Accelerating quad Airy beams-based point response for interferenceless coded aperture correlation holography.

Interferenceless-coded aperture correlation holography (I-COACH) is a promising single-shot 3D imaging method in which a coded phase mask (CPM) is used to encode 3D information about an object into an intensity distribution. However, conventional CPM encoding methods usually lead to intensity dilution, especially in the recording of point spread holograms (PSHs), resulting in low-resolution reconstruction of I-COACH. Here, we propose accelerating quad Airy beams with four mainlobes as a point response to enable weak diffraction propagation and a sharp maximum intensity in the transverse direction. Moreover, the four mainlobes exhibit lateral acceleration in 3D space, so the PSHs in different axial positions show a unique and concentrated intensity distribution on the image sensor, thereby realizing a high-resolution reconstruction of I-COACH. Compared with conventional CPM encoding methods, the proposed accelerating quad Airy-beam-encoding method has superior performance in improving the resolution of I-COACH reconstruction even in the presence of external interference.

Alcanivorax sediminis sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Pacific Ocean.

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain PA15-N-34T, which was isolated from deep-sea sediment of Pacific Ocean. The bacterium was Gram-stain-positive, oxidase- and catalase-positive and rod-shaped. Growth was observed at salinity of 0-15.0% NaCl and at temperatures of 10-45 °C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain PA15-N-34T belonged to the genus Alcanivorax, with the highest sequence similarity to Alcanivorax profundi MTEO17T (97.7 %), followed by Alcanivorax nanhaiticus 19 m-6T (97.3 %) and 12 other species of the genus Alcanivorax (93.4 %-97.0 %). The average nucleotide identity and DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain PA15-N-34T and type strains of the genus Alcanivorax were 71.46-81.78% and 18.7-25.2 %, respectively. The principal fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c; 31.2 %), C16 : 0 (25.0 %) and summed feature 3 (14.6 %). The DNA G+C content was 57.15 mol%. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, four unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The novel strain can be differentiated from its closest type strain by a negative test for urease and the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol and aminolipid. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain PA15-N-34T represents a novel species within the genus Alcanivorax, for which the name Alcanivorax sediminis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain PA15-N-34T (=MCCC 1A14738T=KCTC 72163T).

Integrated analysis of transcriptome data revealed MMP3 and MMP13 as critical genes in anaplastic thyroid cancer progression.

To better understand the molecular mechanisms of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), we aimed to identify the hub genes specifically involved in ATC by integrated bioinformatics analysis. In this study, using three Gene Expression Omnibus data sets with the same platform GPL570, we screened hub genes involved in ATC progression. In vitro experiments, such as western blot analysis, Transwell assays, and coimmunoprecipitation, was performed to verify our findings. By comparing three subtypes of thyroid cancer with normal tissue, we found ATC harbored more changed genes than well and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer. Using specifically differentially expressed genes between ATC and normal thyroid tissues to perform Gene ontology (GO) analysis, ATC showed enrichments of GO terms involved in lymphocyte migration and activation, collagen catabolic and metabolic process, thyroid hormone synthesis, and embolism. Using genes involved in extracellular matrix, coexpression network analysis and protein-protein interaction analysis were performed to identify matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) and MMP13 as two hub genes. Our experimental data indicated that both MMP3 and MMP13 were upregulated in ATC and knockdown of either of them could notably suppress ATC cell invasion and migration. Mechanistically, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, coimmunoprecipitation, and rescue experiments revealed MMP3 and MMP13 not only interacted with each other, but also regulated each other through the janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways. In conclusion, we identified a specific molecular mechanisms for the development of ATC by integrated analysis of transcriptome and in vitro experiments, which suggested that MMP3 and MMP13 might be developed as novel therapeutic targets for ATC.

The mechanisms of glycemic variability accelerate diabetic central neuropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in diabetic rats.

The effect of glycemic variability (GV) on diabetic neuropathy, including diabetic central neuropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and the involved mechanism are not fully understood. In this study, a fluctuant hyperglycemia rat model was induced by alternate intraperitoneal injections of glucose and insulin. To assess diabetic central neuropathy, step-down type passive avoidance tests were conducted, and the expression levels of p-Tau, T-Tau, p-GSK3ß, GSK3ß, p-Akt, and Akt in the hippocampus were measured. To assess DPN, the motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) was measured, and the microstructure of the sciatic nerve was observed. Additionally, the expression levels of oxidative stress and inflammation indicators were detected in the sciatic nerve. We observed that both learning and memory abilities were disrupted by GV. GV promoted Tau phosphorylation and inhibited the Akt/GSK3ß pathway in the hippocampus. Additionally, GV weakened the MNCV of the sciatic nerve, and the structures of both the myelin sheath and the axons in the sciatic nerve were disrupted. GV also significantly reduced the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increased the expression levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and of NF-κB. In conclusion, the present study highlighted that GV might induce diabetic central neuropathy through the hyperphosphorylation of Tau in the hippocampus by inhibiting the Akt/GSK3ß pathway and that it may cause DPN through oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by activating the NF-κB pathway.

Chengkuizengella marina sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Pacific Ocean.

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain YPA3-1-1T, which was isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Pacific Ocean. The bacterium was Gram-stain-positive, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative, rod-shaped and spore-forming. Growth was observed at salinities of 1.0-6.0 % and at temperatures of 10-40 °C. The isolate could degrade gelatin and aesculin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YPA3-1-1T belonged to the genus Chengkuizengella, with the highest sequence similarity to the only typespecies, Chengkuizengella sediminis J15A17T (98.5 %). The estimated average nucleotide identity and DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain YPA3-1-1T and C. sediminis J15A17T were 88.1 and 35.0 %, respectively. The cell wall of strain YPA3-1-1T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The principal fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0 (35.5 %) and anteiso-C15 : 0 (17.5 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 33.1 mol%. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-7 (100 %). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid and three unidentified phospholipids. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain YPA3-1-1T represents a novel species within the genus Chengkuizengella, for which the name Chengkuizengella marina sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain YPA3-1-1T (=MCCC 1A14042T=KCTC 43019T).

[Analysis of CYP17A1 gene variants in 5 patients with 17-hydroxylase deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To identify pathogenic variants in 5 sporadic patients and two Chinese pedigrees affected with 17-hydroxylase deficiency (17-OHD). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected with informed consent. Variants of CYP17A1 gene were screened by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Suspected mutations were validated in other members of the pedigrees. RESULTS: Gene sequencing has identified a homozygous c.985_987delTACinsAA (Y329Kfs) mutation in exon 6 of the CYP17A1 gene in 4 patients and the sister of case 3. Case 1 was found to harbor compound heterozygous mutations c.1459_1467del9 (p.D487_F489del) and c.1244-3C>A. The parents and brother of cases 2 and 5 were heterozygous carriers of a c.985_987delTACinsAA(Y329Kfs) mutation. CONCLUSION: Mutations of the CYP17A1 gene probably underlie the pathogenesis of 17-OHD, for which c.985_987delTACinsAA(Y329Kfs) is the most common. The c.1244-3C>A is a novel mutation. Above results have facilitated genetic counseling for the affected families.

[Analysis of clinical phenotypes and CYP21A2 gene variants in 18 patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genotype-phenotype correlation among 18 patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). METHODS: PCR-Sanger sequencing was used to analyze the 10 exons and flanking regions of the CYP21A2 gene among the 18 patients and 20 healthy controls. RESULTS: Seventeen patients had variants of the CYP21A2 gene. Eight patients (44.4%, 8/18) carried homozygous variants including p.Ile 173Asn (62.5%, 5/8), p.Pro31Leu (25.0%, 2/8), and IVS2-13A/C>G (12.5%, 1/8), respectively. Six patients (33.3%, 6/18) carried compound heterozygous variant, among which IVS2-13 A>G+p.Ile 173Asn were most common (50.0%). 94.4% (34/36) of the variant were pathogenic, with the most common variants being p.Ile173Asn (41.7%), IVS2-13A/C>G (19.4%), and p.Ile173Asn (7.5%). No variant was identified among the 20 healthy controls. CONCLUSION: The majority of 21-OHD patients carried CYP21A2 gene variants in homozygous or compound heterozygous forms, among which the p.Ile173Asn was the most common one. There is a strong correlation between the genotypes and clinical phenotypes.

[Dynamic Estimation of Medial Gastrocnemius Activities in Post-stroke Hemiparetic Gait Using Ultrasonography].

Quantitative evaluation on the level of hemiparesis for post-stroke patients is still challenging. In this study, we proposed an innovative method for investigating in vivo muscle behavior in hemiparetic gait. A wearable data collection platform was developed for the simultaneous acquisition of ultrasonography (US), electromyography (EMG) and joint angle during gait cycles. Using this platform, we studied twelve hemiparetic patients during walking on a treadmill and analyzed the corresponding characteristics of their medial gastrocnemius (GM) muscle. Several interesting outputs are achieved such as the observation that dynamic ranges of the both the pennation angle (PA) of GM and EMG signal from same side were more diffused, for the affected side than for the unaffected side. The results suggested that the proposed multimodal signal acquisition and wearable platform is capable of providing comprehensive in vivo information regarding dynamics of ankle and medial gastrocnemius. The proposed platform could be a promising tool for the assessment of hemiparesis patients.

Method for end-face treatment of specialty optical fiber with thick-walled silica glass tubes.

A "cleaving-polishing" process for end-face treatment of specialty fiber supported by thick-walled silica glass tubes is proposed. The fiber tension is determined by the fiber fracture theory for improved cleaving. This method overcomes polishing problems caused by steel or ceramic ferrules. Approximately 20 min on average is required for polishing a specialty fiber end face with a sampling roughness of 7.42 nm, confirmed by microscopy (400×) and interferometry. A comparison of laser coupling efficiencies between fibers with cleaved ends and fibers with polished ends showed that the coupling efficiency of the former could be enhanced by 15% through polishing.

Inhibitory effects of Schisandra chinensis extract on acne-related inflammation and UVB-induced photoageing.

CONTEXT: Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (Schisandraceae) fruit extract (SFE) has been reported to induce non-specific tissue protection against inflammation in vivo. However, the effects of SFE on Propionibacterium acnes-stimulated acne and UVB-irradiated photoageing have yet to be investigated. OBJECTIVE: To systematically investigate the effects of SFE against P. acnes and photoageing in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative analyses of SFE were performed by HPLC. SFE concentrations from 2.5 to 50 µg/mL were tested. Specifically, ELISA was used to examine the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in THP-1 cells as well as of collagen I and matrix metalloproteinases-1 in HDF cells. The anti-bacterial effect of SFE was determined using the microdilution broth method. Glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were examined using the colorimetric and TBA methods, respectively. The degree of ageing was determined by cytochemical staining. RESULTS: SFE significantly inhibited P. acnes growth (MIC 0.5 mg/mL) and 50 µg/mL of SFE suppressed the production of interleukin-1ß, interleukin-8 and tumour necrosis factor α, by 59.67%, 62.69% and 68.30%, respectively, in P. acnes-stimulated THP-1 cells. Additionally, 10 µg/mL of SFE suppressed photoageing in UVB-exposed fibroblasts by decreasing metalloproteinase levels by 88.4%, inducing collagen by 58.4% and activating the anti-oxidant defence system, by limiting lipid peroxidation by 51.1% and increasing glutathione production by 34.1% (2.5 µg/mL SFE). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results indicated that SFE could significantly ameliorate the inflammatory state in P. acnes-stimulated THP-1 and UVB-irradiated HDF cells, suggesting its potential as a novel agent for acne therapy and photoageing prevention.

[Research of Wireless Ultrasonic Doppler Fetal Heart Detection System].

Fetal heart rate (FHR) is an important index to the fetal health evaluation. Therefore, the study of the system is of great significance to the monitoring of FHR. In this paper, the detection principle, the overal framework of the system, hardware composition, PC software interface and so on have been made a detailed implements. The display of instant heart rate, heart rate trendline, and fetal heartbeat have been achieved. A large amount of test data of this system has been got by fetal feart simulator testing in the laboratory and preliminary clinical tests in the hospital. The testing result showed that using the system can achieve good accuracy and repeatability.

Guild-level signature of gut microbiome for diabetic kidney disease.

Current microbiome signatures for chronic diseases such as diabetic kidney disease (DKD) are mainly based on low-resolution taxa such as genus or phyla and are often inconsistent among studies. In microbial ecosystems, bacterial functions are strain specific, and taxonomically different bacteria tend to form co-abundance functional groups called guilds. Here, we identified guild-level signatures for DKD by performing in-depth metagenomic sequencing and conducting genome-centric and guild-based analysis on fecal samples from 116 DKD patients and 91 healthy subjects. Redundancy analysis on 1,543 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (HQMAGs) identified 54 HQMAGs that were differentially distributed among the young healthy control group, elderly healthy control group, early-stage DKD patients (EDG), and late-stage DKD patients (LDG). Co-abundance network analysis classified the 54 HQMAGs into two guilds. Compared to guild 2, guild 1 contained more short-chain fatty acid biosynthesis genes and fewer genes encoding uremic toxin indole biosynthesis, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factors. Guild indices, derived from the total abundance of guild members and their diversity, delineated DKD patients from healthy subjects and between different severities of DKD. Age-adjusted partial Spearman correlation analysis showed that the guild indices were correlated with DKD disease progression and with risk indicators of poor prognosis. We further validated that the random forest classification model established with the 54 HQMAGs was also applicable for classifying patients with end-stage renal disease and healthy subjects in an independent data set. Therefore, this genome-level, guild-based microbial analysis strategy may identify DKD patients with different severity at an earlier stage to guide clinical interventions. IMPORTANCE: Traditionally, microbiome research has been constrained by the reliance on taxonomic classifications that may not reflect the functional dynamics or the ecological interactions within microbial communities. By transcending these limitations with a genome-centric and guild-based analysis, our study sheds light on the intricate and specific interactions between microbial strains and diabetic kidney disease (DKD). We have unveiled two distinct microbial guilds with opposite influences on host health, which may redefine our understanding of microbial contributions to disease progression. The implications of our findings extend beyond mere association, providing potential pathways for intervention and opening new avenues for patient stratification in clinical settings. This work paves the way for a paradigm shift in microbiome research in DKD and potentially other chronic kidney diseases, from a focus on taxonomy to a more nuanced view of microbial ecology and function that is more closely aligned with clinical outcomes.

Alteration in gut microbiota is associated with immune imbalance in Graves' disease.

Background: Graves' disease (GD), characterized by immune aberration, is associated with gut dysbiosis. Despite the growing interest, substantial evidence detailing the precise impact of gut microbiota on GD's autoimmune processes remains exceedingly rare. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the influence of gut microbiota on immune dysregulation in GD. Methods: It encompassed 52 GD patients and 45 healthy controls (HCs), employing flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to examine lymphocyte and cytokine profiles, alongside lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. Gut microbiota profiles and metabolic features were assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and targeted metabolomics. Results: Our observations revealed a disturbed B-cell distribution and elevated LPS and pro-inflammatory cytokines in GD patients compared to HCs. Significant differences in gut microbiota composition and a marked deficit in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, including ASV263(Bacteroides), ASV1451(Dialister), and ASV503(Coprococcus), were observed in GD patients. These specific bacteria and SCFAs showed correlations with thyroid autoantibodies, B-cell subsets, and cytokine levels. In vitro studies further showed that LPS notably caused B-cell subsets imbalance, reducing conventional memory B cells while increasing naïve B cells. Additionally, acetate combined with propionate and butyrate showcased immunoregulatory functions, diminishing cytokine production in LPS-stimulated cells. Conclusion: Overall, our results highlight the role of gut dysbiosis in contributing to immune dysregulation in GD by affecting lymphocyte status and cytokine production.

Synthesis and methemoglobinemia-inducing properties of analogues of para-aminopropiophenone designed as humane rodenticides.

A number of structural analogues of the known toxicant para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) have been prepared and evaluated for their capacity to induce methemoglobinemia--with a view to their possible application as humane pest control agents. It was found that an optimal lipophilicity for the formation of methemoglobin (metHb) in vitro existed for alkyl analogues of PAPP (aminophenones 1-20; compound 6 metHb% = 74.1 ± 2). Besides lipophilicity, this structural sub-class suggested there were certain structural requirements for activity, with both branched (10-16) and cyclic (17-20) alkyl analogues exhibiting inferior in vitro metHb induction. Of the four candidates (compounds 4, 6, 13 and 23) evaluated in vivo, 4 exhibited the greatest toxicity. In parallel, aminophenone bioisosteres, including oximes 30-32, sulfoxide 33, sulfone 34 and sulfonamides 35-36, were found to be inferior metHb inducers to lead ketone 4. Closer examination of Hammett substituent constants suggests that a particular combination of the field and resonance parameters may be significant with respect to the redox mechanisms behind PAPPs metHb toxicity.

Effects of comfort nursing on pain and quality of life in children undergoing tonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of comfort nursing on pain, quality of life, and nutritional status in children undergoing tonsillectomy. METHODS: In this retrospective study, a total of 114 children who underwent tonsillectomy in Chun'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were divided into a research group and a control group according to the nursing methods, with 57 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing care, and the research group received additional comfort nursing. We compared the pain level (assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) scale), quality of life (assessed by Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOLI-74)), relevant clinical indicators (postoperative swallowing recovery time, wake-up time, and hospital stay), nutrition indicators (total blood protein and albumin), sleep quality (assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PAQI)), nursing satisfaction, and postoperative complications between the two groups. RESULTS: After postoperative nursing, the VAS scores and PSQI scores were significantly decreased (both P<0.05), and the GQOLI-74 scores were significantly increased (P<0.05) in both groups. The postoperative swallowing recovery time, wake-up time, and hospital stay in the research group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The levels of total serum protein and albumin in the research group were significantly higher than those in the control group (both P<0.05). The research group showed a significantly higher satisfaction rate and lower incidence of complications as compared with the control group (both P<0.05). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative upper respiratory infection and the degree of tonsillar embedment were independent risk factors for hemorrhage after tonsillectomy (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In children undergoing tonsillectomy, providing comfort nursing can significantly reduce pain and improve their quality of life.

Identification of potential SLA-I-specific T-cell epitopes within the structural proteins of porcine deltacoronavirus.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is an emerging swine enteropathogenic coronavirus that mainly threatens newborn piglets and poses a potential broad cross-species transmission risk. The antigenic epitopes of PDCoV are currently unidentified, and no information about T cell epitopes is available. Here, T-cell epitopes of PDCoV structural proteins were predicted using computational methods. 17 epitope peptides were synthesized and then screened using ELIspot, intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), and RT-qPCR detection of IFN-γ mRNA to evaluate their ability to elicit interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PDCoV-challenged pigs. Five peptides (M1, M2, M3, N6, and S4) elicited high levels of IFN-γ and were investigated further as potential T-cell epitope candidates. All five peptides were cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, and two peptides (M3, N6) were recognized simultaneously by CD8 + and CD4 + T cells. A multi-epitope peptide combining the five epitopes (designated "5T") was synthesized and its immune response and protection efficacy was evaluated in a piglet model. ELISpot assay results indicated that 5T induces robust epitope-specific cellular immune responses. Four epitopes (M1, M2, N6, S4) elicited IFN-γ responses in 5T-vaccinated piglets. No obvious protection efficacy was detected in piglets vaccinated with 5T alone. Our results provide valuable information concerning PDCoV-related antigenic epitopes and will be useful in the design of epitope-based vaccines.

Identification of an immunodominant neutralizing epitope of porcine Deltacoronavirus spike protein.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a novel swine enteropathogenic coronavirus that, because of its broad host range, poses a potential threat to public health. Here, to identify the neutralizing B-cell epitopes within the S1-CTD protein, we generated three anti-PDCoV monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Of these, the antibody designated 4E-3 effectively neutralized PDCoV with an IC50 of 3.155 µg/mL. mAb 4E-3 and one other, mAb 2A-12, recognized different linear B-cell epitopes. The minimal fragment recognized by mAb 4E-3 was mapped to 280FYSDPKSAV288 and designated S280-288, the minimal fragment recognized by mAb 2A-12 was mapped to 506TENNRFTT513, and designated S506-513. Subsequently, alanine (A)-scanning mutagenesis indicated that Asp283, Lys285, and Val288 were the critical residues recognized by mAb 4E-3. The S280-288 epitope induces PDCoV specific neutralizing antibodies in mice, demonstrating that it is a neutralizing epitope. Of note, the S280-288 coupled to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) produces PDCoV neutralizing antibodies in vitro and in vivo, in challenged piglets it potentiates interferon-γ responses and provides partial protection against disease. This is the first report about the PDCoV S protein neutralizing epitope, which will contribute to research of PDCoV-related pathogenic mechanism, vaccine design and antiviral drug development.

Gut microbiota modulate distal symmetric polyneuropathy in patients with diabetes.

The pathogenic mechanisms underlying distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN), a common neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), are not fully understood. Here, we discover that the gut microbiota from patients with DSPN can induce a phenotype exhibiting more severe peripheral neuropathy in db/db mice. In a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial (ChiCTR1800017257), compared to 10 patients who received placebo, DSPN was significantly alleviated in the 22 patients who received fecal microbiota transplants from healthy donors, independent of glycemic control. The gut bacterial genomes that correlated with the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS) score were organized in two competing guilds. Increased guild 1, which had higher capacity in butyrate production, and decreased guild 2, which harbored more genes in synthetic pathway of endotoxin, were associated with improved gut barrier integrity and decreased proinflammatory cytokine levels. Moreover, matched enterotype between transplants and recipients showed better therapeutic efficacy with more enriched guild 1 and suppressed guild 2. Thus, changes in these two competing guilds may play a causative role in DSPN and have the potential for therapeutic targeting.

Arthroscopic-assisted reduction plus internal fixation and traditional open reduction plus internal fixation for talus fractures: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of arthroscopic-assisted reduction and internal fixation (ARIF) and traditional open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of talus fractures. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 92 patients with talus fractures admitted to our hospital. The patients were divided into a control group (treated with traditional open reduction and internal fixation) and a research group (with ARIF) with 46 cases in each. The operation indices, the score of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scoring System (AOFAS-AH), callus growth score, pain score, treatment effect, complications and quality of life score were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The research group showed shorter time of fracture healing, hospitalization and less intraoperative blood loss than the control group (all P<0.001). The ankle-hindfoot score in the research group was higher than those in the control group 3 and 6 months after surgery (both P<0.001). The excellent and good rate of treatment in the research group (93.48%) was higher than that in the control group (78.26%; P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the VAS score was lower and the callus growth score was higher in the research group at 1st, 3rd and 6th month after surgery (all P<0.01). The incidence of complications in the research group (2.17%) was lower than that in the control group (13.04%; P<0.05). Six months after surgery, the SF-36 score increased compared with that before surgery, with higher parameters in the research group than in the control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: ARIF is more effective than traditional open reduction and internal fixation in treating talus fractures, with less complications and higher safety.

Aberrant expression of inhibitory receptors on B cells in patients with Graves' disease.

The pathophysiological mechanism underlying Graves' disease (GD) remains incompletely understood. Inhibitory receptors on B cells are critical for humoral immunity, which plays a key role in GD pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate B cell subsets distribution and inhibitory receptor expression on these subsets in GD patients. Peripheral blood was drawn from 41 healthy controls and 46 GD patients (21 patients with moderate GD, 25 patients with severe GD). B cell subset distribution and CD22, CD32b and CD72 expression on B cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum cytokines were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with healthy controls, the naïve B cell percentage was increased, while the preswitched memory and conventional memory B cell percentages were decreased. The inhibitory receptors expression, especially CD32b, on B cell subsets was significantly decreased in patients with GD. In addition, the inhibitory receptors expression on B cell subsets from severe GD patients exhibited a decreasing trend compared with those from moderate GD patients. These results suggest that abnormal B cell subset distribution occurs in GD. Impaired inhibitory receptors, in particular CD32b, play a crucial role in GD pathogenesis and might be a therapeutic target to rebuild self-immune tolerance in GD.