BACKGROUND:Sarcopenia is an age-related systemic skeletal muscle disease,which is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes such as falls,functional decline,frailty,and death.Postmenopausal women are one of the high-risk groups for sarcopenia.OBJECTIVE:To develop a predictive model for assessing the risk of sarcopenia in Chinese postmenopausal women based on high-quality database.METHODS:Data for this study were derived from 2 370 postmenopausal women from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS),and sarcopenia was assessed using the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019(AWGS2019)recommended metrics.The study cohort was randomized into a training set(70％)and a validation set(30％).Risk factors for sarcopenia in postmenopausal women were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,ten-fold cross-validation,and logistic regression.Nomogram predicting the risk of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women was constructed based on the risk factors,and the model efficacy was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve(AUC),calibration curve,and decision curve analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The prevalence of sarcopenia in this study was 23.50％and age,place of residence,sleep quality,cognitive function,depression,and the number of chronic diseases were selected as predictors of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women.The nomogram model showed good discrimination between the training and validation sets,with an AUC value of 0.751(95％confidence interval=0.724-0.778,P＜0.001),a specificity of 72.2％,and a sensitivity of 63.2％in the training set,and an AUC value of 0.763(95％confidence interval=0.721-0.805,P＜0.001),with a specificity of 69.6％and a sensitivity of 70.8％.The calibration curve showed a relatively significant agreement between the nomogram model and the actual observations,and the decision curve analysis demonstrated broad and good clinical utility.To conclude,the nomogram to assess the risk of sarcopenia constructed based on age,place of residence,sleep quality,cognitive function,depression,and number of chronic diseases,provides an effective tool for identifying and eliminating risk factors for sarcopenia in Chinese postmenopausal women,and helps to reduce the incidence of sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND:Sarcopenia is an age-related systemic skeletal muscle disease,which is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes such as falls,functional decline,frailty,and death.Postmenopausal women are one of the high-risk groups for sarcopenia.OBJECTIVE:To develop a predictive model for assessing the risk of sarcopenia in Chinese postmenopausal women based on high-quality database.METHODS:Data for this study were derived from 2 370 postmenopausal women from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS),and sarcopenia was assessed using the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019(AWGS2019)recommended metrics.The study cohort was randomized into a training set(70％)and a validation set(30％).Risk factors for sarcopenia in postmenopausal women were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,ten-fold cross-validation,and logistic regression.Nomogram predicting the risk of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women was constructed based on the risk factors,and the model efficacy was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve(AUC),calibration curve,and decision curve analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The prevalence of sarcopenia in this study was 23.50％and age,place of residence,sleep quality,cognitive function,depression,and the number of chronic diseases were selected as predictors of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women.The nomogram model showed good discrimination between the training and validation sets,with an AUC value of 0.751(95％confidence interval=0.724-0.778,P＜0.001),a specificity of 72.2％,and a sensitivity of 63.2％in the training set,and an AUC value of 0.763(95％confidence interval=0.721-0.805,P＜0.001),with a specificity of 69.6％and a sensitivity of 70.8％.The calibration curve showed a relatively significant agreement between the nomogram model and the actual observations,and the decision curve analysis demonstrated broad and good clinical utility.To conclude,the nomogram to assess the risk of sarcopenia constructed based on age,place of residence,sleep quality,cognitive function,depression,and number of chronic diseases,provides an effective tool for identifying and eliminating risk factors for sarcopenia in Chinese postmenopausal women,and helps to reduce the incidence of sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND:With the continuous exploration of the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis,more and more research evidence shows that neuroimaging change is closely related to the onset of osteonecrosis.However,the specific causal relationship between neuroimaging change and osteonecrosis is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the causal relationship between neuroimaging indices and osteonecrosis using Mendelian Randomization analysis.METHODS:Neuroimaging data were obtained from the UK Biobank database in the UK,which included a total of 36 778 individuals.Osteonecrosis data were obtained from the FinnGen database in Finland,including 1 543 cases and 391 037 controls.Instrumental variables were extracted and screened from outcome factors,and two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed.The data were analyzed by inverse variance weighted method,MR-Egger,weighted median method,simple model method,and weighted model method.The inverse variance weighted method was used as the main analysis method,and the other four methods were used as supplements.To verify the feasibility and stability of the data,sensitivity analysis of the results was performed.Based on the complexity of causal inference,a reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was further performed to evaluate the potential reverse causal relationship.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of inverse variance weighted analysis showed that 97 neuroimaging data were positively correlated with osteonecrosis(P＜0.05,OR＞1);2 data were heterogeneous and 6 data had horizontal pleiotropy.95 neuroimaging phenotypes were negatively correlated with osteonecrosis(P＜0.05,OR＜1);5 data were heterogeneous,and 9 data had horizontal pleiotropy;2 groups of data had reverse causal relationships.(2)The two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis established the causal relationship between neuroimaging indicators and osteonecrosis in the academic community.These large sample numbers from the UK and Finland provide a new theoretical basis for the pathophysiology of osteonecrosis,and also provide ideas and methods for the prediction,screening,early diagnosis and prognosis of osteonecrosis in China,which is conducive to improving the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment of osteonecrosis.

BACKGROUND:With the continuous exploration of the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis,more and more research evidence shows that neuroimaging change is closely related to the onset of osteonecrosis.However,the specific causal relationship between neuroimaging change and osteonecrosis is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the causal relationship between neuroimaging indices and osteonecrosis using Mendelian Randomization analysis.METHODS:Neuroimaging data were obtained from the UK Biobank database in the UK,which included a total of 36 778 individuals.Osteonecrosis data were obtained from the FinnGen database in Finland,including 1 543 cases and 391 037 controls.Instrumental variables were extracted and screened from outcome factors,and two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed.The data were analyzed by inverse variance weighted method,MR-Egger,weighted median method,simple model method,and weighted model method.The inverse variance weighted method was used as the main analysis method,and the other four methods were used as supplements.To verify the feasibility and stability of the data,sensitivity analysis of the results was performed.Based on the complexity of causal inference,a reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was further performed to evaluate the potential reverse causal relationship.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of inverse variance weighted analysis showed that 97 neuroimaging data were positively correlated with osteonecrosis(P＜0.05,OR＞1);2 data were heterogeneous and 6 data had horizontal pleiotropy.95 neuroimaging phenotypes were negatively correlated with osteonecrosis(P＜0.05,OR＜1);5 data were heterogeneous,and 9 data had horizontal pleiotropy;2 groups of data had reverse causal relationships.(2)The two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis established the causal relationship between neuroimaging indicators and osteonecrosis in the academic community.These large sample numbers from the UK and Finland provide a new theoretical basis for the pathophysiology of osteonecrosis,and also provide ideas and methods for the prediction,screening,early diagnosis and prognosis of osteonecrosis in China,which is conducive to improving the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment of osteonecrosis.

Objective To introduce and enhance an experimental technique for intraventricular drug delivery via an implantable osmotic pump.Methods Eight-week-old male SD rats were selected and the requisite equipment and reagents were prepared.The osmotic pump was assembled and brought to operational status before conducting the implantation surgery.Following anesthesia,the rats underwent skin preparation and the upper surface of the skull was surgically exposed.A point directly above the ventricle was located using a brain stereotaxic apparatus,and a small hole was drilled at that location with a high-speed cranial drill.The pump body was then implanted subcutaneously in the neck and the needle was inserted into the drilled hole,and secured with dental cement.Once solidified,the needle base was removed,the subcutaneous soft tissue and scalp were sutured in layers,and the animal was returned to its cage for rearing in isolation.Results The osmotic pump was successfully implanted subcutaneously in the rat's neck,the needle was securely fixed to the skull,and the catheter interface remained intact.The rats were sacrificed and the brain tissue was removed.Examination of the extracted brain tissue revealed no significant hematoma around the puncture site or needle tract,and the presence of blue dye in the ventricular and adjacent tissues indicated successful drug delivery to the ventricle.Conclusions The introduction of a brain stereotaxic apparatus to aid localization,coupled with enhancements to the operational procedure,may improve the accuracy and safety of the implantation process resulting in a high success rate for intraventricular drug administration.

Objective To investigate the effect of altered oxidative stress system on liver function after partial splenic embolization(PSE).Methods Twenty-nine patients with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism who received PSE were selected.Peripheral venous blood was drawn from the patients before and at 1 week,1 month,and 3 months after PSE,and the indexes of oxidative stress system factors including malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),advanced oxidiation protein products(AOPPs),and gluta-thione peroxidase(GSH-Px)were detected,as well as liver function indexes.Results There were positive correlation between SOD activity and total bilirubin(TBil)and model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)scores at 1 week postoperatively(TBil:r=0.725,P＜0.05;MELD:r=0.764,P＜0.05).There was positive correlation between GSH-Px activity and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)at 1 month postoperatively(r=0.777,P＜0.05),however,the AOPPs was negatively correlated with ALT and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)at 3 months postoperatively(ALT:r--0.900,P＜0.05;AST:r=-0.957,P＜0.05).Conclusion PSE can improve the body oxidative stress system and enhance the body's antioxidant response,and then improve the liver function.

Objective To investigate the role of lncSIL in transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)-induced alveo-lar epithelial interstitial transformation(EMT)and its related signaling pathways.Methods Western blot was used to detect the effect of lncSIL silencing on the expression of E-cadherin(E-cad),alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and Collagen I(Col I)in the process of EMT induced by TGF-β1.LncSIL interacting proteins were ana-lyzed by RNA pulldown.Western blot was used to detect the effect of overexpression or silencing of lncSIL on the expression of its target gene enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2)and its downstream factors P21 and cyclin-de-pendent kinase 6(CDK6).Flow cytometry was used to analyze the effect of lncSIL on cell cycle progression.Re-sults After lncSIL silencing,the expression of α-SMA and Col I increased,the expression of E-cad decreased.RNA pulldown assay showed that EZH2 was the target protein that interacted with lncSIL,and the expression of EZH2 increased after silencing lncSIL,the expression of EZH2 downstream gene P21 decreased,CDK6 increased.Flow cytometry showed that the number of cells in S phase significantly increased.When lncSIL was overexpressed,the expression of EZH2 and CDK6 was down-regulated,the expression of P21 was up-regulated,and the number of S phase cells significantly decreased.Conclusion LncSIL inhibits TGF-β1-induced alveolar epithelial cell mesen-chymal transition by negatively regulating EZH2/P21/CDK6 signaling pathway to inhibit cell cycle progression.

Objective:To study the risk factors and prognosis of pulmonary hypertension(PH) associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely preterm infants(EPIs).Methods:From January 2020 to December 2021, EPIs [gestational age (GA) <32 w] with BPD admitted to NICU of our hospital were retrospectively assigned into two groups: BPD with late-onset PH(PH group) and BPD without late-onset PH(non-PH group). Their general condition, treatment and prognosis were compared and the risk factors of late-onset PH were analyzed.Results:A total of 229 EPIs with BPD were enrolled, including 24(10.5%) in the PH group and 205(89.5%) in the non-PH group. The PH group had significantly smaller GA [(27.9±2.3) w vs. (28.7±1.8) w], longer mechanical ventilation [42.0(16.0, 84.0) d vs. 9.0(2.0, 23.0) d], longer hospital stay [100.5(86.3, 142.0) d vs. 77.0(56.5, 96.5)d],higher incidence of early-onset PH(54.2% vs. 9.3%) and higher mortality rate(33.3% vs. 9.8%) than the non-PH group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed prolonged mechanical ventilation ( OR=1.046, 95% CI 1.011~1.064), early-onset PH ( OR=5.414, 95% CI 1.796~16.323) were independent risk factors for BPD with late-onset PH. 8(33.3%) patients in the PH group died, including 2 with grade Ⅱ BPD and 6 grade Ⅲ BPD. Conclusions:Prolonged mechanical ventilation and early-onset PH are independent risk factors for late-onset PH in BPD infants. BPD infants with late-onset PH have longer hospital stay, higher mortality and worse prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the performance of an artificial intelligent (AI)-based automated digital cell morphology analyzer (hereinafter referred as AI morphology analyzer) in detecting peripheral white blood cells (WBCs).Methods:A multi-center study. 1. A total of 3010 venous blood samples were collected from 11 tertiary hospitals nationwide, and 14 types of WBCs were analyzed with the AI morphology analyzers. The pre-classification results were compared with the post-classification results reviewed by senior morphological experts in evaluate the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and agreement of the AI morphology analyzers on the WBC pre-classification. 2. 400 blood samples (no less than 50% of the samples with abnormal WBCs after pre-classification and manual review) were selected from 3 010 samples, and the morphologists conducted manual microscopic examinations to differentiate different types of WBCs. The correlation between the post-classification and the manual microscopic examination results was analyzed. 3. Blood samples of patients diagnosed with lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or myeloproliferative neoplasms were selected from the 3 010 blood samples. The performance of the AI morphology analyzers in these five hematological malignancies was evaluated by comparing the pre-classification and post-classification results. Cohen′s kappa test was used to analyze the consistency of WBC pre-classification and expert audit results, and Passing-Bablock regression analysis was used for comparison test, and accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and agreement were calculated according to the formula.Results:1. AI morphology analyzers can pre-classify 14 types of WBCs and nucleated red blood cells. Compared with the post-classification results reviewed by senior morphological experts, the pre-classification accuracy of total WBCs reached 97.97%, of which the pre-classification accuracies of normal WBCs and abnormal WBCs were more than 96% and 87%, respectively. 2. The post-classification results reviewed by senior morphological experts correlated well with the manual differential results for all types of WBCs and nucleated red blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, immature granulocytes, blast cells, nucleated erythrocytes and malignant cells r>0.90 respectively, reactive lymphocytes r=0.85). With reference, the positive smear of abnormal cell types defined by The International Consensus Group for Hematology, the AI morphology analyzer has the similar screening ability for abnormal WBC samples as the manual microscopic examination. 3. For the blood samples with malignant hematologic diseases, the AI morphology analyzers showed accuracies higher than 84% on blast cells pre-classification, and the sensitivities were higher than 94%. In acute myeloid leukemia, the sensitivity of abnormal promyelocytes pre-classification exceeded 95%. Conclusion:The AI morphology analyzer showed high pre-classification accuracies and sensitivities on all types of leukocytes in peripheral blood when comparing with the post-classification results reviewed by experts. The post-classification results also showed a good correlation with the manual differential results. The AI morphology analyzer provides an efficient adjunctive white blood cell detection method for screening malignant hematological diseases.

Objective:To assess the characteristics and correlation of motor development in preterm infants of different gestational weeks by using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) method, and to develop better individualized early interventions based on TIMP test results.Methods:A prospective study involving 43 full-term healthy infants and 77 preterm followed up in 3201 Hospital from June 2019 to July 2021 was conducted.Preterm infants were divided into the early preterm group (39 cases) and late preterm group (38 cases) according to their gestational age at birth.TIMP assessment was performed at the gestational age of 40 weeks and the corrected age of 16 weeks after birth.Similarly, the full-term healthy infants were assessed by TIMP at the postnatal age of 16 weeks.The differences between groups were investigated using ANOVA or Mann- Whitney rank sum test.Correlations were analyzed by the Pearson correlation method. Results:There were no significant difference in TIMP scores between early and late preterm infants at the gestational age of 40 weeks [(65.74±6.52) scores vs.(66.96±8.51) scores] and the corrected age of 16 weeks [(101±10) scores vs.(104±8) scores] (all P>0.05). TIMP scores in the full-term healthy group at the corrected age of 16 weeks [(108±10) scores] differed significantly from those of early and late preterm infants ( P<0.05). Compared with full-term infants, early and late preterm infants had lower TIMP scores in observation, supine position, and supine turning (all P<0.05), but a higher TIMP score in standing position ( P<0.05). For both early and late preterm infants, TIMP scores at the gestational age of 40 weeks were significantly positively correlated with those at the corrected age of 16 weeks ( r=0.565, 0.302, all P<0.01). Conclusions:There were significant differences in motor development between preterm infants of different gestational ages and term infants, which had guiding significance for early intervention.English version TIMP could play a positive role in promoting individualized follow-up and early intervention of preterm infants in China.