[The identification of a novel reassortant H3N2 avian influenza virus based on nanopore sequencing technology and genetic characterization]

Objective: To identify a novel reassortant H3N2 avian influenza virus using nanopore sequencing technology and analyze its genetic characteristics. Methods: The positive samples of the H3N2 avian influenza virus, collected from the external environment in the farmers' market of Guangzhou, were cultured in chicken embryos. The whole genome was sequenced by targeted amplification and nanopore sequencing technology. The genetic characteristics were analyzed using bioinformatics software. Results: The phylogenetic trees showed that each gene fragment of the strain belonged to the Eurasian evolutionary branch, and the host source was of avian origin. The HA gene was closely related to the origin of the H3N6 virus. The NA gene was closely related to the H3N2 avian influenza virus from 2017 to 2020. The PB1 gene was closely related to the H5N6 avian influenza virus in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Fujian Province from 2016 to 2022 and was not related to the PB1 gene of the H5N6 avian influenza epidemic strain in Guangzhou. The other internal gene fragments had complex sources with significant genetic diversity. Molecular characteristics indicated that the strain exhibited the molecular characteristics of a typical low pathogenic avian influenza virus and tended to bind to the receptors of avian origin. On important protein sites related to biological characteristics, this strain had mutations of PB2-L89V, PB1-L473V, NP-A184K, M1-N30D/T215A, and NS1-P42S/N205S. Conclusions: This study identified a novel reassortant H3N2 avian influenza virus by nanopore sequencing, with the PB1 gene derived from the H5N6 avian influenza virus. The virus had a low ability to spread across species, but further exploration was needed to determine whether its pathogenicity to the host was affected.

[Effect of sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody desensitization on the prognosis of patients underwent haploidentical stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To investigate the effects of sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody desensitization on the prognosis of patients with haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT). Methods: Fifteen consecutive patients who received haplo-SCT and pre-transplant donor specific anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody (DSA) positive [mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)≥2 000] in the Institute of Hematological Diseases from November 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively recruited into the desensitized group. There were 4 males and 11 females, with a median age [M(Q1, Q3)] of 48 (37, 59) years. All patients were desensitized with sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. The non-desensitized group included 29 patients with haplo-SCT who had not received desensitization treatment from August 2012 to June 2016. There were 12 males and 17 females with a median age of 42 (26, 50) years. Up to October 1, 2023, the median follow-up time was 13 (9, 18) months in the study group and 23 (14, 29) months in the control group. The changes of MFI before and after desensitization treatment and the prognosis of patients in the desensitized group were compared, including the incidence of primary implantation failure (pGF), neutrophil implantation time, platelet implantation time, grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and chronic GVHD incidence, non-recurrence related mortality, event-free survival rate, disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate. The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method, and the survival rate between groups was compared with Log-rank test. Results: After desensitization treatment, the level of DSA MFI in the desensitized group decreased from 8 879 (7 544, 11 495) to 3 781 (1 638, 4 165) after desensitization treatment (P<0.01). All of the patients achieved hematopoietic recovery, and the median time for neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 14 (11, 15) and 20 (18, 25) days, respectively. The incidence of pGF in the desensitized group was 0, which was lower than that in the non-desensitized group (34.5%, 10/29) (P=0.011). The expected 1-year disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate in the desensitized group were 100% (15/15) and 100% (15/15) respectively, while those in the non-desensitized group were 75.9% (22/29) and 75.9% (22/29) respectively, the difference was not statistically significant (both P>0.05). The one-year event-free survival rate in the desensitized group was expected to be 100% (15/15), which was higher than that in the non-desensitized group (51.3%, 15/29) (P=0.002). Conclusion: Sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody desensitization therapy can reduce the DSA level of haplo-SCT recipients, promote hematopoietic engraftment after transplantation, and avoid the occurrence of pGF after transplantation.

[The effect of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency on allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with hematological disorders]

Objectives: To determine the effect of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency on patients' complications and prognosis following allogeneic stem cell hematopoietic transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: 7 patients with G6PD deficiency (study group) who underwent allo-HSCT at Peking University People's Hospital from March 2015 to January 2021 were selected as the study group, and thirty-five patients who underwent allo-HSCT during the same period but did not have G6PD deficiency were randomly selected as the control group in a 1∶5 ratio. Gender, age, underlying diseases, and donors were balanced between the two groups. Collect clinical data from two patient groups and perform a retrospective nested case-control study. Results: The study group consisted of six male patients and one female patient, with a median age of 37 (range, 2-45) years old. The underlying hematologic diseases included acute myeloid leukemia (n=3), acute lymphocytic leukemia (n=2), and severe aplastic anemia (n=2). All 7 G6PD deficiency patients achieved engraftment of neutrophils within 28 days of allo-HSCT, while the engraftment rate of neutrophils was 94.5% in the control group. The median days of platelet engraftment were 21 (6-64) d and 14 (7-70) d (P=0.113). The incidence rates of secondary poor graft function in the study group and control group were 42.9% (3/7) and 8.6% (3/35), respectively (P=0.036). The CMV infection rates were 71.4% (5/7) and 31.4% (11/35), respectively (P=0.049). The incidence rates of hemorrhagic cystitis were 57.1% (4/7) and 8.6% (3/35), respectively (P=0.005), while the bacterial infection rates were 100% (7/7) and 77.1% (27/35), respectively (P=0.070). The infection rates of EBV were 14.3% (1/7) and 14.3% (5/35), respectively (P=1.000), while the incidence of fungal infection was 14.3% (1/7) and 25.7% (9/35), respectively (P=0.497). The rates of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) were 0% and 5.7%, respectively (P=0.387) . Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that blood disease patients with G6PD deficiency can tolerate conventional allo-HSCT pretreatment regimens, and granulocytes and platelets can be implanted successfully. However, after transplantation, patients should exercise caution to avoid viral infection, complications of hemorrhagic cystitis, and secondary poor graft function.

[Physical activity and its influencing factors in patients with diabetes mellitus: a comparative study between China and the United Kingdom]

Objective: To compare the differences in low-level physical activity (PA) and related influencing factors in patients with diabetes mellitus in China and the United Kingdom (UK). Methods: Using baseline survey data from the China Kadoorie Biobank and the UK Biobank, we analyzed the association between diabetes mellitus and low-level PA using logistic regression, with the participants' self-reported whether they had diabetes mellitus as the independent variable, and low-level PA as the dependent variable. Results: We included 509 254 Chinese adults and 359 763 British adults in the analysis. After adjusting for multiple factors, we found that both Chinese and British patients with diabetes mellitus were at elevated risk for low-level PA, with corresponding ORs (95%CIs) of 1.15 (1.12-1.19) and 1.37 (1.32-1.41), respectively. Patients with diabetes mellitus with longer disease duration and poorer glycemic control were at greater risk of having low-level of PA. Female, rural-distributed, employed, never-smoking Chinese diabetics, and male, urban-distributed, retired/unemployed, quit-smoking British diabetics were more likely to have low-level PA. Conclusions: Chinese and British patients with diabetes mellitus were more likely to have low-level PA compared with the general population, but the risk of low-level PA for patients in both countries varied by population characteristics. Therefore, PA guidelines and intervention measures should be based on the characteristics of individuals in the target countries and regions, which could improve PA levels among patients with diabetes mellitus.

[Clinical features and risk factors for invasive fungal sinusitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with invasive fungal sinusitis (invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, IFR) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and explored the risk factors for IFR after allo-HSCT. Methods: Nineteen patients with IFR after allo-HSCT at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2021 were selected as the study group, and 95 patients without IFR after allo-HSCT during this period were randomly selected as the control group (1:5 ratio) . Results: Nineteen patients, including 10 males and 9 females, had IFR after allo-HSCT. The median age was 36 (10-59) years. The median IFR onset time was 68 (9-880) days after allo-HSCT. There were seven patients with acute myeloid leukemia, five with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, two with myelodysplastic syndrome, two with chronic myeloid leukemia, one with acute mixed-cell leukemia, one with multiple myeloma, and one with T-lymphoblastic lymph node tumor. There were 13 confirmed cases and 6 clinically diagnosed cases. The responsible fungus was Mucor in two cases, Rhizopus in four, Aspergillus in four, and Candida in three. Five patients received combined treatment comprising amphotericin B and posaconazole, one patient received combined treatment comprising voriconazole and posaconazole, nine patients received voriconazole, and four patients received amphotericin B. In addition to antifungal treatment, 10 patients underwent surgery. After antifungal treatment and surgery, 15 patients achieved a response, including 13 patients with a complete response and 2 patients with a partial response. Multivariate analysis revealed that neutropenia before transplantation (P=0.021) , hemorrhagic cystitis after transplantation (P=0.012) , delayed platelet engraftment (P=0.008) , and lower transplant mononuclear cell count (P=0.012) were independent risk factors for IFR after allo-HSCT. The 5-year overall survival rates in the IFR and control groups after transplantation were 29.00%±0.12% and 91.00%±0.03%, respectively (P<0.01) . Conclusion: Although IFR is rare, it is associated with poor outcomes in patients undergoing allo-HSCT. The combination of antifungal treatment and surgery might be effective.

[Progress and practice of objective measurement of physical behaviors in large-scale cohort research]

Due to the limited reliability of traditional self-completed questionnaire, the accuracy of measurement of physical behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep) is not high. With the development of technology, wearable devices (e.g. accelerometer) can be used for more accurate measurement of physical behaviors and have great application potential in large-scale research. However, the data of objective measurement of physical behaviors from large-scale cohort research in Asian populations is still limited. Between August 2020 and December 2021, the 3rd resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) project used Axivity AX3 wrist triaxial accelerometer to collect the data of participants' daily activity and sleep status. A total of 20 370 participants from 10 study areas were included in the study, in whom 65.2% were women, and the age was (65.4±9.1) years. The participants' physical activity level varied greatly in different study areas. The objective measurement of participants' physical behaviors in CKB project has provided valuable resources for the description of 24-hour patterns of physical behaviors and evaluation of the health effect of physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep as well as their association with diseases in the elderly in China.

[Comparative study on physical activity and its influencing factors in patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease between China and the United Kingdom]

Objective: To compare physical activity and its influencing factors in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) between China and the United Kingdom. Methods: We analyzed baseline data from China Kadoorie Biobank and the United Kingdom Biobank among COPD patients who were diagnosed with a one-second rate (FEV1/FVC) less than 70%. Physical activity level was calculated as metabolic equivalent (MET) and divided into three levels: low, medium, and high, according to tertiles stratified by gender and age. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate ORs and 95%CIs for COPD and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grade about physical activity level, and subgroup analysis was conducted. Results: A total of 506 073 Chinese adults and 231 884 British adults were included. After adjusting for potential confounders, COPD was associated with lower physical activity levels in both Chinese and British COPD patients, with OR (95%CI) of 1.07(1.03-1.10) and 1.03(1.01-1.06) compared with non COPD patients, respectively. The GOLD grade was inversely correlated with physical activity level, particularly in a dose-response manner in the CKB population (trend test P<0.001). The negative relationship was stronger among the elderly, people with less education and lower economic status, and those with a smoking or chronic disease history. Chinese rural COPD patients were at high risk of decline of physical activity. Conclusions: Physical activity is inversely related to COPD, with a dose-response connection to GOLD grade. Therefore, physical activity maintenance and improvement should be encouraged and promoted in COPD patients, especially in high-risk groups.

[Clinical analysis of sirolimus as an alternative GVHD prophylaxis for patients with kidney injury undergoing allo-HSCT]

Objective: To explore the feasibility of sirolimus as an alternative graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis in patients with kidney injury after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: Retrospective case series study. Medical records of 11 patients in Peking University People's Hospital from 1 August 2008 to 31 October 2022, who received sirolimus instead of cyclosporine to prevent GVHD, due to renal insufficiency after allo-HSCT, were analyzed retrospectively. Incidence of GVHD, infection, and transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA), as well as renal function, were evaluated. Results: Among the 11 patients who received sirolimus, 6 were treated with haploidentical donor HSCT, and 5 were treated using matched sibling donor HSCT. The median (range) time of sirolimus administration was 30 (7-167) days after allo-HSCT, and the median (range) sirolimus course duration was 52 (9-120) days. During sirolimus treatment, 1 case did not undergo combined treatment with other prophylactic drugs, 3 cases received combined mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and 1 case underwent combined CD25 monoclonal antibody treatment, while 6 cases had combined therapy with both MMF and CD25 monoclonal antibody. Of the 11 patients, 2 developed Grade Ⅲ acute GVHD, 1 developed severe pneumonia and died, and 1 developed TA-TMA, while nine patients had normal or improved renal function. Median (range) follow-up time was 130 (54-819) days. Non-relapse mortality was observed in 1 patient. Relapse mortality was also observed in 1 patient. Conclusion: Sirolimus-based alternative GVHD prophylaxis is a potentially viable option for patients undergoing allo-HSCT who cannot tolerate cyclosporine, but its efficacy and safety require further optimization and verification in prospective studies.

[Influencing factors of visual prognosis in patients with persistent submacular fluid after successful scleral buckle surgery for macula-off retinal detachment]

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing visual outcomes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) who developed persistent submacular fluid (PSF) after scleral buckling surgery. Methods: A retrospective case series analysis was conducted. Clinical data were collected from patients who underwent successful scleral buckling surgery for RRD at Beijing Tongren Hospital from June 2020 to December 2022 and were followed up. Patients with RRD involving the macular area preoperatively and graded as C1 or below in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) were included. Surgical procedures followed a minimally invasive scleral buckling approach. PSF was defined as subretinal fluid persisting for more than 1 month postoperatively. Regular follow-up visits were scheduled at postoperative days 1, 3, 7, 2 weeks, and 1 month, followed by monthly visits until complete PSF absorption. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, refractive error, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at each follow-up time point. Eyes were divided into two groups based on whether the final follow-up BCVA was≥0.5 and whether the absorption time of PSF was>6 months, and statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, chi-squared test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A total of 46 patients (46 eyes) were included in this study, comprising 25 males and 21 females, with a median age of 32.5 (21.0, 57.3) years. The preoperative equivalent spherical refractive error was (-5.27±4.05) D, and the preoperative duration of illness was 30 (14, 92) days. The preoperative BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution,logMAR) was 2.00 (1.00, 2.50). Scleral buckle surgery was performed in 28 eyes (60.9%), and 18 eyes (39.1%) underwent scleral buckle surgery combined with encircling. External drainage was performed in 15 eyes (32.6%), while 31 eyes (67.4%) had no external drainage. BCVA (logMAR) at 1 month, 3 months, and the final follow-up postoperatively was 0.60 (0.50, 1.00), 0.40 (0.28, 0.53), and 0.15 (0.00, 0.50), respectively. In the final follow-up, 31 eyes (67.4%) achieved BCVA≥0.5, and 26 eyes (56.5%) had continuous ellipsoid zone on OCT. The differences in BCVA (logMAR) between preoperative, 1 month, 3 months, and the final follow-up were statistically significant (Z=-5.85, -5.63, -4.73;all P<0.001). The absorption time of PSF postoperatively was 6.50 (3.00, 9.00) months, ranging from 2 to 19 months. The eyes with PSF duration<3 months, 3-6 months, and>6 months were 12 eyes (26.1%), 11 eyes (23.9%), and 23 eyes (50.0%), respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in preoperative BCVA≥0.05, preoperative duration of illness within 1 month, PVR grading, surgical method, and continuous ellipsoid zone on OCT (all P<0.05), while there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in PSF absorption time, different types of PSF, and intraoperative drainage (all P>0.05). The PSF absorption time in the two groups was 7 (3, 10) months and 6 (4, 8) months, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusions: Preoperative visual acuity, duration of illness, and PVR grading are factors influencing visual outcomes in patients with RRD who have undergone scleral buckling surgery and develop PSF. In contrast, intraoperative drainage, PSF absorption time, and different PSF types are not factors affecting visual prognosis. Although PSF may persist for a long time after scleral buckling surgery, it does not significantly impact long-term visual outcomes.

[The connotation of universal health management and its implementation in the context of Healthy China Strategy]

In the context of the implementation of Healthy China Strategy, universal health management is an effective approach to promote the construction of the chain of social health governance system of"prevention, treatment, and management". This paper composes the connotations and main characteristics of universal health management from five aspects: coverage, resource input, service content, management mode, and expected results, with a view to providing reference for the clarification of the connotation of universal health management and related practices.

An Intelligent Water Monitoring IoT System for Ecological Environment and Smart Cities

Global precipitation is becoming increasingly intense due to the extreme climate. Therefore, creating new technology to manage water resources is crucial. To create a sustainable urban and ecological environment, a water level and water quality control system implementing artificial intelligence is presented in this research. The proposed smart monitoring system consists of four sensors (two different liquid level sensors, a turbidity and pH sensor, and a water oxygen sensor), a control module (an MCU, a motor, a pump, and a drain), and a power and communication system (a solar panel, a battery, and a wireless communication module). The system focuses on low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) devices along with low power consumption and high precision. This proposal collects rainfall from the preceding 10 years in the application region as well as the region's meteorological bureau's weekly weather report and uses artificial intelligence to compute the appropriate water level. More importantly, the adoption of dynamic adjustment systems can reserve and modify water resources in the application region more efficiently. Compared to existing technologies, the measurement approach utilized in this study not only achieves cost savings exceeding 60% but also enhances water level measurement accuracy by over 15% through the successful implementation of water level calibration decisions utilizing multiple distinct sensors. Of greater significance, the dynamic adjustment systems proposed in this research offer the potential for conserving water resources by more than 15% in an effective manner. As a result, the adoption of this technology may efficiently reserve and distribute water resources for smart cities as well as reduce substantial losses caused by anomalous water resources, such as floods, droughts, and ecological concerns.

Case Report: Ensartinib for gastric epithelioid inflammatory myofibrosarcoma with STRN-ALK fusion

Epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma (EIMS) is a highly aggressive malignant subtype of inflammatory myofibroblastoma (IMT) associated with poor prognosis. IMT can occur in various parts of the body, most frequently in the lungs, followed by the mesentery, omentum, retroperitoneum, and pelvis, among other areas; however, it is exceptionally rare in the stomach. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a critical driver of lung cancer development and is currently the "gold standard" target for non-small cell lung cancer treatment. However, there are few reports on the use of ALK inhibitors for EIMS, necessitating further investigation. A male patient with postoperative inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma of the stomach received postoperative chemotherapy and had a stable outcome. However, a repeat CT scan performed 11 months later revealed disease progression. The patient later underwent immunohistochemistry testing that indicated ALK positivity, and next-generation sequencing revealed STRN-ALK fusion. Ensartinib 225 mg qd was administered as recommended, and the patient experienced only mild pruritus and no adverse effects such as rash. Eight months after CT follow-up, the patient's subseptal soft tissue nodules had decreased, and the outcome was assessed as a partial response. The findings of this case report introduce a novel strategy for treating ALK-positive EIMS that utilizes ensartinib, a drug with previously demonstrated success in the treatment of ALK-positive cancer.

[Safety and survival analysis of haplo-identical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with severe aplastic anemia who had previous failure to antithymoglobulin treatment]

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of haplo-identical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) conditioning with the same dosage form of antithymoglobulin (ATG) in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) failure to ATG. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 65 patients with SAA who failed ATG treatment and received haplo-HSCT conditioning with the same dosage of ATG at the Institute of Hematology, Peking University People's Hospital between July 2008 and October 2020 were included as the ATG treatment failure group. An additional 65 SAA patients who applied ATG for the first time during haplo-HSCT were randomly selected by stratified sampling as the first-line haplo-HSCT group. Baseline clinical data and follow-up data of the two groups were collected. Conditioning-related toxicity within 10 days after ATG application and long-term prognosis were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier was used to calculate the overall survival rate, and the Log-rank test was applied to compare the rates of the two groups. Results: In the ATG treatment failure group, there were 36 males and 29 females, and the age at the time of transplantation [M (Q1, Q3)] was 16 (8, 25) years. In the first-line haplo-HSCT group, there were 35 males and 30 females, with a median age of 17 (7, 26) years. Within 10 days of ATG application, the incidence of noninfectious fever, noninfectious diarrhea, and liver injury in the ATG treatment failure group was 78% (51 cases), 45% (29 cases), and 28% (18 cases), respectively, and in the first-line haplo-HSCT group was 74% (48 cases), 54% (35 cases), and 25% (16 cases), respectively; the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant for any of these three parameters (all P>0.05). For graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), there was no significant difference between the ATG treatment failure group and the first-line haplo-HSCT group in the development of 100 day Ⅱ to Ⅳ acute GVHD (29.51%±0.35% vs. 25.42%±0.33%), Ⅲ to Ⅳ acute GVHD (6.56%±0.10% vs. 6.78%±0.11%), and 3-year chronic GVHD (26.73%±0.36% vs. 21.15%±0.30%) (all P>0.05). Three-year overall survival (79.6%±5.1% vs. 84.6%±4.5%) and 3-year failure-free survival (79.6%±5.1% vs. 81.5%±4.8%) were also comparable between these two groups (both P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared with no exposure to ATG before HSCT, similar early adverse effects and comparable survival outcomes were achieved in patients with SAA who failed previous ATG treatment and received haplo-HSCT conditioning with the same dosage form of ATG. This might indicate that previous failure of ATG treatment does not significantly impact the efficacy and safety of salvaging haplo-HSCT in patients with SAA.

Introduction of psychological skills laboratory in medical education

Depression and anxiety are common psychological issues among university students, yet many of them hesitate to seek professional help due to stigma. Unfortunately, university curricula often lack self-help strategies to manage these challenges and provide timely support to those in need. To address this gap, we introduced the Psychological Skills Lab (PSL) component in the undergraduate medical curriculum, which emphasizes experiential learning to promote self-determination and autonomy in health promotion. The lab allows active interaction among students, lecturers, and peers through activities like presentations, peer reviews, in session practice, gratitude journals, group discussions, and role plays. PSL helps students develop skills, empathy, mindfulness, and self compassion through regular interactions. This innovative teaching approach raises mental health awareness and empowers students to assist others when required. Thus, by incorporating self-help measures into the curriculum, students are better equipped to manage their emotional well-being while supporting those around them.

[The Biography and Achievements of Japanese Psychiatrist Syuzo Kure]

Syuzo Kure (1865-1932) was the founder of modern psychiatry in Japan and one of the pioneers of the study on the Japanese medical history. He introduced the modern hospital system and psychiatric research, actively promoted the improvement of the treatment of the mental disorders.He was the founder of the Japanese Psychiatric Neurological Association and the Journal of Neurology, and also promoted the establishment of the Charity Treatment Association for the Mentally ill.At the same time, he excavated and sorted out the historical materials of psychiatry, and founded the Japanese Medical History Society.While the medical social history is heating up in China, it is of many significance to pay attention to the study of psychiatric history and a representative figure like Syuzo Kure.

[Difference of urinary protein components and the correlation between urinary protein quantification and glomerular filtration rate in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia]

Objective: To investigate the difference of urinary protein components in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia (PE) with different degrees of proteinuria and the correlation between 24-hour urinary protein quantification and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Methods: Clinical data of 101 PE pregnant women who were delivered in Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from July 2018 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to 24-hour urinary protein quantification, they were divided into 3 groups, including 40 cases of mild proteinuria group (24-hour urinary protein quantification ≤2.0 g), 21 cases of moderate proteinuria group (2.0 g<24-hour urinary protein quantification ≤5.0 g), 40 cases of severe proteinuria group (24-hour urinary protein quantification >5.0 g). The general clinical data, urinary protein index and renal function index of PE pregnant women in 3 groups were compared. The eGFR was calculated based on age, serum creatinine (sCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum albumin (sAlb). Correlation analysis was conducted between 24-hour urinary protein quantification and each index of eGFR. Results: (1) General clinical data: the median PE onset week (31 weeks) and delivery gestational week [(36.4±3.6) weeks] of PE pregnant women in the mild proteinuria group were later than those in the moderate proteinuria group [median PE onset: 22 weeks, delivery: (32.2±4.2) weeks] and severe proteinuria group [median PE onset: 25 weeks, delivery: (29.6±3.4) weeks]; systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase levels and the incidence of fetal growth restriction were lower than those in the moderate and severe proteinuria groups; median newborn birth weight (3 150 g) was higher than those in the moderate proteinuria group (1 305 g) and the severe proteinuria group (1 042 g), respectively. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (2) Urinary protein index: the 24-hour urinary protein quantification, urinary microalbumin (mAlb) and urinary transferrin (TRF) levels of PE pregnant women in the mild proteinuria group, moderate proteinuria group and severe proteinuria group were increased successively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The median urinary α1-microglobulin (α1-MG) level of PE pregnant women in the severe proteinuria group (50 mg/L) was significantly higher than those in the mild proteinuria group (17 mg/L) and moderate proteinuria group (22 mg/L; all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the mild proteinuria group and the moderate proteinuria group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the median urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) level among the 3 groups (P=0.632). (3) Renal function index: sAlb and eGFR of PE pregnant women in the mild proteinuria group, moderate proteinuria group and severe proteinuria group were successively decreased, and BUN was successively increased, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The sCr level of PE pregnant women in the severe proteinuria group was significantly higher than those in the mild proteinuria group and the moderate proteinuria group (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the mild proteinuria group and the moderate proteinuria group (P>0.05). (4) Correlation analysis: the 24-hour urinary protein quantification of PE pregnant women was significantly negatively correlated with eGFR (r=-0.645, P<0.001), and was correlated with the variables sAlb (r=-0.549, P<0.001), sCr (r=0.582, P<0.001) and BUN (r=-0.657, P<0.001) in the eGFR calculation formula. The 24-hour urinary protein quantification were significantly negatively correlated with the gestational weeks of PE onset, gestational weeks of termination of pregnancy and newborn birth weight (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The protein composition in the urine of PE pregnant women with different degrees of proteinuria is not different, but the protein level is significantly different. There is a significant negative correlation between the increase of 24-hour urinary protein quantification and the decrease of eGFR.

[Role and clinical significance of MUC4 gene mutations in thrombotic events in patients with classic paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role and clinical significance of MUC4 gene mutations in thrombotic events in patients with classic paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and gene sequencing results of 45 patients with classic PNH admitted to the Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, from June 2018 to February 2022. MUC4 gene mutations in patients with classic PNH were summarized, and the risk factors for thrombotic events in these patients were analyzed. Additionally, the effects of MUC4 gene mutations on the cumulative incidence and survival of thrombotic events in patients with classic PNH were determined. Results: The detection rate of MUC4 gene mutations in patients with classic PNH who experienced thrombotic events (thrombotic group) was 68.8% (11/16), which was significantly higher than that in the non-thrombotic group [10.3% (3/29) ] (P<0.001). All mutations occurred in exon 2. MUC4 mutation (OR=20.815, P=0.010) was identified as an independent risk factor for thrombotic events in patients with classic PNH. The cumulative incidence of thrombotic events was 78.6% (11/14) in the MUC4 gene mutation group (mutation group) and 16.1% (5/31) in the non-mutation group, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). Survival analysis showed a lower overall survival (OS) rate in the thrombotic group compared with that in the non-thrombotic group [ (34.4±25.2) % vs. (62.7±19.3) % ] (P=0.045). The OS rate of patients was (41.7±29.9) % in the mutation group and (59.1±18.3) % in the non-mutation group (P=0.487) . Conclusion: MUC4 gene mutations are associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events in classic PNH patients, highlighting their role as independent risk factors for thrombosis in this population. These mutations can be considered a novel predictive factor that aids in evaluating the risk of thrombosis in patients with classic PNH.

[Efficacy and safety of secondary allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 70 patients with recurrent hematologic malignancies after transplantation]

Objectives: To investigate the role of donor change in the second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT2) for hematological relapse of malignant hematology after the first transplantation (HSCT1) . Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with relapsed hematological malignancies who received HSCT2 at our single center between Mar 1998 and Dec 2020. A total of 70 patients were enrolled[49 males and 21 females; median age, 31.5 (3-61) yr]. Results: Forty-nine male and 21 female patients were enrolled in the trial. At the time of HSCT2, the median age was 31.5 (3-61) years old. Thirty-one patients were diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, 23 patients with ALL, and 16 patients with MDS or other malignant hematology disease. Thirty patients had HSCT2 with donor change, and 40 patients underwent HSCT2 without donor change. The median relapse time after HSCT1 was 245.5 (26-2 905) days. After HSCT2, 70 patients had neutrophil engraftment, and 62 (88.6%) had platelet engraftment. The cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment was (93.1±4.7) % in patients with donor change and (86.0±5.7) % in patients without donor change (P=0.636). The cumulative incidence of CMV infection in patients with and without donor change was (64.0±10.3) % and (37.0±7.8) % (P=0.053), respectively. The cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft versus host disease was (19.4±7.9) % vs (31.3±7.5) %, respectively (P=0.227). The cumulative incidence of TRM 100-day post HSCT2 was (9.2±5.1) % vs (6.7±4.6) % (P=0.648), and the cumulative incidence of chronic graft versus host disease at 1-yr post-HSCT2 was (36.7±11.4) % versus (65.6±9.1) % (P=0.031). With a median follow-up of 767 (271-4 936) days, 38 patients had complete remission (CR), and three patients had persistent disease. The CR rate was 92.7%. The cumulative incidences of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) 2 yr after HSCT2 were 25.8% and 23.7%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of relapse, OS, and DFS was (52.6±11.6) % vs (62.4±11.3) % (P=0.423), (28.3±8.6) % vs (23.8±7.5) % (P=0.643), and (28.3±8.6) % vs (22.3±7.7) % (P=0.787), respectively, in patients with changed donor compared with patients with the original donor. Relapses within 6 months post-HSCT1 and with persistent disease before HSCT2 were risk factors for OS, DFS, and CIR. Disease status before HSCT2 and early relapse (within 6 months post-HSCT1) was an independent risk factor for OS, DFS, and CIR post-HSCT2. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that changing donors did not affect the clinical outcome of HSCT2.

Cellular membrane-targeting ruthenium complexes as efficient photosensitizers for broad-spectrum antibacterial activity

A ruthenium complex [Ru(phen)₂(phen-5-amine)-C14] (Ru-C14) with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity was designed and synthesized; positively charged Ru-C14 could target bacteria via electrostatic interactions and showed high binding effectiveness to cell membranes. In addition, Ru-C14 could act as a photosensitizer. Under 465 nm light irradiation, Ru-C14 could generate ¹O₂, thus disrupting the bacterial intracellular redox balance and leading to bacterial death. Ru-C14 also exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration values of 6.25 μM against Escherichia coli and 3.125 μM against Staphylococcus aureus; these values are lower than those of streptomycin and methicillin. This work combined the merits of cell membrane targeting and photodynamic therapy for antibacterial activity. The findings might open up a new avenue for effective anti-infection treatment and other medical applications.

[Current status of the method of collecting aqueous humor by anterior chamber paracentesis]

Anterior chamber paracentesis (ACP) is a commonly used ophthalmic technique with broad clinical applications. It plays an important role in the diagnosis of intraocular infections, vitreoretinal lymphoma, and other diseases. However, the current ACP methods used in clinical practice have some issues and potential risks. There is no unified standard for the procedural steps, environment, and perioperative management. Therefore, this article provides a systematic review of various methods and devices for ACP and briefly summarizes the current clinical ACP environment, perioperative management, and safety considerations. The aim of this review is to provide insights into the current status and future prospects of ACP, with the goal of optimizing the safety and efficacy of this technique.

[A cross-sectional survey on the allocation of nursing human resources in burn centers in China]

Objective: To investigate the allocation of nursing human resources in burn centers in China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Using a self-designed questionnaire, a survey was carried out from January to March 2022 to investigate the January to December 2021 status of 39 burn centers in China that met the inclusion criteria based on six strategic regions and other regions, including the hospital grade and the region, the number of nurses and opening beds in the burn centers and burn intensive care units (BICUs), the age, working seniority in burn specialty, educational background, professional title, personnel employment, and turnover of nurses and training of newly recruited nurses in the burn centers. Results: This survey covered 30 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region, and Taiwan region of China). A total of 39 questionnaires were collected, all of which were valid. The 39 burn centers were located in 38 tertiary A hospitals and 1 tertiary B hospital, with 26 burn centers in strategic areas. The nurse/bed ratio of burn centers in the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao was the highest, while the nurse/bed ratio of burn centers in border ethnic minority area was the lowest. Except for the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, BICUs had been set up in burn centers in other regions. Among the 39 burn centers, the percentage of nurses aged 25 to 34 years was 51.21% (738/1 441), the percentage of nurses worked in burn specialty for less than 5 years was 31.16% (449/1 441), the percentage of nurses with bachelor's degree was 69.74% (1 005/1 441), and the percentage of nurses with nursing professional title was 44.14% (636/1 441), which were the highest. There were significant differences in the employment of nurses, the percentage of permanent nurses in burn centers in the collaborative development zone of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei was 82.48% (113/137), while the percentage of permanent nurses in burn centers in important military strategic area was only 9.42% (34/361); the turnover rate of nurses was 9.03% (143/1 584), among which the turnover rate of nurses was 18.14% (80/441) in burn centers in important military strategic area. The training for newly recruited nurses in 39 burn centers was mainly based on the guidance of senior nurses and the pre-job education+specialist training. Conclusions: The burn nursing human resources in strategic areas in China are seriously insufficient and unevenly distributed, with unstable nurse team and lack of standardized specialist training. In particular, the nursing human resources in BICUs need to be equipped and supplemented urgently.

[Drug resistance and genomic characteristics of a strain of O139 Vibrio cholerae isolated from human bloodstream infection]

Objective: To analyze the drug resistance and genomic characteristics of a strain of serogroup O139 Vibrio cholerae producing cholera toxin isolated from the bloodstream of a person with bacteremia. Methods: The broth dilution method and automatic drug sensitivity analyzer were used to determine the antibiotic sensitivity of the strain. The complete genome sequence of the strain was obtained by using second-generation gene sequencing and nanopore sequencing. BLAST software was used for comparison and analysis with CARD, Resfinder, ISfinder, VFDB, and other databases. The drug-resistant genes, insertion sequences and virulence genes carried by the strain were identified. MEGA 5.1 software was used to construct a genetic phylogenetic tree based on the core genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms. Results: V. cholerae SH400, as the toxigenic strain, carried multiple virulence-related genes and four virulence islands. The strain was resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole, carrying corresponding drug-resistant genes. The strain also carried IncA/C plasmid with the size of 172914 bp and contained 10 drug-resistant genes. Combined with the genomic evolutionary relationship, this study found that the drug-resistant genes and drug-resistant plasmids carried among strains showed certain aggregation. The traditional ST type of strain SH400 was ST69, and the cgMLST type was a new type highly similar to cgST-252. Conclusion: This strain of serogroup O139 V. cholerae carries the ctxAB gene, multiple drug-resistant genes and IncA/C plasmid, and there are multiple drug-resistant islands.

[Treatment responses, outcomes, and prognostic factors associated with them in patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To evaluate treatment responses, outcomes, and prognostic factors in adults with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) . Methods: Between January 2008 and February 2021, date of consecutive cases of younger than 65 years of adults with sAML were assessed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics at diagnosis, treatment responses, recurrence, and survival were evaluated. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model were employed to determine significant prognostic indicators for treatment response and survival. Results: 155 patients were recruited, including 38, 46, 57, 14 patients belonging to t-AML, and AML with unexplained cytopenia, post-MDS-AML, and post-MPN-AML, respectively. In the 152 evaluable patients, the rate of MLFS after the initial induction regimen was 47.4%, 57.9%, 54.3%, 40.0%, and 23.1% in the four groups (P=0.076) . The total rate of MLFS after the induction regimen was 63.8%, 73.3%, 69.6%, 58.2%, and 38.5% (P=0.084) , respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that male gender (OR=0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.038 and OR=0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8, P=0.015) , SWOG cytogenetic classification into unfavorable or intermediate (OR=0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.6, P=0.014 and OR=0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.3, P=0.004) and receiving low-intensity regimen as induction regimen (OR=0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.3, P=0.003 and OR=0.1, 95%CI 0.1-0.2, P=0.001) were typical adverse factors impacting the first CR and the final CR; PLT<45 × 10(9)/L (OR=0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.038) and LDH ≥258 U/L (OR=0.3, 95%CI 0.1-0.7, P=0.005) were independent factors for CR. Among the 94 patients with achieving MLFS, 46 cases had allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With a median follow-up period of 18.6 months, the probabilities of relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) at 3 years were 25.4% and 37.3% in patients with transplantation, and in patients with chemotherapy, the probabilities of RFS and OS at 3-year were 58.2% and 64.3%, respectively. At the time of achieving MLFS, multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥46 years (HR=3.4, 95%CI 1.6-7.2, P=0.002 and HR=2.5, 95%CI 1.1-6.0, P=0.037) , peripheral blasts ≥17.5% at diagnosis (HR=2.5, 95%CI 1.2-4.9, P=0.010 and HR=4.1, 95%CI 1.7-9.7, P=0.002) , monosomal karyotypes (HR=4.9, 95%CI 1.2-19.9, P=0.027 and HR=28.3, 95%CI 4.2-189.5, P=0.001) were typical adverse factors influencing RFS and OS. Furthermore, CR after induction chemotherapy (HR=0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.8, P=0.015) and transplantation (HR=0.4, 95%CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.028) were substantially linked to longer RFS. Conclusion: Post-MDS-AML and post-MPN-AML had lower response rates and poorer prognoses than t-AML and AML with unexplained cytopenia. In adults with male gender, low platelet count, high LDH, and SWOG cytogenetic classification into unfavorable or intermediate at diagnosis, and receiving low-intensity regimen as the induction regimen predicted a low response rate. Age ≥46 years, a higher proportion of peripheral blasts and monosomal karyotype had a negative effect on the overall outcome. Transplantation and CR after induction chemotherapy were greatly linked to longer RFS.

Cardiovascular Nursing and Climate Change: A Call to Action From the CSANZ Cardiovascular Nursing Council

This Call to Action aims to provide key considerations for cardiovascular nursing, related to climate and environmental impacts. Strategies to optimise nursing preparation, immediate response and adaptation to climate emergencies are crucial to ensure those at greatest risk, including First Nations peoples, are protected from potentially avoidable harm. Professionals who manage climate consequences must also understand the impact of their care on the root cause of the problem.

[Epidemiological characteristics of two local COVID-19 outbreaks caused by 2019-nCoV Omicron variant in Guangzhou, China]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of two local COVID-19 outbreaks caused by 2019-nCoV Omicron variant in Guangzhou, such as incubation period, serial interval, basic reproductive number (R₀) and the influence of gathering places on R₀, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of Omicron variant infection. Methods: The data of daily confirmed cases of Omicron variant infection from April 8 to May 8, 2022 in two COVID-19 outbreaks in Guangzhou were collected for model fitting. Weibull, Gamma and lognormal distribution were used to estimate incubation period and serial interval. Exponential growth method and the maximum likelihood estimation were used to estimate R₀. Results: The median of incubation period was 2.94 (95%CI: 2.52-3.38) days and median of serial interval was 3.32 (95%CI: 2.89-3.81) days. The estimated R₀ in small-size place was 4.40 (95%CI: 3.95-4.85), while the estimated R₀ at airport was 11.35 (95%CI: 11.02-11.67). Conclusion: The incubation period of Omicron variant in two local COVID-19 outbreaks in Guangzhou is significantly shorter than that of delta variant. The higher the gathering degree in a place, the larger the R₀. Due to its rapid transmission, COVID-19 epidemic is prone to occur. Therefore, the COVID-19 prevention and control strategy should be dynamically adjusted in time.

[The surveillance analysis of the adverse events following immunization of the domestic 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine in Zhejiang Province]

To evaluate the safety of the domestic 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine-tetanus toxoid protein (PCV13-TT) after its licensure. The adverse event following immunization (AEFI) and the vaccination data of PCV13-TT in Zhejiang province from July 2020 to October 2021 were collected from national adverse event following immunization surveillance system and Zhejiang provincial immunization information system. Descriptive epidemiological method was used for this analysis. From July 2020 to October 2021, 302 317 doses of PCV13-TT were administered in children under 6 years old in Zhejiang Province and 636 AEFI case reports were received, with a reporting rate of 21.04 per 10 000 doses. Of these AEFI cases, 97.17% were mild vaccine product-related reaction (20.54 per 10 000 doses) and 95.44% occurred in the 0-1 d after vaccination (20.08 per 10 000 doses). The most common clinical diagnoses of AEFI included fever (224 cases), redness (204 cases), and induration (190 cases), while allergic rash (11 cases) was the most common diagnosis among the abnormal reactions. In conclusion,the present results bolstered that the domestic PCV13-TT was generally well tolerated in children under 6 years old in Zhejiang Province.

[Accumulation Characteristics and Sources of PAEs in Agricultural Soils in Gansu Province]

In order to understand the composition and accumulation characteristics of phthalates esters (PAEs) in agricultural soils in Gansu province, a total of 41 soil samples from four agricultural soils in Gansu province were collected, and the content of six PAEs compounds was analyzed using a gas chromatography-single quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The results showed that the average value of PAEs compounds in agricultural soils in Gansu province was 432.4 μg·kg^-1. The detection rates of DMP, DEP, DnBP, DEHP, and DNOP in the soil were 100%, and BBP was not detected. The order of the average value of PAEs content in the four agricultural soils in Gansu province was:greenhouse>farmland (open field)>forest>grassland. The exceeding rates of dibutyl phthalate (DnBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and dimethyl phthalate (DEP) were 94%, 28%, and 27%, and the remaining three did not exceed the standard. The composition of PAEs in different agricultural soils was different due to their different sources. DEHP and DnBP components in the six different PAEs monomers accounted for a higher proportion and were the main pollutants of PAEs in agricultural soils in Gansu province. In this study, the contents of soil PAEs and DEHP were significantly positively correlated with the residual amount of mulch film in the farmland (P<0.05). In general, the content of soil PAEs in the Hexi area of Gansu province was significantly higher than that in the Longdong area.

Transcriptomic profiling reveals connection to lung autonomic nervous system dysfunction and inflammation in pulmonary artery hypertension rats

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disorder characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressure, right ventricular failure, and premature death. Previous studies showed autonomic nervous system (ANS) such as sympathetic nerve overactivity or impaired parasympathetic activity was implicated in the pathogenesis of PAH. However, PA remodeling and molecular mechanisms involved in ANS in PAH remain unclear.

Purpose

To unravel transcriptional regulation, underlying genes and signaling pathways linking to ANS in PAH.

Methods

Publicly available two RNA sequencing (RNAseq) datasets and one single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) data of lung from rats with PAH induced by high-dose monocrotaline (MCT) were downloaded and reprocessed. For RNA-seq data, STAR and RSEM were used for read alignment and gene expression qualification. Differential expression genes (DEGs) were identified using DSEseq2, after which enrichment analyses were implemented by clusterProfiler. scRNAseq data were analyzed using Seurat.

Results

Two RNAseq datasets identified a total of 6,046 and 2,172 DEGs respectively, including 2,945 and 1,228 up-regulated and 3,101 and 944 down-regulated. Overlapped DEGs genes among datasets were 1,123 genes. Functional enrichment analysis of downregulated DEGs in one data pointed out many dysregulated pathways related to nerve system, such as nervous system process, neuron projection, integral component of synaptic membrane in MCT-induced PAH rat (Fig. 1a). Both RNAseq datasets supported upregulated DEGs were also involved in pathways related to ANS including humoral immune response and synapse pruning (P&lt;0.001) (Fig. 1a). Intriguingly, all four genes (Trem2, C1qa, C1qb and C1qc) in synapse pruning were progressively upregulated with severe PAH condition (P&lt;0.05) (Fig. 1b, c). And RT-PCR results confirmed the expression level of these four genes were remarkably increased in PAH rats (P&lt;0.0001) (Fig. 1d). These four genes are known marker genes for macrophages from lung and microglial cell from brain. scRNAseq data of lungs demonstrated these four genes were significantly upregulated in alveolar macrophages from MCT-PAH rats (P&lt;0.001) (Fig. 1e). However, the pathogenic mechanisms of these four genes in nerve fibers from lungs underlying PAH have never been studied and would be further explored using histological analysis in this study.

Conclusions

Integrated bioinformatic analysis indicated the association of lung nervous system with PAH. Further, we identified four genes implicated in nervous system, previously reported to link to immune system and provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying relationship between lung ANS and inflammation in the pathogenesis of PAH. The pathogenetic mechanism of these four genes is being further investigated.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The National Natural Science Foundation of Chinathe Nature Science Foundation of Hubei Province

[Health-adjusted life expectancy in residents in Guangzhou, 2010-2019]

Objective: To analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of life expectancy (LE) and health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2019, and quantize the comprehensive impact of different causes and sequelae on health. Methods: The LE, HALE, and cause-excluded health adjusted life expectancy (CEHALE) were estimated using cause-of-death surveillance datasets from Guangzhou Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2010 to 2019 and open data from the Global Burden of Disease Study. Joinpoint log-linear regression model was used to analyze the temporal trend and described spatial distribution. Results: In 2019, the LE in residents in Guangzhou was 82.9 years (80.1 years in men and 85.9 years in women), and the HALE was 75.6 years (74.0 years in men and 77.3 years in women). Compared with the urban fringe, the central urban area had higher LE and HALE, and the differences between LE and HALE were small. The LE and HALE in Guangzhou showed an increasing trend from 2010 to 2019. The LE increased by 2.8 years (AAPC=0.4, 95%CI: 0.3-0.4), with the increase of 2.8 years in men and 2.9 years in women. The HALE increased by 2.4 years (AAPC=0.3, 95%CI: 0.3-0.4), with the increase of 2.5 years in men and 2.2 years in women. The median healthy life lost due to communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases was 6.2 years (AAPC=-4.2, 95%CI: -5.3--3.1), while the median healthy life lost due to non-communicable diseases was 14.7 years (AAPC=1.6, 95%CI: 0.9-2.3), the median healthy life expectancy reduced by injury was 6.3 years (AAPC=-3.5, 95%CI: -4.5--2.6). Musculoskeletal disorders, skin and subcutaneous diseases, cardiovascular diseases, nutritional deficiencies, diabetes and kidney diseases were the top five diseases causing healthy life expectancy loss. Conclusion: The LE and HALE in residents in Guangzhou increased steadily from 2010 to 2019, but the quality of life in the urban fringe was lower than that of the central urban area. Non-communicable diseases were the leading causes of healthy life expectancy loss. Health policies and prevention measures should be developed according to area specific characteristics, and social medical resources should be rationally allocated to key diseases to reduce their disease burden.

[Application value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for infectious pathogens in patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To investigate the application value of Metagenomic Next-Generation sequencing (mNGS) in infectious patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT). Methods: Patients suspected with local or systemic infections were retrospectively included after allo-HSCT in our department from April 2019 to November 2020. Pathogenic microorganisms were tested by mNGS in samples from peripheral blood, cerebrospinal fluid, alveolar lavage Liquid, abscess, etc. Other diagnostic methods such as bacterial/fungal culture, viral PCR detection were simultaneously explored comparing with mNGS results. Results: A total of 112 samples in 83 patients were detected by mNGS, and 34 pathogenic microorganisms were determined. Among these positive samples, 11 strains of bacteria (17 times) with the most common Escherichia coli (4/17) were reported. There were 7 strains of fungi (10 times) detected with primary Candida albicans (7/29). Although arvovirus 30.2% (39/129) were predominantly detected, its diagnostic relevance with infections was not definite. Other pathogenic viruses including cytomegalovirus (CMV) 25.6% (33/129) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) 14.0% (18/129)were of significance. Comparing with golden diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity of mNGS was 86.5%, and specificity was 45.0%. Regarding single pathogen infection, the consistency of mNGS and conventional methods was 82.9% (29/35), while it was 16/17 in combination infections. Conclusion: mNGS could be a potential method to determine pathogens in patients suspected with infections after allo-HSCT.

Evaluation of Physiological Coping Strategies and Quality Substances in Purple SweetPotato under Different Salinity Levels

Although salinity stress is one of the principal abiotic stresses affecting crop yield, a suitable concentration of NaCl has proven to be useful for increasing crop quality. This study used low salinity (34 mmol/L NaCl) and high salinity (85 mmol/L) to cultivate purple sweetpotato. Using transcriptomics and metabolomics to profile the pathway indicated that glycometabolism, secondary metabolite biosynthesis and the starch catabolic process were the significant pathways under the salinity stress. Further research showed that purple sweetpotato could regulate genes related to the regulation of the cellular Na+, K+, and other ions concentration in response to the low salinity tolerance, but loses this ability under high salinity. Meanwhile, under low salinity, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and their related gene expression are maintained at a high level. The low salinity influences the monosaccharide composition as well as the content and regulation of genes related to starch synthesis. Quality analysis showed that the low salinity could increase the starch content and influence the amylopectin biosynthesis. It suggested that low salinity promotes substance accumulation. High salinity could increase the anthocyanins biosynthesis and low salinity had a significant impact on phenolic acid and flavonol. Finally, the gene expression levels also prove the low salinity could change the composition and content level of the purple sweetpotato. This study showed that an appropriate concentration of NaCl can be used as an elicitor for application in purple sweetpotato planting.

[Rethinking about the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy]

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (PCV) is now categorized as a subtype of neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD), though the ocular manifestation and prognosis of PCV patients are quite distinct from nAMD. Due to its high prevalence in Asian population, retina specialists have implemented multiple randomized control trials (RCT) in recent years, aiming at providing grade 1 clinical evidence for current therapies and exploring efficient and affordable regimens for long-term management of PCV. Here we summarised current problems existed in available RCTs and prognostic biomarkers, and presented our thoughts based on previous clinical experiences which may be helpful for clinical management of PCV.

[The relationship between insulin resistance and risk of long-term mortality in people without diabetes: a 30-year follow-up of the Daqing Diabetes Study]

Objective: To determine whether insulin resistance is associated with all-cause mortality in subjects without diabetes. Methods: A total of 505 participants without diabetes, 198 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 307 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), were recruited from the Daqing Diabetes Study. The participants were followed up for 30 years. They were stratified into three groups (tertiles) according to baseline homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) levels, as the HOMA-IR 0, the HOMA-IR 1 and the HOMA-IR 2 groups, to assess the predictive effect of insulin resistance on risk of all-cause mortality. Results: During the 30-year follow-up, 52, 56 and 78 participants died across the three HOMA-IR groups, respectively. The corresponding mortality per 1 000 person-years (95%CI) were 12.12 (9.56-15.01), 13.10 (10.46-16.03) and 19.91 (16.73-23.15), respectively. Participants in the HOMA-IR 2 group had a significantly higher risk of death than those in the HOMA-IR 0 group after adjustment of age, sex and smoking status (HR=1.97,95%CI 1.38-2.81, P<0.001). Cox analyses showed that a one standard deviation increase in HOMA-IR was associated with a 22% increase in the mortality after adjustment of potential confounders (HR=1.22, 95%CI 1.08-1.39, P=0.002). Conclusions: Insulin resistance is associated with increased risk of all-cause death in Chinese people without diabetes, suggesting that improving insulin resistance could be beneficial for people without diabetic in reducing risk of long-term all-cause mortality.

The anti-infective activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza against Staphylococcus aureus by attenuating accessory gene regulator system-mediated virulence

Due to the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, antivirulence therapy may be a promising alternative for the effective control of the spread of resistant pathogens. The Chinese Materia Medica has been widely used for the treatment of diseases and production of health foods, and it remains a valuable resource for the discovery of compounds possessing antivirulence activity. Through a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model, an EtOAc-soluble fraction of 80% EtOH extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SMEA) was found to possess potential anti-infective activity against S. aureus. Then, several in vitro assays indicated that SMEA had robust antivirulence activity at the dose of 400 μg mL^-1, reducing hemolytic activity and α-hemolysin expression in S. aureus. Furthermore, at 100 mg kg^-1, SMEA reduced abscess formation in the main organs of mice challenged with S. aureus. In order to identify the bioactive components of SMEA and investigate the mechanisms underlying the antivirulence activity, SMEA was separated using bioassay-guided fractionation. As a result, eight compounds were identified in SMEA. Among them, tanshinone IIB (TNB) showed strong antivirulence activity both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, at 24 μg mL^-1, TNB significantly reduced the expression of RNAIII and psmα, indicating that the mechanism underlying TNB activity was related to the accessory gene regulator quorum sensing system. In conclusion, TNB's antivirulence properties make it a promising candidate for drug development against S. aureus infections.

[Burden of disease and risk factors among children under 5 years in China from 1990 to 2019: a perspective of international comparison]

Based on the Global Burden of Disease study 2019, the standardized mortality rate and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate of children under 5 years old were selected as evaluation indicators to compare and analyze the current situation and differences of disease burden of children under 5 years old between China and other regions from 1990 to 2019. The change trend and difference of disease burden of children under 5 years old in China were analyzed by sexes. From 1990 to 2019, the all-cause standardized mortality rate of children under 5 years old in China decreased from 1 153.81/100 000 to 160.39/100 000, and the all-cause standardized DALY rate decreased from 104 426.40/100 000 to 16 479.01/100 000. In 2019, neonatal preterm birth, congenital heart anomalies and lower respiratory infections ranked the top three disease burden of children under 5 years old in China. Except that the disease burden of neonatal preterm birth was lower than that in North America, they were much higher than that in Western Europe and North America in the same period. The burden of unintentional injury diseases, including pulmonary aspiration and foreign body in airway and drowning, was higher than that in Western Europe and North America. The standardized mortality and DALY rate of the top ten diseases and injuries in boys and girls under 5 years old in China showed a downward trend (P<0.05), and most of them were higher in boys than girls (P<0.05). From 1990 to 2019, the disease burden of children under 5 years old in China decreased significantly. However, compared other regions, it is still necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of neonatal premature birth, birth defects and unintentional injuries, and take different sex-specific interventions to improve the overall health of children.

Detection of Fe3+ and Hg2+ ions through photoluminescence quenching of carbon dots derived from urea and bitter tea oil residue

In this study, we prepared nitrogen-doped carbon dots (xNCDs) using hydrothermally-treated bitter tea oil residue with urea for the detection of metal ions by monitoring the photoluminescence quenching. The quantum yields of the xNCDs increased from approximately 3.85% (CDs) to 5.5% (3NCDs) and 7.2% (1NCDs), revealing that nitrogen doping effectively increases the fluorescence emission. The increased emission of the xNCDs can be attributed to radiative recombination resulting from the π-π* transition of the C=C or the n-π* transition between the C=O or N=O of sp³ units. Moreover, the CDs have abundant surface-attached phenolic and hydroxyl groups that coordinate with Fe³⁺ ions and quench the fluorescence. Conversely, Hg²⁺ ions preferentially adsorb on nitrogen-containing groups, such as amide-carbonyl groups (O=C-NH₂) and pyridinic and pyrrolic functionalities, on the surface of the NCDs owing to their strong affinity, quenching the substantial photoluminescence emissions. Our results suggest that bitter tea oil residue-derived carbon dots can be used to selectively detect metal ions, such as Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺, by doping with nitrogen using urea as a nitrogen precursor.

Effective adsorption of antimony (V) from contaminated water by a novel composite manganese oxide/oxyhydroxide as an adsorbent

To obtain an efficient and low-cost adsorbent for the Sb(V) removal in Sb(V)-contaminated water, a novel composite manganese oxide/oxyhydroxide (CMO) was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The results revealed that the as-prepared CMO adsorbent possessed a porous structure consisting of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles and MnOOH nanorods. Batch experiments showed that the adsorption behaviours were well fitted by the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, reaching the maximum adsorption capacity of 119.63 mg/g at 25 °C. The application of CMO adsorbent showed that the Sb(V) removal efficiency in 6.24 L Sb(V)-containing water with a concentration of 3.6 mg/L was more than 90%. The reusability of CMO adsorbent demonstrated that the Sb(V) removal efficiency was still more than 80% even after five times of regeneration. The adsorption mechanism for Sb(V) can be described as ligand exchange between hydroxyl groups on the adsorbent surface and hydroxyl groups in Sb(OH)₆^- molecules by forming inner-sphere complexes. Those results suggested that the CMO adsorbent can be considered as a potential adsorbent to remove Sb(V) from contaminated water.

[Epidemiological trends for human schistosomiasis prevalence in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018 based on Joinpoint regression analysis]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the trends of human schistosomiasis prevalence in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the schistosomiasis elimination strategy in the province.

METHODS

All data pertaining to human schistosomiasis prevalence in Hubei Province were collected from 2004 to 2018, and the trends for changes in seroprevalence, egg-positive rate and prevalence of human Schistosoma japonicum infection were analyzed using a Joinpoint regression model.

RESULTS

Both of the numbers of residents seropositive and egg-positive for S. japonicum infections appeared a tendency towards a decline in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018, and the prevalence of human S. japonicum infections reduced from 6.85% in 2004 to 0 in 2018. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that the prevalence of human S. japonicum infections appeared an overall tendency towards a reduction in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018 [average annual percent change (AAPC) = -24.1%, P < 0.01], and the trends for the reduction were both significant during the period from 2004 to 2006 [annual percent change (APC) = -35.1%, P < 0.01] and from 2006 to 2018 (APC = -22.1%, P < 0.01). The prevalence of human S. japonicum infections appeared a tendency towards a decline in islet (AAPC = -25.1%, P < 0.01), inner embankment (AAPC = -26.4%, P < 0.01) and hilly subtypes of schistosomiasis-endemic areas (AAPC = -32.5%, P < 0.01) of Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018, and the prevalence all appeared a tendency towards a decline during the infection control stage (from 2004 to 2008), the transmission control stage (from 2009 to 2013) and the transmission interruption stage (from 2014 to 2018) (AAPC = -28.0%, -24.4% and -63.8%, all P values < 0.01). The seroprevalence of human S. japonicum infections appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018 (AAPC = -14.5%, P < 0.01), and the trends for the reduction were both significant during the period from 2004 to 2012 (APC = -8.4%, P < 0.01) and from 2012 to 2018 (APC = -22.1%, P < 0.01). In addition, the egg-positive rate of human S. japonicum infections appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018 (AAPC = -30.6%, P < 0.05), and the trend for the reduction was significant during the period from 2007 to 2014 (APC = -15.5%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of human schistosomiasis appeared a tendency towards a decline in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018, and the islet and inner embankment subtypes of endemic areas are a high priority for schistosomiasis control during the stage moving towards elimination in Hubei Province.

A programmable encapsulation system improves delivery of therapeutic bacteria in mice

Living bacteria therapies have been proposed as an alternative approach to treating a broad array of cancers. In this study, we developed a genetically encoded microbial encapsulation system with tunable and dynamic expression of surface capsular polysaccharides that enhances systemic delivery. Based on a small RNA screen of capsular biosynthesis pathways, we constructed inducible synthetic gene circuits that regulate bacterial encapsulation in Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. These bacteria are capable of temporarily evading immune attack, whereas subsequent loss of encapsulation results in effective clearance in vivo. This dynamic delivery strategy enabled a ten-fold increase in maximum tolerated dose of bacteria and improved anti-tumor efficacy in murine models of cancer. Furthermore, in situ encapsulation increased the fraction of microbial translocation among mouse tumors, leading to efficacy in distal tumors. The programmable encapsulation system promises to enhance the therapeutic utility of living engineered bacteria for cancer.

Transient capsule induction allows engineered bacteria to evade initial immune surveillance in a colorectal cancer model.

[A case of microvascular anomalies in myopic retinoschisis]

It is a case found during routine reexamination one year after implantable Collamer lens (ICL) implantation. The patient had no complaints. The naked eye visual acuity of the left eye was 1.0, and abnormal blood vessels were seen in the supranasal retina. After fluorescein fundus angiography and sweep source OCTA, it was finally diagnosed as retinoschisis with microvascular anomalies of the left eye. This case suggests that the fundus of patients with high myopia without complaint should also be examined in detail and comprehensively. In addition to paying attention to peripheral retinopathy, the posterior pole and middle peripheral retina should be carefully examined, especially the areas that cannot be covered by conventional OCT.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 944-945).

Non-Conventional Fluorescence and Cytotoxicity of Two Aliphatic Hyperbranched Polymer Dots Having Poly(amic acid) Structures: Implications for Labeling Nanodrug Carriers

In this study, we used one-pot A2 + B3 polymerizations to synthesize two aliphatic + alicyclic polymer dots (PDs) having non-conjugated hyperbranched structures, employing two types of dianhydrides as the A2 components, possessing bridged bicyclic alkene (PD-BT) and non-alkene (PD-ET) units, and Jeffamine T403 polyetheramine (T403) as the B3 components. We prepared PD-ET from commercially available ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride (EDTAD, A2) and T403 (B3) and PD-BT from bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BCDA, A2) and T403 (B3). These two types of PDs possessed non-conjugated hyperbranched poly(amic acid) structures with terminal amino functional groups. PD-BT and PD-ET exhibited non-conventional fluorescence with emissions at 435 and 438 nm, respectively, and quantum yields of 12.8 and 14.0%, respectively. The fluorescence intensity of PD-ET was influenced by the pH, but PD-BT was less affected because of its rigid aliphatic bridged bicyclic structure. In aqueous solutions, the sizes of the PD-BT and PD-ET nanoparticles were 3-5 nm, and their net charges can be adjusted by varying the pH. These PDs were non-cytotoxic toward human MCF-7 breast cancer cells and human keratinocyte HaCaT cells at concentrations of 50 μg mL-1 for PD-BT and 500 μg mL-1 for PD-ET. Confocal microscopic bioimaging revealed that the PDs were located within the cells after treatment for 6 h. These PDs were easy to prepare, highly water-soluble, and possessed a large number of peripheral functional groups for further modification. Combined with their non-conventional fluorescence, they appear to have potential uses in bioimaging and as drug-labeling carriers.

Instantly Detecting Catalysts' Hot Spots Temperature In Situ during Photocatalysis by Operando Raman Spectroscopy

Precisely detecting the catalysts' hot spots temperature in situ instantly during photocatalysis is a great challenge but extremely important for chemical reactions. However, no efficient method has been developed to instantly detect the hot spots temperature in situ during photocatalysis. Herein, we designed a simple and convenient method to measure the instant hot spots temperature in situ on the nanostructure surface during photocatalysis by operando Raman spectroscopy using 4-methoxyphenyl isocyanide (MI) as the probe molecule. The ν_N≡C frequency of MI varied linearly with temperature, which is caused by the orientation change of the MI induced by temperature, leading to the change in the frequency of the ν_N≡C bond that directly interacts with the nanostructure surface. Using in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), the surface temperature of the catalysts illuminating for each time can be measured instantly. Interestingly, the catalytic activity of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for the Au-Ag/Ag₂S heterojunction nanorods (HJNRs) are higher than that for the Ag-Au-Ag HJNRs, although they have a lower surface temperature during photocatalysis; therefore, hot carriers and electronic structure contributed more to the catalytic activity of the Au-Ag/Ag₂S HJNRs than that of the Ag-Au-Ag HJNRs. Such an instant hot spots temperature detecting method of catalysts can greatly facilitate the analysis of the mechanism of catalytic processes.

[Feasibility study of cone-beam CT for the analysis of cortical bone thickness in the posterior area of the jaw bone]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of cone-beam CT (CBCT) in evaluating the thickness of cortical bone in jaw bone. Methods: Sixty patients [twenty-three for males and forty-seven for females, at an average age of (43.8±1.7) years] from Center of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC & Anhui Provincial Hospital with 63 operational regions were included in the present study. Totally 63 bone sections from these areas were all selected at last. Case Viewer and oral dynamic system were used for the measurements in sections and CBCT graphs of the cortical bone thicknesses at alveolar ridges. Paired samples t test was performed to compare the difference between CBCT measurement and Case Viewer measurement. Results: The cortical bone thicknesses measured by Case Viewer were (1.20±0.75), (0.68±0.46) and (1.48±0.77) mm in the posterior, maxillary posterior and mandibular posterior areas, respectively. The cortical bone thicknesses measured by dynamic navigation software were (1.14±0.77), (0.64±0.24) and (1.41±0.83) mm in the posterior, maxillary posterior and mandibular posterior areas, respectively. There were no significant differences between either the two methods or the different areas (P>0.05). Conclusions: CBCT would be a useful equipment for the analysis of cortical bone thickness with a reliable and convincible accuracy.

The effect of pre-ESRD care program on potentially inappropriate medication in advanced CKD patients

Background

Due to the multiple comorbidities and the associated complications among advanced CKD population, assessing potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) in these patients is an important task for physicians and multidisciplinary care team members. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the national pre-ESRD pay-for-performance (P4P) program on prescribing quality in Taiwan.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) maintained by the Health and Welfare Data Science Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare (HWDC, MOHW). The incidents of CKD in year 2010 were observed until the end of 2017. Adult patients who initiated maintenance dialysis therapy were enrolled. To identify the use of PIM that should be avoided in advanced CKD patients, the Beers 2019 criteria and latest Taiwan Manual of Renal Injury Prevention and Drug Safety were applied. We measured PIM use in one year before starting long-term dialysis.

Results

Among 7,828 participants underwent continuous dialysis treatment, 2,119 (27.1%) were P4P patients. Most (90.4%) participants were prescribed one or more PIMs before ESRD initiation. After adjusted age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the number of nephrologist visits, the logistic regression showed lower probability of PIM use in the P4P enrollees (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.47-0.66). The effect of P4P on PIM was more prominent in the subgroups of patients who were female and CCI≤3.

Conclusions

The implementation of the pre-ESRD P4P program might reduce PIM use among CKD patients. Our results underline the strategy of financial incentives in the payment design to improve prescribing patterns.

Key messages

Prescribing potentially inappropriate medications is common among patients who were approaching ESRD. The study highlights the importance of implementing the pre-ESRD P4P program to reduce PIM use in advanced CKD patients.

[Experimental study on the effect of three-dimensional porous structures on the vascularization rate of artificial dermis]

Objective: To explore the effects of orienting three-dimensional porous network (type A) and honeycomb briquette-shaped vertically penetrating three-dimensional porous network (type B) on the vascularization rate of artificial dermis. Methods: The experimental research method was used. The artificial dermis was composed of a double layer of silicone layer and scaffold layer. Based on the difference of scaffold layer, they were divided into type A and type B artificial dermis (type A dermis and type B dermis, for short) containing type A and type B structure, respectively. The type A and type B structures were prepared by gradient freeze-drying technique and physical pore-making technique, respectively. The micro-morphology of two kinds of dermis scaffold was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The porosity of two kinds of dermis scaffold was measured by the Pyrex method. According to the method of national medical industry standard, the hydroxyproline content in degradation liquids and their residues in two kind of dermis were determined after degradation at 4, 8, 13, and 24 h, reflecting the degradation rates of two kinds of dermis. According to the random number table, L929 cells were divided into type A dermis group, type B dermis group, negative control group, and positive control group. The positive control group was added with minimum essential medium (MEM) containing 5% dimethyl sulfoxide, The negative control group was added with high-density polyethylene extract, and the other two groups were added with the corresponding extract. At 24 hours after culture, the growth rate of L929 cells was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium, and the cytotoxicity was graded. L929 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were inoculated into pore plates with two kinds of dermis preinstalled. On 1, 4, 7, and 14 d after inoculating, the adhesion and growth of L929 cells on the surfaces of the two kinds of scaffolds were detected by immunofluorescence method. On 7 d after inoculating, the migration of the above two kinds of cells into the two kinds of dermal scaffolds was detected by immunofluorescence and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Three full-thickness skin defect wounds of 5.0 cm×5.0 cm were created on both sides of the back of three 6-month-old healthy male Ba-Ma mini pigs. According to the random number table, six columns of wounds were divided into type A dermis two-step method group, type B dermis two-step method group, and type B dermis one-step method group. The wounds in type A dermis two-step method group and type B dermis two-step method group were transplanted with type A or type B dermis respectively before, and with autologous split-thickness skin grafting later. The wounds in type B dermis one-step method group were transplanted in a synchronous procedure including type B dermis (without silicone layer) and autologous skin grafting simultaneously. The bleeding, exudation, and infection of the wounds on the back in type A dermis two-step method group and type B dermis two-step method group on the 7th day after the second transplantation and in type B dermis one-step method group on the 14th day after the first transplantation were generally observed. The area of autologous skin graft was measured by the transparent film grid method, and the survival rate of autologous skin was calculated. On 4, 7, and 14 d after the first transplantation, the inflammatory cells, fibroblasts (Fbs), and capillary infiltration into the scaffolds of the three groups were detected by HE staining. On 7, 14 d after the first transplantation, the vascularization of the scaffolds was further observed by immunohistochemistry. On 28, 90 d after the first operation, the degradation of the scaffolds of type A dermis and type B dermis was observed by HE staining. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, independent sample t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: A large number of round and oval micropores were evenly distributed on the surface of type A scaffold, and the cylindrical hole walls could be observed arranging in a parallel direction in the longitudinal section. The honeycomb briquette-shaped penetrating macropores on the surface of type B scaffold were arranged in an orderly matrix. The pore walls of the honeycomb briquette-shaped penetrating macropores were connected by micropores to form a network structure. The porosity of type A dermis was (93.21±0.72)%, which was similar to (95.88±1.00)% of type B dermis (t=4.653, P>0.05). The degradation rates of type A dermis at 4, 8, 13, and 24 h were similar to those of type B dermis at the corresponding time point (t=0.232, 0.856, 0.258, 7.716, P>0.05). At 24 h after culture, the proliferation rates of L929 cells in the type A dermis group, type B dermis group, and negative control group were significantly higher than those of the positive control group (t=2 393.46, 2 538.27, 1 077.77, P<0.01). The cytotoxicity rating of cells in positive control group was grade 4, while that of the other three groups was grade zero. On 1, 4, 7, and 14 d after inoculation, both L929 cells and HUVECs proliferated in a time-dependent manner in two kinds of dermal scaffolds. The adhesion growth and proliferation rate of the two kinds of cells on the surface of type B dermis was higher than that of type A dermis. On 7 d after inoculation, both L929 cells and HUVECs covered the surface of type B dermis and migrated into one side of the silicone layer. However, the above two kinds of cells migrated slowly into type A dermis, and only a few cells were found on one side of the silicone layer. There was no bleeding, exudation, or infection in the wounds repaired by type A and type B dermis. The survival rate of autologous skin grafting of 6 wounds in each group was 100%. On 4, 7, and 14 d after the first operation, inflammatory cells, Fbs, and capillaries gradually infiltrated into the scaffold layer, and the cell infiltration rate from high to low was type B dermis one-step method group, type B dermis two-step method group, and type A dermis two-step method group. The scaffold in wound in the type B dermis one-step method group gradually collapsed on 28 d after the first operation, and completely degraded in 3 months after the first operation. The scaffold degradation rate of type A dermis two-step method group was similar to that mentioned above. Conclusions: The honeycomb briquette-shaped vertically penetrating three-dimensional porous network structure of type B scaffold can accelerate its vascularization process, which is beneficial to autogenous split-thickness skin in one-step procedure to repair full-thickness skin defects wound in Ba-Ma mini pigs. Compared with the "two-step method" of staged transplantation of type A scaffold and autologous split-thickness skin, and one-step transplantation has equal efficacy and can provide a better choice for wound treatment.

Fully implantable and bioresorbable cardiac pacemakers without leads or batteries

Temporary cardiac pacemakers used in periods of need during surgical recovery involve percutaneous leads and externalized hardware that carry risks of infection, constrain patient mobility and may damage the heart during lead removal. Here we report a leadless, battery-free, fully implantable cardiac pacemaker for postoperative control of cardiac rate and rhythm that undergoes complete dissolution and clearance by natural biological processes after a defined operating timeframe. We show that these devices provide effective pacing of hearts of various sizes in mouse, rat, rabbit, canine and human cardiac models, with tailored geometries and operation timescales, powered by wireless energy transfer. This approach overcomes key disadvantages of traditional temporary pacing devices and may serve as the basis for the next generation of postoperative temporary pacing technology.