Quantitative analysis of optic disc changes in school-age children with ametropia based on artificial intelligence

AIM:To explore changes in the optic disc and peripapillary atrophy(PPA)in school-age children with ametropia using color fundus photography combined with artificial intelligence(AI)technology.METHODS:Based on the retrospective case-controlled study,226 eyes of 113 children aged aged 6–12y were enrolled from October 2021 to May 2022.According to the results of spherical equivalent(SE),the children were divided into four groups:low myopia group(66 eyes),moderate myopia group(60 eyes),high myopia group(50 eyes)and emmetropia control group(50 eyes).All subjects underwent un-aided visual acuity,dilated pupil optometry,best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),intraocular pressure,ocular axis measurement and color fundus photography.RESULTS:The width of PPA,horizontal diameter ratio of PPA to the optic disc and area ratio of PPA to the optic disc were significantly different among the four groups(P<0.05).The width of the nasal and temporal neuroretinal rim,the roundness of the optic disc,the height of PPA,the vertical diameter ratio of PPA to the optic disc,and the average density of PPA in the high myopia group were significantly different compared with the other three groups(P<0.05).There were strong negative correlations between SE and area ratio of PPA to the optic disc(r=-0.812,P<0.001)and strong positive correlation between axial length(AL)and area ratio of PPA to the optic disc(r=0.736,P<0.001).CONCLUSION:In school-age children with high myopia,the nasal and temporal neuroretinal rims are narrowed and even lost,which have high sensitivity.The area ratio of the PPA to the optic disc could be used as an early predictor of myopia progression,which is of great significance for the development prevention and management of myopia.

Effect of Cd on matrix structure ordering and aging precipitation evolution in a Mg-Gd-Cd solid-solution alloy

The formation and evolution of Gd-rich precipitates companying with the matrix structure ordering in a Mg_(97)Gd_(2)Cd_(1)(at.%)solid-solution alloy aged at 200℃have been systemically investigated using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy(HAADF-STEM).The results show that Gd-rich precipitation dynamics during the aging treatment are noticeably affected by a continuous ordering transformation in the matrix.The ordering transformation process involving mainly re-distribution of Cd atoms was revealed to occur in the following way:random super-saturated solid solution(S.S.S.S.)→B19-type ordered domains→D019-type ordered domains.Four Gd(Cd)-rich precipitates,G.P.Ⅰ zone,G.P.Ⅱ zone,β′andβ_(1)phases,have been observed to be formed in sequence to coexist with the various ordered domains.Based on the HAADF-STEM characterization on the aging microstructures at different aging stages,it can be concluded that the Cd-addition and related matrix structure ordering can play significant roles in modifying the early-stage G.P.zone structure,altering the morphology ofβ′precipitates and promoting the forming ability of theβ_(1)precipitate.

橙皮苷对翼状胬肉成纤维细胞增殖及cyclin D表达的影响

目的:评价橙皮苷对体外培养的人翼状胬肉成纤维细胞(HPF)增殖的抑制作用及对周期蛋白D(cyclin D)表达的影响。方法:将人翼状胬肉新鲜组织进行体外贴壁细胞常规培养,并采用免疫荧光染色法进行鉴定。通过MTT法检测不同浓度丝裂霉素C(MMC)(1.5、7.5、30.0μmol/L)和橙皮苷(24、48、64、72、96、120μmol/L)作用不同时间(24、48、72h)对细胞增殖的抑制,筛选适宜的作用浓度和时间。采用Western blot法检测cyclin D在HPF细胞中的相对表达量。结果:分别采用48、72μmol/L橙皮苷和7.5μmol/L MMC作用于HPF细胞48h,Western blot检测结果显示,空白对照组(正常培养)、MMC组、48μmol/L橙皮苷组、72μmol/L橙皮苷组细胞cyclin D蛋白相对表达量分别为1.20±0.02、0.60±0.03、0.54±0.02、0.45±0.07(F=73.025,P=0.001),MMC组和橙皮苷组细胞cyclin D蛋白相对表达量均低于空白对照组(P<0.05),但MMC组和橙皮苷组(48、72μmol/L)细胞cyclin D蛋白相对表达量均无差异(P>0.05)。结论:橙皮苷能抑制翼状胬肉HPF细胞增殖,该过程与其降低cyclin D的表达有关。

小剂量艾司氯胺酮对卵巢良性肿瘤腹腔镜切除术患者瑞芬太尼诱发痛觉过敏的影响

目的探讨小剂量艾司氯胺酮对卵巢良性肿瘤腹腔镜切除术患者瑞芬太尼诱发痛觉过敏的影响。方法选取2019年1月—2021年3月南通大学附属妇幼保健院收治的123例拟行腹腔镜切除术治疗的卵巢良性肿瘤患者,采用随机分组方法分为A组、B组及C组,每组41例。麻醉诱导后,A组和B组分别给予艾司氯胺酮0.8 mg/kg、0.6 mg/kg静脉输注(15 min输注完毕),C组不给予艾司氯胺酮。比较3组患者手术时间、苏醒时间、拔管时间及24 h吗啡累积用量;比较3组患者不同时间点血流动力学指标(心率、平均动脉压)、疼痛应激指标[前列腺素E2(PEG2)、P物质(SP)]及视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分;比较3组患者住院期间不良反应。结果3组患者手术时间、拔管时间及24 h吗啡累积用量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);3组患者苏醒时间比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),B组苏醒时间短于A组和C组。3组患者不同时间点心率和平均动脉压比较结果:①不同时间点的心率和平均动脉压比较有差异(P<0.05);②3组的心率和平均动脉压比较有差异(P<0.05),B组术中30 min、术后1 h的心率慢于A组和C组,平均动脉压低于A组和C组;③3组的心率和平均动脉压变化趋势有差异(P<0.05)。3组患者不同时间点PEG2、SP水平比较结果:①不同时间点的PEG2、SP水平有差异(P<0.05)。②3组的PEG2、SP水平有差异(P<0.05),A组和B组术中、术后1 h PEG2、SP水平均低于C组(P<0.05)。③3组的PEG2、SP水平变化趋势有差异(P<0.05)。3组患者不同时间点VAS评分比较结果:①不同时间点的VAS评分有差异(P<0.05);②3组的VAS评分有差异(P<0.05),A组和B组术后6 h、术后12 h VAS评分低于C组(P<0.05);③3组的VAS评分变化趋势有差异(P<0.05)。3组患者总不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论卵巢良性肿瘤腹腔镜切除术患者采用0.8 mg/kg、0.6 mg/kg剂量的艾司氯胺酮均可有效预防瑞芬太尼诱发痛觉过敏,降低疼痛且安全可靠,但0.6 mg/kg剂量艾司氯胺酮在缩短苏醒时间、血流动力学稳定性方面优于0.8 mg/kg剂量。

硬膜外麻醉联合多模式镇痛对全身麻醉腹腔镜妇科手术患者免疫功能及高迁移率族蛋白B1的影响

目的探讨硬膜外麻醉联合多模式镇痛对全身麻醉(以下简称全麻)腹腔镜妇科手术患者免疫功能及高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)的影响。方法选取2018年1月—2022年1月南通大学附属妇幼保健院收治的112例拟行全麻腹腔镜妇科手术患者,分为对照组和研究组,每组56例。研究组给予全身麻醉复合硬膜外麻醉联合多模式镇痛,对照组给予全身麻醉联合多模式镇痛。分析两组患者术中血流动力学指标的变化,比较两组患者术后疼痛情况,对比两组患者围术期HMGB1、应激反应及免疫功能情况,统计两组患者围术期麻醉药物相关不良反应发生情况。结果两组患者麻醉诱导前、气腹建立后5 min、放气后5 min的心率、平均动脉压(MAP)比较,经重复测量设计的方差分析,结果:①不同时间点的心率、MAP有差异(P<0.05);②两组患者心率、MAP有差异(P<0.05),研究组较对照组低,相对血流动力学较稳定;③两组患者心率、MAP变化趋势有差异(P<0.05)。两组患者术前、术后24 h、术后48 h的HMGB1水平比较,经重复测量设计的方差分析,结果:①不同时间点的HMGB1水平有差异(P<0.05);②两组患者HMGB1水平有差异(P<0.05),研究组术后较对照组低,炎症反应较轻;③两组患者HMGB1水平变化趋势有差异(P<0.05)。两组患者术前、术后24 h、术后48 h的肾上腺素(Adr)、皮质醇(Cor)比较,经重复测量设计的方差分析,结果:①不同时间点间的Adr、Cor有差异(P<0.05);②两组患者Adr、Cor有差异(P<0.05),研究组治疗后较对照组低,围术期应激反应轻较;③两组患者Adr、Cor变化趋势有差异(P<0.05)。两组患者术前、术后24 h、术后48 h的CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)比较,经重复测量设计的方差分析,结果:①不同时间点的CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)有差异(P<0.05);②两组患者CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)有差异(P<0.05),研究组较对照组高,免疫抑制较轻;③两组患者CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)变化趋势有差异(P<0.05)。两组患者不良反应总发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论硬膜外麻醉联合多模式镇痛用于全麻腹腔镜妇科手术可稳定术中血流动力学指标,降低术后疼痛,抑制炎症因子HMGB1分泌,减轻免疫抑制及应激反应,且安全性较好。

Clinical outcomes of amniotic membrane loaded with5-FU PLGA nanoparticles in experimental trabeculectomy

AIM: To evaluate the effect of amniotic membrane loaded with 5-fluorouracil poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA) nanoparticles(5-FU-NPs) in the surgical outcomes of experimental trabeculectomy in rabbits.METHODS: Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits were randomly categorized into four groups with 8 rabbits in each group. Group 1, the control group, performed traditional trabeculectomy without adjuvant treatment.While the experimental groups performed compound trabeculectomy with different implantations including amniotic membrane(group 2), 5-FU-NPs(group 3) and amniotic membrane loaded with 5-FU-NPs(group 4).Clinical evaluations including IOP measurement and filtration bleb analysis were performed in all groups postoperatively.RESULTS: There is no significant difference of mean IOP in all groups at first 7d after surgery. While at P14,mean IOPs of experimental group 2(9.8 ±2.1 mm Hg),groups 3(8.9 ±2.8 mm Hg) and group 4(7.6 ±2.3 mm Hg)were significantly reduced compared to control group(12.4 ±2.6 mm Hg; n =8, P 【0.05). At P21, mean IOPs of groups 3(11.7±3.2 mm Hg) and group 4(9.9±1.6 mm Hg)were significantly decreased compare to control group(17.9±1.6 mm Hg) and group 2(16.6 ±2.8 mm Hg; n =8,P 【0.05). At P28, mean IOPs of groups 3(13.8±3.3 mm Hg)and group 4(10.6 ±2.0 mm Hg) were also significantly reduced compare to control group(19.4±2.3 mm Hg) and group 2(18.5 ±2.4 mm Hg; n =8, P 【0.05). Meanwhile mean IOP of group 4 is significantly decreased compared to group 3 at P28(n =8, P 【0.05). Survival analysis of functional filtration blub in all groups revealed the longest survival time in group 4(24.9±5.1d) compared to that in group 3(20.6 ±4.3d), group 2(15.0 ±5.2d) and control group(10.1±5.7d).CONCLUSION: Amniotic membrane loaded with 5-FuNPs may function as an effective anti-scarring implant and provides improved long-term surgical outcomes for experimental trabeculectomy in rabbits.

Strengthened Monitoring of H5 Avian Influenza Viruses in External Environment in Hubei, 2018

The contamination status of H5 avian influenza viruses and distribution of subtypes of H5N1 and H5N6 in poultry-related environment of Hubei areas were investigated.Urban and rural live poultry markets,poultry farms,intensive livestock farms and other monitoring types of 103 counties in 17 cities were selected in Hubei.Wiping samples from cage surface,wiping samples from chopping board,fecal specimens and other environmental samples were collected and tested by real-time RT-PCR using primers and probes of influenza A,avian influenza of H5,N1 and N6 from December 2017 to March 2018.The avian influenza virus positive rate was compared among different monitoring sites,samples,time and regions.Totally,7132 environmental samples were collected in 1634 monitoring points with a positive rate of 2.24%.The positive rate of H5 avian influenza virus was the highest in urban and rural live poultry markets(3.44%,x^2=61.329,P<0.05)in 6 monitoring sites and wiping samples from chopping board(5.46%,x^2=67.072,P<0.05)in 6 sample types.H5N6 avian influenza viruses were detected more in eastern than western Hubei,and H5N6 avian influenza viruses were detected only in Xiangyang city of western Hubei.There were important high-risk places of human infection with H5 avian influenza virus in urban and rural live poultry markets and the poultry slaughtering plants.H5N6 has been the predominant subtype of H5 avian influenza viruses in the eastern and western Hubei and H5N6 avian influenza viruses were still present in a few areas of Hubei.Outbreaks of human H5N1 and H5N6 avian influenza remain at risk in Hubei province.

Progress on low susceptibility mechanisms of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies （TSEs）, also known as prion diseases, are a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases detected in a wide range of mammalian species. The ＂protein-only＂ hypothesis of TSE suggests that prions are transmissible particles devoid of nucleic acid and the primary pathogenic event is thought to be the conversion of cellular prion protein （PrPc） into the disease-associated isoform （prpSc）. According to susceptibility to TSEs, animals can be classified into susceptible species and low susceptibility species. In this review we focus on several species with low susceptibility to TSEs： dogs, rabbits, horses and buffaloes. We summarize recent studies into the characteristics of low susceptibility regarding protein structure, and biochemical and genetic properties.

Genetic analysis of Chinese families reveals a novel truncation allele of the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator gene

AIMTo make comprehensive molecular diagnosis for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients in a consanguineous Han Chinese family using next generation sequencing based Capture-NGS screen technology.

A human-specific insertion promotes cell proliferation and migration by enhancing TBC1D8B expression

Human-specific insertions play important roles in human phenotypes and diseases.Here we reported a 446-bp insertion(Insert-446)in intron 11 of the TBC1D8B gene,located on chromosome X,and traced its origin to a portion of intron 6 of the EBF1 gene on chromosome 5.Interestingly,Insert-446 was present in the human Neanderthal and Denisovans genomes,and was fixed in humans after human-chimpanzee divergence.We have demonstrated that Insert-446 acts as an enhancer through binding transcript factors that promotes a higher expression of human TBC1D8B gene as compared with orthologs in macaques.In addition,over-expression TBC1D8B promoted cell proliferation and migration through“a dual finger”catalytic mechanism(Arg538 and Gln573)in the TBC domain in vitro and knockdown of TBC1D8B attenuated tumorigenesis in vivo.Knockout of Insert-446 prevented cell proliferation and migration in cancer and normal cells.Our results reveal that the human-specific Insert-446 promotes cell proliferation and migration by upregulating the expression of TBC1D8B gene.These findings provide a significant insight into the effects of human-specific insertions on evolution.

Manipulation and detection of single nanoparticles and biomolecules by a photonic nanojet

Optical methods to manipulate and detect nanoscale objects are highly desired in both nanomaterials and molecular biology fields.Optical tweezers have been used to manipulate objects that range in size from a few hundred nanometres to several micrometres.The emergence of near-field methods that overcome the diffraction limit has enabled the manipulation of objects below 100 nm.A highly free manipulation with signal-enhanced real-time detection,however,remains a challenge for single sub-100-nm nanoparticles or biomolecules.Here we show an approach that uses a photonic nanojet to perform the manipulation and detection of single sub-100-nm objects.With the photonic nanojet generated by a dielectric microlens bound to an optical fibre probe,three-dimensional manipulations were achieved for a single 85-nm fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticle as well as for a plasmid DNA molecule.Backscattering and fluorescent signals were detected with the enhancement factors up to~103 and~30,respectively.The demonstrated approach provides a potentially powerful tool for nanostructure assembly,biosensing and single-biomolecule studies.

Structural design of Cr/GLC films for high tribological performance in artificial seawater:Cr/GLC ratio and multilayer structure

In this paper, graphite-like carbon （GLC） films with Cr buffer layer were fabricated by DC magnetron sputtering technique with the thickness ratio of Cr to GLC films varying from 1：2 to 1：20. The effect of Cr]GLC modulation ratio on microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties in artificial seawater was mainly investigated by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）, nano-indenter and a reciprocating sliding tribo-meter. The propagation of defects plays an important role in the evolution of delamination, which is critical to wear failure of GLC films in artificial seawa- ter. Designing the proper multilayer structure could inhibit the defects propagation and thus protect the basis material. The multilayer Cr/GLC film with optimized ratio of 1：3 demonstrates a low average friction coefficient of 0.08 ± 0.006 and wear rate of （2.3 ± 0.3） × 10^-8 mm3/（N m） in artificial seawater, respectively.

Substance basis of warm nature of Poria cocos

Objective:The research indicated that the nature of Chinese medicine is mainly related to body's substance and energy metabolism.The purpose of the study is to elucidate the substance basis for warm nature of Poria cocos(called Fuling(FL)in Chinese).Methods:In terms of the effects of its separated fractions on the substance and energy metabolism in rat models of cold-deficiency with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(called Fuzi(FZ)in Chinese),with hot nature,as reference drug.Biochemical indexes in the material metabolism,energy metabolism,endocrine system,nervous system and nucleotide system were determined,then analyzed by additive,cluster and principal component analysis(PCA).Results:The medicinal natures of oligosaccharides and amino acids fractions were attributable to plain and crude polysaccharides,volatile oils and triterpenoids fractions were attributable to mild warm.Conclusion:The nature of FL was regarded as mild warm based on the old records of Chinese medicine and fractions of crude polysaccharides,volatile oils and triterpenoids might be the main substance basis for the warm nature of FL.It is the first time that substance basis of FL was elucidated from view point of medicinal nature.

The RNA editome of Macaca mulatta and functional characterization of RNA editing in mitochondria

RNA editing was first discovered in mitochondrial RNA molecular. However, whether adenosine-toinosine(A-to-I) RNA editing has functions in nuclear genes involved in mitochondria remains elusive.Here, we retrieved 707,246 A-to-I RNA editing sites in Macaca mulatta leveraging massive transcriptomes of 30 different tissues and genomes of nine tissues, together with the reported data, and found that A-to-I RNA editing occurred frequently in nuclear genes that have functions in mitochondria. The mitochondrial structure, the level of ATP production, and the expression of some key genes involved in mitochondrial function were dysregulated after knocking down the expression of ADAR1 and ADAR2, the key genes encoding the enzyme responsible for RNA editing. When investigating dynamic changes of RNA editing during brain development, an amino-acid-changing RNA editing site(I234/V) in MFN1, a mediator of mitochondrial fusion, was identified to be significantly correlated with age, and could influence the function of MFN1. When studying transcriptomes of brain disorder, we found that dysregulated RNA editing sites in autism were also enriched within genes having mitochondrial functions. These data indicated that RNA editing had a significant function in mitochondria via their influence on nuclear genes.

聚亚苯基乙烯衍生物中溶剂诱导的共轭聚合物高分子线团与可逆超分子凝胶

通过引入与聚(2-(4-(3’,7’-二甲基辛氧基苯)-1,4-亚苯基乙烯)(P-PPV)主链亚苯基乙烯结构类似的R-limonene作为辅助溶剂,有效地实现聚合物链段的充分溶解和解缠结,并在此基础上成功制备了P-PPV的共轭高分子线团和可逆超分子凝胶.通过P-PPV的稀溶液旋涂薄膜的AFM图像,可以清晰地观察到纳米纤维形成的高分子线团及线团内部的精细结构. P-PPV在R-limonene的作用下,分子链从相互纠缠的状态发生解缠结作用,形成相互孤立的卷曲团,增强PLQY与荧光寿命.通过不同溶剂条件,得到了不同曲率的聚集体,对共轭高分子柔顺性有了进一步的认识.浓溶液下,P-PPV形成可逆的超分子凝胶,并具有良好的温度响应特性,凝胶生成区间在55~35℃.凝胶化的P-PPV是一种均匀的物理交联网络,使P-PPV的结构更为稳定,可以有效提升器件的稳定性、亮度和寿命.

Expression of BSE-associated proteins in the CNS and lymphoreticular tissues of cattle and buffalo

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy(BSE),which has been documented in 190,000 cases of BSE-infected cattle,to our knowledge,has not been reported in buffalo.Prion protein(PrP) is critical to susceptibility and development of BSE.Moreover,a new PrP-like protein,Shadoo(Sho),has been shown to have overlapping expression patterns and shared functions with PrP.Therefore,we hypothesize that differences in expression at the transcriptional level and/or the post-transcriptional level of the two genes may be associated with these specific differences between cattle and buffalo.We compared the relative mRNA expression of the prion protein gene(PRNP) and the Shadoo gene(SPRN) in 3% RNA samples using real-time PCR.We also analyzed PrP/Sho protein from 96 samples by Western blot.Our results demonstrated significantly lower PrP expression in the cerebellum,obex,mesenteric lymph node,and bronchial lymph node tissues,but higher relative expression of Sho in the cerebrum and spleen in buffalos compared with catties.Although these results support our primary assumption,Sho and PrP expressions did not correlate with corresponding mRNA expression,suggesting that the biological modulations of both PrP and Sho proteins are at post-translational levels.Moreover,positive correlations between PRNP and SPRN were found in cattle and buffalo cerebrum as well as in buffalo obex.Conversely,negative correlations between PrP and Sho were detected in buffalo cerebellum and obex tissues.These findings suggest that additional post-transcriptional studies are warranted to elucidate mechanisms behind prion diseases.

Aggregation structures of organic conjugated molecules on their optoelectronic properties

The intimate connection between stacking modes and optoelectronic properties of organic conjugated materials has been discussed from the viewpoints of developing microscopic models and further understanding of their functions and potential applications.In particular,three basal dimer configurations（cofacial configuration,staggered configuration,and crossed configuration） and their respective optical（including radiative and non-radiative） and electrical properties are expatiated in detail.Eventually,we put forward the perspective on achieving the promising laser material that features high fluorescence quantum yield and charge mobility.