Clinical efficacy and mechanism study of mid-frequency anti-snoring device in treating moderate obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)is primarily caused by airway obstruction due to narrowing and blockage in the nasal and nasopha-ryngeal,oropharyngeal,soft palate,and tongue base areas.The mid-frequency anti-snoring device is a new technology based on sublingual nerve stimulation.Its principle is to improve the degree of oropharyngeal airway stenosis in OSAHS patients under mid-frequency wave stimulation.Nevertheless,there is a lack of clinical application and imaging evidence.METHODS We selected 50 patients diagnosed with moderate OSAHS in our hospital between July 2022 and August 2023.They underwent a 4-wk treatment regimen involving the mid-frequency anti-snoring device during nighttime sleep.Following the treatment,we monitored and assessed the sleep apnea quality of life index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores.Additionally,we performed computed tomo-graphy scans of the oropharynx in the awake state,during snoring,and while using the mid-frequency anti-snoring device.Cross-sectional area measurements in different states were taken at the narrowest airway point in the soft palate posterior and retrolingual areas.RESULTS Compared to pretreatment measurements,patients exhibited a significant reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index,the percentage of time with oxygen saturation below 90%,snoring frequency,and the duration of the most prolonged apnea event.The lowest oxygen saturation showed a notable increase,and both sleep apnea quality of life index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores improved.Oropharyngeal computed tomography scans revealed that in OSAHS patients cross-sectional areas of the oropharyngeal airway in the soft palate posterior area and retrolingual area decreased during snoring compared to the awake state.Conversely,during mid-frequency anti-snoring device treatment,these areas increased compared to snoring.CONCLUSION The mid-frequency anti-snoring device demonstrates the potential to enhance various sleep parameters in patients with moderate OSAHS,thereby improving their quality of life and reducing daytime sleepiness.These therapeutic effects are attributed to the device’s ability to ameliorate the narrowing of the oropharynx in OSAHS patients.

Distribution of gene polymorphisms associated with aspirin antiplatelet in the Han NSTEMI population

Objective:To analyze the genotype and allele distribution characteristics of GPⅢa PLA2(rs5918),PEAR1(rs12041331),and PTGS1(rs10306114)genes related to the antiplatelet pharmacological effects of aspirin,providing reference for individualized treatment of Chinese Han NSTEMI patients.Methods:A total of 107 Han patients with NSTEMI in Beijing Luhe Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2016 to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects.The genotypes of GPⅢa PLA2(rs5918),PEAR1(rs12041331)and PTGS1(rs10306114)were detected by fluorescence staining in situ hybridization.The frequency distribution and allele distribution of genotype were analyzed.The results were analyzed whether there were statistical differences in the distribution of related alleles between the Han NSTEMI population and some populations in the 1000 Genomes database.Results:In the Han NSTEMI population,the genotype frequencies of GPⅢa PLA2(rs5918)locus were TT 97.20%,TC 2.80%and CC 0%,the allele frequencies were T 98.60%and C 1.40%.The genotype frequencies of PEAR1(rs12041331)locus were GG 42.06%,GA 44.86%and AA 13.08%,the allele frequencies were G 64.49%and A 35.51%.The genotypes at the PTGS1(rs10306114)locus were all AA(100%),no AG or GG genotype was found.Conclusion:In the NSTEMI population of Han nationality,the mutation at GPⅢa PLA2(rs5918)site related to aspirin antiplatelet pharmacology is rare,and there is no mutation at PTGS1(rs10306114)site.Wild homozygotes are dominant in these two gene loci,while mutations in PEAR1(rs12041331)are more common.Some of the findings in this study are similar to those in previous reports or other populations included in the relevant database;however,some results differ from previous reports or other populations。

Identification of Boseongicola sediminum sp.nov.,a Novel Decabromodiphenyl Ether(BDE-209)-tolerant Strain Isolated from Coastal Sediment in Xiamen,China

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)are a group of aromatic organic bromine compounds,which have been used in a broad array of polymeric materials(plastics,foams,resins,and adhesives)as brominated flame retardants.They are used in commercial and household products,including textiles,electronic equipment,airplanes,and automobiles,especially in China and the USA,because they are inexpensive with excellent flame-retardant effects[1].During the past decade,over 14,000 tonnes of PBDEs have entered the market,and have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants[2].

Understanding ＂Shanghai mathematics exchange＂ between Shanghai and Britain from social and cultural perspectives

＂Shanghai mathematics exchange＂ has been a prevalent theme, as well as a controversial topic. The program of＂mathematics exchange＂ which was executed by Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and the Department of Education： which is the highest performing jurisdiction in the world for mathematics. It is important to analyse and understand this project from political, cultural, social and other different perspectives. Meanwhile, This article applies Foucault and Bourdieu theories to illustrate the exchange programme and the changes of curriculum reform both in Britain and China. Practical evidences have provided the functions and the driving forces will be supplied for the further development of education continuously.

Effects of Different Water-saving Irrigation Methods on Fruit Quality and Yield of Snow Melon

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the most suitable irrigation integration mode for"Tinglin snow melon"in Jinshan District,Shanghai City.[Methods]With the field water holding capacity as the standard,different upper limits of irrigation were set in the four growth stage of snow melon to investigate the effects of such three water-saving irrigation modes as single-row drip irrigation pipes,double-row drip irrigation pipes and drip arrows on the traits and yield of melon plants under the same growth conditions.[Results]The results showed that different irrigation modes had certain effects on the growth,comprehensive quality and yield of snow melon,and the drop arrow mode was better than other two modes.Under the drop arrow mode,the number of snow melons was the highest,7.34 per plant,and the yield was the highest,reaching 15463.35 kg/hm^(2),showing the best yield increasing effect.In addition,the contents of soluble solids and vitamin C in the drop arrow mode were higher than those in the drip irrigation pipe mode.[Conclusions]Compared with other irrigation methods,the drop arrow mode was more suitable for the production of snow melon.

Bioremediation of Hexavalent Chromium Pollution by Sporosarcina saromensis M52 Isolated from Offshore Sediments in Xiamen, China

Objective Cr（VI） removal from industrial effluents and sediments has attracted the attention of environmental researchers. In the present study, we aimed to isolate bacteria for Cr（VI） bioremediation from sediment samples and to optimize parameters of biodegradation. Methods Strains with the ability to tolerate Cr（VI） were obtained by serial dilution and spread plate methods and characterized by morphology, 16 S r DNA identification, and phylogenetic analysis. Cr（VI） was determined using the 1,5-diphenylcarbazide method, and the optimum p H and temperature for degradation were studied using a multiple-factor mixed experimental design. Statistical analysis methods were used to analyze the results. Results Fifty-five strains were obtained, and one strain（Sporosarcina saromensis M52; patent application number： 201410819443.3） having the ability to tolerate 500 mg Cr（VI）/L was selected to optimize the degradation conditions. M52 was found be able to efficiently remove 50-200 mg Cr（VI）/L in 24 h, achieving the highest removal efficiency at p H 7.0-8.5 and 35 °C. Moreover, M52 could completely degrade 100 mg Cr（VI）/L at p H 8.0 and 35 °C in 24 h. The mechanism involved in the reduction of Cr（VI） was considered to be bioreduction rather than absorption. Conclusion The strong degradation ability of S. saromensis M52 and its advantageous functional characteristics support the potential use of this organism for bioremediation of heavy metal pollution.

Murine model of acute myocarditis and cerebral cortical neuron edema induced by coxsackievirus B4

Globally, coxsackievirus B4 （CV-B4） has been continuously isolated and evidence suggests an association with the development of pancreatitis and type I diabetes. In addition, CV-B4 is also associated with myocarditis and severe central nervous system （CNS） complications, which remain poorly studied and understood. In the present study, we established an institute for Cancer Research （ICR） mouse model of CV-B4 infection and examined whether CV-B4 infection resulted in a predisposition to myocarditis and CNS infection. We found high survival in both the treatment and control group, with no significant differences in clinical outcomes observed. However, pathological lesions were evident in both brain and heart tissue of the CV-B4-infected mice. in addition, high viral loads were found in the neural and cardiac tissues as early as 2 days post infection. Expressions of IFN-y and IL-6 in sera were significantly higher in CV-B4-infected mice compared to uninfected negative controls, suggesting the involvement of these cytokines in the development of histopathological lesions. Our murine model successfully reproduced the acute myocarditis and cerebral cortical neuron edema induced by CV-B4, and may be useful for the evaluation of vaccine candidates and potential antivirals against CV-B4 infection.

Study on removal of nitrate nitrogen by Iron-Silver Alloy

With the rapid development of industry,a large number of wastewater discharged from factory production leads to a gradual increase in nitrate content in natural water.Using iron-silver copper alloy as reactant and catalyst can effectively reduce the content of nitrate nitrogen in wastewater.The experimental results show that the loading rate of silver is 3% and pH is 2 at room temperature.The maximum removal rate of nitrate nitrogen is 91.09%.

Innovative method of culturing bdelloid rotifers for the application of wastewater biological treatment

This study aims to establish a simple and efficient method for the mass culture of bdelloid rotifers,which is the basis for the application of bdelloid rotifers as biological manipulators to improve wastewater biological treatment performance.A common bdelloid rotifer,Habrotrocha sp.,in a wastewater biological treatment system was selected as the culture target.Rotifers fed on flour could reproduce faster than those fed traditional food such as Chlorella vulgaris or mixed bacteria.As a rotifer food,flour has the advantages of simple preparation,effortless preservation,and low cost compared to live Chlorella vulgaris or mixed bacteria,so it is more suitable for the mass culture of rotifers.The optimal rotifer culture conditions using flour as food were also studied.According to the experimental results,the recommended rotifer culture conditions arc a flour particle size of 1 a flour concentration of 6×10^(6) cell/mL,a temperature of 28℃,a pH level of 6.5 and salinity of 100-500 mg/L.In addition,the sludge volume index in the sequencing batch reactor(SBR)with the addition of cultured rotifers was 59.9 mL/g at the end of operation and decreased by 18.2%compared to SBR without rotifer,which indicates that the cultured rotifers still retained the ftinction of helping to improve sludge settling.This function may be related to the rotifer's role in inhibiting bacteria from producing loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances in the SBR.

Effect of Social Skill Training on Social Function in Patients with Schizophrenia

Objective:To explore the effect of Social Skills Training(SST)on the social function of inpatients with schizophrenia.Methods:A total of 40 patients with schizophrenia(20 in the intervention group and 20 in the control group)were selected from a psychiatric hospital in Shanghai for 10 times(once a week)of social skills training.The control group was treated with routine hospitalization(drug therapy and routine hospitalization nursing)for 10 weeks.Social Disability Screening Schedule before and after intervention for patients enrolled in the intervention group(Social Disability Screening Schedule,SDSS and Scale of Social Function in Psychosis Inpatients,SSPI).Conclusion:The results of social skills training on SDSS and SSPI were different between the two groups,and there was no statistical value(P>0.05).Observation of patients in this group,when undergoing social skills training,SSPI score was significantly better than the control group(P<0.01)and SDSS score was significantly lower than the control group(P<0.01),the differences were statistically significant.Social skills training and social work group intervention can improve psychiatric symptoms and further enhance social function in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia.

Prediction and cause investigation of ozone based on a double-stage attention mechanism recurrent neural network

Ozone is becoming a significant air pollutant in some regions,and VOCs are essential for ozone prediction as necessary ozone precursors.In this study,we proposed a recurrent neural network based on a double-stage attention mechanism model to predict ozone,selected an appropriate time series for prediction through the input attention and temporal attention mechanisms,and analyzed the cause of ozone generation according to the contribution of feature parameters.The experimental data show that our model had an RMSE of 7.71μg/m3 and a mean absolute error of 5.97μg/m3 for 1-h predictions.The DA-RNN model predicted ozone closer to observations than the other models.Based on the importance of the characteristics,we found that the ozone pollution in the Jinshan Industrial Zone mainly comes from the emissions of petrochemical enterprises,and the good generalization performance of the model is proved through testing multiple stations.Our experimental results demonstrate the validity and promising application of the DA-RNN model in predicting atmospheric pollutants and investigating their causes.

Anti-hemorrhoidal activity of Lian-Zhi-San,a traditional Chinese medicine,in an experimental hemorrhoidal model in rats

Objective:Hemorrhoidal disease(HD)is the most common proctological disease,with an estimated prevalence rate of 4.4%,and a peak in individuals between 45 and 65 years of age.This study was done to evaluate whether Lian-Zhi-San(LZS),a clinically used anti-hemorrhoidal ointment could alleviate the inflammatory injury,with its associated changes of inflammatory cytokines and morphology of anorectal tissues,in an experimental model of HD in rats.Methods:HD was induced by croton oil preparation(COP)applied to the anorectal region.Rats were then treated with cotton swabs soaked in LZS ointment,water or white vaseline,twice a day for 7 d.At the end of the experiment,HD was evaluated by measuring hemorrhoidal and biochemical parameters along with histopathological observations.Results:In this study,COP induced a significant increase in the macroscopic severity score,anorectal coefficient and Evans blue extravasation,compared to normal rats.Additionally,it greatly enhanced the expression and secretion levels of some important inflammation-related cytokines along with marked histological damage,compared to normal rats.Rats treated with LZS ointment experienced significantly ameliorated Evans blue extravasation(P<0.05),decreased macroscopic severity score(0.86±0.14 vs.1.65±0.16)and the anorectal coefficient(P<0.01);its use also attenuated tissue damage and inhibited the expression and secretion levels of inflammation-related cytokines(interleukin-1 b,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a).Conclusion:This study validates a preliminary understanding of the use of LZS ointment to treat inflammatory factors and tissue damage in an experimental model of HD in rats.