Human beings are inevitably exposed to toxic substances as a result of influences of potential contamination factors in the environment,food and medicines,which poses a threat to human health.In order to effectively screen and prevent the exposure or intake of such substances,it is neces-sary to develop in vitro assays for the detection and toxicity evaluation of toxic substances.High content screening(HCS)has been recognized as an important tool for toxicity testing and risk assessment of compounds due to its high throughput and automation advantages,and has been widely used in in vitro toxicology research.In this review,we described the system components of HCS and its workflow in toxicity screening and toxicity evaluation by focusing on cases of their application in toxicity detection and evaluation studies,including the cytotoxicity,hepatotoxicity,nephrotoxicity,genotoxicity,neurotox-icity,cardiotoxicity,and developmental toxicity.In addition,the applications and developments of machine learning in HCS were explored,especially to the advantages of supervised and unsupervised machine learning strategies for high throughput image screening and data analysis.Finally,the future applications of HCS in toxicity screening and evaluation are outlined,especially in terms of binding new models and gene editing technology.

Objective: This study’s objective is to assess the efficacy and safety of Pulsed Magnetic Therapy System (PMTS) in improving insomnia disorder. Methods: Participants with insomnia disorder were randomly assigned to receive either PMTS or sham treatment for four weeks (n= 153; PMTS: 76, sham: 77). Primary outcomes are the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores at week 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3, 4 (treatment), and 5 (follow-up). Secondary outcomes are the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at baseline and week 4, and weekly sleep diary-derived values for sleep latency, sleep efficiency, real sleep time, waking after sleep onset, and sleep duration. Results: The ISI scores of the PMTS group and the sham group were 7.13±0.50, 11.07±0.51 at week 4, respectively. There was a significant group×time interaction for ISI (F3.214, 485.271=24.25, p<0.001, ηp 2=0.138). Only the PMTS group experienced continuous improvement throughout the study; in contrast, the sham group only experienced a modest improvement after the first week of therapy. At the end of the treatment and one week after it, the response of the PMTS group were 69.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58.6%–79.0%), 75.0% (95% CI: 64.1%–83.4%), respectively, which were higher than the response of the sham group (p<0.001). For each of the secondary outcomes, similar group×time interactions were discovered. The effects of the treatment persisted for at least a week. Conclusion PMTS is safe and effective in improving insomnia disorders.

Objective:To analyze the ideal entry parameters and entry points for C 7 pedicle screws based on three-dimensional CT reconstruction model. Methods:A retrospective case series study was used to analyze the cervical spine CT image data of 50 adult volunteers collected from April 2021 to March 2022 at Taizhou People′s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, including 25 males and 25 females; aged 20-67 years [(43.8±13.5)years]. No significant structural abnormalities were seen in the cervicothorax of all volunteers. First, the 50 CT images were imported into the medical engineering software Mimics 17.0 to reconstruct the three-dimensional C 7 model, and the C 7 pedicle screw diameter (PSD), pedicle screw length (PSL), sagittal angle (SA) and lateral angle (LA) were measured. Then, the anatomical markers, namely the lateral notch and the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process, were used to measure the horizontal distance between the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process and the ideal entry point (line segment A), and the horizontal and vertical distances between the lateral notch and the ideal entry point (line segments B and C). Finally, the lateral notch and the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process were used as markers to observe the distribution of entry points. The values of the above measured parameters were recorded and compared with each other to analyze the differences between different sides and genders. Intra-group correlation coefficients (ICC) were also used to assess intra- and inter-observer agreement. Results:All 100 pedicles from 50 C 7 models were accessed, with the PSD being (6.5±0.7)mm, PSL being (31.8±4.5)mm, SA being (89.8±8.8)°, LA being (31.0±6.7)°, line segment A being 0.9(-0.4, 2.1) mm, line segment B being (5.8±1.7)mm, and line segment C being (3.6±1.5)mm. All ideal entry points were located medial above the lateral notch; moreover, with the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process as a reference, 71 (71%) of the entry points were located laterally and 29 (29%) were located medially. The 12 mm area around the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process was divided into 6 sections, with 47% of the entry points being located within 2 mm lateral to the midpoint, 25% within 2 mm medial to the midpoint, 19% within 2-4 mm lateral to the midpoint, and only 9% within 50% lateral to the midpoint. The measured parameters were not significantly different between the left and right sides (all P>0.05). The PSD, SA, and line segment B in males were (6.8±0.7)mm, (92.0±8.2)°, and (6.3±1.6)mm, which were significantly greater than those in females [(6.2±0.6)mm, (87.5±8.0)°, and (5.3±1.6)mm] (all P<0.01). The remaining parameters were similar between two genders (all P>0.05). All measured parameters had high intra- and inter-observer agreement (ICC: 0.84-0.91), except for line segment A that had moderate intra- and inter-observer agreement (ICC: 0.46-0.63). Conclusions:For C 7 pedicle screw implantation, when the surface of the lateral mass is used as the reference plane, SA is approximately 90°; with reference to the lateral notch, all the ideal entry points are located medially above it; with reference to the midpoint of the inferior edge of the C 6 articular process, approximately 70% of the entry points are located laterally. There are no significant differences in the parameters between the different sides of screw implantation on pedicles. The measured parameters show high intra- and inter-observer agreement, except for line segment A.

Periodontitis is a chronic periodontal disease with a high incidence, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered to be a chronic airway inflammatory disease. In recent years, many studies have observed that there is a potential relationship between periodontitis and COPD. The periodontal condition of patients with COPD is relatively poor, and the composition of their oral microbiome is different from that of healthy people. The inflammation “spillage”and hypoxia may induce the occurrence and development of periodontal disease. At the same time, the risk of COPD in periodontitis patients may be related to the inhalation of periodontal pathogens and inflammatory factors. Regular periodontal sequence therapy can reduce the risk of acute exacerbation of the disease to a certain extent. Since periodontitis and COPD are both chronic progressive diseases characterized by chronic inflammation and accompanied by proteolytic destruction of connective tissue, they may share a common pathophysiological process and may be intrinsically linked. This article reviews the latest research progress on the relationship between chronic periodontitis and COPD, and possible interaction mechanism, in order to provide insight for further study on the interaction between the two conditions.

Two cases of pregnant women with lumbar disc herniation causing neurologic deficits are reported. The first case received percutaneous endoscopic discectomy following the cesarean section; and the second case underwent micro-discectomy in the left lateral position under local anesthesia at 23-week gestation. After surgery, satisfactory outcomes were obtained in both cases. The management of these two cases indicates that the disc surgery is a safe procedure for patients during pregnancy.

Trichuris suis infection in pigs is ubiquitous in intensive and extensive farms, which causes potential threat to human health. The objective of this research was to investigate the prevalence of T. suis in pigs in Hunan province. Total 2,267 fresh fecal samples distributed in 28 pig farms from 7 different administrative regions (Hunan province) were evaluated for the existence of T. suis eggs using saturated NaCl floating method. The average infection rate of T. suis in pigs was 8.91% in Hunan province. To determine genetic variation of the gained T. suis isolates in the present study, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions from nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of 7 T. suis isolates were cloned and analyzed. Nucleotide diversities were 1.0–3.5% and 0–3.8% for ITS-1 and ITS-2, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that all isolates collected in the present study and T. suis available in Genbank generated a monophyletic clade. The present investigation revealed high infection rates of T. suis in pigs in Hunan province, which shed light on making effective measures to prevent and control T. suis infection in pigs in Hunan province.
Agriculture ; China ; Clone Cells ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Eggs ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Methods ; Ovum ; Prevalence ; Swine ; Trichuris

Objective To observe the correlation between CD4+ CD29+ T cells and metastasis and radiotherapy for patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Method Seventy-one patients with lung adenocarcinoma, 93 patients with lung adenocarcinoma ,76 cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),63 cases of healthy volunteers were enrolled. Frequencies of blood CD4+ CD29+ T cells and their intracellular necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)and interleukin 1(IL-1)were compared. Compare TNF-α,IL-1,integrin beta 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)levels in the patients with transferred pulmonary adenocarcinoma or with non-transferred pulmonary adenocarcinoma and their changes with the treatment of radiotherapy. Results the patients with lung adenocarcinoma and non lung adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than that of COPD and health group,and patients with lung adenocarcinoma is significantly higher than patients with non lung adenocarcinoma (P<0.05);Integrin beta 1,VEGF and CD4+CD29+T cells,TNF-αand IL-1 level in patients with lung adeno-carcinoma metastasis were significantly higher than non-transferred group(P < 0.05);After radiotherapy,CD4+CD29+T cells,TNF-αand IL-1 in patients with lung adenocarcinoma were significantly lower than before(P<0.05);CD4+ CD29+ T cells,TNF alpha and IL-1 with integrin beta 1 and VEGF had significantly positive correlations. Conclusion CD4+CD29+T cells and cytokines increase significantly in the blood of patients with lung adenocarci-noma,and are related to the prognosis of metastasis and radiation therapy,which has important clinical significance.

Background and objective Lung cancer is the leading cancer-related death worldwide.Patients with lung cancer mainly died of tumor metastasis and invasion.Protein kinase CK2 is an ubiquitous sefine/threonine protein kinase and is frequently upregulated in various human tumors.This study aims to explore the effect and molecular mechanism of the invasion and migration of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells after knock-down of CK2α expression.Methods The pSilencerTM 4.1-siCK2α-eGFP oflentiviral-me-diated shRNA was constructed.The expression of CK2α was knock-downed,and a stable A549 cell line was established.The invasion and migration ofA549 cell line was detected through Transwell and Boyden chamber assays.The protein expression of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (EMT) was evaluated using Westem blot analysis.Results The invasion and migration of A549 cells were significantly inhibited after the knockdown of CK2α expression compared with that in the control group,p-PTEN,Akt,p-Akt473,p-Akt308,p-PDK1,p-c-Raf,and p-GSK-3β were significantly downregnlated,whereas PTEN was upregulated.Moreover,vimentin,β-catenin,Snail,MMP2,and MMP9 were significantly downregnlated after reducing the CK2α expression.Conclusion CK2α might regulate the invasion and migration of A549 cells through the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway,which controls EMT in lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo analyze and summarize the clinical features and experience in surgical treatment of deep sternal infection (DSWI).

METHODSThis was a retrospective study. From January 2008 to December 2013, 189 patients with secondary DSWI after cardiac surgery underwent the pectoralis major muscle flap transposition in our department. There were 116 male and 73 female patients. The mean age was (54 ± 21) years, the body mass index was (26. 1 ± 1. 3) kg/m2. The incidence of postoperation DSWI were after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 93 patients, after other heart surgery plus CABG in 13 patients, after valve surgery in 47 patients, after thoracic aortic surgery in 16 patients, after congenital heart disease in 18 patients, and after cardiac injury in 2 patients. Clean patients' wound and extract secretions, clear the infection thoroughly by surgery and select antibiotics based on susceptibility results, and then repair the wound with appropriate muscle flap, place drain tube with negative pressure. Of all the 189 patients, 184 used isolate pectoralis, 1 used isolate rectus, and 4 used pectoralis plus rectus.

RESULTSThe operative wounds of 179 patients were primary healing (94. 7%). Hospital discharge was postponed by 1 week for 7 patients, due to subcutaneous wound infection. Subcutaneous wound infection occurred again in 8 patients 1 week after hospital discharge, and their wounds healed after wound dressing. Nine patients (4. 7%) did not recover, due to residue of the sequestrum and costal chondritis, whom were later cured by undergoing a second treatment of debridement and pectoralis major muscle flap transposition. Eight patients died, in which 2 died of respiratory failure, 2 died of bacterial endocarditis with septicemia, 2 died of renal failure, 1 died of intraoperative bleeding leading to brain death and the 1 died of heart failure. The mortality rate was 4. 2% . The average length of postoperative hospital stay was (14 ± 5) days. The longest postoperative follow-up period was 40 months, the median time was 26 months, the follow-up rate was 83. 9% . Totally 179 patients were no-reinfected, 2 patients were reinfected because of artificial vascular rejection.

CONCLUSIONTo perform surgical debridement and then reconstruct the sternal defect with pectoralis major muscle flap actively for the patient is an effective measure to improve patient's survival rate.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Debridement ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pectoralis Muscles ; transplantation ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Sternum ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Surgical Wound Infection ; surgery ; Wound Healing

Background and objectiveLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and metastasis is the major cause of death in lung cancer patients. MiR-373 is closely associated with invasion and metastasis in other tumor cells. hTis study explored the expression of miR-373-3p in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its effect on the invasive and metastatic capabilities of lung adenocarcinoma cells, as well as their mechanisms of action.MethodshTe expression of miR-373-3p in NSCLC tissues and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines was detected by quantitative reverse transcrip-tion polymerase chain reaction. hTe roles of miR-373-3p in regulating lung adenocarcinoma cell invasion and metastatic prop-erties were analyzed with miR-373-3p mimic/inhibitor-transfected cells via Transwell chamber assay. Matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9 and MMP-14 protein levels were detected by Western blot in lung cancer cells atfer transfection.Results MiR-373-3p was upregulated in 51 NSCLC tissues and 5 NSCLC cell lines. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies showed that overexpression of miR-373-3p promoted H1299 cell migration and invasion, which resulted in upregulation of MMP-9 and MMP-14. By contrast, miR-373-3p knockdown inhibited these processes in A549 cells and downregulated the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-14.ConclusionOur results demonstrated that miR-373-3p participated in the invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells, partly by upregulation of MMP-9 and MMP-14.