inflammatory properties and can repair tissues. This study evaluated the utility of AFSC injection to treat bilateral ovarian dystrophy in Holstein-Friesian cows. Bovine AFSCs (BAFSCs) were collected at slaughter from Holstein-Friesian cows during the third or fourth month of pregnancy and cultured in vitro. The BAFSCs began to show a fibroblast-like morphology. They were positive for ß-integrin, CD44, CD73, CD106 and Oct4 and negative for CD34 and CD45. After induction, the cells differentiated into mesodermal lineages. Bilateral ovarian dystrophy was confirmed by ultrasonography in 16 lactating cows. The subsequent experiment lasted 15 weeks. Serum was collected weekly to analyse progesterone concentrations, and weekly ultrasonography recorded ovarian changes. Each cow was equipped with an automatic heat detection system to facilitate oestrus observation and breeding records. The progesterone concentration of two cows in the treatment group (25%) significantly increased during weeks 10-15. On ultrasonography, the treatment group demonstrated mature follicles after BAFSCs injection, and foetuses were visualized approximately 40 days after artificial insemination (AI). Oestrus rates in the control and treatment groups were 0% (0/8) and 50% (4/8), respectively; pregnancy rates were 0% (0/8) and 25% (2/8), respectively. Calves were successfully delivered in both cases of pregnancy. These results show that BAFSCs can alleviate bovine ovarian dystrophy and restore fertility.

[Study on age and white matter neuronal integrity in healthy volunteers based on automating fiber-tract quantification].

Objective: To analyze age-related change in cerebral matter tract, especially fractional anisotropy, based on automating fiber-tract quantification(AFQ). Methods: A total of 64 years old normal persons and 43 young volunteers were enrolled respectively from the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School and community from January 2015 to June 2016.All of them underwent MRI scan, which included DTI and 3D T(1)WI sequence .All cases were divided into 3 groups according to their ages, the young group 20-35 years old, the middle old group 60-75 years old, the old group 76-90 years old.AFQ was used to identify 20 major white matter tracts in brains of all subjects and make measurements at anatomically equivalent locations along their trajectories. Results: The FA change trend of each fiber was similar among three groups. The old and the middle old group had different FA value in both sides of inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus(left t=-2.73, right t=-6.12, P<0.05), thalamic radiation(left t=-4.79, right t=-19.61, P<0.05), arcuate(left t=10.53, right t=-2.72, P<0.05), callosum forceps(genu t=-2.66, splenium t=28.64, P<0.05), cingulum(left t=-4.53, right t=-2.22, P<0.05)and right corticospinal tract(t=3.10, P<0.05), among which each location of callosum forceps minor was different between the old group and the young group, and this area decreased in the middle group. The old group had different FA value in both sides of uncinate fasciculus(left t=-4.52, right t=-4.53, P<0.05), left corticospinal tract(t=-2.19, P<0.05)and right inferior longitudinal fasciculus(t=11.12, P<0.05). Compared to the young group, there was no statistical difference in the FA of both superior longitudinal fasciculus and left inferior longitudinal fasciculus in the old and the middle old group. Conclusion: AFQ has an impact on the further specific study of the age-related white matter tract.

[Change of white matter neuronal integrity associated with spatial navigation impairment in mild cognitive impairment].

Objective: To analyze the correlation between white matter integrity and spatial navigation impairment in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: A total of 27 MCI subjects and 24 healthy controls were enrolled from the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from May 2015 to February 2016, who underwent 3.0 T MRI scan and 2D-computer version spatial navigation test.DTI preprocessing and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were performed by PANDA.Two sample t-test and partial correlation coefficients were performed to investigate the correlation of white matter impairments and spatial navigation decline. Results: Relative to controls, MCI showed worse egocentric navigation (t=-2.202, P<0.05). Decreased FA in superior longitudinal fasciculus (left t=2.95, right t=2.95, P<0.05), inferior longitudinal fasciculus and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (left t=2.66, right t=2.96, P<0.05), corpus callosum (t=2.09, P<0.05), cingulum (left t=2.76, right t=2.41, P<0.05), fornix (t=4.83, P<0.05), and corticospinal tract (left t=2.33, right t=2.26, P<0.05), were found in the MCI subjects.The decreased FA value of superior longitudinal fasciculus (left r=-0.354, right r=-0.347, P<0.05), inferior longitudinal fasciculus (left r=-0.338, right r=-0.336, P<0.05), cingulum (left r=-0.395, right r=-0.370, P<0.05), right corticospinal tract (r=-0.362, P<0.05) and fornix (r=-0.369, P<0.05) were correlated with increased ego average total error.Allo average total error were negative correlated with FA value of superior longitudinal fasciculus (left r=-0.329, right r=-0.350, P<0.05), inferior longitudinal fasciculus (left r=-0.349, right r=-0.378, P<0.05), splenium of corpus callosum (r=-0.364, P<0.05) and cingulum (left r=-0.340, right r=-0.406, P<0.05). Conclusion: This study implicated the potential white matter structural basis of spatial navigation impairment and will have an impact on the further study of the neurobiological mechanisms of human spatial navigation ability.