OBJECTIVE To establish the high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） fingerprint of Sagina japonica ， and to establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker （QAMS） method for simultaneous determination of six componen ts in S. japonica ， aiming to provide references for the quality control of this medicinal herb. METHODS HPLC method was used to establish the fingerprints of 12 batches （No. S1-S12） of S . japonica according to Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine . The similarity evaluation and identification of common peaks were conducted， followed by cluster analysis （CA） and principal component analysis （PCA） for 12 batches of samples. Using vicenin-2 as internal reference， the contents of p-hydroxy cinnamic acid， apigenin-6-C-arabinoside-8-C-glucoside， isoorientin， vitexin and 20-hydroxyecdysone were determined by QAMS method. The results were then compared with those obtained by the external standard method. RESULTS The similarities of HPLC fingerprints for 12 batches of S . japonica ranged from 0.828-0.998. A total of 17 common peaks were calibrated， and 6 common peaks were identified. Specifically， peak 5 was identified as vicenin-2， peak 7 as p-hydroxycinnamic acid， peak 10 as apigenin-6-C-arabinoside-8-C-glucoside， peak 11 as isoorientin， peak 13 as vitexin， and peak 15 as 20-hydroxyecdysone. The results of CA showed that S1-S5， S7 and S9-S11 were clustered into one category， S6 was clustered into one category， and S8 and S12 were clustered into one category. The results of PCA revealed that the accumulative contribution rate of the four main components was 89.430%. The content ranges measured by QAMS method for p-hydroxy cinnamic acid， apigenin-6-C-arabinoside-8-C-glucoside， isoorientin， vitexin and 20-hydroxyecdysone were 0.017 4-0.269 4， 0.568 8-4.240 3， 0.503 2-5.040 3， 0.024 0-0.132 0 and 2.551 3-4.881 1 mg/g， respectively. There was no significant difference in the contents of components measured between QAMS method and the external standard method （ P ＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC fingerprint and QAMS method can be used for quality evaluation and quality control of S . japonica.

AIM: To compare the changes in corneal epithelial thickness(CET)after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK).METHODS: A total of 187 patients(187 eyes)who underwent either SMILE or FS-LASIK at Urumqi Aier Eye Hospital between December 2022 and November 2023 were collected. The patients were divided into SMILE group and FS-LASIK group according to surgical methods. The CET of the patients was measured by optical coherence tomography(OCT)system before surgery and at 1 wk, 1, 3, and 6 mo postoperatively.RESULTS: Changes in corneal epithelial thickness(△CET)in the central, paracentral, and mid-peripheral regions were compared at 6 mo postoperatively. The SMILE group was characterized by the most significant thickening in the central area and the least thickening in the mid-peripheral area; while the FS-LASIK group was characterized by the most significant thickening in the paracentral area and the least thickening in the mid-peripheral region. At 1 wk, 1, 3, and 6 mo postoperatively, within the 0-7 mm corneal area, the △CET for both the SMILE and FS-LASIK groups was correlated with the preoperative spherical equivalent.CONCLUSION: Within 6 mo postoperatively, both SMILE and FS-LASIK showed a similar trend in epithelial thickening but with distinct characteristics. The change in corneal epithelial thickness for both procedures was positively correlated with the preoperative diopter.

Objective:To explore the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and imaging features of children with HRV-associated pneumonia, and to analyze the clinical features and risk factors associated with severe HRV pneumonia, providing references for clinical management.Methods:A single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted, including 1 001 cases of HRV-positive children with pneumonia admitted to the Respiratory Department of the Affiliated Children′s Hospital of Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2019 to December 2023. Among them, 584 cases (58.3%) were male and 417 cases (41.7%) were female, with an age range of 0.1 to 14.9 years, a median age of 3.42 years, and a mean age of (3.92±2.75) years. According to clinical guidelines, the cases were divided into a mild pneumonia group (855 cases, 510 males, 345 females) and a severe pneumonia group (146 cases, 73 males, 73 females). Basic information, clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected from the electronic medical record system. Comparisons between different age groups, diagnoses, and pneumonia severity groups were performed using the χ2 test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for the severity of HRV pneumonia. Results:Among the 1 001 cases of HRV-associated bronchopneumonia, 146 cases (14.6%) were severe pneumonia. The age of severe HRV pneumonia patients was significantly higher than that of the mild pneumonia group (5.2 years vs. 3.7 years, t=-6.050, P<0.01). Severe HRV pneumonia had a higher incidence in autumn and winter (60.9%). Severe HRV pneumonia was associated with higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophils, and creatinine (correlation coefficients 0.198, 0.334, 0.104, 0.142, P<0.01), and lower levels of albumin (correlation coefficient 0.308, P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that co-infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae or Mycoplasma was an independent risk factor for severe HRV pneumonia [ OR=1.611, 95% confidence interval ( CI):1.066-2.435, P<0.05; OR=3.355, 95% CI:2.062-5.458, P<0.01]. Conclusion:The infection rate of HRV is higher in preschool and school-age children. Severe HRV pneumonia is associated with increased levels of LDH, CRP, neutrophils, and creatinine, as well as decreased levels of albumin. Co-infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae or Mycoplasma may be an independent risk factor for severe HRV pneumonia. High-risk children require enhanced monitoring and early intervention to improve prognosis.

Objective To discuss the correlation between free prostate specific antigen(fPSA),serum ferritin(SF),blood uric acid(SUA)levels and Gleason grading in patients with prostate cancer(PCa).Methods The clinical data of 61 patients with prostate biopsy treated in 411 Hospital of Shanghai University from January to December of 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the results of puncture,the patients were divided into benign prostatic hyperpla-sia(BPH)group(31 cases)and PCa group(30 cases).The levels of fPSA,SF and SUA in patients and Gleason grade in biopsy cases were analyzed.The correlation between fPSA,SF and SUA levels and Gleason grade was analyzed by the method of Spearman.And the diagnostic efficacy of fPSA,SF and SUA levels on PCa was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC).Results The levels of fPSA,SF and SUA in PCa group were significantly higher than those in BPH group(P＜0.05).There were statistically significant differences in levels of fPSA SF and SUA in PCA patients with different Gleason grades(P＜0.05).With the specificity reaching 96.08％and sensitivity reaching 94.35％,the ar-ea under the curve(AUC)of the combined fPSA,SF and SUA levels in the diagnosis of PCa was 0.982,which was higher than that of the single fPSA,SF and SUA levels(P＜0.05).SF and SUA levels in PCa patients were positively correlated with Gleason grade(P＜0.05),while fPSA levels were not correlated with Gleason grade(P＞0.05).Conclusion The levels of SF and SUA in PCa patients are positively correlated with Gleason grade,which can be used as an important index to predict Gleason grade in PCa patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of first polar body transfer (PB1T) combined with preimplantation mitochondrial genetic testing for blocking the transmission of a pathogenic mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation. METHODS: A Chinese family affected with Leigh syndrome which had attended the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out for the proband after completing the detection of the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load among the pedigree members. Mature MII oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cultured in vitro for 5 to 6 days to the blastocyst stage, and trophoblastocytes were obtained by microbiopsy. Mitochondrial DNA testing (PGT-MT) and chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) analyses were carried out after whole-genome amplification, and the embryos with zero mutation load were selected for transfer. Amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples were collected during middle pregnancy and after birth respectively for mitochondrial DNA testing to verify the reliability of embryo screening. As an attempt, PB1 with good morphology of MII oocytes was selected for transfer into the enucleated oocytoplasm from healthy donors, followed by ICSI fertilization, blastocyst culture and PGT of embryos using the same procedure. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No. 2021zhyx-B12). RESULTS: An antagonist protocol was used for ovarian stimulation, and a total of 19 oocytes were obtained, of which 14 MII were fertilized by ICSI, and 2 had developed into blastocysts. PGT-MT was carried out on biopsied trophoblastocytes, in which the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load was not detected in one embryo, the other was 100% mutated, and the mutation loads of the remaining unfertilized eggs and developmentally arrested embryos ranged from 0% ~ 100%, presenting a clear biased distribution. With fully informed consent, one PGT-MT zero mutation load blastocyst was transferred and clinical pregnancy was achieved. Mitochondrial DNA and chromosomal testing of amniotic fluid cells during middle pregnancy had revealed no abnormalities. The proband had delivered a healthy boy through Caesarean section at 39⁺⁵ weeks of gestation, and no mutation was detected in the cord blood sample. Five well-formed PBs from 14 eggs were selected for PB1 transfer, followed by ICSI and culture, and two of the reconstituted embryos had formed blastocysts, with none of the above mutations detected in the biopsied samples. CONCLUSION The PGT-MT technology can help families affected with mitochondrial diseases to have healthy offspring. PB1 transfer in combination with ICSI and PGT-MT holds the promise of turning waste into treasure and providing an alternative means of fertility for such families.
Humans ; Preimplantation Diagnosis/methods* ; Female ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Pregnancy ; Mitochondrial Diseases/genetics* ; Polar Bodies ; Adult ; Feasibility Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic/methods* ; Embryo Transfer/methods* ; Mutation ; Male ; Blastocyst/metabolism* ; Pedigree

Objective:To assess the feasibility of first polar body transfer (PB1T) combined with preimplantation mitochondrial genetic testing for blocking the transmission of a pathogenic mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation.Methods:A Chinese family affected with Leigh syndrome which had attended the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out for the proband after completing the detection of the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load among the pedigree members. Mature MII oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cultured in vitro for 5 to 6 days to the blastocyst stage, and trophoblastocytes were obtained by microbiopsy. Mitochondrial DNA testing (PGT-MT) and chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) analyses were carried out after whole-genome amplification, and the embryos with zero mutation load were selected for transfer. Amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples were collected during middle pregnancy and after birth respectively for mitochondrial DNA testing to verify the reliability of embryo screening. As an attempt, PB1 with good morphology of MⅡ oocytes was selected for transfer into the enucleated oocytoplasm from healthy donors, followed by ICSI fertilization, blastocyst culture and PGT of embryos using the same procedure. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No. 2021zhyx-B12). Results:An antagonist protocol was used for ovarian stimulation, and a total of 19 oocytes were obtained, of which 14 MⅡ were fertilized by ICSI, and 2 had developed into blastocysts. PGT-MT was carried out on biopsied trophoblastocytes, in which the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load was not detected in one embryo, the other was 100% mutated, and the mutation loads of the remaining unfertilized eggs and developmentally arrested embryos ranged from 0% ~ 100%, presenting a clear biased distribution. With fully informed consent, one PGT-MT zero mutation load blastocyst was transferred and clinical pregnancy was achieved. Mitochondrial DNA and chromosomal testing of amniotic fluid cells during middle pregnancy had revealed no abnormalities. The proband had delivered a healthy boy through Caesarean section at 39+ 5 weeks of gestation, and no mutation was detected in the cord blood sample. Five well-formed PBs from 14 eggs were selected for PB1 transfer, followed by ICSI and culture, and two of the reconstituted embryos had formed blastocysts, with none of the above mutations detected in the biopsied samples.Conclusion:The PGT-MT technology can help families affected with mitochondrial diseases to have healthy offspring. PB1 transfer in combination with ICSI and PGT-MT holds the promise of turning waste into treasure and providing an alternative means of fertility for such families.

Objective:To identify the relevant factors for the first-course remission of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to develop a predictive model as well as assess its predictive capability.Methods:Clinical data of 749 patients newly diagnosed with AML admitted to the Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine from January 1, 2019, to April 30, 2023, were collected and randomly divided into training and validation sets. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine variables associated with complete remission in the first course of induction therapy, and a predictive model was established based on these variables. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the predictive model was plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.Results:The indicators predicting the first remission course included peripheral blood white blood cell count during onset, CBF::MYH11 fusion gene, CEBPA bZIP region mutation, myelodysplastic syndrome-related gene mutation, and induction chemotherapy regimen selection as independent factors for the first remission course. The model’s area under the training and validation curves was 0.738 (95% CI: 0.696-0.780) and 0.726 (95% CI: 0.650-0.801), respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test results yielded P-values of 0.993 and 0.335, respectively. Conclusion:In this study, the developed model demonstrates a strong predictive capability for the efficacy of the first course of patients with AML, providing valuable guidance to clinicians in assessing patient prognosis and selecting appropriate treatment strategies.

The long service life and high reliability of SiC sliding bearings are crucial for the long-term normal operation of aerospace power equipment.In response to the fracture phenomenon observed in the sliding bearing assembly of a certain delivery pump during operation,this paper analyzes the issue from the perspectives of stress characteristics and thermal expansion effects,proposing a structural optimization design method based on temperature coefficient compensation.The research indicates that the primary cause of bearing fracture is the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the bearing and the metal rotor under elevated temperatures,leading to axial loosening of the bearing.Additionally,the gap between the bearing and the pin,combined with unstable lubrication of the friction pair,exacerbates bearing stalling and pin impact,ultimately causing cracks and localized chipping.By optimizing the bearing structure and employing a rubber pad for torque transmission,this issue has been successfully resolved.The improved structure demonstrated high reliability and stability in bench tests,providing important theoretical and technical references for the design of bearings under similar extreme operating conditions.

Objective This study aims to explore the efficacy of tetrahydrocurcumin(THC),the major active metabolite of curcumin,on high glucose(HG)-induced human platelet aggregation and activation as well as to clarify the underlying mechanisms in vitro.Methods Purified platelets prepared from healthy subjects were pre-incubated with various concentrations of THC(0.5 μmol/L,1 μmol/L or 10 μmol/L)or vehicle control(0.05％DMSO)for 40 min at 37℃,followed by the stimulation of normal glucose(NG,5 mmol/L)or HG(25 mmol/L)for additional 90 min.The maximal aggregation rate was determined by an aggregometer.Flow cytometry was used to measure platelet surface expression of CD62P(a typical marker of platelet activation)and generation of total intraplatelet reactive oxygen species(ROS).Meanwhile,the phosphorylation level of platelet p53 was detected by Western blot assay.Results Compared with NG group,HG intervention significantly increased platelet aggrega-tion(P<0.05)and CD62P expression(P<0.001),which were greatly inhibited by different concentrations of THC(P<0.05).Mechanistically,when compared with solvent control,THC significantly decreased the level of total ROS production(P<0.001)and p53 phosphorylation(P<0.05).In addition,HG-induced total intraplatelet ROS generation(P<0.001)and p53 phosphorylation(P<0.05)were greatly attenuated by adding a ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC).The combination of NAC with THC(10 μmol/L)showed no additive inhibitory effects(P>0.05).Moreover,platelet aggregation and activation induced by HG were greatly decreased by NAC and a p53 specific inhibitor PFT-μ(P<0.05).The combination of THC(10 μmol/L)and NAC resulted no additive inhibitory effects on HG-increased platelet aggregation and activation(P>0.05).THC(10 μmol/L)exhibited additive inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation(P<0.05)but no additive inhibitory effects on platelet activation when combined with PFT-μ(P>0.05).Conclusions THC exerts a protective effect on HG-induced platelet aggregation and activation possibly through down-regulating ROS/p53 signaling pathway in human platelets in vitro.The current study may provide potential value for THC to improve thrombosis in diabetes mellitus and the related chronic metabolic diseases.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of letrozole combined with palbociclib in the treatment of hormone receptor +/human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 - (HR +/HER2 -) advanced breast cancer and its influence on serum thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki67) levels. Methods:A total of 82 patients with HR +/HER2 - advanced breast cancer, all admitted from Jan. 2022 to Jan. 2024 from Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, were assigned to the control group ( n=41, letrozole) and the study group ( n=41, letrozole + palbociclib) according to the random number table. The therapeutic effect, tumor markers, immune function and serum TK1 and Ki67 levels were compared between the two groups. Results:The study group higher objective response rate and disease control rate than the other group [14.63% (6/41) and 85.37% (35/41) vs. 0.00% (0/41) and 58.54% (24/41) ] (Continuity correction χ2/χ2=4.50, 7.31, P<0.05). After treatment, carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153), CA125 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the study group were lower than the control group [ (12.17±3.19) U/mL, (23.57±3.35) U/mL and (19.51±4.13) ng/mL vs (24.37±5.25) U/mL, (35.16±5.08) U/mL, (34.28±5.72) ng/mL] ( t=12.72, 12.20, 13.41, P<0.05), serum TK1 and Ki67 levels were also lower [ (3.61±0.75) pmol/L and (7.89±1.16) ng/mL vs. (4.76±0.88) pmol/L and (10.85±1.94) ng/mL] ( t=6.37, 8.39, P<0.05). After treatment, CD3 +, CD4 +, CD4 +/CD8 + higher than the control group [ (48.64±5.88) %, (31.34±4.06) %, (1.22±0.27) vs. (43.16±6.09) %, (27.04±3.35) %, (0.87±0.35) ] ( t=4.15, 5.23, 5.07, P<0.05), while CD8 + was lower [ (25.73±4.11) % vs. (30.94±4.47) %] ( t = 5.49, P<0.05) . Conclusions:Letrozole combined with palbociclib is effective in the treatment of HR +/HER2 - advanced breast cancer and can reduce tumor markers and serum TK1 and Ki67 levels in patients.