Automated detection of hippocampal sclerosis using real-world clinical MRI images.

Background: Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is the most common pathological type of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and one of the important surgical markers. Currently, HS is mainly diagnosed manually by radiologists based on visual inspection of MRI, which greatly relies on MRI quality and physician experience. In clinical practice, non-thin MRI scans are often used due to the time and efficiency needed for the acquisition. However, these scans can be difficult for junior physicians to interpret accurately. Thus, the rapid and accurate diagnosis of HS using real-world MRI images in clinical settings is a challenging task. Objective: Our aim was to explore the feasibility of using computer vision methods to diagnose HS on real-world clinical MRI images and to provide a reference for future clinical applications of artificial intelligence methods to aid in detecting HS. Methods: We proposed a deep learning algorithm called "HS-Net" to discriminate HS using real-world clinical MRI images. First, we delineated and segmented a region of interest (ROI) around the hippocampus. Then, we utilized the fractional differential (FD) method to enhance the textures of the ROIs. Finally, we used a small-sample image classification method based on transfer learning to fine-tune the feature extraction part of a pretrained model and added two fully connected layers and an output layer. In the study, 96 TLE patients with HS confirmed by postoperative pathology and 89 healthy controls were retrospectively enrolled. All subjects were cross-validated, and models were evaluated for performance, robustness, and clinical utility. Results: The HS-Net model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.894, an accuracy of 82.88%, an F1-score of 84.08% in the test cohort based on real, routine, clinical T2-weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence MRI images. Additionally, the AUC, accuracy and F1 scores of our model all increased by around 3 percentage points when the inputs were augmented with the ROIs of the textures enhanced using the FD method. Conclusions: Our computational model has the potential to be used for the diagnosis of HS in real clinical MRI images, which could assist physicians, particularly junior physicians, in improving the accuracy of discrimination.

Quantitative analysis of retinal vasculature in normal eyes using ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography.

AIM: To quantify the area and density of retinal vascularity by ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFA). METHODS: In a retrospective study, UWFA images were obtained using an ultra-widefield imaging device in 42 normal eyes of 42 patients. Central and peripheral steered images were used to define the edge of retinal vasculature by a certified grader. The length from the center of the optic disc to the edge of retinal vascularity (RVL) in each quadrant and the total retinal vascular perfusion area (RVPA) were determined by the grader using OptosAdvance software. The density of retinal vascularity (RVD) was quantified in different zones of central-steered images using Image J software. RESULTS: Among 42 healthy eyes, the values for mean RVL in each quadrant were 19.007±0.781 mm (superior), 18.467±0.869 mm (inferior), 17.738±0.622 mm (nasal) and 24.241±1.336 mm (temporal). The mean RVPA was 1140.117±73.825 mm2. The mean RVD of the total retina was 4.850%±0.638%. RVD varied significantly between different retina zones (P<0.001), and significant differences existed in the RVD values for total retinal area in patients over 50 years old compared to those under 50 years old (P=0.033). No gender difference was found. CONCLUSION: The UWFA device can be a promising tool for analyzing the overall retinal vasculature and may provide a better understanding of retinal vascular morphology in normal eyes. Aging may be related to lower RVD.

On-line weight estimation of broiler carcass and cuts by a computer vision system.

In a broiler carcass production conveyor system, inspection, monitoring, and grading carcass and cuts based on computer vision techniques are challenging due to cuts segmentation and ambient light conditions issues. This study presents a depth image-based broiler carcass weight prediction system. An Active Shape Model was developed to segment the carcass into 4 cuts (drumsticks, breasts, wings, and head and neck). Five regression models were developed based on the image features for each weight estimation (carcass and its cuts). The Bayesian-ANN model outperformed all other regression models at 0.9981 R2 and 0.9847 R2 in the whole carcass and head and neck weight estimation. The RBF-SVR model surpassed all the other drumstick, breast, and wings weight prediction models at 0.9129 R2, 0.9352 R2, and 0.9896 R2, respectively. This proposed technique can be applied as a nondestructive, nonintrusive, and accurate on-line broiler carcass production system in the automation of chicken carcass and cuts weight estimation.

Overexpression of Long Non-Coding RNA Linc01315 Predicts Poor Prognosis in Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: LncRNAs have been shown to play critical roles in regulating tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Using LncRNAs to predict prognosis and therapeutic response to cancer treatment has been caused for concern, but the predictive value of lncRNAs remains to be explored and underlying mechanisms have not been completely understood. METHODS: The Linc01315 expression level was detected in 282 breast cancer tissues by using quantitative RT-PCR. The association between Linc01315 expression level and clinicopathological features of these breast cancer patients was further analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate Linc01315 predictive value of patients' prognosis. RESULTS: Our study revealed that Linc01315 expression level was significantly correlated with vessel invasion (P = 0.028) and tumor subtype (P = 0.039). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that patients with lower Linc01315 expression level had significantly longer disease free survival (DFS) (P = 0.002) and overall survival (OS) (P=0.019). Multiple regression analysis showed that Linc01315 level could be an independent predictive factor for DFS (hazards ratio = 0.613, 95% confidence interval = 0.375-1.003; P = 0.049) and OS (hazards ratio = 0.439, 95% confidence interval = 0.228-0.845; P = 0.014). Further analysis showed that low Linc01315 level patients with endocrine therapy could benefit patients DFS (P=0.037) and OS (P=0.025). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that Linc01315 expression level is significantly correlated with breast cancer patients' prognosis. Linc01315 may represent an independent prognostic marker and therapeutic target in breast cancer.

Preparation of conductive self-healing hydrogels via an interpenetrating polymer network method.

Conductive self-healing hydrogels and related soft sensor devices are gaining extensive attention from academia to industry because of their impacts on the lifetime and ergonomic design of artificial skins and soft robotics, as well as health monitoring systems. However, so far the development of such a material has been limited considering performance and availability. In this work, we developed composite hydrogels of acrylamide, polyacrylamide, dialdehyde-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) and conductive carbon black through an interpenetrating polymer network strategy. After optimizing the composition ratio, the resultant hydrogel exhibited self-healing reversibility mechanically and electrically when cut and self-healed. We used 1H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy to determine the self-healing mechanism of the system, thus demonstrating that the cooperative effect of the dynamic covalent and noncovalent interactions contributes to the self-healing capability of the gel. Rheology, scanning electron microscopy and light-emitting diode circuits were carried out to examine its macroscopic and microscopic properties, making it possible to apply in soft and conformable electronics.

Endovascular repair of complex aortic arch lesion with application of recanalize left subclaivian artery in intracavitary / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of different ways of reconstruction of left subclavian artery (LSA) in the treatment of complex aortic arch lesions.Methods:The clinical data of 34 patients with complex thoracic aortic disease undergoing intracavitary LSA reconstruction in our center from January 2019 to February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The distance of proximal healthy landing zone of all patients, including 29 aortic dissections involving LSA, 3 penetrating aortic ulcer and 2 thoracic aortic aneurysms, was less than 15 mm. Among them, 16 cases were treated with chimney technique, 16 cases were implanted with single branched stent-graft, 2 cases were received with left common carotid artery and LSA in situ fenestration.Results:The operation success rate of all 34 patients was 100%. One case was changed from in situ fenestration to chimney stenting. Followed up for 1-12 months, there were no death, cerebral ischemia, paraplegia and other postoperative complications. CTA review showed that the main and branch stents were in good shape, the patency rate of LSA branch stents was 100% and no endoleak occurred at 1 and 3 months after operation. The muscle strength and arterial blood pressure of bilateral upper limbs of all patients were basically the same.Conclusion:There is no consensus for the treatment of complex aortic arch lesions, so we need to customize the personalized plan and select the appropriate LSA reconstruction method in order to reduce the incidence of complications.

Screening of Fungi Isolates for C-4 Hydroxylation of R-2-Phenoxypropionic Acid Based on a Novel 96-Well Microplate Assay Method.

R-2-(4-Hydroxyphenoxy)propionic acid (R-HPPA) is a pivotal intermediate for the synthesis of aryloxyphenoxypropionate (APP) herbicide. To rapidly screen microbial isolates with the capacity of hydroxylating R-2-phenoxypropionic acid to R-HPPA from various environmental samples, a convenient and safe 96-well microplate assay method with sodium nitrite (NaNO2) as chromogenic reagent was proposed and optimized. The optimum assay conditions were as follows: the detection wavelength was 420 nm, the concentration of NaNO2 solution was 6.0 g/L, color reaction temperature was 60 °C, the pH of the NaNO2 solution was 2.4, and the reaction time was 40 min. With the aid of this method, screening for microorganisms with C-4-specific hydroxylation activity of R-PPA was conducted. As a result, 23 strains among 3744 single colonies isolated from various samples exhibited the hydroxylation activity. Among these strains, the highest bioconversion rate was achieved by Penicillium oxalicum A5 and Aspergillus versicolor A12, respectively. After 72-h cultivation in shake flask, their conversion rates of R-HPPA from 10 g/L R-PPA reached 21.18% and 40.24%, respectively. The established method was effective in rapid screening of microbes capable of biosynthesizing R-HPPA through hydroxylation of R-PPA, and the obtained two fungi species could be potentially used for R-HPPA production.

Risk Factors Associated with Clinical Outcomes in 323 COVID-19 Patients in Wuhan, China

BackgroundWith evidence of sustained transmission in more than 190 countries, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a global pandemic. As such, data are urgently needed about risk factors associated with clinical outcomes. MethodsA retrospective chart review of 323 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan was conducted. Patients were classified into three disease severity groups (non-severe, severe, and critical), based on their initial clinical presentation. Clinical outcomes were designated as favorable and unfavorable, based on disease progression and response to treatments. Logistic regression models were performed to identify factors associated with clinical outcomes, and log-rank test was conducted for the association with clinical progression. ResultsCurrent standard treatments did not show significant improvement on patient outcomes in the study. By univariate logistic regression model, 27 risk factors were significantly associated with clinical outcomes. Further, multivariate regression indicated that age over 65 years, smoking, critical disease status, diabetes, high hypersensitive troponin I (>0.04 pg/mL), leukocytosis (>10 x 109/L) and neutrophilia (>75 x 109/L) predicted unfavorable clinical outcomes. By contrast, the use of hypnotics was significantly associated with favorable outcomes. Survival analysis also confirmed that patients receiving hypnotics had significantly better survival. ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first indication that hypnotics could be an effective ancillary treatment for COVID-19. We also found that novel risk factors, such as higher hypersensitive troponin I, predicted poor clinical outcomes. Overall, our study provides useful data to guide early clinical decision making to reduce mortality and improve clinical outcomes of COVID-19. (Funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province ZRMS2019000029 and the Top Youth Talent Program in Hubei Province.)

Effect of self made artificial blood vessel pre-sewed and wrapped the pericardium on the treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To explore the efficacy of right atrium drainage method in Stanford A aortic dissection by using self made artificial blood vessel pre-sewed and wrapped the pericardium.Methods:The clinical data of 60 Stanford type A aortic dissection patients undergoing Sun′s surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from December 2016 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 26 patients were treated with directly wrapped artificial blood vessels for right atrial drainage (group A), and 34 patients were treated with self made artificial blood vessel pre-sewed and wrapped the pericardium (group B). The intraoperative and postoperative conditions were compared between 2 groups.Results:All operations were completed successfully. The extracorporeal circulation time, intraoperative red blood cell dosage, intraoperative plasma dosage and 24 h postoperative drainage volume in group B were significantly lower than those in group A: (174.09 ± 12.11) min vs. (225.23 ± 20.40) min, (5.56 ± 1.16) U vs. (10.50 ± 2.25) U, (650.00 ± 137.62) ml vs. (953.85 ± 221.33) ml and (515.59 ± 89.16) ml vs. (667.88 ± 76.55) ml, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); there were no statistical differences in aortic cross-clamping time, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest time, ventilation time, hospital stay, morbidity and mortality between 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Self made artificial blood vessel pre-sewed and wrapped the pericardium is used to perform Sun′s operation in Stanford type A aortic dissection patients, which simplifies the operation and further optimizes the internal drainage technology and is beneficial to reduce the intraoperative blood loss and blood consumption and reduce the extracorporeal circulation time, and the effect is accurate.

A high-throughput screening method for improved R-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)propionic acid biosynthesis.

R-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)propionic acid (R-HPPA) is a key intermediate of the enantiomerically pure phenoxypropionic acid herbicides. R-HPPA could be biosynthesized through selective introduction of a hydroxyl group (-OH) into the substrate R-2-phenoxypropionic acid (R-PPA) at C-4 position, facilitated by microorganisms with hydroxylases. In this study, an efficient high-throughput screening method for improved R-HPPA biosynthesis through microbial hydroxylation was developed. As a hydroxylated aromatic product, R-HPPA could be oxidized by oxidant potassium dichromate to form brown-colored quinone-type compound. The concentration of R-HPPA can be quantified according to the absorbance of the colored compound at a suitable wavelength of 570 nm; and the R-HPPA biosynthetic capability of microorganism strains could also be rapidly evaluated. After optimization of the assay conditions, the high-throughput screening method was successfully used in identification of Beauveria bassiana mutants with enhanced R-HPPA biosynthesis capacity. A positive mutant C-7 with high tolerance to 20 g/L R-PPA was rapidly selected from 1920 mutants. The biomass and R-HPPA titer were 12.5- and 38.19-fold higher compared with the original strain at 20 g/L R-PPA. This high-throughput screening method developed in this work could also be a potential tool for screening strains producing other important phenolic compounds.

Clinical effect of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for Stanford type B aortic dissection / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To summarize the clinical efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in the treatment of Stanford type B thoracic aortic dissection. Methods The clinical data of 80 patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection who had underwent TEVAR in cardiac surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from January 2017 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, there were 56 males and 24 females. The effect of operation and postoperative complications were observed. The diameters of different aortic levels before and after TEVAR were compared in order to understand the aortic remodeling after TEVAR. Results All 80 patients were operated successfully. A total of 87 stents were implanted, of which 2 stents were placed in 7 patients. Four patients died 30 days after operation, 3 of whom were diagnosed as dissection rupture before operation and underwent emergency TEVAR. The cause of death was massive hemorrhage due to re-rupture of dissection. One patient complicated with massive cerebral infarction before operation died of respiratory failure. Six months after operation, CTA showed that the diameter of the aortic true lumen at the level of the left subclavian artery, the maximum diameter of the tumor and the level of the diaphragm significantly increased: (30.1 ± 3.5) mm vs. (24.4 ± 4.2)mm, (33.4 ± 5.1) mm vs. (24.9 ± 6.2) mm,(26.1±4.9) mm vs. (19.3 ± 3.1) mm; all P values＜0.01, and the false lumen significantly decreased: (3.5 ± 1.7) mm vs. (11.2 ± 5.7) mm, (9.1 ± 2.4) mm vs. (18.3 ± 5.9) mm, (6.2 ± 1.3) mm vs. (14.7 ± 5.2) mm, all P values＜0.01. There was no significant difference in the overall diameter of aorta before and after operation (P > 0.05). Conclusions The treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissection with TEVAR has significantly good short-term clinical efficacy, which is less traumatic and quick to recover. However, the long-term efficacy remains to be observed.

Cytobiological effect of micro-arc oxidation coating on 3D-printed titanium alloy scaffold / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment can improve the biological properties of titanium alloy implants. Previous studies mostly focused on the evaluation of titanium alloy plate, while the effects of the MAO-modified 3D titanium scaffold on the cell growth and differentiation were rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of MAO coating on the biological performance of cells seeded onto the 3D-printed porous titanium alloy scaffold. METHODS: Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were seeded onto the MAO-modified Ti6Al4V alloy scaffolds (experimental group) and unmodified scaffolds (control group). After 4 and 7 days of culture, cell/scaffold constructs were retrieved and processed for the assessment of cell morphology by using scanning electron microscopy, cytoskeletal staining analysis and cell viability assay were also evaluated. At 4, 7 and 11 days of culture, the levels of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in the cell supernatant were detected. At 1, 4, 7 and 11 days of culture, the cell proliferation rate was measured using the MTT assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) At 4 and 7 days of culture, live/dead staining showed that the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells grew well on the two kinds of scaffolds. The analysis of cytoskeleton staining showed that the cytoskeleton of the experimental group was stereo and polygonal, while the cells on the scaffold surface in the control group were flat and spindle-shaped, spreading along the macro structure of the scaffolds. Under the scanning electron microscopy, the cells in the experimental group arranged closely and spread in a good condition, with interconnected lamellipodia and filopodia that firmly adhered to the scaffold surface in an anchor-shaped structure; in the control group, less filopodia interconnected, less extracellular matrix, and flat and sheet-like cells were observed. (2) With the time increase, the levels of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin increased gradually in both groups. The alkaline phosphatase level in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 7 and 11 days of culture (P < 0.05), while the osteocalcin level was higher in the experimental group than the control group at 11 days of culture (P < 0.05). (3) With the prolongation of culture time, the number of cells in the two groups increased gradually. The number of cells cultured in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 7 and 11 days of culture (P < 0.05). To conclude, the MAO-modified titanium alloy scaffold is favorable for cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation.

Clinical Effects of High Flow Nasal Cannular Insufflation on Preoxygenation and Extension of Safe Apneic Period / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]To assess the effects of high flow nasal cannular insufflation(HFNCI)on preoxygenation and extension of safe apneic period during tracheal intubation.[Methods]Patients were randomly allocated into facemask(FM),facemask plus HFNCI(FM+HFNCI),HFNCI and HFNCI plus nasopharyngeal airway(HFNCI+NPA) groups. Facemask was adopted in FM and FM+HFNCI groups,while HFNCI was used in HFNCI and HFNCI+NPA groups for preoxygenation. All patients except for those in FM group received HFNCI during tracheal intubation. PaO2, SaO2,HR and MAP were recorded and analyzed.[Results]There was no significant difference in PaO2and SaO2after preoxygenation among groups(P>0.05). During apneic tracheal intubation period,PaO2decreased significantly in FM group while increased in HFNCI+NPA group. The Δ PaO2in FM group(Mean value was -5.4 kPa)was significantly bigger than those in other groups(Mean values in FM+HFNCI,HFNCI,and HFNCI+NPA groups were -0.5,-0.8 and 1.4 kPa,respectively(P < 0.001). All values at the success of tracheal intubation were much above the safe limits.[Conclusion]HFNCI provides effective preoxygenation and may extend safe apneic period in patients with patent airway.

The policy effects of feed-in tariff and renewable portfolio standard: A case study of China's waste incineration power industry.

Among the regulatory policies, feed-in tariffs (FIT) and renewable portfolio standards (RPS) are the most popular to promote the development of renewable energy power industry. They can significantly contribute to the expansion of domestic industrial activities in terms of sustainable energy. This paper uses system dynamics (SD) to establish models of long-term development of China's waste incineration power industry under FIT and RPS schemes, and provides a case study by using scenario analysis method. The model, on the one hand, not only clearly shows the complex logical relationship between the factors but also assesses policy effects of the two policy tools in the development of the industry. On the other hand, it provides a reference for scholars to study similar problems in different countries, thereby facilitating an understanding of waste incineration power's long-term sustainable development pattern under FIT and RPS schemes, and helping to provide references for policy-making institutions. The results show that in the perfect competitive market, the implementation of RPS can promote long-term and rapid development of China's waste incineration power industry given the constraints and actions of the mechanisms of RPS quota proportion, the TGC valid period, and fines, compared with FIT. At the end of the paper, policy implications are offered as references for the government.

Transfusion of Plasma Collected at Late Phase after Preconditioning Reduces Myocardial Infarct Size Induced by Ischemia-reperfusion in Rats / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Plasma transfusion is a common clinical practice. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) protects organs against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Whether preconditioned plasma (PP), collected at late phase after RIPC, could protect organs against IR injury in vivo is unknown. This study explored whether transfusion of PP could reduce myocardial infarct size (IS) after IR in rat in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty Lewis rats were randomized to eight groups (n = 10 for each group). Two groups of plasma donor rats donated plasma at 48 h after transient limb ischemia (PP) or control protocol (nonpreconditioned plasma [NPP]). Six groups of recipient rats received normal saline (NS; NS-IR 1, and NS-IR 24 groups), NPP (NPP-IR 1 and NPP-IR 24 groups), or PP (PP-IR 1 and PP-IR 24 groups) at one or 24 h before myocardial IR. Myocardial IR consisted of 30-min left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion and 180-min reperfusion. The area at risk (AAR) and infarct area were determined by double-staining with Evans blue and triphenyltetrazolium chloride. IS was calculated by infarct area divided by AAR. This was a 3 × 2 factorial design study, and factorial analysis was used to evaluate the data. If an interaction between the fluid and transfusion time existed, one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was used to analyze the single effects of fluid type when the transfusion time was fixed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IS in the NPP-IR 1 and PP-IR 1 groups was smaller than in the NS-IR 1 group (F = 6.838, P = 0.005; NPP-IR 1: 57 ± 8% vs. NS-IR1: 68 ± 6%, t = 2.843, P = 0.020; PP-IR 1: 56 ± 8% vs. NS-IR 1: 68 ± 6%, t = 3.102, P = 0.009), but no significant difference was detected between the NPP-IR 1 and PP-IR 1 groups (57 ± 8% vs. 56 ± 8%, t = 0.069, P = 1.000). IS in the NPP-IR 24 and PP-IR 24 groups was smaller than in the NS-IR 24 group (F = 24.796, P< 0.001; NPP-IR 24: 56% ± 7% vs. NS-IR 24: 68 ± 7%, t = 3.102, P = 0.026; PP-IR 24: 40 ± 9% vs. NS-IR 24: 68 ± 7%, t = 7.237, P< 0.001); IS in the PP-IR 24 group was smaller than in the NPP-IR 24 group (40 ± 9% vs. 56 ± 7%, t = 4.135, P = 0.002).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transfusion of PP collected at late phase after remote ischemic preconditioning could reduce IS, suggesting that late-phase cardioprotection was transferable in vivo.</p>

Applied research on new type of lighted surgical aspirator in deep brain hematoma removal / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore the application effect of a new lighted surgical aspirator in deep brain hematoma removal operation.Methods Totally 153 patients of non-traumatic basis festival area cerebral hemorrhage were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group.Both the groups underwent clearance of intracranial hematoma and decompressive craniectomy surgical operation in the operating room,with the common aspirator involved in the control group and the lighted one in the treatment group.Results There was no significant difference between the rates of hematomal removal in the groups (P＞0.05).The treatment group had the operating time less by 59.85 min and the hospital stay decreased by 15.23 d than those in the control group (P＜0.05).The GOS score and daily viability of the treatment group was also statistically higher than those of the control group (P＜0.05),and the effective rate in the treatment group was also more than that in the control group by 24.9％ (P＜0.05).Conclusion The new aspirator solves the problems in visual field and light source,decreases the operating time and improves the disease prognosis.

The C825T Polymorphism of the G-Protein ß3 Gene as a Risk Factor for Functional Dyspepsia: A Meta-Analysis.

Background. Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a functional upper gastrointestinal disorder with significant morbidity and medical costs. Previous studies investigated the association of G-protein ß3 (GNB3) genetic polymorphisms with FD but with inconsistent results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to derive a precise estimation of the relationship between GNB3 polymorphisms and FD. Methods. We searched different databases including PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, and the Ovid Library to gather eligible studies on GNB3 polymorphisms and FD. The association was assessed by the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results. We identified 12 studies with 1109 cases and 2853 controls for the analysis. We found no associations of GNB3 C825T polymorphism with FD in the overall population (T versus C, OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.96-1.18, P = 0.26; TT versus CC + CT, OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.97-1.39, P = 0.11; TT + CT versus CC, OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.77-1.31, P = 0.96; TT versus CC, OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.93-1.44, P = 0.20). Subgroup analyses by genotyping method indicated that the magnitude of association was strengthened for additive model (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07-2.24, P = 0.02). Sensitivity analysis did not reveal significant associations under all models. Conclusions. This meta-analysis demonstrates that GNB3 C825T polymorphism may not be a risk factor for FD.

Measurement Uncertainty in the Content Determination of Paracetamol Tablets by UV / 中国药师

Objective:To evaluate the measurement uncertainty in the determination of paracetamol tablets by UV. Methods:The mathematical model of content determination by UV was established and the uncertainty sources were analyzed. Each active component of uncertainty was calculated, and the expanded uncertainty was obtained. Results:The expanded uncertainty for the UV determination of paracetamol tablets was 1. 2%,and the content determination result was (97. 0 ± 1. 2) % (k=2). Conclusion:The main sources of uncertainty are analyzed, which can provide reliable theoretical basis for the effective control of the method.

Fixed-dose combination treatment after stroke for secondary prevention in China: a national community-based study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is evidence and international consensus on the advantages and potential of a polypill for established cardiovascular disease patients to improve adherence in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to estimate the numbers of stroke patients who would be eligible for the polypill strategy in China, and the suitable composition of a polypill, based on data of the China National Stroke Prevention Project. METHODS: A total of 717 620 residents aged ≥40 years from 6 Chinese representative provinces were screened for prevalent stroke from 2011 to 2012 with an 84.4% response rate. Participants with a history of stroke received further investigation of risk factors and treatments. The potential need for treatment was classified according to the guidelines. Rates were standardized using the population composition of the Sixth National Population Census of China. RESULTS: The standardized prevalence rate of stroke was 1.9%. Up to 93.1% of stroke patients were eligible for a polypill containing at least 2 types of medications, with 75.3% eligible for a statin and antiplatelet agent and 70.6% for antihypertensive and antiplatelet medications. Considering 3 therapies, 54% were eligible for antihypertensive, statin, and antiplatelet medications. The current treatment rate with all required combinations of separate pills was only 6.9%. CONCLUSIONS: A huge number of stroke patients in China require preventive therapy and would be eligible for a polypill. This study indicates that it would be reasonable to consider and assess the value of a polypill strategy to improve secondary prevention of stroke in China.

Effect of EGb761 on light-damaged retinal pigment epithelial cells.

AIM: To investigate the protective mechanism of Gingko Biloba extract (EGb761) on the ability of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to resist light-induced damage in a comparative proteomics study. METHODS: Human RPE cells (ARPE-19) were randomly distributed to one of three groups: normal control (NC group) and light-damaged model without or with EGb761 group (M and ME groups, respectively). The light-damaged model was formed by exposing to white light (2 200±300)lx for 6h. The RPE cells in ME group were conducted with EGb 761 (100µg/mL) before light exposure. The soluble cellular proteins extracting from each groups were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and stained by silver staining. Different proteins in the profiles of the gels were analyzed by Image Master Software. Two-fold expressing protein spots were identified by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry. RESULTS: NC, M and ME groups displayed 1 892±71, 2 145±23 and 2 216±85 protein spots, respectively. We identified 33 proteins with different expression levels between the NC and M groups, 25 proteins between the M and ME groups, and 11 proteins between the NC and ME groups. MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry successfully identified 16 proteins, including metabolic enzymes, cytoskeletal proteins, anti-oxidation proteins, and others. CONCLUSION: Differences in some important proteins, such as cathepsin B, heat shock protein, and cytochrome c reductase, indicated that multiple pathways may be induced in light-damaged RPE cells and the protective effect of EGb761.