BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

In the clinical diagnosis and treatment of children with short stature,mental health issues merit special attention.It is widely acknowledged that the psychological well-being of children with short stature is lower than that of their peers with normal height.Therefore,during the diagnosis,treatment,and care of short stature,it is crucial to actively monitor the mental health of these children,promptly identify potential psychological and behavioral issues,and intervene accordingly.Such measures play a positive role in enhancing the quality of life of these children and improving their physical and mental health.This article analyses and discusses the current state of psychological assessment and psycho-behavioral interventions for children with short stature,aiming to provide insights for improving their mental health.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(4):331-336]

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A(PAPP-A),fasting blood glucose(FPG),body mass index(BMI)and age in gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)during the first trimester.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 792 pregnant women who underwent pre-natal examination and delivered in Sichuan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from December 2021 to June 2022.They were divided into GDM group(232 cases)and control group(560 cases)according to whether they had GDM.The clinical data,serum PAPP-A median multiple(PAPP-A MoM)in early pregnancy and FPG levels were compared between the two groups.The indicators with statistical significance in univariate analy-sis were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis to analyze the related factors affecting the occurrence of GDM.The receiver operating curve(ROC)and area under the curve(AUC)of different indexes were plotted to compare the efficacy of GDM prediction.Results:①The age,pre pregnancy BMI,early pregnancy FPG and the proportion of assisted reproductive technology in GDM group were higher than those in control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The early pregnancy PAPP-A MoM level in GDM group was lower than that in control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).②Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that older age,lager pre-pregnancy BMI and lager FPG in the first trimester were in-dependent risk factors for GDM occurrence(OR＞1,P＜0.05),while an increase of PAPP-A MoM in the first tri-mester was a protective factor(OR＜1,P＜0.05).③ROC showed that the combination of PAPP-A MoM in early pregnancy,FPG in early pregnancy,BMI in pre-pregnancy and age had the highest AUC(0.752)when predicting GDM,with a sensitivity of 55.6％and a specificity of 84.3％.Conclusions:The combined screening of serologi-cal(PAPP-A +FPG)and clinical data(pre-pregnancy BMI +age)in early pregnancy has a high clinical application prospect and can be popularized.

Objective To assess the prevalence of mycoplasma genitalium(MG)in patients attending sexually transmitted disease(STD)clinic in Guangzhou,and to provide an epidemiological foundation for clinical treatment and laboratory diagnostics.Methods Utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR),we analyzed MG DNA in 2,749 clinical specimens collected from 2,722 outpatients in the Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University from July 2019 to December 2021.Concurrent testing for MG,Chlamydia trachomatis(CT),and Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG)was performed on 2,382 of these specimens.Patient data extracted from medical records were used to investigate the correlation between STD symptoms and MG infection.Results The investigation revealed that the overall prevalence of MG infection was 4.4%among the sampled patients(120 out of 2,722),with a higher prevalence in males(4.9%,or 87 out of 1,790)compared to in females(3.5%,or 33 out of 932).Notably,the prevalence decreased with increasing age.The highest incidence of MG infection was observed in females aged 18～25 years(6.4%,or 18 out of 281),while the lowest was in males aged 46 years and above(1.5%,or 5 out of 342),showing a statistically significant variation across age groups(P<0.05).Among males with urethritis symptoms,MG positive rate was significantly higher at 7.3%(42 out of 574).The rate of single MG infection was prominent,accounting for 89.9%(71 out of 79)in MG-positive male patients and 61.5%(16 out of 26)in MG-positive female patients.Co-infection rate of MG with CT was 1.2%in females and 0.3%in males,indicating a significant dif-ference(P<0.05).Conclusion The findings suggest a relatively high prevalence of MG infection and co-infection with CT among STD clinic attendees in Guangzhou,particularly in the younger demographic.The study underscores the need for early screening and vigilant surveillance of MG to mitigate its transmission among sexually active popula-tions at high risk.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the MRI findings of os acromiale and to analyze the relationship between os acromiale and the supraspinatus and infraspinatus injury. METHODS: From January 2010 to August 2020, 21 patients with os acromiale (os arcomiale group) were compared with 21 subjects with no evidence of os acromiale (no os arcomiale group). There were 14 males and 7 females in the os arcomiate group, aged from 29 to 77 years old, mean aged (55.5±11.5) years old. While in the control group, there were 10 males and 11 females in no os arcomiale group, aged from 31 to 70 years old, mean aged (51.1±10.0) years old. The os acromiales were classified as edematous os acromiale or non-edematous os acromiale based on whether the presence of marrow edema, and as displaced os acromiale or non-displaced os acromiale based on whether the presence of displacement of the os acromiale. The MRI features of os acromiale were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the differences between the os arcomiale group and no os arcomiale group regarding rotator cuff tear, supraspinatus and infraspinatus injury. Differences in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear between the edematous and non-edematous os acromiale group, the displaced and non-displaced os acromiale group, the displaced os acromiale and no os arcomiale group were also assessed. RESULTS: On MRI, all the 21 os acromiales appeared as a triangular or irregular bone fragment of the distal acromion, and forms a pseudo-acromioclavicular joint with the acromion. Eleven cases were edematous os acromiale, 11 cases were displaced os acromiale. In the os arcomiale group, 17 had supraspinatus tear, 1 had supraspinatus tendinitis, 11 had infraspinatus tear, and 4 had infraspinatus tendinitis. In the no os arcomiale group, 11 had supraspinatus tear, 2 had supraspinatus tendinitis, 5 had infraspinatus tear, and 1 had infraspinatus tendinitis. No statistically significant difference between the os arcomiale group and no os arcomiale group regarding the rotator cuff tear, supraspinatus and infraspinatus injury (P>0.05). In the 11 cases of edematous os arcomiale, 10 had supraspinatus tear and 7 had infraspinatus tear. In the 10 cases of non-edematous os acromiale, 7 had supraspinatus tear and 4 had infraspinatus tear. No statistically significant difference was noted between the edematous os acromiale and non-edematous os acromiale in terms of supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear (P>0.05). In the 11 cases of displaced os acromiale, 11 had supraspinatus tear and 9 had infraspinatus tear. In the 10 cases of non-displaced os acromiale, 6 had supraspinatus tear and 2 had infraspinatus tear. In the no os arcomiale group, 11 had supraspinatus tear and 5 had infraspinatus tear. There was a statistically significant increases in the prevalence of supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear in the displaced os acromiale group compared with non-displaced os acromiale group, the displaced os acromiale group and no os arcomiale group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Shoulder MRI can very well depict os acromiale and can reveal associated abnormalities such as adjacent bone marrow edema, displaced deformity, and rotator cuff tear, and it can be used to assess the stability of the os acromiale. The presence of os acromiale may not increase the risk of supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear significantly. However, the presence of displaced os acromiale is at greater risk of supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear.
Acromion/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rotator Cuff ; Rotator Cuff Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; Shoulder

OBJECTIVE: To explore the interaction between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ferroptosis in methylglyoxalinduced injury of mouse embryonic osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cells). METHODS: MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with methylglyoxal to establish a cell model of diabetic osteoporosis. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the viability of MC3T3-E1 cells. Rhodamine 123 staining followed by photofluorography was used to examine mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The intracellular ROS level was detected by 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining with photofluorograph. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the cells was detected using an ALP kit, the number of mineralized nodules was determined with alizarin red S staining, and the level of iron ions was detected using a detection kit. The expression level of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4, a marker protein that inhibits ferroptosis) in the osteoblasts was determined using Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with 0.6 mmol/L methylglyoxal for 24 h significantly inhibited the expression level of GPX4 (P < 0.001), increased intracellular iron ion concentration, decreased the cell viability, increased the loss of MMP and intracellular ROS level, decreased both ALP activity and the number of mineralized nodules in the cells (P < 0.001). Co-treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with 2 mmol/L N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a ROS scavenger) and methylglyoxal significantly increased the expression level of GPX4 (P < 0.01); co-treatment with 4 mmo/L FER-1 (a ferroptosis inhibitor) and methylglyoxal obviously decreased the intracellular ROS level (P < 0.001). Co-treatment of the cells either with NAC and methylglyoxal or with FER-1 and methylglyoxal attenuated methylglyoxal-induced injuries in the osteoblasts (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The interaction between ROS and ferroptosis pathway plays an important role in methylglyoxal-induced injury of mouse embryonic osteoblasts.
Animals ; Cell Survival ; Ferroptosis ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; Pyruvaldehyde/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*