Fatigue at the wheel: A non-visual approach to truck driver fatigue detection by multi-feature fusion

BACKGROUND

Monitoring of long-haul truck driver fatigue state has attracted considerable interest. Conventional fatigue driving detection methods based on the physiological and visual features are scarcely applicable, due to the intrusiveness, reliability, and cost-effectiveness concerns.

METHODS

We elaborately developed a fatigue driving detection method by fusion of non-visual features derived from the customized wristbands, vehicle-mounted equipment, and trip logs. To capture the spatiotemporal information within the sequential data, the bidirectional long short-term memory network with attention mechanism was proposed to determine whether the truck driver was fatigued within a fine-grained episode of one minute. The model was validated using a natural driving dataset with nine truck drivers on real-world roads in Guiyang, China during June and July 2021.

RESULTS

Our approach yielded 99.21 %, 84.44 %, 82.01 %, 99.63 %, and 83.21 % in accuracy, precision, recall, specificity, and F1-score, respectively. Compared with the mainstream visual-based methods, our approach outperformed particularly in terms of precision and recall. Photoplethysmogram stood out as the most important feature for truck driver fatigue state detection. Vehicle load, driving forward angle, cumulative driving time, midnight, and recent working hours were found to be positively associated with the probability of fatigue driving, while the galvanic skin response, vehicle acceleration, current time, and recent rest hours had a negative relationship. Specifically, truck drivers were more likely to fatigue when driving at 20-40 km/h, braking abruptly at 5-10 m/s2, with vehicle loads over 70 tons, and driving more than 100 min consecutively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is among the first to harness the natural driving dataset to delve into the real-life fatigue pattern of long-haul truck drivers without disruptions on routine driving tasks. The proposed method holds pragmatic prospects by providing a privacy-preserving, robust, real-time, and non-intrusive technical pathway for truck driver fatigue monitoring.

Spatial and temporal distribution of endotoxins, antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements in the air of a dairy farm in Germany

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious issue that is continuously growing and spreading, leading to a dwindling number of effective treatments for infections that were easily treatable with antibiotics in the past. Animal farms are a major hotspot for AMR, where antimicrobials are often overused, misused, and abused, in addition to overcrowding of animals. In this study, we investigated the risk of AMR transmission from a farm to nearby residential areas by examining the overall occurrence of endotoxins, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the air of a cattle farm. We assessed various factors, including the season and year, day and nighttime, and different locations within the farm building and its vicinity. The most abundant ARGs detected were tetW, aadA1, and sul2, genes that encode for resistances towards antibiotics commonly used in veterinary medicine. While there was a clear concentration gradient for endotoxin from the middle of the farm building to the outside areas, the abundance of ARGs and MGEs was relatively uniform among all locations within the farm and its vicinity. This suggests that endotoxins preferentially accumulated in the coarse particle fraction, which deposited quickly, as opposed to the ARGs and MGEs, which might concentrate in the fine particle fraction and remain longer in the aerosol phase. The occurrence of the same genes found in the air samples and in the manure indicated that ARGs and MGEs in the air mostly originated from the cows, continuously being released from the manure to the air. Although our atmospheric dispersion model indicated a relatively low risk for nearby residential areas, farm workers might be at greater risk of getting infected with resistant bacteria and experiencing overall respiratory tract issues due to continuous exposure to elevated concentrations of endotoxins, ARGs and MGEs in the air of the farm.

Pulse Oximetry and Perfusion Index Screening for Congenital Heart Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common neonatal malformations and are a leading cause of infant death in developed countries. Finding safe and effective diagnostic methods to screen for CHDs is important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pulse oximetry (PO) and perfusion index (PI) in screening CHD. We conducted a systematic review of studies in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library published on or before October 1, 2021. Studies based on PICOS were included in this systematic review. The flow chart is made by PRISMA software. The quality of included studies was assessed by RevMan5 software (QUADAS-2: Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2). The sensitivity, specificity, and other measurements of accuracy were pooled using Stata/SE 12.0 software. Five studies containing 46,965 neonates were included in this study. A randomized-effects model was used for the meta-analysis because of significant heterogeneity. The combined sensitivity and specificity were 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53-0.95) and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.57-1.00), respectively. The area under the curve was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.89-0.94). The combination PO and PI was significant in CHD screening. Once diagnosed by the combined method, it means that the neonate is most likely to have a CHD. KEY POINTS: · Pulse oximetry and PI screening.. · Congenital heart defects.. · A systematic review and meta-analysis..

Application study of DTI combined with ASL in the crossed cerebellar diaschisis after subacute cerebral hemorrhage

PURPOSE

To study the value of 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and 3D-arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion imaging in the diagnosis of the crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) after the unilateral supratentorial subacute cerebral hemorrhage.

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients with the unilateral supratentorial subacute cerebral hemorrhage who underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), 3D-arterial spin labeling (ASL), and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning were enrolled. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) values of the perihematomal edema (PHE) and bilateral cerebellar hemisphere were measured on ASL mapping, and the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values of the bilateral cortical, pontine, and middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) were measured on DTI mapping.

RESULTS

In the CCD(+) group, FA values of the cerebral cortex and pontine ipsilateral to the lesion were statistically reduced compared to the contralateral side (P < 0.05), and the FA and MD values of the middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) contralateral to the lesion were statistically reduced compared to the ipsilateral side (P < 0.05). Positive correlation was detected between the CBF values of the perihematomal edema (PHE) and the CBF values of cerebellar hemispheres (r = 0.642, P < 0.05), whereas the CBF values of PHE had a significantly high positive correlation with the FA in the contralateral MCP (r = 0.854, P < 0.05). CBF values in the contralateral cerebellar hemisphere correlated with FA (r = 0.466, P < 0.05) and MD values (r = 0.718, P < 0.05) in the contralateral MCP.

CONCLUSION

Hemodynamic alterations of PHE and cortical-ponts-cerebellum (CPC) fibrous pathway damage are associated with the development of CCD; DTI technique can assess the degree of CPC fiber pathway injury at an early stage.

Dose Coverage Variation Caused by Setup Uncertainties in VMAT-TBI Treatment

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Total Body Irradiation (VMAT TBI) offers several advantages over conventional TBI techniques, including reduced cost of the treatment room (a normal-sized vault versus a large shielded vault), increased patient comfort during treatment, lung sparing without the need for physical blocks, and a more homogeneous dose distribution. In VMAT-TBI treatment, plans at multiple isocenters are utilized to cover the entire body, and patients are positioned with the aid of image guidance. However, aligning the patient's entire body during setup can be challenging due to its pliability, and the setup time is heavily dependent on the tolerance allowed by the image guidance. Therefore, studying the variation in dose coverage caused by setup uncertainties in VMAT-TBI treatments can help optimize the clinical workflow and determine the optimal tolerance for patient positioning.

MATERIALS/METHODS

New plans were generated to simulate the uncertainties that occur during treatment setup for each patient. These plans were created by shifting the original VMAT TBI plans at the head, chest, abdomen (or pelvis) isocenters by 5mm and 1cm in the left-right (LR), inferior-superior (IS), and anterior-posterior (AP) directions, respectively. Dose DicomRT files were exported, and the dose change due to the shifts was analyzed. The statistical quantification of the percentage of the body that experienced a dose change of over 2%, 5%, and 10% of the prescription due to the shifts from the original plans was calculated for all patients. Histograms were generated, showing the percentage of body getting dose change of 1-2%, 2-3%, 3-5%, 5-7%, 7-10%, 10-15%.

RESULTS

The table below displays the percent volume receiving a dose change of 2%, 5%, and 10% of the prescription for a 5mm shift. Among the shift directions, the dose change is most sensitive in the IS direction, with similar impact observed the in LR and AP directions. Among different sites, the chest experiences the largest dose change, followed by the pelvis. For a 5mm shift in the IS direction, the average percent volume receiving a dose change of 2%, 5%, and 10% in the chest is 9.25%, 2.64%, and 0.27%, respectively. For a 1cm shift, the numbers are 12.23%, 6.75%, and 1.29%. In the pelvis (abdomen), these values are 9.03%, 1.67%, and 0.17% for a 5mm shift and 13.28%, 6.1%, and 0.85% for a 1cm shift. For head plans, the values are 2.72%, 0.9%, and 0.14% for a 5mm shift and 3.77%, 1.66%, and 0.53% for a 1cm shift.

CONCLUSION

Accurate alignment in the chest region is crucial in VMAT TBI treatment. Efforts should be made to minimize shifts over 1cm in the IS direction.

Dosimetric Impact of Seed Segmentation in GammaTile Surgically Targeted Radiation Therapy for Gliomas and Brain Metastases Cases

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To assess the variability of dose reporting variability due to uncertainty in segmentation of Cs-131 seeds in GammaTile therapy for gliomas and brain metastases.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Ten patients with either glioma or brain metastases had 4-11 GammaTiles placed along resection bed during craniotomy. A dose of 60 Gy is prescribed to 5 mm depth. Each GammaTile has four Cs-131 seeds imbedded in a biodegradable collagen sponge. GammaTile Post-Op workflow in MIM Symphony software is used for post-implant dose evaluation and reporting. This workflow requires a post-surgery CT to identify seeds, and a post-surgery MR for residual disease and OAR contours. Seeds are segmented using a threshold tool. Threshold levels may change depending on the CT used, thus users need to manually change the HU threshold value in each data set. Since GammaTiles are lined along the resection bed, PTVs are generated automatically by adding 8 mm expansion on the seed contours and later combined with residual disease contours. We simulate the seed contour uncertainty by applying -0.5 mm, -1.0 mm, +0.5 mm & +1.0 mm concentric margins to the current seed contours to create 4 new seed contours per patient. New PTVs are generated by adding 8 mm expansion on the new seed contours combined with residual disease contours. PTV volume, PTV volume receiving 100% and 150% of prescription dose (V100, V150), and percentage of the prescription dose received by 90% of the PTV (D90) are calculated to evaluate dose reporting variability due to seed segmentation uncertainty.

RESULTS

Mean PTV volume decreases by 8.4 cc & 10.2 cc for PTVs generated from seed contours with -0.5 mm & -1.0 mm margin, respectively, and increases by 5.8 cc & 8.2 cc, respectively, when +0.5 mm & +1 mm margins are applied to the original seed contours. We observe up to 10% change in V100 due to seed segmentation uncertainty. Mean V100 increases by 4.0% (range: 0.2% - 8.9%) & 4.9% (range: 0.5% - 11.0%) for cases with -0.5 m & -1.0 mm seed margin, respectively, and reduces by 4.2% (range: 0.5% - 6.7%) & 5.9% (range: 0.6% - 10.4%) for cases with +0.5 mm and +1.0 mm seed margin, respectively. Mean D90 increases by 7.7% (range: 4.0% - 12.6%) & 9.9% (range: 4.0% - 17.4%) for cases with -0.5 m & -1.0 mm seed margin, respectively, and reduces by 5.5% (range: 3.6% - 7.8%) & 7.4% (range: 5.2% - 9.6%) for cases with +0.5 mm and +1.0 mm seed margin, respectively. We also observe up to 8.0% changes in mean V150 when margins are applied to the seed contours.

CONCLUSION

Our results show significant impact of seed segmentation uncertainty on dose reporting in GammaTile therapy. Variability in dose reporting parameters highlight the need for a more standardized and automated approach to seed segmentation to ensure consistent and accurate dose reporting. The current manual threshold adjustment method is subject to user dependence and therefore unreliable. Development of a more robust tool could help to minimize variability and improve reliability of dose reporting.

Enhanced Mechanical and Corrosion Properties via Annealing Treatment on the Hot-Rolled Ti-Zr-Mo Alloy

In this work, the Ti-20Zr-15Mo alloy in its hot-rolled state was annealed in different phase zones, and the effects of the annealing treatment on the phase composition, organization, mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of the alloy were systematically investigated. The results showed that the original β grains of the alloy had all recrystallized to form the β equiaxial grains when annealed at 800 °C, and the grains had been significantly refined. This allowed the alloy to reach a tensile strength of 1000 MPa, a maximum of 28% after stretching, and a significant increase in plasticity. Also, due to the single beta phase, there was no galvanic corrosion, making the alloy annealed at 800 °C have the best corrosion resistance.

Purification, structure identification and immune activity of a neutral polysaccharide from Cynanchum Auriculatum

The crude polysaccharides CAPS and CAP of Cynanchum Auriculatum, which were prepared by degrading starch by single-enzymatic method (α-amylase) and double-enzymatic method (α-amylase and glucoamylase) respectively, were compared. CAP had good water solubility and higher non-starch polysaccharide content. A homogeneous neutral polysaccharide CAPW, with the degree of acetylation about 17 %, was obtained from CAP by anion exchange column chromatography. Its detailed structure was identified by various methods. CAPW, with the weight average molecular weight of 8.4 kDa, was composed of mannose, glucose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose in a molar ratio of 1.27:1.00:0.25:0.10:1.16. The backbone included β-1,4-Manp, β-1,4,6-Manp, β-1,4-Glcp and β-1,4,6-Glcp residues, with branches at the O-6 position of β-1,4,6-Manp and β-1,4,6-Glcp residues, consisting of α-T-Araf, α-1,5-Araf, α-1,2,5-Araf, α-1,3,5-Araf, T-Xylp,1,4-Xylp, β-T-Manp and β-T-Galp residues. In vitro immunological experiments suggested that CAP-W improved the phagocytic ability of macrophages, stimulated the release of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 from RAW264.7 cells, promoted the expression of NF-κB and caused nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65.

Luteoloside Prevents Sevoflurane-induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Aged Rats via Maintaining Mitochondrial Function and Dynamics in Hippocampal Neurons

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is characterized by impaired cognitive function, such as decreased learning and memory after anesthesia and surgery. This study aimed to explore the effect of luteoloside, a flavonoid extracted from natural herbs, on sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction. Aged Sprague-Dawley male rats (20 months old) were treated with luteoloside for 7 days prior to sevoflurane exposure. After evaluation using an open field, novel object recognition, and Y-maze tests, it was determined that luteoloside effectively prevented sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction. Sevoflurane exposure led to hippocampal neuron apoptosis in vivo (n = 6) and in vitro (n = 3), while this injury was prevented by luteoloside in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, luteoloside maintained mitochondrial function and dynamics, as evidenced by the restored adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and mitochondrial membrane potential as well as the upregulated levels of mitochondrial fission (optic atrophy protein 1 (Opa1) and mitofusin1 (Mfn1)) and downregulated mitochondrial fusion (mitochondrial fission 1 (Fisl) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)) factors. Notably, silencing Opa1 blocked the protective effect of luteoloside on hippocampal neurons and mitochondrial function. In summary, luteoloside prevented sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in aged rats, which may be achieved by regulating mitochondrial dynamics. Our study reveals the potential of luteoloside in preventing POCD in aged patients.

Clinical and imaging features of diabetic striatopathy: report of 6 cases and literature review

Objective

To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis of diabetic striatopathy (DS) to improve the understanding of the disease and avoid misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis.

Methods

The clinical, laboratory, and imaging data of 6 patients (5 Asian females and 1 Asian male) with diabetic striatum were analyzed retrospectively, and the related literature was reviewed.

Results

All 6 patients showed hyperglycemia, 5 patients presented with involuntary movement of unilateral limbs, and 1 with unilateral limb numbness. Besides, 5 patients (except case 3) underwent MRI examinations that showed hyperintensity in unilateral caudate and lentiform nucleus on T1-weighted images. And all 6 patients who underwent brain CT examinations showed hyperdensity or isodensity in unilateral caudate and lentiform nucleus. None had a family history of similar abnormal movements. After blood glucose control and symptomatic support treatment, the symptoms of all patients improved to various degrees, and reexaminations showed that the lesions gradually disappeared.

Conclusion

Diabetic striatal disease is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus, the result of a combination of different pathogenesis. It is characterized by hyperglycemia, hemichorea, and contralateral striatal T1WI hyperintensity or CT hyperdensity. Both ketosis and nonketotic hyperglycemic hemichorea have typical imaging manifestations. The prognosis is excellent when this disease is detected early, and the lesions can be gradually absorbed and dissipated with glycemic control.

International Students’ Motivation to Study Abroad: An Empirical Study Based on Expectancy-Value Theory and Self-Determination Theory

Push-pull theory, consumer decision-making models and rational choice theory are commonly used to explain international student mobility (ISM). Despite their merits, the individual’s motivation to study abroad is ignored. Based on two motivation theories—expectancy-value theory (EVT) and self-determination theory (SDT), this study examines whether students’ intention to study abroad originates from the students themselves or compromises social pressure and how the external factors defined in push-pull theory work with these motivations to affect their decision-making. A quantitative study was conducted with a sample size of 736 international students in China. The findings show that the decision to study abroad is a highly subjective and intrinsically driven behavior in which realizing one’s self-worth or fulfilling one’s purpose of life plays the most significant role. Making a decision needs a “cost-benefits calculus,” but the utility value of study abroad was positioned behind attainment value and identified motivation. The heterogeneity of international students’ motivation was also differentiated by both their gender and their parents’ educational backgrounds.

[Analysis on the imported Coronavirus Disease 2019 related cluster epidemic in rural areas of Chengdu]

An epidemiological investigation was carried out on a local cluster of outbreak caused by imported cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in rural areas of Chengdu in December 2020, to find out the source of infection and the chain of transmission. According to Prevention and Control Protocol for COVID-19 (Version 7), field epidemiological investigation was adopted, combined with big data technology, video image investigation, gene sequencing and other methods to carry out investigation into COVID-19 cases and infections source tracing, analyze the epidemiological association, and map the chain of transmission. From December 7 to 17, 2020, 13 local COVID-19 confirmed cases and 1 asymptomatic case were diagnosed in Chengdu, of which 12 cases (85.71%) had a history of residence and activity in the village courtyard of Taiping (TP), Pidu (P) District, Chengdu. From November 8, 2020 to November 28, 2020, a group of inbound people form Nepal were transferred to the designated entry personnel quarantine hotel of P District which was adjacent to the TP village. During quarantine, there were 5 cases who tested positive for COVID-19. Through gene sequencing alignment, genes of local cases and Nepalese imported cases from the same period are homologous, all belong to the lineage of L2.2.3 (B.1.36 according to Pangolin lineage typing method). According to the results of field epidemiological investigation and gene sequencing analysis, the index case was most likely infected by contact with household waste of quarantine site. Under the situation of normalization prevention and control of COVID-19, sentinel monitoring of fever clinics in primary medical institutions is the key to early detection of the epidemic. The multi-department joint epidemiological investigation and the application of gene technology are the core links of the investigation and traceability of modern infectious diseases. The allocation of public health resources in rural areas needs to be strengthened. We need to improve the capacity for early surveillance and early warning of the epidemic in rural areas.

The impact of proactive personality and clinical learning environment on nursing college students' perceived employability

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationships between proactive personality, clinical learning environment, career adaptability and self-perceived employability in nursing college students based on the career construction model.

DESIGN

The study employed a cross-sectional research design.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

A purposive and convenience sampling of 405 final year nursing college students were invited to finish online survey. Structural equation modeling has been utilized to perform the measurement and structural model assessment and bootstrapping approach is employed to perform the mediation test.

RESULTS

Students' proactive personality was positively related to their career adaptability (Beta=0.45, p < 0.001), and self-perceived employability (Beta=0.26, p < 0.001), clinical learning environment was positively related to career adaptability (Beta=0.14, p < 0.1) and self-perceived employability (Beta=0.43, p < 0.001), career adaptability was positively related to self-perceived employability (Beta=0.33, p < 0.001). Moreover, career adaptability significantly mediated the relationship between proactive personality and perceived employability, but it failed to mediate the relationship between clinical learning environment and perceived employability.

CONCLUSIONS

For nursing college students, both clinical learning environment and proactive personality had a positive impact on their self-perceived employability, and career adaptability also mediated the relationship between proactive personality and perceived employability. Appropriate interventions may be implemented to enhance nursing college students' perceived employability.

A survey of a COVID-19 cluster of charter flight importation

OBJECTIVES

Although a number of cases of importation with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been reported, there are still no data available concerning the characteristics in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cluster of charter flight importation. Here, we provide an analysis of COVID-19 cases and their close contacts who worked for the same company on a project in Karbala, Iraq, and returned back to Chengdu, China, by a charter flight.

METHODS

The data of imported COVID-19 cases and their close contacts were obtained from National Notifiable Disease Report System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and field epidemiological investigation reports by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) in Chengdu. The information of general characteristics and laboratory findings of this cluster were collected and summarized.

RESULTS

One hundred and six (66.67%) of 159 charter flight passengers tested positive for COVID-19 before entry. Through treatment, all 159 people tested negative and meet the requirements of taking flights bound for China before boarding. However, there has been still 36 (22.64%) of them tested positive after entry. The median time from entry to confirmation was 1.0 day (Interquartile Range (IQR): 0-4.3). The Cycle threshold value (Ct value) of 36 patients' positive samples are all above 30 and most values are above 35.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, there is still a risk that a number of COVID-19 cases can be imported through charter flight. However, the infectivity of confirmed patients of the charter flight was considered to be low.

Knockdown of MicroRNA160a/b by STTM leads to root architecture changes via auxin signaling in Solanum tuberosum

The root phenotype is an important aspect of plant architecture and plays a critical role in plant facilitation of the extraction of water and nutrition from the soil. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are classes of small RNAs with important roles in regulating endogenous gene expression at the post-transcriptional level that function in a range of plant development processes and in the response to abiotic stresses. However, little is known concerning the molecular mechanism of miRNAs in regulating the generation and development of plant root architecture. Herein, we demonstrated that potato miR160a/b acted as a critical regulator and affected plant root architecture by targeting the mRNA of StARF10 and StARF16 for cleavage. The miR160a/b precursor was cloned from potato. Quantitative PCR assays showed that the expression levels of miR160 and its targets were down- or up-regulated with the development of potato roots, respectively. Moreover, transgenic lines with suppressed stu-miR160 expression were established with the short tandem targets mimic (STTM), and the results showed that the ectopic expression of miR160a/b altered the levels of auxin and the expression of auxin signaling-related genes and caused drastic change in root architecture compared with that in control plants. Suppressing the expression of miR160 led to a severe reduction in root length, an increase in the number of lateral roots, and a decrease in fresh root weight in potato. Collectively, our data established a key role of miR160 in modulating plant root architecture in potato.

[Influence of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of imported COVID-19 cases in Chengdu]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of imported COVID-19 cases after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of COVID-19. Methods: The imported COVID-19 cases in Chengdu as of April 15, 2021 were divided into the vaccinated group and unvaccinated group according to the history of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The epidemiological and clinical data of the cases were collected retrospectively, and the differences in epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Laboratory tests consisted of nucleic acid test, clinical index test, serum antibody test and lymphocyte test. Software WPS2019 was used for data management and software R 4.0.3 was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 75 COVID-19 cases were included in the analysis, in which 20 had received SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and only 4 with clinical symptoms, 55 patients did not receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and 16 had clinical symptoms. In vaccinated group, the first injection time of vaccination ranged from July to November 2020, and 10 cases received two doses of vaccine simultaneously and 10 cases received two doses of vaccine at intervals of 14-57 days. The intervals between the completion of vaccination and the onset ranged from 87 days to 224 days. The differences in classification and clinical type between the two groups were significant. Significant differences were observed in case classification and clinical type between vaccinated group and unvaccinated group (P<0.05). The vaccinated group had a relatively high proportion of asymptomatic infections (40.00%, 8/20), while mild infections were mainly observed in the unvaccinated group(76.36%,42/55). The differences in Ct values (ORF1ab gene and N gene) at the diagnosis were not significant between vaccinated group and unvaccinated group (P>0.05), similar results were also observed in lymphocyte subtypes, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein level comparisons. Serum amyloid A level was higher in unvaccinated group than in vaccinated group (P<0.05). However, the SARS-CoV-2 related serum antibody of IgM, IgG and total antibody levels were significantly higher in vaccinated group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Risk of infection still exists with SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination, which can facilitate the production of specific serum antibody of IgM and IgG when people are exposed to the virus. It has a certain protective effect on SARS-CoV-2 infected persons. Vaccination can reduce the clinical symptoms and mitigate disease severity.

Multiple-camera defocus imaging of ultracold atomic gases

In cold atom experiments, each image of light refracted and absorbed by an atomic ensemble carries a remarkable amount of information. Numerous imaging techniques including absorption, fluorescence, and phase-contrast are commonly used. Other techniques such as off-resonance defocused imaging (ORDI, [1-4]), where an in-focus image is deconvolved from a defocused image, have been demonstrated but find only niche applications. The ORDI inversion process introduces systematic artifacts because it relies on regularization to account for missing information at some spatial frequencies. In the present work, we extend ORDI to use multiple cameras simultaneously at degrees of defocus, eliminating the need for regularization and its attendant artifacts. We demonstrate this technique by imaging Bose-Einstein condensates, and show that the statistical uncertainties in the measured column density using the multiple-camera off-resonance defocused (McORD) imaging method are competitive with absorption imaging near resonance and phase contrast imaging far from resonance. Experimentally, the McORD method may be incorporated into existing set-ups with minimal additional equipment.

Osthole improves pulmonary artery hypertension by inducing apoptosis in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to explore the effect of Osthole (Ost) on apoptosis in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and investigate the potential mechanism of this effect.

METHODS

Rats were injected subcutaneously with monocrotaline (MCT) to establish a PAH model, and Ost were intragastrically administrated from day 1 to day 35. After 35 days administration, the mean pulmonary artery pressure and lung weight index were measured. HE and TUNEL staining were used to observe the morphology of pulmonary artery and the apoptosis of PASMCs. In addition, the apoptosis of PASMCs were detected by flow cytometry in cultured PASMCs. The proteins of Bax and Bcl-2, and the levels of p-ASK1 and cleaved caspase 3 were measured by Western blot.

KEY FINDINGS

Ost decreased the mean pulmonary artery pressure and lung weight index in MCT-induced rats, and promoted apoptosis in PASMCs in MCT-induced rats and PDGF-BB stimulated PASMCs. Ost increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the levels of p-ASK1, cleaved caspase 3 in MCT-induced rats and PDGF-BB stimulated PASMCs.

CONCLUSION

Ost promoted apoptosis in PASMCs in vivo and in vitro, and the mechanism may be associated with upregulation of ASK1 and the Bax/Bcl-2-caspase 3 signalling pathway.

Prospective evaluation of dietary and lifestyle pattern indices with risk of colorectal cancer in a cohort of younger women

BACKGROUND

Although colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in the USA is declining overall, its incidence is increasing among those younger than 50 years of age. The reasons underlying the increasing trend are largely unknown, although behavioral changes, such as unhealthy diet and lifestyle factors, may be partially responsible.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study included 94 217 women aged 26-45 years at baseline. Validated anthropometric measures and lifestyle information were self-reported biennially. Exposures were four recommendation-based dietary indices-the prime diet quality score and three plant-based dietary indices; and two mechanism-based indices-the empirical dietary and lifestyle index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH and ELIH). We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall CRC and for early-onset (before age 50) and after age 50 CRC separately.

RESULTS

We documented 332 cases of CRC during 24 years of follow-up (2 113 655 person-years), with an average age of 52 ± 7 years at diagnosis. Hyperinsulinemic dietary and lifestyle patterns were associated with a higher risk of CRC. Multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CIs) comparing participants in the highest versus lowest quartile were: 1.67 for EDIH (95% CI: 1.15-2.44, P-trend = 0.01) and 1.51 for ELIH (95% CI: 1.10-2.08, P-trend = 0.01). Moreover, per 75% increment in rank, ELIH appeared to be a stronger risk factor for early-onset CRC (HR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.12-3.07) than after age 50 CRC (HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.83-1.73, P-heterogeneity = 0.16). The four recommendation-based indices were not significantly associated with overall, early-onset, or after age 50 CRC risk (per 75% increment in rank, HRs ranged from 0.75 to 1.28).

CONCLUSION

Dietary and lifestyle patterns contributing to hyperinsulinemia were associated with greater CRC risk in younger women. Moreover, the hyperinsulinemic lifestyle showed a suggestively stronger positive association with early-onset CRC risk, compared with after age 50 CRC. Our findings suggest that dietary and lifestyle interventions to reduce insulinemic potential may be effective for CRC prevention among younger women.

Superimposing hip extension on knee flexion evokes higher activation in biceps femoris than knee flexion alone

Hamstring muscle function during knee flexion has been linked to hamstring injury and performance. However, it is unclear whether knee flexion alone (KF) requires similar hamstring electromyography (EMG) activity pattern to simultaneous hip extension and knee flexion (HE-KF), a combination that occurs in the late swing phase of sprinting. This study examined whether HE-KF maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) evokes higher (EMG) activity in biceps femoris long head (BFlh) and semitendinosus (ST) than KF alone. Effects of shank rotation angles were also tested. Twenty-one males performed the above-mentioned MVICs while EMG activity was measured along ST and BFlh. Conditions were compared using a one-way mixed functional ANOVA model under a fully Bayesian framework. Higher EMG activity was found in HE-KF in all shank rotation positions than in KF in the middle region of BFlh (highest in the 9th channel, by 0.022 mV [95%CrI 0.014 to 0.030] in neutral shank position). For ST, this was only observed in the neutral shank position and in the most proximal channel (by 0.013 mV [95%CrI 0.001 to 0.025]). We observed muscle- and region-specific responses to HE-KF. Future studies should examine whether hamstring activation in this task is related to injury risk and sprint performance.

Effects of hydroxyethyl starch and gelatin on the risk of acute kidney injury following orthotopic liver transplantation: A multicenter retrospective comparative clinical study

Objectives

This multicenter retrospective study aimed to compare the effects of HES and gelatin (GEL) on the risk of post-OLT AKI.

Method

A total of 1,672 patients undergoing OLT were enrolled from major transplant centers in China between 2005 and 2013. These patients were divided into three groups: GEL, hydroxyethyl starch (HES), and GEL + HES group.

Results

There was no significant difference in the incidence of post-OLT AKI among the GEL, HES, and GEL + HES groups. The GEL + HES group had a lower incidence of stage II post-OLT AKI than the other two groups. Compared with patients receiving GEL, patients receiving HES did not harbor an increased risk of AKI. Our results showed that MELD score (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.579; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.123–2.219; P = 0.009) and preoperative anemia (adjusted OR, 1.533; 95% CI, 1.212–1.939; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for post-OLT AKI, and normal preoperative Scr level (vs abnormal; adjusted OR, 0.402; 95% CI, 0.222–0.729; P = 0.003) was independent protective factors for post-OLT AKI.

Conclusion

This large-scale multicenter retrospective study found that the intraoperative use of HES did not increase the overall incidence of post-OLT AKI in patients when compared with GEL, and whether to increase the risk of post-OLT AKI needs to be further explored.

ED50 for intravenous midazolam-induced amnesia and its duration in surgical patients

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative awareness is a serious adverse event under general anesthesia. Midazolam has a good anterograde amnesia-inducing effect, can prevent and reduce the occurrence of intraoperative awareness. However, if the dosage of midazolam is improperly controlled, it may not produce forgetting effect, or bring obvious adverse side effects, such as respiratory depression, and delay of recovery. However, the half maximal effective dose (ED50 ) of midazolam for amnesia, the duration of amnesia and the factors affecting the duration of amnesia are still inconclusive. Therefore, it is of great clinical significance to observe and determine the dose, duration and influencing factors of amnesia induced by midazolam METHODS: A total of 106 patients who underwent ASA grades I-II elective operation under spinal-epidural anesthesia were intravenously injected with different doses of midazolam at 10 minutes after spinal-epidural anesthesia, every 5 minutes, the patient was presented with pictures or sounds as memory content, and heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean blood pressure (MBP), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), bispectral index (BIS), OAA/S and adverse events were recorded. The patient's forgetfulness was followed up in the early morning after operation.

RESULTS

ED50 (the dose for amnesia in half of the subjects) was 0.031 mg/kg (95% CI: 0.027-0.036 mg/kg); ED95 (the dose for amnesia in 95% of the subjects) was 0.044 mg/kg (95% CI: 0.038-0.071 mg/kg). After the patients were injected intravenously with 0.04 mg/kg of midazolam, the respiratory and circulatory systems were basically stable, no serious adverse events occurred, and the forgetting rate was 88.5%. ET50 (the time for half of the subjects in a state of forgetfulness) was 23.77 minutes (95% CI: 20.18-27.07 min), and the corresponding BIS was 83.22; ET05 (the time for 5% of the subjects in a state of forgetfulness) was 53.90 minutes (95% CI: 48.54-61.47 min) and the corresponding BIS was 91.38. The amnesia-inducing effect of midazolam was correlated to sedation grade, BIS and age, and was not correlated to visual memory or auditory memory.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the ED50 , ED95 and maintenance time of the forgetting effect of intravenous midazolam were preliminarily determined.

KEY WORDS

Amnesia, Duration of amnesia, ED50, Midazolam.

Advancing Biosensors with Machine Learning

Chemometrics play a critical role in biosensors-based detection, analysis, and diagnosis. Nowadays, as a branch of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) have achieved impressive advances. However, novel advanced ML methods, especially deep learning, which is famous for image analysis, facial recognition, and speech recognition, has remained relatively elusive to the biosensor community. Herein, how ML can be beneficial to biosensors is systematically discussed. The advantages and drawbacks of most popular ML algorithms are summarized on the basis of sensing data analysis. Specially, deep learning methods such as convolutional neural network (CNN) and recurrent neural network (RNN) are emphasized. Diverse ML-assisted electrochemical biosensors, wearable electronics, SERS and other spectra-based biosensors, fluorescence biosensors and colorimetric biosensors are comprehensively discussed. Furthermore, biosensor networks and multibiosensor data fusion are introduced. This review will nicely bridge ML with biosensors, and greatly expand chemometrics for detection, analysis, and diagnosis.

Enhanced transport of spin-orbit-coupled Bose gases in disordered potentials

Anderson localization is a single-particle localization phenomena in disordered media that is accompanied by an absence of diffusion. Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) describes an interaction between a particle's spin and its momentum that directly affects its energy dispersion, for example, creating dispersion relations with gaps and multiple local minima. We show theoretically that combining one-dimensional spin-orbit coupling with a transverse Zeeman field suppresses the effects of disorder, thereby increasing the localization length and conductivity. This increase results from a suppression of backscattering between states in the gap of the SOC dispersion relation. Here, we focus specifically on the interplay of disorder from an optical speckle potential and SOC generated by two-photon Raman processes in quasi-one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates. We first describe backscattering by using a Fermi golden rule approach, and then numerically confirm this picture by solving the time-dependent one-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii equation for a weakly interacting Bose-Einstein condensate with SOC and disorder. We find that on the tens of millisecond timescale of typical cold atom experiments moving in harmonic traps, initial states with momentum in the zero-momentum SOC gap evolve with negligible backscattering, while without SOC these same states rapidly localize.

Activation of the STAT1 Pathway Accelerates Periodontitis in Nos3-/- Mice

Early studies on the etiology and pathogenesis of hypertension have shown that it has a considerable association with inflammation and the immune response as well as periodontitis. Clinical studies have also shown that hypertension can promote the periodontal tissue destruction caused by periodontitis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the possible mechanisms of how hypertension aggravates periodontitis. Treatment with or without the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) inhibitor fludarabine was performed in an endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene knockout-related (Nos3^-/-) mouse model with the hypertension phenotype of periodontitis induced by bacteria. Micro-computed tomography, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and ELISA were performed. We demonstrated that Nos3^-/--related hypertension increases bone resorption and periodontal destruction in periodontitis lesion areas, which can be inhibited by the STAT1 inhibitor. Experimental data also showed that Nos3^-/- significantly increased macrophage infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine expression in the periodontitis lesion area, which is dependent on the angiotensin II-induced STAT1 pathway. Inhibition of STAT1 in vivo can decrease the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and macrophage infiltration. Furthermore, data in this study showed that Nos3^-/--related hypertension further downregulated the STAT3 anti-inflammatory function and its downstream chemokine expression in a STAT1-dependent manner. By applying RAW 264.7 and L929 cell lines and monocytes isolated from Nos3^-/- mice, we confirmed that activation of the STAT1 pathway inhibits STAT3 and its downstream pathway and promotes inflammatory cytokine expression in vitro. Collectively, our current study demonstrated that STAT1 plays an indispensable role in the Nos3^-/--related hypertension with aggravation of periodontitis, suggesting that STAT1 may be a key target for the treatment of periodontitis with hypertension.

Follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol trajectories from menopausal transition to late postmenopause in indigenous Chinese women

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) trajectories in indigenous Chinese women through the ovarian aging process from 10 years before the final menstrual period (FMP) to 20 years after.

METHODS

A prospective community-based longitudinal cohort study of 362 Chinese middle-aged women with a clearly determined FMP was performed.

RESULTS

FSH and E2 trajectories were identified according to years from FMP and the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop + 10 (STRAW + 10), and further classified by body mass index. E2 decreases relatively steadily from Stage -2 to +1c, while FSH stabilizes quickly from Stage -2 to +1a. Obese women have higher E2 levels and lower FSH levels during menopausal transition, which last for decades after the FMP. There was no obvious decline in FSH levels for at least 20 years after the FMP.

CONCLUSIONS

The FSH and E2 trajectories in this indigenous Chinese cohort appear similar to those discussed in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, with ethnic differences. STRAW + 10 criteria may be used to ascertain the ovarian aging process in Chinese women. Obese women may experience different levels of hormonal fluctuations during the menopause transition, while FSH levels in all women appear to remain high even at late postmenopause.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Fusarium tricinctum

The complete mitochondrial genome of Fusarium tricinctum was sequenced. The circular molecule is a total length of 46,314 bp, and the base composition of the mitogenome is as follows: A (33.6%), T (33.1%), C (15.1%), and G (18.2%). The mitogenome contains 19 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and 27 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. The mitogenome analysis of F. tricinctum provides a molecular basis for further studies on molecular systematics and evolutionary dynamics.

Propofol Attenuates α-Synuclein Aggregation and Neuronal Damage in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke

α-Synuclein is a soluble monomer abundant in the central nervous system. Aggregates of α-synuclein, consisting of higher-level oligomers and insoluble fibrils, have been observed in many chronic neurological diseases and are implicated in neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration. α-Synuclein has recently been shown to aggregate following acute ischemic stroke, exacerbating neuronal damage. Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic that is commonly used during intravascular embolectomy following acute ischemic stroke. While propofol has demonstrated neuroprotective properties following brain injury, the mechanism of protection in the setting of ischemic stroke is unclear. In this study, propofol administration significantly reduced the neurotoxic aggregation of α-synuclein, decreased the infarct area, and attenuated the neurological deficits after ischemic stroke in a mouse model. We then demonstrated that the propofol-induced reduction of α-synuclein aggregation was associated with increased mammalian target of rapamycin/ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 signaling pathway activity and reduction of the excessive autophagy occurring after acute ischemic stroke.

Icariside II improves myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats by inhibiting collagen synthesis

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the effects of icariside II (ICS II) on myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and to explore the possible mechanisms.

METHODS

We used SHRs as animal models, and we administered ICS II (4, 8 or 16 mg/kg) orally by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks (Fu et al., Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 100: 64). The left ventricular morphology of the rats was observed using haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The occurrence of myocardial interstitial fibrosis was detected by Masson's trichrome staining. The protein levels of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen I, III, matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9, respectively), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), phospho-Smad2 (p-Smad2), phospho-Smad3 (p-Smad3) and phospho-p38 (p-p38) were examined by Western blotting.

KEY FINDINGS

The results suggested that ICS II improved myocardial interstitial and perivascular collagen deposition and decreased Collagen I/III and α-SMA expression. ICS II (8 and 16 mg/kg) downregulated the expression of MMP-2 and MMP9 and upregulated the expression of TIMP1. In addition, the protein levels of p-Smad2/3, TGF-β1 and p-p38 were decreased by ICS II treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that ICS II can inhibit the expression of Collagen I and Collagen III through the MMP/TIMP-1 and TGF-β1/Smad2,3/p-p38 signalling pathways and that it has therapeutic effects on myocardial fibrosis.

Long non-coding RNA expression profile in permanent atrial fibrillation patients with rheumatic heart disease

OBJECTIVE

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia, especially in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients. The differences in structural remodeling and electrical remodeling between the left and right atrium associated with AF in RHD patients are well known, and alterations in the expression profiles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the left atrium have also been investigated. However, the role of lncRNAs in the right atrium (RA) remains largely unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified differentially expressed lncRNAs in RA tissues of RHD patients with AF or a normal sinus rhythm (NSR) using microarray analysis. Then, we performed gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses for functional annotation of the deregulated lncRNAs. Finally, we constructed a lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network.

RESULTS

Of the 22,829 human non-coding RNAs analyzed, a total of 1,909 long non-coding RNAs were detected. A total of 182 lncRNAs (117 downregulated and 65 upregulated) were shown to be differentially expressed (fold-change > 1.5) in AF patients compared with NSR patients. Many lncRNAs might be partially involved in an AF-related pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

AF dysregulates the expression of lncRNAs in the RA of RHD patients. These findings may be useful for exploring potential therapeutic treatments for AF in RHD patients.

Two linked TBXT (brachyury) gene polymorphisms are associated with the tailless phenotype in fat-rumped sheep

T‐box transcription factor T (TBXT), encoding the brachyury protein, is an embryonic nuclear transcription factor involved in mesoderm formation and differentiation. Previous studies indicate that TBXT mutations are responsible for the tailless or short‐tailed phenotype of many vertebrates. To verify whether the tailless phenotype in fat‐rumped sheep is associated with TBXT mutations, exon 2 of the TBXT gene for 301 individuals belonging to 13 Chinese and Iranian sheep breeds was directly sequenced. Meanwhile, 380 samples were used to detect the genotypes of the candidate variations by mapping to their reads databases in the Sequence Read Archive repository of GenBank. The results showed that one missense mutation, c.334G>T (GGG>TGG) with a completely linked synonymous variant c.333G>C (CCG>CCC) was found to be associated with the ‘tailless’ characteristic in typical fat‐rumped sheep breeds. The c.334G>T transversion led to the conversion of glycine to tryptophan at the 112th amino acid in the T‐box domain of the brachyury protein. In addition, crossbreeding experiments for long‐tailed and tailless sheep showed that CT/CT allele of nucleotides (nt) 333 and 334, a recessive mutation, would cause sheep tails to be shorter, suggesting that these two linked variants at nucleotides 333 and 334 in TBXT are probably causative mutations responsible for the tailless phenotype in sheep.

Effects of Propofol on the Proliferation and Differentiation of NG2 Cells in the Hippocampus of Aged Rats

Introduction: Anaesthetics can lead to cognitive impairment and partly recover. Whether this process is related to NG2 cells has not been reported. The present study aims to investigate the effects of propofol on the proliferation and differentiation of NG2 cells in the hippocampus of aged rats. Material and Methods: A total of 80 healthy SD rats were used for the investigation. These rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (group C, n = 20) and anesthetic group (group A, n = 60). Rats in group A were continuously anesthetized by intravenous infusion of propofol for three hours, and underwent shuttle box test at seven days (A7), 14 days (A14) and three months (A3m) after anesthesia. Then, these rats were further divided into two groups: POCD group (three sub-groups: P7 group, P14 group and P3m group) and non-POCD group (three sub-groups: groups NP7, NP14 and NP3m). Results: Compared with group C, NG2 and PCNA cells in group A were upregulated at seven and 14 days after anesthesia. Compared with group C, MAP2 expression was downregulated, and OX42 and GFAP expression was upregulated in the POCD group, while MAP2 expression in the non-POCD group was upregulated. Compared with the non-POCD group, in the NG2 positive cells, MAP2 expression was downregulated, while OX42 and GFAP expression was upregulated in the POCD group, MAP2 expression was urelugated gradually during the 14th days after anesthesia ( P < 0.05 or P <0.01). Conclusions: Propofol induces neuronal apoptosis and the proliferation of NG2 cells. The direction of NG2 cell differentiation may be correlated to the recovery of cognitive dysfunction.

Effects of acute hypercapnia on cognitive function in patients undergoing bronchoscope intervention

Background

There are multiple studies that have revealed that hypercapnia possessed neuroprotection, the conclusive cognitive impacts of permissive hypercapnia in medicine is still unclear.

Methods

A total of 102 patients registered for this research work had accomplished cognitive tests; with 64 patients possessing moderate hypercapnia all through bronchoscope intervention (BI). Thirty-six patients completed collection of blood specimens. Every patient underwent the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) a day before the surgery (T0), as well as at 7 days (T7). Serum specimens were used to measure levels of S100B, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) prior to the administration of anesthesia (T0), one day (T1) and seven days (T7) after surgery.

Results

In comparison with the preoperative MMSE scores, Group Hypercapnia (Group H) on 7 days after surgery, exhibited a significant increased score (P=0.00). In comparison with the preoperative MoCA scores, Group H on 7 days after surgery exhibited a significant increased score (P=0.00). Meanwhile, the MoCA scores in Group H exhibited considerably higher elevation as compared with that in the Group Control (Group C) (P=0.01). No substantial differences were observed in serum S100B and NSE levels between Group H and Group C (P=0.23, P=0.14). Serum IL-6, TNF-α, SOD and MDA levels shared similarity between two groups.

Conclusions

Mild and moderate hypercapnia augmented cognitive activity with the help of MMSE tests and MoCA tests, whereby the latent reasons were not sure. As suggested by this study, hypercapnia up to 100 mmHg during BI was less likely to affect cognitive function adversely.

[The comparison of preemptive analgesic efficacy between short-acting ketamine and long-acting parecoxib]

Objective: To compare the analgesic efficacy between preoperative single-dose ketamine, a short-acting medicine and parecoxib, a long-acting medicine for reducing analgesic consumption in the first 24 h after-operation. Methods: Eighty-one patients from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital undergoing laparoscopic uterus surgery between April and December 2015 were randomly divided into three groups: control group (group C), ketamine group (group K) and parecoxib sodium group (group P). All patients were anesthetized with general anesthesia and received sufentanil-based patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA). After induction and 10 min before incision, patients in group K, P and C were injected with intravenous 0.5 mg/kg ketamine, 40 mg parecoxib and 2 ml normal saline, respectively. The primary outcome was sufentanil consumption within 1 h and 24 h after surgery. Other outcomes included the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score at 0, 15, 30, 45min and 1, 2, 4, 8, 24 h after surgery, PCIA effective trigger times, and adverse reactions. Results: The postoperative sufentanil consumptions within 1 h in group K and P were(4.420±1.836)μg and (2.878±1.984)μg, respectively, and consumptions within 24 h were(28.200±3.712)μg and (25.511±4.037)μg, respectively, which were significantly less than that in group C with (6.144±2.346)μg within 1 h and (31.505±7.042)μg within 24 h (F=15.360, 8.406, all P<0.05). Patients in group P needed less sufentanil than group K in 1 h after surgery (P<0.05), however, the difference was not statistically significant in 24 h(P>0.05). The PCIA trigger times were 2(3.75) in group C, 0(1.50) in group K, and 0(1.00) in group P. Group K and P had less PCIA trigger times compared to group C (all P<0.05). Compared to group C, group K and P had lower VAS scores at 0, 15, 30 min after surgery and group P had lower VAS scores at 1, 15, 30, 45 min, 2 h after surgery, respectively (all P<0.05). There were no differences between groups in the incidence of any adverse effects(all P>0.05). Conclusion: A single injection of short-acting ketamine before laparoscopic uterus surgery, has the same efficacy as long-acting parecoxib for opioid-sparing effect in the first 24 h after-operation. However, parecoxib has better analgesic effect in the early postoperative period.

Accuracy of interferon-γ-induced protein 10 for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Effective diagnostic methods for detecting latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are important for its eradication. A number of studies have evaluated the use of interferon-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), which is elevated after tuberculosis infection, as a biomarker for LTBI, but conclusive results regarding its effectiveness have not been reported.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to assess the diagnostic value of IP-10 for LTBI.

DATA SOURCES

We searched the PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases to find eligible studies.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We included cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies that evaluated IP-10 in LTBI participants in comparison with tuberculin skin tests (TST) and interferon-γ release assays (IGRA).

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals with LTBI and uninfected participants.

INTERVENTIONS

IP-10 (index test) compared with TST and IGRA (reference standard) for diagnosing LTBI.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched up to June 2018. A hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model was used to evaluate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and HSROC curve for the diagnostic efficiency of IP-10.

RESULTS

Twelve studies including 1023 participants and 1122 samples were included. The overall pooled sensitivity was 0.85 (95% CI 0.80-0.88), specificity was 0.89 (95% CI 0.84-0.92), PLR was 7.55 (95% CI 5.20-10.97), NLR was 0.17 (95% CI 0.13-0.22) and DOR was 44.23 (95% CI 28.86-67.79), indicating a high accuracy for diagnosing LTBI. Based on a meta-regression analysis, high-burden countries, study design, IP-10 method, reference standard and the IP-10 cut-off could not explain the heterogeneity (p >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that IP-10 is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of LTBI.

Icariside II prevents hypertensive heart disease by alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress via the PERK/ATF-4/CHOP signalling pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVES

Reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a key strategy for preventing hypertensive heart disease. In our previous study, Icariside II can improve left ventricular remodelling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). This study aims to determine whether Icariside II can exert its effect by inhibiting ERS-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via the PERK/ATF-4/CHOP signalling pathway.

METHODS

Spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into model group and Icariside II groups. The rats in the Icariside II groups were intragastrically administrated with Icariside II 4, 8 and 16 mg/kg from 14 to 26 week-age, respectively. The left ventricular function was measured at the 18, 22 and 26 week-age by small animal ultrasound. At the end of the 26th week, cardiomyocyte apoptosis was analysed and the levels of GRP78, PERK, ATF-4 and CHOP gene and protein were detected.

KEY FINDINGS

The function of left ventricular became declined with age in SHRs, but improved in Icariside II groups. Myocardial apoptosis was aggravated in SHRs, but alleviated in Icariside II groups. Icariside II could reduce the levels of GRP78, PERK, ATF-4, CHOP gene and protein that increased in SHRs.

CONCLUSIONS

Icariside II prevents hypertensive heart disease by alleviating ERS-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and its mechanism is related to the impediment of the PERK/ATF-4/CHOP signalling pathway.

Predictive Value of Serum Creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Uric Acid, and β2-Microglobulin in the Evaluation of Acute Kidney Injury after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Background

As a major complication after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently defined by serum creatinine (Cr); however, the accuracy of commonly used blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), and β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) remains to be explored. This retrospective study compared the accuracy of these parameters for post-OLT AKI evaluation.

Methods

Patients who underwent OLT in three centers between July 2003 and December 2013 were enrolled. The postoperative AKI group was diagnosed by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria and classified by stage. Measurement data were analyzed using the t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test; enumerated data were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Diagnostic reliability and predictive accuracy were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

This study excluded 976 cases and analyzed 697 patients (578 men and 119 women); the post-OLT AKI incidence was 0.409. Compared with the no-AKI group, the AKI group showed very significant differences in Model for End-stage Liver Disease score (14.74 ± 9.91 vs. 11.07 ± 9.54, Z = 5.404; P < 0.001), hepatic encephalopathy (45 [15.8%] vs. 30 [7.3%], χ² = 12.699; P < 0.001), hemofiltration (28 [9.8%] vs. 0 [0.0%], χ² = 42.171; P < 0.001), and 28-day mortality (23 [8.1%] vs. 9 [2.2%], χ² = 13.323; P <0.001). Moreover, mean values of Cr, BUN, UA, and β₂-MG in the AKI group differed significantly at postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 (all P < 0.001). ROC curve area was 0.847 of Cr for the detection of AKI Stage 1 (sensitivity 80.1%, specificity 75.7%, cutoff value 88.23 μmol/L), 0.916 for Stage 2 (sensitivity 87.6%, specificity 82.6%, cutoff value 99.9 μmol/L), and 0.972 for Stage 3 (sensitivity 94.1%, specificity 88.2%, cutoff value 122.90 μmol/L).

Conclusion

The sensitivity and specificity of serum Cr might be a high-value indicator for the diagnosis and grading of post-OLT AKI.