Effect of corneal cross-linking on biomechanical changes following transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy and femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK.

Purpose: To evaluate the change in corneal biomechanics in patients with postoperative ectasia risk when combining two common laser vision correction procedures (tPRK and FS-LASIK) with cross-linking (in tPRK Xtra and FS-LASIK Xtra). Methods: The study included 143 eyes of 143 myopic, astigmatic patients that were divided into non-cross-linked refractive surgery groups (non-Xtra groups, tPRK and FS-LASIK) and cross-linked groups (Xtra groups, tPRK Xtra and FS-LASIK Xtra) according to an ectasia risk scoring system. The eyes were subjected to measurements including the stress-strain index (SSI), the stiffness parameter at first applanation (SP-A1), the integrated inverse radius (IIR), the deformation amplitude at apex (DA), and the ratio of deformation amplitude between apex and 2 mm from apex (DARatio2mm). The measurements were taken preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (pos1m, pos3m, and pos6m). Posterior demarcation line depth from the endothelium (PDLD) and from the ablation surface (DLA) were recorded at pos1m. Results: SP-A1 significantly decreased, while IIR, deformation amplitude, and DARatio2mm increased significantly postoperatively in all four groups (p < 0.01)-all denoting stiffness decreases. In the FS-LASIK group, the changes in IIR, DA, and DARatio2mm were 32.7 ± 15.1%, 12.9 ± 7.1%, and 27.2 ± 12.0% respectively, which were significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to 20.1 ± 12.8%, 6.4 ± 8.2%, and 19.7 ± 10.4% in the FS-LASIK Xtra group. In the tPRK group, the change in IIR was 27.3 ± 15.5%, significantly larger than 16.9 ± 13.4% in the tPRK Xtra group. The changes of SSI were minimal in the tPRK (-1.5 ± 21.7%, p = 1.000), tPRK Xtra (8.4 ± 17.9%, p = 0.053), and FS-LASIK Xtra (5.6 ± 12.7%, p = 0.634) groups, but was significant in the FS-LASIK group (-12.1 ± 7.9%, p < 0.01). After correcting for baseline biomechanical metrics, preoperative bIOP and the change in central corneal thickness (△CCT) from pre to pos6m, the changes in the IIR in both FS-LASIK and tPRK groups, as well as DA, DARatio2mm and SSI in the FS-LASIK group remained statistically greater than their corresponding Xtra groups (all p < 0.05). Most importantly, after correcting for these covariates, the changes in DARatio2mm in the FS-LASIK Xtra became statistically smaller than in the tPRK Xtra (p = 0.017). Conclusion: The statistical analysis results indicate that tPRK Xtra and FS-LASIK Xtra effectively reduced the biomechanical losses caused by refractive surgery (tPRK and FS-LASIK). The decrease in corneal overall stiffness was greater in FS-LASIK than in tPRK, and the biomechanical enhancement of CXL was also higher following LASIK than after tPRK.

Application of Anchored Instructional Method in Cardiac Surgery ICU Nursing Education.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the impact of applying the anchored teaching mode with nursing interns on the cardiac surgery intensive care unit (CSICU). METHOD: A total of 110 interns were divided into a control group (taught through traditional methods) and an experimental group (taught using the anchored teaching mode). The anchored mode, emphasizing student-centered learning, included creating scenarios, identifying problems, using self-directed and collaborative learning, and evaluating outcomes. RESULTS: Our study found that the experimental group showed significantly higher scores in emergency response ability, nursing skills, and teaching effectiveness compared with the control group at graduation. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that implementing the anchored teaching mode can effectively enhance the education of nursing interns on the CSICU, emphasizing the need for further research across different departments and types of hospitals. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 202x;5x(x):xx-xx.].

Learning-based correction with Gaussian constraints for ghost imaging through dynamic scattering media: erratum.

We correct a typographical error in our Letter [Opt. Lett.48, 4480 (2023)10.1364/OL.499787]. The corrections have no influence on the results and conclusions of the original Letter.

Exploring the impacts of age at menarche on cognitive aging in late adulthood: Evidence from a Mendelian randomization study on the Taiwanese population.

INTRODUCTION: The potential influence of age at menarche (AM) on cognitive aging remains inadequate, partly because of the difficulties presented by multiple confounders. To address this issue, the Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to explore the causal impacts of AM on cognitive aging. METHODS: Using the publicly accessible Taiwan Biobank, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with AM as instrumental variables to estimate the effects of instruments on cognitive function assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We employed several MR methods, including two-stage least squares, inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and constrained maximum-likelihood (cML) MR methods, to ensure the stability and reliability of the results. RESULTS: MR analyses indicated no significant causal relationship between genetically determined AMs and total and subdomain MMSE scores, except the G5 subdomain (ßIVW = 0.156, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.005, 0.307; ßcML = 0.161, 95% CI: 0.014, 0.309). However, in a leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, we found a significant relationship between AM and cognitive aging after eliminating rs157863 and rs6758290, thus demonstrating the potential pleiotropic effects of these two SNPs. After these two SNPs were eliminated, a significant causal relationship between AM and overall MMSE scores (ßIVW = 0.425, 95% CI 0.011, 0.839), though. CONCLUSION: Evidence from the present MR study did not fully support a causal relationship between AM and cognitive function decline in later life. Potential pleiotropic effects of the genes underlying these two traits are worth of further investigation.

Intestinal carcinogenicity screening of environmental pollutants using organoid-based cell transformation assay.

The high incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is closely associated with environmental pollutant exposure. To identify potential intestinal carcinogens, we developed a cell transformation assay (CTA) using mouse adult stem cell-derived intestinal organoids (mASC-IOs) and assessed the transformation potential on 14 representative chemicals, including Cd, iPb, Cr-VI, iAs-III, Zn, Cu, PFOS, BPA, MEHP, AOM, DMH, MNNG, aspirin, and metformin. We optimized the experimental protocol based on cytotoxicity, amplification, and colony formation of chemical-treated mASC-IOs. In addition, we assessed the accuracy of in vitro study and the human tumor relevance through characterizing interdependence between cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions, tumorigenicity, pathological feature of subcutaneous tumors, and CRC-related molecular signatures. Remarkably, the results of cell transformation in 14 chemicals showed a strong concordance with epidemiological findings (8/10) and in vivo mouse studies (12/14). In addition, we found that the increase in anchorage-independent growth was positively correlated with the tumorigenicity of tested chemicals. Through analyzing the dose-response relationship of anchorage-independent growth by benchmark dose (BMD) modeling, the potent intestinal carcinogens were identified, with their carcinogenic potency ranked from high to low as AOM, Cd, MEHP, Cr-VI, iAs-III, and DMH. Importantly, the activity of chemical-transformed mASC-IOs was associated with the degree of cellular differentiation of subcutaneous tumors, altered transcription of oncogenic genes, and activated pathways related to CRC development, including Apc, Trp53, Kras, Pik3ca, Smad4 genes, as well as WNT and BMP signaling pathways. Taken together, we successfully developed a mASC-IO-based CTA, which might serve as a potential alternative for intestinal carcinogenicity screening of chemicals.

IL-10 and TGF-ß1 may weaken the efficacy of preoperative anti-tuberculosis therapy in older patients with spinal tuberculosis.

Spinal tuberculosis is a common extrapulmonary type that is often secondary to pulmonary or systemic infections. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection often leads to the balance of immune control and bacterial persistence. In this study, 64 patients were enrolled and the clinicopathological and immunological characteristics of different age groups were analyzed. Anatomically, spinal tuberculosis in each group mostly occurred in the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Imaging before preoperative anti-tuberculosis therapy showed that the proportion of abscesses in the older group was significantly lower than that in the younger and middle-aged groups. However, pathological examination of surgical specimens showed that the proportion of abscesses in the older group was significantly higher than that in the other groups, and there was no difference in the granulomatous inflammation, caseous necrosis, inflammatory necrosis, acute inflammation, exudation, granulation tissue formation, and fibrous tissue hyperplasia. B cell number was significantly lower in the middle-aged and older groups compared to the younger group, while the number of T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and NK cells did not differ. Meaningfully, we found that the proportion of IL-10 high expression and TGF-ß1 positive in the older group was significantly higher than that in the younger group. TNF-α, CD66b, IFN-γ, and IL-6 expressions were not different among the three groups. In conclusion, there are some differences in imaging, pathological, and immune features of spinal tuberculosis in different age groups. The high expression of IL-10 and TGF-ß1 in older patients may weaken their anti-tuberculosis immunity and treatment effectiveness.

Role of Ultrasound and Ultrasound-Based Prediction Model in Differentiating Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma From Follicular Thyroid Adenoma.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify distinct ultrasound (US) characteristics for distinguishing follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA), and construct a user-friendly preoperative risk stratification model for thyroid follicular neoplasms. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients diagnosed with pathologically confirmed FTA or FTC and undergoing US examinations between July 2017 and June 2021 were designated as the training cohort, and those from July 2021 to June 2023 were enrolled as the external validation set. We systematically assessed and compared the sonographic and clinical characteristics of FTC and FTA. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association of US features with FTC in the training set. A prediction nomogram model, incorporating US features independently associated with FTC, was developed and validated externally to assess its performance. RESULTS: A total of 645 patients (FTA/FTC = 530/115) were included in the training set, while 197 patients (FTA/FTC = 165/32) constituted the validation set. In the training set, solid composition, hypo-echogenicity, irregular margin, calcification, protrusion sign, trabecular formation, absent or thick halo, and mainly central hypervascularity were identified as independent factors associated with FTC. The prediction nomogram model constructed using these variables showed good performance in differentiating FTC from FTA with an area under the curve of 0.948 in the training set and 0.915 in the validation set. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative nomogram model constructed based on US features serves as an effective tool for the risk stratification of thyroid follicular neoplasms.

UNVEILING THE PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS OF PUERARIN AGAINST ACUTE LUNG INJURY: A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLORATION OF THE ROLES AND MECHANISMS OF MST1/ERS SIGNALING.

OBJECTIVES: Puerarin, the principal active constituent extracted from Pueraria, is believed to confer protection against sepsis-induced lung injury. The study aimed to elucidate the role and mechanism of Mst1/ERS in puerarin-mediated protection against acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS: Monolayer vascular endothelial cell permeability was assessed by gauging the paracellular flow of FITC-dextran 40,000 (FD40). ELISA was employed for the quantification of inflammatory cytokines. Identification of target proteins was conducted through Western blotting. Histological alterations and apoptosis were scrutinized using H&E staining and TUNEL staining, respectively. The ultrastructure of the endoplasmic reticulum was observed via transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Puerarin significantly protected mice from LPS-induced ALI, reducing lung interstitial width, neutrophil and lymphocyte infiltration, pulmonary interstitial and alveolar edema, and lung apoptosis. Puerarin treatment also markedly attenuated levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß in both alveolar lavage fluid and serum. Furthermore, puerarin significantly attenuated LPS-induced increases in Mst1, GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase12 protein expression and blunted LPS-induced decrease in ZO-1 protein expression in lung tissues. Puerarin obviously reduced endoplasmic reticulum expansion and vesiculation. Similarly, puerarin significantly mitigated the LPS-induced reduction in HUVEC cell viability and ZO-1 expression. Puerarin also attenuated LPS-induced increase in apoptosis, TNF-α and IL-1ß, FD40 flux, and Mst1, GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase12 expression in HUVEC cells. Nevertheless, the inhibitory impact of puerarin on vascular endothelial cell injury, lung injury, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) was diminished by Mst1 overexpression. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that the Mst1/ERS signaling pathway played a pivotal role in the development of LPS-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and ALI. Puerarin exhibited the ability to attenuate LPS-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and ALI by inhibiting the Mst1/ERS signaling pathway.

Impact of high-performance HPV testing to improve cervical cancer screening in China: A prospective population-based multicenter cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical performance of HBRT-H14, a real-time PCR-based assay that separates human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and HPV18 from 12 other high-risk (HR) HPV types, in population according to Chinese guideline. METHODS: 9829 eligible women aged 21-64 years from Henan, Shanxi and Guangdong provinces were performed by HBRT-H14 testing and liquid-based cytology (LBC) screening at baseline and followed up for three-year. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (absolute risk), and negative predictive value of LBC diagnosis and HPV testing were calculated for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) Lesions. RESULTS: At baseline, 80 (0.81%) participants were diagnosed with CIN2+. HR-HPV with reflex LBC had a significantly higher sensitivity (78/80, 97.50% [95% CI: 91.34-99.31%] vs. 62/80, 77.50% [67.21-85.27%], PMcNemar<0.001), and a slightly lower specificity (8528/9749, 87.48% [86.80-88.12%] vs. 8900/9749, 91.29% [90.72-91.83%], PMcNemar<0.001) than LBC with reflex HR-HPV for CIN2+. 7832 (79.6%) participants completed 3-year follow-up and 172 (2.20%) participants were cumulatively diagnosed with CIN2+. Compared with LBC with reflex HR-HPV, HR-HPV with reflex LBC significantly increased the sensitivity (161/172, 93.60% [88.91-96.39%] vs. 87/172, 50.58% [43.18-57.96%], PMcNemar<0.001), but marginally decreased the specificity (6776/7660, 88.46% [87.72-89.16%] vs. 6933/7660, 90.51% [89.83-91.15], PMcNemar<0.001). In addition, the absolute three-year risk of CIN2+ in HPV16/18-positive individuals was as high as 33% (80/238), while the risk in the HPV-negative population was only 0.16% (11/6787), much lower than those in the negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) population (1.21%, 85/7018). Moreover, similar results were found in women ≥ 30 years old. CONCLUSIONS: The study has indicated that HBRT-14 has a reliable clinical performance for use in cervical screening. The validated HPV test would improve the quality of population screening.

Conductive Polyisocyanide Hydrogels Inhibit Fibrosis and Promote Myogenesis.

Reliable in vitro models closely resembling native tissue are urgently needed for disease modeling and drug screening applications. Recently, conductive biomaterials have received increasing attention in the development of in vitro models as they permit exogenous electrical signals to guide cells toward a desired cellular response. Interestingly, they have demonstrated that they promote cellular proliferation and adhesion even without external electrical stimulation. This paper describes the development of a conductive, fully synthetic hydrogel based on hybrids of the peptide-modified polyisocyanide (PIC-RGD) and the relatively conductive poly(aniline-co-N-(4-sulfophenyl)aniline) (PASA) and its suitability as the in vitro matrix. We demonstrate that incorporating PASA enhances the PIC-RGD hydrogel's electroactive nature without significantly altering the fibrous architecture and nonlinear mechanics of the PIC-RGD network. The biocompatibility of our model was assessed through phenotyping cultured human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) and murine C2C12 myoblasts. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that PIC-PASA hydrogels inhibit the fibrotic behavior of HFFs while promoting myogenesis in C2C12 cells without electrical stimulation. The composite PIC-PASA hydrogel can actively change the cell fate of different cell types, providing an attractive tool to improve skin and muscle repair.

A missense mutation in human INSC causes peripheral neuropathy.

PAR3/INSC/LGN form an evolutionarily conserved complex required for asymmetric cell division in the developing brain, but its post-developmental function and disease relevance in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) remains unknown. We mapped a new locus for axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT2) and identified a missense mutation c.209 T > G (p.Met70Arg) in the INSC gene. Modeling the INSCM70R variant in Drosophila, we showed that it caused proprioceptive defects in adult flies, leading to gait defects resembling those in CMT2 patients. Cellularly, PAR3/INSC/LGN dysfunction caused tubulin aggregation and necrotic neurodegeneration, with microtubule-stabilizing agents rescuing both morphological and functional defects of the INSCM70R mutation in the PNS. Our findings underscore the critical role of the PAR3/INSC/LGN machinery in the adult PNS and highlight a potential therapeutic target for INSC-associated CMT2.

A meta-analysis of risk factors for a Dacron-cuffed catheter related infection in hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide theoretical basis for prevention of a Dacron-cuffed catheter related infection (CRI), the risk factors of CRI in hemodialysis patients were systematically evaluated. METHODS: Eight databases, including PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), Wanfang Database and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), were searched to screen out literatures related to the risk factors of long-term indwelling a Dacron-cuffed CRI in hemodialysis. Meta-analysis of risk factors for a Dacron-cuffed CRI in hemodialysis and publication bias test were performed using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: After screening, 13 literatures involving a Dacron-cuffed CRI were included, with a total of 625 patients, and the infection rate was 11.7%. The combined OR value and 95% confidence interval (CI) of all factors were: Combined with Diabetes (1.94, 1.51 ~ 2.50), Hb (1.82, 1.35 ~ 2.44), age (2.38, 1.06 ~ 5.34), catheter indwelling time (1.79, 1.21 ~ 2.66), serum albumin (2.26, 1.25 ~ 4.08), catheter indwelling site (3.29, 1.74 ~ 6.23) and the number of tube placement (5.40, 2.65 ~ 11.02). CONCLUSIONS: The main risk factors for a Dacron-cuffed CRI in hemodialysis were combined with diabetes, hemoglobin level, age, catheter indwelling time, serum albumin level, femoral vein catheter indwelling and catheterization times. In other words, hemodialysis patients are at higher risk of CRI if they have diabetes, or if they have a lower hemoglobin level, or if they are older, or if they have a longer duration of catheterization, or if they have a lower serum albumin level, or if they have a femoral vein catheter, or if they have more catheters.

Teaghrelin protected dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease animal model by promoting PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1-α-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, a common cellular hallmark in both familial and sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease (PD), is assumed to play a significant role in pathologic development and progression of the disease. Teaghrelin, a unique bioactive compound in some oolong tea varieties, has been demonstrated to protect SH-SY5Y cells against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium induced neurotoxicity by binding to the ghrelin receptor to activate the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway. In this study, an animal model was established using a neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a byproduct of a prohibited drug, to evaluate the oral efficacy of teaghrelin on PD by monitoring motor dysfunction of mice in open field, pole, and bean walking tests. The results showed that MPTP-induced motor dysfunction of mice was significantly attenuated by teaghrelin supplementation. Tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter protein were found reduced in the striatum and midbrain of MPTP-treated mice, and significantly mitigated by teaghrelin supplementation. Furthermore, teaghrelin administration enhanced mitophagy and mitochondria biogenesis, which maintained cell homeostasis and prevented the accumulation of αSyn and apoptosis-related proteins. It seemed that teaghrelin protected dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-treated mice by increasing PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α-mediated mitochondria biogenesis, highlighting its potential therapeutic role in maintaining dopaminergic neurons function in PD. Mitochondrial dysfunction, a common cellular hallmark in both familial and sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease (PD), is assumed to play a significant role in pathologic development and progression of the disease. Teaghrelin, a unique bioactive compound in some oolong tea varieties, has been demonstrated to protect SH-SY5Y cells against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium induced neurotoxicity by binding to the ghrelin receptor to activate the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway. In this study, an animal model was established using a neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a byproduct of a prohibited drug, to evaluate the oral efficacy of teaghrelin on PD by monitoring motor dysfunction of mice in open field, pole, and bean walking tests. The results showed that MPTP-induced motor dysfunction of mice was significantly attenuated by teaghrelin supplementation. Tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter protein were found reduced in the striatum and midbrain of MPTP-treated mice, and significantly mitigated by teaghrelin supplementation. Furthermore, teaghrelin administration enhanced mitophagy and mitochondria biogenesis, which maintained cell homeostasis and prevented the accumulation of αSyn and apoptosis-related proteins. It seemed that teaghrelin protected dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-treated mice by increasing PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α-mediated mitochondria biogenesis, highlighting its potential therapeutic role in maintaining dopaminergic neurons function in PD.

Unveiling the methionine cycle: a key metabolic signature and NR4A2 as a methionine-responsive oncogene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a deadly malignancy with notable metabolic reprogramming, yet the pivotal metabolic feature driving ESCC progression remains elusive. Here, we show that methionine cycle exhibits robust activation in ESCC and is reversely associated with patient survival. ESCC cells readily harness exogenous methionine to generate S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM), thus promoting cell proliferation. Mechanistically, methionine augments METTL3-mediated RNA m6A methylation through SAM and revises gene expression. Integrative omics analysis highlights the potent influence of methionine/SAM on NR4A2 expression in a tumor-specific manner, mediated by the IGF2BP2-dependent stabilization of methylated NR4A2 mRNA. We demonstrate that NR4A2 facilitates ESCC growth and negatively impacts patient survival. We further identify celecoxib as an effective inhibitor of NR4A2, offering promise as a new anti-ESCC agent. In summary, our findings underscore the active methionine cycle as a critical metabolic characteristic in ESCC, and pinpoint NR4A2 as a novel methionine-responsive oncogene, thereby presenting a compelling target potentially superior to methionine restriction.

WormBase 2024: status and transitioning to Alliance infrastructure.

WormBase has been the major repository and knowledgebase of information about the genome and genetics of C. elegans and other nematodes of experimental interest for over two decades. We have three goals: to keep current with the fast-paced C. elegans research, to provide better integration with other resources, and to be sustainable. Here we discuss the current state of WormBase as well as progress and plans for moving core WormBase infrastructure to the Alliance of Genome Resources (the Alliance). As an Alliance member, WormBase will continue to interact with the C. elegans community, develop new features as needed, and curate key information from the literature and large-scale projects.

Clinical and ultrasound features of 46 children with suppurative osteoarthritis: experience from two centers.

OBJECTIVE: Diagnosing musculoskeletal infections in children is challenging. In recent years, with the advancement of ultrasound technology, high-resolution ultrasound has unique advantages for musculoskeletal children. The aim of this work is to summarize the ultrasonographic and clinical characteristics of children with pyogenic arthritis and osteomyelitis. This study provides a simpler and more effective diagnostic basis for clinical treatment. METHODS: Fifty children with osteomyelitis or arthritis were diagnosed via ultrasound, and the results of the ultrasound diagnosis were compared with those of magnetic resonance imaging and surgery. Clinical and ultrasound characteristics were also analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 50 patients, 46 were confirmed to have suppurative infection by surgical and microbiological examination. Among these 46 patients, 26 were diagnosed with osteomyelitis and 20 had arthritis. The manifestations of osteomyelitis were subperiosteal abscess (15 patients), bone destruction (17 patients), bone marrow abscess (9 patients), and adjacent joint abscess (13 patients). Osteomyelitis mostly affects the long bones of the limbs, femur and humerus (10 and 9 patients, respectively), followed by the ulna, radius, tibia and fibula (one patient each). The manifestations of arthritis were joint pus (20 patients) and joint capsule thickening (20 patients), and hip dislocation (8 patients). All the patients had arthritis involving the hip joint. CONCLUSION: Subperiosteal abscess, bone destruction, and joint abscess with dislocation are ultrasonographic features of pyogenic osteoarthritis. The findings of this work can improve the early diagnosis and differentiation of pyogenic osteoarthritis and provide a reliable basis for treatment.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided lauromacrogol injection for treatment of colorectal cavernous hemangioma: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cavernous hemangioma is a rare vascular malformation resulting in recurrent lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and can be misinterpreted as colitis. Surgical resection is currently the mainstay of treatment, with an emphasis on sphincter preservation. CASE SUMMARY: We present details of two young patients with a history of persistent hematochezia diagnosed with colorectal cavernous hemangioma by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Cavernous hemangioma was relieved by several EUS-guided lauromacrogol injections and the patients achieved favorable clinical prognosis. CONCLUSION: Multiple sequential EUS-guided injections of lauromacrogol is a safe, effective, cost-efficient, and minimally invasive alternative for colorectal cavernous hemangioma.

Long non-coding RNA GATA6-AS1 is mediated by N6-methyladenosine methylation and inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Through experimental research on the biological function of GATA6-AS1, it was confirmed that GATA6-AS1 can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells, suggesting that GATA6-AS1 plays a role as an anti-oncogene in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. Further experiments confirmed that the overexpression of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) inhibited the expression of GATA6-AS1, thereby promoting the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. AIM: To investigate the effects of GATA6-AS1 on the proliferation, invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells and its mechanism of action. METHODS: We used bioinformatics methods to analyze the Cancer Genome Atlas (https://portal.gdc.cancer.gov/. The Cancer Genome Atlas) and download expression data for GATA6-AS1 in gastric cancer tissue and normal tissue. We also constructed a GATA6-AS1 lentivirus overexpression vector which was transfected into gastric cancer cells to investigate its effects on proliferation, migration and invasion, and thereby clarify the expression of GATA6-AS1 in gastric cancer and its biological role in the genesis and development of gastric cancer. Next, we used a database (http://starbase.sysu.edu.cn/starbase2/) to analysis GATA6-AS1 whether by m6A methylation modify regulation and predict the methyltransferases that may methylate GATA6-AS1. Furthermore, RNA immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that GATA6-AS1 was able to bind to the m6A methylation modification enzyme. These data allowed us to clarify the ability of m6A methylase to influence the action of GATA6-AS1 and its role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. RESULTS: Low expression levels of GATA6-AS1 were detected in gastric cancer. We also determined the effects of GATA6-AS1 overexpression on the biological function of gastric cancer cells. GATA6-AS1 had strong binding ability with the m6A demethylase FTO, which was expressed at high levels in gastric cancer and negatively correlated with the expression of GATA6-AS1. Following transfection with siRNA to knock down the expression of FTO, the expression levels of GATA6-AS1 were up-regulated. Finally, the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells were all inhibited following the knockdown of FTO expression. CONCLUSION: During the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, the overexpression of FTO may inhibit the expression of GATA6-AS1, thus promoting the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer.

Advancements in Battery Monitoring: Harnessing Fiber Grating Sensors for Enhanced Performance and Reliability.

Batteries play a crucial role as energy storage devices across various industries. However, achieving high performance often comes at the cost of safety. Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure the safety and reliability of batteries. This paper investigates the advancements in battery monitoring technology, focusing on fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). By examining the factors contributing to battery degradation and the principles of FBGs, this study discusses key aspects of FBG sensing, including mounting locations, monitoring targets, and their correlation with optical signals. While current FBG battery sensing can achieve high measurement accuracies for temperature (0.1 °C), strain (0.1 µÎµ), pressure (0.14 bar), and refractive index (6 × 10-5 RIU), with corresponding sensitivities of 40 pm/°C, 2.2 pm/µÎµ, -0.3 pm/bar, and -18 nm/RIU, respectively, accurately assessing battery health in real time remains a challenge. Traditional methods struggle to provide real-time and precise evaluations by analyzing the microstructure of battery materials or physical phenomena during chemical reactions. Therefore, by summarizing the current state of FBG battery sensing research, it is evident that monitoring battery material properties (e.g., refractive index and gas properties) through FBGs offers a promising solution for real-time and accurate battery health assessment. This paper also delves into the obstacles of battery monitoring, such as standardizing the FBG encapsulation process, decoupling multiple parameters, and controlling costs. Ultimately, the paper highlights the potential of FBG monitoring technology in driving advancements in battery development.

Specific CpG sites methylation is associated with hematotoxicity in low-dose benzene-exposed workers.

Benzene is a broadly used industrial chemicals which causes various hematologic abnormalities in human. Altered DNA methylation has been proposed as epigenetic biomarkers in health risk evaluation of benzene exposure, yet the role of methylation at specific CpG sites in predicting hematological effects remains unclear. In this study, we recruited 120 low-level benzene-exposed and 101 control male workers from a petrochemical factory in Maoming City, Guangdong Province, China. Urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA) in benzene-exposed workers was 3.40-fold higher than that in control workers (P < 0.001). Benzene-induced hematotoxicity was characterized by reduced white blood cells counts and nuclear division index (NDI), along with an increased DNA damage and urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (all P < 0.05). Methylation levels of TRIM36, MGMT and RASSF1a genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLCs) were quantified by pyrosequencing. CpG site 6 of TRIM36, CpG site 2, 4, 6 of RASSF1a and CpG site 1, 3 of MGMT methylation were recognized as hot CpG sites due to a strong correlation with both internal exposure and hematological effects. Notably, integrating hot CpG sites methylation of multiple genes reveal a higher efficiency in prediction of integrative damage compared to individual genes at hot CpG sites. The negative dose-response relationship between the combined methylation of hot CpG sites in three genes and integrative damage enabled the classification of benzene-exposed individuals into high-risk or low-risk groups using the median cut-off value of the integrative index. Subsequently, a prediction model for integrative damage in benzene-exposed populations was built based on the methylation status of the identified hot CpG sites in the three genes. Taken together, these findings provide a novel insight into application prospect of specific CpG site methylation as epi-biomarkers for health risk assessment of environmental pollutants.