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.

Objective: To explore the association between sleep quality, sleep duration with blood pressure in primary and secondary school students with different nutritional status, so as to provide a reference for targeted intervention measures. Methods: By using stratified cluster random sampling method, a total of 10 871 students aged 7 to 18 years were selected from 36 primary and secondary schools in 6 counties of Yangzhou from October to November 2023. Physical examination and questionnaire survey were conducted respectively. Student Health Status and Influencing Factors Questionnaire was used to collected basic information. The overweight/obesity and sleep quality of primary and secondary school students were determined according to the Screening for Overweight and Obesity among School age Children and Adolescents and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale. The χ 2 test was used to compare the prevalence of elevated blood pressure in different groups of primary and secondary school students. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to explore the association between sleep and blood pressure in primary and secondary school students. Results: The prevalence of elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students in Yangzhou was 13.86 %, higher among boys (15.13%) than girls (12.62%) ( χ 2=14.30, P <0.01). The elevated blood pressure rate of obese and overweight primary and secondary school students were 26.98% and 14.90%, respectively, higher than 8.71% of non overweight and obese children ( χ 2=482.58, P <0.01). There were statistically significant differences in elevated blood pressure rate among primary and secondary school students in different sleep quality and sleep duration ( χ 2= 8.45, 71.58, P <0.05). After controlling for gender, residence, educational stage, parental education, sedentary time, the results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that no correlation between sleep quality and elevated blood pressure under different nutritional status was found among primary and secondary school students. In primary and secondary school students with obesity, prevalence of elevated blood pressure was higher among those with sleep duration <8 and 8 to <9 h/d ( OR=1.54, 1.72, P <0.05). However, there was no significant association found in the other groups ( OR=1.04-1.28, P >0.05). In gender stratification, sleep duration < 8, 8 to <9 and 9 to <10 h/d of obese boys were positively correlated with elevated blood pressure ( OR=1.97, 2.09, 1.86, P <0.05). Conclusion Among obese primary and secondary school students, sleep duration <9 h/d is associated with an increased risk of elevated blood pressure, especially among obese boys.

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.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and determinants of comorbid overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students in Yangzhou City, and to explore the association between sleep patterns, eating behavior and the comorbidity of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure, so as to provide reference for developing prevention strategies targeting common comorbidities in students. Methods: By using stratified cluster random sampling, a total of 8 735 primary and secondary school students were selected from 36 schools in six counties of Yangzhou from October to November 2023. Students underwent physical examinations and a questionnaire survey was conducted using the questionnaire on students health status and influencing factors. The Chi square test was used to compare the detection rate of comorbid overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure in different groups of primary and secondary school students. The Logistic regression model was used to explore the association between sleep and dietary behaviors and their combined effects and coexistence. Results: The detection rate of comorbid overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure among primary and secondary school students in Yangzhou was 9.85%, which was higher among boys (12.14%) than girls (7.59%)( χ 2=50.86, P <0.01). After controlling for gender, residence, educational stage, parental education, smoking, drinking, and moderate to vigorous exercise, multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that irregular breakfast consumption and inadequate daily sleep were associated with a higher risk of comorbidities compared with regular breakfast consumption and adequate daily sleep among overall and primary school students (overall: OR =1.52, 95% CI =1.18- 1.96 , primary school students: OR =2.79, 95% CI =1.61-4.82)(both P <0.05). From the perspective of primary school students of different genders, the risk of comorbidities in girls who consumed breakfast irregularly and had inadequate daily sleep was 3.59 times higher than that in girls who consumed breakfast irregularly and had inadequate daily sleep (95% CI =1.65-7.82, P <0.01). Conclusion The sleep patterns and breakfast behaviors of primary and secondary school students are found to be associated with comorbid overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure, especially in primary school girls.

Objective: To analyze the disease burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and changes in its risk factors among residents in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021, so as to identify key priorities for COPD prevention and control. Methods: Data on COPD mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for residents in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Standardized mortality and standardized DALY rate were calculated using the GBD 2021 world population standard structure. Premature mortality was computed via the life table method. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was applied to analyze trends in COPD mortality, DALY rate, and premature mortality. Changes in deaths of COPD risk factors were evaluated using population attributable fraction (PAF). Results: From 1990 to 2021, the standardized COPD mortality in Zhejiang Province decreased from 272.40/100 000 to 70.56/100 000 (AAPC=-4.395%), and the standardized DALY rate declined from 4 167.37/100 000 to 1 071.89/100 000 (AAPC=-4.396%). Similar downward trends were observed in both males (AAPC=-3.933%, -4.173%) and females (AAPC=-4.785%, -4.480%), all P<0.05. Crude mortality and DALY rates increased with age, and the crude mortality and DALY rates of various age groups in Zhejiang Province showed decreasing trends from 1990 to 2021 (all P<0.05). The premature mortality declined from 4.37% to 0.60% from 1990 to 2021 (AAPC=- 6.206%), with consistent trends across males and females (AAPC=- 6.144%, - 6.379%, all P<0.05). From 1990 to 2021, particulate matter pollution showed the largest reduction in PAF (- 56.76%), while ambient ozone pollution had the largest increase (103.07%) in Zhejiang Province. By 2021, smoking became the leading risk factor for deaths of COPD (PAF=43.32%). Conclusions The standardized mortality, standardized DALY rate, and premature mortality for COPD show consistent declining trends in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021. However, risk factors such as smoking and ambient ozone pollution require intensified focus to further reduce disease burden of COPD.

Objective　To investigate the role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) deficiency in the pathogenesis of Exophiala oligosperma (E. oligosperma) infection, a dematiaceous fungus, aiming to provide new insights and evidence for the treatment of dematiaceous fungal infections. Methods　C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice and Csf2 gene knockout (KO) mice (C57BL/6 background) were selected. Using E. oligosperma isolated from patients with caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) gene deficiency, a murine subcutaneous infection model was established to simulate the human infection route. The natural progression of infection in the mice was observed for six weeks, with skin lesion tissues collected at appropriate time points for pathological analysis and monitoring immune responses. Results　Both WT and Csf2 KO mice exhibited spontaneous pathogen clearance and gradual recovery of foot tissue appearance during the progression of infection, with a 100% survival rate at the end of observation. Compared to WT mice, Csf2 KO mice showed reduced footpad swelling at 1 and 2 weeks post-infection (t=4.674, t=5.961, P<0.01). Fungal clearance in Csf2 KO mice was delayed, with fungal colonies still detectable in lesion tissues at week 4, and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive fungal spores observed in histopathological sections. There was no significant difference found in macrophage infiltration between WT and Csf2 KO mice during the early stages of infection (1-2 weeks) (P>0.05), while neutrophil infiltration was significantly reduced in Csf2 KO mice at week 2 (t=3.287, P<0.01). In addition, Csf2 KO mice exhibited lower levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in foot lesion homogenates at week 1 (t=4.686, t=4.102, P<0.05). Conclusions　This study demonstrated that GM-CSF deficiency delays pathogenic fungi clearance, prolongs the disease course and affects early inflammatory cytokine production as well as neutrophil infiltration during the early stages of fungal infections.

Objective:To explore mechanism of regulation of proliferation,migration,invasion and expressions of immune factors of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells by circSKA3/miR-3163/disintegrin-metalloproteinase 9(ADAM9)gene axis.Methods:qRT-PCR was used to detect circSKA3 and miR-3163 expressions in ovarian cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues.Western blot was used to detect ADAM9 protein level in tissues.SKOV3 cells were selected for cell experiment in vitro,and divided into sh-NC group,sh-circSKA3 group,miR-NC group,miR-3163 group,sh-circSKA3+anti-miR-3163 group,sh-circSKA3+pcDNA-ADAM9 group.circSKA3 and miR-3163 expressions in SKOV3 cells were detected by qRT-PCR.CCK-8,scratch test and Transwell were used to detect cell proliferation activity,migration and invasion ability.ELISA was used to detect expressions of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-10.Double luciferase report experiment verified targeting relationship between circSKA3 with miR-3163,miR-3163 and ADAM9.Western blot was used to detect levels of ADAM9,matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and MMP-9 in SKOV3 cells.Results:Com-pared with paracancerous tissues,circ-SKA3 and ADAM9 expressions were increased,and miR-3163 expression was decreased in ovarian cancer tissues(P<0.05).Compared with sh-NC group/miR-NC group,sh-circSKA3 group/miR-3163 group showed decreased cell proliferative activity and healing rate,decreased number of invasive cells,MMP-2,MMP-9 proteins and TNF-α and IL-6 expres-sions were decreased,expression of IL-10 was increased(P<0.05).circSKA3 could targeting regulate expression of miR-3163,and miR-3163 could targeting bind to ADAM9(P<0.05).Compared with sh-circSKA3 group,cell proliferation activity and scratch healing rate in sh-circSKA3+anti-miR-3163 and sh-circSKA3+pcDNA-ADAM9 groups were increased,number of invasive cells was in-creased,MMP-2,MMP-9 protein and TNF-α,IL-6 expressions were increased,while expression of IL-10 was decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Silencing circSKA3 expression can reduce expression of ADAM9 by up-regulating miR-3163 expression,inhibit ovarian cancer cell proliferation,migration and invasion,and regulate immune factor expression.