Objective To investigate the relationship between the therapeutic effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and cytokines in aqueous humor in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods From July 2023 to December 2023,50 DR patients(56 eyes)who were treated with anti-VEGF drugs in the Department of Ophthal-mology,the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University were included in this study.The patients were divided into the diabetic macular edema(DME)group(30 patients,36 eyes)and the proliferative DR(PDR)group(20 patients,20 eyes).Patients in the DME group received an intravitreal injection of aflibercept once a month for three consecutive times,with aqueous humor extracted before each injection.Patients in the PDR group received an intravitreal injection of aflibercept one week before vitrectomy,with aqueous humor extracted before injection and during vitrectomy,respective-ly.The concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGF-A),placental growth factor(PLGF),interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-23,IL-17A,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the aqueous humor were detected using the Luminex as-say.Before injection therapy,all patients underwent best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central macular thickness(CMT)examinations,and their correlations with cytokine concentrations in DR patients before injection therapy were ana-lyzed.Results Compared to before injection therapy,the concentrations of VEGF-A,PLGF,and IL-23 in the aqueous humor of patients in the DME group decreased significantly after treatment(all P＜0.05);additionally,the CMT de-creased,and the BCVA increased(both P＜0.05).After injection therapy,the concentrations of VEGF,PLGF,IL-1β,IL-23,IL-17A,and TNF-α in the aqueous humor of patients in the PDR group significantly decreased compared to before injec-tion therapy(all P＜0.05).Before injection therapy,the levels of VEGF-A,PLGF,and IL-23 in the aqueous humor of pa-tients in the DME group were higher than those in the PDR group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The correlation analysis results showed that before injection therapy,VEGF was negatively correlated with BCVA(r=-0.767,P=0.004)and was positively correlated with CMT(r=0.662,P=0.019)and IL-23(r=0.765,P=0.004)in the DME group.There was no correlation between the cytokines in the aqueous humor of patients in the PDR group be-fore injection therapy(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Changes in the concentration of VEGF-A,PLGF,and IL-23 are closely related to the occurrence and development of DR.Anti-VEGF treatment can improve BCVA and decrease CMT in DME pa-tients.The expression level of IL-23 in aqueous humor can serve as a predictive factor for the anti-VEGF efficacy in DR pa-tients,providing new targets for early diagnosis and treatment of DR.

Objective To investigate current status in knowledge,attitude and practice(KAP)of transitional care among the nurses in Shaanxi province,identify the influencing factors that hinder the transitional care and carry out training of transitional care for the nurses in different specialties in order to provide a theoretical basis for establishing a transitional care model for discharged patients.Methods A total of 2 288 nurses were selected to participate the survey from 41 hospitals in Shaanxi province by the stratified two-stage random sampling method.A self-designed questionnaire for general information,an obstacle factor scale,and a KAP of transitional care questionnaire were used as the survey instruments.The data acquired from the survey were processed by Cluster analysis to identify potential categories and the influencing factors.Results Totally 2085 nurses finished the study.Total score of KAP of transitional care among the nurses in Shaanxi province was found at(134.96±23.75),which was at a medium level.The scores of knowledge,attitude and practice were 77.24%,80.64%and 76.98%respectively.Cluster analysis showed that all the nurses could be categorised into either a lower scored group(n=1 596,76.5%)or a higher scored group(489,23.5%),with a best potential category number of 2 for the 2 085 nurses who participated the survey.There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of care training,telephone follow-up,network platform,outpatient service of nursing experts,family visits,patient club and hospital categories(all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis on even factors above showed that care training,telephone follow-up,network platform and patient club could significantly affect the potential categorisation of KAP of the nurses in transitional care(all P＜0.05).The main factors that hindered the transitional care included insufficient human resources(93.81%),insufficient supply of community services(93.57%)and lack of a standardised flowchart for transitional care(93.09%).Conclusions Levels of KAP about the transitional care are at a medium level among the nurses of 41 hospitals in Shaanxi province,which indicates that the nurses are active in attitude,but the knowledge and practice are required to be further improved and standardised.The results of cluster analysis indicate that it is necessary for nursing managers to carry out targeted trainings in transitional care for the nurses in different categories.This study provides a theoretical basis to establish a diversified transitional care mode for discharged patients in Shaanxi province.

The aim of this study was to develop a semi-quantitative immunochromatographic method for rapid detection of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibodies by expressing HN protein in rice endosperm bioreactor. The recombinant plasmid pUC57-HN was digested by MlyⅠ and XhoⅠ to retrieve the HN gene, while the intermediate vector pMP3 containing promoter, signal peptide and terminator was digested by NaeⅠ and XhoⅠ. The HN gene and the linearized pMP3 were purified and ligated to form a recombinant plasmid pMP3-HN1. Subsequently, pMP3-HN1 and plant vector pCAMBIA1300 were digested by EcoRⅠ and Hind Ⅲ, and the HN1 gene was cloned into pCAMBIA1300. The recombinant plasmid pCAMBIA1300-HN1 was introduced into Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 by electrotransformation, and the pCAMBIA1300-HN1 was transferred into rice callus by agrobacterium-mediated method. After dark culture, callus screening, differentiation, rooting and transplanting, transgenic rice seeds were obtained 4 months later. PCR identified that the HN gene has been inserted into the rice genome. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting indicated that the HN protein was successfully expressed in the positive rice endosperm. The purity of the HN protein was more than 90% by SP cation exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. According to the national standards for the diagnostic techniques of Newcastle disease HI test (HI≥4log₂, positive antibody reaction), a colloidal gold labeled purified HN protein was used to prepare a semi-quantitative test strip by double-antibody sandwich method for rapid detection of NDV antibody. The results showed that the test strip did not cross-react with positive sera against other viruses, and the sensitivity of the test strip reached 1:102 400 for standard positive sera of Newcastle disease. Testing of a total of 308 clinical sera showed that the compliance rate of the test strip with HI test was 97.08%, and the Kappa value was 0.942. In conclusion, high purity recombinant HN protein was obtained from rice endosperm, and a simple, rapid, highly sensitive and highly specific semi-quantitative immunochromatographic strip was developed. The test strip could be used for immune evaluation of the Newcastle disease vaccine.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; Chickens ; HN Protein/metabolism* ; Newcastle Disease/prevention & control* ; Newcastle disease virus/metabolism* ; Oryza/genetics*

To rapidly and accurately manipulate genome such as gene deletion, insertion and site mutation, the whole genome of a very virulent strain Md5 of Marek's disease virus (MDV) was inserted into bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) through homogeneous recombination. The recombinant DNA was electroporated into DH10B competent cells and identified by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. An infectious clone of Md5BAC was obtained following transfection into chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells. Furthermore, a lorf10 deletion mutant was constructed by two step Red-mediated homologous recombination. To confirm the specific role of gene deletion, the lorf10 was reinserted into the original site of MDV genome to make a revertant strain. All the constructs were rescued by transfection into CEF cells, respectively. The successful packaging of recombinant viruses was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The results of growth kinetics assay and plaques area measurement showed that the lorf10 is dispensable for MDV propagation in vitro. Overall, this study successfully constructed an infectious BAC clone of MDV and demonstrated its application in genome manipulation; the knowledge gained from our study could be further applied to other hepesviruses.
Animals ; Chick Embryo ; Chickens ; Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial ; DNA, Recombinant ; Herpesvirus 2, Gallid/genetics* ; Marek Disease

Objective To establish the finite element model of upper cervical vertebrae C0-3 with Jefferson fracture, and to analyze the influence of posterior atlantoaxial fusion (PSF) and occipitocervical fusion (OCF) on biomechanical properties of the vertebral body and mechanical conduction of the screw-rod system. Methods Based on CT images, the C0-3 segment Jefferson fracture model of human upper cervical spine was established. PSF, OCF1 and OCF2 internal fixation were performed according to surgical plan in clinic, and 50 N concentrated force and 1.5 N·m torque were applied to bottom of the occipital bone. The stress distribution and range of motion (ROM) of the cervical vertebral body, the maximum stress of the screw-rod system and the stress distribution of the intervertebral disc for C0-3 segment during flexion, extension, bending and rotation of the upper cervical spine were studied. Results Compared with PSF, the ROM of OCF1 and OCF2 vertebral bodies increased, and the stress of the nail rod decreased. OCF had a better fixation effect. Conclusions PSF, OCF1 and OCF2 fixation method can reduce the upper cervical ROM and restore stability of the upper cervical spine, which make stress distributions of the vertebral body and intervertebral disc tend to be at normal level. The research result can provide a theoretical basis for clinical surgery plan.

Department of Orthopedics, Yang Pu Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University,

A simple and rapid immunochromatographic test strip incorporating a colloidal gold-labeled recombinant Nsp7 antigen probe was successfully developed for the detection of anti-porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibodies in swine. Recombinant Nsp7 protein of PRRSV labeled with colloidal gold was dispensed on a conjugate pad for use as the detector. Staphylococcal protein A and purified porcine anti-Nsp7 antibodies were blotted on a nitrocellulose membrane to form test and control lines, respectively. A comparison of the strip with standard diagnostic tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoperoxidase monolayer assay, was also performed. The immunochromatographic test strip was shown to be of high specificity and sensitivity. Furthermore, the strip assay is rapid and easy to perform with no requirement for professional-level skills or equipment. It is suggested that the immunochromatographic test strip can be used to quickly and accurately detect PRRSV antibody and to be suitable for diagnostic purposes in the field.
Antibodies* ; Collodion ; Colloids ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gold Colloid ; Immunochromatography ; Membranes ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome* ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Staphylococcal Protein A ; Swine

Objective: To investigate the comprehensive nutritional status and diet behavior of middle aged and elderly women with osteoporosis, and thereby to explore the relationship between diet behavior and comprehensive nutritional status. Methods: 311 middle-aged and elderly women with osteoporosis in Chengdu were included in this study. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was applied to assess their comprehensive nutritional status. Information of social-demographic characteristics and diet behavior (about meals, snacks and water drinking, etc.) of the subjects was collected by questionnaire. Chi square test was used to assess the differences in nutritional status among patients who have different eating behaviors. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between diet behaviors and comprehensive nutritional status. Results: The mean MNA score of subjects was 25.8±2.5. 20.3% (63/311) of the subjets were at risk of potential malnutrition, but there was no malnourished subjects found. 46.9% (46/311) of the subjects were in good appetite. 95.2% (296/311) of them had a fixed food intake each meal. 65.8% (198/311) of them had snacks every day, and the most common choice was fruit (86.4% (248/287)). 54.8% (165/311) of them had initiative drinking water habits, and the most common choice was plain boiled water (79.9%, 246/308). 76.5% (238/311) of them had daily portable water less than 1 500 ml. After adjusting the effects of age, occupation and education level, bad appetite (OR=3.50, 95%CI: 1.18-10.62), unfixed food intake (OR=7.27, 95%CI: 1.40-35.83), and seldom or never intake of snack (OR=3.71, 95%CI: 1.42-9.72) were risk factors for malnutrition risk, while tea drinking was protective factor(OR=0.31, 95%CI: 0.11-0.93). Conclusion Risk of potential malnutrition and unhealthy diet behavior among the middle aged and elderly women with osteoporosis should be paid more attention. Unhealtghy diet behavior has a negative effect on their comprehensive nutritional status.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of intra-arterial thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease caused by cerebral thrombosis. Methods A total of 245 patients accepted by our hospital during May 2013 and July 2015 were divided into the observation group (n=148) and the control group (n=97). All patients were given conventional process for controling blood pressure and blood lipids. Patients in observation group received intra-arterial thrombolysis with rt-PA, while patients in control group accepted conventional treatment. At the time of admission, the demographic characteristic, vascular influencing factors, baseline clinical findings, laboratory findings and neurological deficits were collected. The improvement of neurological function was evaluated by the modified Rankin scale 3 months after treatment. The levels of fibrinogen (FIB), D-Dimer, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (PT) were measured before and 24 h after the treatment. Results There were no significant differences in demographic characteristic and general clinical data between the two groups ( P>0.05). The proportion of patients with improved neurological function was significantly higher in observation group than that of the control group (83.11％vs. 53.61％, P<0.05). There were no significant difference in coagulation index and fibrinolysis index before treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). Twenty-four hours after the treatment, the levels of FIB, D-Dimer, APTT and PT were significantly improved in the observation group compared with those before treatment. The level of FIB was significantly decreased, D-Dimer was significantly increased, APTT and PT were significantly prolonged in observation group compared with those of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The rt-PA can effectively dissolve thrombosis and correct the coagulation system and fibrinolytic system.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of needle-knife therapy in treating allergic rhinitis. Method Sixty allergic rhinitis patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by needle-knife therapy; the control group was given Azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray plus oral administration of Desloratadine, both twice a day. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and symptoms scores were observed before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups. Result The markedly effective rate was 90.0% in the treatment group versus 66.7% in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The RQLQ and symptoms scores were significantly changed after the intervention in both groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the RQLQ and symptoms scores in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Needle-knife therapy is safe and effective in treating allergic rhinitis.