Secular Trends in Sleep Conditions in Chinese Elderly Individuals: A National Population-Based Study.

Purpose: As one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world, the elderly population is expected to reach over 400 million in China by 2032. Many studies have suggested a positive association between sleep duration and adverse health events among elderly individuals. This study aimed to investigate the sleep conditions of Chinese elderly individuals between 2005 and 2018. Patients and methods: Data for 53,013 elderly individuals were taken from five cycles of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) during 2005-2018. Sex- and age-specific means and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to estimate sleep duration trends. Changes in sleep patterns were explored during this period. The prevalence of short and long sleep durations was assessed and age-standardized by the 2010 census. Finally, self-reported sleep quality was used to determine sleep conditions from another perspective among elderly individuals. Results: The mean sleep duration decreased from 7.87 (95% CI: 7.83-7.91) to 7.29 (95% CI: 7.25-7.33) hours between 2005 and 2018. Changes in sleep duration patterns were found during the study period. The proportion of the elderly population who slept ≤6 hours increased and that of those who slept ≥9 hours decreased noticeably over the past 13 years. The age-standardized prevalence of short sleep duration increased from 32.7% (95% CI: 32.7-32.9%) to 38.4% (95% CI: 38.3-38.5%). A significant decrease was observed in the prevalence of long sleep duration. Conclusion: Sleep conditions are gradually shifting toward a shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality among Chinese elderly individuals.

A Bibliometric Analysis of the Role of 3D Technology in Liver Cancer Resection.

BACKGROUND: Liver cancer resection is an effective but complex way to treat liver cancer, and complex anatomy is one of the reasons for the difficulty of surgery. The use of 3D technology can help surgeons cope with this dilemma. This article intends to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the role of 3D technology in liver cancer resection. METHODS: (TS = (3D) OR TS = (three-dimensional)) AND (TS = (((hepatic) OR (liver)) AND ((cancer) OR (tumor) OR (neoplasm)))) AND (TS = (excision) OR TS = (resection)) was used as a search strategy for data collection in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection. CiteSpace, Carrot2 and Microsoft Office Excel were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-eight relevant articles were obtained. Their annual and journal distribution maps were produced. Countries/regions and institutions collaboration, author collaboration, references co-citations and their clusters and keywords co-occurrences and their clusters were constructed. Carrot2 cluster analysis was performed. CONCLUSIONS: There was an overall upward trend in the number of publications. China's contribution was greater, and the USA had greater influence. Southern Med Univ was the most influential institution. However, the cooperation between institutions still needs to be further strengthened. Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques was the most published journal. Couinaud C and Soyer P were the authors with the highest citations and centrality, respectively. "Liver planning software accurately predicts postoperative liver volume and measures early regeneration" was the most influential article. 3D printing, 3D CT and 3D reconstruction may be the mainstream of current research, and augmented reality (AR) may be a future hot spot.

Biological cell trapping and manipulation of a photonic nanojet by a specific microcone-shaped optical fiber tip.

Trapping and manipulating mesoscopic biological cells with high precision and flexibility are very important for numerous biomedical applications. In particular, a photonic nanojet based on a non-resonance focusing phenomenon can serve as a powerful tool for manipulating red blood cells and tumor cells in blood. In this study, we demonstrate an approach to trap and drive cells using a high-quality photonic nanojet which is produced by a specific microcone-shaped optical-fiber tip. The dynamic chemical etching method is used to fabricate optical-fiber probes with a microcone-shaped tip. Optical forces and potentials exerted on a red blood cell by a microcone-shaped fiber tips are analyzed based on finite-difference time-domain calculations. Optical trapping and driving experiments are done using breast cancer cells and red blood cells. Furthermore, a cell chain is formed by adjusting the magnitude of the optical force. The real-time backscattering intensities of multiple cells are detected, and highly sensitive trapping is achieved. This microcone-shaped optical fiber probe is potentially a powerful device for dynamic cell assembly, optical sorting, and the precise diagnosis of vascular diseases.

The predictive value of eGFR combined with BNP detection in acute kidney injury after acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: The combined detection of eGFR and BNP may provide some value in predicting the occurrence of AKI after AMI, and the study is designed to propose and validate this hypothesis. Methods: In retrospective research, AMI patients hospitalized at Weifang People's Hospital from January to December 2020 were included. Whether AKI occurred within a week of admission, patients were divided into two groups. Clinical data from two groups of patients were collected, and the Logistic regression model analysed the risk factors for AKI after AMI. The association between eGFR and BNP was analysed using Pearson linear correlation. The predictive value of eGFR and BNP alone and combined detection on AKI after AMI was analysed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Multivariate logistic regression showed that eGFR, BNP, HDLC, UA, and K ions were AKI risk factors (P < 0.05). The eGFR correlates negatively with BNP (R = -0.324, P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of eGFR and BNP alone and combined prediction for post-AMI AKI were 0.793, 0.826, and 0.831, respectively. Conclusion: The combined detection of eGFR and BNP has a high predictive value for AKI development in AMI patients.

Concept of photonic hook scalpel generated by shaped fiber tip with asymmetric radiation.

Structured light have made deep impacts on modern biotechnology and clinical practice, with numerous optical systems and lasers currently being used in medicine to treat disease. We demonstrate a new concept of fiber-based optical hook scalpel. The subwavelength photonic hook is obtained in the vicinity of a shaped fiber tip with asymmetric radiation. A 1550 nm continuous-wave source, commonly used for medical imaging, has been required. Photonic hook with a lateral feature size less than the half-wavelength is achieved using a hemispherical shaped fiber tip with metallic mask. This breakthrough is carried out in ambient air by using a 4-µm-diameter fiber with a shaped tip. A good correlation is observed between the computed intensity distribution of photonic hook and the tip sizes. Photonic hook generated with a shaped fiber tip, easier to manipulate, shows far-reaching benefits for potential applications such as ophthalmic laser surgery, super-resolution microscopy, photolithography and material processing.

Identification, expression, and artificial selection of silkworm epigenetic modification enzymes.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the genetic basis of phenotype variations during domestication and breeding is of great interest. Epigenetics and epigenetic modification enzymes (EMEs) may play a role in phenotypic variations; however, no comprehensive study has been performed to date. Domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori) may be utilized as a model in determining how EMEs influence domestication traits. RESULTS: We identified 44 EMEs in the genome of silkworm (Bombyx mori) using homology searching. Phylogenetic analysis showed that genes in a subfamily among different animals were well clustered, and the expression pattern of EMEs is constant among Bombyx mori, Drosophila melanogaster, and Mus musculus. These are most highly expressed in brain, early embryo, and internal genitalia. By gene-related selective sweeping, we identified five BmEMEs under artificial selection during the domestication and breeding of silkworm. Among these selected genes, BmSuv4-20 and BmDNMT2 harbor selective mutations in their upstream regions that alter transcription factor-binding sites. Furthermore, these two genes are expressed higher in the testis and ovary of domesticated silkworm compared to wild silkworms, and correlations between their expression pattern and meiosis of the sperm and ova were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The domestication of silkworm has induced artificial selection on epigenetic modification markers that may have led to phenotypic changes during domestication. We present a novel perspective to understand the genetic basis underlying animal domestication and breeding.

Trends in age of smoking initiation among the Chinese population born between 1950 and 1997.

OBJECTIVES: Smoking prevalence has significantly increased among Chinese adolescences in the past decades. The aim of our study is to investigate the trends and changing patterns in age of smoking initiation among the Chinese population. STUDY DESIGN: Pooled data from the 2006-2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey was used for analysis. A total of 10,032 adults aged ≥18 years who were born between 1950 and 1997 were separated into five birth cohorts (1950-1959, 1960-1969, 1970-1979, 1980-1989 and 1990-1997). METHODS: Age-specific (10-24 years) smoking initiation rates were calculated by gender, educational level and urbanisation. The multiple logistic models were used for estimates of changes in smoking initiation age. RESULTS: The mean age of smoking initiation decreased substantially from 22.0 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.2-22.7) to 17.5 years (95% CI: 16.2-19.1) over five generations. A large decrease was seen in the initiation age group of 15-24 years in the 1980s cohort (15-19 years: odds ratio [OR] = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.19-0.97; 20-24 years: OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.18-0.82); a significant decrease was also found in the 1990s cohort (15-19 years: OR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.11-0.94; 20-24 years old: OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14-0.85). The peak age of smoking initiation changed from 20 years old to 18 years old over the five generations. CONCLUSIONS: The age of smoking initiation has decreased rapidly in the Chinese population in the past decades. Chinese adolescents are becoming the main target group for the tobacco marketing industry, and national legislations are urgently required.

N-Glycosylation of Human R-Spondin 1 Is Required for Efficient Secretion and Stability but Not for Its Heparin Binding Ability.

R-spondin 1 (Rspo1) plays an essential role in stem cell biology by potentiating Wnt signaling activity. Despite the fact that Rspo1 holds therapeutic potential for a number of diseases, its biogenesis is not fully elucidated. All Rspo proteins feature two amino-terminal furin-like repeats, which are responsible for Wnt signal potentiation, and a thrombospondin type 1 (TSR1) domain that can provide affinity towards heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Using chemical inhibitors, deglycosylase and site-directed mutagenesis, we found that human Rspo1 and Rspo3 are both N-glycosylated at N137, a site near the C-terminus of the furin repeat 2 domain, and Rspo2 is N-glycosylated at N160, a position near the N-terminus of TSR1 domain. Elimination of N-glycosylation at these sites affects their accumulation in media but have no effect on the ability towards heparin. Introduction of the N-glycosylation site to Rspo2 mutant at the position homologous to N137 in Rspo1 restored full glycosylation and rescued the accumulation defect of nonglycosylated Rspo2 mutant in media. Similar effect can be observed in the N137 Rspo1 or Rspo3 mutant engineered with Rspo2 N-glycosylation site. The results highlight the importance of N-glycosylation at these two positions in efficient folding and secretion of Rspo family. Finally, we further showed that human Rspo1 is subjected to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) quality control in N-glycan-dependent manner. While N-glycan of Rspo1 plays a role in its intracellular stability, it had little effect on secreted Rspo1. Our findings provide evidence for the critical role of N-glycosylation in the biogenesis of Rspo1.

Japanese encephalitis virus in mosquitoes and swine in Yunnan province, China 2009-2010.

The residential regions of Yunnan province, canton of Jing Hong, in China were surveyed for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection in mosquito and swine vectors to determine the frequency of JEV-carrying zoonotic vectors in 2009-2010. A total of 21,500 mosquitoes were collected and divided by species, and brain tissue was collected from 108 stillborn piglets. The infection rates for the different JEV species were 13.2% for Culex tritaeniorhynchus, 2.7% for Anopheles sinensis, 0.7% for Armigeres subalbatus, and 18.5% for stillborn piglets. The complete genomes of two JEV samples that were collected in different seasons and different regions, Yunnan 0901 and Yunnan 0902, were sequenced from a pool of Culex mosquitoes and stillborn piglets that had been collected randomly from several piggeries. Multiple sequence alignment with 24 fully-sequenced genes and 93 complete sequences of the JEV-encoded E gene revealed nucleotide homologies ranging from 97.2-99.6% and 94.5-99.7% in mosquitoes and piglets, respectively, and deduced amino acid homologies ranging from 97.4-98.1% and 96.0-98.2%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of the Yunnan 0901 and Yunnan 0902 strains' full-length genomes and E gene sequences indicated that these strains are most closely related to six Chinese SA14-derived viruses, and distantly related to the Australian FU, vellore P20778, and Japanese Ishikawa strains, and the previously isolated YN86-B8639 strains. The phylogenetic relationships based on the full-length genome were similar to those found for the E gene, indicating that phylogenetic analysis of the E gene will be a useful approach for genotyping of JEV, but not to better understand the potential changes in the biological characteristics and genetic relationship of JEV isolates.

Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid detection of Japanese encephalitis virus in swine and mosquitoes.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) can infect many agriculturally important animals and humans, and has a high incidence in Asia. One of the natural hosts of the mosquito-borne JE virus (JEV) is domestic pigs, which act as amplifier hosts. Porcine infection results in fatal encephalitis, abortion, and stillbirth in pregnant sows, and hypospermia in boars. In this study, a rapid JEV detection method for swine and mosquitoes was developed based on reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) targeting the nucleocapsid (E) genes of JEV genotype I (lineage K94PO5), and genotype III (lineage SA14-14-2). Fifty-six swine blood samples and 20,000 mosquitoes were used to evaluate the method, compared to conventional RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time RT-PCR. RT-LAMP had detection limits of 2.57 and 2.34 copies/µL for JEV I and III, respectively. Assay sensitivity was similar to real-time RT-PCR, but was 10-fold higher than conventional RT-PCR. Assay specificity was high, showing no cross-reactivity to other flaviviruses. The results of virus isolation and identification of swine blood samples and mosquito samples were fully consistent with RT-LAMP. Finally, the JEV RT-LAMP assay was simpler and less time consuming than conventional RT-PCR or real-time RT-PCR, since the amplification step could be completed in a single tube within 50 min at 63°C. In conclusion, the newly-developed RT-LAMP assay is an accurate and convenient method for rapid and sensitive diagnosis of JEV in swine and mosquitoes, and may prove to be a practical molecular tool for surveillance and epidemiological investigations.

Characteristics of circadian rhythm in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage before death.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate characteristics of circadian rhythm in intracerebral hemorrhage before death. METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out from September 2002 to February 2009. One hundred and twenty-two dead cases with intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH) were collected. The study was carried out in the Department of Neurosurgery in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded every half-hour during the 72 hours before death. Data of BP and HR before deaths were divided into 3 time periods, namely, period A (72-48 hours to death), period B (48-24 hours to death), and period C (24 hours to death). Data from the 3 periods were analyzed using the Cosinor method to determine whether circadian rhythm was present or absent. The cases were divided into a present and absent group after Cosinor analysis. Prognostic factors in the 2 groups were analyzed by Student`s t-test and Pearson`s chi-squared test. RESULTS: Significant differences in prognostic factors between the 2 groups were not found. When circadian midline-estimating statistic of rhythms over the 3 periods were compared, there were no significant differences. However, when circadian amplitudes over the 3 periods were compared, the amplitudes during period C were significantly lower than period A or B (p<0.001). The percentage of cases in the absent and present groups was significantly different (p<0.001) over the 3 periods. CONCLUSION: As an independent factor, circadian variation could predict death in patients with ICH.

[Influence of heart rate's circadian rhythm in postoperation of intracerebral hemorrhage with different surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of different surgery on heart rate's circadian rhythm in postoperation of intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: One hundren cases of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage at basal ganglia had been collected. According to methods of operation, cases were divided into two groups. Forty-three cases and 57 cases were treated respectively by standard craniotomy (Craniotomy group) and microinvasion of puncturation (Microinvasion group) to remove hematoma. Value of heart rate (HR) was recorded by monitor every 1 hour for 9 days. Circadian rhythm of every day was analyzed by single cosinor and population mean-cosinor. RESULTS: Circadian rhythm of postoperative HR appeared (P < 0.001) in microinvasion group after operation. Circadian rhythm of postoperative HR had not been appearing (P < 0.001) in craniotomy group until to the 8th day. All amplitudes in microinvasion group are higher than that in craniotomy group. Both of amplitudes in two groups begin to be low during 4-7 d after operation and recover the level till the 8th day. CONCLUSION: Influence of circadian rhythm in craniotomy was more severe than microinvasion puncturation. There would be a intimate relationship between encephaledema and recovery of circadian rhythm after neurosurgery.