[Effects of different types of intraocular lens implantation on patient's visual quality and function after phacoemulsification].

Objective: To explore the effects of different types of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation on patient's visual quality and function after phacoemulsification. Methods: The clinical data of patients with monocular cataract who underwent phacoemulsification in the Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University between December 2021 and May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the types of IOL, the patients were divided into monofocal group, bifocal group and depth of focus extension group. Three months later, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UCIVA), best corrected intermediate visual acuity (BCIVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UCNVA) and best corrected near visual acuity (BCNVA) were detected. Contrast sensitivity and total wavefront aberration were measured by visual function analyzer. Satisfaction with visual quality was evaluated by hospital-made satisfaction questionnaire. Results: A total of 92 patients were included, with 31 males and 61 females, and their age was (61.8±5.2) years. There were 43, 28 and 21 cases in monofocal group, bifocal group and depth of focus extension group, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in clinical baseline data among the three groups. UCIVA, UCDVA, BCIVA and BCDVA in depth of focus extension group were 1.01±0.13, 0.92±0.18, 1.21±0.19 and 1.20±0.23, respectively, which were higher than those in monofocal group (0.62±0.12, 0.74±0.13, 1.02±0.17, 1.07±0.19, respectively) and bifocal group (0.67±0.15, 0.78±0.14, 1.01±0.16, 1.01±0.18, respectively), while absolute value of spherical equivalent [(-0.42±0.07) D] was lower than that in the other two groups [ (-0.49±0.05) D and (-0.45±0.08) D] (both P<0.05). UCNVA and BCNVA in bifocal group were 0.91±0.18 and 1.25±0.18, which were higher than those in depth of focus extension group (0.63±0.24 and 1.19±0.17) (both P<0.05). There were no significant differences in contrast sensitivity among the three groups under day vision or between monofocal group and bifocal group under night vision (all P>0.05), but the contrast sensitivity was higher in depth of focus extension group under night vision (3.0, 6.0, 12.0 c/d) than other two groups (all P<0.05). The score of ocular discomfort was the highest in bifocal group, followed by depth of focus extension group and monofocal group (both P<0.05). The score of visual interference in bifocal group was lower than that in monofocal group and depth of focus extension group (both P<0.05). The scores of subjective feeling in bifocal group and depth of focus extension group were higher than that in monofocal group (both P<0.05). The reading score was the highest in bifocal group, followed by depth of focus extension group and monofocal group (both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in total low-order aberration among the three groups (P=0.472). The total aberration and higher-order aberration [(0.74±0.35) µm and (0.41±0.12) µm] were the highest in monofocal group, followed by bifocal group [(0.61±0.21) µm and (0.22±0.09) µm] and depth of focus extension group [(0.46±0.13) µm and (0.06±0.09) µm] (all P<0.05). Conclusions: IOL implantation with depth of focus extension can enhance visual range, night vision and contrast sensitivity, and thus effectively improve postoperative visual quality and function in cataract patients. The bifocal IOL can better improve the patient's UCNVA and BCNVA, resulting in high satisfaction with visual quality.

RESOLVE-based radiomics in cervical cancer: improved image quality means better feature reproducibility?

AIM: To compare the reproducibility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)-based radiomic features between readout-segmented echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging (RESOLVE) and single-shot echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging (SS-EPI DWI) in cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The RESOLVE and SS-EPI DWI images of 36 patients with histopathologically confirmed cervical cancer were collected retrospectively. Two observers independently delineated the whole tumour on RESOLVE and SS-EPI DWI, and then copied them to the corresponding ADC maps. Shape, first-order, and texture features were extracted from ADC maps in the original and filtered (Laplacian of Gaussian [LoG] and wavelet) images. Thereafter, 1,316 features were generated in each RESOLVE and SS-EPI DWI, respectively. The reproducibility of radiomic features was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: In the original images, RESOLVE showed 92.86%, 66.67%, and 86.67% of features with excellent reproducibility in shape, first-order, and texture features, while SS-EPI DWI showed 85.71%, 72.22%, and 60% of features with excellent reproducibility, respectively. In the LoG and wavelet filtered images, RESOLVE had 56.77% and 65.32% of features with excellent reproducibility and SS-EPI DWI had 44.95% and 61.96% of features with excellent reproducibility, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared with SS-EPI DWI, the feature reproducibility of RESOLVE was better in cervical cancer, especially for texture features. The filtered images cannot improve the feature reproducibility compared with the original images for both SS-EPI DWI and RESOLVE.

[Relationship between expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and improvement of macular structure in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy].

Objective: To explore the relationship between expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and improvement of macular structure in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. Methods: A before-after study was carried out. A total of 110 patients (110 eyes) with wAMD who were admitted to Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University between August 2019 and December 2021 were enrolled, and all patients were given vitreous injection of anti-VEGF drug (ranibizumab or bevacizumab). The aqueous humor was collected to detect mRNA levels of NLRP3, cysteinyl aspartate specific protease-1 (Caspase-1), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) and interleukin (IL) 1ß by fluorescence quantitative PCR. The levels of IL-1ß, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and VEGF in aqueous humor were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between the above indexes and central macular thickness (CMT) in wAMD patients was analyzed by multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: In the 110 wAMD patients, there were 68 males and 42 females, with a mean age of (68.7±7.6) years. Compared with those before treatment, mRNA levels of NLRP3 (1.65±0.27, 1.34±0.19 vs 1.97±0.23, both P<0.017), Caspase-1 (1.47±0.15, 1.29±0.17 vs 1.53±0.18, both P<0.017), ASC (1.33±0.14, 1.21±0.18 vs 1.47±0.12, both P<0.017) and IL-1ß (1.78±0.21, 1.46±0.17 vs 2.21±0.24, both P<0.017), and levels of IL-1ß [(26.9±5.7), (20.3±4.6) vs (33.6±8.3) ng/L, both P<0.017], IL-18 [(32.7±7.6), (23.3±6.9) vs (46.4±9.4) ng/L, both P<0.017], TNF-α [(39.4±6.6), (21.7±6.3) vs (52.9±9.1) ng/L, both P<0.017] and VEGF [(35.7±10.2), (23.4±6.7) vs (65.4±19.3) ng/L, both P<0.017] were decreased after the first and second injection. Moreover, the above-mentioned indexes after second injection were lower than those after the first injection (all P<0.017). The results of multivariate linear regression analysis showed that NLRP3 mRNA (the first injection: ß=53.750, P<0.001; the second injection: ß=94.648, P<0.001), IL-1ß (the first injection: ß=1.356, P=0.021; the second injection: ß=2.008, P=0.003), IL-18 (the first injection: ß=1.984, P<0.001; the second injection: ß=1.251, P=0.003) and VEGF (the first injection: ß=1.875, P<0.001; the second injection: ß=2.119, P<0.001) had linear relationships with CMT. Conclusion: The decrease of NLRP3 inflammasome and its products in aqueous humor may be related to the improvement of macular structure in wAMD patients after anti-VEGF therapy.

[Analysis on the infection source of the first local cluster epidemic caused by the VOC/Gamma variant of SARS-CoV-2 in China].

Objective: To investigate a SARS-CoV-2 epidemic reported in Rongcheng City, Weihai, Shandong Province. Methods: The SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid positive patients and their close contacts were investigated, and the whole genome sequencing and genetic evolution analysis of 9 variant viruses were carried out. An infection source investigation and analysis were carried out from two sources of home and abroad, and three aspects of human, material and environment. Results: A total of 15 asymptomatic infections were reported in this epidemic, including 13 cases as employees of workshop of aquatic products processing company, with an infection rate of 21.67% (13/60). Two cases were infected people's neighbors in the same village (conjugal relation). The first six positive persons were processing workers engaged in the first process of removing squid viscera in the workshop of the company. The nucleic acid Ct value of the first time were concentrated between 15 and 29, suggesting that the virus load was high, which was suspected to be caused by one-time homologous exposure. The whole genome sequence of 9 SARS-CoV-2 strains was highly homologous, belonging to VOC/Gamma (Lineage P.1.15). No highly homologous sequences were found from previous native and imported cases in China. It was highly homologous with the six virus sequences sampled from May 5 to 26, 2021 uploaded by Chile. The infection source investigation showed that the company had used the squid raw materials captured in the ocean near Chile and Argentina from May to June 2021 over the last 14 days. Many samples of raw materials, products and their outer packages in the inventory were tested positive for nucleic acid. Conclusion: This epidemic is the first local epidemic caused by the VOC/Gamma of SARS-CoV-2 in China. It is speculated that the VOC/Gamma, which was prevalent in South America from May to June 2021, could be imported into China through frozen squid.

[Chlamydia trachomatis infection and its associated factors among asymptomatic outpatients attending sexually transmitted disease-related clinics].

Objective: To understand the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection and its associated factors among asymptomatic outpatients attending sexually transmitted disease (STD)-related clinics in Shenzhen and provide evidence for development of future interventions. Methods: From April 15 to May 16, 2018, a cross-sectional study was conducted and patients attending STD-related Clinics were recruited from 22 medical institutions in Nanshan, Luohu, Bao'an, Longgang, Yantian, and Longhua districts of Shenzhen. After the informed consent from each participant was obtained, social-demographic information was collected through a structured questionnaire and urine samples were collected for CT nucleic acid detection. In addition, logistic regression was used to explore associated factors of CT infection. Results: In asymptomatic outpatients, the prevalence of CT infection was 7.16% (250/3 492). Being single (aOR=2.29, 95%CI:1.65-3.16), without registered Shenzhen residency (aOR=1.49, 95%CI:1.04-2.13), and without previous CT testing in the past year (aOR=2.04, 95%CI:1.03-4.05) were the risk factors of CT infection in asymptomatic outpatients. Among participants without registered Shenzhen residency, 89.25% (2 176/2 438) were college-degree or below, and 51.29% (1 255/2 447) were aged ≤30 years, and the risk of CT infection among those ≤30 years old was 1.73 times higher than those >30 years old (95%CI:1.28-2.34). Conclusions: The prevalence of CT infection was high among asymptomatic outpatients attending STD-related clinics in Shenzhen. Routine CT screening should be carried out for this population, especially for those with sexually active age, being single, with low educational level, and without previous CT testing in the past year. Also, raising their awareness of knowledge and adverse outcomes of CT infection should be considered to promote routine CT screening and timely treatment.

[Investigation of small airway function of occupational asthma at different stages].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of small airway dysfunction in patients with occupational asthma, and explore the significance of small airway function indicators in the evaluation of occupational asthma. Methods: A total of 53 patients with occupational asthma diagnosed in our hospital from December 2008 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected in May 2020. 55 healthy people were included as the control group (NC group) and 58 bronchial asthma patients as BA group. The general information and baseline pulmonary function (FVC、FEV(1)、PEF) of the subjects were collected, the pulmonary function were reexamined and small airway function (FEF(25%)pred、FEF(50%)pred、FEF(75%)pred、MMEF(25-75%)pred) were tested at the time of diagnosis and remission. Results: There was no significant difference in pulmonary function and asthma control score (ACT) between OA group and BA group (P=0.356, 0.610, 0.364, 0.430, 0.533, 0.759, 0.426, 0.632) . The incidence of small airway dysfunction in OA group was 77.4%. The indexes of small airway function (FEF(25%)pred, FEF(50%)pred, FEF(75%)pred, MMEF(25-75%)pred) were lower than those in the NC group (P<0.001) . The small airway function indexes of mild and moderate OA patients in remission stage were improved (P=0.029, 0.182) , but the abnormal rate of small airway function was still 62.3%, and there was no significant difference compared with those at the time of diagnosis (P=0.091) . Small airway function (MMEF(25-75%)pred, FEF(50%)pred) was correlated with large airway function (FEV(1)% pred, PEF% pred) (P=0.001) . Conclusion: Small airway dysfunction often occurs and persists in patients with occupational asthma, and has a certain correlation with large airway function indexes.

[Emphasizing the mutual effects of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease with infectious disease].

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease is a hepatic manifestation of systemic metabolic disorders, with a high prevalence. Moreover, it often coexists and evidently interacts with liver injury caused by a variety of viral infections in association with specific bacterial or fungal infectious diseases, and thus unitedly affect the intra-and extrahepatic diseases clinical outcome. The mutual effects, natural process, and extrahepatic manifestations of the two diseases combined coexistence are now elaborated here.

[The diagnostic value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in occupational asthma and its correlation with pulmonary function].

Objective: To investigate the value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in the diagnosis of occupational asthma (OA) , and analyze the correlation between FeNO and pulmonary function in patients with OA. Methods: In October 2019, clinical datas, including pulmonary function, FeNO and blood routine test of 64 workers who applied for the diagnosis of OA in January 2012 to October 2018 in our hospital were collected. The diagnostic value of FeNO in OA was evaluated, FeNO and pulmonary function in different degrees of OA were compared, and the correlations were analyzed. Results: The FeNO value of OA patients [ (58.4±13.1) ppb] was higher than non-OA patients[ (30.1±13.7) ppb] (P<0.05) . The FeNO value of patients with moderate OA [ (68.9±13.8) ppb] was higher than that of patients with mild OA[ (54.2±10.3) ppb] (P<0.05) . The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of FeNO in the diagnosis of OA was 0.9453 (95%CI: 0.8928-0.9978, P<0.05) , the optimal cut-off point is 47.5 ppb, and the sensitivity and specificity are 88.6% and 89.7% respectively. There was negative correlation between FeNO and FEV1% pred (r=-0.454, P<0.01) . Conclusion: FeNO has a clinical application value in the diagnosis of OA. It should be combined with pulmonary function index in practical work.

Androgen receptor inhibition alleviated inflammation in experimental autoimmune myocarditis by increasing autophagy in macrophages.

OBJECTIVE: Experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) is characterized by pronounced macrophage infiltration, cardiac necrosis, and cardiac fibrosis. Our previous studies have demonstrated that suppressed androgen receptor (AR) enables anti-inflammation to promote tissue repair by decreasing M1 macrophages and increasing M2 macrophages in an EAM model. Given that autophagy mediates inflammatory response in macrophages, we investigated whether AR inhibition executes its protective role in inflammation through the autophagy pathway in EAM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine whether AR inhibition can perform its anti-inflammatory effects by upregulating autophagy, we pre-treated mice with 3-methyl adenine (3-MA), a pharmacological inhibitor of autophagy. Immunofluorescence assay and Western blot were used to detect autophagy levels and autophagy activity in five different groups. Immunofluorescence marked F4/80 and LC3 to illustrate the autophagy level in macrophages. TUNEL assays were used to detect the apoptosis level in heart tissue of five different groups. RESULTS: We demonstrated that AR inhibition resolves injury with sustained inhibition of inflammatory cytokines associated with enhanced autophagy, especially in macrophages. Increased LC3II/I expression corroborated complete autolysosome formation detected by electron microscopy and correlated with degradation of SQSTM1/p62 in the AR inhibition group by Western blot. These effects could be reversed within 3-MA, a pharmacological inhibitor of autophagy. Specifically, pharmacological inhibition of autophagy increased apoptosis and inflammation, which could be attenuated by AR inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: AR inhibition alleviates the inflammatory response and tissue apoptosis by enhancing autophagy, especially in macrophages.

Rehabilitation training improves cognitive disorder after cerebrovascular accident by improving BDNF Bcl-2 and Bax expressions in regulating the JMK pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of rehabilitation training on cognitive impairment after cerebrovascular accident and its potential mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 patients of cerebrovascular accident treated in our hospital from August 2018 to August 2019 were selected as the subjects, and 50 patients with physical examination were selected as healthy control group. The patients with cerebrovascular accident were randomly divided into control group (50 patients) and research group (50 patients). The patients in the control group were given routine medication, the patients in research group were given rehabilitation training on the basis of routine drug therapy. The blood samples were collected on admission and 6 months after admission to detect the molecular markers related to inflammation, nerve cell nutrition and function and apoptosis in the serum. The cognitive function was evaluated by scales. We established a rat cerebral ischemia model, compared the differences in the evasive latency, serum CRP, BNDF, Bcl-2, BAX, Glu, NE levels and BNDF, TrkB, pTrkB, JNK levels in hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal tissue between model rats after rehabilitation training and model rats without rehabilitation training. RESULTS: On admission, there were no significant differences in the scores of Barthel index (BI), Fugl-Meyer motor function scale (FM), Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (p>0.05). 6 months later, the above scores and BNDF, Bcl-2, and norepinephrine were significantly higher in the research group (p<0.05), while CRP, Bax, 5-HT and glutamate in the research group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation training can improve the motor function, mental state and cognitive level of patients, reduce the levels of neurotoxic factors, pro-inflammatory factors and pro-apoptotic factors, and improve the levels of inhibiting apoptotic factors, neurotrophic factors and neurotransmitters. In animal experiments, rehabilitation training can increase BDNF and its activated receptors in hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal lobe of rats, and decrease JNK of apoptotic protein, suggesting that rehabilitation training may regulate the expression of apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bax by upregulating BDNF and its receptors and acting on JNK pathway, thereby inhibiting cell apoptosis and improving cognitive impairment after cerebrovascular accident.

[Biocompatibility of extracellular matrix hydrogel with human iPSCs differentiated cardiomyocytes].

Objective: To observe the biocompatibility of porcine omental derived extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel with human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and the feasibility of ECM hydrogel as a delivery vector of cell transplantation. Methods: A series of chemical, physical and enzymatic methods were applied to acellularize the porcine omentum. Subsequently, the extracted ECM was prepared into thermosensitive hydrogel. The biochemical composition of the hydrogel was identified by histological staining. The microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The hydrogel was then injected into the myocardium of mice to observe its in situ gelation ability. Differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into cardiomyocytes was achieved by small molecule induction, and then the obtained hiPSC-CMs were cultured. hiPSC-CMs cultured onto the prepared hydrogel were defined as the hydrogel group, while conventionally cultured hiPSC-CMs were defined as the control group. Cardiomyocyte viability and growth patterns were detected using live/dead staining, CCK-8 and phalloidin staining. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot of cardiomyocytes were used to determine the survival and phenotypic maintenance markers of cardiomyocytes in materials. Results: The results of HE staining, oil red O staining and DAPI fluorescence staining showed that there was no significant cell debris, nucleus and lipid residue in the prepared ECM hydrogel. The Sirius red staining and Alcian blue staining showed that the hydrogel retained collagen and glycolaminoglycan, which were the main components of ECM. The prepared hydrogel behaves as a viscous liquid at 4 ℃ and as a gel state at 37 ℃. Scanning electron microscope results showed that the microstructure of the hydrogel was composed of irregular fibers and pores of different sizes. Under the guidance of ultrasound, the prepared ECM hydrogel could be successfully injected into the myocardium of mice. Immediately after the injection, the hyperechoic signal could be observed under ultrasound, suggesting that the hydrogel remained in the myocardium. HE staining of myocardial tissue evidenced that there was lump of gel in the injection area. The differentiated hiPSC-CMs were co-cultured with the prepared ECM hydrogel, and the results of live/dead staining showed that most of the hiPSC-CMs in the hydrogel group and the control group were alive, dead cells were scanty. The results of CCK-8 test showed that the absorbance values of the two groups were similar (P>0.05). The results of phalloidin staining showed that hiPSC-CMs could extend normally when co-cultured with ECM hydrogel. The cell morphology of the hydrogel group was similar with that of the control group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the F-actin coverage area per cell between the two groups (P>0.05). Immunofluorescence staining of cardiomyocyte markers showed that there was no significant difference in the coverage area of α-actinin and connexin-43 (Cx-43) per field between the hydrogel group and the control group (both P>0.05), the quantitative results of DAPI staining showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the number of cells between the two groups (P>0.05). Meanwhile, the results of Western blot showed that the expression levels of α-actinin and Cx-43 in cardiomyocytes in the hydrogel group were similar as those in the control group (both P>0.05). Conclusions: These results show that preparation of the ECM hydrogel from porcine omentum is successful. The hydrogel has good biocompatibility and no obvious cytotoxicity. Besides, the hydrogel can support the survival of hiPSC-CMs in vitro and maintain its phenotype. These properties make it a promising injectable cardiac tissue engineering material.

[Study of cytokines in peripheral blood and lung of rats exposed to hard metal dust].

Objective: To study the dynamic changes of cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of hard metal lung disease (HMLDR) rats. Methods: In March 2019, the rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, each group included 8 rats: control (C) group include 3 groups, hard metal (HM) group include 3 groups. 10 mg HM were administered in HM group by using the pulmonary endotracheal tube. After 4, 8 and 12 week, the BALF and serum were collected for the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) , tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) . Results: There was no abnormality in behavior, diet and fur of rats in C and HM group at each exposure time. There was no significant difference in body weight between the two groups of rats (P>0.05) . Compared with the C group, the expression of MMP-1 in BALF of rats in HM group were significantly higher in all stages (4, 8 and 12 weeks after exposure) (P<0.05) , the expression of TIMP-1 in BALF of rats in HM group were significantly higher in 8 and 12 weeks after exposure (P<0.05) . However, there was no significant difference in serum MMP-1 and TIMP-1 levels between the two groups in each stage (P>0.05) . There was no significant difference in TNF-α. level in BALF and serum between C and HM group in all stages (P>0.05) . Conclusion: Expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in BALF have reference value in the HMLD auxiliary diagnosis.

Scene perception based visual navigation of mobile robot in indoor environment.

Only vision-based navigation is the key of cost reduction and widespread application of indoor mobile robot. Consider the unpredictable nature of artificial environments, deep learning techniques can be used to perform navigation with its strong ability to abstract image features. In this paper, we proposed a low-cost way of only vision-based perception to realize indoor mobile robot navigation, converting the problem of visual navigation to scene classification. Existing related research based on deep scene classification network has lower accuracy and brings more computational burden. Additionally, the navigation system has not yet been fully assessed in the previous work. Therefore, we designed a shallow convolutional neural network (CNN) with higher scene classification accuracy and efficiency to process images captured by a monocular camera. Besides, we proposed an adaptive weighted control (AWC) algorithm and combined with regular control (RC) to improve the robot's motion performance. We demonstrated the capability and robustness of the proposed navigation method by performing extensive experiments in both static and dynamic unknown environments. The qualitative and quantitative results showed that the system performs better compared to previous related work in unknown environments.

GALNT10 promotes the proliferation and metastatic ability of gastric cancer and reduces 5-fluorouracil sensitivity by activating HOXD13.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and potential mechanism of GALNT10 in gastric cancer (GC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 60 cases of GC tissues, as well as normal tissues were collected. The total RNA of GC specimens and cells were extracted by TRIzol method and the level of GALNT10 was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In addition, the relationship between GALNT10 and clinical parameters and prognosis of GC patients was analyzed. Subsequently, Lentivirus was used to construct GALNT10 knockdown GC cell lines, and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays were applied to analyze the influence of GALNT10 on GC cell function. Bioinformatics and Luciferase assay was used to evaluate the relationship between GALNT10 and HOXD13. Furthermore, 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)-resistant cells were used to detect the relationship between GALNT10 and 5-Fu sensitivity of GC cells. RESULTS: qRT-PCR results revealed that GALNT10 level was markedly increased in tissues, as well as cell lines of GC. Statistical analysis suggested that GALNT10 expression was in close relation with the incidence of lymph node and distant metastasis along with poor prognosis in GC patients, but not with other indicators. CCK-8 and transwell migration experiment results indicated that GALNT10 silencing can inhibit the proliferative and migration ability of GC cells. Western blot results displayed that the HOXD13 level was remarkably decreased after GALNT10 knocking down. In addition, Luciferase gene assay indicated that GALNT10 could bind to HOXD13. Further rescue experiments showed that HOXD13overexpression can synergistically reverse the inhibitory effect of GALNT10 knockdown on GC cell proliferative and migration ability, which further demonstrated that GALNT10 could promote GC cell metastasis ability and reduce the sensitivity to 5-Fu by regulating HOXD13. CONCLUSIONS: GALNT10 could regulate the proliferative and migration ability of GC cells and reduce the sensitivity to 5-Fu by enhancing the expression of HOXD13. Therefore, GALNT10 was expected to be a new therapeutic target for diagnosis of 5-fluorouracil resistance in GC.

[Analysis of direct economic burden of occupational asthma].

Objective: To analyze the direct economic burden of occupational asthma patients and provide economic basis for the government to rationally allocate health resources. Methods: In September 2019, colleted the case data of 53 patients diagnosed with occupational asthma who were hospitalized in our hospital from December 2008 to December 2018, and analyze the impact of gender, age, diagnosis time, ducation level, allergen type to the length of stay, hospitalization cost, medical technology diagnosis and treatment costs, western medicine costs, average daily hospitalization costs and other indicators. Results: The average length of hospitalization for occupational asthma patients was (38.7±8.1) days, and the average hospitalization cost was 14743 yuan, of which medical technology diagnosis and treatment costs, western medicine costs, and comprehensive medical service costs accounted for the top three, 42.5% (331977/781369) , 32.0% (249942/781369) , 19.6% (153268/781369) respectively. Hospitalization days for occupational asthma patients has decreased significantly in 2014-2018 (P<0.05) . There were no significant differences in hospitalization costs, medical technology diagnosis and treatment costs, western medicine costs, and average daily hospitalization costs for occupational asthma patients caused by different allergens (isocyanates, persulfates and phthalic anhydrides) (P>0.05) . Hospitalization days, hospitalization costs, medical technology diagnosis and treatment costs, western medicine costs, and average daily hospitalization costs of patients with moderate occupational asthma were significantly higher than those of mild patients (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Early detection of occupational asthma patients and early intervention can reduce the economic burden on patients and society.

[Predictive values of the combination of Friedman stage and sleep oximetry done early after surgery in predicting the treatment outcomes of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the predictive values of the combination of preoperative data, including medical history and physical examination, and results of sleep oximetry performed early after the surgery (one week) in predicting the treatment outcomes of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: All the patients who were diagnosed with OSAHS, underwent UPPP treatment and had complete follow-up data in our institution between Jan 2013 and May 2016 were enrolled in our study. The pre-operative data of these patients, including age, physical examination, and polysomnography (PSG) data, were all exactly collected for analysis. All these patients had received the evaluation of subjective efficacy scale and the sleep oximetry test in early post-operative days (within one week). The long-term efficacy evaluations including PSG and subjective efficacy scale were all finished at least three months after the surgery. RESULTS: In the research 61 patients were finally studied, including 25 responders (41.0%) and 36 non-responders (59.0%). Regression analysis revealed that the pre-operative Friedman stage and early post-operative oxygen desaturation index of ≥4% (ODI4) were found to be independently predictive parameters for the UPPP treatment outcomes (P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis was used to estimate the predictive values of ODI4 to the treatment outcomes, and it was calculated with an area under the curve of 0.822. Using the ODI4 of 15 as the cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity of that calculated were up to 0.778 and 0.760 respectively. The response rate among the patients with an early post-operative ODI4 of <15 was 70.4%, which was significantly higher than that of the patients with an early post-operative ODI4 of ≥15, whose response rate was 17.6% (P<0.05). The similar results could also be obtained in the patients with pre-operative Friedman stage II (87.5% vs.25.0%) and Friedman stage III (33.3% vs. 6.7%). CONCLUSION: The combination of early post UPPP operation oximetry parameters, especially ODI4, and pre-operative Friedman stage could be used in better evaluating the potential surgical outcomes of UPPP.

The potential biological functions of circular RNAs during the initiation of atresia in pig follicles.

The specific expression profile and function of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in mammalian ovarian follicles, especially during the atresia process, are unclear. In this study, genome-wide deep circRNA sequencing was applied to screen circRNAs in healthy and early atretic antral follicles in pig ovaries. A total of 40,567 distinct circRNAs were identified in follicles, among which 197 circRNAs (108 upregulated and 89 downregulated) were significantly shifted during the early atresia process. Most differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) lacked protein-coding potential. Annotation analysis of the DECs revealed 162 known host genes, or noncoding RNAs, and 10 intergenic regions. The key pathways in which these host genes are involved include the focal adhesion-PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA)-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 signaling pathway and transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway. Further comparison analysis between host genes of DECs and the differentially expressed linear messenger RNA transcripts revealed the cotranscription of circRNAs and their linear mRNAs in inhibin beta units (INHBA and INHBB), glutathione S-transferase (GSTA1), and VEGFA. In addition, we predicted 196 pairs of potential circRNA-micro RNA (miRNA) interactions among 77 DECs and 101 porcine miRNAs. We have identified 16 functional miRNAs by comparing the 101 miRNAs to the functional miRNAs reported in mammal ovarian follicle atresia and granulosa cell apoptosis studies. Our study adds new knowledge to circRNA distribution profiles in pig ovarian follicles, offers a valuable reference for transcriptomic profiles in the initiation of follicular atresia, highlights warranted circRNAs for further functional investigation, and provides possible biomarkers for ovarian dysfunctions.

[Computational investigation of Artemisia pollen deposition in realistic nasal cavities of residents in northwest China].

Objective: To investigate the deposition rate of Artemisia pollen in different nasal cavity regions and its influence factors in residents of northwest China. Methods: Thirty healthy adults from northwest China were enrolled. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete phase model (DPM) were used for numerical simulation of nasal structures. The pollen deposition fraction in each anatomical part was counted and the effects of pollen density and breathing rate on deposition were analyzed. SPSS 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The hottest deposition parts of Artemisia pollen were nasal septum (30.70%±12.27%), vestibule (27.45%±8.21%), middle turbinate area (13.59%±8.98%) and nasopharynx (7.14%±5.90%). When the inspiratory flow rate increased to 30 L/min, the deposition rates of pollen in nasal vestibule and nasal septum were significantly higher than that at the rate of 15 L/min (43.20%±11.14% vs 27.45%±8.21%, 51.48%±9.77% vs 30.70%±12.27%, t value was -8.126,-5.264, respectively, all P<0.05), which indicated that with the increase of the inspiratory flow rate, the deposition hotspot moved forward. Compared with the wet Artemisia pollen, the deposition rate of the dry pollen in nasal vestibule and nasal septum decreased significantly (16.55%±4.33% vs 27.45%±8.21%, 7.09%±3.69% vs 30.70%±12.27%, t value was 8.669, 9.173, respectively, all P<0.05). The escape rate at outlet increased from 17.00%±9.57% to 43.48%±13.43% (t=-9.282, P<0.05). Conclusions: The deposition of Artemisia pollen in nasal cavity is highly concentrated. The inhalation velocity and the dry-wet degree of pollen are the main determinants of the deposition site.