Objective: To investigate whether melatonin (MT) secretion in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) exhibits seasonal variations and its correlation with immune regulation. Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and model groups, and the pineal gland was removed in the model group. Stomach, jejunum, ileum, and colon tissues were obtained during the spring equinox, summer solstice, beginning of autumn, autumn equinox, and winter solstice. The levels of MT, MT receptors (MR), arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the GIT were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Except for the stomach, the jejunum, ileum, and the colon showed seasonal tendencies in MT secretion. In the control group, MT secretion in the jejunum and ileum was the highest in the long summer, and colonic MT secretion was the highest in winter. In the model group, MT levels in the colon were highest in the summer. The seasonal rhythms of the MR, AANAT, HIOMT, IL-2, and IL-10 in the colon were roughly similar to those of MT, and changed accordingly after pinealectomy. Conclusions Gastrointestinal MT secretion is related to seasonal changes, and MT secretion in each intestinal segment is influenced by different seasons. The biological effects of MT in the gut are inextricably linked to the mediation of MR, and a hormone-receptor linkage exists between MT and MR. The effect of seasonal changes on the gastrointestinal immune system may be mediated through the regulation of seasonal secretion of MT.

Objectives:To evaluate the coronary microcirculatory function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM). Methods:Patients who diagnosed with HCM and underwent the measurement of index of microcirculatory resistance(IMR)using pressure-sensing guide wire from November 2021 to April 2023 were prospectively included.Coronary microcirculatory dysfunction(CMD)was defined as IMR≥25 U and patients were grouped accordingly to compare the clinical characteristics. Results:A total of 25 HCM patients were included.Mean age was(58.4±13.3)years,18 were men and mean body mass index was(26.7±3.6)kg/m2.Coronary microcirculatory function was successfully evaluated in all patients and the mean value of IMR was(30.5±15.3)U.There were 15 patients with CMD.Baseline clinical characteristics,laboratory examinations and medications were simialr between patients with and without CMD.The maximal left ventricular wall was significant thicker in patients with CMD compared with that in patients without CMD([20.2±2.8]mm vs.[16.9±2.3]mm,P=0.005).There was no significant difference in other echocardiographic parameters between two groups(all P>0.05).In the range of IMR value less than 50 U(n=22),there was a significant linear positive correlation between maximal left ventricular wall thickness and IMR(r=0.423,P=0.049).There was no significant difference in coronary flow reserve and fractional flow reserve between two groups. Conclusions:The severity of CMD is positively correlated with left ventricular wall thickness in HCM patients.

Objective To analyze the effect of microRNA-22-3p (miR-22-3p) of extracellular vesicles derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on premature ovarian failure. Methods Follicular fluids were provided by premature ovarian failure patients with in vitro fertilization or the second-generation in vitro fertilization treatment and normal volunteers with the same treatment for infertility due to male factors; the exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated by differential centrifugation; the morphology, particle size and marker proteins of isolated exosomes were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, NanoSight LM10 analyzer and Western blotting. Granulosa cells were treated with cyclophosphamide (CTX), exosomes, miR-22-3 mimics and corresponding controls, and were divided into CTX group, control group, exosome incubation group, PBS treatment group, CTX+miR-22-3p group, CTX+miR-NC group, CTX+Exosomes group, and CTX+PBS group; gene expression was detected by Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reagent and flow cytometry were used to detect cell viability and apoptosis. Results The extracted exosomes had typical goblet vesicles, the exosome marker proteins C cluster of differentiation 63 (CD63) and C cluster of differentiation 9 (CD9) were expressed in the extracted exosomes, and exosome particle size was 80 to 150 nm; miR-22-3p was significantly lowly expressed in patients with premature ovarian failure and ovarian granulosa cells induced by CTX (P < 0.05), but was significantly highly expressed in ovarian granulosa cells incubated with exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (P < 0.05); the activity of granulosa cells in the CTX group was significantly lower than that in the control group, but was significantly higher in the CTX+miR-22-3p group or CTX+Exosomes group than that in the control group (P < 0.05); the apoptosis rate of granulosa cells in the CTX group was significantly higher than that in the control group, but was significantly lower in the CTX+miR-22-3p or CTX+Exosomes group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The miR-22-3p of extracellular vesicles derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can inhibit ovarian granulosa cell injury induced by CTX.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen potential variant in the proband. Candidate variants were determined by taking consideration of clinical phenotype. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the variant in the proband and his parents. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of c.8G>A (p.Cys3Tyr) and c.958_959insA (p.Arg320Glnfs*29) in the C2ORF71 gene, which has derived from his father and mother, respectively. Both variants were unreported previously. Based on the ACMG guidelines, they were predicted to be likely pathogenic and pathogenic, respectively. CONCLUSION The novel compound heterozygous variants of the C2ORF71 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of RP in the proband. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of C2ORF71 gene mutations and facilitated genetic counseling for the family.
Asians/genetics* ; China ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Retinitis Pigmentosa/genetics* ; Whole Exome Sequencing

The understanding of heart embryonic development and structure can contribute to improve our leaning of the etiology, pathophysiology and classification of congenital heart disease in humans, which has become the focus of echocardiography teaching. Meanwhile the difficulties and problems formed because of its diverse and fragmented theoretical knowledge. "Hand as foot" teaching method is a kind of teaching method using intuitive body language combined with the thought of analogy, so as to make teaching content relatively simplistic and figurative. Our study has demonstrated this method can be used in a constructive way to improve course content and delivery for echocardiography teaching to assess patent foramen ovale for standardized residency training of cardiac ultrasound, and achieved a good teaching effect. The specific implementation approaches and effect of this method are described in detail. This paper also explores the potential feasibility and benefits of the application of using "Hand as foot" teaching method in echocardiography teaching.

Objective To study the application of laser speckle contrast algorithm in high-frequency ultrasound blood flow imaging. Methods The laser speckle contrast algorithm was extended to the field of high-frequency ultrasound blood flow imaging. The high-frequency ultrasound structure images were processed by using the classic laser speckle temporal contrast algorithm to suppress the static tissue signals, enhance the dynamic blood flow signals, and obtain the high-frequency ultrasound blood flow images. The simulation experiments on flow phantoms were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm, and then human skin tissue in vivo experiments were performed to verify the applicability of the algorithm. The performances of blood flow images which obtained from ultrasound structure images with different frames by laser speckle contrast algorithm were compared and analyzed. Results The blood flow information in a tube was clearly visible in the flow phantoms experiments. The static skin tissue signals were significantly suppressed, dynamic blood flow signals were strengthened in the human skin tissue in vivo experiments, and high-frequency ultrasound blood flow images were obtained. By comparing and analyzing the performances of blood flow images, the results showed that the best blood flow images could be obtained when the number of frame was set to 10 frames. Conclusions The speckle contrast algorithm is feasible and has good application prospects in high-frequency ultrasound blood flow imaging.

Objective To study epidemiological characteristics of thelazjasis, in Zunyi and surrounding areas, morphology and 18S rRNA gene sequence of Thelazia callipaeda. Methods The Thelazia callipaeda was collected from several hospitals, including affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical College and Zunyi Aerospace Hospital, in Zunyi region since 2011 to 2015. Clinical data of infected human thelaziasis, including the patients' gender, age, residence and pets such as cats or dogs, were analyzed to find out the factors influencing the incidence. Morphology characteristics of female and male Thelazia callipaeda were observed under microscope. 18S rRNA gene of Zunyi Thelazia callipaeda was amplified by PCR, and the evolutional relationship was analyzed through the software MEGA 7.01 based on neighbour-joining (NJ) method. Homology was campared with 18S rRNA gene from GenBank in National Center of Biotechnology. Results Totally 25 cases had been reported during the study, of which 22 cases had more details. Based on the cases, we found the thelaziasis was increasing year by year. For instance, 2 cases (9.1%) were reported in 2011, 1 case (4.5%) in 2012, 3 cases in 2013 (13.6%), 10 cases (45.5%) in 2014 and 6 cases (27.3%) in 2015 . During the five years , totally 15 cases were treated between August and November, when the human thelaziasis was in typical epidemic peaks. We analyzed characteristics of the total cases reported to date. Most of the cases occurred in rural areas (20 cases). Majority of patients lived in rural region. And most cases were between 30 to 60 years old, indicating no age limit, especially, there were two cases who were at the ages of 8.5 months and 77 years old, respectively. Moreover, more women suffered from the disease than that in men, of which, the case number was 16 in women and 6 in men, and there were 7 cases who had cats or dogs at home. Under light microscope, the edge of Thelazia callipaeda had serrated cuticle with transverse striations. And male worm had a sharp peak at the tail end of Thelazia callipaeda, which cured to the ventrite and had two copulatory spicules, long one and short one, respectively. While female worm had a blunt tail, containing numerous eggs and rounded first-stage larvaes in a single line in the distal area of the uterus, near the vulva. Sequences of Thelazia callipaeda 18S rRNA gene from Zunyi and Oita Japan (AB538282.1) were showed homology of 100%, and they were clustered in a same branch of Phylogenetic tree. Conclusions Human thelaziasis cases in Zunyi region are increasing each year, and most of the cases have occurred in rural areas. 18S rRNA gene has a high homology with sequence AB538282.1 in Thelazia callipaeda. Combining clinical data, analysis of epidemiological characteristics and the characteristics of 18S rRNA should be good for specie identification and epidemiological analysis.

Auscultation is an important method in early-diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and respiratory system disease. This paper presents a computer-aided diagnosis of new electronic auscultation system. It has developed an electronic stethoscope based on condenser microphone and the relevant intelligent analysis software. It has implemented many functions that combined with Bluetooth, OLED, SD card storage technologies, such as real-time heart and lung sounds auscultation in three modes, recording and playback, auscultation volume control, wireless transmission. The intelligent analysis software based on PC computer utilizes C# programming language and adopts SQL Server as the background database. It has realized play and waveform display of the auscultation sound. By calculating the heart rate, extracting the characteristic parameters of T1, T2, T12, T11, it can analyze whether the heart sound is normal, and then generate diagnosis report. Finally the auscultation sound and diagnosis report can be sent to mailbox of other doctors, which can carry out remote diagnosis. The whole system has features of fully function, high portability, good user experience, and it is beneficial to promote the use of electronic stethoscope in the hospital, at the same time, the system can also be applied to auscultate teaching and other occasions.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of domestic human recombinant FSH (rhFSH) in women with anovulation of WHO groupⅡ. Methods A randomized, blind, parallel-controlled, non-inferiority and multicenter study was performed. A total of 534 admitted to 13 hospitals from May 2008 to August 2009. There were 531 women with ovulatory disorder was included in the statistical analysis, were randomly divided into test group (domestic rhFSH, n=352) and control group (imported rhFSH, n=179). Percentage of cycle with mature follicle, ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, multiple pregnancy rate, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and adverse events were observed. Results No statistical significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between the two groups in terms of the efficiency on mature follicle [91.8%(323/352) versus 88.8%(159/179)], ovulation rate [91.3%(295/323) verus 90.6%(144/159)], clinical pregnancy rate [19.2%(62/323) verus 18.2%(29/159)], the number of the follicles<14 mm, the level of serum LH and progesterone, the thickness of endometrium on the day of hCG administration. The number of follicle≥18 mm and 14 mm≤follicle<18 mm and the level of serum estradiol on the day of hCG in the test group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The number of days of rhFSH administration in the test group was significantly less than that in the control group [(9.8±2.2) versus (11.4± 0.6) days, P<0.05], the dosage of rhFSH was significantly lower than that in the control group [(879 ± 419) versus (1 043 ± 663) U, P<0.05]. The multiple pregnancy rate in the test group was significantly higher than that in the control group [21% (13/62) versu 10% (3/29), P<0.05]. The incidence of OHSS and adverse events were similar between the two groups (P>0.05), and no other adverse events were observed in test group during treatment. Conclusion Ovarian stimulation with domestic rhFSH is effective, safe and economical in women with anovulation of WHO groupⅡ.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of flavonoids from Radix tetrastigmae (RTFs)on lipopo-lysaccharide (LPS)induced acute lung injury (ALI) of aged mice and the mechanism.Methods Aged C57BL/6J mice were bronchially instillated LPS to in-duce ALI.RTFs were orally administered to treat ALI. After 3 days,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected to enumerate leukocytes with Wright-Gi-emsa staining,and to detect inflammatory cytokines with ELISA.ELISA and Western blot methods were al-so used to detect the expression of MAPKs and NF-κB in lung tissues.The activity of NF-κB in nucleic pro-tein extract was detected with TransAMkit.Results
ALI models were successfully induced through LPS in-stillation.RTFs significantly reduced leukocyte,espe-cially neutrophil infiltration in BALF,inhibited IL-1 β, IL-6,IL-1 2p40,TNF-αand sTNF-R1 secretion,and improved pathohistological change of lung tissues.Be-sides,RTFs significantly attenuated the phosphoryla-tion of p38MAPK,NF-κB and the activity of NF-κB. Conclusion RTFs inhibits LPS-induced ALI through p38MAPK and NF-κB pathway and exhibits significant anti-inflammation effect on aged mice.