Clinical effects of nonconvulsive electrotherapy combined with mindfulness-based stress reduction and changes of serum inflammatory factors in depression

BACKGROUND Depression is a common and serious psychological condition,which seriously affects individual well-being and functional ability.Traditional treatment methods include drug therapy and psychological counseling;however,these methods have different degrees of side effects and limitations.In recent years,nonconvulsive electrotherapy(NET)has attracted increasing attention as a noninvasive treatment method.However,the clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of NET on depression are still unclear.We hypothesized that NET has a positive clinical effect in the treatment of depression,and may have a regulatory effect on serum inflammatory factors during treatment.AIM To assess the effects of NET on depression and analyze changes in serum inflammatory factors.METHODS This retrospective study enrolled 140 patients undergoing treatment for depression between May 2017 and June 2022,the observation group that received a combination of mindfulness-based stress reduction(MBSR)and NET treatment(n=70)and the control group that only received MBSR therapy(n=70).The clinical effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by assessing various factors,including the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)-17,self-rating idea of suicide scale(SSIOS),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),and levels of serum inflammatory factors before and after 8 wk of treatment.The quality of life scores between the two groups were compared.Comparisons were made using t and χ^(2) tests.RESULTS After 8 wk of treatment,the observation group exhibited a 91.43%overall effectiveness rate which was higher than that of the control group which was 74.29%(64 vs 52,χ^(2)=7.241;P<0.05).The HAMD,SSIOS,and PSQI scores showed a significant decrease in both groups.Moreover,the observation group had lower scores than the control group(10.37±2.04 vs 14.02±2.16,t=10.280;1.67±0.28 vs 0.87±0.12,t=21.970;5.29±1.33 vs 7.94±1.35,t=11.700;P both<0.001).Additionally,there was a notable decrease in the IL-2,IL-1β,and IL-6 in both groups after treatment.Furthermore,the observation group exhibited superior serum inflammatory factors compared to the control group(70.12±10.32 vs 102.24±20.21,t=11.840;19.35±2.46 vs 22.27±2.13,t=7.508;32.25±4.6 vs 39.42±4.23,t=9.565;P both<0.001).Moreover,the observation group exhibited significantly improved quality of life scores compared to the control group(Social function:19.25±2.76 vs 16.23±2.34;Emotions:18.54±2.83 vs 12.28±2.16;Environment:18.49±2.48 vs 16.56±3.44;Physical health:19.53±2.39 vs 16.62±3.46;P both<0.001)after treatment.CONCLUSION MBSR combined with NET effectively alleviates depression,lowers inflammation(IL-2,IL-1β,and IL-6),reduces suicidal thoughts,enhances sleep,and improves the quality of life of individuals with depression.

Botulinum toxin type A-targeted SPP1 contributes to neuropathic pain by the activation of microglia pyroptosis

BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain(NP)is the primary symptom of various neurological condi-tions.Patients with NP often experience mood disorders,particularly depression and anxiety,that can severely affect their normal lives.Microglial cells are as-sociated with NP.Excessive inflammatory responses,especially the secretion of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines,ultimately lead to neuroinflam-mation.Microglial pyroptosis is a newly discovered form of inflammatory cell death associated with immune responses and inflammation-related diseases of the central nervous system.METHODS Two models,an in vitro lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated microglial cell model and a selective nerve injury model using BTX-A and SPP1 knockdown treatments,were used.Key proteins in the pyroptosis signaling pathway,NLRP3-GSDMD,were assessed using western blotting,real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,and immunofluorescence.Inflammatory factors[interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α]were assessed using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay.We also evaluated microglial cell proliferation and apoptosis.Furthermore,we measured pain sensation by assessing the delayed hind paw withdrawal latency using thermal stimulation.RESULTS The expression levels of ACS and GSDMD-N and the mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1βwere enhanced in LPS-treated microglia.Furthermore,SPP1 expression was also induced in LPS-treated microglia.Notably,BTX-A inhibited SPP1 mRNA and protein expression in the LPS-treated microglia.Additionally,depletion of SPP1 or BTX-A inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in LPS-treated microglia,whereas co-treatment with BTX-A enhanced the effect of SPP1 short hairpin(sh)RNA in LPS-treated microglia.Finally,SPP1 depletion or BTX-A treatment reduced the levels of GSDMD-N,NLPRP3,and ASC and suppressed the production of inflammatory factors.CONCLUSION Notably,BTX-A therapy and SPP1 shRNA enhance microglial proliferation and apoptosis and inhibit microglial death.It improves pain perception and inhibits microglial activation in rats with selective nerve pain.

TRAF6基因沉默对人视网膜母细胞瘤细胞增殖、凋亡和侵袭的影响

目的:探讨体外沉默肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子6(TRAF6)基因对人视网膜母细胞瘤Y79细胞增殖、凋亡和侵袭的影响。方法:靶向TRAF6基因的小干扰RNA(TRAF6 siRNA)转染Y79细胞,采用qRT-PCR和Western blot法检测转染效果,MTT比色法及细胞克隆实验测定沉默TRAF6对Y79细胞增殖的影响,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡及细胞周期,Transwell小室检测细胞迁移和侵袭能力。结果:Y79细胞经TRAF6沉默后,TRAF6 mRNA和蛋白表达水平与对照组相比均明显降低,细胞存活率、克隆形成率均明显低于对照组细胞,细胞凋亡率明显高于对照组,同时细胞周期发生明显变化,G0/G1期细胞数目增多,S和G2/M期细胞数目减少,且侵袭细胞数目、迁移细胞数目相比对照组明显减少。结论:沉默TRAF6后能显著抑制视网膜母细胞瘤Y79细胞的生长,促进肿瘤细胞的凋亡,同时抑制其侵袭和迁移能力,TRAF6可能是视网膜母细胞瘤治疗的新靶点。

小鼠视神经损伤后视网膜中TLR-9与MyD88表达变化

目的:探讨Toll样受体-9(TLR-9)与髓样分化因子(MyD88)在小鼠视神经损伤(ONI)后视网膜中的表达变化。方法:选取8周大小的雄性C57BL/6J小鼠36只,随机分为6组:空白对照组(未做任何处理)、ONI 1d组(视神经损伤后1d取材)、ONI 3d组(视神经损伤后3d取材)、ONI 5d组(视神经损伤后5d取材)、ONI 7d组(视神经损伤后7d取材)、ONI 14d组(视神经损伤后14d取材)。分组后通过视神经夹持的方法制作小鼠视神经损伤模型,利用RT-qPCR与Western-blot检测各组小鼠视网膜中TLR-9与MyD88的mRNA和蛋白水平。结果:ONI 1d组视网膜中TLR-9与MyD88的mRNA和蛋白水平与空白对照组比较无差异(P>0.05);ONI 3d、ONI 5d、ONI 7d、ONI 14d组视网膜中TLR-9与MyD88的mRNA和蛋白水平与空白对照组比较均明显增加(P<0.01)。与空白对照组比较视网膜中TLR-9与MyD88的mRNA和蛋白水平在小鼠ONI 3d开始升高(P<0.01),ONI 5d达到峰值(P<0.001),ONI 7d开始逐渐下降(P<0.01)。结论:小鼠视神经损伤能够激活视网膜中TLR-9与MyD88表达,TLR-9与MyD88可能在视神经损伤的进程中起重要作用。

高糖对人角膜上皮细胞创伤修复中Cyclin D1蛋白表达的影响

目的:研究高糖环境对人角膜上皮细胞损伤修复的影响,初步探讨Cyclin D1蛋白在高糖培养的角膜上皮细胞创伤愈合中表达的意义。方法:模拟糖尿病角膜病变的高糖微环境,人角膜上皮细胞经复苏、培养传代后,分别设置等体积蒸馏水的DMEM完全培养基的正常对照组和含25mmol/L葡萄糖的DMEM完全培养基高糖处理组的两组细胞,细胞长满后进行划伤刺激,倒置相差显微镜下观察比较各组细胞生长状况及其变化,于不同时间点(0、12、24、48和72h)利用Western blot检测分析高糖培养的角膜上皮细胞中Cyclin D1蛋白的表达,qRT-PCR检测Cyclin D1 mRNA水平相对表达情况。结果:体外高糖处理条件下,人角膜上皮细胞划伤后修复速度减慢,漂浮细胞增多,细胞重新贴壁少,细胞间距增加,随着高糖处理时间的延长,细胞状态变差,生长速度慢;正常组细胞损伤修复较快,细胞密度增大,且形态规则,细胞膜光滑。Western blot检测划伤刺激上调Cyclin D1的表达,但随着时间延长上调作用呈逐渐减弱,两组Cyclin D1最高表达量均出现在12h。高糖处理组Cyclin D1表达量低于正常对照组。qRT-PCR结果显示:高糖处理后,Cyclin D1 mRNA表达呈上调趋势,但随着高糖处理时间延长,上调作用减弱,且在48h处mRNA水平恢复至与对照组同一水平。结论:在角膜上皮细胞创伤愈合过程中,高糖呈负性调节,抑制Cyclin D1蛋白的表达,且与角膜上皮细胞增殖能力下降及凋亡相关。

High Temperature at Grain-filling Stage Affects Nitrogen Metabolism Enzyme Activities in Grains and Grain Nutritional Quality in Rice

Rice plants would more frequently suffer from high temperature (HT) stress at the grain-filling stage in future. A japonica rice variety Koshihikari and an indica rice variety IR72 were used to study the effect of high temperature on dynamic changes of glutamine synthetase (GS) activity, glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity, glutamic oxalo-acetic transminase (GOT) activity, glutamate pyruvate transminase (GPT) activity in grains and grain nutritional quality at the grain-filling stage. Under HT, the activities of GOGAT, GOT, GPT and soluble protein content in grains significantly increased, whereas GS activity significantly decreased at the grain-filling stage. In addition to the increase of protein and amino acids contents, it was suggested that GOGAT, GOT and GPT in grains played important roles in nitrogen metabolism at the grain-filling stage. Since the decrease of GS activity in grains did not influence the accumulations of amino acids and protein, it is implied that GS might not be the key enzyme in regulating glutamine content in grains.

Antiviral treatment to prevent chronic hepatitis B or C-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Antiviral treatment is the only option to prevent or defer the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus(HBV) or hepatitis C virus(HCV). The approved medication for the treatment of chronic HBV infection is interferon-α(IFNα) and nucleos(t)ide analogues(NAs), including lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil, telbivudine, entecavir and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. IFNα is the most suitable for young patients with less advanced liver diseases and those infected with HBV genotype A. IFNα treatment significantly decreases the overall incidence of HBV-related HCC in sustained responders. However, side effects may limit its long-term clinical application. Orally administered NAs are typically implemented for patients with more advanced liver diseases. NA treatment significantly reduces disease progression of cirrhosis and therefore HCC incidence, especially in HBV e antigen-positive patients. NA-resistance due to the mutations in HBV polymerase is a major limiting factor. Of the NA resistance-associated mutants, A181 T mutant significantly increases the risk of HCC development during the subsequent course of NA therapy. It is important to initiate treatment with NAs that have a high genetic barrier to resistance, to counsel patients on medication adherence and to monitor virological breakthroughs. The recommended treatment for patients with chronic HCV infection is peg-IFN plus ribavirin that can decrease the occurrence of HCC in those who achieve a sustained virological response and have not yet progressed to cirrhosis. IFN-based treatment is reserved for patients with decompensated cirrhosis who are under evaluation of liver transplantation to reduce post-transplant recurrence of HCV. More effective therapeutic options such as direct acting antiviral agents will hopefully increase the response rate in difficult-totreat patients with HCV genotype 1. However, the risk of HCC remains in cirrhotic patients(both chronic HBV and HCV infection) if treatment is initiated after cirrhosis is established. Future research should focus on investigating new agents, especially for those patients with hepatic decompensation or post-transplantation.

Transferrin receptor 1 plays an important role in muscle development and denervation-induced muscular atrophy

Previous studies demonstrate an accumulation of transferrin and transferrin receptor 1(TfR1) in regenerating peripheral nerves.However, the expression and function of transferrin and TfR1 in the denervated skeletal muscle remain poorly understood.In this study, a mouse model of denervation was produced by complete tear of the left brachial plexus nerve.RNA-sequencing revealed that transferrin expression in the denervated skeletal muscle was upregulated, while TfR1 expression was downregulated.We also investigated the function of TfR1 during development and in adult skeletal muscles in mice with inducible deletion or loss of TfR1.The ablation of TfR1 in skeletal muscle in early development caused severe muscular atrophy and early death.In comparison, deletion of TfR1 in adult skeletal muscles did not affect survival or glucose metabolism, but caused skeletal muscle atrophy and motor functional impairment, similar to the muscular atrophy phenotype observed after denervation.These findings suggest that TfR1 plays an important role in muscle development and denervation-induced muscular atrophy.This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, China(approval No.SYXK 2017-C023) on June 1, 2018.

Polymorphism of OAS2 rs739901 C/A Involves the Susceptibility to EV71 Infection in Chinese Children

This study aimed to assess the relationship of OAS2 rs739901 5＇-flanking C/A polymorphisms with the susceptibility to Enterovirus-71 （EV71） infection. We investigated 294 hand-foot-mouth disease （HFMD） Chinese children with EV71 infection （165 mild cases and 129 encephalitis cases）. The improved multiplex ligation detection reaction （iMLDR） technique was used to test the genotypes. In EV71-infected patients, the CA genotype distribution （P=0.007）, A allele frequency （OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.0-1.7, P=0.034） and CA＋AA carriage frequency （P=0.003） of OAS2 rs739901 5＇-flanking were obviously elevated as compared with controls, but there were no statistically significant differences between mild cases and encephalitis cases. In EV71-infected patients, the counts of white blood cells （P=0.034） and blood glucose concentrations （P=0.042） were raised in A carriers （CA＋AA）. Among different genotypes of encephalitis cases, the contents of cerebrospinal fluid （CSF） showed no significant differences. IFN-7 levels in EV71-infected patients were higher than those in controls （mild group vs. control group, P〈0.01; encephalitis group vs. control group, P〈0.001）. In encephalitis cases, IFN-7 levels were reduced （P〈0.05） in A carriers compared to CC genotype, however, there were no significant differences between genotypes CA and AA （ P=0.226）. These findings suggest that OAS2 rs739901 5＇-flanking C/A genetic polymorphisms involve the susceptibility to EV71 infection, and A allele might be a risk factor of the susceptibility to EV-71 infection.

Protective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury in human neuroblastoma cells

The active ingredient of ginseng,ginsenosides Rg1,has been shown to scavenge free radicals and improve antioxidant capacity.This study hypothesized that ginsenosides Rg1 has a protective role in human neuroblastoma cells injured by H2O2.Ginsenosides Rg1 at different concentrations（50 and 100 μM） was used to treat H2O2（150 μM）-injured SH-SY5 Y cells.Results demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg1 elevated the survival rate of SH-SY5 Y cells injured by H2O2,diminished the amount of leaked lactate dehydrogenase,and increased superoxide dismutase activity.Ginsenoside Rg1 effectively suppressed caspase-3 immunoreactivity,and contributed to heat shock protein 70 gene expression,in a dose-dependent manner.These results indicate that ginsenoside Rg1 has protective effects on SH-SY5 Y cells injured by H2O2 and that its mechanism of action is associated with anti-oxidation and the inhibition of apoptosis.

Magnesium-L-threonate exhibited a neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress damage in HT22 cells and Alzheimer’s disease mouse model

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress results in the production of excess reactive oxygen species(ROS)and triggers hippocampal neuronal damage as well as occupies a key role in the pathological mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease(AD).A recent study confirmed that magnesium had an inhibitory effect against oxidative stress-related malondialdehyde in vitro.However,whether Magnesium-L-threonate(MgT)is capable of suppressing oxidative stress damage in amyloidβ(Aβ)_(25-35)-treated HT22 cells and the AD mouse model still remains to be investigated.AIM To explore the neuroprotective effect of MgT against oxidative stress injury in vitro and in vivo,and investigate the mechanism.METHODS Aβ_(25-35)-induced HT22 cells were preconditioned with MgT for 12 h.APPswe/PS1dE9(APP/PS1)mice were orally administered with MgT daily for 3 mo.After MgT treatment,the viability of Aβ_(25-35)-treated HT22 cells was determined via conducting cell counting kit-8 test and the cognition of APP/PS1 mice was measured through the Morris Water Maze.Flow cytometry experiments were applied to assess the ROS levels of HT22 cells and measure the apoptosis rate of HT22 cells or hippocampal neurons.Expression of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X(Bax),hypoxiainducible factor(HIF)-1α,NADPH oxidase(NOX)4,Aβ_(1-42) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)pathway proteins was quantified by Western blot.RESULTS In vitro data confirmed that Aβ_(25-35)-induced HT22 cells had a significantly lower cell viability,higher ROS level and higher apoptosis rates compared with those of control cells(all P<0.001).MgT prevented the Aβ_(25-35)-triggered oxidative stress damage by elevating viability and decreasing ROS formation and apoptosis of HT22 cells(all P<0.001).APP/PS1 mice exhibited worse cognitive performance and higher apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons than wild-type(WT)mice(all P<0.01).Meanwhile,significant higher expression of Aβ_(1-42) and NOX4 proteins was detected in APP/PS1 mice than those of WT mice(both P<0.01).MgT also ameliorated the cognitive deficit,suppressed the apoptosis of hippocampal neuron and downregulated the expression of Aβ_(1-42) and NOX4 proteins in APP/PS1 mouse(all P<0.05).Moreover,MgT intervention significantly downregulated HIF-1αand Bax,upregulated Bcl-2 and activated the PI3K/Akt pathway both in vitro and in vivo(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION MgT exhibits neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in Aβ_(25-35)-treated HT22 cells and APP/PS1 mice.

Anisotropic diffusion of volatile pollutants at air-water interface

The volatile pollutants that spill into natural waters cause water pollution. Air pollution arises from the water pollution because of volatilization. Mass exchange caused by turbulent fluctuation is stronger in the direction normal to the air-water interface than in other directions due to the large density difference between water and air. In order to explore the characteristics of anisotropic diffusion of the volatile pollutants at the air-water interface, the relationship between velocity gradient and mass transfer rate was established to calculate the turbulent mass diffusivity. A second-order accurate smooth transition differencing scheme （STDS） was proposed to guarantee the boundedness for the flow and mass transfer at the air-water interface. Simulations and experiments were performed to study the trichloroethylene （C2HC13） release. By comparing the anisotropic coupling diffusion model, isotropic coupling diffusion model, and non-coupling diffusion model, the features of the transport of volatile pollutants at the air-water interface were determined. The results show that the anisotropic coupling diffusion model is more accurate than the isotropic coupling diffusion model and non-coupling diffusion model. Mass transfer significantly increases with the increase of the air-water relative velocity at a low relative velocity. However, at a higher relative velocity, an increase in the relative velocity has no effect on mass transfer.

Efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) is pneumonia acquired infectiously from normal social contact as opposed to being acquired during hospitalization. CAP is a leading cause of illness and death. This review aims to determine the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP).DATA SOURCES: We searched randomized controlled trials(RCTs) from Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese Journal Full-text Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database to obtain the information by using steroids, glucocorticoids, cortisol, corticosteroids, community-acquired pneumonia and CAP as key words. The quality of RCTs was evaluated. A Meta-analysis was made using Rev Man 5.0 provided by the Cochrance Collaboration.RESULTS: Seven RCTs involving 944 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The mean length of hospital stay in glucocorticoids treatment group was significantly shorter than that in standard treatment group(WMD=–1.70, 95%CI 2.01–1.39, Z=10.81, P<0.00001). No statistically significant differences were found in the mortality rate(RR=0.77,95%CI 0.46–1.27, Z=1.03, P=0.30), the mean length of hospital stay in ICU(WMD=1.17, 95%CI 1.68–4.02, Z=0.81, P=0.42), the incidence of super infection(RR=1.32, 95%CI 0.66–2.63, Z=0.79, P=0.43), the incidence of hyperglycemia(RR=1.84, 95%CI 0.76–4.41, Z=1.36, P=0.17), the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding(RR=1.98, 95%CI 0.37–10.59, Z=0.80, P=0.42) between the standard treatment group and the glucocorticoids treatment group.CONCLUSIONS: The use of glucocorticoids in patients with community-acquired pneumonia can significantly shorten the duration of illness and have a favorable safety profile. However, it could not reduce the overall mortality.

Preparation of activated carbon from sunflower straw through H_(3)PO_(4) activation and its application for acid fuchsin dye adsorption

With the development circular economy, the use of agricultural waste to prepare biomass materials to remove pollutants has become a research hotspot. In this study, sunflower straw activated carbon (SSAC) was prepared by the one-step activation method, with sunflower straw (SS) used as the raw material and H3PO4 used as the activator. Four types of SSAC were prepared with impregnation ratios (weight of SS to weight of H3PO4) of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:5, corresponding to SSAC1, SSAC2, SSAC3, and SSAC4, respectively. The adsorption process of acid fuchsin (AF) in water using the four types of SSAC was studied. The results showed that the impregnation ratio significantly affected the structure of the materials. The increase in the impregnation ratio increased the specific surface area and pore volume of SSAC and improved the adsorption capacity of AF. However, an impregnation ratio that was too large led to a decrease in specific surface area. SSAC3, with an impregnation ratio of 1:3, had the largest specific surface area (1 794.01 m2/g), and SSAC4, with an impregnation ratio of 1:5, exhibited the smallest microporosity (0.052 7 cm3/g) and the largest pore volume (2.549 cm3/g). The adsorption kinetics of AF using the four types of SSAC agreed with the quasi-second-order adsorption kinetic model. The Langmuir isotherm model was suitable to describe SSAC3 and SSAC4, and the Freundlich isotherm model was appropriate to describe SSAC1 and SSAC2. The result of thermodynamics showed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. At 303 K, SSAC4 showed a removal rate of 97.73% for 200-mg/L AF with a maximum adsorption capacity of 2 763.36 mg/g, the highest among the four types of SSAC. This study showed that SAAC prepared by the H3PO4-based one-step activation method is a green and efficient carbon material and has significant application potential for the treatment of dye-containing wastewater.

Effect of the Notch signaling pathway on retinal ganglion cells and its neuroprotection in rats with acute ocular hypertension

AIM： To explore the effect of the Notch signaling pathway on retinal ganglion cells（RGCs） and optic nerve in rats with acute ocular hypertension（OH）.METHODS： Totally 48 Sprague-Dawley（SD） rats were included, among which 36 rats were selected to establish acute OH models. OH rats received a single intravitreal injection of 2 μL phosphate buffered solution（PBS） and another group of OH rats received a single intravitreal injection of 10 μmol/L γ-secretase inhibitor（DAPT）. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction（qPCR） and Western blot assay were adopted to determine the mRNA level of Notch and the protein levels of Notch, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and growth-associated protein 43（GAP-43）. The RGC apoptosis conditions were assessed by TUNEL staining.RESULTS： The OH rats and PBS-injected rats had increased expression levels of Notch1, Bax, caspase-3, and GAP-43, decreased expression levels of Bcl-2, and increased RGC apoptosis, with severer macular edema and RGCs more loosely aligned, when compared with the normal rats. The DAPT-treated rats displayed increased expression levels of Notch1, Bax, caspase-3, and GAP-43, decreased expression levels of Bcl-2, and increased RGC apoptosis, in comparison with the OH rats and PBSinjected rats. RGCs were hardly observed and macular edema became severe in the DAPT-treated rat.CONCLUSION： The Notch signaling pathway may suppress the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells and enhances the regeneration of the damaged optic nerves in rats with acute OH.

Effects of thermodynamics parameters on mass transfer of volatile pollutants at air-water interface

A transient three-dimensional coupling model based on the compressible volume of fluid （VOF） method was developed to simulate the transport of volatile pollutants at the air-water interface. VOF is a numerical technique for locating and tracking the free surface of water flow. The relationships between Henry＇s constant, thermodynamics parameters, and the enlarged topological index were proposed for nonstandard conditions. A series of experiments and numerical simulations were performed to study the transport of benzene and carbinol. The simulation results agreed with the experimental results. Temperature had no effect on mass transfer of pollutants with low transfer free energy and high Henry＇s constant. The temporal and spatial distribution of pollutants with high transfer free energy and low Henry＇s constant was affected by temperature. The total enthalpy and total transfer free energy increased significantly with temperature, with significant fluctuations at low temperatures. The total enthalpy and total transfer free energy increased steadily without fluctuation at high temperatures.

Blue-on-yellow perimetry and corneal thickness in patients with ocular hypertension

AIM: To evaluate the frequency of blue-on-yellow perimetry (B/YP) deficits in ocular hypertension (OHT) patients and to correlate these findings with central corneal thickness (CCT), and to investigate the influence of age, refraction and gender on the B/YP results in OHT patients. METHODS: The B/YP and CCT were checked respectively in 72 OHT patients with normal white-on-white perimetry (W/WP) and normal optic nerve head. The B/YP was tested by Octopus 101 automated perimetry using G2 strategy, while the CCT was checked with DGH-550 ultrasound pachymeter. All patients were chosen randomly one eye for statistical analysis, a binary regression model was used to determine the independent contribution of variables included in the model, and the differences of the intraocular pressure (TOP), CCT, age, refraction and gender between the normal B/YP group and abnormal B/YP group were compared. RESULTS: Forty-nine out of 72 patients with OHT showed normal B/YP results, whereas 23 of 72 patients (31.9%) demonstrated abnormal B/YP results. CCT showed a correlation with the B/YP results (B=-0.038, SE=0.019, P=0.044), whereas none of the TOP, age, refraction and gender was found to be correlated with the B/YP results. The mean CCT in OHT patients with abnormal B/YP group was lower than that with normal B/YP group (t=2.066, P=0.043). There was a significant positive correlation between TOP and CCT (R(2)=0.513, P=0.000). CONCLUSION: The mean CCT in OHT patients with abnormal B/YP results was lower than that with normal B/YP results. There was a significant positive correlation between TOP and CCT in OHT patients. The age, refraction and gender didn't influence the B/YP results in OHT patients.

Coaxial radiography guided puncture technique for percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy:A randomized control trial

BACKGROUND The coaxial radiography-guided puncture technique(CR-PT)is a novel technique for endoscopic lumbar discectomy.As the X-ray beam and the puncturing needle are maintained in a parallel and coaxial direction,the X-ray beam can be used to guide the trajectory angle,facilitating the choice of the puncture site and providing real-time guidance.This puncture technique offers numerous advantages over the conventional anterior-posterior and lateral radiography-guided puncture technique(AP-PT),especially in cases of herniated lumbar discs with a hypertrophied transverse process or articular process,high iliac crest,and narrowed intervertebral foramen.AIM To confirm whether CR-PT is a superior approach to percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy compared to AP-PT.METHODS In this parallel,controlled,randomized clinical trial,herniated lumbar disc patients appointed to receive percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy treatment were recruited from the Pain Management Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University and Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Sixty-five participants were enrolled and divided into either a CR-PT group or an AP-PT group.The CR-PT group underwent CR-PT,and the AP-PT group underwent AP-PT.The number of fluoroscopies during puncturing,puncture duration(min),surgery duration(min),VAS score during puncturing,and puncture success rate were recorded.RESULTS Sixty-five participants were included,with 31 participants in the CR-PT group and 34 in the AP-PT group.One participant in the AP-PT group dropped out due to unsuccessful puncturing.The number of fluoroscopies[median(P25,P75)]was 12(11,14)in the CR-PT group vs 16(12,23)in the AP-PT group,while the puncture duration(mean±SD)was 20.42±5.78 vs 25.06±5.46,respectively.The VAS score was 3(2,4)in the CR-PT group vs 3(3,4)in the AP-PT group.Further subgroup analysis was performed,considering only the participants with L5/S1 segment herniation:9 patients underwent CR-PT,and 9 underwent AP-PT.The number of fluoroscopies was 11.56±0.88 vs 25.22±5.33;the puncture duration was 13.89±1.45 vs 28.89±3.76;the surgery duration was 105(99.5,120)vs 149(125,157.5);and the VAS score was 2.11±0.93 vs 3.89±0.6,respectively.All the above outcomes demonstrated statistical significance(P<0.05),favoring the CR-PT treatment.CONCLUSION CR-PT is a novel and effective technique.As opposed to conventional AP-PT,this technique significantly improves puncture accuracy,shortens puncture time and operation time,and reduces pain intensity during puncturing.

Should people with chronic liver diseases be vaccinated against COVID-19?

Hepatic impairment in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)may derive from cholangiocyte damage in the beginning,but not from direct infection of hepatocytes.Chronic liver disease patients co-infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)exhibited overexpression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors and overwhelming cytokine storm.Consensus has been reached that we should encourage as many people as possible to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity.SARS-CoV-2 vaccines can prevent or alleviate severe infection and cytokine storm.It is recommended that all adult patients with chronic liver diseases and liver transplant recipients should receive COVID-19 vaccines using the standard dose and schedule.Data is not yet sufficient to compare the efficacy of different types of vaccines used in chronic liver disease patients.

Cardiac amyloidosis presenting as pulmonary arterial hypertension:A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary hypertension is a rare cardiopulmonary disease,with an insidious onset that usually worsens rapidly.Amyloid light chain(AL)amyloidosis is a rare systemic disease caused by extracellular deposition of pathologic,insoluble,and proteinaceous fibrils in organs and tissues;however,it is difficult to diagnose given its varied and nonspecific symptoms.To date,rare cases of amyloidosis with pulmonary hypertension have been reported.Of note,the optimal treatments for cardiac amyloidosis complicated with pulmonary hypertension remain unclear.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a 51-year-old woman who presented with progressively worsening dyspnea.Transthoracic echocardiography indicated severe pulmonary hypertension.Twenty-seven months after first admission,the patient returned with symptoms of progressive heart failure.A myocardial tissue sample stained with Congo red was positive,and the patient was ultimately diagnosed with AL amyloidosis with cardiac involvement.CONCLUSION Although pulmonary hypertension may be idiopathic,it is frequently associated with other conditions.In rare cases,pulmonary hypertension can be a complication of AL amyloidosis,which should be seriously considered in any adult presenting with nonspecific signs or symptoms of cardiac distress.