Ocular decompression retinopathy after phacoemulsification in a patient with primary acute angleclosure glaucoma undergoing chemotherapy

Dear Editor,Ocular decompression retinopathy(ODR),which manifests as diffuse retinal hemorrhage occurring abruptly in multiple locations,including the subretinal,intraretinal,and preretinal spaces,is a rare complication after glaucoma surgery and is caused by sudden,iatrogenic lowering of intraocular pressure(IOP).Implicated procedures include glaucoma drainage implantation,trabeculectomy,iridotomy,and even cataract surgery[1].One report described a case of ocular decompression management following uncomplicated cataract surgery with no posterior capsular rupture or other intraoperative complications[2].Here,we report a rare case of ODR triggered by phacoemulsification and the use of systemic chemotherapeutic drugs in a patient with primary acute angleclosure glaucoma(PACG).The case not only improves our understanding of potential side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on ophthalmic surgery but may also serve as a reference for clinicians in the management of patients with glaucoma with similar medical histories.

Comparison of total splenic artery embolization and partial splenic embolization for hypersplenism

AIM:To evaluate whether total splenic artery embolization(TSAE) for patients with hypersplenism delivers better long-term outcomes than partial splenic embolization(PSE).METHODS:Sixty-one patients with hypersplenism eligible for TSAE(n = 27,group A) or PSE(n = 34,group B) were enrolled into the trial,which included clinical and computed tomography follow-up.Data on technical success,length of hospital stay,white blood cell(WBC) and platelet(PLT) counts,splenic volume and complications were collected at 2 wk,6 mo,and 1,2,3,4 years postoperatively.RESULTS:Both TSAE and PSE were technically successful in all patients.Complications were significantly fewer(P = 0.001),and hospital stay significantly shorter(P = 0.007),in group A than in group B.Postprocedure WBC and PLT counts in group A were significantly higher than those in group B from 6 mo to 4 years(P = 0.001),and post-procedure residual splenic volume in group A was significantly less than that observed in group B at 1,2,3 and 4 years post-procedure(P = 0.001).No significant differences were observed in red blood cell counts and liver function parameters between the two groups following the procedure.CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that TSAE for patients with hypersplenism not only delivers a better longterm outcome,but is also associated with lower complication rates and a shorter hospital stay than PSE.

IN VIVO ~1 H MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY IN EVALUATION OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AND ITS EARLY RESPONSE TO TRANSCATHETER ARTERIAL CHEMOEMBOLIZATION

Objective To investigate the value of in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy （MRS） in the assessment of hepatocelhilar carcinoma （HCC） and monitor its metabolic change shortly after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE）. Mothoda In this prospective study, 28 consecutive patients with large HCC （ ≥3 cm in diameter） confirmed by fine needle aspiration biopsy were recruited. The ^1H MRS of all hepatic lesions and some uninvolved liver parenchyma were performed with 1.5T whole body MR scanner. Among them, 15 cases were evaluated again about one week after TACE. The main metabolites such as choline and lipid before and after interventional therapy were measured to assess the early response of the tumor. The technical success rate of IH MRS in liver was high （33/41, 80% ）, closely related to breath motion, location of lesion, and size of voxeL In spectra, the choline compound peak of HCC elevated compared with uninvolved liver parenchyma. After TACE, both the amplitude and the area of choline resonance peak significantly descended （ choline-to-lipid ratios from 0.352±0. 080 to 0. 167±0. 030, P = 0. 026; from 0. 205±0. 060 to 0. 070±0. 020, P = 0. 042, respectively ） ; yet lipid resonance peak ascended. Conclusions In vivo tH MRS is technically feasible for the evaluation of large focal hepatic lesions, however, the reproducibility and stability are not as good as routine MR scan. IH MRS can monitor the early stage metabolic changes of HCC after TACE but limitation like quantification still exists.

Total embolization of the main splenic artery as a supplemental treatment modality for hypersplenism

AIM:To study the safety and feasibility of total embolization of the main splenic artery as a supplemental treatment modality for hypersplenism with thrombocytopenia or leukocytopenia accompanying liver cirrhosis.METHODS:Fifteen consecutive patients with hypersplenism due to cirrhosis were enrolled in this study from January 2006 to June 2010.All patients underwent total embolization of the main splenic artery.Clinical symptoms,white blood cell(WBC) and platelet(PLT) counts,splenic volume,and complications of the patients were recorded.The patients were followed up for 1 and 6 mo,and 1,2,3 years,respectively,after operation.RESULTS:Total embolization of the main splenic artery was technically successful in all patients.Minor complications occurred in 13 patients after the procedure,but no major complications were found.The WBC andPLT counts were significantly higher and the residual splenic volume was significantly lower 1 and 6 mo,and 1,2,3 years after the procedure than before the procedure(P < 0.01).Moreover,the residual splenic volume increased very slowly with the time after embolization.All patients were alive during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Total embolization of the main splenic artery is a safe and feasible procedure and may serve as a supplemental treatment modality for hypersplenism with thrombocytopenia or leukocytopenia accompanying liver cirrhosis.

Hierarchical lichee-like Fe_(3)O_(4) assemblies and their high heating efficiency in magnetic hyperthermia

A nontoxic and biocompatible thermoseed is developed for the magnetic hyperthermia.Two kinds of thermoseed materials:hierarchical hollow and solid lichee-like Fe_(3)O_(4) assemblies,are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method.The crystal structure of Fe_(3)O_(4) assemblies are characterized by x-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,and transmission electron microscopy.Moreover,the prepared Fe_(3)O_(4) assemblies are used as a magnetic heat treatment agent,and their heating efficiency is investigated.Compared to solid assembly,hollow lichee-like Fe_(3)O_(4) assembly exhibits a higher specific absorption rate of 116.53 W/g and a shorter heating time,which is ascribed to its higher saturation magnetization,larger initial particle size,and the unique hierarchical hollow structure.Furthermore,the magnetothermal effect is primarily attributed to Neel relaxation.Overall,we propose a facile and convenient approach to enhance the heating efficiency of magnetic nanoparticles by forming hollow hierarchical assemblies.

Evaluation of Tianji and ECMWF high-resolution precipitation forecasts for extreme rainfall event in Henan in July 2021

The extreme rainfall event of July 17 to 22, 2021 in Henan Province, China, led to severe urban waterlogging and flood disasters. This study investigated the performance of high-resolution weather forecasts in predicting this extreme event and the feasibility of weather forecast-based hydrological forecasts. To achieve this goal, high-resolution precipitation forecasts from the Tianji weather system and the forecast system of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) were evaluated with the spatial verification metrics of structure, amplitude, and location. The results showed that Tianji weather forecasts accurately predicted the amplitude of 12-h accumulated precipitation with a lead time of 12 h. The location and structure of the rainfall areas in Tianji forecasts were closer to the observations than ECMWF forecasts. Tianji hourly precipitation forecasts were also more accurate than ECMWF hourly forecasts, especially at lead times shorter than 8 h. The precipitation forecasts were used as the inputs to a hydrological model to evaluate their hydrological applications. The results showed that the runoff forecasts driven by Tianji weather forecasts could effectively predict the extreme flood event. The runoff forecasts driven by Tianji forecasts were more accurate than those driven by ECMWF forecasts in terms of amplitude and location. This study demonstrates that high-resolution weather forecasts and corresponding hydrological forecasts can provide valuable information in advance for disaster warnings and leave time for people to act on the event. The results encourage further hydrological applications of high-resolution weather forecasts, such as Tianji weather forecasts, in the future.

Efficacy and safety of Tianqi Pingchan Granule,a compound Chinese herbal medicine,for levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease:A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Background Patients with Parkinson’s disease(PD)undergoing long-term levodopa therapy are prone to develop levodopa-induced dyskinesia(LID).Amantadine is the main drug recommended for the treatment of LID by current guidelines,but it is far from meeting clinical needs.Tianqi Pingchan Granule(TPG),a compound Chinese herbal medicine,has been developed to relieve symptom of LID.Objective This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the combination of TPG and amantadine for LID.Design,setting,participants and interventions This is a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial,conducted from January 2020 to August 2021 at 6 sites in Jiangsu,Zhejiang and Shanghai,China.One hundred PD patients with≥0.5 h of LID were randomly assigned to either the TPG plus amantadine group(TPG group)or the placebo plus amantadine group(placebo group),and treated for a period of 12 weeks.To ensure unbiased results,all study participants,investigators and sponsors were unaware of group allocations.Additionally,the data analysts remained blinded until the analysis was finalized.Main outcome measures The primary outcome was assessed using the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale(UDysRS)(Range 0–104).The key secondary end point was improvement of motor and non-motor symptoms.Safety analyses included all enrolled patients.Results One hundred patients were enrolled and randomized into the two treatment groups.The changes in UDysRS at week 12 were–11.02 for the TPG group and–4.19 for the placebo group(treatment difference–6.83[–10.53 to–3.12];P=0.0004).Adverse events were reported for 2 of 50 patients(4.0%)in each of the groups.Conclusion This study indicated that a 12-week treatment of amantadine plus TPG effectively reduced UDysRS scores and was well tolerated,demonstrating the efficacy and safety of TPG for the treatment of LID in PD.

超声乳化联合房角黏连分离术与小梁切除术治疗APACG的疗效比较

目的:对比分析原发性急性闭角型青光眼(APACG)合并早期白内障患者行白内障超声乳化联合房角黏连分离术(GSL+PPI术)及小梁切除术后的生活质量并分析相关因素。方法:前瞻性随机性病例对照研究。将符合纳入标准的APACG患者分为A(PPI+GSL术组,29例)、B(小梁切除术组,30例)两组,术后随访6mo,采用NEI-VFQ-25量表评估生活质量,同时记录患者眼压、最佳矫正视力(BCVA)、返院复查频率及基本信息。结果:术后6mo,两组眼压均较术前降低,A组BCVA较术前明显改善(均P<0.05),B组手术前后BCVA无明显差异(P>0.05),且B组复诊频率高于A组(P<0.05)。两组术后NEI-VFQ-25量表评分均较术前增高(均P<0.05),与B组比较,A组术后总体视觉、眼痛、远距离工作、社交功能、角色限制等方面的生活质量评分更高,且A组术后生活质量评分提高的幅度较B组更高(P<0.05),其与A组术后BCVA改善及复查频率较少有关(R2=0.48,F=5.00,P<0.05)。结论:与小梁切除术相比,PPI+GSL术后APACG合并早期白内障患者能获得更好的生活质量。

Effect of b value on monitoring therapeutic response by diffusion-weighted imaging

AIM： To explore the diffusion gradient b-factor that optimizes both apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） measurement and contrast-to-noise （CNR） for assessing tumor response to transarterial chemoembolization （TACE） in a rabbit model. METHODS： Twelve New Zealand white rabbits bearing VX2 tumors in the liver were treated with TACE. Diffusion-weighted imaging （DWI） with various b values was performed using the same protocol before and 3 d after treatment with TACE. ADC values and CNR of each tumor pre- and post-treatment with different b factors were analyzed. Correlation between ADC values and extent of necrosis in histological specimens was analyzed by a Pearson＇s correlation test.RESULTS： The quality of diffusion-weighted images diminished as the b value increased. A substantial decrease in the mean lesion-to-liver CNR was observed on both pre- and post-treatment DW images, the largest difference in CNR pre- and post-treatment was manifested at a b value of 1000 s/mm^2 （P = 0.036 ）. The effect of therapy on diffusion early after treatment was shown by a significant increase in ADCs （P = 0.007）, especially with large b factors （≥ 600 s/mm^2）. The mean percentage of necrotic cells present within the tumor was 76.3%-97.5%. A significant positive correlation was found between ADC values and the extent of necrosis with all b values except for b200, a higher relative coefficient between ADC values and percentage of necrosis was found on DWI with bl000 and b2000 （P = 0.002 and 0.006, respectively）. CONCLUSION： An increasing b value of up to 600 s/mm^2 would increase ADC contrast pre- and post-treatment, but decrease image quality. Taking into account both CNR and ADC measurement, diffusion-weighted imaging obtained with a b value of 1000 s/mm^2 is recommended for monitoring early hepatic tumor response to TACE.

Effects of the long wavelength-filtered continuousspectrum on natural refractive development in juvenile guinea pigs

AIM: To investigate the effects of spectral composition and light intensity on natural refractive development in guinea pigs.METHODS: A total of 124 pigmented guinea pigs(2-week-old) were randomly assigned to three groups at high(Hi;4000 lx), medium(Me;400 lx) and low(Lo;50 lx) light intensities under a 12:12 light/dark cycle for 6 wk. Each group was subdivided into subgroups with the following spectra: broad spectrum Solux halogen light(BS), 600 nm above-filtered continuous spectrum(600F), 530 nm above-filtered continuous spectrum(530F), and 480 nm above-filtered continuous spectrum(480F;HiBS: n=10, Hi600F: n=10, Hi530F: n=10, Hi480F: n=10, MeBS: n=10, Me600F: n=10, Me530F: n=10, Me480F: n=10, LoBS: n=11, Lo600F: n=12, Lo530F: n=10, Lo480F: n=11). Refractive error, corneal curvature radius, and axial dimensions were determined by cycloplegic retinoscopy, photokeratometry, and A-scan ultrasonography before and after 2, 4, and 6 wk of treatment. Average changes from both eyes in the ocular parameters and refractive error were compared among different subgroups.RESULTS: After 6 wk of exposure, high-intensity lighting enhanced hyperopic shift;medium-and low-intensity lighting enhanced myopic shift(P<0.05). Under the same spectrum, axial increase was larger in the low light intensity group than in the medium and high light intensity groups(HiBS: 0.65±0.02 mm, MeBS: 0.67±0.01 mm, LoBS:0.82±0.02 mm;Hi600 F: 0.64±0.02 mm, Me600F: 0.67±0.01 mm, Lo600F: 0.81±0.01 mm;Hi530F: 0.64±0.02 mm, Me530F: 0.67±0.01 mm, Lo530F: 0.73±0.02 mm;Hi480F: 0.64±0.01 mm, Me480F: 0.66±0.01 mm, Lo480F: 0.72±0.02 mm;P<0.05). Under 400 lx, there was a faster axial increase in the MeBS group than in the Me480F group(P<0.05). Under 50 lx, axial length changes were significantly larger in LoBS and Lo600F than in Lo530F and Lo480F(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Under high-intensity lighting, high light intensity rather than spectrum distributions that inhibits axial increase. Under medium-and low-intensity lighting, filtering out the long wavelength inhibits axial growth in juvenile guinea pigs.

Numerical analysis of heat transfer enhancement on steam condensation in the presence of air outside the tube

In loss-of-coolant accidents,a passive containment heat removal system protects the integrity of the containment by condensing steam.As a large amount of air exists in the containment,the steam condensation heat transfer can be significantly reduced.Based on previous research,traditional methods for enhancing pure steam condensation may not be applicable to steam–air condensation.In the present study,new methods of enhancing condensation heat transfer were adopted and several potentially enhanced heat transfer tubes,including corrugated tubes,spiral fin tubes,and ring fin tubes were designed.STAR-CCM+was used to determine the effect of enhanced heat transfer tubes on the steam condensation heat transfer.According to the calculations,the gas pressure ranged from 0.2 to 1.6 MPa,and air mass fraction ranged from 0.1 to 0.9.The effective perturbation of the high-concentration air layer was identified as the key factor for enhancing steam–air condensation heat transfer.Further,the designed corrugated tube performed well at atmospheric pressure,with a maximum enhancement of 27.4%,and performed poorly at high pressures.In the design of spiral fin tubes,special attention should be paid to the locations that may accumulate high-concentration air.Nonetheless,the ring-fin tubes generally displayed good performance under all conditions of interest,with a maximum enhancement of 24.2%.

Image-guidedcryoablation in unresectable or recurrent advanced colorectal cancer:a retrospective study

Purpose: The present study retrospectively analyzed thesafety and efficacy of computed tomography(CT)-guided cryoablationin the treatment ofunresectable or recurrent advanced colorectal cancer, which did not respond well to or experienced progression with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: From January 2013 to April 2015, 31 lesions in 27 patients(16 males, 11 females; mean age of 57.2 years) with pelvic unresectableadvanced or recurrent colorectal cancer were included in the study.The tumor diameter was approximately 3.37 ±1.41 cm. The primary tumor included 25 rectal cancers, 1 sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma, and 1 ileocecal mucinous adenocarcinoma. Cryoablation was performed with 17-gauge cryoprobes and monitored by 64-slice spiral CT. Follow-up was carried out by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). The treatment efficacy was evaluated by symptom palliation, decreased carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) serum level, and tumor response. Results: The cryoablation procedure was well-tolerated in all patients without major complications or procedure-related mortality. Long-term complications included abscess formation(1 patient), skin frostbite and post-sacrum antrum formation(1 patient). Pain relief was satisfactory in patients with perineal pain(P<0.001), and the median time of pain relief was 3.0 months. Complete ablations were obtained in 22 lesions of 18 patients, while 9 lesions in 9 patients underwent incomplete ablation. The median time to local recurrence for lesions with complete ablations was 15.0 months, and that to the progression of tumors with incomplete ablation was 4.0 months. Conclusion: CT-guided cryoablation is a minimally invasive, safe, and effective therapeutic option for unresectableadvanced or recurrent colorectal cancer. The treatment is well-tolerated by patients, and pain relief is achieved rapidly.

Metabonomic studies of pancreatic cancer response to radiotherapy in a mouse xenograft model using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and principal components analysis

AIM: To investigate the metabolic profiles of xenograft pancreatic cancer before and after radiotherapy by high-resolution magic angle spinning proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HRMAS 1H NMR) combined with principal components analysis (PCA) and evaluate the radiotherapeutic effect. METHODS: The nude mouse xenograft model of human pancreatic cancer was established by injecting human pancreatic cancer cell SW1990 subcutaneously into the nude mice. When the tumors volume reached 800 mm3 , the mice received various radiation doses. Two weeks later, tumor tissue sections were prepared for running the NMR measurements. 1H NMR and PCA were used to determine the changes in the metabolic profiles of tumor tissues after radiotherapy. Metabolic profiles of normal pancreas, pancreatic tumor tissues, and radiationtreated pancreatic tumor tissues were compared. RESULTS: Compared with 1H NMR spectra of the normal nude mouse pancreas, the levels of choline, taurine, alanine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, lactate, and glutamic acid of the pancreatic cancer group were increased, whereas an opposite trend for phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine, and betaine was observed. The ratio of phosphocholine to creatine, and glycerophosphocholine to creatine showed noticeable decrease in the pancreatic cancer group. After further evaluation of the tissue metabolic profile after treatment with three different radiation doses, no significant change in metabolites was observed in the 1H NMR spectra, while the inhibition of tumor growth was in proportion to the radiation doses. However, PCA results showed that the levels of choline and betaine were decreased with the increased radiation dose, and conversely, the level of acetic acid was dramatically increased. CONCLUSION: The combined methods were demonstrated to have the potential for allowing early diagnosis and assessment of pancreatic cancer response to radiotherapy.

Identification of differentially expressed metastatic genes and their signatures to predict the overall survival of uveal melanoma patients by bioinformatics analysis

AIM:To identify metastatic genes and mi RNAs and to investigate the metastatic mechanism of uveal melanoma(UVM).METHODS:GSE27831,GSE39717,and GSE73652 gene expression profiles were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,and the limma R package was used to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs).Gene Ontology(GO)term enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis were performed using the DAVID online tool.A comprehensive list of interacting DEGs was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes(STRING)database and Cytoscape software.The Cytoscape MCODE plug-in was used to identify clustered sub-networks and modules of hub genes from the proteinprotein interaction network.GEPIA online software was used for survival analysis of UVM patients(n=80)from the The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)cohort.Oncomi R online software was used to find that the mi RNAs were associated with UVM prognosis from the TCGA cohort.Target Scan Human 7.2 software was then used to identify the mi RNAs targeting the genes.RESULTS:There were 1600 up-regulated genes and 1399 down-regulated genes.The up-regulated genes were mainly involved in protein translation in the cytosol,whereas the down-regulated genes were correlated with extracellular matrix organization and cell adhesion in the extracellular space.Among the 2999 DEGs,five genes,Znf391,Mrps11,Htra3,Sulf2,and Smarcd3 were potential predictors of UVM prognosis.Otherwise,three mi RNAs,hsa-mi R-509-3-5 p,hsa-mi R-513 a-5 p,and hsa-mi R-1269 a were associated with UVM prognosis.CONCLUSION:After analyzing the metastasis-related enriched terms and signaling pathways,the up-regulated DEGs are mainly involved in protein synthesis and cell proliferation by ribosome and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)pathways.However,the down-regulated DEGs are mainly involved in processes that reduced cell-cell adhesion and promoted cell migration in the extracellular matrix through PI3 K-Akt signaling pathway,focal adhesion,and extracellular matrix-receptor interactions.Bioinformatics and interaction analysis may provide new insights on the events leading up to the development and progression of UVM.

Genetic types and geochemicai characteristics of natural gases in the Jiyang Depression,China

Natural gases were widely distributed in the Jiyang Depression with complicated component composition, and it is difficult to identify their genesis. Based on investigation of gas composition, carbon isotope ratios, light hydrocarbon properties, as well as geological analysis, natural gases in the Jiyang Depression are classified into two types, one is organic gas and the other is abiogenic gas. Abiogenic gas is mainly magmatogenic or mantlederived CO2. Organic gases are further divided into coaltype gas, oil-type gas, and biogas according to their kero- gen types and formation mechanisms. The oil-type gases are divided into mature oil-type gas （oil-associated gas） and highly mature oil-type gas. The highly mature oil-type gases can be subdivided into oil-cracking gas and kerogen thermal degradation gas. Identification factors for each kind of hydrocarbon gas were summarized. Based on genesis analysis results, the genetic types of gases buried in different depths were discussed. Results showed that shallow gases （〈1,500 m） are mainly mature oil-type gases, biogas, or secondary gases. Secondary gases are rich in methane because of chromatographic separation during migration and secondary biodegradation. Secondary biodegradation leads to richness of heavy carbon isotope ratios in methane and propane. Genesis of middle depth gases （1,500-3,500 m） is dominated by mature oil-type gases.Deep gases （3,500-5,500 m） are mainly kerogen thermal degradation gas, oil-cracking gas, and coal-type gas.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis of key candidate genes and therapeutic drugs for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a form of fibrotic and fatal lung disease worldwide with unknownetiology and mechanisms. This manuscript focused on clarifying the core protein-protein interaction network, genesand related pathways correlated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in detail. Methods: Gene chip (GSE24206) wasacquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. GEO2R was a R-based online tool to screen differentialexpressed genes. Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis were utilized toascertain gene function and key signaling pathways. The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes was usedto construct the protein-protein interaction network. Key genes and module analysis were screened out usingCytohubba and MCODE plugin. The candidate therapeutic molecular drugs were searched for IPF using DGIdbdatabase. Results: A cohort of 240 differential expression of genes (113 up-regulated and 127 down-regulated) wereknocked out. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis indicated that some differential expression of genes were involvedin extracellular matrix and neutrophil chemotaxis. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways werepredominantly involved in chemokine signaling pathway and ECM-receptor interactions. Two significant modulesand 5 hub genes were strongly implicated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from protein-protein interaction network.The 2 module genes were primarily enriched in the cytokine-cytokine receptor, TNF signaling pathway, toll-likesignaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway. Finally, 41 small molecules were identified by DGIdb database as thepotential drugs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusion: To conclude, in this study, the hub genes, signalingpathways, and small molecules will conduce to better understanding the mechanisms and may provide new methodsto the therapy of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Simultaneous determination of dissolved organic nitrogen, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia using size exclusion chromatography coupled with nitrogen detector

Accurate quantification of dissolved organic nitrogen(DON) has been a challenge due to the cumulative analytical errors in the conventional method via subtracting dissolved inorganic nitrogen species(DIN) from total dissolved nitrogen(TDN). Size exclusion chromatography coupled with an organic nitrogen detector(SEC-OND) has been developed as a direct method for quantification and characterization of DON. However, the applications of SECOND method still subject to poor separations between DON and DIN species and unsatisfied N recoveries of macromolecules. In this study, we packed a series of SEC columns with different lengths and resin materials for separation of different N species and designed an independent vacuum ultraviolet(VUV) oxidation device for complete oxidation converting N species to nitrate. To guarantee sufficient N recoveries, the operation conditions were optimized as oxidation time ≥ 30 min, injection mass(sample concentration × injection volume) < 1000 μL × mg-N/L for macromolecular proteins, and neutral p H mobile eluent. The dissolved O_(2)concentration in SEC mobile phase determined the upper limit of VUV oxidation at a specific oxidation time. Compared to conventional HW50S column(20 × 250 mm),HW40S column(20 × 350 mm) with mobile phase comprising of 1.5 g/L Na2HPO_(4)·2H_(2)O + 2.5g/L KH_(2)PO_(4)(p H = 6.85) could achieve a better separation of DON, nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia. When applied to river water, lake water, wastewater effluent, groundwater, and landfill leachate, the SEC-OND method could quantify DON as well as DIN species accurately and conveniently even the DIN/TDN ratio reached 0.98.