Programmed cell death (PCD) is characterized as a cell death pathway governed by specific gene-encoding requirements, plays crucial roles in the homeostasis and innate immunity of organisms, and serves as both a pathogenic mechanism and a therapeutic target for a variety of human diseases. Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1) functions as a cytosolic nucleic acid sensor, utilizing its unique Zα domains to detect endogenous or exogenous nucleic acids and its receptor-interacting protein homotypic interaction motif (RHIM) domains to sense or bind specific signaling molecules, thereby exerting regulatory effects on various forms of PCD. ZBP1 is involved in apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and PANoptosis and interacts with molecules, such as receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), to influence cell fate under various pathological conditions. It plays a crucial role in regulating PCD during infections, inflammatory and neurological diseases, cancers, and other conditions, affecting disease onset and progression. Targeting ZBP1-associated PCD may represent a viable therapeutic strategy for related pathological conditions. This review comprehensively summarizes the regulatory functions of ZBP1 in PCD and its interactions with several closely associated signaling molecules and delineates the diseases linked to ZBP1-mediated PCD, along with the potential therapeutic implications of ZBP1 in these contexts. Ongoing research on ZBP1 is being refined across various disease models, and these advancements may provide novel insights for studies focusing on PCD, potentially leading to new therapeutic options for related diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of a zero-profile three-dimensiaonal (3D)-printed microporous titanium alloy Cage and a conventional titanium plate combined with a polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK)-Cage in the treatment of single-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: The clinical data of 83 patients with single-segment CSM treated with ACDF between January 2022 and January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into 3D-ZP group (35 cases, using zero-profile 3D-printed microporous titanium alloy Cage) and CP group (48 cases, using titanium plate in combination with PEEK-Cage). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, surgical intervertebral space, and preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, neck disability index (NDI), vertebral height at the fusion segment, Cobb angle, and other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, complications, interbody fusion, and prosthesis subsidence were recorded and compared between the two groups. VAS score, NDI, and JOA score were used to evaluate the improvement of pain and function before operation, at 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up, and the vertebral height at the fusion segment and Cobb angle were measured by imaging. The degree of dysphagia was assessed by the Bazaz dysphagia scale at 1 week and at last follow-up. RESULTS: The operation was successfully completed in all the 83 patients. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05), but the operation time in the 3D-ZP group was significantly shorter than that in the CP group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 24-35 months, with an average of 25.3 months, and there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence and grade of dysphagia in CP group were significantly higher than those in 3D-ZP group at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up (P<0.05). There was no dysphagia in 3D-ZP group at last follow-up. There was no complication such as implant breakage or displacement in both groups. The intervertebral fusion rates of 3D-ZP group and CP group were 65.71% (23/35) and 60.42% (29/48) respectively at 3 months after operation, and there was no significant difference between the two groups [OR (95%CI)=1.256 (0.507, 3.109), P=0.622]. The JOA score, VAS score, and NDI significantly improved in the 3D-ZP group at 3 months and at last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the improvement rate of JOA between the two groups at last follow-up (P>0.05). At 3 months after operation and at last follow-up, the vertebral height at the fusion segment and Cobb angle significantly improved in both groups, and the two indexes in 3D-ZP group were significantly better than those in CP group (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the incidence of prosthesis subsidence in 3D-ZP group (8.57%) was significantly lower than that in CP group (29.16%) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The application of zero-profile 3D-printed Cage and titanium plate combined with PEEK-Cage in single-segment ACDF can both reconstruct the stability of cervical spine and achieve good effectiveness. Compared with the latter, the application of the former in ACDF can shorten the operation time, reduce the incidence of prosthesis subsidence, and reduce the incidence of dysphagia.
Humans ; Spinal Fusion/instrumentation* ; Titanium ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Diskectomy/instrumentation* ; Bone Plates ; Male ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Benzophenones ; Adult ; Spondylosis/surgery* ; Aged ; Polymers ; Ketones ; Polyethylene Glycols

Objective:To evaluate the consistency of the Chinese three-dimensional anterior visual field analysis system (Scansys), the anterior segment analyzer (Pentacam), the frequency-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography system (CASIA SS-1000), and a new ultra-high frequency digital ultrasound scanning system (Arcscan Insight100) to measure central vault after implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation in myopic eyes with crystalline lenses.Methods:A diagnostic test study was conducted.Fifty-six myopic patients (56 eyes) who underwent ICL V4c implantation from June to December 2019 were included.Scansys, Pentacam, CASIA and Arcscan were used to measure the central vault after surgery.The vault measurements were compared.Correlations between the measurements of the four instruments were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis, and consistency comparisons were analyzed using the Bland-Altman method.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Hospital (No.HNEECKY-2021[13]). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:The central vault measurements by Scansys, Pentacam, CASIA and Arcscan were (481.8±191.6), (476.4±190.6), (619.3±207.5) and (534.0±221.2)μm, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=143.301, P<0.001). The vault measurements by Scansys and Pentacam were significantly lower than CASIA and Arcscan, and Arcscan was lower than CASIA, with statistically significant differences (all at P<0.001). There were strong positive correlations in vault measurements between Arcscan and CASIA, Arcscan and Pentacam, Arcscan and Scansys, CASIA and Pentacam, CASIA and Scansys, Pentacam and Scansys ( r=0.982, 0.933, 0.931, 0.942, 0.941, 0.989; all at P<0.001). Intraclass correlation coefficients of vault measurements by Scansys, Pentacam, CASIA and Arcscan were 0.985, 0.975, 0.998, 0.992, respectively.The 95% limits of agreement of vault measurements differences were -170 to 0, 0 to 280, 0 to 280, -110 to 210, -100 to 220 μm, between CASIA and Arcscan, CASIA and Scansys, CASIA and Pentacam, Arcscan and Scansys, Arcscan and Pentacam, respectively, and the maximum absolute value of the difference was beyond the clinically acceptable range, showing poor agreement.The 95% limits of agreement of vault measurement difference was -60 to 50 μm between Scansys and Pentacam, showing a good agreement. Conclusions:The repeatability of the vault after ICL V4c implantation in myopic eyes measured by the four instruments is good.Among them, the vault measurements of Scansys and Pentacam are smaller, showing good consistency, and their results could be substituted for each other.The measurement of CASIA is the largest, followed by Arcscan, which have a large difference from each other, and their results can not be substituted for each other, which should be comprehensively analyzed with the actual situation in clinical work.

Objective:To investigate the repeatability of corneal topographic parameters with the Pentacam HR in patients with keratoconus of different severity.Methods:A diagnostic test study was performed.A total of 120 eyes from 98 patients with subclinical keratoconus or keratoconus were enrolled at Henan Eye Hospital from January 2019 to March 2022.The patients were divided into subclinical keratoconus group, mild keratoconus group, moderate keratoconus group and severe keratoconus group, with 30 eyes in each group.An additional 30 eyes of 30 subjects undergoing refractive surgery were selected as a control group.Three consecutive Pentacam HR measurements were performed by the same clinician.The recordings included a total of 53 parameters in anterior corneal surface, posterior corneal surface, thickness, composite index, and corneal densitometry.The within-subject standard deviation (Sw), repeatability limit ( r) and tolerance index (TI) were calculated to evaluate the repeatability of the parameters between different groups.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Hospital (No.HNEECKY-2019[5]).All subjects were informed of the purpose and significance of the study and signed an informed consent form before enrollment. Results:Compared with the control group, the TI of the subclinical, mild, moderate and severe keratoconus groups were 54.71%(29/53), 66.04%(35/53), 90.57%(48/53) and 94.34%(50/53), respectively, higher than 0.31.The steep keratometry (Ks), the maximum keratometry (Kmax) of the anterior corneal surface, the anterior corneal radius of curvature, the flat keratometry (Kf) of the posterior corneal surface, the posterior corneal radius of curvature (PRC), the thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), the average densitometry for the anterior 120 μm in the 0-2 mm area (A.0-2 mm), average densitometry for the anterior 120 μm in the 2-6 mm area (A.2-6 mm), average densitometry for the central tissue in the 0-2 mm area (C.2-6 mm), average densitometry for the total cornea in the 0-2 mm area (T.0-2 mm) and average densitometry for the total cornea in the 2-6 mm area (T.2-6 mm) showed good repeatability in the subclinical and mild keratoconus groups (TI<0.31).Kmax Zonal Mean 3 mm, posterior corneal surface mean keratometry, central keratoconus index showed good repeatability in subclinical, mild and moderate keratoconus groups.Kmax Zonal Mean 4 mm and Kmax Zonal Mean 5 mm showed good repeatability in all groups (TI<0.31).Conclusions:For patients with subclinical and mild keratoconus, Kf of the posterior corneal surface, PRC and TCT are recommended to monitor disease progression.To monitor the condition of patients with moderate and severe keratoconus, we may focus on the detection of Kmax Zonal Mean 4 mm and Kmax Zonal Mean 5 mm.

Objective:To evaluate the performance of key performance indicator (KPI) lean teaching management system in clinical medical laboratory.Methods:Combining lean teaching management in universities with KPI system of enterprises, an innovative KPI lean teaching management system was developed and applied in Clinical Medical Laboratory of Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital (GDPH). A total of 106 teachers, who had worked from January 2021 to December 2022 in GDPH, joined this study. Teachers were divided into 8 professional groups. Firstly, we quantified the teaching workload by class hours, evaluated the teaching outcomes base on national, provincial, school, and college levels to assign different teaching points, and linked the teaching KPI scores to the evaluation, salary, and professional title of teachers. Then, we analyzed the overall teaching points and teaching points for each professional group (2021-2022). Finally, we asked teaching managers, teachers, and colleagues to evaluate the KPI lean teaching management system and compared the effects before and after the implementation of this system.Results:Compared with 2021, the teaching scores of 106 teachers increased significantly from 1.0 (0.2, 2.7) to 3.8 (2.3, 6.0) in 2022 ( Z=8.1, P<0.01). The teaching scores of clinical molecules, clinical coagulation, clinical immunology, clinical microbiology, Huifu laboratory, and clinical biochemistry group were significantly higher in 2022 than the scores they got in 2021 (all P<0.05). Compared with 2021, there were 3 new set up of educational reform projects, 2 submitted teaching articles, 3 new competition awards, 7 outstanding teachers, and 5 outstanding students in 2022. After application of KPI lean teaching management, the evaluation scores of teaching work by teaching managers, teachers, and colleagues are all significantly improved ( P<0.05). Conclusion:KPI lean teaching management system could effectively enhance teachers′ work initiative, improve teaching efficiency and outcome, and promote the teaching quality. Therefore, based on the performance of KPI lean teaching management system in our study, it is possible to realize its potential in terms of lean management in clinical medical laboratory.

Objective To identify the key genes and targeted protection methods affecting the survival of human islets. Methods Using bioinformatics method, the gene expression profile (GSE53454) was selected through screening and comparison from Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO) database. GEO2R tool was employed to screen the differentially expressed gene(DEG) between the human islets exposed (exposure group) and non-exposed (non-exposure group) to interleukin (IL)-1β and interferon (IFN)-γ for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed by DAVID. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING and Cytoscape apps. Results A total of 69 up-regulated DEGs and 2 down-regulated DEGs were identified. GO analysis showed that during the biological process, DEGs were enriched in the aspects of virus defense and inflammatory response. In cellular components, DEGs were significantly enriched in extracellular space, outside plasma membrane and extracellular regions. Regarding molecular functions, DEGs were significantly enriched in chemokine activity and cytokine activity. KEGG analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched in multiple signaling pathways, such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, virus protein-cytokine and cytokine-receptor interaction, etc. Ten key genes (STAT1, CXCL10, IRF1, IL6, CXCL9, CCL5, CXCL11, ISG15, CD274, IFIT3) with high connectivity were selected by STRING analysis, all of which were significantly up-regulated in human islets exposed to IL-1β and IFN-γ. Six genes (STAT1, CXCL10, CXCL9, CXCL11, CCL5, IL6) were screened by KEGG enrichment analysis, mainly in Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. Conclusions STAT1, CXCL10, CXCL9, CXCL11, CCL5 and IL6 are the key genes affecting the survival of human islets, which are mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and act as important targets for islet protection.

The modern bio-fermentation industry requires design and creation of efficient microbial cell factories for directed conversion of raw materials to target products. The main criteria for assessing the performance of microbial cell factories are their product synthesis capacity and stability. Due to the deficiencies of plasmids in gene expression such as instability and being easy to lose, integration of genes into chromosome is often a better choice for stable expression in microbial hosts. To this end, chromosomal gene integration technology has received much attention and has developed rapidly. In this review, we summarize the recent research progresses of chromosomal integration of large DNA fragments in microorganisms, illustrate the principles and features of various technologies, highlight the opportunity brought by the CRISPR-associated transposon systems, and prospect future research direction of this technology.
Chromosomes ; Plasmids ; DNA ; Cloning, Molecular ; Fermentation

Objective To evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) coated-islets on instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) after islet transplantation. Methods MSC labeled with tracer and human islets were placed into an ultra-low adsorption cell culture dish, shaken and mixed twice at an interval of 0.5 h, and then incubated at 37 ℃ and 5% CO₂ for 24 h to obtain MSC-coated islets. The coating effect of MSC and in vitro function of the islets were assessed. A blood circulation tube-shaped model was established in vitro. In the blank control group, 0.2 mL of islet culture solution was added. In the islet group, 800 islet equivalent quantity (IEQ) of uncoated islets were supplemented. In the MSC-coated islets group, 800 IEQ of MSC-coated islets were added, and circulated for 60 min at 37 ℃. A portion of 0.5 mL blood sample was taken for routine blood test at 0, 30 and 60 min, respectively. After 60 min circulation, the blood sample was filtered with a 70 μm filter to collect plasma, blood clots and islets. Blood clots and islets were subject to hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical staining. Morphological changes and the aggregation of CD11b-positive cells surrounding the islets were observed. The contents of plasma thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), tissue factor (TF), C3a, C5b-9, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and IL-8 were determined by enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay. Results After 24 h co-incubation, the islets were coated by MSC, with a coating degree of approximately 80%. In the islet and MSC-coated islet group, a large quantity of neutrophils and monocytes were observed surrounding the blood clots and islets, and the quantity of CD11b-positive cells in the MSC-coated islet group was less compared with that in the islet group. After co-incubation with the whole blood for 0, 30 and 60 min, the quantity of platelets, neutrophils and monocytes was declined in the MSC-coated and islet groups, and gradually decreased over time. Compared with the blank control group, the quantity of platelets, monocytes and neutrophils was lower, whereas the TF content was higher in the MSC-coated islet group. Compared with the islet group, the quantity of platelets, monocytes and neutrophils was higher, whereas the TAT and TF contents were less in the MSC-coated islet group, the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the expression levels of C3a, C5b-9, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8 were up-regulated in the MSC-coated islet group. Compared with the islet group, the expression levels of C3a, C5b-9, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8 and MCP-1 were down-regulated in the MSC-coated islet group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusions MSC-coated islets may reduce the exposure of islet TF in the blood and prevent the incidence of IBMIR during the coagulation response stage, thereby mitigating the injury and loss of islet allograft in the early stage of islet transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with keratoconus, and to explore the factors influencing keratoconus severity.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed.A total of 908 patients (1 476 eyes) with primary keratoconus were enrolled in Henan Eye Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021.The medical history data of patients were collected by face-to-face questionnaire survey.Refractive parameters were measured by subjective optometry.Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by a non-contact tonometer, and corrected IOP was calculated by Dresden formula.Corneal topography parameters was obtained using Pentacam HR.The subgroup analysis of clinical characteristics of all patients was performed by age (<21 years, 21~<31 years, ≥31 years) and gender.Disease severity was graded based on steep keratometry (Ks), namely mild (Ks<48 D), moderate (48 D≤Ks<55 D) and severe (Ks≥55 D). The influencing factors of disease severity in keratoconus were analyzed by ordered Logistic regression.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Hospital (No.HNEECKY-2019[5]). All subjects or guardians were informed of the purpose and significance of the study and written informed consent was obtained.Results:Of the 908 patients, 622 were with bilateral keratoconus and 286 were with unilateral keratoconus.The median age of onset was 20(17, 26) years, and the median age of diagnosis was 21(18, 27) years.The ratio of males to females was 3.05∶1.There were 9.80%(89/908) of the patients having a history of allergy, 25.55%(232/908) having a history of other systemic diseases, and 1.98%(18/908) having a family history of keratoconus.Of the 1 476 affected eyes, 27.57%(407/1 476) were diagnosed as severe keratoconus, and 61.94%(568/917) had a history of eye rubbing.The medians of sphericity, cylindricity, IOP, corrected IOP, Ks, thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), anterior corneal surface elevation (AE) and posterior corneal surface elevation (PE) were -4.00(-7.00, -1.75)D, -3.50(-6.00, -1.50)D, 12.00(10.30, 13.80)mmHg, 15.40(13.60, 17.00)mmHg, 49.85(46.40, 54.90)D, 460.00(425.00, 490.00)μm, 21.00(13.00, 34.75)μm, 51.00(33.00, 75.00)μm, respectively.The spherical refraction, IOP and corrected IOP were lower and the cylindrical refraction was higher in patients at age <21 years than in patients at age 21~<31 years, and the TCT of patients at age <21 years was higher than that at age ≥31 years, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Compared with female patients, male patients had younger onset age, lower spherical refraction, IOP and corrected IOP, as well as higher cylindrical refraction, AE and PE, showing statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05). The spherical refraction and IOP of male patients were lower than those of female patients at age <21 years, and the cylindrical refraction was higher in males than in females among the patients at age 21~<31 years, and the differences were statistically significant (both at P<0.05). Among the patients with onset age <21 years and diagnosis age <21 years, the ratio of males to females in patients with severe keratoconus was higher than those with mild and moderate disease, and the difference was statistically significant (both at P<0.05). Older age of onset was a protective factor for disease severity in keratoconus (odds ratio=0.981, 95% confidence interval: 0.963~0.999). Conclusions:The younger the onset age of keratoconus patients, the more severe the disease.Among the patients with severe keratoconus, there were more male patients, and males have a younger onset age and severer conditions.It is suggested that early screening of keratoconus in children and adolescents should be strengthened in clinical work, and more active prevention and treatment measures should be taken for younger patients, especially males.

Islet transplantation is one of the effective therapies for diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, multiple issues still exist, such as shortage of donors and adverse reactions caused by long-term use of immunosuppressants, which limit the islet survival post-transplantation. Microencapsulated islet transplantation may overcome these difficulties to certain extent, whereas many factors, such as the destruction of immune isolation microenvironment within the microcapsules and insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients, constrain the application of microencapsulated islet transplantation in clinical practice. In recent years, how to enhance the effect of microencapsulated islet transplantation has been gradually studied. The application of stem cells in microencapsulated islet transplantation has steadily become a research hot spot. Therefore, the optimizing strategies for microencapsulated islet transplantation and the application of stem cells in microencapsulated islet transplantation were reviewed, and the potential improvement techniques of microencapsulated islet transplantation were investigated in this article, aiming to provide reference for further clinical application of microencapsulated islet transplantation.