Objective To investigate the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and analyze its correlation with immune cell infiltration and patient prognosis. Methods Three ESCC datasets (GSE161533, GSE26886, and GSE23400) from the GEO database were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes. CEACAM6 was identified as a key gene through survival analysis. Its expression, prognostic value, and relationship with immune cell infiltration were further explored using databases, such as TIMER. Tissue samples were collected from 162 patients with ESCC. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of CEACAM6, immune cell markers (CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD56), and immune checkpoint molecules (HHLA2 and CD40LG). Correlations between CEACAM6 expression and clinicopathological features, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoints were analyzed. Results Bioinformatic analysis and clinical sample validation confirmed that CEACAM6 expression was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues compared with adjacent nontumor tissues (P<0.05). High CEACAM6 expression was closely associated with advanced clinical stage (AJCC Ⅲ-Ⅳ), high T stage (T3-T4), lymph node metastasis, nonulcerative type, and poor prognosis. Furthermore, CEACAM6 expression levels were positively correlated with the infiltration density of CD8⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD20⁺ B cells within the tumor microenvironment and with the expression of the immune checkpoint molecules HHLA2 and CD40LG (all P<0.05). Conclusion CEACAM6 serves as an independent poor prognostic factor for ESCC. Its high expression is implicated in the modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment by correlating with specific immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint molecules, suggesting its potential as a novel prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for ESCC.

Objective:To observe changes in peripapillary blood flow before and after combined treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs and Dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX) in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).Methods:A prospective clinical study. Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients with newly diagnosed non-ischemic CRVO and macular edema (ME) were enrolled from Shanxi Eye Hospital between April 2023 and April 2024. All patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) examinations. The treatment regimen consisted of three intravitreal injections of ranibizumab and one DEX implant. SS-OCTA was used to scan a 3 mm×3 mm area centered on the optic disc to measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and blood flow density in the superficial vascular complex (SVC), deep vascular complex (DVC), and radial peripapillary capillaries (RPC). Changes in SVC, DVC, and RPC blood flow density and RNFL thickness were evaluated at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess normality, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was applied for correlation analysis.Results:Compared with before treatment, the blood flow density changes of SVC and RPC showed a downward trend at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Among them, the difference was statistically significant at 6 months after treatment ( Z=?2.592, ?2.070, P=0.012, 0.042), while there was no statistically significant difference at 3 months after treatment ( P>0.05). The blood flow density of DVC showed an upward trend at 3 and 6 months after treatment, but the differences were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The results of the correlation analysis showed that the thickness of RNFL was negatively correlated with the blood flow density of DVC ( r=?0.768, P<0.001). It was positively correlated with the blood flow densities of SVC and RPC ( r=0.288, 0.398; P=0.040, 0.004). Conclusion:Anti-VEGF drugs combined with DEX treatment can significantly improve the perioptic disc blood flow distribution in eyes with CRVO, manifested as a decrease in blood flow density of SVC and RPC, while a compensatory increase in blood flow of DVC. The thickness variation of RNFL is closely related to the blood flow density of different vascular layers.

Objective:To observe changes in peripapillary blood flow before and after combined treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs and Dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX) in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).Methods:A prospective clinical study. Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients with newly diagnosed non-ischemic CRVO and macular edema (ME) were enrolled from Shanxi Eye Hospital between April 2023 and April 2024. All patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) examinations. The treatment regimen consisted of three intravitreal injections of ranibizumab and one DEX implant. SS-OCTA was used to scan a 3 mm×3 mm area centered on the optic disc to measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and blood flow density in the superficial vascular complex (SVC), deep vascular complex (DVC), and radial peripapillary capillaries (RPC). Changes in SVC, DVC, and RPC blood flow density and RNFL thickness were evaluated at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess normality, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was applied for correlation analysis.Results:Compared with before treatment, the blood flow density changes of SVC and RPC showed a downward trend at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Among them, the difference was statistically significant at 6 months after treatment ( Z=?2.592, ?2.070, P=0.012, 0.042), while there was no statistically significant difference at 3 months after treatment ( P>0.05). The blood flow density of DVC showed an upward trend at 3 and 6 months after treatment, but the differences were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The results of the correlation analysis showed that the thickness of RNFL was negatively correlated with the blood flow density of DVC ( r=?0.768, P<0.001). It was positively correlated with the blood flow densities of SVC and RPC ( r=0.288, 0.398; P=0.040, 0.004). Conclusion:Anti-VEGF drugs combined with DEX treatment can significantly improve the perioptic disc blood flow distribution in eyes with CRVO, manifested as a decrease in blood flow density of SVC and RPC, while a compensatory increase in blood flow of DVC. The thickness variation of RNFL is closely related to the blood flow density of different vascular layers.

【Objective】 To investigate the efficacy of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). 【Methods】 A total of 121 ED patients treated during June 2020 and June 2022 were selected as the research objects. According to the International Erectile Index Score (IIEF-EF), the patients were divided into three subgroups:mild (17-25 points), moderate (11-16 points), and severe (0-10 points). The total effective rate, erectile hardness scale (EHS), sex life log questions (SEP), general assessment questionnaire (GAQ), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and adverse reactions of the three groups before treatment, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment were analyzed. 【Results】 A total of 119 patients completed the follow-up. There were significant increases in IIEF-EF and EHS at week 4 and 12 (P<0.05), and the total effective rate was 69.75% and 76.47%, respectively. The total effective rate was significantly higher in the mild and moderate groups than in the severe group at week 4 and 12 (P<0.05). The patients who answered "yes" to SEP2 and SEP3 accounted for 91.60% and 71.43%, respectively at week 4, and 92.44% and 78.15% at week 12, both significantly higher than the rates before treatment (52.10% and 27.73%, P<0.05). The proportion of patients who answered "yes" to GAQl and GAQ2 at week 4 were 84.87% and 71.43%, respectively, and were 82.35% and 70.59% respectively at week 12, with no significant difference. The PSV level significantly increased at week 12 compared to that before treatment [(48.85±14.11) cm/s vs. (41.42±14.90) cm/s] (P<0.05), while the EDV level significantly decreased [(-0.57±7.01) cm/s vs. (2.25± 5.68)cm/s] (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 LIPUS can improve erectile function in ED patients without obvious adverse reactions.

Objective:To explore the relationship between integrin ɑ3(ITGA3)expression and immune cell infiltration in colorectal cancer(CRC).Methods:Bioinformatic methods were used to analyze ITGA3 mRNA expression in pan-cancer and CRC tissues,as well as its associ-ation with CRC prognosis.The correlation between ITGA3 and tumor-infiltrating immune cells was also investigated.In total,233 cases of CRC diagnosed at Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital between January and December 2021 were included,and ITGA3,CD8,CD163,FOXP3,PD-L1,CTLA-4,and PD-1 expression in CRC tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry(IHC)to analyze the relationship between ITGA3 and infiltrating immune cells and immune checkpoints.Results:Bioinformatics analysis showed elevated ITGA3 mRNA levels in CRC.High ITGA3 expression was associated with PFS(P＜0.05).Univariate and multifactorial analyses showed that age and stage were significantly cor-related with prognosis(P＜0.05).In addition,ITGA3 upregulation was closely correlated with multiple immune cell infiltration levels in CRC.Furthermore,IHC results showed that ITGA3 expression in CRC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues(P＜0.05).ITGA3 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05)and correlated with the expression of immune markers,such as CD8+T-cells,PD-L1,and CTLA-4(P＜0.05).Conclusions:ITGA3 is highly expressed in CRC,which is closely related to immune cell infiltration and may regulate the tumor immune microenvironment,which provides a new idea for clinical treatment and a potential new independent predictive marker.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a destructive pest native to America and has recently become an invasive insect pest in China. Because of its rapid spread and great risks in China, understanding of FAW genetic background and pesticide resistance is urgent and essential to develop effective management strategies. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of a male FAW (SFynMstLFR) and compared re-sequencing results of the populations from America, Africa, and China. Strain identification of 163 individuals collected from America, Africa and China showed that both C and R strains were found in the American populations, while only C strain was found in the Chinese and African populations. Moreover, population genomics analysis showed that populations from Africa and China have close relationship with significantly genetic differentiation from American populations. Taken together, FAWs invaded into China were most likely originated from Africa. Comparative genomics analysis displayed that the cytochrome p450 gene family is extremely expanded to 425 members in FAW, of which 283 genes are specific to FAW. Treatments of Chinese populations with twenty-three pesticides showed the variant patterns of transcriptome profiles, and several detoxification genes such as AOX, UGT and GST specially responded to the pesticides. These findings will be useful in developing effective strategies for management of FAW in China and other invaded areas.
Animals ; China ; Genomics ; Humans ; Male ; Pesticides ; Spodoptera/genetics* ; Transcriptome

Objective:To explore the efficacy, adverse reactions, and feasibility of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation(HD-tDCS) treating major depressive disorder(MDD) patients with anxious distress.Methods:Sixty cases of MDD with anxious distress admitted to Zhenjiang Mental Health Center were recruited as participants. All patients were allocated into either the active treatment group or the sham group based on the random number table method. HD-tDCS was utilized in both groups to stimulate the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the basis of conventional antidepressant treatment. In the active group, 2mA current stimulation was used for 20 min, and in the sham group, a 30-sceond stimulation was adopted at the beginning and the end of the stimulation. Participants in both group were treated once a day, five times a week for two consecutive weeks. Anxiety and depression symptoms of the patients were assessed respectively by the Hamilton depression scale(HAMD 17), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale(MARDS), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI) at the baseline, 2nd, 4th, and the 6th weekend of the treatment. The differences between active treatment and sham groups were analyzed by repetitive measure analysis of variance and simple effect analysis. Fisher′s exact probability test was used to compare the effective rate, remission rate and adverse reaction rate between the two groups. Results:(1) The interaction of times and groups was significant in HAMD 17( F=3.29, P<0.05) and BAI( F=2.99, P<0.05). In all measurement instruments, the main effects of groups( F=4.40-7.94) and times( F=35.42-247.59) were significant( P<0.05).(2) Findings from the simple effect analysis showed that: there were no significant differences in the scores of HAMD 17 at baseline and the 2 nd assessment between the two groups. Similarly, no significant differences were found in BAI at baseline, the 2nd and the 6th weekend of the treatment between two groups( P>0.05).(3) The scores of HAMD 17 at the 4th and the 6th week, BAI at the 4th weekend of the treatment in the active group were significantly lower than that in the sham group( P<0.05).(4) At the 4th weekend of the treatment, the active group had a remission rate of 16/20 and a response rates of 19/20, which were higher than 9/19 and 13/19, respectively, in the sham group( P<0.05). Also, the remission rate(18/20) in the active group was higher than that in the sham group(11/19) at the 6th weekend of the treatment.( P<0.05). As for the response rates, differences were not found between the two groups at the 6th weekend of the treatment.(5) The overall dropout rate had no significant differences in-between( P>0.05). As for the safety outcome, the rate of adverse events(e.g., itching, tingling and headache) showed no significant differences between the two groups. Additionally, no severe adverse events or mania was reported. Conclusions:This study indicated that HD-tDCS has significant efficacy and high safety in the treatment among MDD patient with anxious distress. Nevertheless, further large sample clinical studies are warranted to confirm the findings of the current investigation.

Objective:To explore the efficacy, adverse reactions, and feasibility of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation(HD-tDCS) treating major depressive disorder(MDD) patients with anxious distress.Methods:Sixty cases of MDD with anxious distress admitted to Zhenjiang Mental Health Center were recruited as participants. All patients were allocated into either the active treatment group or the sham group based on the random number table method. HD-tDCS was utilized in both groups to stimulate the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the basis of conventional antidepressant treatment. In the active group, 2mA current stimulation was used for 20 min, and in the sham group, a 30-sceond stimulation was adopted at the beginning and the end of the stimulation. Participants in both group were treated once a day, five times a week for two consecutive weeks. Anxiety and depression symptoms of the patients were assessed respectively by the Hamilton depression scale(HAMD 17), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale(MARDS), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI) at the baseline, 2nd, 4th, and the 6th weekend of the treatment. The differences between active treatment and sham groups were analyzed by repetitive measure analysis of variance and simple effect analysis. Fisher′s exact probability test was used to compare the effective rate, remission rate and adverse reaction rate between the two groups. Results:(1) The interaction of times and groups was significant in HAMD 17( F=3.29, P<0.05) and BAI( F=2.99, P<0.05). In all measurement instruments, the main effects of groups( F=4.40-7.94) and times( F=35.42-247.59) were significant( P<0.05).(2) Findings from the simple effect analysis showed that: there were no significant differences in the scores of HAMD 17 at baseline and the 2 nd assessment between the two groups. Similarly, no significant differences were found in BAI at baseline, the 2nd and the 6th weekend of the treatment between two groups( P>0.05).(3) The scores of HAMD 17 at the 4th and the 6th week, BAI at the 4th weekend of the treatment in the active group were significantly lower than that in the sham group( P<0.05).(4) At the 4th weekend of the treatment, the active group had a remission rate of 16/20 and a response rates of 19/20, which were higher than 9/19 and 13/19, respectively, in the sham group( P<0.05). Also, the remission rate(18/20) in the active group was higher than that in the sham group(11/19) at the 6th weekend of the treatment.( P<0.05). As for the response rates, differences were not found between the two groups at the 6th weekend of the treatment.(5) The overall dropout rate had no significant differences in-between( P>0.05). As for the safety outcome, the rate of adverse events(e.g., itching, tingling and headache) showed no significant differences between the two groups. Additionally, no severe adverse events or mania was reported. Conclusions:This study indicated that HD-tDCS has significant efficacy and high safety in the treatment among MDD patient with anxious distress. Nevertheless, further large sample clinical studies are warranted to confirm the findings of the current investigation.

Objective:To make a new simple respirator and observe the oxygen therapy effect of the respirator on patients with severe and critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods:Based on the infectivity and hospital requirements of COVID-19, a new simple respirator was designed by the medical staff of the Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, which was applied on the 22 patients with severe and critical COVID-19 who needed oxygen therapy admitted to the Cancer Center of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February 15th to March 15th in 2020. The new simple respirator contained two National Utility Model Patents (a respirator: ZL 2015 2 0410623.6, a fluid switch and oxygen suction device: ZL 2017 2 0873509.6), which was mainly composed of anesthesia mask and filter, L-shaped connecting tube, soft breathing bladder, connecting tube and elastic fixing belt. When in use, the anesthesia mask was fixed to the patient's mouth and nose with elastic straps, the connecting tube was inserted into the oxygen meter interface, the oxygen flow was adjusted to 6-10 L/min, and the L-shaped connecting tube was opened immediately after the soft breathing bag was full. The carbon dioxide and excess oxygen in the body was discharged from exhaust port. The oxygen flow was lowered to 2-3 L/min, the patient's respiratory rate (RR) was observed through the soft breathing bag fluctuations, and the oxygen flow was adjusted at any time. The changes of pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2), RR and heart rate (HR) before and after application of new simple respirator were observed, and the blood gas test results of part of the patients were collected. Results:Twenty-two patients with severe and critical COVID-19 had significantly higher SpO 2 at 10 minutes after application of the new simple ventilator than before application (0.994±0.007 vs. 0.952±0.017, P < 0.01), and RR was significantly lower than that before application (times/min: 27.59±3.63 vs. 29.64±3.81, P < 0.01); after 1 day of application, each index was further improved. All 13 patients who received blood gas analysis indicated no carbon dioxide accumulation. Conclusions:The new simple respirator can significantly improve the oxygen therapy effect of patients with severe and critical COVID-19. At the same time, 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) can be filtered through the filter to reduce the formation of aerosol and protect the medical staff and patients.

Objective To evaluate the effect of preoperative sleep deprivation on hippocampal Tolllike receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in aged mice with postoperative cognitive dysfunction.Methods Sixty clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6J mice,aged 16 months,weighing 28-36 g,were divided into 4 groups (n=15 each) using a random number table method:control group (group C),surgery group (group S),sleep deprivation group (group SD) and sleep deprivation plus surgery group (group SD+S).Mice were fed a common diet in group C.Mice were sleep-deprived for 24 h in group SD.Tibial fracture internal fixation was performed in group S.Tibial fracture internal fixation was performed after 24-h sleep deprivation in group SD+S.Cognitive function was assessed using the contextual fear conditioning test at days 3 and 7 after operation.The animals were sacrificed at day 7 after operation,brains were removed and hippocampi were isolated for determination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) content (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and expression of TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65 (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,the percentage of time spent freezing induced by condition and percentage of time spent freezing induced by context were significantly decreased at days 3 and 7 after operation,the content of TNF-α was increased,and the expression of TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65 was up-regulated in S,SD and SD+S groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group S and group SD,the percentage of time spent freezing induced by condition and percentage of time spent freezing induced by context were significantly decreased at days 3 and 7 after operation,the content of TNF-α was increased,and the expression of TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65 was up-regulated in group SD+S (P＜0.05).Conclusion Preoperative sleep deprivation further accentuates postoperative cognitive dysfunction,and the mechanism is related to activating TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and inducing inflammatory responses of aged mice.