Objective To investigate the association of the major histocompatibility complex class Ⅰ chain-related antigens A (MICA)-129 gene polymorphism and soluble MICA (sMICA) levels with ulcerative colitis (UC) in Hubei Han nationality. Methods The genetic polymorphism of MICA-129 was examined using a polymerase chain reaction-sequence based test (PCR-SBT) in 256 UC patients and 460 healthy controls. From the above subjects, 80 patients and 90 healthy individuals were randomly selected for determining serum sMICA concentrations by ELISA. Results The frequencies of variant allele (G) and genotype (GG) in MICA-129 gene were significantly higher in the UC patients than in the controls(76. 8%vs 72. 2%, P =0. 060; 55.9% vs 46. 3% ,P =0. 016). Serum sMICA levels were significantly elevated in the patients compared to the controls[(576. 47 ±279. 02) ng/L vs( 182. 17 ±73. 11 ) ng/L,P ＜0. 001]. In addition, the sMICA levels were higher in the patients carrying MICA-129 GG genotypes than in those carrying ( GA + AA) genotypes [( 638. 87 ± 347. 15 ) ng/L vs ( 507. 51 ± 152. 87 ) ng/L, P = 0. 035].Conclusions The genetic polymorphism of MICA-129 and sMICA levels are correlated with the UC patients in Hubei Han nationality. Our findings demonstrate that MICA-129 gene may contribute to the pathogenesis of UC.

Objective To investigate the relationship between changes in the liver computed tomography (CT) images and the postmortem interval (PMI) of rabbits 129 h after their death due to hemorrhagic shock. Methods CT scanning was used to investigate the hemorrhagic shock death model in 23 rabbits to identify the postmortem cerebral changes from 0 h to 129 h after death. Results The liver or lumbar area in the liver window showed the following characteristic changes: from unchanged, to rapid shrinkage, to slow shrinkage; the mean CT values of the liver initially increased and subsequently decreased. The regression equations for the relationship between the two indices and PMI were established by surgery, and they all had statistical significance (P ＜ 0. 01). Conclusion CT scanning can accurately show changes in the rabbit liver after death. The mean CT value of the liver tissue is more sensitive for inferring early PMI. Furthermore, the liver area/lumbar area ratio parameters are more sensitive for inferring mid-late PMI.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intra-biliary drainage versus T-tube drainage following laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for choledocholithiasis.Methods:The clinical data of 50 patients undergoing LCBDE for choledocholithiasis in Dalian Friendship Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2018 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 23 males and 27 females, aged (61.3±16.2) years old. Patients were divided into the intra-biliary drainage group and T-tube drainage group. Propensity score matching was used to match the baseline data of the two groups at a 1∶1 ratio. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, abdominal drainage tube indwelling time, postoperative bile drainage volume and postoperative complications were compared between the groups.Results:Compared with the T-tube group, the operative time [(155.0±36.5) min vs. (194.4±55.8) min], length of postoperative hospital stay [8.0(7.0, 8.0) d vs. 11.0(8.0, 13.0) d], and abdominal drainage tube indwelling time [5.0(4.0, 6.0) d vs. 6.0(5.0, 8.0) d] were all shorter in the intra-biliary drainage tube group (all P<0.05). The postoperative bile drainage volume was reduced [0 ml vs. 431.4(344.7, 484.3) ml]. No postoperative bile leakage occurred in either group. The intraoperative blood loss, proportion of postoperative residual stone, stone recurrence and biliary stricture were comparable between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Intra-biliary tube drainage following LCBDE could be safe and effective for choledocholithiasis. Compared to the classic procedure of T-tube drainage, it may be superior in the operation time, postoperative hospital stay, abdominal drainage tube indwelling time, postoperative bile drainage volume.

AIM: To compare and observe the accuracy of five intraocular lens(IOL)power calculation formulas in patients with cataracts who have previously undergone corneal refractive surgery.METHODS: Prospective case series study. A total of 23 cataract patients(34 eyes)with a history of myopic corneal refractive surgery at Jinan Mingshui Eye Hospital from September 2021 to March 2023 were collected, including 1 eye treated with photorefractive keratectomy(PRK)and 22 patients(33 eyes)treated with laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(LASIK). Preoperative ocular biometry was performed using the IOL Master 700, while corneal true net refractive power(TNP)was measured via Pentacam analyzer. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography(OCT)was used to assesse net corneal power(NCP), posterior corneal refractive power, and central corneal thickness(CCT). The Shammas, Haigis-L, Potvin-Hill Pentacam, OCT, and Barrett True K formulas were utilized for IOL power calculations, with the optimal power selected accordingly. At 1 mo postoperatively, actual refractive outcomes were determined through subjective refraction, based on objective optometry results. The refractive prediction error(RPE)and refractive absolute error(RAE)of each formula were calculated and compared, and the percentage of eyes with RAE ≤0.5 D and ≤1.0 D was counted.RESULTS: No significant statistical difference was found in the RPE of the five formulas when compared to zero(all P>0.05), nor were there significant differences in RPE and RAE among the formulas(F=0.554, P=0.696; H=4.402, P=0.354). The RAE was within ≤0.5 D for 26 eyes(76%)using the Potvin-Hill Pentacam formula and for 24 eyes(71%)using the Barrett True K formula, with both formulas achieving an RAE within ≤1.0D in 33 eyes(97%).CONCLUSIONS: The Barrett True K and Potvin-Hill Pentacam formulas demonstrated high predictive accuracy for IOL power calculations in post-corneal refractive surgery cataract patients. Given the variability in corneal refractive power among these patients, further research on IOL power calculation is warranted. Clinically, it is advisable to consider a range of formulas for optimal outcomes.

OBJECTIVETo explore the temporal pattern of postmortem color changes in the pupil region of the cornea for noninvasive estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI).

METHODSTwo rabbit models of air embolism and drowning were established in a dark room at a temperature of 20 ℃ with a relative humidity of 30%. The corneal images of the rabbits were acquired using a digital camera at two-hour intervals within 72 h after death. The pupil region on the corneal images was segmented using computer image processing technique (MATLAB), and the parameters of 6 image color features (RGBHSV) were extracted. Regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between these parameters and the PMI, and the effects of different death causes on the changes of the corneal color features were also assessed.

RESULTSWithin 72 h after death from different causes, the R, G and B values of the pupil region on the corneal images all tended to increase with the PMI, showing a good fitting with the PMI ( < 0.01). No significant correlation was found between the values of H, S and V and the PMI (>0.05). The R, G and B values in the pupil region on the corneal images showed consistent variation trends after death from the two causes, and their correlations with PMI were also similar. The measured values of R, G and B in air embolism group were greater than those in the drowning group.

CONCLUSIONSThe postmortem color changes of the pupil region on corneal images follow an identifiable temporal pattern and can vary across different causes of death. The regression equations established in this study provide references for non-invasive and objective estimation of the PMI.