Serum vascular endothelial growth factor and cortisol expression to predict prognosis of patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Cerebral hemorrhage is a common and severe complication of hypertension in middle-aged and elderly men.AIM To investigate the correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and cortisol(Cor)and the prognosis of patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.METHODS A hundred patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage were enrolled from January 2020 to December 2022 and assigned to the hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage group.Another 100 healthy people who were examined at our hospital during the same period were selected and assigned to the healthy group.Peripheral venous blood was collected,and serum Cor and VGEF levels were measured through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS A statistically significant difference in serum Cor and VGEF levels was observed among patients with varying degrees of neurological impairment(P<0.05).Serum Cor and VGEF levels were significantly higher in the severe group than in the mild-to-moderate group.Cor and VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients with poor prognoses than in those with good prognoses.Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that serum Cor and VGEF levels were independent factors affecting hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Cor and VGEF are associated with the occurrence and development of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage and are significantly associated with neurological impairment and prognosis of patients.

Modeling Method for Flexible Energy Behaviors in CNC Machining Systems

CNC machining systems are inevitably confronted with frequent changes in energy behaviors because they are widely used to perform various machining tasks. It is a challenge to understand and analyze the flexible energy behaviors in CNC machining systems. A method to model flexible energy behaviors in CNC machining systems based on hierarchical objected-oriented Petri net(HOONet) is proposed. The structure of the HOONet is constructed of a high-level model and detail models. The former is used to model operational states for CNC machining systems, and the latter is used to analyze the component models for operational states. The machining parameters having great impacts on energy behaviors in CNC machining systems are declared with the data dictionary in HOONet models. A case study based on a CNC lathe is presented to demonstrate the proposed modeling method. The results show that it is effective for modeling flexible energy behaviors and providing a fine-grained description to quantitatively analyze the energy consumption of CNC machining systems.

Effectiveness of the flipped classroom on the development of self-directed learning in nursing education:a meta-analysis

Objectives: To examine the best practice evidence of the effectiveness of the flipped classroom（FC） as a burgeoning teaching model on the development of self-directed learning in nursing education.Data sources: The relevant randomized controlled trial（RCT） and non-RCT comparative studies were searched from multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature（CINAHL）, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials（CENTRAL）, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure（CNKI）, and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database（VIP） from inception to June 2017.Review methods: The data were independently assessed and extracted for eligibility by two reviewers. The quality of included studies was assessed by another two reviewers using a standardized form and evaluated by using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool. The self-directed learning scores（continuous outcomes） were analyzed by using the 95% confidence intervals（Cls） with the standard deviation average（SMD） or weighted mean difference（WMD）. The heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s I;statistic.Results: A total of 12 studies, which encompassed 1440 nursing students（intervention group = 685, control group = 755）, were eligible for inclusion in this review. Of 12 included studies, the quality level of one included study was A and of the others was B. The pooled effect size showed that compared with traditional teaching models, the FC could improve nursing students’ selfdirected learning skill, as measured by the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale（SDLRS）, Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale for Nursing Education（SDLRSNE）, Self-Regulated Learning Scale（SRL）, Autonomous Learning Competencies scale（ALC）, and Competencies of Autonomous Learning of Nursing Students（CALNS）. Overall scores and subgroup analyses with the SRL were all in favor of the FC.Conclusions: The result of this meta-analysis indicated that FCs could improve the effect of self-directed learning in nursing education.Future studies with more RCTs using the same measurement tools are needed to draw more authoritative conclusions.

Ovarian Toxicity and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Phthalates and Their Metabolites

Ovary plays an important role in the female reproductive system.The maintenance and regulation of ovarian function are affected by various physical and chemical factors.With the development of industrialization,environmental pollutants have caused great harm to public health.Phthalates,as a class of endocrine-disrupting chemicals(EDCs),are synthesized and used in large quantities as plasticizers due to their chemical properties.They are easily released into environment because of their noncovalent interactions with substances,causing human exposure and possibly impairing ovary.In recent years,more and more attention has been paid to the role of epigenetics in the occurrence and development of diseases.And it is urgent to study the role of methylation,gene imprinting,miRNA,and other epigenetic mechanisms in reproductive toxicology.

Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the new fear of hypoglycemia scale: FH-15

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Fear of Hypoglycemia scale with 15 items(FH-15).Methods:After obtaining the original author's authorization,the English version of the FH-15 scale was translated,back translated,and culturally debugged to obtain the Chinese version of FH-15.A convenient sampling method was used to extract patients with type 2 diabetes from four tertiary hospitals in Tianjin.A total of 408 patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated in the hospital to test the reliability and validity of Chinese version FH-15 scale.Results:The content validity index of the scale was 0.92,and the content validity index of each item was 0.8-1.0.The exploratory factor analysis extracted three common factors(fear,avoidance,and interference),which contained 15 items,and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 71.245%.The confirmatory factor analysis results showed that the model fit was better at 1.981 x2/df,GFI=0.901,CGI=0.962,TLI=0.952,and RMSEA=0.070.The cut-off value for the total hypoglycemia fear scale was 30.5.The Cronbach'sαcoefficient of the three dimensions of the scale was 0.918,the Cronbach'sαcoefficient of each dimension is 0.876-0.916,the test-retest reliability was 0.903,and the test-retest reliability of each factor was 0.733-0.930.Conclusion:The Chinese version of the FH-15 scale can be considered reliable and valid.The item expression is concise,clear,and easy to understand.It is suitable for clinical practice as an initial screening tool to identify and evaluate the severity of fear of hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Novel glucose-lowering drugs for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND The efficacy of novel glucose-lowering drugs in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is unknown.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of glucose-lowering drugs dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DPP-4)inhibitors,glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1 RAs),and sodiumglucose cotransporter 2(SGLT2)inhibitors in treating NAFLD and to perform a comparison between these treatments.METHODS Electronic databases were systematically searched.The inclusion criteria were:Randomized controlled trials comparing DPP-4 inhibitors,GLP-1 RAs,or SGLT2 inhibitors against placebo or other active glucose-lowering drugs in NAFLD patients,with outcomes of changes in liver enzyme[alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and/or aspartate aminotransferase(AST)]from baseline.RESULTS Nineteen studies were finally included in this meta-analysis.Compared with placebo or other active glucose-lowering drug treatment,treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors,GLP-1 RAs,and SGLT2 inhibitors all led to a significant decrease in ALT change and AST change from baseline.The difference between the DPP-4 inhibitor and SGLT2 inhibitor groups in ALT change was significant in favor of DPP-4 inhibitor treatment(P<0.05).The trends of reduction in magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction and visceral fat area changes were also observed in all the novel glucose-lowering agent treatment groups.CONCLUSION Treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors,GLP-1 RAs,and SGLT2 inhibitors resulted in improvements in serum ALT and AST levels and body fat composition,indicating a beneficial effect in improving liver injury and reducing liver fat in NAFLD patients.

Magneto-Elastic Coupling in a Sinusoidal Modulated Magnet Cr_(2)GaN

We use neutron powder diffraction to investigate the magnetic and crystalline structure of Cr_(2)GaN.A magnetic phase transition is identified at T≈170 K,whereas no trace of structural transition is observed down to 6 K.Combining Rietveld refinement with irreducible representations,the spin configuration of Cr ions in Cr_(2)GaN is depicted as an incommensurate sinusoidal modulated structure characterized by a propagating vector k=(0.365,0.365,0).Upon warming up to the paramagnetic state,the magnetic order parameter closely resembles to the temperature dependence of c-axis lattice parameter,suggesting strong magneto-elastic coupling in this compound.Therefore,Cr_(2)Ga N provides a potential platform for exploration of magnetically tuned properties such as magnetoelectric,magnetostrictive and magnetocaloric effects,as well as their applications.

MgF_(2)涂层对Mg-Zn-Ca合金在模拟体液中应力腐蚀开裂行为的影响

采用慢应变拉伸测试方法对Mg-3wt.%Zn-0.2wt.%Ca(质量分数)(MZC)合金和氟化镁(MgF_(2))涂层Mg-3wt.%Zn-0.2wt.%Ca合金(MZC-MF)的应力腐蚀开裂行为进行研究。结果表明,MgF_(2)涂层可以显著提高MZC合金在模拟体液(SBF)中的耐腐蚀性并延长其断裂失效时间。MgF_(2)涂层明显降低MZC合金在SBF中的应力腐蚀敏感性,应力腐蚀开裂敏感性指数(Iscc)分别降低21%(UTS),22%(tf),23%(δ),7%(φ)和15%(A)。

Study of the relationship between fractures and highly productive shale gas zones, Longmaxi Formation, Jiaoshiba area in eastern Sichuan

Shale fractures are an important factor controlling shale gas enrichment and high-productivity zones in the Longmaxi Formation, Jiaoshiba area in eastern Sichuan. Drilling results have, however, shown that the shale fracture density does not have a straightforward correlation with shale gas productivity. Based on logging data, drilling and seismic data, the relationship between shale fracture and shale gas accumulation is investigated by integrating the results of experiments and geophysical methods. The following conclusions have been drawn：（1） Tracer diffusion tests indicate that zones of fracture act as favorable channels for shale gas migration and high-angle fractures promote gas accumulation.（2） Based on the result of azimuthal anisotropy prediction, a fracture system with anisotropy strength values between 1 and 1.15 represents a moderate development of high-angle fractures, which is considered to be favorable for shale gas accumulation and high productivity, while fracture systems with anisotropy strength values larger than 1.15 indicate over-development of shale fracture, which may result in the destruction of the shale reservoir preservation conditions.

Effects of mindfulness meditation on anxiety, depression, stress, and mindfulness in nursing students: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation(MM)on anxiety,depression,stress and mindfulness in nursing students.Methods:A comprehensive search and screening procedures were conducted to locate all MM interventions implemented with nursing students.For randomized controlled trials(RCTs)in accordance with the inclusion criteria,a search was conducted in PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,Medline,PsycINFO,Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health(CINAHL),Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL),China Biology Medicine(CBM),Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)and Wanfang.Databases were retrieved from inception through August 2018.Additional studies were identified through hand searches and Internet searches.Two reviewers collected relevant data of eligible articles according to the data extraction tables.Based on Cochrane Handbook,critical appraisal of the methodological quality was assessed by two other reviewers.An Excel form was used to extract main characteristics of included RCTs.Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis(TSA)were carried out using software RevMan 5.3 and TSA 0.9.Results:Five RCTs with 257 nursing students were included.Only two studies were assessed as high quality and three studies were evaluated as moderate quality.Meta-analysis showed that,comparing with the control group,MM could significantly improve anxiety(SMD=?0.45,95%CI?0.73 to?0.17,P=0.001)and stress(SMD=?0.69,95%CI?0.97 to?0.40,P<0.001).TSA results confirmed that the outcome of the merger is credible.It could also significantly improve depression level of nursing students after 8 weeks intervention duration(SMD=?0.70,95%CI?1.14 to?0.26,P=0.002).However,there was no beneficial effect on depression level of nursing students with 1 week intervention duration(SMD=0.09,95%CI?0.42 to 0.59,P=0.74)and its effects on mindfulness level of nursing students also did not show statistical significance(SMD=0.37,95%CI?0.04 to 0.77,P=0.07).No definitive conclusions were drawn from the TSA.Conclusions:The results of this meta-analysis indicated that MM could effectively reduce the level of anxiety and stress of nursing students.TSA confirmed that the results of meta-analysis are credible.For depression,it could also significantly improve depression of nursing students with 8 weeks intervention,but there was no significant effect on nursing students with 1 week intervention duration.There was also no beneficial effect on mindfulness level of nursing students.However,TSA indicated that the accumulated evidence is still inconclusive.We suggest that more well-designed clinical trials with large sample and higher quality would be required in future to draw a definitive conclusion.

Risk factors for acute kidney injury in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background and Objective: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potent procedure for the treatment of hematologic diseases, yet it is associated with high risks of treatment-related complications. Except for transplant-related organ toxicities, renal insufficiencies which emerge earlier significantly limit patients' long survival. To analyze risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI), we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 96 patients undergoing HSCT. Methods: During the first 100 days after allo-HSCT, all patients were evaluated for renal function by measuring serum creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with a classification below: Grade 0 (< 25%, decline in creatinine clearance), Grade 1 ( ≥25% decline in creatinine clearance but < 2-fold increase in serum creatinine), Grade 2 ( ≥2-fold rise in serum creatinine but no need for dialysis), and Grade 3 ( ≥2-fold rise in serum creatinine and need for dialysis). Cox regression model was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) of demographic data, clinical variables, and risk factors for AKI. Results: Twenty-eight (29.2%) patients occurred Grades 1-3 renal dysfunction (Grade 1, 14 patients; Grade 2, 12 patients; Grade 3, 2 patients), and ratios of early kidney injury increased in high-risk malignancy group (HR = 2.945, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.293-6.421), patients treated with myeloablative conditioning regimen ( HR = 2.463, 95% CI = 1.757-4.320), and patients with acute GVHD (HR = 3.553, 95% CI = 1.809-6.978), sepsis (HR = 3.215, 95% CI = 1.189-6.333 ), or hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) (HR = 3.487, 95% CI = 1.392-6.524). Whereas, HLA histocompatibility showed no striking increased risk for acute renal injury (HR = 1.684, 95% CI = 0.648-4.378). The survival rate was lower in patients with severe nephrotoxicity (21.4%) than in patients without nephrotoxicity (70.6%) (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Nephrotoxicity is the primary risk factor for AKI, severely impacting on survival. Sorts of risk factors mentioned will be useful for evaluation for kidney function of patients undergoing allo-HSCT.

Efficacy and safety of the heated gel mattress for prevention of hypothermia in preterm infants during intra-hospital transport： a meta-analysis

Objective： To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the heated gel mattress for prevention of heat loss on preterm infants with hypothermia during the transport systematically and objectively. Methods： Systematic searches on PubMed, EM- BASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP were performed for randomized controlled trials （RCTs） or quasi-RCTs which explored the effects of heated gel mattress on prevention of hypothermia in premature infants relative to conventional alternatives. Studies were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed quality. Then, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis were performed by RevMan 5.3 and TSA vO.9 software developed at the Copenhagen Clinical Trials Center in Denmark, independently. Results： This systematic review included 10 studies which comprised 7 RCTs and 3 quasi-RCTs, encompassing 773 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that in heated gel mattress group admission temperature on neonatal intensive care unit （SMD, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.87; P = 0.00）, incidence of hypothermia （RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.93; P = 0.01） and hyperthermia （RR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.31 to 2.541 P = 0.00） compared with the control group had significantly statistical difference; however, there was no significant difference in admission temperature on exothermic mattresses or TransWarmer mattress group, mortality, sepsis, retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage Ⅲ/Ⅳ between two groups, trial sequential analysis confirmed that the pooled results of admission temperature on neonatal intensive care unit and hyperthermia were stable and reliable; but the combination of low-temperature incidence and mortality indicators suggested that the sample size was insufficient. Conclusion： Heated gel mattress is a safe and effective re- warming intervention that can improve body temperature of hypothermic preterm infants during transport, reduce the incidence of hypothermia and does not increase the incidence of morbidity and complications. However, it is recommended that clinical monitoring of body temperature should be performed dynamically to decrease the potential risk of high fever. In addition, due to the limitation of quantity and quality of included studies, its cost-effectiveness and far-reaching influence on long-term follow-up outcomes need further evaluation through clinical multicenter, large sample, and high-quality research.

Detecting and Monitoring Tidal Dissipation of Hot Jupiters in the Era of SiTian

Transit Timing Variation(TTV)of hot Jupiters provides direct observational evidence of planet tidal dissipation.Detecting tidal dissipation through TTV needs high precision transit timings and long timing baselines.In this work,we predict and discuss the potential scientific contribution of the SiTian Survey in detecting and analyzing exoplanet TTV.We develop a tidal dissipation detection pipeline for the SiTian Survey that aims at time-domain astronomy with 721 m optical telescopes.The pipeline includes the modules of light curve deblending,transit timing acquisition and TTV modeling.SiTian is capable of detecting more than 25,000 exoplanets among which we expect~50 sources to show evidence of tidal dissipation.We present detection and analysis of tidal dissipating targets,based on simulated SiTian light curves of XO-3b and WASP-161 b.The transit light curve modeling gives consistent results within 1σto input values of simulated light curves.Also,the parameter uncertainties predicted by Markov Chain Monte Carlo are consistent with the distribution obtained from simulating and modeling the light curve 1000 times.The timing precision of SiTian observations is~0.5 minutes with one transit visit.We show that differences between TTV origins,e.g.,tidal dissipation,apsidal precession and multiple planets,would be significant,considering the timing precision and baseline.The detection rate of tidal dissipating hot Jupiters would answer a crucial question of whether the planet migrates at an early formation stage or random stages due to perturbations,e.g.,planet scattering or secular interaction.SiTian identified targets would be constructive given that the sample would extend tenfold.

Effects of parental involvement in infant care in neonatal intensive care units:a meta-analysis

Objective： This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effects of parental involvement in infant care in neonatal intensive care units （NlCUs）. Methods： PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）, Wanfang database, and VIP database were searched till November 2017. Randomized controlled trials （RCTs） and controlled clinical trials （CCTs） examining the effect of parental involvement in the NICU were considered for inclusion. Resulls： We included 10 studies （three RCTs, seven CCTs） with a total of 1,851 participants. The meta-analysis demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences on nosocomial infection between two groups （risk ratio [RR] = 0.90, 95% CI 0.63-1.30, P = 0.58）. Compared with no parental involvement groups, parental involvement groups showed more weight gain （mean difference [MD] = 1.47, 95% CI 0.65-2.29, P 〈 0.05）, higher breast-feeding rate （RR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.25-1.53, P 〈 0.05）, lower readmission rate （RR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.80, P 〈 0.05）, and higher satisfaction rate （RR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.16, P 〈 0.05）.Conclusions： Parentaiinvolvement in the NICU interventions could not increase the rate of nosocomial infection of neonates, but could improve their weight gain, breast-feeding and parental satisfaction and decrease their readmission. However, since the conclusion of this meta-analysis was drawn based on the limited number of high-quality RCTs, more hioh-quality studies should be conducted in the future to confirm its positive intervention effects.

Towards the meV limit of the effective neutrino mass in neutrinoless double-beta decays

We emphasize that it is extremely important for future neutrinoless double-beta(0νββ)decay experiments to reach the sensitivity to the effective neutrino mass|mββ|≈1 meV.With such a sensitivity,it is highly possible to discover the signals of 0νββ decays.If no signal is observed at this sensitivity level,then either neutrinos are Dirac particles or stringent constraints can be placed on their Majorana masses.In this paper,assuming the sensitivity of|mββ|≈1 meV for future 0νββ decay experiments and the precisions on neutrion oscillation parameters after the JUNO experiment,we fully explore the constrained regions of the lightest neutrino mass m1 and two Majorana-type CP-violating phases{ρ,σ}.Several important conclusions in the case of normal neutrino mass ordering can be made.First,the lightest neutrino mass is severely constrained to a narrow range m1∈[0.7,8]meV,which together with the precision measurements of neutrino mass-squared differences from oscillation experiments completely determines the neutrino mass spectrum m2∈[8.6,11.7]meV ing phases is limited to ρ∈[130°,230°],which cannot be obtained from any other realistic experiments.Third,the sum of three neutrino masses is found to beΣ≡m1+m2+m3∈[59.2,72.6]meV,while the effective neutrino mass for beta decays turns out to be mβ≡(|Ue1|2m1^2+|Ue2|2m2^2+|Ue3|2m3^2)1/2∈[8.9,12.6]meV.These observations clearly set up the roadmap for future non-oscillation neutrino experiments aiming to solve the fundamental problems in neutrino physics.

Safe semi-supervised learning: a brief introduction

Semi-supervised learning constructs the predictive model by learning from a few labeled training examples and a large pool of unlabeled ones. It has a wide range of application scenarios and has attracted much attention in the past decades. However, it is noteworthy that although the learning performance is expected to be improved by exploiting unlabeled data, some empirical studies show that there are situations where the use of unlabeled data may degenerate the performance. Thus, it is advisable to be able to exploit unlabeled data safely. This article reviews some research progress of safe semi-supervised learning, focusing on three types of safeness issue: data quality, where the training data is risky or of low?quality;model uncertainty, where the learning algorithm fails to handle the uncertainty during training;measure diversity, where the safe performance could be adapted to diverse measures.

Association between serum uric acid and large-nerve fiber dysfunction in type 2 diabetes:a cross-sectional study

Background:Large-nerve fiber dysfunction,as assessed by vibration perception threshold (VPT) predicts risks of ulceration,amputation,and mortality in diabetes.Serum uric acid (UA) is closely associated with various metabolic disorders,especially diabetes.Thus,we sought to investigate the clinical relevance of UA to large-nerve fiber dysfunction,among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods:Medical records of consecutive patients with T2D who were admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital Pinggu Campus between May 2014 and December 2016 were collected.Data for the 824 eligible patients included in the final analysis were extracted using a structured form.A VPT value ≥15 in either foot was defined as abnormal.We compared the clinical characteristics between patients with abnormal VPT and those with normal VPT (VPT value <15 in both feet) in the overall population and in gender subgroups.Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the association of abnormal VPT with UA level.One-way analysis of variance was used to compare VPT values across four UA quartiles.Results:UA levels were significantly lower in T2D patients with abnormal VPT than in those with normal VPT (294.5 ± 84.0 vs.314.9 ± 92.8 μmol/L,P<0.01),especially among male patients (311.7 ± 85.2 vs.336.9 ± 89.6 μmol/L,P<0.01).From the logistic regression analysis,hyperuricemia (males >420 μmol/L;females >360 μmol/L) was associated with a reduced risk of abnormal VPT (odds ratio [OR],0.60;95% confidence interval [CI],0.39–0.91;P<0.05).This association was robust in male patients (OR,0.43;95% CI,0.24–0.76;P<0.01) but not in female patients (OR,0.92;95% CI,0.47–1.82;P = 0.816),even after adjustment for confounding factors.For the younger male subgroup (age <65 years),VPT values decreased as the UA level increased (P for trend = 0.002),but this trend was not significant in older male subgroup (age ≥65 years;P for trend = 0.400).Conclusions:Low serum UA levels showed a significant association with an increased risk of large-nerve fiber dysfunction in male patients with T2D,but not in female patients with T2D.In addition,in only the younger subgroup of male patients (<65 years),lower levels of UA also correlated with higher VPT values.

Instance selection method for improving graph-based semi-supervised learning

Graph-based semi-supervised learning is an important semi-supervised learning paradigm. Although graphbased semi-supervised learning methods have been shown to be helpful in various situations, they may adversely affect performance when using unlabeled data. In this paper, we propose a new graph-based semi-supervised learning method based on instance selection in order to reduce the chances of performance degeneration. Our basic idea is that given a set of unlabeled instances, it is not the best approach to exploit all the unlabeled instances; instead, we should exploit the unlabeled instances that are highly likely to help improve the performance, while not taking into account the ones with high risk. We develop both transductive and inductive variants of our method. Experiments on a broad range of data sets show that the chances of performance degeneration of our proposed method are much smaller than those of many state-of-the-art graph-based semi-supervised learning methods.

Rescue ICSI: Choose the Optimal Rescue Window before Oocyte Aging

Objective To evaluate the application value of rescue ICSI in fertilization failure after conventional IVF and choose the best rescue window before oocyte aging according to the results of rescue ICSI performed in different time. Methods The data of 93 IVF cycles were analyzed retrospectively. Rescue ICSI was performed in these cycles after conventional IVF failure. Because of the different rescue time, these cycles were divided into two groups： early rescue group （group A, 77 cycles, rescue ICSI performed 4-8 h after conventional IVF） and late rescue group （group B, 16 cycles, rescue ICSI performed 20-22 h after conventional IVF）. Results There were no statistically significant differences in age of female, duration of infertility, number of oocytes retrieved every cycle. The normal fertilization rate, pregnancy rate and implantation rate were decreased in group B compared with those in group A （P〈0.05）. In group A, the normal fertilization rate of rescue ICSI performed 4-6 h after conventional IVF （group A1） was increased compared with that of rescue ICSI performed 6-8 h （including 6 h） after conventional IVF （group A2）（66.5% vs 55.9%）（P〈0.05）; while the abnormal fertilization rate in group A1 was decreased compared with group A2 （9.0% vs 14.4%）（P〈0.05）. Clinical pregnancy rate was slight higher in group A1 than in group A2, though this failed to be significantly different. Conclusion Rescue ICSI is effective if fertilization was failure after conventional IVF, the most important thing is to choose the reasonable rescue window before oocyte aging when ICSI is performed.

Enhanced Bombyx genome editing via Cas9 ribonucleoprotein injection

Dear Editor, The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system has become a popular and powerful method for manipulating genomes with considerably little effort and high efficiency. It allows for the generation of targeted indels, genomic structure variations, and insertion of foreign fragments. However, increasing concerns have been raised about possible off-target effects.