Effects of nursing team communication and collaboration on treatment outcomes in intensive care unit patients with severe pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Severe pneumonia is a common severe respiratory infection worldwide, and its treatment is challenging, especially for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). AIM: To explore the effect of communication and collaboration between nursing teams on the treatment outcomes of patients with severe pneumonia in ICU. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 60 patients with severe pneumonia who were treated at the ICU of the hospital between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2023. We compared and analyzed the respiratory mechanical indexes [airway resistance (Raw), mean airway pressure (mPaw), peak pressure (PIP)], blood gas analysis indexes (arterial oxygen saturation, arterial oxygen partial pressure, and oxygenation index), and serum inflammatory factor levels [C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), cortisol (COR), and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1)] of all patients before and after treatment. RESULTS: Before treatment, there was no significant difference in respiratory mechanics index and blood gas analysis index between 2 groups (P > 0.05). However, after treatment, the respiratory mechanical indexes of patients in both groups were significantly improved, and the improvement of Raw, mPaw, plateau pressure, PIP and other indexes in the combined group after communication and collaboration with the nursing team was significantly better than that in the single care group (P < 0.05). The serum CRP and PCT levels of patients were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant compared with that of nursing group alone (P < 0.05). The levels of serum COR and HMGB1 before and after treatment were also significantly decreased between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The communication and collaboration of the nursing team have a significant positive impact on respiratory mechanics indicators, blood gas analysis indicators and serum inflammatory factor levels in the treatment of severe pneumonia patients in ICU.

A compound enzyme as an additive to a continuous anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor for enhanced lignocellulose removal from codigestion: Performance, membrane characteristics and microorganisms.

To explore the enzyme-enhanced strategy of a continuous anaerobic dynamic membrane reactor (AnDMBR), the anaerobic codigestion system of food waste and corn straw was first operated stably, and then the best combination of compound enzymes (laccase, endo-ß-1,4-glucanase, xylanase) was determined via a series of batch trials. The results showed that the methane yield (186.8 ± 19.9 mL/g VS) with enzyme addition was 12.2 % higher than that without enzyme addition. Furthermore, the removal rates of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin increased by 31 %, 36 % and 78 %, respectively. In addition, dynamic membranes can form faster and more stably with enzyme addition. The addition of enzymes changed the structure of microbial communities while maintaining sufficient hydrolysis bacteria (Bacteroidetes), promoting the proliferation of Proteobacteria as a dominant strain and bringing stronger acetylation ability. In summary, the compound enzyme strengthening strategy successfully improved the methane production, dynamic membrane effect, and degradation rate of lignocellulose in AnDMBR.

A new substrate equalization method for optimizing the influent conditions and fluid flow patterns of a multifed upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor with mature anammox granules.

To improve nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE) and achieve homogenous distribution of anammox sludge and substrate, a new substrate equalization theory and a cumulative overload index was proposed for multifed upflow anaerobic sludge bed (MUASB) reactors with mature anammox granules. The performance and flow patterns of MUASB reactors were investigated under various influent conditions. The results showed that the nitrogen removal performance and stability of MUASB reactors could be optimized by minimizing the cumulative load. The NRE gradually increased from 83.3 ± 2.2 %, 86.8 ± 4.2 % to 89.3 ± 4.1 % and 89.7 ± 1.6 % in feeding flow tests and feeding port tests, respectively. Furthermore, the flow patterns were compared based on residence time distribution and computational fluid dynamics, indicating that a better equilibrium distribution of microorganisms and substrates could be achieved in the MUASB reactors under the lowest cumulative load. Therefore, substrate equalization theory can be used to optimize the nitrogen removal performance of MUASB reactors with low-carbon footprints.

Distribution of LPRD in OSAHS Patients: Is There a Correlation?

Objective: Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease (LPRD) are interrelated medical conditions affecting the respiratory system. This article aimed to investigate the potential correlation between the two. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on a total of 52 participants diagnosed with both OSAHS and LPRD. Clinical data of baseline demographics of year, sex, BMI, including clinical indicators such as AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index), OSAHS severity grading, RFS (Reflux Finding Score), RSI (Reflux Symptom Index), and 24-hour pH level were collected. Statistical analysis was then conducted to evaluate the correlation between OSAHS and LPRD. Results: Among the 52 patients, the the average age was 43.3±11.6 years with a mean 24.7±2.9 kg/m2 BMI level. The mean duration of OSAHS was 4.1±1.7 years with mean 38.7±12 AHI scores and 30.8% mild OSAHS, 51.9% moderate OSAHS, and 17.3% severe OSAHS. Mean LPRD duration was 3.2±1.5 years with a mean 15.9±4.9 RFS score, mean 28.0±6.8 RSI score, and mean 3.9±0.8 24-hour pH level. There was a strong positive correlation between AHI scores and both the RFS score (r>0.9, P < .01) and RSI score (r>0.9, P < .01). While a strong negative correlation between AHI scores and 24-hour pH level was observed (r < -0.8, P < .01). And there was a strong positive correlation between OSAHS severity levels and both the RSF score (r>0.8, P < .01) and RSI score (r>0.79, P < .01). While a significant negative correlation between OSAHS severity and 24-hour pH level was detected (r < -0.7, P < .01). Conclusions: The findings of this cross-sectional study demonstrate a strong positive correlation between the severity of OSAHS, as indicated by AHI scores, and the severity of LPRD, as measured by RFS and RSI scores. A negative correlation was also observed between AHI scores and 24-hour pH level, indicating a connection between these two medical conditions.

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Gut Microbiota and Fecal Metabolites in Rats with Poststroke Depression.

Background: Poststroke depression (PSD) is the most frequent neuropsychiatric consequence of stroke. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been found to be an effective therapy for treating PSD. However, the underlying mechanisms of EA's efficacy remain unclear. This research aimed to investigate the effects of EA on alterations in gut microbiota and fecal metabolome in PSD rats. Methods: Analyses of gut microbiome and fecal metabolome were performed to identify gut microbes and their functional metabolites in a sham group, PSD group, and EA group. We conducted enrichment analysis to identify the differential metabolic pathways in three groups. Correlations between altered gut microbes and differential metabolites after EA treatment were studied. Results: PSD showed decreased species-richness/diversity indices of microbial composition, characterized by an increase in Muribaculaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Oscillospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Clostridiaceae and a decrease in Lactobacillaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Bacteroidaceae. Of these, the abundance of Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Clostridiaceae were reversed by EA. Furthermore, PSD was associated with 34 differential fecal metabolites, mainly belonging to steroid hormone biosynthesis, that could be regulated by EA. Conclusion: Regulation of gut microbiome and lipid metabolism could be one of the potential mechanisms for EA treatment for alleviating the depressive behaviors of PSD.

Does acupuncture treatment have satisfactory clinical efficacy for late-life depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in late-life depression (LLD). METHODS: A comprehensive search of seven electronic databases was conducted from inception to November 2022, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, VIP, CBM and the Wan Fang database. All data analysis were conducted by Revman 5.3. RESULTS: A total of nine RCTs involving 603 participants were included. The meta-analysis results showed that acupuncture combined with antidepressants significantly reduced HAMD scores (MD, -3.69 [95% CI, -5.11 to -2.27], I2 =74%) and a significantly higher cure rate (RR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.01 to 1.22], I2 = 0%) compared with antidepressants alone. However, no significant difference was found between acupuncture and antidepressants in reducing HAMD scores and improving clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture combined or not combined with antidepressants is an effective and safe treatment for LLD.

Long-term in-situ starvation and reactivation of co-digestion with food waste and corn straw in a continuous AnDMBR: Performance, sludge characteristics, and microorganism community.

To explore the effects of in-situ starvation and reactivation in a continuous anaerobic dynamic membrane reactor (AnDMBR), the anaerobic co-digestion system of food waste and corn straw was firstly start-up and stability operated, and then stopped feeding substrate approximately 70 days. After long-term in-situ starvation, the continuous AnDMBR was reactivated using the same operation conditions and organic loading rate as the continuous AnDMBR used before in-situ starvation. Results shown that the anaerobic co-digestion of corn straw and food waste in the continuous AnDMBR can resume stable operation within 5 days, and the corresponding methane production of 1.38 ± 0.26 L/L/d was completely returned to the methane production before in-situ starvation (1.32 ± 0.10 L/L/d). Through analysis of the specific methanogenic activity and key enzyme activity of the digestate sludge, only the acetic acid degradation activity of methanogenic archaea can be partially recovered, however, the activities of lignocellulose enzyme (lignin peroxidase, laccase, and endoglucanase), hydrolase (α-glucosidase) and acidogenic enzyme (acetate kinas, butyrate kinase, and CoA-transferase) can be fully recovered. Analysis of microorganism community structure using metagenomic sequencing technology showed that starvation decreased the abundance of hydrolytic bacteria (Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes) and increased the abundance of small molecule-utilizing bacteria (Proteobacteria and Chloroflexi) due to lack of substrate during the long-term in-situ starvation stage. Furthermore, the microbial community structure and key functional microorganism still maintained and similar with that of starvation final stage even after long-term continuous reactivation. The reactor performance and sludge enzymes activity in the continuous AnDMBR co-digestion of food waste and corn straw can be well reactivated after long-term in-situ starvation, even though the microbial community structure can not be recovered to the initiating stage.

Comparative study of the effect of loading increments on the mesophilic codigestion of waste activated sludge and food waste: Reactor performance, stability analysis, and microbial community.

The performance and stability of mesophilic codigestion of waste activated sludge (WAS) and food waste (FW) were compared in two parallel, continuously stirred tank reactors using high- and low-magnitude loading increments for the loading regimes. The results indicated that a high methane (CH4) production of 6.98 L L-1·d-1 was realized without volatile fatty acid accumulation via low-magnitude loading increments at a high loading of 26.5 g-COD·L-1·d-1, and this system was more stable and achieved a higher efficiency than the codigestion system that used high-magnitude loading increments at similar loading and operating conditions. Furthermore, higher CH4 yields of 258-334 mL-CH4·g-COD-1, TCOD removal efficiencies of 64-79%, conversion ratios of 62-88%, and methanogenic activities of 0.37-0.40 g-CH4-COD·g-VS-1·d-1 were consistently maintained via the low-magnitude loading increments during the high-rate period. High abundances of the phyla Firmicutes (63.3%) and genus Methanosarcina (94.5%) contributed to the high rates and stable operating conditions of the mesophilic system for WAS and FW codigestion using low-magnitude loading increments.

Does urinary metabolite signature act as a biomarker of post-stroke depression?

Background: It is difficult to conduct the precise diagnosis of post-stroke depression (PSD) in clinical practice due to the complex psychopathology of depressive disorder. Several studies showed that gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-identified urinary metabolite biomarkers could significantly discriminate PSD from stroke survivors. Methods: A systematic review was performed for the keywords of "urinary metabolite" and "PSD" using Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Wanfang, CNKI, CBM, and VIP database from inception to 31 March 2022. Results: Four related studies were included in the review. Differential urinary metabolites including lactic acid, palmitic acid, azelaic acid, and tyrosine were identified in all the included studies. As a significant deviation in the metabolite biomarker panel, glyceric acid, azelaic acid, phenylalanine, palmitic acid, pseudouridine, and tyrosine were found in at least 2 included studies, which indicated good potential for the differentiation of PSD. Conclusion: The systematic review provided evidence that differential urinary metabolites analyzed by the GC-MS-based approach might be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of PSD.

Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery in Early-Onset High Myopia Patients With Partial Cataract.

Purpose: By reporting clinical characteristics and retinal image quality before and after refractive lens replacement surgery in early-onset high myopia (eoHM) patients presenting with partial cataract, we emphasized the need for an objective way to grade the severity of partial cataracts. Methods: This retrospective, consecutive case series included six Chinese patients (nine eyes). Analysis of previous medical records, visual acuity, optometry, retinal image quality, and axial length (AXL) before surgery and after surgery was performed. Results: Five females and one male (nine eyes) with a mean (± SD) age of 11.6 ± 7.9 years (range: 4-25 years) were included in this study. The preoperative spherical power ranged from -7.5 to -42 D. The mean follow-up time was 36 months (range: 24-48 months). Phacoemulsification was followed by in-the-bag implantation of intraocular lens. For patients who were under 6 years old, posterior capsulotomy + anterior vitrectomy were performed simultaneously. All surgeries were uneventful and no postoperative complications occurred during the entire follow-up period. All patients' uncorrected visual acuity improved by ≥2 lines postoperatively(Snellen acuity). LogMAR best-corrected visual acuity was improved at 24-month (P = 0.042) and endpoint (P = 0.046) follow-ups. Modulation transfer function cutoff frequency (MTFcutoff) and objective scatter index (OSI) was significantly improved at 12-month (P = 0.025, P = 0.038), 24-month (P = 0.005, P = 0.007) and endpoint (P = 0.005, P = 0.008) follow-ups. Postoperative AXL remained stable during 2-4 year follow-ups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Refractive lens replacement surgery is safe and effective for improving functional vision in eoHM patients presenting with partial cataract. Retinal image quality could provide a useful and objective way to facilitate partial cataract severity evaluation and surgery decision making.

Association Between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Risk of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/Objectives: Recent observational studies have explored the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and stroke with controversial results. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to investigate this possible association. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science database were searched from inception until December 2019, and updated on May 2021. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed by generic inverse variance method. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. The PROSPERO registered number of this study is CRD42020167330. Results: Twenty observational (15 cohort, 4 cross-sectional, and 1 case-control) studies with 17,060,388 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of data from 18 studies with 17,031,672 participants has shown that NAFLD was associated with mildly increased risk of stroke (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.08-1.30, P = 0.0005). Similar results were observed in most of the subgroup analyses we performed. Sensitivity analyses did not alter these findings. Meta-analysis of data from 3 studies with 29,614 participants has shown that insufficient evidence to support the proposed association between NAFLD-fibrosis and an increased risk of stroke. Conclusions: We found that NAFLD was associated with increased risk of stroke. However, there was insufficient evidence to support the proposed association between NAFLD-fibrosis and an increased risk of stroke. To better understand any association, future well-designed prospective studies that take fully account of specific population, type of stroke, and confounding factors are warranted. Systematic Review Registration: Unique Identifier: CRD42020167330.

NLRP3 inflammasome activation in gestational diabetes mellitus placentas is associated with hydrogen sulfide synthetase deficiency.

The placenta may play a key role in the activation of inflammation and initiation of insulin resistance (IR) during gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pathogenesis. Interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18, regulated by NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, are important inflammatory cytokines in the initiation of maternal IR during GDM. However, the mechanism responsible for the regulatory of NLRP3 inflammasome in placenta remains unknown. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exerts anti-inflammatory function partially via suppressing the activation of the NLPR3 inflammasome. The present study aimed to investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome, H2S synthetase cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and cystathionine-ß-synthetase (CBS) in placenta in the pathogenesis of GDM. Clinical placenta samples were collected from pregnant women with GDM (n=16) and healthy pregnant women at term (n=16). Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, CBS and CSE in the placenta samples. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between NLRP3 inflammasome and H2S synthetase. Human placental cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of NaHS (0, 10, 25 and 50 nmol/l) or L-cysteine (0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 mmol/l). In addition, western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression levels of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1, while ELISA was performed to measure the production of IL-1ß and IL-18 in the culture media. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 increased, while the expression levels of CBS and CSE decreased in the placenta samples. In addition, the expression levels of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 were inversely correlated with the expression levels of CBS and CSE. Notably, NaHS and L-cysteine significantly suppressed the expression levels of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1, and the production of IL-1 and IL-18 in human placental cells. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that H2S synthetase deficiency in placenta may contribute to excessive activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in GDM.

The Effects of Diagnosis-Related Group Payment on Diagnostic Cerebral Angiograms through a Transradial and Transfemoral Approach: A Comparative Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral angiography is an X-ray examination technique widely used in hospitals. At present, it is mainly divided into two kinds of angiography examination: transfemoral artery and transradial artery puncture. The diagnosis-related group (DRG) system is a new type of payment standard recognized internationally, but its impact on medical care and health outcomes is currently controversial. AIM: In this study, we conducted a comparative study on two invasive approaches, transradial artery and transfemoral artery puncture and observed whether DRG had an impact on the quality of the medical process. METHODS: We compared and analyzed patients undergoing cerebral angiography via the femoral artery and radial artery puncture by recording the relevant parameters and comfort scale scores (GCQ) during the operation, as well as postoperative complications. At the same time, we observed the proportion of different puncture routes and the success rate of cerebral angiography before and after the implementation of a DRG payment simulation. RESULTS: The results of the comparative analysis of patients' transradial artery and transfemoral artery puncture angiography showed that the puncture success rate (99.1% vs. 97.2%, P > 0.05), angiography success rate (97.3% vs. 95.1%, P > 0.05), and X-ray radiation time (4.82 vs. 5.15 min, P > 0.05) demonstrated no significant difference. The ambulation time (1.52 vs. 12.06 h, P < 0.05), puncture time (22.42 vs. 31.02 min, P < 0.05), and complications (3.57% vs. 9.03%, P < 0.05) of the radial artery group were significantly lower than those of the femoral artery group. In contrast, the GCQ score of the radial artery group at each stage after angiography was significantly higher than that of the femoral artery group (P < 0.05). Compared with before the DRG simulation, the proportion of cerebral angiography with transradial artery puncture increased significantly after its implementation. CONCLUSION: Compared with transfemoral cerebrovascular angiography, transradial cerebrovascular angiography has many advantages, such as less local damage, less pain, less postoperative bed-rest time, significantly lower incidence of total complications, and a lower cost. Following the implementation of the DRG payment method, the quality of the angiography medical process improved.

Application of lateral supraclavicular incision in unilateral thyroid papillary carcinoma surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The standard approach to thyroidectomy is a collar incision via the anterior neck, and the neck scar has always been a source of worry for patients. Acceptable wound cosmetology has become a focus for thyroid surgeons. OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness and cosmetic results of thyroidectomy through a lateral supraclavicular incision. METHODS: 180 patients were randomly divided into two groups: a lateral supraclavicular approach and a conventional transcervical approach. The main outcomes included incision length, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, total drainage volume, hospitalization expense, early postoperative pain measured by visual analog scale, infection, and perceived cosmetic outcome. RESULTS: There were no statistical significances between the two groups in terms of age, gender, nodule size, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, total drainage volume, hospital expense and postoperative complications, whereas there were significant differences in terms of incision length (5.2±1.04cm vs. 6.9±1.14cm, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The lateral supraclavicular incision is a safe and feasible approach for thyroidectomy. Compared with conventional approach, it provides a better cosmetic result.

Application of lateral supraclavicular incision in unilateral thyroid papillary carcinoma surgery / Incisão supraclavicular lateral em cirurgia de carcinoma papilífero unilateral de tireoide

Abstract Introduction The standard approach to thyroidectomy is a collar incision via the anterior neck, and the neck scar has always been a source of worry for patients. Acceptable wound cosmetology has become a focus for thyroid surgeons. Objective To verify the effectiveness and cosmetic results of thyroidectomy through a lateral supraclavicular incision. Methods 180 patients were randomly divided into two groups: a lateral supraclavicular approach and a conventional transcervical approach. The main outcomes included incision length, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, total drainage volume, hospitalization expense, early postoperative pain measured by visual analog scale, infection, and perceived cosmetic outcome. Results There were no statistical significances between the two groups in terms of age, gender, nodule size, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, total drainage volume, hospital expense and postoperative complications, whereas there were significant differences in terms of incision length (5.2 ± 1.04 cm vs. 6.9 ± 1.14 cm, p < 0.05). Conclusions The lateral supraclavicular incision is a safe and feasible approach for thyroidectomy. Compared with conventional approach, it provides a better cosmetic result.

Resumo Introdução A abordagem padrão para tireoidectomia é uma incisão em colar na face anterior do pescoço; a cicatriz no pescoço sempre foi uma fonte de preocupação para os pacientes; consequentemente, a cosmetologia aceitável da ferida tornou‐se um foco de atenção para os cirurgiões de cabeça e pescoço. Objetivos Verificar a eficácia e os resultados cosméticos da tireoidectomia por meio de incisão supraclavicular lateral. Método Foram divididos aleatoriamente 180 pacientes em dois grupos: um grupo supraclavicular lateral (Grupo LS) e outro transcervical convencional (Grupo TC). Os desfechos principais incluíram comprimento da incisão, perda de sangue intraoperatória, tempo cirúrgico, volume total de drenagem, despesas hospitalares, dor no pós‐operatório imediato medida através de escala visual analógica, infecção e resultado cosmético percebido. Resultados Não houve significância estatística entre os dois grupos em termos de idade, sexo, tamanho do nódulo, perda sanguínea intraoperatória, tempo cirúrgico, volume total de drenagem, custo hospitalar e complicações pós‐operatórias, mas houve diferença significante em termos de comprimento da incisão (5,2 ± 1,04 cm vs. 6,9 ± 1,14 cm, p < 0,05). Conclusão A incisão supraclavicular lateral é uma abordagem segura e viável para tireoidectomia. Em comparação com a abordagem convencional, oferece um melhor resultado cosmético.

Transcriptome-wide identification and expression analysis of 2-ODD gene family in Salvia apiana Jepson / 药学学报

2-Oxoglutarate/Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenases (2-ODD) play an important role in plant primary and secondary metabolism. Based on the high-throughput sequencing platform Illumina NovaSeq 6000, the transcriptome of Salvia apiana Jepson was sequenced, and the obtained reads were de novo assembled. A total of 38 534 unigenes were obtained from the transcriptome. The assembled unigenes were annotated and 29 982 unigenes were given functional annotations. The 2-ODD genes were identified from the assembled S. apiana transcriptome database by bioinformatics methods, and the genes were analyzed, including the homology of the sequences, physicochemical characteristics, signal peptides, transmembrane domains, subcellular localization, secondary structure and tertiary structure, etc. The evolutionary relationships and the expression patterns of the identified 2-ODD genes were also analyzed. 39 full-length 2-ODD genes were identified from the transcriptome of S. apiana. The average length of these 2-ODD encoding proteins was 320 amino acids, the molecular weight was about 36.00 kDa, and most of them were hydrophilic proteins. Phylogenetic analysis divided these 2-ODD genes into several subfamilies. Gene expression analysis indicated that the 2-ODD genes were expressed in different parts of S. apiana, and the expression level of most genes was much higher in roots than that in leaves. This study can lay a foundation for further study of 2-ODD genes in S. apiana.

Peripheral arterial filling time and peripheral retina fluorescence features in ultra-widefield angiography.

AIM: To evaluate the peripheral arterial filling time (PAFT) and venous filling time (VFT) in eyes without known diseases that may influence filling process using ultra-widefield (UWF) fluorescein angiography (FA), and to review the peripheral retina fluorescence features. METHODS: A total of 30 eyes of 30 patients were retrospectively reviewed in this observational study. UWF-FA was performed using Optos 200Tx. PAFT and VFT was recorded. The interval between the arterial or venous filling completion and the previous photo was documented. The appearance of the far peripheral retina was described as either granular background fluorescence or mottled fluorescent band or vascular leakage. Terminal vascular patterns was described as loop pattern or branching pattern. Microvascular abnormalities such as arteriovenous shunting, vessels crossing the horizontal raphe, right angle vessels, terminal networks, capillary nonperfusion, drusen or microaneurysms were evaluated. RESULTS: The normal limits of PAFT was 3.397-8.984s and 4.399-11.753s for VFT. The appearance of the far peripheral retina, defined as granular background (63%), mottled fluorescence (20%), or vascular leakage (17%), was symmetrical between both eyes. Capillary nonperfusion (23%) and microaneurysms (40%) were more frequently found in eyes with loop pattern than in eyes with branching pattern. Other peripheral signs such as right-angle vessels (73%), and terminal networks (80%) were commonly seen on UWF-FA in the normal peripheral retina. CONCLUSION: The main courses of retinal artery and vein filling time are overlapping with each other on UWF-FA. Notably, the arterial filling process is completed in the arteriovenous phase rather than the traditionally named arterial phase. There are various manifestations in the peripheral retina of normal eyes.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Myelinated Retinal Nerve Fibres in a Chinese Teleophthalmology System.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of myelinated retinal nerve fibre (MRNF) in a large teleophthalmology system.Methods: All records between January 2015 and December 2015 from Daheng Prust teleophthalmology system were reviewed by 2 ophthalmologists independently. MRNF was classified into continuous group and discontinuous group according to the relationship between MRNF patches and optic disc. The number, total area and location of MRNF patches were analysed. Concomitant ocular diseases were documented.Results: Out of 51469 subjects, MRNF was detected in 304 eyes of 263 subjects with a prevalence rate of 0.51 ± 7.1% per subject and 0.30 ± 5.4% per eye. Among 304 eyes with MRNF, 239 (78.6%) eyes were in continuous group and 65 (21.4%) eyes were in discontinuous group. Single MRNF patch was found in 249 (81.9%) eyes and multiple MRNF patches were found in 55 (18.1%) eyes. MRNF of small size was found in 150 (49.3%) eyes. The ratios of multiple MRNF patches and small-sized MRNF in the continuous group were significantly higher than those in the discontinuous group (P = .014 and P < .001). In continuous group, the MRNF patches were located most frequently in the superior region (68.6%) of the optic disc; In discontinuous group, the MRNF patches were located most frequently in the inferotemporal region (38.5%) of the retina. Epiretinal membrane (12 eyes, 3.9%) was the most common concomitant ocular disease.Conclusion: MRNF is uncommon in China. MRNF usually presents unilaterally and as a single small whitish patch that is connected with optic disc.

Research on the Development Trend of Pharmaceutical Intermediates Application Technology in China from the Perspective of Patent / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To assist enterprises to understand the technical points a nd development trend of pharmaceutical intermediates industry ，and to provide new development ideas and technical support for pharmaceutical intermediates application technology. METHODS ：Taking the core technology involved in pharmaceutical intermediates as the research object and divided into four levels ，the patent data of pharmaceutical intermediates published （announced）before Feb. 2nd，2020 in State Intellectual Property Office （SIPO），INCOPAT and PatSnap patent databases were searched. Patent analysis method was used to analyze the patent application trend and patent applicants of pharmaceutical intermediates ，and the secondary and tertiary technologies of pharmaceutical intermediates were analyzed in detail. Finally ，SPSS 24.0 software was used for curve fitting prediction analysis of the number of patent applications for pharmaceutical intermediates in China. RESULTS ：A total of 12 103 related patents were retrieved. Under the secondary technology classification ，there were 331 patents for antibiotic drug intermediates ，474 patents for antipyretic and analgesic drug intermediates ，1 227 patents for cardiovascular drug intermediates ，and 1 550 patents for anticancer drug intermediates. The numbers of patent applications for pharmaceutical intermediates in the world and China were increasing year by year ，and Chinese mainland had the largest number of patent applications. The number of patent applications in Jiangsu ， Shanghai and Shandong ranked the top 3. Among the top 10 patent，8 were domestic enterprises or universities ，and they also ranked the top 2 in the composition of pharmaceutical intermediates applicants in China. Among the secondary technologies of pharmaceutical intermediates ，cardiovascular pharmaceutical intermediates accounted for the largest proportion of patent applications （32％），followed by anticancer pharmaceutical intermediates （30％）. Among the tertiary technologies ，there were patent applications for the products （35％），methods（35％）and uses （28％）of pharmaceutical intermediates. The curve fitting of the number of patent applications for pharmaceutical intermediates in China showed that the current trend of patent applications was the best fitted with the cubic curve model ，and it was predicted that the number of patent applications in 2020 and 2021 will be 688 and 781 respectively. CONCLUSIONS ：The technology of pharmaceutical intermediates has developed rapidly in China ，and universities and enterprises have considerable R&D strength. In addition to expanding in technological innovation ，enterprises can also consider the development idea of school-enterprise cooperation and patent cross licensing among enterprises to help the better deve lopment of China ’s pharmaceutical intermediates industry.

Analysis of related factors of optical quality in healthy Chinese adults: a community-based population study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, visual quality has been extensively investigated in various conditions. In this community-based population study, we analyzed the effects of aging, refraction, and Lens Opacification Classification System III (LOCSIII) score on retinal imaging quality in healthy Chinese adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on sub-group subjects from The Handan Eye Study between October 2012 and January 2013. Healthy subjects over 30-years-old with logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) less than 0 were included. Retinal image quality was measured by optical quality analysis system (OQAS) and recorded as modulation transfer function cutoff frequency (MTFcutoff), OQAS value (OV) 100%, OV20%, OV9%, Strehl ratio (SR), and objective scatter index (OSI). The correlation between age, spherical equivalent refraction (SE), LOCSIII score, and optical quality parameters were investigated by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among 1108 verified subjects, 690 subjects (1380 eyes) met the inclusion criteria. Their age ranged from 30 to 76 years, SE ranged from -4.75 to 2.75 D. They were divided into five age groups (30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥70 years) for further analysis. After multivariate analysis by mixed-effect linear model, SR (t =  -3.03, P = 0.002), OV20% (t = -2.39, P = 0.017), and OV9% (t = -3.16, P = 0.001) significantly decreased with the increasing age, whereas logMAR BCVA (t = 4.42, P < 0.001) and OSI (t = 4.46, P < 0.001) significantly increased with age. As SE increased, SR (t = 2.74, P = 0.01), OV20% (t = 2.31, P = 0.02), and OV9% (t = 2.79, P = 0.005) significantly elevated, and OSI (t = -3.38, P < 0.001) significantly decreased. With the increase in cortical opacity score, all optical quality parameters except for SR significantly decreased, including MTFcutoff (t = -2.78, P = 0.01), OV100% (t = -2.78, P = 0.005), OV20% (t = -2.60, P = 0.009), and OV9% (t = -2.05, P = 0.040). As posterior sub capsular opacity score increased, MTFcutoff (t = -2.40, P = 0.02) and OV100% (t = -2.40, P = 0.01) significantly decreased, while OSI (t = 7.56, P < 0.001) significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy Chinese adult population, optical quality-related parameters significantly decrease with the increasing age, and OSI significantly increases with age. In normal BCVA subjects, optical quality is significantly impacted by cortical and posterior sub capsular opacity rather than by nuclear opacity.