[Application of the blastomere count variations "skip value" in the embryo AI assessment].

Objective: To explore the correlation between blastomere count variations "skip value" which extracted from by time-lapse technology (TLT) combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and morphological features of in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo, and to test its feasibility in clinical applications. Methods: This study was a diagnostic experiment (AI reassessment of embryo transferred patients), a total of 6 545 embryos from 1 226 patients who underwent IVF at the Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from December 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, of which 2 869 embryos were attempted to cultured to blastocyst stage by TLT. The embryo dynamic map (EDM) was drawn by Embryo Viewer, a TLT recording software, based on embryo developmental kinetics. The self-developed AI embryo evaluation software identified and recorded the number of cleavages in real time during embryonic development, and compared with the EDM, the correlation between the skip value formed by the change of cleavage sphere counts and the outcomes of the embryos was analyzed. The correlation among skip value, morphological score of embryo, implantation rate and live birth rate were performed by Spearman and step-up logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was selected for reporting there relationship of skip value and morphology. Finally, predicting power of skip value for implantation and live birth rate were performed by ROC analysis. Results: The total skip values extracted from the blastomere count of embryos (72 hours post-fertilization) were negatively correlated with abnormal cleavage, blastocyst formation rate, day 3 (D3)-cell score, uneven size and fragmentation (the ß values were -0.268, -0.116, -0.213, -0.159 and -0.222, respectively; all P<0.001); positively correlated with D3-cell number (ß=0.034; P<0.001); negatively correlated with blastocyst formation rate and implantation rate (OR=0.97, 95%CI: 0.93-0.99, P=0.034; OR=0.96, 95%CI: 0.93-0.98, P=0.044). The power of predicting implantation were similar between the order selection of skip values and traditional morphology criteria [area under curve (AUC): 0.679 vs 0.620]. Live birth rate were negatively correlated with female age (OR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.88-0.93; P<0.001), D3 general score (OR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.59-0.99; P=0.045) and order selection of skip values (OR=0.98, 95%CI: 0.96-0.99; P=0.038), while positively correlated with retrieved oocyte number and endometrial thickness in embryo transferred (OR=1.08, 95%CI:1.05-1.11, P<0.001; OR=1.09, 95%CI:1.06-0.12, P<0.001, respectively) from multivariate regression analysis, and the power of predicting live birth was 0.666 for AUC. Conclusions: The skip value and its order form is a systematic quantification of embryo development, correlated with embryo developmental quality and clinical outcome. It could be an addition parameter for embryo culture and selection.

Retraction Note: Study on the expression and mechanism of inflammatory factors in the brain of rats with cerebral vasospasm.

The article "Study on the expression and mechanism of inflammatory factors in the brain of rats with cerebral vasospasm" by Q. Huang, G. Wang, Y.-L. Hu, J.-X. Liu, J. Yang, S. Wang, H.-B. Zhang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21 (12): 2887-2894 - PMID: 28682429 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/48E37B385D83F1B09741B2B06B39C3), the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. The authors have been informed about the journal's investigation but remained unresponsive and have not provided the study's raw data. The journal's investigation uncovered a duplication between Figure 2A and Figure 1D with a previously published article (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0096212). Additionally, duplications were identified between panels b, c, d, f, g, and h of Figure 3A and Figure 6B, C, D, F, G, and H, respectively, of the same previously published article (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0096212). Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to retract the article. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/12948.

[Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics research of esophageal cancer in China].

Objectives: To explore the spatial distribution characteristics, trend changes, and spatial clustering of esophageal cancer among residents in China at the county (city, district) scale, a spatial epidemiological approach was used, with the aim of providing localized evidence for the prevention and treatment of esophageal cancer in China. Methods: The data source was the incidence (crude rate) and mortality (crude rate) of esophageal cancer from 2005 to 2016 in the 2008-2019 edition of China Cancer Registration Annual Report published by the National Cancer Center. The Joinpoint model was used for time trend analysis. The tumor registration area in 2016 was selected as the study area for spatial feature analysis, with a total of 487 counties (cities and districts), covering 27.6% of the national population. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed to reveal spatial distribution characteristics by using Arcgis 10.6 software, and spatial scanning statistics was used to analyze spatial clustering characteristics by using SaTScan 9.5 software. The log-likelihood ratio (LLR) and relative risk (RR) were calculated in different windows, and the region with the largest LLR value represented the most likely cluster. Results: From 2005 to 2016, the incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer in China showed a trend of increasing at first and then decreasing. The incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer in 2016 were characterized by spatial positive correlation. High incidence and high mortality were mainly concentrated in the areas through which the Huaihe River flowed. The primary clusters (taking high incidence rate as an example LLR=6 374.41, RR=2.37, P＜0.001) were mainly distributed in Jiangsu, Anhui and Shandong in eastern China and eastern Henan and southern Hebei in central China, and secondary clusters (taking high incidence rate as an example LLR=1 971.19, RR=1.91, P＜0.001) in Gansu, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Shaanxi, Sichuan and other central and western regions. Conclusions: The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in China have decreased since 2010. The disease burden of esophageal cancer has obvious spatial differences, and measures should be taken according to local conditions in high-risk cluster areas such as the Huaihe River basin.

Label-free-based proteomics analysis reveals differential proteins of sheep, goat and cow milk.

Regarding the limited information on species protein differences between sheep, goat, and cow milk, the differentially expressed proteins in sheep, goat, and cow milk and their functional differences are analyzed using label-free proteomics technology to identify potential biomarkers. 770 proteins and 2914 peptide segments were identified. The statistical analysis showed significant differences in the relative abundances of the 74 proteins among the sheep, goat, and cow milk. CSN3 and LALBA can be used as potential biomarkers for goat milk, XDH can be used as potential biomarkers for cow milk, and CTSB and BPIFB1 can be used as potential biomarkers for sheep milk. The functional analysis using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes showed that these significantly different proteins were enriched by different pathways including thyroid hormone synthesis and glycerol phospholipid metabolism. The data revealed differences in the amounts and physiological functions of the milk proteins of different species, which may provide an important basis for research on the nutritional composition of dairy products and adulteration identification technology.

Experimental Limits on Solar Reflected Dark Matter with a New Approach on Accelerated-Dark-Matter-Electron Analysis in Semiconductors.

Recently a dark matter-electron (DM-electron) paradigm has drawn much attention. Models beyond the standard halo model describing DM accelerated by high energy celestial bodies are under intense examination as well. In this Letter, a velocity components analysis (VCA) method dedicated to swift analysis of accelerated DM-electron interactions via semiconductor detectors is proposed and the first HPGe detector-based accelerated DM-electron analysis is realized. Utilizing the method, the first germanium based constraint on sub-GeV solar reflected DM-electron interaction is presented with the 205.4 kg·day dataset from the CDEX-10 experiment. In the heavy mediator scenario, our result excels in the mass range of 5-15 keV/c^{2}, achieving a 3 orders of magnitude improvement comparing with previous semiconductor experiments. In the light mediator scenario, the strongest laboratory constraint for DM lighter than 0.1 MeV/c^{2} is presented. The result proves the feasibility and demonstrates the vast potential of the VCA technique in future accelerated DM-electron analyses with semiconductor detectors.

[Association of urinary cadmium level with body mass index and body circumferences among older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China].

Objective: To investigate the association of urinary cadmium level with body mass index (BMI) and body circumferences among the older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China. Methods: Subjects were older adults over 65 years old from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS) between 2017 and 2018 conducted in 9 longevity areas in China. A total of 1 968 older adults were included in this study. Information including socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyles, diet intake, and health status was collected by using questionnaires and physical examinations. Urine samples were collected to detect urinary cadmium and creatinine levels. Body circumferences included waist circumference, hip circumference and calf circumference. Subjects were divided into three groups (low:<0.77 µg/g·creatinine, middle:0.77-1.69 µg/g·creatinine, high:≥1.69 µg/g·creatinine) by tertiles of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium concentration. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the association of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium level with BMI and body circumferences. The dose-response relationship of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium concentration with BMI and body circumferences was analyzed by using restrictive cubic splines fitting multiple linear regression model. Results: The mean age of subjects was (83.34±11.14) years old. The median (Q1, Q3) concentration of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium was 1.13 (0.63, 2.09) µg/g·creatinine, and the BMI was (22.70±3.82) kg/m2. The mean values of waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference were (85.42±10.68) cm, (92.67±8.90) cm, and (31.08±4.76) cm, respectively. After controlling confounding factors, the results of the multiple linear regression model showed that for each increment of 1 µg/g·creatinine in creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium, the change of BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference in the high-level group was -0.28 (-0.37, -0.19) kg/m2, -0.74 (-0.96, -0.52) cm, -0.78 (-0.96, -0.61) cm, and -0.20 (-0.30, -0.11) cm, respectively. The restrictive cubic splines curve showed a negative nonlinear association of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium with BMI (Pnonlinear<0.001) and negative linear associations of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium with waist circumference (Plinear<0.001), hip circumference (Plinear<0.001), and calf circumference (Plinear<0.001). Conclusion: Urinary cadmium level is significantly associated with decreased BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and calf circumference among older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China.

Impaired local Vitamin D3 metabolism contributes to IL-36g overproduction in epithelial cells in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D (VD) possesses immunomodulatory properties, but its role in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains poorly studied. Herein, we aim to explore the regulation and function of VD3 in CRSwNP. METHODS: 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25VD3) levels in serum and tissue lysates were detected by ELISA. The expression of VD receptor (VDR) and cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily B member 1 (CYP27B1), the enzyme that converts 25VD3 to the active 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25VD3), and their expression regulation in human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) were studied by RT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. RNA sequencing was performed to identify genes regulated by 1,25VD3 in HNECs. HNECs and polyp tissue explants were treated with 1,25VD3, 25VD3, and dexamethasone. RESULTS: 25VD3 levels in serum and nasal tissue lysates were decreased in patients with eosinophilic and noneosinophilic CRSwNP than control subjects. The expression of VDR and CYP27B1 were reduced in eosinophilic and noneosinophilic CRSwNP, particularly in nasal epithelial cells. VDR and CYP27B1 expression in HNECs were downregulated by interferon y and poly (I:C). Polyp-derived epithelial cells demonstrated an impaired ability to convert 25VD3 to 1,25VD3 than control tissues. 1,25VD3 and 25VD3 suppressed IL-36y production in HNECs and polyp tissues, and the effect of 25VD3 was abolished by siCYP27B1 treatment. Tissue 25VD3 levels negatively correlated with IL-36y expression and neutrophilic inflammation in CRSwNP. CONCLUSION: Reduced systemic 25VD3 level, local 1,25VD3 generation and VDR expression result in impaired VD3 signaling activation in nasal epithelial cells, thereby exaggerating IL-36y production and neutrophilic inflammation in CRSwNP.

[Research progress of transcriptomics and proteomics in schizophrenia].

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with an unclear etiology and various clinical manifestations. The diagnosis and consequent treatment of schizophrenia mainly rely on clinical symptoms. Multiple risk sites associated with schizophrenia have been identified, yet objective indicators have not been found to facilitate clinical diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. The development of omics technology provides different perspectives on the etiology of schizophrenia and make the early identification, diagnosis and treatment of the disorder possible. This article summarizes the prevalence of schizophrenia, reviews the research results and shortcomings of transcriptomics and proteomics, as well as the latest achievements and prospects of multi-omics, aiming to reveal the use of omics in SZ, provide more comprehensive biological evidence to reveal the complex pathogenesis of schizophrenia and provide a theoretical basis for the early identification, accurate diagnosis, disease progression control, and prognosis improvement of schizophrenia.

The functional and regulatory entities underlying free and peptide-bound amino acid transporters in the bovine mammary gland.

Free and peptide-bound AA act as building blocks and key regulators of milk protein. To improve milk protein production, mammary epithelial cells of lactating mammals require extensive AA movement across the plasma membrane via multiple transport systems. Recent studies on bovine mammary cells/tissues have expanded the number of AA transporter systems identified and the knowledge on their contribution to AA utilization for milk protein synthesis and the regulatory machinery. However, in lactating cows, the exact intracellular location of mammary AA transporters and the extent of mammary net AA utilization for milk protein production remain unclear. This review highlights the existing knowledge on various characteristics, such as substrate specificity, kinetics, their effects on AA uptake and utilization, and regulatory mechanism, of recently examined bovine mammary free and peptide-bound AA transporters.

[Association of hs-CRP with frailty and its components among the elderly over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China].

Objective: To investigate the association of the levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with frailty and its components among the elderly over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Health Ageing and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS, 2017-2018) were used and the elderly over 65 years old were included in this study. Through questionnaire interview and physical examination, the information including demographic characteristics, behavior, diet, daily activity, cognitive function, and health status was collected. The association between hs-CRP and frailty and its components in the participants was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model and restrictive cubic spline. Results: A total of 2 453 participants were finally included, the age was (84.8±19.8) years old. The median hs-CRP level was 1.13 mg/L and the prevalence of frailty was 24.4%. Compared with the low-level group (hs-CRP<1.0 mg/L), the OR (95%CI) value of the high-level group (hs-CRP>3.0 mg/L) was 1.79 (1.35-2.36) mg/L. As for the components, the hs-CRP level was also positively associated with ADL disability, IADL disability, functional limitation and multimorbidity. After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with the low-level group, the OR (95%CI) values of the high-level group for the four components were 1.68 (1.25-2.27), 1.88 (1.42-2.50), 1.68 (1.31-2.14) and 1.39 (1.12-1.72), respectively. Conclusion: There is a positive association between the levels of hs-CRP and the risk of frailty among the elderly over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China. The higher hs-CRP level may increase the risk of frailty by elevating the risk of four physical functional disabilities, namely ADL disability, IADL disability, functional limitation and multimorbidity.

[Occupational exposure level and requirements for radiation protection of nuclear medical staff].

With the rapid development of nuclear medicine, the number of nuclear medical staff has increased a lot in the past few years in China. Close-range operations, such as preparation and injections of radiopharmaceuticals, are usually carried out in nuclear medicine department. And the use of unsealed radionuclides may also create internal exposure risk. So, occupational exposure of nuclear medical staff is a main issue of occupational health management in China. In this paper, the occupational exposure level and requirements for radiation protection of nuclear medical staff are introduced to provide references for the related work that radiological health technical institutions carry out.

[Diagnostic value of novel hepatic fibrosis markers in assessing cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) and Golgi protein 73 (GP73) in the diagnosis of cirrhosis and the dynamic changes of CHI3L1 and GP73 after HCV clearance in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treated with direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs). The comparison of continuous variables of normal distribution were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and t-test. The comparison of continuous variables of non-normal distribution were statistically analyzed by rank sum test. The categorical variables were statistically analyzed by Fisher's exact test and χ(2) test. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman correlation analysis. Methods: Data of 105 patients with CHC diagnosed from January 2017 to December 2019 were collected. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to study the efficacy of serum CHI3L1 and GP73 for the diagnosis of cirrhosis. Friedman test was used to compare CHI3L1 and GP73 change characteristics. Results: The areas under the ROC curve for CHI3L1 and GP73 in the diagnosis of cirrhosis at baseline were 0.939 and 0.839, respectively. Serum levels of CHI3L1 and GP73 in the DAAs group decreased significantly at the end of treatment compared with baseline [123.79 (60.25, 178.80) ng/ml vs. 118.20 (47.68, 151.36) ng/ml, P = 0.001; 105.73 (85.05, 130.69) ng/ml vs. 95.52 (69.52, 118.97) ng/ml, P = 0.001]. Serum CHI3L1 and GP73 in the pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin (PR) group were significantly lower at the end of 24 weeks of treatment than the baseline [89.15 (39.15, 149.74) ng/ml vs. 69.98 (20.52, 71.96) ng/ml, P < 0.05; 85.07 (60.07, 121) ng/ml vs. 54.17 (29.17, 78.65) ng/ml, P < 0.05]. Conclusion: CHI3L1 and GP73 are sensitive serological markers that can be used to monitor the fibrosis prognosis in CHC patients during treatment and after obtaining a sustained virological response. Serum CHI3L1 and GP73 levels in the DAAs group decreased earlier than those in the PR group, and the serum CHI3L1 levels in the untreated group increased compared with the baseline at about two years of follow-up.

[Association of greenness exposure with waist circumference and central obesity in Chinese adults aged 65 years and over].

Objective: To examine the association of greenness exposure with waist circumference (WC) and central obesity in older adults in China. Methods: Based on the cross-sectional data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey in 2017-2018, 14 056 participants aged 65 years and over were included. Demographic characteristics, lifestyle, WC, and other information were collected through a questionnaire and physical examination. Based on the satellite monitoring data of moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) provided by NASA, the annual mean of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) within a radius of 1 000 meters was obtained as the measurement value of greenness exposure. Multivariate linear regression model, multivariate logistic regression model, and restricted cubic splines (RCS) model were used to analyze the association and dose-response relationship between greenness exposure and WC and central obesity in older adults in China. Results: A total of 14 056 participants were enrolled with a median age of 84.0 years [IQR: 75.0-94.0 years]. About 45.0% (6 330) of them were male and 48.6% (5 853) were illiterate. There were 10 964 (78.0%) participants from rural. The mean of WC was (84.4±10.8) cm. Central obesity accounted for 60.2% (8 465), and the NDVI range was (-0.06, 0.78). After adjusting for confounding factors, the multivariate linear regression model showed that the change value of WC in the urban group [ß (95%CI):-0.49 (-0.93, -0.06)] was smaller than that in the rural [-0.78 (-0.98, -0.58)] for every 0.1 unit increase in NDVI (Pinteraction=0.022). Compared with the Q1 group in NDVI, WC of Q2 and Q3 groups in rural decreased, and the ß (95%CI) values were-1.74 (-2.5, -0.98) and-2.78 (-3.55, -2.00), respectively. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of central obesity decreased for urban and rural older adults with an increase of 0.1 unit in NDVI, and the OR (95%CI) values were 0.87 (0.80, 0.95) and 0.86 (0.82, 0.89), respectively (Pinteraction=0.284). Compared with the Q1 group in NDVI, the risk of central obesity in the Q2 and Q3 groups in rural was lower, and the OR (95%CI) values were 0.68 (0.58, 0.80) and 0.57 (0.49, 0.68), respectively. The results of the multivariate regression model with RCS showed that there was a non-linear association of NDVI with WC (Pnonlinear=0.006) and central obesity (Pnonlinear=0.025). Conclusion: Greenness exposure is negatively associated with WC and central obesity in older adults in China.

[Effectiveness of a whole-process health education model among inpatients with ascites type of advanced schistosomiasis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a whole-process health education model among inpatients with ascites type of advanced schistosomiasis. METHODS: A "admission-hospitalization-discharge" whole-process health education model was created, 101 inpatients with ascites type of advanced schistosomiasis were given the whole-process health education. The scores of schistosomiasis control knowledge, attitudes towards schistosomiasis control and healthy behaviors, and awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge, correct rate of attitudes towards schistosomiasis control and correct rate of healthy behaviors were compared among inpatients with ascites type of advanced schistosomiasis before and after implementation of the whole-process health education. RESULTS: The scores of schistosomiasis control knowledge, schistosomiasis control attitudes and healthy behaviors were all significantly higher among inpatients with ascites type of advanced schistosomiasis after implementation of the whole-process health education than before implementation (Z = -7.688, -3.576 and -4.328, all P values < 0.01). In addition, the awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge increased from 54.3% to 82.7% (χ2 = 188.886, P < 0.01), and the correct rate of attitudes towards schistosomiasis control increased from 88.4% to 98.0% (χ2 = 22.001, P < 0.01), while the correct rate of healthy behaviors increased from 48.2% to 59.7% (χ2 = 11.767, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The whole-process health education model may remarkably improve the awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge and promote the formation of positive attitudes towards schistosomiasis control and correct behaviors among inpatients with ascites type of advanced schistosomiasis, which is of great significance to facilitate patients' cure.

Erratum to "Organic zinc supplementation in early-lactation dairy cows and its effects on zinc content and distribution in milk and cheese" (JDS Commun. 2:110-113).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2020-0070.].

p120 regulates E-cadherin expression in nasal epithelial cells in chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: The epithelial barrier plays an important role in the regulation of immune homeostasis. The effect of the immune environment on E-cadherin has been demonstrated in previous studies. This discovery prompted new research on the targeting mechanism of E-cadherin in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS: E-cadherin and p120 expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR, and western blot. The interaction between E-cadherin and p120 was assessed by immunofluorescence staining and coimmunoprecipitation assays. Human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) were cultured with submerged methods and transfected with p120-specific small interfering RNA. In other experiments, HNECs differentiated with the air-liquid interface (ALI) method were stimulated with various cytokines and Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. The barrier properties of differentiated HNECs were determined by assessing fluorescent dextran permeability. RESULTS: E-cadherin and p120 expression was decreased in HNECs from patients with CRS, and the p120 protein expression level was positively correlated with that of E-cadherin. Two isoforms of p120 (p120-1 and p120-3) were expressed in HNECs, with p120-3 being the main isoform. Knocking down p120 in HNECs cultured under submerged conditions significantly reduced the E-cadherin protein expression. The Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 reversed the protein expression of E-cadherin in p120 knockdown experiments. Inflammatory mediators, including IL-4, TNF-α, TGF- ß, LPS and IFN-Î, reduced E-cadherin and p120 protein expression and increased paracellular permeability. Dexamethasone abolished the downregulation of E-cadherin and p120 caused by inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSIONS: p120 is involved in regulating E-cadherin protein expression in CRS. Dexamethasone may alleviate the reduction in E-cadherin and p120 protein expression caused by inflammatory mediators.

[Consistency evaluation between patient-completed and physician-completed Caprini scores].

Objective: To evaluate the consistency of patient-completed and physician-completed Caprini scores. Methods: This study was a diagnostic study. We prospectively recruited 200 inpatients (including respiratory and critical care medicine, rheumatology and immunology, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedics). Clinical data of the recruited patients were collected. The Wechat applet was developed based on the Chinese version of the patient-completed Caprini score. Patient could enter the Wechat applet by scanning the QR code, and enter the height, weight and other contents to the Wechat applet. The applet could automatically calculate the score and make the risk stratification according to total score. At the same time, physicians would calculate the traditional Caprini score for the same patient and make risk stratification to evaluate the consistency of scores derived from the two methods. Results: The average age of these 200 patients was (59.6±13.9) years, 112(56.0%) of them were female and 184(92.0%) with high school education or above. There was no significant difference between the patient-completed and physician-completed scores (4.8±2.5 vs. 4.7±2.5,P=0.336). The time of physician-completed score was shorter than that of patient-completed score ((2.0±1.0) minutes vs.(2.4±1.2) minutes, P<0.000 1). There was no significant difference on the number of high-highest venous thromboembolism risk patients assessed by the patient-completed and the physician-completed scores: 84.5% (169/200) vs. 83.0%(166/200)(χ2=0.165, P=0.684).There was strong positive correlations between patient-completed and physician-completed scores (r=0.98, P<0.000 1). Cohen's ĸ evaluation showed that the patient-completed Caprini score was in excellent consistency with physician-completed Caprini score(κ=0.97,P<0.000 1). The result of Bland Altman method showed that only 3.0% (6/200) of the scores biased greatly, which was not within the 95% confidence interval, the result proved that the bias belonged to a small probability event. It was inferred that the scores of patient-completed were consistent with those of the physician-completed. Conclusions: The patient-completed Caprini score is in good agreement with the physician-completed Caprini score in this patient cohort.

Supplementation with N-carbamoylglutamate during the transition period improves the function of neutrophils and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of N-carbamoylglutamate (NCG) supplementation during the transition period on the functions of blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), inflammation, and oxidative stress in dairy cows. Thirty multiparous Chinese Holstein dairy cows at wk 4 before parturition were blocked into 2 groups by parity, body weight, and milk yield of previous lactation, and randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments of basal diet supplemented without (control, n = 15) or with 20 g/d per cow of NCG (NCG, n = 15). The supplementation was carried out from d -21 to 21 relative to calving. Health incidents (mastitis, retained placenta, and lameness) were recorded, and blood samples were collected at d -21, -7, 0 (the calving date), 7, and 21 relative to parturition and analyzed for variables related to inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, whole blood was collected at d 7 to isolate PMN and used for analysis of the expression of functional genes and from d -21 to 21 for determination of weekly hematological parameters. The number of lymphocytes was greater at d 7 in the blood of NCG cows. The plasma level of malondialdehyde was lower in the NCG group, and blood reactive oxygen species were lower at d 7, whereas total antioxidant capacity tended to be greater in the NCG group and glutathione peroxidase tended to be higher at d 21 in cows fed NCG, suggesting that NCG supplementation improved antioxidation in cows. In addition, the concentration of serum amyloid A was lower in NCG-fed animals during the postpartum stage. Blood concentrations of IL6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were lower and tended to be lower in NCG-fed animals at d 7, respectively. Meanwhile, the concentrations of IL6 tended to be lower in NCG-fed animals at d 21. Furthermore, the expression of S100A9 and MMP9 in the PMN was lower and tended to be lower, respectively, whereas the expression of ITGB2, XBP1 tended to be higher and expression of CLEC6A was higher in NCG-fed cows. Overall, our results indicated that supplementation with NCG during the transition period showed the beneficial effects on animal health, by improving PMN functions and alleviating inflammation status and oxidative stress in dairy cows.

[Fibrinogen gamma-chain mutation, p.Ile171His, leads to hereditary hypofibrinogenemia].

Objective: To explore the clinical phenotype and genotype of a family with hereditary hypofibrinogenemia. Methods: Activated partial thrombin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT),thrombin time (TT) and thrombelastogram (TEG) were tested in all family members. Fibrinogen activity and antigen were detected by Clauss method and immunoturbidimetric method respectively. All exons and flanking sequences of fibrinogen FGA,FGB,FGG genes were analyzed by PCR, and the products were subjected to Sanger sequencing. Results: The proband represented prolonged PT and TT, low Fg activity and antigen, elevated K value and decreased Angle value in TEG. Other family members reported similar changes including proband's father,daughter and son, and his elder brother and his niece. Exon 5 c.510_512 of FGG gene in the proband revealed a minor deletion mutation. Conclusion: The novel heterozygous missense mutation of exon 5 c.510_512del (Gln170_Ile171 del ins His) of FGG gene is the molecular mechanism that leads to hereditary hypofibrinogenemia in this family.

[Analysis on the status of occupational health of medical radiation workers in China in 2019].

Objective: To grasp the occupational health monitoring of radiation workers in medical institutions across the country, and to discover weak links in the prevention and treatment of occupational radiation diseases. Methods: In 2020 January, according to the monitoring data of the "National Radiation Health Information Platform" (Occupational Radiation Disease and Occupational Health Monitoring Subsystem and Occupational Radiation Disease Reporting Subsystem) , the national occupational health monitoring data from January 1 to December 31, 2019, including the number of radiation workers in medical institutions, occupational health examinations, personal dose monitoring and occupational radiation disease diagnosis, were descriptive analyzed. Results: There were a total of 394436 radiation workers in medical institutions across the country. The number of radiation workers in various provinces was quite different, with a median of 10206, which was positively correlated with the number of permanent residents in each province (r=0.947) . There were 376 personal dose monitoring institutions nationwide, and the personal dose monitoring rate of radiation workers in medical institutions was 96.61% (381045/394436) . There were 419 occupational health inspection institutions for radiation workers across the country, and 269 (64.20%) used software to print physical examination forms. A total of 334455 radiation workers in medical institutions had been subjected to occupational health examinations. The rate of occupational health examinations for radiation workers in medical institutions was 84.79% (334455/394436) . The abnormal rate of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of radiation workers in medical institutions was 0.33% (776/233571) , the detection rate of posterior posterior subcapsular turbidity was 0.63% (2093/334455) , and the abnormality rate of thyroid color ultrasound was 28.49% (14946/52464) . In 2019, a total of 16 cases of occupational radiation diseases were reported. Conclusion: The personal dose monitoring rate and occupational health examination rate of medical radiation workers nationwide are relatively high, but the quality of lymphocyte chromosome aberration analysis, eye lens examination and thyroid color photograph examination needs to be further improved.