MiR-134-3p targets HMOX1 to inhibit ferroptosis in granulosa cells of sheep follicles.

BACKGROUND: The intricate interplay of gene expression within ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the miRNA regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis during the process of follicle development in lamb GCs. METHODS: Employing transcriptome sequencing, we compared differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) and miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) in GCs from lambs treated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FL) to untreated controls (CL). We further screened differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes and identified potential miRNA regulatory factors. The expression patterns of HMOX1 and miRNAs in GCs were validated using qRT‒PCR and Western blotting. Additionally, we investigated the regulatory effect of oar-miR-134-3p on HMOX1 and its function in ferroptosis through cell transfection and erastin treatment. RESULTS: We identified a total of 4,184 DE-mRNAs and 304 DE-miRNAs. The DE-mRNAs were mainly enriched in ferroptosis, insulin resistance, and the cell cycle. Specifically, we focused on the differential expression of ferroptosis-related genes. Notably, the ferroptosis-related genes HMOX1 and SLC3A2, modulated by DE-miRNAs, were markedly suppressed in FLs. Experimental validation revealed that HMOX1 was significantly downregulated in FL and large follicles, while oar-miR-134-3p was significantly upregulated compared to that in the CLs. HMOX1 expression was regulated by the targeting effect of oar-miR-134-3p. Functional assays further revealed that modulation of oar-miR-134-3p influenced HMOX1 expression and altered cellular responses to ferroptosis induction by erastin. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that oar-miR-134-3p and HMOX1 may be one of the pathways regulating ferroptosis in GCs. This finding provides new clues to understanding the development and regulatory process of follicles.

Whole-body PET tracking of a d-dodecapeptide and its radiotheranostic potential for PD-L1 overexpressing tumors

Peptides that are composed of dextrorotary (d)-amino acids have gained increasing attention as a potential therapeutic class. However, our understanding of the in vivo fate of d-peptides is limited. This highlights the need for whole-body, quantitative tracking of d-peptides to better understand how they interact with the living body. Here, we used mouse models to track the movement of a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-targeting d-dodecapeptide antagonist (DPA) using positron emission tomography (PET). More specifically, we profiled the metabolic routes of [64Cu]DPA and investigated the tumor engagement of [64Cu/68Ga]DPA in mouse models. Our results revealed that intact [64Cu/68Ga]DPA was primarily eliminated by the kidneys and had a notable accumulation in tumors. Moreover, a single dose of [64Cu]DPA effectively delayed tumor growth and improved the survival of mice. Collectively, these results not only deepen our knowledge of the in vivo fate of d-peptides, but also underscore the utility of d-peptides as radiopharmaceuticals.

Acquisition of the L452R mutation in the ACE2-binding interface of Spike protein triggers recent massive expansion of SARS-Cov-2 variants

The recent rise in mutational variants of SARS-CoV-2, especially with changes in the Spike protein, is of significant concern due to the potential ability for these mutations to increase viral infectivity, virulence and/or ability to escape protective antibodies. Here, we investigated genetic variations in a 414-583 amino acid region of the Spike protein, partially encompassing the ACE2 receptor-binding domain (RBD), across a subset of 570 nasopharyngeal samples isolated between April 2020 and February 2021, from Washington, California, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota and Illinois. We found that samples isolated since November have an increased number of amino acid mutations in the region, with L452R being the dominant mutation. This mutation is associated with a recently discovered CAL.20C viral variant from clade 20C, lineage B.1.429, that since November-December 2020 is associated with multiple outbreaks and is undergoing massive expansion across California. In some samples, however, we found a distinct L452R-carrying variant of the virus that, upon detailed analysis of the GISAID database genomes, is also circulating primarily in California, but emerged even more recently. The newly identified variant derives from the clade 20A (lineage B.1.232) and is named CAL.20A. We also found that the SARS-CoV-2 strain that caused the only recorded case of infection in an ape - gorillas in the San Diego Zoo, reported in January 2021 - is CAL.20A. In contrast to CAL.20C that carries two additional to L452R mutations in the Spike protein, L452R is the only mutation found in CAL.20A. According to the phylogenetic analysis, however, emergence of CAL.20C was also specifically triggered by acquisition of the L452R mutation. Further analysis of GISAID-deposited genomes revealed that several independent L452R-carrying lineages have recently emerged across the globe, with over 90% of the isolates reported between December 2020 - February 2021. Taken together, these results indicate that the L452R mutation alone is of significant adaptive value to SARS-CoV-2 and, apparently, the positive selection for this mutation became particularly strong only recently, possibly reflecting viral adaptation to the containment measures or increasing population immunity. While the functional impact of L452R has not yet been extensively evaluated, leucine-452 is positioned in the receptor-binding motif of RBD, in the interface of direct contact with the ACE2 receptor. Its replacement with arginine is predicted to result in both a much stronger binding to the receptor and escape from neutralizing antibodies. If true, this in turn might lead to significantly increased infectivity of the L452R variants, warranting their close surveillance and in-depth functional studies.

Exosomes in bladder cancer: novel biomarkers and targets / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Exosomes are nanometer-sized vesicles that contain various types of biologically active components, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, which vary with the type and physiological state of the cell. In recent years, several studies have showed that exosomes can provide new non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in patients affected by cancers, including bladder cancer (BC), and the lipid bilayer membrane structure makes exosomes as promising delivery vehicles for therapeutic applications. Exosomes have the characteristics of high abundance, high stability, tissue specificity, and wide distribution in body fluids, and are secreted as various types by cells in different states, thereby possessing great potential as biomarkers for BC. Herein, we briefly summarize the functions and roles of exosomes in the occurrence and development of BC and the current progress of research on exosomes in BC, while focusing on potential clinical applications of the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of BC.

Correlation between curative effect and 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with acupuncture for regulating / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the curative effect on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) between acupuncture for regulating @*METHODS@#A total of 231 patients with IBS-D were randomized into an acupuncture group (154 cases) and a western medication group (77 cases) at the ratio of 2 to 1. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to acupoint regimen for regulating @*RESULTS@#After treatment and in follow-up, the total scores of IBS-SSS in the patients of the two groups were all reduced as compared with those before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture for regulating

Bidirectional regulation of acupuncture: a subgroup analysis of multicenter randomized controlled trial of acupuncture with / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture based on a subgroup analysis of multicenter randomized controlled trial of acupuncture with @*METHODS@#A total of 519 patients were included in the analysis, including 137 patients with constipation type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) (92 cases in the acupuncture group and 45 cases in the polyethylene glycol [PEG] group), and 382 patients with diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) (252 cases in the acupuncture group and 130 cases in the pinaverium group). The patients in the acupuncture group were given acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) once every other day, 3 times a week. The patients in the PEG group received polyethylene glycol 4000 powder orally, and the pinaverium group received pinaverium bromide tablets orally. All were treated for 6 weeks. The IBS symptom severity score (IBS-SSS) was assessed at baseline, treatment period (2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment) and 12 weeks of follow-up, and the IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL) score was evaluated at the baseline period, 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up.@*RESULTS@#The total IBS-SSS scores of the two groups of IBS-C patients at 2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment and follow-up of 12 weeks were lower than those in the baseline period (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture with

Environmental monitoring shows SARS-CoV-2 contamination of surfaces in food plants

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has presented new challenges to food manufacturers. In addition to preventing the spread of microbial contamination of food, with SARS-CoV-2, there is an additional focus on preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections in food plant personnel. During the early phase of the pandemic, several large outbreaks of Covid-19 occurred in food manufacturing plants resulting in deaths and economic loss. In March of 2020, we assisted in implementation of environmental monitoring programs for SARS-CoV-2 in 116 food production facilities. All participating facilities had already implemented measures to prevent symptomatic personnel from coming to work. During the study period, from March 17, 2020 to September 3, 2020, 1.23% of the 22,643 environmental samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that infected individuals are actively shedding virus. Virus contamination was commonly found on frequently touched surfaces. Most plants managed to control their environmental contamination when they became aware of the positive findings. Comparisons of the personnel test results to environmental contamination in one plant showed a good correlation between the two. Our work illustrates that environmental monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 can be used as a surrogate for identifying the presence of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic personnel in workplaces and may aid in controlling infection spread. HighlightsO_LIEnvironmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected in food plants C_LIO_LIOut of 22,643 environmental swabs, 278 (1.23%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 C_LIO_LIFrequently touched surfaces had the most contamination C_LIO_LISurface testing for SARS-CoV-2 may indicate presence of asymptomatic carriers C_LI

Exploration on the relationship between acupuncture for mind-regulation and flow theory / 中国针灸

Based on the story of Chinese idiom, (a magical and skilled form of craftsmanship) as the breakthrough point, this paper discusses the both (cook) and the experienced acupuncture practitioner have the same high skills and explores the potential relationship between mind-regulation in treatment with acupuncture and flow theory. It is believed that the skills of ancient acupuncture practitioner in mind-regulation with acupuncture is not only a kind of "Tao" mode, but also a state of "flow". By the discussion on mind-regulation and flow theory, modern people may have more clear recognition on the mind regulation in treatment with acupuncture so as to better determine the therapeutic methods of acupuncture for mind-regulation.

Pancreatogastrostomy vs pancreatojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: An updated meta-analysis of RCTs and our experience.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is one of the most important operations in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. AIM: To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) and pancreaticogastrostomy (PG). METHODS: This meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. All clinical randomized controlled trials, in which patients underwent PD with pancreatico-digestive tract reconstruction via PJ or PG, were included. RESULTS: The search of PubMed, Wanfang Data, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library provided 125 citations. After further analysis, 11 trials were included from nine counties. In all, 909 patients underwent PG and 856 underwent PJ. Meta-analysis showed that pancreatic fistula (PF) was a significantly lower morbidity in the PG group than in the PJ group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-0.86, P = 0.002); however, grades B and C PF was not significantly different between the two groups (OR = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.34-1.09, P = 0.09). Postoperative hemorrhage showed a significantly lower morbidity in the PJ group than in the PG group (OR = 1.47, 95%CI: 1.05-2.06, P = 0.03). Delayed gastric emptying was not significantly different between the two groups (OR = 1.09, 95%CI: 0.83-1.41, P = 0.54). CONCLUSION: There is no difference in the incidence of grades B and C PF between the two groups. However, postoperative bleeding is significantly higher in PG than in PJ. Binding PJ or binding PG is a safe and secure technique according to our decades of experience.

Regulatory Effect of Gandou Decoction on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway in Liver of Wilson Model Copper-loaded Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effect of Gandou decoction (GDD) on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in hepatic tissue of Wilson disease model copper-loaded rats and its potential mechanism. Method: One hundred and fifteen SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group (n=20) and modeling group. Modeling group was given copper sulfate feed (1 g·kg-1·d-1) and 0.185%copper sulfate solution (0.02 mL·g-1·d-1) for 12 weeks after one week's adaptive feeding, so as to build the copper loaded rats model. After modeling, 95 model rats were randomly divided into model group (n=45), which were fed by modeling method for continuously four weeks; GDD group and penicillamine (PCA) group (n=25 per group). GDD group and PCA group were given GDD(0.4 g·kg-1·d-1) and PCA (0.09 g·kg-1·d-1) by gavage for four weeks. The hepatic tissues of rats in each group were removed after final medication for further research:inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry(ICP-AES) was used to detect the content of Cu element in rat livers. Htoxylin eosin(HE) staining was used to detect the pathological changes of rat liver. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of oxidative stress. Western blot was used to detect protein expressions in Wnt/β-catenin of rat livers. Result: Compared with model group, content of Cu element in GDD group was less (PPPβ-catenin, p-glycogen synthase kinase-3β(p-GSK3β),cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) in GDD and PCA group increased, while p-β-catenin, Dishevelled3, GSK3β protein expressions reduced (PConclusion: GDD can relieve liver damage by promoting excessive copper discharge. GDD decoction can promote the compensatory self-healing of the injured liver tissue by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the hepatic tissue of Wilson disease model copper-loaded rats, so as to reduce the therapeutic effect of hepatocellular injury induced by high copper.

Differences in starting points of active phase and labor duration between preterm and full-term primiparae / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective@#To compare the starting points of the active phase of labor and labor duration between preterm and full-term primiparae and to provide evidence for appropriate labor management.@*Methods@#From January 2013 to December 2016, 925 preterm primiparae (preterm group, 28 to 36+6 weeks) and equal number of full-term primiparae (full-term group, 37 to 41+6 weeks) who delivered in Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics were recruited. The starting point of the active labor was defined as the cervical dilatation at the turning point on the cervical dilatation curve where changing from almost flat to the biggest slope. Differences in the starting points and labor duration between the two groups were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using two independent sample t-test, one way analysis of variance and rank-sum test.@*Results@#The duration of the first and second stages [(5.7±2.5) vs (6.8±5.2) h, t=-5.835; (29.9±16.8) vs (34.2±17.2) min, t=-12.637; both P<0.001] and the active phase [M (P95): 1.0 (3.2) vs 1.0 (4.5) h, Z=2.017, P=0.047] of the preterm primiparae were all significantly shorter than those of the full-term primiparae, and the average cervical dilatation rate was significantly accelerated during the active period [M (P5): 6.7 (1.8) vs 5.1 (1.6) cm/h, Z=-2.676, P<0.001]. In the preterm group, women whose starting points of the active phase were at 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm and ≥6 cm of cervical dilatation were 25 (2.7%), 275 (29.7%), 258 (27.9%), 203 (21.9%),109 (11.8%) and 55 (5.9%), respectively. While in the full-term group, women whose starting points of the active phase were at 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm and >6 cm of cervical dilatation were 74 (8.0%), 208 (22.5%), 287 (31.0%), 168 (18.2%), 127 (13.7%) and 61(6.6%), respectively. In the preterm group, the starting points of the active phase at cervical dilatation≤3 cm, ≤4 cm and ≤5 cm accounted for 60.3% (558/925), 82.3% (761/925) and 94.1% (870/925), respectively. In the full-term group, the percentages of the active phase starting at cervical dilatation≤4 cm, ≤5 cm and ≤6 cm were 61.5% (569/925), 79.7% (737/925) and 93.4% (864/925), respectively.@*Conclusions@#Preterm primiparae may experience shorter labor duration and an earlier start of the active phase than full-term primiparae. The routine labor progression model for full-term primiparae should not be applied to preterm primiparae.

Differences in starting points of active phase and labor duration between preterm and full-term primiparae / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective To compare the starting points of the active phase of labor and labor duration between preterm and full-term primiparae and to provide evidence for appropriate labor management. Methods From January 2013 to December 2016, 925 preterm primiparae (preterm group, 28 to 36+6 weeks) and equal number of full-term primiparae (full-term group, 37 to 41+6 weeks) who delivered in Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics were recruited. The starting point of the active labor was defined as the cervical dilatation at the turning point on the cervical dilatation curve where changing from almost flat to the biggest slope. Differences in the starting points and labor duration between the two groups were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using two independent sample t-test, one way analysis of variance and rank-sum test. Results The duration of the first and second stages [(5.7±2.5) vs (6.8±5.2) h, t=－5.835; (29.9±16.8) vs (34.2± 17.2) min, t=－12.637; both P<0.001] and the active phase [M (P95): 1.0 (3.2) vs 1.0 (4.5) h, Z=2.017, P=0.047] of the preterm primiparae were all significantly shorter than those of the full-term primiparae, and the average cervical dilatation rate was significantly accelerated during the active period [M (P5): 6.7 (1.8) vs 5.1 (1.6) cm/h, Z=－2.676, P<0.001]. In the preterm group, women whose starting points of the active phase were at 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm and ≥ 6 cm of cervical dilatation were 25 (2.7%), 275 (29.7%), 258 (27.9%), 203 (21.9%), 109 (11.8%) and 55 (5.9%), respectively. While in the full-term group, women whose starting points of the active phase were at 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm and >6 cm of cervical dilatation were 74 (8.0%), 208 (22.5%), 287 (31.0%), 168 (18.2%), 127 (13.7%) and 61(6.6%), respectively. In the preterm group, the starting points of the active phase at cervical dilatation≤3 cm, ≤4 cm and ≤5 cm accounted for 60.3% (558/925), 82.3% (761/925) and 94.1% (870/925), respectively. In the full-term group, the percentages of the active phase starting at cervical dilatation≤4 cm, ≤5 cm and ≤6 cm were 61.5% (569/925), 79.7% (737/925) and 93.4% (864/925), respectively. Conclusions Preterm primiparae may experience shorter labor duration and an earlier start of the active phase than full-term primiparae. The routine labor progression model for full-term primiparae should not be applied to preterm primiparae.

Whole-genome sequences of 89 Chinese sheep suggest role of RXFP2 in the development of unique horn phenotype as response to semi-feralization.

Background: Animal domestication has been extensively studied, but the process of feralization remains poorly understood. Results: Here, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 99 sheep and identified a primary genetic divergence between 2 heterogeneous populations in the Tibetan Plateau, including 1 semi-feral lineage. Selective sweep and candidate gene analysis revealed local adaptations of these sheep associated with sensory perception, muscle strength, eating habit, mating process, and aggressive behavior. In particular, a horn-related gene, RXFP2, showed signs of rapid evolution specifically in the semi-feral breeds. A unique haplotype and repressed horn-related tissue expression of RXFP2 were correlated with higher horn length, as well as spiral and horizontally extended horn shape. Conclusions: Semi-feralization has an extensive impact on diverse phenotypic traits of sheep. By acquiring features like those of their wild ancestors, semi-feral sheep were able to regain fitness while in frequent contact with wild surroundings and rare human interventions. This study provides a new insight into the evolution of domestic animals when human interventions are no longer dominant.

Correlation of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter gene-linked polymorphic region with lifelong premature ejaculation: Progress in studies / 中华男科学杂志

Premature ejaculation (PE), as one of the most common male sexual dysfunctions, has a serious negative impact on the sexual satisfaction of the patients and their sexual partners. Lifelong PE is a most common type and a current focus of research as well. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease are not yet clear and genetic factors are considered to be closely related to lifelong PE. Studies show that the 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTT) gene plays an important role in the development and progression of lifelong premature ejaculation and the 5-HTT-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) has attracted much attention in recent years. This article presents an overview on the correlation between 5-HTTLPR and lifelong PE.

Acupuncture with regulating mind and spleen for diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome and sleep quality:a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects between acupuncture with regulating mind and spleen and wes-tern medication for diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-one patients were randomly at the ratio of 2 to 1 assigned into an acupuncture group (54 cases) and a western medication group (27 cases). Acupuncture with regulating mind and spleen was applied in the acupuncture group for 6 weeks at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and Taichong (LR 3), once every other day, 3 times a week. Pinaverium bromide tablet was used orally in the western medication group for 6 weeks, 50 mg a time, 3 times a day. IBS symptom severity score (IBS-SSS) were observed before and after 1-week, 6-week treatment. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was applied before and after 6-week treatment. Also, clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three patients dropped out in the acupuncture group, and 1 in the western medication group. Except abdominal distension score after 1-week treatment in the western medication group, single scores and total scores of IBS-SSS apparently reduced in the two groups after 1-week and 6-week treatment (<0.01,<0.05). After 1-week treatment, the abdominal pain score of the acupuncture group was obviously lower than that of the western medication group (<0.05). After 6-week treatment, with abdominal pain relief advantage, other results including the number of pain days, defecation satisfaction,life disturbance degree and total score of the acupuncture group were obviously lower than those of the wes-tern medication group (<0.01,<0.05). After 6-week treatment, the PSQI score and its change before and after treatment in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the western medication group (both<0.05). The relief rate and relief plus obvious effective rate in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the western medication group[51.0% (26/51) vs 19.2% (5/26),<0.01; 64.7% (33/51) vs 34.6% (9/26),<0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Acupuncture with regulating mind and spleen for diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome can more effectively relieve abdominal pain than pinaverium bromide tablet at the early stage. Its total effect and single effects are better at the later stage on abdominal pain, seizure frequency, defecation satisfaction, life disturbance, and sleep quality.</p>

Meta analysis of acupuncture-moxibustion in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture-moxibustion in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome systematically.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical randomized controlled trials on treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with acupuncture-moxibustion were collected. Through retrieval of CNKI (1979 - December of 2011) and VIP (1979- December of 2011), randomized and quasi-randomized controlled clinical trials on treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with control study between acupuncture and sham acupuncture or western medication were included. The test bias risk and quality assessment of each experiment were carried out by two researchers in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0 standard. And RevMan 5.1.6 software was adopted for the Meta analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eleven researches were included with totally 969 patients. Meta analysis shows that the effective rate of the combined methods of acupuncture and moxibustion [RR = 1. 27, 95% CI ( 1.09, 1.49)] is superior to conventional western medication treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture-moxibustion for irritable bowel syndrome is better than the conventional western medication treatment.</p>

[Agreement and repeatability of central corneal thickness measurement using the Pentacam and ultrasound pachymetry].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the agreement and repeatability of the OCULUS Pentacam (a new Scheimpflug-based imaging system) with ultrasound pachymetry in the measurement of central corneal thickness (CCT). METHODS: Central corneal thickness was measured in 112 subjects (112 eyes) separately by two examiners, first using the Pentacam instrument, then using an ultrasonic pachymetry. Measurements were repeated 3 times for each pachymetry. RESULTS: Mean values of CCT for each instrument were (538.63 ± 31.55) µm and (541.02 ± 30.45) µm using the Pentacam and the ultrasonic pachymeter, respectively. The difference is significant between the two instruments (t = -3.414, P = 0.001), the mean value of the difference is (-2.39 ± 7.42) µm. The Bland-Altman Plots displayed relatively good agreement (limits of agreement were -16.93 µm to 12.15 µm) between the two instruments. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the two devices showed high repeatability (Separately 0.86 and 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: The agreement between the Pentacam instrument and the ultrasonic pachymetry was good, and the repeatability was also good for both instruments independently, however it is needed to increase measure times to improve the repeatability of the Pentacam which is a promising new instrument for anterior eye evaluation.

Observation on theraputic effect of five-needle-in-nape acupuncture for treatment of poststroke pesudobulbar paralysis dysphagia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the therapeutic effect of five-needle-in-nape acupuncture treatment and the routine acupuncture treatment for poststroke pesudobulbar paralysis dysphagia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomly divided into a five-needle-in-nape (FNN) group and a routine acupuncture (RA) group (n=30 in each group). Ya-men (GV 15), Tianzhu (BL10), Zhiqiang acupoint (Extra) were needled and the training of swallowing was practiced when needling in FNN group. Lianquan (CV 23), Tongli (HT 5), Zhaohai (KI 6) were needled in RA group. The course of acupuncture treatment consisted of needling once time every day, six times a week for two weeks. The therapeutic effects were evaluated after two courses of acupuncture treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effective rate was 93.3% in FNN group, better than that of 80.0% in RA group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effect in FNN group was better than that of RA group for poststroke pesudobulbar paralysis dysphagia.</p>

Prediction of protein secondary structures with a novel kernel density estimation based classifier.

BACKGROUND: Though prediction of protein secondary structures has been an active research issue in bioinformatics for quite a few years and many approaches have been proposed, a new challenge emerges as the sizes of contemporary protein structure databases continue to grow rapidly. The new challenge concerns how we can effectively exploit all the information implicitly deposited in the protein structure databases and deliver ever-improving prediction accuracy as the databases expand rapidly. FINDINGS: The new challenge is addressed in this article by proposing a predictor designed with a novel kernel density estimation algorithm. One main distinctive feature of the kernel density estimation based approach is that the average execution time taken by the training process is in the order of O(nlogn), where n is the number of instances in the training dataset. In the experiments reported in this article, the proposed predictor delivered an average Q3 (three-state prediction accuracy) score of 80.3% and an average SOV (segment overlap) score of 76.9% for a set of 27 benchmark protein chains extracted from the EVA server that are longer than 100 residues. CONCLUSION: The experimental results reported in this article reveal that we can continue to achieve higher prediction accuracy of protein secondary structures by effectively exploiting the structural information deposited in fast-growing protein structure databases. In this respect, the kernel density estimation based approach enjoys a distinctive advantage with its low time complexity for carrying out the training process.

Discovering gapped binding sites of yeast transcription factors.

A gapped transcription factor-binding site (TFBS) contains one or more highly degenerate positions. Discovering gapped motifs is difficult, because allowing highly degenerate positions in a motif greatly enlarges the search space and complicates the discovery process. Here, we propose a method for discovering TFBSs, especially gapped motifs. We use ChIP-chip data to judge the binding strength of a TF to a putative target promoter and use orthologous sequences from related species to judge the degree of evolutionary conservation of a predicted TFBS. Candidate motifs are constructed by growing compact motif blocks and by concatenating two candidate blocks, allowing 0-15 degenerate positions in between. The resultant patterns are statistically evaluated for their ability to distinguish between target and nontarget genes. Then, a position-based ranking procedure is proposed to enhance the signals of true motifs by collecting position concurrences. Empirical tests on 32 known yeast TFBSs show that the method is highly accurate in identifying gapped motifs, outperforming current methods, and it also works well on ungapped motifs. Predictions on additional 54 TFs successfully discover 11 gapped and 38 ungapped motifs supported by literature. Our method achieves high sensitivity and specificity for predicting experimentally verified TFBSs.