AIM: To investigate the changes of retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness, retinal thickness and blood flow density in different stages of diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients based on optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 382 patients(382 eyes)diagnosed with DR in our hospital from February 2023 to February 2024. According to the staging criteria, the patients were divided into mild group(n=121), moderate group(n=133), severe group(n=72), and proliferative group(n=56). The general clinical data of the four groups of patients was compared; OCTA was used to scan and collect data from all patients, and the RNFL thickness, retinal thickness, and blood flow density were compared among the four groups of patients.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and random blood glucose among patients in the mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative groups(all P>0.05). As the stage of DR worsened, the duration of the disease gradually prolonged(P<0.05). The thickness of the RNFL(superior, inferior, temporal, nasal, and average thickness)and retinal thickness significantly increased with the severity of DR(all P<0.001); however, there was no statistically significant difference in inferior RNFL thickness between the moderate and mild groups(P>0.05). The blood flow density in the superficial and deep retinal layers, as well as in the choroidal capillary layer, significantly decreased with the progression of DR(all P<0.05). Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference in superficial retinal blood flow density between the moderate and severe groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: OCTA can accurately observe the changes in RNFL thickness, retinal thickness, and blood flow density in patients with DR at different stages, which can serve as sensitive indicators for monitoring DR progression.

Objective To investigate the effects of galectin-3(Gal3)on skin abscess development and activation of mast cells(MC)in mice infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA).Methods Wild type mice and Gal3-knockout(Gal3-/-)mice,at 6～8 weeks of age,were divided into four groups:Wild type mice+PBS group,Wild type mice+MRSA group,Gal3-/-mice+PBS group,Gal3-/-mice+MRSA group,were subcutaneously injected with MRSA or the same volume of phosphate buffer saline,with five mice per group.The development and pathological changes of skin abscess were monitored and recorded.The bacterial load in skin tissues was compared,and the expression of associated cytokines,degranulation of MC,and the distribution of MC activation marker 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)were detected.Results The skin of Wild type mice showed progressive abscesses after subcutaneous infection with MRSA,but the Gal3-/-mice showed smaller abscess areas.Compared to the Wild type mice+MRSA group,the Gal3-/-mice+MRSA group showed lower bacterial loading in the skin tissues(P＜0.01)and fewer infiltrating inflammatory cells with histopathological observation.The expression of cytokines,including IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-33,TGF-β,and IL-10,were significantly lower in Gal3-/-mice than Wild type mice(P＜0.05).The toluidine blue staining showed a large number of degranulated MCs in the skin tissues of the wild type mice+MRSA group,whereas only a few degranulated MCs were observed in the Gal3-/-mice+MRSA group.It was further found that the expression of 5-HT in Gal3-/-mice+MRSA group was significantly lower than that in wild-type mice+MRSA group with immunohistochemical staining.Conclusion Gal3 deficiency reduced the activation and degranulation of mouse skin MC after MRSA infection,resulting in changes to inflammatory responses and alleviating the severity of skin tissue abscesses.

Objective:To investigate the clinical infection status and trends in drug resistance of a rare pathogen Kluyveromyces marxianus ( Candida kefyr), and to provide experience for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:Morphological and molecular biological identification tests and in vitro microdilution drug susceptibility test were conducted on a Kluyveromyces marxianus strain recently isolated from the midstream urine sample of a patient with urinary calculus in the Fungal Laboratory, Changhai Hospital. The ultrastructural damage of the strain caused by different antifungal drugs was observed by scanning electron microscopy. A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical cases of Kluyveromyces marxianus infection in Changhai Hospital from 2009 to 2021. Results:The isolated strain formed smooth, soft, cheese-like yeast colonies on the Sabouraud′s agar medium, and ovoid or slender spores were observed under the microscope. Morphological analysis, mass spectrometry and sequencing analysis identified the strain as Kluyveromyces marxianus. The drug susceptibility test showed that minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, flucytosine, caspofungin, and micafungin were 0.5, 0.5, 0.03, ≤ 0.03, 0.06, 0.5, ≤ 0.016, and 0.06 μg/ml, respectively. Under the scanning electron microscope, the strain was ovoid to slender before antifungal drug treatment, with a size of (3.0 - 6.5) μm × (5.5 - 11.0) μm; after 24-hour treatment with antifungal drugs at the dose of 1 μg/ml, cell membrane shrinkage was more obvious under the treatment with posaconazole, which exhibited a stronger destructive effect on the strain compared with amphotericin B and voriconazole. From 2009 to 2021, 8 cases of Kluyveromyces marxianus infection were collected, including 6 males and 2 females; the Kluyveromyces marxianus strains were isolated from ascites in 3 cases, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in 1 case, sputum in 2 cases, and midstream urine samples in 2 cases. Conclusion:For suspected Kluyveromyces marxianus infection, it is crucial to determine the pathogenic species as early as possible using various identification methods, and to collect strain as well as evaluate drug susceptibility, which will be beneficial for targeted clinical treatment.

Objective:To assess the clinical value of nomogram based on high resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) features in differentiating moyamoya disease (MMD) from atherosclerotic moyamoya syndrome (A-MMS).Methods:Eighty-four patients with digital subtraction angiography (DSA)-confirmed MMD and 73 patients with DSA-confirmed A-MMS were enrolled from Department of Medical Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from June 2020 to November 2023. All patients underwent HR-VWI. A retrospective analysis was performed on their imaging data. Univariate analysis was used to compare the differences in imaging characteristics between the two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent influencing factors for differentiating MMD from A-MMS and a nomogram was constructed accordingly. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve were used to evaluate the validity and calibration of the nomogram.Results:Univariate analysis showed that age, pattern of vessel wall thickening, maximum vessel wall thickness, enhancement degree of vessel wall, vessel external diameter, ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery involvement and dot sign were statistically different between the two groups ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age ( OR=6.990, 95% CI: 2.340-20.360, P<0.001), pattern of vessel wall thickening ( OR=0.066, 95% CI: 0.014-0.307, P<0.001), vessel external diameter ( OR=5.224, 95% CI: 1.672-16.324, P=0.005), ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery involvement ( OR=0.160, 95% CI: 0.038-0.679, P=0.013) and dot sign ( OR=0.081, 95% CI: 0.018-0.364, P=0.001) were independent influencing factors for differentiating MMD from A-MMS. ROC curve showed that area under the curve (AUC) of this nomogram was 0.884 (95% CI: 0.821-0.947, P<0.001), and the calibration curve showed a good fit between the predicted probability and actual probability. Conclusion:Nomogram based on HR-VWI features can effectively differentiate MMD from A-MMS.

Objective:To screen the characteristic gut microbiota and fecal metabolites related to the efficacy of oxaliplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis, to analyze the relationship between gut microbiota and fecal metabolites, and to evaluate the predictive value of relevant markers for the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis.Methods:This is a case-control study, 34 patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis who were treated in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from October 2021 to July 2022 were selected as the research objects, and were divided into chemotherapy effective group (20 cases) and chemotherapy ineffective group (14 cases) according to the efficacy evaluation criteria. Logistic regression was used to construct a prediction model to screen the microbiota and metabolic markers capable of predicting the effect of chemotherapy, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and survival analysis curve were plotted to evaluate the predictive effect of related microbiota and metabolites on the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Results:There was no significant difference in the α and β diversity of gut microbiota between the patients in the chemotherapy effective group and in the ineffective group (all P>0.05). In terms of species, the relative abundance of 5 species was up-regulated and 10 species were down-regulated in the chemotherapy-effective group compared with the chemotherapy-ineffective group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05), among which Prevotella salivae could effectively predict the chemotherapy effect (AUC=0.750, P=0.007), with a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 71.4%. The overall survival of patients with high abundance (17 cases) was lower than that of patients with low abundance (17 cases) ( χ 2=5.239, P=0.022). In terms of metabolites, 20 metabolites were up-regulated and 4 metabolites were down-regulated in the chemotherapy-effective group compared with the chemotherapy-ineffective group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05), among which threonine and prostaglandin F2α-1-ethanolamide could distinguish between patients who responded to chemotherapy and those who did not respond to chemotherapy (AUC=0.743, 0.707, all P<0.05), and the overall survival of patients with high levels of relative abundance (17 cases) was higher than that of patients with low levels (17 cases) ( χ 2=4.748, 5.407, all P<0.05). The Logistic regression model of Prevotella salivae and prostaglandin F2α-1-ethanolamide was obtained through screening analysis, and the ROC curve results showed that the model had a good predictive value (AUC=0.836, sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity: 78.6%), and the overall survival of patients with high predict probability (17 cases) predicted by the model was higher than that of patients with low predict probability (17 cases) ( χ 2=9.260, P=0.002). Conclusion:Prevotella salivae and prostaglandin F2α-1-ethanolamide can be used as predictive biomarkers of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer liver metastasis, and the model has good clinical reference value for prognosis assessment of patients in this cohort.

Objective To investigate serum levels of soluble apoptosis-related factor ligand(sFasL)and stromal cell derived factor 1(SDF-1)in patients with aplastic anemia(AA)and their correlation with immunosuppressive treatment.Methods Forty-three AA patients who received immunosuppressive therapy for half a year were selected as the observation group,and another 43 healthy subjects at the same period were selected as the control group.Patients in the observation group received immunosuppressive therapy and hematopoietic propoietic therapy,and patients were divided into the ineffective group and the effective group according to the efficacy.Clinical data of patients were collected,and serum levels of sFasL,SDF-1,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-8(IL-8)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The correlation between serum sFasL and SDF-1 levels was analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze influencing factors of immunosuppressive treatment in AA patients.The predictive values of serum sFasL and SDF-1 on immunosuppressive treatment were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Serum levels of sFasL and SDF-1 were higher in the observation group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of TNF-α,IL-8,sFasL and SDF-1 were higher in the ineffective group than those in the effective group(P＜0.05).Serum sFasL level was positively correlated with SDF-1 level in AA patients(r=0.534,P＜0.001).Increased serum sFasL and SDF-1 levels were independent risk factors for ineffective immunosuppressive therapy in AA patients(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum sFasL and SDF-1 combined to predict the immunosuppressive treatment effect of AA patients was 0.973(95%CI:0.872-0.999),which was better than that of single diagnosis(P＜0.05),and its sensitivity and specificity were 94.44%and 96.00%,respectively.Conclusion Serum levels of sFasL and SDF-1 are significantly increased in patients with AA.The combined detection of sFasL and SDF-1 has high predictive value for the immunosuppressive treatment effect of AA.

AIM: To analyze the distribution frequency of gene polymorphisms of β receptor blockers, angiotensin receptor antagonists, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium antagonists, and diuretics in hypertensive patients from southern Anhui province, and provide a theoretical basis for gene detection of hypertension drugs and personalized medication. METHODS: Drug gene testing information from 839 hospitalized patients with hypertension at Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College from July 2021 to April 2023 were collected, and the distribution frequency of each gene locus were analyzed. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of ACE (I/D) I/I, I/D, and D/D were 42.1%, 46.0%, and 11.9%, respectively. the genotype frequencies of ADRB1 (1165G>C) G/G, G/C, and C/C were 8.3%, 40.0%, and 51.6%, respectively. The genotype frequencies of AGTR1 (1166A>C) A/A, A/C, and C/C were 90.2%, 9.8%, and 0.0%. The genotype frequencies of CYP2C9*3 (1075A>C) *1/*1, *1/*3, and *3/*3 were 91.3%, 8.7%, and 0.0%, respectively; the genotype frequencies of CYP2D6* 10 (100C > T) *1/*1, *1/*10, and *10/*10 were 25.0%, 36.6%, and 38.4%, respectively. The genotype frequencies of CYP3A5*3 (6986A>G) *1/*1, *1/*3, and *3/*3 were 7.0%, 39.0%, and 54.0%, respectively. The frequencies of NPPA (2238T>C) T/T, T / C, and C / C genotypes were 97.9%, 2.1%, and 0.0%, respectively. In addition, there was a significant difference in the genotype distribution frequency of multiple drug related gene loci in southern Anhui compared to other regions in China (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The genotype distribution frequency of hypertensive drug related gene loci had certain bias in southern Anhui, and were significant different from other regions in China, indicating that conducting genetic polymorphism testing of hypertensive drugs had certain guiding significance for the individualized application of hypertensive drugs in southern Anhui.

Objective To understand the internal quality control(IQC)situation of routine biochemical projects in Guizhou Province from 2020 to 2022,and to use the analysis batch length sigma rule to select the appropriate IQC strategy for routine biochemical projects.Methods A sum of 41,41 and 52 laboratories were selected from the laboratories participating in the first external quality assessment(EQA)program of the routine biochemical project in the Guizhou Provincial Center for Clinical Laboratory from 2020 to 2022,which uniformly used two concentration levels of internal quality control products produced by Randox Company in the UK.The coefficient of variation(CV)was calculated based on their IQC information,and then these CV values were used to compare with imprecise performance specifications such as WS/T403-2012 standards.The IQC situation of routine biochemical projects of Guizhou Province in recent years was analyzed.Randomly 15 laboratories were selected each year to report the results of the triglyceride project,and their σ values were calculated.Based on the Westgard sigma rule flowcharts of the analysis batch length,appropriate quality control strategies were selected and the quality goal index(QGI)was calculated to evaluate analytical performance of laboratory detection system.Results In the current monthly CV,the proportion of laboratories that met the WS/T403-2012 standards for Ca and TP projects was relatively low,while the pass rates for 7 projects(P,CK,LDH and other projects)were all above 80%,showing an increasing trend year by year.The proportion of laboratories with the 7 projects(P,CK,LDH and other projects)meeting the performance specifications for biomedical variation(appropriate)all reached 90%,while the proportion of laboratories with 5 projects(Na,Ca,Cl and other projects)was relatively low.The proportion of 10 projects such as P,CK,and LDH in cumulative CV of laboratories that met the performance specifications for biomedical variation(appropriate)was over 90%.For the triglyceride project,from 2020 to 2022,there were 2,5 and 13 laboratories that reached 6 σ horizontal.Compared to values of 2020 and 2021 years,the trend of σ values changes of 2022 was increasing(t=3.855,3.511,P≤0.001),indicating that the analytical performance of these laboratories was getting better and better.Conclusion The IQC levels of routine biochemical projects in Guizhou Province were increasing year by year.The Westgard sigma rule of the analysis batch length is designed with personalized quality control rules for various laboratories in Guizhou Province,thus improving laboratory testing capabilities and better severing clinics.

BACKGROUND:Tissue engineering has brought new hope to the clinical challenge of liver failure,and the preparation of plant-derived decellularized fiber scaffolds holds significant importance in liver tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE:To prepare apple tissue decellularized scaffold material by using fresh apple slices and a solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate,and assess its biocompatibility. METHODS:Fresh apples were subjected to decellularization using phosphate buffer saline and sodium dodecyl sulfate solution,separately.Afterwards,the decellularized apple tissues and apple decellularized scaffold materials were decontaminated with phosphate buffer saline.Subsequently,scanning electron microscopy was used to assess the effectiveness of decellularization of the apple materials.Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted from the inguinal fat BALB/C of mice,and their expression of stem cell-related markers(CD45,CD34,CD73,CD90,and CD105)was identified through flow cytometry.The cells were then divided into a scaffold-free control group and a scaffold group.Equal amounts of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were seeded onto both groups.The biocompatibility of the decellularized scaffold with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells was evaluated using CCK-8 assay,hematoxylin-eosin staining,and phalloidine staining.Cell adhesion and growth on the scaffold were observed under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.Furthermore,the scaffold was subdivided into the non-induced group and the hepatogenic-induced group.Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultured on the decellularized apple scaffold,and they were cultured for 14 days in regular culture medium or hepatogenic induction medium for comparison.Immunofluorescent staining using liver cell markers,including albumin,cytokeratin 18,and CYP1A1,was performed.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the secretion of alpha fetoprotein and albumin.Additionally,scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe the morphology of the induced cells on the scaffold,verifying the expression of liver cell-related genes on the decellularized scaffold material.Finally,the cobalt-60 irradiated and sterilized decellularized apple scaffolds were transplanted onto the surface of mouse liver and the degradation of the scaffold was observed by gross observation and hematoxylin-eosin staining after 28 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The scanning electron microscopy results revealed that the decellularized apple scaffold material retained a porous structure of approximately 100 μm in size,with no residual cells observed.(2)Through flow cytometry analysis,the cultured cells were identified as adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.(3)CCK-8 assay results demonstrated that the prepared decellularized apple tissue scaffold material exhibited no cytotoxicity.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and phalloidine staining showed that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were capable of adhering and proliferating on the decellularized apple tissue scaffold.(4)The results obtained from immunofluorescence staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured on the decellularized apple scaffolds exhibited elevated expression of liver-specific proteins,including albumin,alpha-fetoprotein,cytokeratin 18,and CYP1A1.These results suggested that they were induced differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells possessing functional characteristics of liver cells.(5)The decellularized apple scaffold implanted at 7 days has integrated with the liver,with partial degradation of the scaffold observed.By 28 days,the decellularized apple scaffold has completely degraded and has been replaced by newly-formed tissue.(6)The results indicate that the decellularized scaffold material derived from apple tissue demonstrates favorable biocompatibility,promoting the proliferation,adhesion,and hepatic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Objectives:To explore the safety and early effectiveness of decompression under full-endoscope and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar burst fractures.Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients with single-segment thoracolumbar burst fracture treated with spinal canal decompression under full-endoscope and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation from April 2021 to June 2022 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively,including 7 males and 2 females.The age ranged from 23 to 61(39.3±9.1)years old.According to AO classification,there were 6 cases of type A,2 cases of type B and 1 case of type C.Fracture segments were T12 in 2 cases,L1 in 3 cases,L2 in 3 cases,and L3 in 1 case.According to the classification of American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)grading,there were 2 cases of type C,2 cases of type D,and 5 cases of type E.The decompression and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation were operated through the same incision in the injured vertebrae for screw placing.The operation-related indexes and complications were recorded.The patients'low back pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS)score before operation,on 3rd day after operation and at the last follow-up.The sagittal Cobb angle,height ratio of vertebral anterior edge,and the rate of spinal canal occupation were measured on spinal X-ray and CT images,and the recovery of neurological function was evaluated at the last follow-up.Results:All 9 patients successfully completed the operation,and the operative time was 105-145min(1 12.4± 21.2min),bleeding volume was 50-110mL(83.9±19.6mL),and hospitalization time was 7-13d(9.1±1.3d).No serious complications such as wound infection,cerebrospinal fluid leakage,aggravated nerve injury occurred.The follow-up time was 6-13months(8.4±3.9 months),all the fractures healed successfully,and the healing time was 3-6 months(4.7±1.6 months).The VAS score of low back pain on the 3rd day after operation and at final follow-up significantly improved compared with that before operation(P＜0.05),and it was also significantly improved at the last follow-up compared with that on the 3rd day after operation(P＜0.05).The Cobb angle,anterior height ratio of injured vertebrae,and invasion rate of spinal canal were significantly improved compared with those before operation(P＜0.05),respectively,but there was no statistical difference between the last follow-up and postoperative 3d(P＞0.05).One patient recovered from grade C to grade D of ASIA classification,while another three patients with neurological injury recovered completely.Conclusions:Decompression under full-endoscope and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation through the same incision in the injured vertebrae for screw placement in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar burst fractures can obtain effective nerve root and spinal canal decompression,with good correction and small operative trauma,which is a safe and effective option.