OBJECTIVES: To investigate the causal associations between autoimmune diseases and aplastic anemia (AA) using Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS: Publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were utilized to obtain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with autoimmune diseases and AA for analysis. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was employed as the primary analytical approach, with MR Egger, Weighted Mode, Weighted Median, and Simple Mode methods serving as complementary analyses. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy analyses were conducted using designated functions, and the robustness of Mendelian randomization results was assessed using leave-one-out analysis. RESULTS: The two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis using the IVW method revealed significant positive causal associations of rheumatoid arthritis (OR=1.094, 95% CI: 1.023-1.170, P=0.009, adjusted P=0.042), systemic lupus erythematosus (OR=1.111, 95% CI: 1.021-1.208, P=0.015, adjusted P=0.036), Hashimoto thyroiditis (OR=1.206, 95% CI: 1.049-1.387, P=0.009, adjusted P=0.029), and Sicca syndrome (OR=1.173, 95% CI: 1.054-1.306, P=0.004, adjusted P=0.035) with AA, which was supported by the results from the Weighted Median method. Sensitivity analyses indicated no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity, and leave-one-out analysis confirmed the robustness of the causal relationships. No direct evidence was found linking Graves' disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, or primary sclerosing cholangitis with AA (P>0.05, adjusted P>0.05), indicating a lack of causal association. Reverse Mendelian randomization results and multiple corrections indicated that AA was not an influencing factor for autoimmune diseases (adjusted P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our findings support at the genetic level that rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and Sicca syndrome are risk factors for AA, and confirm a causal association of the these 4 autoimmune diseases with an increased risk of AA.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Anemia, Aplastic/genetics* ; Autoimmune Diseases/complications* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics* ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease

Objective:To investigate the incidence of abnormal bone mineral density (BMD) in male patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.Methods:Clinical data of 72 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis admitted in Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2017 to July 2023 were enrolled as study group, and 40 age-and BMI-matched non-hepatopathy subjects were selected as control group.The incidence of abnormal BMD were compared between two groups. The serum levels of osteocalcin (OC), total procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (TP1NP), β-C-terminal telopeptide of typeⅠcollagen (CTX) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25-(OH)VD] were measured and compared among patients with different Child-Pugh grades.Results:Among 72 alcoholic cirrhosis patients, there were 54 cases (75.0%) complicated with abnormal BMD, including 21 cases (29.2%) of bone loss and 33 cases (45.8%) of osteoporosis. In control group there were 15 subjects with abnormal bone mineral density, including 9 cases (22.5%) of bone loss and 6 cases (15.0%) of osteoporosis( χ2=5.623 and 15.900,both P<0.05). The average BMDs of L1-L4, femoral neck, intertrochanteric region and trochanter of the femur in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis were significantly lower than those in control group ( t=3.574, 8.640, 7.282, 7.958, 3.755, 5.573, 5.026,all P<0.05); the average BWDs of L1-L3 and hip joint in patients with Child-Pugh C were significantly lower than those in patients with Child-Pugh A and B ( t=1.414, 1.699, 3.786, 2.590, 8.763, 2.581, 1.392, 6.232,all P<0.05). The serum levels of 25-(OH)VD in alcoholic cirrhosis patients with Child-Pugh C grade were significantly lower than those with Child-Pugh A and B ( t=3.969 and 2.911, P<0.05); the serum calcium levels in patients with Child-Pugh C grade were lower than those with Child-Pugh A( t=3.627, P<0.05); while the TP1NP levels in patients with Child-Pugh C were higher than those with Child-Pugh A and B grades( t=6.722 and 5.034, P<0.05).The Child-Pugh grade was negatively correlated with 25-(OH)VD level( β=-0.767, P<0.05)and positively correlated with TP1NP level ( β=2.186, P<0.05). Conclusion:The incidence of bone loss and osteoporosis in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis is increased significantly, and the deterioration of their liver function is closely associated with an increased TP1NP level and decreased 25-(OH)VD levels.

Objective:To explore the pregnancy outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)/rescure-ICSI (Re-ICSI) patients with gear-like transparent dense zona pellucida and small perivitelline oocytes.Methods:Totally 6 couples with abnormal zona pellucida came to the Reproductive Medicine Center of Shijiazhuang the Fourth Hospital from January 2015 to June 2020 were retrospectively case control analyzed. A total of 8 cycles had zona pellucida abnormalities, of which 5 couples, the proportion of M I oocytes was ≥50% (part oocytes M I arrest) in 6 cycles and 1 couple (2 cycles) was all oocytes M I arrest. ICSI or in vitro fertilization (IVF) short-term fertilization was performed on M II oocytes with abnormal zona pellucida in controlled superovulation, IVF short-time fertilization failed completely, and Re-ICSI was performed. M I oocytes were performed ICSI/Re-ICSI simultaneously. The ICSI/Re-ICSI fertilization rate, degeneration rate, cleavage rate, high-quality embryo rate and blastocyst rate were compared between the two groups of M II oocytes and M I oocytes, as well as all oocytes M I arrest and part oocytes M I arrest groups, respectively. Results:Totally 37 M II oocytes and 65 M I oocytes underwent ICSI/Re-ICSI. M I oocytes fertilization and 2PN fertilization rates were lower than M II oocytes [46.2%(30/65) vs. 89.2% (33/37); 32.3% (21/65) vs. 83.8% (31/37), all P<0.001]. Both groups had high-quality embryos and blastocyst formation. Compared with part oocytes M I arrest and all oocytes M I arrest, there was no statistical difference in fertilization rate, degeneration rate, high-quality embryo rate and blastocyst formation rate between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:ICSI/Re-ICSI for patients with abnormal zona pellucida with a high proportion of M I oocytes can increase the patients' oocytes utilization rate and available embryos.

Objective:To explore the pregnancy outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)/rescure-ICSI (Re-ICSI) patients with gear-like transparent dense zona pellucida and small perivitelline oocytes.Methods:Totally 6 couples with abnormal zona pellucida came to the Reproductive Medicine Center of Shijiazhuang the Fourth Hospital from January 2015 to June 2020 were retrospectively case control analyzed. A total of 8 cycles had zona pellucida abnormalities, of which 5 couples, the proportion of M I oocytes was ≥50% (part oocytes M I arrest) in 6 cycles and 1 couple (2 cycles) was all oocytes M I arrest. ICSI or in vitro fertilization (IVF) short-term fertilization was performed on M II oocytes with abnormal zona pellucida in controlled superovulation, IVF short-time fertilization failed completely, and Re-ICSI was performed. M I oocytes were performed ICSI/Re-ICSI simultaneously. The ICSI/Re-ICSI fertilization rate, degeneration rate, cleavage rate, high-quality embryo rate and blastocyst rate were compared between the two groups of M II oocytes and M I oocytes, as well as all oocytes M I arrest and part oocytes M I arrest groups, respectively. Results:Totally 37 M II oocytes and 65 M I oocytes underwent ICSI/Re-ICSI. M I oocytes fertilization and 2PN fertilization rates were lower than M II oocytes [46.2%(30/65) vs. 89.2% (33/37); 32.3% (21/65) vs. 83.8% (31/37), all P<0.001]. Both groups had high-quality embryos and blastocyst formation. Compared with part oocytes M I arrest and all oocytes M I arrest, there was no statistical difference in fertilization rate, degeneration rate, high-quality embryo rate and blastocyst formation rate between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:ICSI/Re-ICSI for patients with abnormal zona pellucida with a high proportion of M I oocytes can increase the patients' oocytes utilization rate and available embryos.

Objective:To analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of elderly inpatients with osteoporotic femoral neck fractures(OFNF).Methods:Clinical data of 1 227 patients with OFNF treated at the department of orthopedics of Beijing Hospital from January 2010 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively, including 377 male and 850 female patients.Ten-year trends in the OFNF constituent ratio, patient age, average length of stay and hospitalization expenses were examined, and differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between different genders were analyzed.Results:From 2010 to 2017, the constituent ratio of OFNF patients increased each year, and the number of OFNF patients decreased slightly in 2018 and 2019.The age of onset in both male and female patients was the highest at the ages of 80-89(46.8% or 574/1 227). In the distribution of educational level, people with no education made up the highest proportion(36.7% or 450/1 227). The seasonal distribution of the disease was the highest in autumn(27.8% or 341/1 227). The constituent ratio of urban areas was higher than that of rural areas(54.6% or 670/1 227 vs.45.4% or 557/1 227). In the distribution of fracture types, the constituent ratio of 31-B2 fractures was the highest in both male and female patients.Of the causes of injury, the constituent ratio of falls and indoor activities was the highest.Hypertension, spinal degenerative diseases and knee and hip osteoarthritis ranked in the top three of concomitant diseases.The constituent ratio of previous fractures in females was significantly higher than that in males.In the past ten years, the average hospitalization length of OFNF patients showed a downward trend, and the change in average hospitalization cost showed abrupt fluctuations.From 2009 to 2016, the hospitalization cost showed an upward trend, with the highest in 2016, and then decreased year by year. Conclusions:In the past ten years, the number and constituent ratio of OFNF patients increased steadily in the first eight years, but decreased slightly or reached a plateau in the past two years.The education level, history of bone fractures, hypertension, spinal degenerative diseases and knee and hip osteoarthritis of OFNF patients were correlated with sex, while age distribution, seasonal distribution, urban and rural distribution, cause of injury, fracture classification and other concomitant diseases were not correlated with sex.In the past ten years, the average hospitalization length of OFNF patients trended downward, the average hospitalization cost showed an upward trend from 2009 to 2016, and decreased year by year after 2016.The medical policy reform in 2016 played a significant role in controlling medical expenses.

Objective:To compare the minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MTLIF) with open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (OTLIF) in treatment of lumbar degenerative disease.Methods:Clinical data of 63 patients with single segment lumbar degenerative disease treated in Department of Orthopedics of Beijing Hospital from November 2015 to September 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, among whom 30 cases received MTLIF and 33 cases received OTLIF. The operative time, intraoperative X-ray exposure times, intraoperative blood lose, postoperative drainage,perioperative fever, adjacent segment degeneration, loosening of internal fixation and cage collapse were observed in two groups 4 years after operation, and the visual analog scale (VAS) score of the lower back and the leg, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score were compared between two groups.Results:The operation time [(191.6±50.5) min] and radiation exposure times [(15.5±6.4) times] in MTLIF group were significantly more than those in OTLIF group [(105.8±23.1) min, (7.2±1.4)times, t=17.210, t=10.850,all P<0.01]. The intraoperative blood loss [(150.4±70.4) ml], postoperative drainage [(90.4±30.7)ml], VAS score (2.4±0.7) and ODI score (24.5±3.7) 2 weeks after surgery in MTLIF group were significantly lower than those in OTLIF group [(250.7±43.9)ml,(216.3±67.8)ml,(4.5±1.6),(30.6±4.6), t=-12.830, t=-14.070, t=-6.890, t=-5.805,all P<0.01]. There were no significant differences in the incidence of fever [1 case(3.3%) vs. 4 cases(12.1%),χ2=-1.661, P=0.20], VAS score[(1.2±0.7) vs. (1.3±0.6), t=-0.628, P=0.53], ODI score[(14.2±2.7) vs. (14.7±2.5), t=-0.756, P=0.45], fusion rate of Bridwell grade Ⅰ [86.7%(26/30) vs. 84.8%(28/33),χ2=0.042, P=0.84] 1 year after surgery; and the adjacent segment degeneration [0 case(0) vs. 1 case(3.0%),χ2=0.924, P=0.34], internal fixation loosening [1 case(3.3%) vs. 1 case(3.0%),χ2=0.005, P= 0.95] and cage collapse 4 years after surgery [1 case(3.3%) vs. 1case(3.0%),χ2=0.005, P=0.95] between MTLIF group and OTLIF group. Conclusion:Compared with OTLIF, MTLIF has longer operation time and more radiation exposure, but it can achieve full decompression, the same fusion rate, less bleeding, less trauma, faster recovery, fewer complications and satisfactory long-term effect.

Objective To identify the common Sarcophagidae species of necrophagous flies in Luoyang by DNA barcoding and 28S ribosomal RNA(28S rRNA) gene and evaluate its effectiveness for forensic practice. Methods Eighteen Sarcosaprophagous flies were collected and classified by entomologists with traditional morphological characteristics. The DNA of flies was extracted with Chelex-100 method. The fragments of mitochondrial cytochromec oxidase subunit I (COI) and 28S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced. Twenty corresponding species (China and South Korea) were loaded from Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) and added to the alignment. All the sequences were analyzed by MEGA 7.0 software package for nucleotide composition, genetic distance computation and phylogenetic tree construction. Results Eighteen Sarcosaprophagous flies were classified into 5 species of 3 genera. The result of amplification with 18 samples showed that length of the obtained COI and 28S rRNA gene sequences were 646bp and 721bp, respectively. And the result of alignment on BLAST online showed that index of similarity of the same species was above 99%. The thirty-eight COI sequences of Sarcosaprophagous flies were clustered into five groups by a neighbor-joining (NJ) tree on value of Bootstrap 1000. The intraspecific difference in COI was 0 to 0.022 while the interspecific difference ranged from 0.057 to 0.090 excluding Sarcophaga Africa and Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis, which was 0~0.086. The NJ tree of 28S rRNA showed Sarcophaga peregrine and Sarcophaga portschinskyi sequences were obviously clustered into two groups and the others a group. Conclusion For the five sarcophagous flies in this study, the DNA barcoding based on COI gene were able to effectively identify the Sarcophaga peregrine, Sarcophaga dux and Sarcophaga portschinskyi, while 28S rRNA gene can only differentiate Sarcophaga peregrine from others. DNA barcoding based on COI gene and 28S rRNA gene can be used as supplemental molecular markers for identifying these species.

Ultrasonic plane wave imaging is one of the hot topics in the study of ultrasound imaging, but the plane wave ultra-high frequency ultrasound has brought a large amount of data. If these data are transmitted directly through the hardware, it will not only bring a great burden on the hardware, but also put a requirement for the ability of the hardware processing data. In order to reduce the problem caused by the high frame frequency and large amount of data, the data compression methods are used to reduce the amount of data acquisition and transmission. In this paper both lossy compression and lossless compression are studied, where LZW compression algorithm is chosen to test lossless compression effect, and based on the plane wave characteristics, the frequency domain cutting compression algorithm is developed as a lossy compression method. In this paper, the LZW algorithm is implemented in FGPA, and it can achieve a certain compression ratio after testing the ultra sonic simulation data. Under the condition of known fractional bandwidth, it is found that the main bandwidth can be preserved in the spectrum, while the rest of the frequency signal has little effect on the image. By testing the ultrasonic simulation data, the frequency domain cutting algorithm can achieve high compression ratio, and the difference between the original image and the reconstructed image is relatively smal . So from the point of the compression ratio, the frequency domain cutting algorithm is the primary choice of the ultrasonic data compression algorithm.

Breast cancers are the most common malignant tumors in women, and how to use ultrasound to diagnose breast cancers quantitatively is stil an unsolved problem. This paper extracts five elastic features based on the elastography images of the breast tumors, furthers extract four features related to gray co-occurrence matrix to describe the texture of breast masses. we study the application of SVM classifier to classify these features, and uses the consistency, classification accuracy, ROC curve and AUC (area under the curve) to assess the classification results. we used ultrasound imaging technique to colect data from the actual patients, with the data of 195 lesions in 142 patients. Experimental results show that the classification performance of the elastic features is good, and the support vector machine is suitable for breast image classification, and its classification accuracy is high, which provides a good value for diagnosis. Meanwhile, it is found that the extracted features related to gray level co-occurrence matrix have a low diagnostic value.

This study aims to investigate the effects of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) on learning and memory abilities and antioxidant capacity of D-galactose-induced aging mice. Kunming mice (37.1 +/- 0.62) g were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and FGF-21 high, medium and low dose groups (n = 8). Each group was injected in cervical part subcutaneously with D-galactose 180 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) once a day for 8 weeks. At the same time, FGF-21-treated mice were administered with FGF-21 by giving subcutaneous injection in cervical part at the daily doses of 5, 2 and 1 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). The normal control group was given with normal saline by subcutaneous injection in cervical part. At seventh week of the experiment, the learning and memory abilities of mice were determined by water maze and jumping stand tests. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed and the cells damage of hippocampus was observed by HE staining in each group. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the brain of mice were determined. The results showed that different doses of FGF-21 could reduce the time reaching the end (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and the number of touching blind side (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) in the water maze comparing with the model group. It could also prolong the latency time (P < 0.05) and decrease the number of errors (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) in the step down test. The result of HE staining showed that FGF-21 could significantly reduce brain cell damage in the hippocampus. The ROS and MDA levels of three different doses FGF-21 treatment group reduced significantly than that of the model group [(5.58 +/- 1.07), (7.78 +/- 1.92), (9.03 +/- 1.77) vs (12.75 +/- 2.02) pmol (DCF) x min(-1) x mg(-1), P < 0.01 or P < 0.05], [(2.92 +/- 0.71), (4.21 +/- 0.81), (4.41 +/- 0.97) vs (5.62 +/- 0.63) nmol x mg(-1) (protein), P < 0.01]. Comparing with the model group, the activities of SOD, GPx, CAT and T-AOC of the three different doses FGF-21 treatment groups were also improved in a dose-dependent manner. This study demonstrates that FGF-21 can ameliorate learning and memory abilities of D-galactose induced aging mice, improve the antioxidant abilities in brain tissue and delay brain aging. This finding provides a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF-21 as a novel therapeutics for preventing aging.