[Effects of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on myocardial work and prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: To investigate the influence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on myocardial work and prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Patients with complete follow-up data diagnosed with AMI who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University due to chest pain within 24 hours attacks from February 2020 to January 2022 were retrospective enrolled in the study and were split into two groups based on sleep apnea hypoventilation index (AHI): OSAS group (AHI≥5/h) and non-OSAS group (AHI<5/h). Follow up for (12.4±0.1) months. There were finally 210 AMI patients including 130 males and 80 females with (69.6±9.4) years, ranging from 36 to 83 years. The general characteristics, haematological index, echocardiographic parameters, myocardial work (MW) and the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in 1 year between the two groups were quantified. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess the risk of MACE in patients with AMI. Results: There were 50 cases in the OSAS group and 160 cases in the non-OSAS group. Compared with the non-OSAS group, OSAS group demonstrated higher BMI,neck circumference, Killip grade,GRACE score,ESS score,SYNTAX score, the number of diseased vessels and higher prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking history. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There were also statistically significant differences in sleep study result and hematological indexesof of cTnT, NT-ProBNP, and creatinine between the two groups (P<0.05). The general work index (GWI) of the OSAS group was lower than that of the non-OSAS group [(870.1±435.6) vs (1 005.0±313.6) mmHg% (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.017]; The general myocardial active work (GCW) of the OSAS group was lower than that of the non-OSAS group [(1 046.7±472.2) vs (1 262.7±274.9) mmHg%, P=0.003]; The general work efficiency (GWE) of the OSAS group was lower than that of the non-OSAS group [(79.8±14.2)% vs (84.5±5.8)%, P=0.001]; The general reactive power (GWW) of the OSAS group was higher than that of the non-OSAS group [(312.2±163.2) vs (264.0±85.1) mmHg%, P=0.007]. There were 10 cases (20.0%) of MACE in the OSAS group and 13 cases (8.1%) in the non OSAS group, with a statistically significant difference (P=0.001).The combination of decreased OSAS (OR=4.039, 95%CI: 1.159-6.918), decreased myocardial work, including GCW [OR=0.850 (95%CI: 0.742-0.958)], GWE [OR=0.871 (95%CI: 0.818-0.924)], GWI (OR=0.862, 95%CI: 0.732-0.991), increased GWW (OR=2.425, 95%CI: 1.482-3.368), and increased GRACE score (OR=3.775, 95%CI: 2.314-5.236) increased the risk of MACE in AMI patients (all P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting MACE in AMI using OSAS+myocardial work+GRACE score was 0.779 (95%CI: 0.717-0.834), with a sensitivity of 65.2% and a specificity of 84.5%. After the combination of the three, there were statistically significant differences compared to the AUC of combined OSAS, GRACE score, and myocardial work (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The MW of AMI patients with OSAS decreased compared to those without OSAS. The combination of OSAS and MW can improve the predictive value of MACE in patients with AMI.

PRC1 plays an important role in lung adenocarcinoma and is potentially targeted by fostamatinib.

OBJECTIVE: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1) plays a role in the tumorigenesis and development of several cancers, including LUAD. The aim of the present study is to assess the characteristics of PRC1 in LUAD in order to find a potential drug that targets PRC1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the prognostic value of PRC1 in patients with LUAD using Cox analysis of the RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) portal. A link between PRC1 and LUAD progression, cigarette smoking mutation count, aneuploidy, and hypoxia scores was assessed. The relationship between PRC1 and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in LUAD was analyzed and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to study the PRC1-related biological process and signal pathways. Potential drugs targeting PRC1 were identified using DrugBank database and molecular docking. RESULTS: PRC1 expression was significantly increased in LUAD. PRC1 could be, therefore, a prognostic biomarker for predicting overall survival in LUAD. PRC1 expression was also related to cancer stage and patient's smoking history. PRC1 positively correlated with mutation count, aneuploidy and hypoxia scores. It was also significantly related to tumor-infiltrating immune cells, especially the activated mast cells. GSEA revealed that PRC1 might be correlated with cell cycle, cytokinesis and p53 signaling pathway. Additionally, fostamatinib was found to be a potential drug targeting PRC1. CONCLUSIONS: PRC1 may have a prognostic value for patients with LUAD, and be correlated with the mutation count, aneuploidy, hypoxia and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Fostamatinib was found to be a potential drug targeting PRC1 in LUAD.

[Predictive value of prognostic inflammatory and tumor score in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma].

Objective: To compare and analyze the predictive value of different inflammatory factors and tumor markers in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and to develop a new and effective preoperative prognostic scoring system. Methods: 102 and 72 cases with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent radical surgery in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University were selected as the experimental group and the validation group, respectively. Clinicopathological and follow-up data were collected. Cox proportional-hazards model was used to analyze the predictive value of different prognostic markers. The relationship between prognostic markers and clinicopathological data was analyzed by rank sum test, χ2 or Fisher's exact test. Results: Among the direct inflammatory factors, tumor markers and combined inflammatory factors, prognostic inflammatory index (PII), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and systemic inflammation score (SIS) were the most significant predictive factors for postoperative survival outcomes in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The prognostic inflammatory and tumor score (PITS) was proposed as a new prognostic scoring system for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. PII and CA19-9 were included into the scoring criteria for prognostic stratification of patients. PITS was an independent predictor of tumor-free survival and overall survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Patients with high-grade PITS had later tumor grade and higher frequency of vascular invasion. Conclusion: PITS is highly effective prognostic scoring system for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In addition, PITS is recommended for preoperative prognostic stratification in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

[The status and health risk assessment of dietary fipronil contamination among 20 provinces of China].

Objective: To understand the status and health risk assessment of dietary fipronil contamination among 20 provinces of China. Methods: A total of 13 kinds of dietary samples in Chinese total diet study include cereals, legumes, potatoes, meats, eggs, aquatics, dairies, vegetables, fruits, sugars, beverages and water, alcohols, condiments and their corresponding products. Among them, condiments were used in the preparation of 12 other sample categories; thus, the actual mixed dietary samples of each province covered 12 groups. A total of 240 mixed dietary samples were collected from 20 provinces in China from 2009 to 2013. After the sample extraction and cleanup, dietary samples were analyzed for the residues of fipronil and its metabolites to obtain the contamination levels of fipronil residues using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. The dietary intake of adult residents was estimated based on food consumption of general population of China. Results: Among the 240 dietary samples, the detection rate of fipronil was 10.4% (25 samples), and the detection rates of fipronil metabolites, i.e. fipronil desulfinyl, fipronil sulfone and fipronil sulfide were 20.4% (49 samples), 40.0% (96 samples) and 8.8% (21 samples), respectively. According to the dietary exposure analysis, the average lower and upper dietary exposure levels of fipronil residues in adult residents of China were 11.34 and 12.35 ng·kg(-1)·d(-1), accounting for 5.7% and 6.2% of acceptable daily intake (ADI), respectively. The highest adult dietary intake of fipronil residues was found in Hunan province, with a value of 72.98 ng·kg(-1)·d(-1), accounting for 36.5% of ADI. Vegetables were the main dietary source of fipronil residues, which contributed to 71.0% of the total intake dose. Conclusion: Fipronil residues were detected in varying degrees in dietary samples, yet the health risk caused by the dietary intake of adult residents among 20 provinces of China is low.

[Associations of parental thalassemia with preterm birth and low birth weight].

Objective: To investigate the association between the preterm birth and low birth weight and parental thalassemia. Methods: Pregnant women and their husbands receiving prenatal examination in local hospitals or maternal and child health centers in Jingxi and Debao in Guangxi from January to December 2017 were selected as study subjects. A total of 758 pregnant women with pregnancy outcomes and their husbands, who were both or alone diagnosed with thalassemia through thalassemia gene detection, were selected as case group and 758 pregnant women with pregnancy outcomes and their husbands, who were negative in thalassemia gene detection and hemoglobin electrophoresis test were selected as control groups. The case group were further divided into mother group, father group and both mother and farther group. Clinical and pregnancy outcome data of the study subjects were collected for the analysis on the association between parental thalassaemia and preterm birth or low birth weight by the independent sample t test, χ(2) test and Cox regression analysis. Results: The incidence of preterm birth in case group and control group was about 6.5% and 1.6% and the incidence of low birth weight in case group and control group was about 7.3% and 0.8%. After adjusting for possible confounding factors, Cox regression analysis results showed that mother suffering from thalassemia (aRR=3.45, 95%CI: 1.35-8.81, P=0.010), fathers suffering from thalassemia (aRR=4.93, 95%CI: 2.16-11.21, P<0.001) and both mother and farther suffering from thalassemia (aRR=5.13, 95%CI: 2.62-10.04, P<0.001) were associated with preterm birth. Mother suffering from thalassemia (aRR=12.98, 95%CI: 4.91-34.30, P<0.001), fathers suffering from thalassemia (aRR=9.40, 95%CI: 3.40-25.95, P<0.001) and both mother and farther suffering from thalassemia (aRR=10.74, 95%CI: 4.44-26.00, P<0.001) were associated with low birth weight. The newborn whose parent all suffered from thalassemia had higher risks for preterm birth (χ(2)=22.72, P<0.001)and low birth weight (χ(2)=34.03, P<0.001) compared with those only with mother or father suffering from thalassemia. Conclusion: Parental thalassaemia, including both sides and single side, might increase the risks of preterm birth and low birth weight for newborn, and the risks might be higher in newborn with both mother and father suffering from thalassaemia.

Role of flow of information in the speedup of quantum evolution.

Quantum evolution can be accelerated in a non-Markovian environment. Previous results show that the formation of a system-environment bound state governs the quantum speedup. Although a stronger bound state in the system-environment spectrum may seem like it should cause greater speed of evolution, this seemingly intuitive thinking may not always be correct. We illustrate this by investigating a classical-driven qubit interacting with a photonic crystal waveguide in the presence of a mirror, resulting in non-Markovian dynamics for the system. Within the considered model, we show the influence of the mirror and the classical field on the evolution speed of the system. In particular, we find that the formation of a bound state is not the essential reason for the acceleration of evolution. The quantum speedup is attributed to the flow of information, regardless of the direction in which the information flows. Our conclusion can also be used in other non-Markovian environments.

[Evaluation of hepatitis C virus infection based on big data of hospital].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by survey methods based on big data of hospital. Methods: Inpatients data of anti-HCV was collected in 2016 and 2011. Patient's data related to Department of Liver Diseases were excluded. The research population was divided into Surgical and Non-surgical Department. The characteristics of the two groups were analyzed and the changing trends of anti -HCV positive rate in different years was compared and analyzed. Results: Patients in the surgical and non-surgical department of hospital were equally distributed across gender, urban and rural areas, and region, but the distribution of patients in surgical departments were relatively equal in all age groups. The positive rate of anti -HCV in hospitalized patients in 2016 was 0.82%, and anti -HCV positive rate was 0.58% in surgical department of 1~55 years old. Among them, anti-HCV was positive in 0.06% who underwent surgical procedure at the age of ≤25 (born after 1993 and screened for hepatitis C antibody), which was significantly lower than those in other age groups were. The anti -HCV positive rate of patients (all age groups) was lower in 2016 than that in 2011(0.75% vs. 0.97%). The anti-HCV positive rates of surgical department in both years had a decreasing trend with age. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of anti-HCV, among patients population of operation departments, might reflect the prevalence rate of HCV infection among general population. Using the convenience of hospital data acquisition, we might dynamically understand the change of HCV infection.

[Sampling Survey of the Relationship Between Acute Mountain Sickness and Mental Health of Officers and soldiers].

Objective: To sample survey the relationship between acute mountain sickness and mental health of officers and soldiers, so as to provide theoretical direction for the psychological prevent and counsel of them. Methods: In May 2017, 61 officers and soldiers were selectedas subject investigated, and divided to AMS group included 35 persons and non-AMS group included 26 persons according to the finding of theAMS symptom division point table, then used symptom self-testing tableto test and evaluate the mental health of them. Results: The AMS group showed significantly higher scores on the psychological parameters such as omatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, phobicanxiety, parnoid ideation and so on (105.20±13.82, 1.37±0.26, 1.14±0.21, 1.16±0.19, 1.16±0.18, 1.06±0.11, 1.10±0.17, 1.22±0.19, P<0.05) . Conclusion: The mental factors of omatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety, parnoid ideation and so on had great influence on AMS, we should pay attention to these factors and carry on mental intervention, and enhance anti-stress ability of individual, to ensure the successful completion of plateau military mission.

Effect of mannose on the lung function of rats with acute pancreatitis.

The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which mannose protects the lung injury induced in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP). An AP combined with Acute Lung Injury (ALI) model was established. A total of 90 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (300±50g weight) were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group (SO group), severe acute pancreatitis lung injury group (SAP group), and mannose intervention group (MT group). Subsequently, each group was divided into two subgroups based on the time passed from intervention, namely 6 and 12 h. Each subgroup comprised 15 rats. The ratio of wet/dry weight of the lung tissue exhibited no significant change at different time points in the SO group. This parameter was significantly increased in the SAP group compared with the SO group at each time point of the treatment (P less than 0.05) and it was significantly lower in the MT group than that in the AP group (P less than 0.05) and it was significantly increased in the AP group at each time (P less than 0.05) compared with the SO group. The levels of TNF-α in the lung tissue in the SO group exhibited no significant change at different time points, but they were significantly decreased in the MT group at each time point (P less than 0.05) compared with the SAP group. The mannose receptor (MR) mRNA and protein levels in the lung tissues exhibited no significant change at different time points. The mRNA and protein levels of MR in the SAP group were significantly decreased at each time point (P less than 0.05) compared with the SO group. The mRNA and protein levels of MR, in the lung tissue of the MT group were significantly increased at each time point compared with the SAP group (P less than 0.05). Mannose could reduce the injury caused to the lung tissue of rats with severe acute pancreatitis by up-regulation of the expression of MR mRNA and protein.

[A real-world study of paritaprevir/ritonavir-ombitasvir combined with dasabuvir in the treatment of genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C].

Objective: To recognize the efficacy and safety of paritaprevir/ritonavir-ombitasvir combined with dasabuvir (OBV/PTV/RTV+DSV) in the treatment of genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Patients with genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C who were admitted to the People's Hospital of Henan Province, Huashan Hospital of Shanghai and the Fifth Medical Center of the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army of China between November 2017 to August 2018 were enlisted. All patients received OBV/PTV/RTV+DSV antiviral therapy. HCV RNA levels were measured at baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, and 24, then 12 weeks, and 24 weeks after completion of treatment; patients' comorbidity, concomitant medications, and clinical adverse events were recorded. Results: 108 patients were enrolled in the study, with an average age of 49.1 years, 44 patients were male (40.8%), 96.3% (104/108) were newly diagnosed, and four patients had previous treatment history, of whom three were treated with IFN and one with IFN + DAA. Ninety-eight cases completed 12 weeks treatment and 89 cases were in follow up for 12 weeks, after discontinuation of the drug. Overall, 89 cases (100%) achieved SVR12.One patient treated with PR and DAA had HCV RNA level of 869175 IU/mL at 4 weeks of treatment, which was significantly higher than the baseline HCV RNA level (301776IU/ML), and was judged as failure of treatment; and follow-up was discontinued. Of all enrolled patients, 19 (17.6%) had underlying diseases and 15 (13.9%) had combined medications. During treatment, adverse events (AE) occurred in 11 patients (10.1%). The main adverse events were pruritus and elevated bilirubin. Conclusion: Combined antiviral therapy (OBV/PTV/RTV+DSV) of 12 weeks are highly effective with good safety profile in the treatment of Chinese patients with genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C.

[The contamination and dietary exposure analysis for seven mycotoxins in the Fifth Chinese Total Diet Study].

Objective: To investigate the contamination levels and dietary intakes of seven mycotoxins in Chinese diets. Methods: In Chinese Total Diet Study, food aggregation was based on the food consumption of local residents, thus generating the sampling scheme. According to the sampling scheme, the food items were sampled at three survey points in each province and then mixed in the same proportion. The mixed dietary samples were prepared after being cooked and processed. The samples comprised of 13 categories of food: cereals, beans, potatoes, meat, eggs, aquatic products, milk, vegetables, fruits, saccharides, beverages and drinking water, alcohol, and condiments. Condiments were used in cooking, so there were in total 12 varieties of samples for determination. Altogether, the study included 240 mixed dietary samples from 20 provinces with 12 varieties. The contamination levels of the seven mycotoxins, including sterigmatocystin (SMC), citrinin (CIT), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), moniliformin (MON), gliotoxin (GLIO), mycophenolateacid (MPA) and verruculogen (Verru), were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS method, and dietary intakes of residents were estimated as well. Results: Among the detected seven mycotoxins, MPA,GLIO and Verru were not detected. The content range of CPA in beans was 0.47-1.57 µg/kg and in alcohol was 0.19-2.26 µg/kg, and the detection rate of CPA was 7.1% (17/240). The content of SMC in aquatic products of Guangxi, in saccharides of Beijing, and in beverages of Liaoning was 2.88 µg/kg, 0.01 µg/kg, and 0.53 µg/kg, respectively. The content range of SMC in aquatic products was 0.70-1.76 µg/kg, and the detection rate was 2.9% (7/240). In addition, the content of CIT in fruit of Sichuan was 5.31 µg/kg, and the content of MON in milk of Jilin was 3.60 µg/kg. According to the dietary exposure analysis, the exposure levels of the seven mycotoxins in China's general population were low. MPA, GLIO and Verru were not detected, and the exposure range of the other four mycotoxins were 0.000-8.132 (CIT), 0.000-27.448 (SMC), 0.000-3.026 (CPA), and 0.000-62.847 ng·kg(-1)·d(-1) (MON), respectively. Conclusion: In the detected seven mycotoxins, CPA, SMC, CIT and MON were detected only in the individual diet in some areas with a low dietary exposure level. However, the contamination level of CPA in alcohol merits attention.

Expression and clinical significance of rhubarb on serum amylase and TNF-alpha of rat model of acute pancreatitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of rhubarb extract on acute pancreatitis. Ninety-six healthy Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 301±5.12 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham surgery (group A), acute pancreatitis model (group B), acute pancreatitis with normal saline (group C), and acute pancreatitis model with rhubarb (group D). The levels of serum amylase (AMY) and TNF-α were measured at 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hour after modeling, and the pancreatic tissue were used to observe the pathologic changes. Compared to the sham group, the serum AMY and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) levels were significantly increased in the other groups (p <0.05). Compared to the model group and the saline group, the serum AMY, serum TNF-α level and pathological changes of rats in the rhubarb group were significantly lower (p <0.05). The serum AMY and TNF-α levels increased in acute pancreatitis. The rhubarb reduced the serum AMY and TNF-α level in rats with acute pancreatitis and reduced the pathological changes of pancreas and other tissues.

High efficacy and safety of low-dose CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy in 51 refractory or relapsed B acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.

Refractory or relapsed B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients have a dismal outcome with current therapy. We treated 42 primary refractory/hematological relapsed (R/R) and 9 refractory minimal residual disease by flow cytometry (FCM-MRD+) B-ALL patients with optimized second generation CD19-directed CAR-T cells. The CAR-T-cell infusion dosages were initially ranged from 0.05 to 14 × 105/kg and were eventually settled at 1 × 105/kg for the most recent 20 cases. 36/40 (90%) evaluated R/R patients achieved complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi), and 9/9 (100%) FCM-MRD+ patients achieved MRD-. All of the most recent 20 patients achieved CR/CRi. Most cases only experienced mild to moderate CRS. 8/51 cases had seizures that were relieved by early intervention. Twenty three of twenty seven CR/CRi patients bridged to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) remained in MRD- with a median follow-up time of 206 (45-427) days, whereas 9 of 18 CR/CRi patients without allo-HCT relapsed. Our results indicate that a low CAR-T-cell dosage of 1 × 105/kg, is effective and safe for treating refractory or relapsed B-ALL, and subsequent allo-HCT could further reduce the relapse rate.

The effect of chronic ammonia exposure on acute-phase proteins, immunoglobulin, and cytokines in laying hens.

Ammonia (NH3) is a potential health hazard to both humans and animals, causing local and systemic low-grade inflammation based on its levels and exposure durations. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of 45 wk of exposure to 30 ppm NH3 on the concentrations of acute-phase proteins, immunoglobulins, and cytokines in laying hens. At 18 wk of age, a group of Hy-Line W-36 hens was randomly assigned to 4-hen cages. These cages were evenly divided between 2 environmentally controlled chambers. At 25 wk of age, one chamber was maintained continuously with fresh air (NH3 < 5 ppm; control group) and the other one was injected with NH3 and controlled at 30 ppm (NH3 group) for 45 wk. At 70 wk of age, blood and spleen samples (n = 8 per treatment) were collected for analyses of immunological parameters. No significant differences were observed in plasma levels of albumin, complement components (C)-3 and C-4, immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgA and IgG, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, or interferon gamma in the NH3 group compared to control group. Compared to control hens, NH3 exposed hens had higher plasma levels of α-1-acid glycoprotein (24%) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (54%) and higher mRNA expression of IL-1ß (47%) and IL-6 (62.5%) in the spleen. These results indicated that hens may have the capability to adapt to chronic effects of moderate levels of NH3. Future studies should explore acute effects of NH3 at higher levels on hen health and welfare.

Long-Term Outcome of Tubridge Flow Diverter(S) in Treating Large Vertebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysms-A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The experience of flow diverters (FDs) in treating large vertebral artery-dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) is still limited. This study was conducted to present our long-term outcome of VADAs treated with a Tubridge flow diverter (TFD), a new device developed in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and angiographic data of six patients harboring large VADAs and treated with TFDs were prospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of nine TFDs were successfully implanted in six patients. Angiographic follow-up images were available for all patients at a median of 26.0 (18.5, 37.5) months after treatment. Five of the six VADAs were completely occluded, and the last was improved (near complete occlusion). In-stent stenosis was detected in one case and was handled appropriately by angioplasty and stenting. All covered branches and parent arteries remained patent. There were no complications or new neurological deficits observed in any of the patients. At the latest clinical follow-up (36.5 (26.0, 44.5) months), all patients achieved 0 in the modified Rankin scale score. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience suggests that the Tubridge flow diverter might be an alternative treatment for large and recurrent dissecting aneurysms derived from the vertebral artery.

Relationship between quantum speed limit time and memory time in a photonic-band-gap environment.

Non-Markovian effect is found to be able to decrease the quantum speed limit (QSL) time, and hence to enhance the intrinsic speed of quantum evolution. Although a reservoir with larger degree of non-Markovianity may seem like it should cause smaller QSL times, this seemingly intuitive thinking may not always be true. We illustrate this by investigating the QSL time of a qubit that is coupled to a two-band photonic-band-gap (PBG) environment. We show how the QSL time is influenced by the coherent property of the reservoir and the band-gap width. In particular, we find that the decrease of the QSL time is not attributed to the increasing non-Markovianity, while the memory time of the environment can be seen as an essential reflection to the QSL time. So, the QSL time provides a further insight and sharper identification of memory time in a PBG environment. We also discuss a feasible experimental realization of our prediction.

[Distribution and compensation mechanism of aberrations between anterior and posterior surface of the cornea in myopia and myopic astigmatism eyes].

Objective: To study the compensation mechanism of aberrations between anterior and posterior corneal surface, and to investigate the correlations between corneal aberrations and K values, intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness. Methods: One hundred and sixty-one subjects (300 eyes) with myopia and myopic astigmatism were recruited randomly. Corneal aberrations (anterior, posterior and total) in three different optical zones (2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm) centered on the corneal vertex were assessed with a corneal topographer (Sirius). We also calculated compensation factors (CFs) as a measure of the relative efficiency of the aberration compensation mechanism. Astigmatism was divided into corneal astigmatism and non-corneal astigmatism. Mann-Whitney U test was utilized for the comparison of different aberrations and CFs between the two astigmatism groups. Spearman correlation was applied to analyze the correlations between corneal aberrations and K values, intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness. Results: As the order of the aberrations elevated from the second to the seventh, the RMS values decreased significantly. The larger the optical zone, the greater the values of aberrations and the lower the percentage of the compensation mechanism among all the Zernike terms. At the same time, as the order of the aberrations increased, the predominance of the compensation mechanism was increasingly obvious. Slight compensation of spherical aberration (Z40) was observed in the peripheral. In the center of the analyzing zones (2 mm), compensation mechanism represented in coma (Z3±1), and it disappeared in the peripheral. We detected slight compensation of the corneal astigmatism (Z2±2) in the surrounding zone, although the compensation factors were closed to zero in diverse optical zones. Superposition was found in trefoil (Z3±3) straightly. Nevertheless, a tendency towards compensation was discovered with the enlargement of the optical zones. And the secondary spherical aberration (Z60) behaved compensation continuously. However, similar compensation was discovered between the right eye and left eye in different analyzing optical zones. There were significant correlations between the flattest K values and Z2±2, Z3±3and Z40 in the anterior, posterior and total cornea. It was similar with the steepest K values. When the optical zone expanded to 6 mm, Z3±1 and Z40 significantly decreased with intraocular pressure (rcoma=-0.188, P<0.05. rspherical=-0.147, P<0.05). No correlation was found between various aberrations and central corneal thickness (P>0.05). Conclusions: Compensation dominated in the corneal center, while the percentage decreased gradually as the optical zone extended. Slight compensation in astigmatism and spherical aberration between the anterior and posterior cornea may be benificial to the scotopic visual quality. Corneal aberrations were significantly related to K values and intraocular pressure. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 840-849).

[Comparison of the anterior corneal asphericity after small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the anterior corneal asphericity after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK). METHODS: In this case-control study, 45 subjects who underwent SMILE operation comprised the study group, and 33 subjects with FS-LASIK operation comprised the control group. The asphericity coefficient Q-value of the right eyes in both groups was measured at diameters of 6, 7, 8 and 9 mm, respectively, before surgery and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 6 months following surgery. The correlation between the variation of Q-value and the central cutting depth was analyzed. RESULTS: The Q-value of anterior corneal surface was 0.85 ± 0.31, 0.80±0.28, 0.69±0.25 and 0.51±0.23 after SMILE, and 1.13±0.56, 1.01±0.47, 0.80±0.39 and 0.51±0.31 after FS-LASIK at 1 week. In both groups, the Q-value was significantly different before and after surgery(P< 0.05); there were interaction effects between the operation method and time; the difference between the two groups at 6-mm and 7-mm diameters was statistically significant(P<0.05). The variation of the Q-value before and after operation(ΔQ)showed significant difference(P6mm=0.004, P7mm=0.014)between the two groups at 6-mm and 7-mm diameters. The cap diameter of the SMILE group was smaller than that of the FS-LASIK group, but the cutting depth was larger. There was no correlation between ΔQ and the cap/disc diameter. It showed a linear relationship(P<0.05)between ΔQ and the central cutting depth at all examined diameters in the two groups, and the relation degree in the FS-LASIK group was superior to the SMILE group. CONCLUSIONS: Both SMILE and FS-LASIK operations can change the negative Q-value of the anterior corneal surface to the positive. The impact of SMILE on the asphericity is smaller than that of FS-LASIK. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 681-685).