Comparison of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with gallbladder and common bile duct stones a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to determine which one provides a better outcome for patients with gallbladder and common bile duct stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic literature search was undertaken using Embase, Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases up to April 2022. For quality assessment of included studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed by utilizing the Jadad scale. The primary outcome includes surgical success rate, retained stone rate, stone clearance rate, major morbidity, and mortality. The second outcome includes conversion to open surgery rate, postoperative pancreatitis, bile leakage, cholangitis, hemorrhage, pneumonia, and surgical-site infection. RESULTS: 14 randomized controlled trials with 2,181 patients were included. No significant difference was seen between the two groups in terms of surgical success, stone clearance, retained stones, operation time, and total morbidity. LC-LCBDE had higher rate of bile leakage [relative risk (RR): 4.52; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.19-9.31] and lower rate of postoperative pancreatitis (RR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.13-0.46), cholangitis (RR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.05-0.67), and hemorrhage (RR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.07-0.42). CONCLUSIONS: Both LC+LCBDE and LC+ERCP are safe, effective, and minimal-invasive treatments for concomitant gallbladder and CBD stones. LC-LCBDE was associated with comparable effects compared with LC+ERCP in terms of surgical success rate, stone clearance rate, retained stones rate, operation time, and total morbidity. At the same time, LC-LCBDE had a higher rate of bile leakage and a lower rate of postoperative pancreatitis, cholangitis, and hemorrhage.

[Comparison of corneal power assessment methods after small incision lenticule extraction].

Objective: To compare the accuracy of different corneal curvature parameters in assessing the corneal refractive status and tracking corneal power changes after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study tracked and recorded total corneal curvature parameters measured by different instruments before and three months after SMILE for myopia. These parameters, including total keratometry (TK) from the IOLMaster 700, total corneal refractive power (TCRP) from the Pentacam AXL, real keratometry (RK) from the CASIA 2, and corrected parameters calculated using the Haigis, Shammas, and Maloney methods, were compared with data obtained using the clinical history method (CHM). Surgically induced changes in TK, TCRP, and RK were analyzed and compared with those in spherical equivalent on the corneal plane (ΔSEco). Results: The study included 40 eyes (40 participants). After SMILE, the difference was smallest between TK [(0.08±0.38) D] and CHM values (P>0.05). However, TCRP, RK, KHaigis, KShammas, and KMaloney were significantly different from CHM data (P<0.05). The width of the 95% limits of agreement of TK (1.49 D) was narrowest, followed by that of RK (1.57 D). Pearson analysis showed that each parameter had a good correlation with CHM data. The differences between the changes in TK, TCRP and RK caused by surgery and ΔSEco were (0.03±0.39) D, (0.17±0.43) D, and (-0.19±0.46) D, respectively. The width of the 95% limits of agreement of ΔTK (1.54 D) was narrowest, and the correlation coefficient of ΔTK (0.951) was highest. Conclusion: The parameter TK of the IOLMaster 700 can provide accurate and objective corneal power evaluation after SMILE.

[A family study of the compound heterozygous mutation of the UGT1A1 gene causing Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II].

Objective: To investigate the family gene features in Crigler-Najjar syndrome (CNS) type II. Methods: The UGT1A1 gene and related bilirubin metabolism genes were comprehensively analysed in a CNS-II family (3 CNS-II, 1 Gilbert syndrome, and 8 normal subjects). The genetics basis of CNS-II were investigated from the perspective of family analysis. Results: In three cases, compound heterozygous mutations at three sites of the UGT1A1 gene (c.-3279T > G, c.211G > A and c.1456T > G) caused CNS-II. Gilbert syndrome and CNS-II were not significantly associated with distribution or diversity loci. Conclusion: The compound heterozygous pathogenic mutations (c.-3279T > G, c.211G > A, and c.1456T > G) at three loci of the UGT1A1 gene may be the feature of the newly discovered CNS-II family genes based on the CNS-II family study.

[Ultrasonographic features of retinal pigment epithelial adenoma].

Objective: To investigate the ultrasonographic features of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) adenoma. Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. The clinical clata of 15 patients (15 eyes) with pathologically confirmed RPE adenoma after local resection of intraocular tumor was collected at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from November 2013 to October 2019. The general conditions of the patients and the location, size, shape, internal echo features of the lesions in the ocular ultrasound sonogram were analyzed, and the blood flow in the lesions was checked by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI). Results: Of all the patients included in the study, 7 were male and 8 were female. Their age ranged from 25 to 58 years, with a mean age of (45.7±10.2) years. The most common symptom was vision loss or blurred vision (11 cases). Other symptoms included dark shadows or obscuration in front of the eyes (3 cases) and no symptoms (1 case). A history of previous ocular trauma was present in one case, and the rest of the patients had no history of ocular trauma.The location of tumor growth is scattered. The ultrasonographic features were as follows: the average maximum basal diameter was (8.07±2.75) mm and the average height was (4.02±1.81) mm; the ultrasonographic features mostly demonstrated abruptly elevated dome-shaped echo (6 cases); the lesion edge was not smooth, the internal echo was medium or low, and there could be hollow features (2 cases), with no choroidal depression; and the blood flow signal could be seen in the CDFI lesion, which could lead to retinal detachment and vitreous opacification. Conclusion: The ultrasound imaging features of RPE adenomas mostly demonstrate abruptly elevated dome-shaped echo, unsmooth lesion edge, with no choroidal depression, which may provide valuable evidence for clinical diagnosis and differentiation.

Comparison of overfeeding effects on gut physiology and microbiota in two goose breeds.

To have a better understanding of how the "gut-liver axis" mediates the lipid deposition in the liver, a comparison of overfeeding influence on intestine physiology and microbiota between Gang Goose and Tianfu Meat Goose was performed in this study. After force-feeding, compared with Gang Goose, Tianfu Meat Goose had better fat storage capacity in liver (397.94 vs. 166.54 for foie gras weight (g), P < 0.05; 6.37 vs. 2.92% for the ratio of liver to body, P < 0.05; 60.01 vs. 46.64% for fat content, P < 0.05) and the less subcutaneous adipose tissue weight (1240.96 g vs. 1440.46 g, P < 0.05). After force-feeding, the digestion-absorption capacity of Tianfu Meat Goose was higher than that of Gang Goose (5.56 vs. 3.64 and 4.63 vs. 3.68 for the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in duodenum and ileum, respectively, P < 0.05; 1394.96 vs. 782.59 and 1314.76 vs. 766.17 for the invertase activity (U/mg-prot), in duodenum and ileum, respectively, P < 0.05; 6038.36 vs. 3088.29 and 4645.29 vs. 3927.61 for the activity of maltase (U/mg-prot), in duodenum and ileum, respectively, P < 0.05). Force-feeding decreased the gene expression of Escherichia coli in the ileum of Tianfu Meat Goose; force-feeding increased the number of gut microbiota Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus-Polymerase Chain Reaction band in Tianfu Meat Goose and decreased the number in Gang Goose. In conclusion, compared with Gang Goose, the lipid deposition in the liver and the intestine digestion-absorption capacity and stability were higher in Tianfu Meat Goose. Thereby, Tianfu Meat Goose is the better breed for foie gras production for prolonged force-feeding; Gang Goose possesses better fat storage capacity in subcutaneous adipose tissue. However, Gang Goose has lower gut stability responding to force-feeding, so Gang Goose is suited to force-feeding in a short time to gain the body weight and subcutaneous fat as an overfed duck for roast duck.

Biotransformation of insecticide flonicamid by Aminobacter sp. CGMCC 1.17253 via nitrile hydratase catalysed hydration pathway.

AIMS: This study evaluates flonicamid biotransformation ability of Aminobacter sp. CGMCC 1.17253 and the enzyme catalytic mechanism involved. METHODS AND RESULTS: Flonicamid transformed by resting cells of Aminobacter sp. CGMCC 1.17253 was carried out. Aminobacter sp. CGMCC 1.17253 converts flonicamid into N-(4-trifluoromethylnicotinoyl) glycinamide (TFNG-AM). Aminobacter sp. CGMCC 1.17253 transforms 31·1% of the flonicamid in a 200 mg l-1 conversion solution in 96 h. Aminobacter sp. CGMCC 1.17253 was inoculated in soil, and 72·1% of flonicamid with a concentration of 0·21 µmol g-1 was transformed in 9 days. The recombinant Escherichia coli expressing Aminobacter sp. CGMCC 1.17253 nitrile hydratase (NHase) and purified NHase were tested for the flonicamid transformation ability, both of them acquired the ability to transform flonicamid into TFNG-AM. CONCLUSIONS: Aminobacter sp. CGMCC 1.17253 transforms flonicamid into TFNG-AM via hydration pathway mediated by cobalt-containing NHase. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report that bacteria of genus Aminobacter has flonicamid-transforming ability. This study enhances our understanding of flonicamid-degrading mechanism. Aminobacter sp. CGMCC 1.17253 has the potential for bioremediation of flonicamid pollution.

Experimental investigation of joint measurement uncertainty relations for three incompatible observables at a single-spin level.

In the light of the Busch, Lathi and Werner proposal, we explore, for the first time, the joint measurements and confirmation of uncertainty relations for three incompatible observables that reflect the original spirit proposed by Heisenberg in 1927. We first develop the error trade-off relations theoretically and then demonstrate the first experimental witness of joint measurements using a single ultracold 40Ca+ ion trapped in a harmonic potential. In addition, we report, that in contrast to the case of two observables, scarifying accuracy of any one of the three observables the rest of two can be measured with ultimate accuracy.

[The value of ultrasonic elastography in the differential diagnosis of choroidal melanoma and choroidal hemangioma].

Objective: To explore the role of the scoring and strain ratio methods of ultrasonic elastography in the differential diagnosis of choroidal melanoma and choroidal hemangioma. Methods: A cross-sectional study. Twenty-five patients (25 eyes) with choroidal melanoma treated in the Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from July to October 2016 were included in this study. There were 13 males and 12 females, with an average age of (48±12) years old. Twenty-five patients (25 eyes) with choroidal hemangioma treated in the same period were selected for differential diagnosis, including 12 males and 13 females, with an average age of (37±13) years. The lesions were examined by ultrasound elastography and scored, and the strain ratio of the tumor to the orbital tissue was measured. Two independent sample t test was used to compare the difference in the elasticity score and strain ratio between choroidal melanoma and choroidal hemangioma. The sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated to analyze the value of the two methods in the differential diagnosis of choroidal melanoma and choroidal hemangioma. Results: The elastography score of choroidal melanoma was (3.48±0.77) points, including 2 points in 3 cases, 3 points in 8 cases, 4 points in 13 cases, and 5 points in 1 case. The elastography score of hemangioma was (2.28±0.46) points, including 2 points in 18 cases and 3 points in 7 cases. The difference in the elasticity score between patients with the two kinds of tumors was statistically significant (t=6.694, P<0.01). The strain ratio was 42.97±15.83 and 12.21±9.24 in the patients with choroidal melanoma and choroidal hemangioma, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (t=8.392, P<0.01). Using 3 points as the diagnostic critical point of the elastography score, the sensitivity was 88.0%, the specificity was 72.0%, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.80 (95% cofidence interval: 0.663 to 0.900, P<0.01). Using 21.67 as the diagnostic critical point of the strain ratio, the sensitivity was 92.0%, the specificity was 92.0%, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.92 (95% cofidence interval: 0.808 to 0.978, P<0.01). Conclusions: Ultrasound elastography plays a role in the differential diagnosis of choroidal melanoma and choroidal hemangioma. The differential diagnostic value of the strain ratio method is higher than the scoring method. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 676-680).

Osteopontin accelerates chondrocyte proliferation in osteoarthritis rats through the NF-κb signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of osteopontin (OPN) on the chondrocyte proliferation in osteoarthritis (OA) rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided in the control group (n=10), model group (n=10), and OPN knockdown group (n=10). No treatment was performed in the control group, while OA rats were administrated with control adenovirus in the model group and OPN knockdown adenovirus in the OPN knockdown group. After sampling, the degree of OA was evaluated via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the mRNA expression of OPN was detected. Moreover, the expression of the proliferation-associated protein cyclin D1 was detected using immunohistochemistry. The chondrocytes were isolated from the normal rats, cultured, and transfected with OPN overexpression vector or si-OPN. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was adopted to determine the proliferative capacity of chondrocytes, and Caspase3 activity was measured to evaluate the changes in the apoptotic capacity of chondrocytes. Meanwhile, Western blotting was performed to verify the influences of OPN on the pathways on chondrocyte proliferation. RESULTS: After the OA model was established, the expression level of OPN significantly increased. According to HE staining results, OPN knockdown effectively inhibited the onset of OA. Compared with that in the control group, the expression level of cyclin D1 in the model group was raised. However, upregulated cyclin D1 in OA rats was repressed in OPN knockdown group. OPN overexpression promoted the proliferation of chondrocytes, but suppressed their apoptosis, while OPN knockdown had the opposite effects. Besides, OPN overexpression upregulated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and NF-κB knockdown eliminated the regulatory effects of OPN on proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: OPN promotes the expression of NF-κB signals to accelerate chondrocyte proliferation, thereby inducing OA in rats.

[Assessment of corneal biomechanical changes after small incision lenticule extraction with Pentacam and Corvis ST].

Objective: To investigate the application value of Pentacam combined with Corvis ST in evaluation of the changes of corneal biomechanics after femtosecond laser small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in Chinese myopia with an irregular cornea. Methods: The clinical records for 104 eyes of 57 patients who received SMILE in the Refractive Center of Beijing Tongren Hospital during January 2018 and May 2018 were collected. According to the keratoconus severity index (KSI), they were divided into two groups: regular corneal group (KSI<15%) and irregular corneal group (KSI: 15% to 25%). In both groups, the anterior corneal surface radius curvature was>7.25 mm (K<46.50 diopters), the posterior corneal surface radius curvature was>5.90 mm, the thinnest pachymetry was>490 µm, and best corrected visual acuity was ≥1.0. The vision, refraction, and corneal biomechanics before and after SMILE were assessed. The Topographic and Biomechanics Index (TBI) was analyzed by Pentacam combined with Corvis ST. Results: Before SMILE, the Corvis Biomechanical Index (CBI), TBI, and Belin/Ambrósio Deviation Normalized Index (BADD) of the irregular corneal group were significantly higher (t=-2.17, -6.78, -4.37, P<0.05) than the regular corneal group, while the stiffness parameter (SPA1) was significantly lower (t=2.58, P=0.011) compared to the regular corneal group (P<0.05). In the irregular group, the TBI was (0.28±0.2); the maximum value was 0.03, and the minimum value was 0.43. The CBI was (0.09±0.21); the maximum value was 0.00, and the minimum value was 0.54. The BADD was (1.33±0.47); the maximum value was 0.42, and the minimum value was 2.26. In the regular group, the TBI was (0.05±0.08); the maximum value was 0.00, and the minimum value was 0.20. The CBI was (0.01±0.03); the maximum value was 0.00, and the minimum value was 0.17. The BADD was (0.92±0.46); the maximum value was 0.00, and the minimum value was 1.64. There was no significant difference between two groups in age (t=0.20, P=0.508), central corneal thickness (t=1.64, P=0.104), biomechanical corrected IOP (t=0.73, P=0.468), max inverse radius (t=-0.24, P=0.815), spherical equivalent (t=-0.97, P=0.335), and best corrected visual acuity (t=0.21, P=0.833). After SMILE, the deformation amplitude in the irregular group was significantly higher at 1 month and 3 months (t=-3.13, -3.09, P<0.05). The irregular group had a significantly higher deformation amplitude ratio at 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year (t=-2.72, -3.39, -2.51, P<0.05). The SPA1 in the irregular group was significantly lower than the regular group at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months (t=2.11, 2.73, 3.70, P=0.335, 0.010,<0.001). The changes of deformation amplitude (t=0.50, -1.10, -0.73, 2.12, P>0.05), max inverse radius (t=-1.52, -1.41, 0.01, -0.79, P>0.05), and SPA1(t=0.89, 0.90, 1.12, 0.90, P>0.05) after SMILE were similar between the irregular and regular groups, except that at 1 month after SIMILE, the deformation amplitude ratio changed more significantly in the irregular group (t=-3.01, P=0.003). Conclusions: The changes of corneal biomechanics in the groups of regular cornea and irregular cornea were stable with no significant difference during 1 year of post-SMILE. The diagnosis based on the corneal topography and corneal biomechanics is of certain significance for the screening of early keratoconus before keratorefractive surgery. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56:103-109).

[Comparison of biometry with the Pentacam AXL, IOLMaster 700 and IOLMaster 500 in cataract patients].

Objective: To compare biometry with new biometers of Pentacam AXL and IOLMaster 700 and the widely used biometer of IOLMaster 500 in cataract patients. Methods: Cross-sectional study. A total of 223 eyes of 147 cataract patients from Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University during 4-8 December 2017 were recruited. There were 67 males and 80 females with an age of (64±11) years.The axial length (AL), mean keratometry (Km), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and white-to-white corneal diameter (WTW) from each device were recorded. The difference and agreement between the measurements were evaluated by ANOVA, LSD test, intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis. Results: The success rate of AL measurement was 85.2% (190/223) with the Pentacam AXL, 96.9% (216/223) with the IOLMaster 700 and 90.6% (202/223) with the IOLMaster 500. There was no difference among devices in measuring the AL, Km and ACD (all P>0.05). Significant difference was found in WTW [(11.36±0.42) vs. (11.69±0.45) vs. (11.45±0.42) mm; F=34.696, P=0.000]. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.859-1.000, and Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement among three devices. Conclusions: The new biometers of Pentacam AXL and IOLMaster 700 and the widely used IOLMaster 500 show no difference in measuring AL, Km and ACD. All three devices show good agreement in biometry of cataract patients. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 515-521).

[Improvement and effect analysis of a new neuroendoscopic trans-nasal-sphenoidal pituitary tumor resection approach].

Objective: To modify the individual neuroendoscopic surgical approach of pituitary tumors with specific imaging features, and to analyze the clinical outcomes. Methods: The clinical data of 116 patients with pituitary tumors who underwent surgical treatment at the pituitary tumor diagnosis and treatment center of Ruijin Hospital from April 2014 to December 2017 were collected, then the resection effects and complication rates of pituitary tumors from three different kinds of transsphenoidal approaches (e.g. classical single nostril approach, bilateral approach, "one-and-a-half" approach) were compared. Results: Pituitary tumor resection with "one-and-a-half" trans-nasal-sphenoidal approach achieved the same surgical effects with the bilateral approach, which was difficult to resect with the single-nostril classical approach. And it had significant advantages in the average length of postoperative hospitalization ( "one-and-a-half" : 6.9 days, bilateral: 12.5 days, P<0.01), the average postoperation VAS of olfactory retention ( "one-and-a-half" : 8.6, bilateral: 7.0, P<0.01) and preventing posterior nasal septum perforation (the occurrence rate of "one-and-a-half" : 0%, bilateral: 27%). Conclusion: The "one and a half" approach increases the ability to control and completely resect the lesion beyond the medial edge of the internal carotid artery on the same side of the nostril involving endoscope. It is a good supplement and improvement to the bilateral approach.

[Ultrasound diagnosis and differential diagnosis of medium and small choroidal melanomas].

Objective: To analyze the ultrasound diagnosis and differential diagnosis of medium and small choroidal melanomas. Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. Thirty-six cases (36 eyes) with medium or small choroidal melanoma were collected between January 2016 and January 2017 in Beijing Tongren Hospital, including 16 males and 20 females aged (50±12) years old. All tumors' apical heights were within 5 mm and the largest basal diameter was within 15 mm. Sixty-nine cases (69 eyes) with choroidal hemangioma, including 45 males and 24 females aged (45±11) years old, and 16 cases (19 eyes) with choroidal metastasis, including 4 males and 12 females aged (50±11) years old, of equal size were also analyzed as differential diagnosis. Univariate (Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and analysis of variance) and multivariate analyses (Logistic regression) were used for statistical analysis. Results: There were significant differences in morphology, height, base-height ratio, internal echo, choroidal excavation and secondary retinal detachment among the three types of tumors(all P<0.05). Approximately 91.7% (33/36) of choroidal melanomas and 94.2% (65/69) of hemangiomas were flat or dome, while 63.2% (12/19) of metastatic tumors showed a polygonal shape and an irregular surface contour. The average height was (4.02±0.70) mm for choroidal melanoma, (3.10±1.08) mm for metastasis and (2.75±0.87) mm for hemangioma. The base-height ratio of choroidal melanoma, metastasis, and hemangioma was 2.62±0.48, 4.09±1.18 and 3.16±0.58, respectively. About 86.1% (31/36) of choroidal melanomas and 84.2% (16/19) of metastases showed lower echo than adjacent orbital tissue, while 92.8% (64/69) of hemangiomas had similar or higher echo. About 16.7% (6/36) of choroidal melanomas showed choroidal excavation, but no such signs were found in other tumors. Approximately 80.6% (29/36) of choroidal melanomas, 78.9% (15/19) of metastases and 52.2% (36/69) of hemangiomas showed secondary retinal detachment. The internal echo, height and base-height ratio were taken as significant independent influencing factors into the Logistic regression model. The low internal echo and large height were risk factors of choroidal melanoma (OR=0.016, 0.199, both P<0.05), while the low echo and large base-height ratio were risk factors of choroidal metastasis (OR=0.011, 0.073, both P<0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasonography plays an important role in the diagnosis of medium and small choroidal melanomas, and the echo, height, and base-height ratio of the lesion can be helpful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 843-848).

[Comparison of swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy in measurement of anterior chamber depth and anterior chamber angle data in age-related cataract patients].

Objective: To explore the difference and agreement in the measurement of anterior chamber depth (ACD) and anterior chamber angle data in age-related cataract patients between swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-AS-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Methods: A prospective study. Forty-five eyes from 45 age-related cataract patients were selected at Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from November to December 2016. There were 23 males and 22 females aged (51±19) years. SS-AS-OCT and UBM were used to measure the ACD, angle opening distance (AOD 500) and trabecular-iris angle (TIA 500). The paired samples t-test and Pearson linear correlation were used for statistical analysis, and the Bland-Altman analysis was used to evaluate the measurement consistency of the two tools. Results: The ACD measured by SS-AS-OCT and UBM was (2.750±0.544) mm and (2.775±0.531) mm, respectively, the difference was statistically significant (t=2.109, P=0.040), and the measurement results were positively correlated (r=0.989, P<0.001). In the nasal, temporal, upper and lower positions, the AOD 500 and TIA 500 values measured by SS-AS-OCT and UBM had a significant difference [AOD 500: (0.451±0.201) mm vs.(0.421±0.194) mm, (0.499±0.229) mm vs. (0.465±0.207) mm, (0.390±0.215) mm vs. (0.355±0.208) mm, (0.441±0.226) mm vs. (0.423±0.215) mm, t=4.262, 4.350, 5.355, 4.415; TIA 500: 39.587°±14.698°vs. 36.944°±13.790°, 42.149°±14.138°vs. 40.289°±13.041°, 36.482°±15.887°vs. 35.600°±15.215°, 38.504°±14.805°vs. 36.818°±14.931°, t=5.131, 4.658, 4.174, 5.731; all P<0.001] and a significant linear correlation (AOD 500: r=0.971, 0.975, 0.979, 0.973; TIA 500: r=0.972, 0.957, 0.956, 0.970; all P<0.001). The Bland-Altman method showed that the two modalities had comparable results for the ACD, AOD 500 and TIA 500 (2.22%-6.67% of the measured value outside the 95% consistency boundaries). Conclusion: SS-OCT and UBM show a good agreement in the measurement of ACD and anterior chamber angle data in age-related cataract patients, though there is difference between them in measurement results. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 678-682).

Single-Atom Demonstration of the Quantum Landauer Principle.

One of the outstanding challenges to information processing is the eloquent suppression of energy consumption in the execution of logic operations. The Landauer principle sets an energy constraint in deletion of a classical bit of information. Although some attempts have been made to experimentally approach the fundamental limit restricted by this principle, exploring the Landauer principle in a purely quantum mechanical fashion is still an open question. Employing a trapped ultracold ion, we experimentally demonstrate a quantum version of the Landauer principle, i.e., an equality associated with the energy cost of information erasure in conjunction with the entropy change of the associated quantized environment. Our experimental investigation substantiates an intimate link between information thermodynamics and quantum candidate systems for information processing.

[Comparative analysis on the significances of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in uveal melanoma diagnosis].

Objective: To compare the significance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in the diagnosis of uveal melanoma. Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. Sixty-three cases (63 eyes) of uveal melanoma patients (confirmed by histopathology) who underwent CEUS and DCE-MRI examination at Beijing Tongren Hospital during January 2010 and May 2014 were collected, including 30 males and 33 females, with average age of 47 years (ranged from 27 to 69 years). The data and images of CEUS and DCE-MRI were analyzed and the findings were reviewed and compared to pathology results so as to evaluate the diagnosis coincidence rate of using CEUS, DCE-MRI and both (combined CEUS and DCE-MRI). Fisher's exact test method was used to explore the efficiency of diagnosing uveal melanoma with CEUS, DCE-MRI and the two combined. Results: Among the 63 cases of uveal melanoma, the coincidence rates of CEUS, DCE-MRI and combined diagnosis for uveal melanoma were 93.7% (59/63), 90.5% (57/63) and 100% (63/63) respectively. There was no significant difference between CEUS and DCE-MRI (P=0.663). Fifty-five cases showed fast wash in and fast wash out, and 8 cases showed fast wash in and slow wash out in time-intensity curve of CEUS. Fifty-four cases showed rapid increase and rapid decrease, and 7 cases showed rapid increase and slow decrease, and 2 cases showed sustain enhancement in signal intensity-time curve of DCE-MRI. Conclusions: CEUS is an effective method in diagnosis of uveal melanoma. CEUS and DCE-MRI are of similar value in the diagnosis of uveal melanoma, physicians may be able to acquire more diagnostic information when using the two methods in combination.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 194-198).

Integrating Functional Analysis in the Next-Generation Sequencing Diagnostic Pipeline of RASopathies.

RASopathies are a group of heterogeneous conditions caused by germline mutations in RAS/MAPK signalling pathway genes. With next-generation sequencing (NGS), sequencing capacity is no longer a limitation to molecular diagnosis. Instead, the rising number of variants of unknown significance (VUSs) poses challenges to clinical interpretation and genetic counselling. We investigated the potential of an integrated pipeline combining NGS and the functional assessment of variants for the diagnosis of RASopathies. We included 63 Chinese patients with RASopathies that had previously tested negative for PTPN11 and HRAS mutations. In these patients, we performed a genetic analysis of genes associated with RASopathies using a multigene NGS panel and Sanger sequencing. For the VUSs, we evaluated evidence from genetic, bioinformatic and functional data. Twenty disease-causing mutations were identified in the 63 patients, providing a primary diagnostic yield of 31.7%. Four VUSs were identified in five patients. The functional assessment supported the pathogenicity of the RAF1 and RIT1 VUSs, while the significance of two VUSs in A2ML1 remained unclear. In summary, functional analysis improved the diagnostic yield from 31.7% to 36.5%. Although technically demanding and time-consuming, a functional genetic diagnostic analysis can ease the clinical translation of these findings to aid bedside interpretation.

Experimental Verification of a Jarzynski-Related Information-Theoretic Equality by a Single Trapped Ion.

Most nonequilibrium processes in thermodynamics are quantified only by inequalities; however, the Jarzynski relation presents a remarkably simple and general equality relating nonequilibrium quantities with the equilibrium free energy, and this equality holds in both the classical and quantum regimes. We report a single-spin test and confirmation of the Jarzynski relation in the quantum regime using a single ultracold ^{40}Ca^{+} ion trapped in a harmonic potential, based on a general information-theoretic equality for a temporal evolution of the system sandwiched between two projective measurements. By considering both initially pure and mixed states, respectively, we verify, in an exact and fundamental fashion, the nonequilibrium quantum thermodynamics relevant to the mutual information and Jarzynski equality.

[Study on airway inflammation in patients with occupational pulmonary thesaurosis induced by iron].

Objective: To study the airway inflammation feature difference in the patients with occupational pulmonary thesaurosis induced by iron. Methods: Induced sputum samples were obtained from 20 healthy men, 20 patients with stable asthma, 25 patients with occupational pulmonary thesaurosis induced by iron. Differential cell counts in induced sputum were examined. The levels of supernatant IL-8 were measured by ELISA. Results: The pulmonary function result was normal in the patients with pulmonary thesaurosis., their FVC (4.1±1.2) L was similar to FVC (4.3±0.9) L in mal group; but their FEV(1.0) (2.9±0.9) L、FEV(1)/FVC (71.9%±5.4%) were lower than normal group's FEV(1.0) (3.2±0.7 L) 、FEV(1.0)/FVC (79.2%±9.9%) , and were hirher than asthma group's FEV(1) (2.5±0.8) L and FEV(1.0)/FVC (68.7%±6.1%) . In induced sputum, macrophages percentage in patients with pulmonary thesaurosis (54.3%±9.7%) was higher than asthma group and normal group (48.4±6.4, 51.9±7.3, P<0.05) , neutrophils percentage in patients with pulmonary thesaurosis group (43.9%±7.6%) was higher than asthma group and normal group (41.3%±7.1%, 39.8%±6.9%, P<0.05) , eosinophils percentage in patients with pulmonary thesaurosis group (0.3%±0.1%) was lower than asthma group (2.8±0.3, P<0.05) , lymphocytes percentage in patients with pulmonary thesaurosis group (2.0%±0.4%) was lower than asthma group (4.7±0.6, P<0.05) ; the sputum levels of IL-8 in patients with pulmonary thesaurosis group (914.7±24.3) pg/ml was higher than asthma group and normal group (747.9%±16.8 pg/ml, (405.4±13.7) pg/ml, P<0.05) . Conclusion: Macrophages and IL-8 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation after long-term inhalation of iron and its compounds, the airway function in patients of occupational pulmonary thesaurosis was found damaged.