Objective To report the clinical features and treatment outcomes of 27 patients with fungal endophthalmitis (27 eyes)over a five year period.Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed the etiology,direct smear examination,fungal cul-ture and treatments of 27 patients with culture-proven fungal endophthalmitis at the affiliated Hospital of Medical College Qing-dao University from 2007 to 2012.Results Exogenous infection was defined in 21 patients (77.8%),including 20 associated with penetrating wound,and 1 following cataract surgery.Endogenous infection was found in 6 patients (22.2%),including 3 associated with recent use of high-dose steroids,1 after abortion,1 following pelvic fracture,and 1 with long-term use of im-munosuppressive agents.Fungal hyphae were found in 17 smears of 27 samples (63.0%)by direct microscopic examination. The fungal strains cultured from 27 samples belonged to 8 genus and 12 species.The most common isolates were Aspergillus , Fusarium and Candida species.A.flavus (22.2%)and A.fumigatus (18.5%)were the predominant Aspergillus species. F .moniliforme (14.8%)and F .oxysporum (11 .1 %)were the most predominant Fusarium species.Two eyes were eviscer-ated immediately due to the serious condition.Among the other 25 eyes,22 (88.0%)got improvement after at least one of such treatments as intravitreal injection of antifungal agent,vitrectomy or penetrating keratoplasty (PK).Conclusions Exoge-nous fungal endophthalmitis is the most common type of fungal endophthalmitis in this hospital.Penetrating wound is the main cause of such infections.Microscopic examination of hyphae and fungal culture were effective for the diagnosis of fungal endophthalmitis.Aspergillus is the predominant pathogens, followed by Fusarium.Intravitreal injection of antifungal a-gent combined with vitrectomy is an effective treatment of fungal endophthalmitis.

Aim To investigate the effect of p38 MAPK AS-ODNs on the expression of GLT-1 during the induction of brain ischemic tolerance induced by cerebral ischemic preconditioning (CIP).Methods Eighty healthy male Wistar rats with permanent occlusion of the bilateral vertebral arteries were randomly divided into 6 groups: ①Sham group (n=10);②CIP group (n=10);③ischemic insult (Ⅱ) group (n=10);④CIP+Ⅱ group (n=10);⑤p38 MAPK AS-ODNs+CIP+Ⅱ group (n=30);⑥p38 MAPK S-ODNs+CIP+Ⅱ group (n=10).Group ⑤ was divided into 5 nmol, 10 nmol and 15 nmol subgroups according to the dose of p38 MAPK AS-ODNs (n=10).The dose of p38 MAPK S-ODNs was 15 nmol.All the rats were sacrificed 6 h and 2 d after the sham operation or the last time of global brain ischemia reperfusion.Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis were used for detecting the expression of p-p38 MAPK and GLT-1 protein.Results CIP moderately up-regulated the expression of p-p38 MAPK and significantly up-regulated the expression of GLT-1 protein, inhibited the excessively up-regulation of p-p38 MAPK and the down-regulation of GLT-1 induced by ischemic insult.p38 MAPK AS-ODNs significantly inhibited the up-regulation of p-p38 MAPK and GLT-1 protein in a dose-dependent manner during the induction of brain ischemic tolerance by CIP.Conclusion p38 MAPK AS-ODNs inhibit the up-regulation of GLT-1 during the induction of brain ischemic tolerance induced by CIP.

Objective:To observe the effect of icariin on the osteoporosis of the ovariectomized rats,and to explore the mechanism.Methods:Fifty female rats aged 6 months were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group,positive drug group,low dose of icariin group and high dose of icariin group (n= 10).The rats in positive drug group were given with 1 mg· kg-1 nilestriol every week;the rats in low and high doses of icariin groups were given with 50 and 100 mg · kg-1 icariin every day.The bilateral ovaries of rats were excised by operation to establish the osteoporosis models.2 weeks after operation,the rats were treated with icariin for 12 weeks,and then they were sacrificed by drawing blood from abdominal aorta under anesthesia condion.The bone mineral density (BMD),serum biochemical indicators,bone histomorphology and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were detected.Results:Compared with sham operation group,the BMD of the rats in model group was decreased (P <0.01),the serum calcium level was decreased (P <0.05),and the serum phosphorus level was increased (P <0.05),and the serum BGP,ALP,NO and NOS levels were significantly decreased (P <0.05 or P <0.01).Compared with model group,the BMD of the rats in positive drug group and high dose of icariin group were obviously increased (P < 0.01 ), the serum calcium levels were increased, the phosphorus levels were decreased (P <0.05),and the BGP and ALP levels were increased significantly (P < 0.05 ). Compared with control group,the cortical in model group was thinned,the width of bone trabecula was reduced,the Bax and Caspase-3 expression levels in bone tissue were increased,and the Bcl-2 expression level was decreased.Compared with model group,the cortical in icariin group was thicked,the width of bone trabecula was increased,the Bax and Caspase-3 expression levels were decreased,and the Bcl-2 expression level was increased (P <0.05 or P <0.01). Conclusion:Icariin can protect the osteoporosis of ovariectomized rats,the function may be related to the inhibition of apoptosis.

Pan-immune inflammation value (PIV) is a comprehensive immune inflammatory biomarker based on complete blood cell counts, which has been proven to predict treatment response and survival outcomes for different types of tumors. However, the predictive value of the PIV varies in different strategies for tumor treatment. This paper aims to systematically review the latest progress of PIV in predicting survival outcomes and tumor prognosis for immunotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, surgical treatment and neoadjuvant therapy, and analyze its existing challenges and issues, as well as look forward to its future development direction and application prospects.

Objective To investigate the correlation between pre-treatment pan-immune inflammation value (PIV) and clinicopathological features in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and evaluate its value in prognosis assessment combined with T stage. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on data of 85 ESCC patients with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in the Department of Radiation Oncology of the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from January 2019 to January 2023. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drew to obtain the optimal cut-off value of PIV and other immune-inflammatory biomarkers. The area under the curve (AUC) and clinical applicability of PIV and other immune-inflammatory biomarkers were compared based on the ROC curve and decision curve analysis (DCA). According to the optimal cut-off value, patients were divided into high PIV group and low PIV group, and the correlation between PIV level and clinicopathological features of ESCC was evaluated. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, the Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis, and a risk stratification model combining PIV and T stage was established by recursive partitioning analysis (RPA). Results The optimal cut-off value of pre-treatment PIV was determined as 187.22 based on the ROC curve. The AUC of PIV was 0.679, which was greater than 0.640, 0.583, 0.656 and 0.644 of the other four immune-inflammatory biomarkers such as the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The 85 patients were divided into low PIV group (< 187.22, n=48) and high PIV group (≥187.22, n=37). The level of PIV was significantly correlated with tumor diameter (P < 0.05). The 3-year overall survival (OS) (75.6% versus 30.6%, P < 0.001) and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) (56.1% versus 21.0%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the low PIV group than the high PIV group. Tumor diameter, T stage and PIV were independent factors affecting OS in ESCC patients (P < 0.05), and T stage and PIV were independent factors affecting DFS in ESCC patients (P < 0.05). A new staging system with three risk groups was established by the RPA stratification model based on T stage and PIV, which further improved the predictive value of prognosis compared with T stage or PIV alone. Conclusion Pre-treatment PIV is helpful in predicting the prognosis of ESCC patients with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy, and the combination of PIV and T stage can improve the predictive value.

Background and Objectives: This study investigated the relative incidence of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) and long-term outcomes between iso-osmolar contrast media (IOCM) and low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM) undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 9,431 patients receiving elective PCI were enrolled in the cohort. The patients were divided into IOCM group and LOCM group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to minimize the selection bias between groups. Results: The multivariate analysis showed that the use of IOCM compared with LOCM did not affect the CIN incidence (odds ratio [OR], 0.912; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.576–1.446; p=0.696). After PSM, the incidence of CIN was 1.5% and 4.0% in IOCM group (n=979) and LOCM group (n=979), respectively, p=0.001. IOCM significantly reduced the incidence of CIN compared with LOCM (OR, 0.393; 95% CI, 0.214–0.722; p=0.003). After 2 years of follow-up, the all-cause mortality was higher in IOCM group than LOCM group (2.1% vs. 0.9%, p<0.001). Cox regression analysis showed IOCM was not independent risk factor of 2-years all-cause mortality (OR, 0.849; 95% CI, 0.510–1.412; p=0.528). After PSM, the difference of all-cause death between groups disappeared (1.7% vs. 1.9%, p=0.739). Cox regression analysis showed that the use of IOCM compared with LOCM did not affect the incidence of 2-year all-cause mortality (OR, 1.037; 95% CI, 0.534–2.014; p=0.915). Conclusions Compared with LOCM, IOCM significantly reduced the incidence of CIN after elective PCI, but had no significant effect on 2-year all-cause mortality.

Background and Objectives: This study investigated the relative incidence of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) and long-term outcomes between iso-osmolar contrast media (IOCM) and low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM) undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 9,431 patients receiving elective PCI were enrolled in the cohort. The patients were divided into IOCM group and LOCM group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to minimize the selection bias between groups. Results: The multivariate analysis showed that the use of IOCM compared with LOCM did not affect the CIN incidence (odds ratio [OR], 0.912; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.576–1.446; p=0.696). After PSM, the incidence of CIN was 1.5% and 4.0% in IOCM group (n=979) and LOCM group (n=979), respectively, p=0.001. IOCM significantly reduced the incidence of CIN compared with LOCM (OR, 0.393; 95% CI, 0.214–0.722; p=0.003). After 2 years of follow-up, the all-cause mortality was higher in IOCM group than LOCM group (2.1% vs. 0.9%, p<0.001). Cox regression analysis showed IOCM was not independent risk factor of 2-years all-cause mortality (OR, 0.849; 95% CI, 0.510–1.412; p=0.528). After PSM, the difference of all-cause death between groups disappeared (1.7% vs. 1.9%, p=0.739). Cox regression analysis showed that the use of IOCM compared with LOCM did not affect the incidence of 2-year all-cause mortality (OR, 1.037; 95% CI, 0.534–2.014; p=0.915). Conclusions Compared with LOCM, IOCM significantly reduced the incidence of CIN after elective PCI, but had no significant effect on 2-year all-cause mortality.

Objective: To compare the biomechanical characteristics of four-implants mandibular overdentures supported by Locator attachment or bar-clip attachment under different mechanical loads using three-dimensional finite element analysis method. Methods: Two different models of four-implants supported mandibular overdentures using Locator attachment and bar-clip attachment (hereinafter called Locator model and bar-clip model) were established. Each model was subjected to five different mechanical loading conditions: 100 N vertical loading in central incisor (vertical load of incisor), 100 N vertical loading or oblique loading in canine (vertical or oblique loads of canines), 100 N vertical or oblique loading in mandibular first molar (vertical or oblique loads of mandibular first molar). The stress distributions in implants, peri-implant bone and mucosa were recorded under the above five conditions to evaluate the effects of different attachments on the biomechanical properties of implant-supported mandibular overdentures. Results: Regardless of loading conditions and types of attachments, the stress concentration in implants were located at the neck of implants, and the stress concentration in peri-implant bone was located in the cortical bone. The stress values in mucosa were always much smaller than those in implants and cortical bone. Regardless of loading positions (on canine or on mandibular first molar), the maximum stress at the bone interface around the implant under lateral loading was much higher than that under vertical loading. Under various loading conditions, the stress in implants and cortical bone of the Locator model (the highest von Mise stress value was respectively 79.5 and 22.3 MPa) were lower than that of bar-clip model (the highest von Mise stress value was 110.3 and 28.7 MPa respectively) while the maximum compressive stress in mucosa (0.198 MPa) in Locator model was slightly higher than that in the bar-clip model (0.137 MPa). Conclusions In clinical practice, the lateral force applied to the implant-retained overdenture should be minimized to avoid complications caused by pathological loads. Under the same loading condition, the stress distributions in overdenture using Locator attachment are more dispersed, which is more conducive to long-term stability of implants.

Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is a common ocular chronic microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and is the leading blinding fundus disease in people over 40 years of age.Current studies have shown that neuroglial vascular u-nit(NGVU)injury causes a variety of characteristic fundus changes in DR patients,including exudation,cotton wool spots,microangioma,bleeding,and neovascularization.Recent studies have confirmed that retinal NGVU injury in DR pa-tients occurs before retinal microangiopathy and is closely related to impaired visual function,so NGVU is expected to be a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of early DR in the future.In this paper,the research progress on the relationship between NGVU and DR treatment is reviewed,intending to provide new research directions for the pre-vention and intervention of early DR progression.

Group A Streptococci(GAS)can cause multiple diseases such as pharyngotonsillitis, scarlet fever, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome(STSS), necrotizing fasciitis, and so on, making it extremely difficult to monitor all GAS infections.Developed countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have classified invasive GAS diseases/infections(iGAS) or certain specific types, such as STSS, as notifiable diseases.China only includes scarlet fever caused by GAS infections in the legal infectious diseases.Although case reports or clinical studies of STSS and necrotizing fasciitis in China can be found, there is a lack of investigation and summary on iGAS, and there are few materials to introduce its definition and diagnostic criteria.Based on a recently diagnosed typical case, this paper intends to introduce the definition and diagnostic criteria of iGAS adopted in the United States, the United Kingdom and other developed countries, as well as the valuable early manifestations and risk factors, and the incidence of iGAS.Given the epidemiological changes in GAS infections in recent years, this paper also emphasizes the importance of paying attention to GAS infections, especially iGAS, aiming to arouse the attention of China′s clinical doctors and urge them to carry out research on this group of diseases.