AIM: To investigate the relationship between the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG), and to construct a decision tree model for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 107 patients(107 eyes)with POAG who were admitted to the hospital from May 2021 to October 2023. According to the mean defect(MD)value, the degree of optic nerve injury was judged and divided into three groups: mild, moderate and severe. The general data, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor of patients with different severity of optic nerve injury were compared, and the correlation between the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to test the influencing factors of the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients, and the decision tree model was constructed based on influencing factors.RESULTS: The proportion of patients with hypertension, intraocular pressure and binocular intraocular pressure difference in the severe group was higher than that in the mild and moderate groups, and the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in the aqueous humor were significantly lower than those in the mild and moderate groups(all P<0.05). The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor of POAG patients were negatively correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury(r=-0.361, -0.358, all P<0.001). Hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor were independent factors affecting the degree of optic nerve injury in POAG patients(all P<0.05). Based on the above factors, a decision tree model was constructed, and three explanatory variables of IL-6, IL-2 levels in aqueous humor and hypertension were screened out. Among them, IL-2 level in aqueous humor was the most important root node variable and the most important predictor. The AUC of the decision tree model was 0.710(95% CI: 0.599-0.820, P=0.001), the sensitivity was 0.581, the specificity was 0.737, and the Youden index was 0.318, with a high predictive value.CONCLUSION: The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor were significantly correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients. The decision tree model based on hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor has a high evaluation value for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG), and to construct a decision tree model for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 107 patients(107 eyes)with POAG who were admitted to the hospital from May 2021 to October 2023. According to the mean defect(MD)value, the degree of optic nerve injury was judged and divided into three groups: mild, moderate and severe. The general data, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor of patients with different severity of optic nerve injury were compared, and the correlation between the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to test the influencing factors of the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients, and the decision tree model was constructed based on influencing factors.RESULTS: The proportion of patients with hypertension, intraocular pressure and binocular intraocular pressure difference in the severe group was higher than that in the mild and moderate groups, and the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in the aqueous humor were significantly lower than those in the mild and moderate groups(all P<0.05). The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor of POAG patients were negatively correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury(r=-0.361, -0.358, all P<0.001). Hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor were independent factors affecting the degree of optic nerve injury in POAG patients(all P<0.05). Based on the above factors, a decision tree model was constructed, and three explanatory variables of IL-6, IL-2 levels in aqueous humor and hypertension were screened out. Among them, IL-2 level in aqueous humor was the most important root node variable and the most important predictor. The AUC of the decision tree model was 0.710(95% CI: 0.599-0.820, P=0.001), the sensitivity was 0.581, the specificity was 0.737, and the Youden index was 0.318, with a high predictive value.CONCLUSION: The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor were significantly correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients. The decision tree model based on hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor has a high evaluation value for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.

Objective To develop and evaluate a nucleic acid amplification test for spectinomycin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae(N.gonorrhoeae).Methods N.gonorrhoeae-specific primers NG1/NG2 and primers specific to the N.gonorrhoeae rpsE gene mutation(80_82 delTTA)were designed.Genomic nucleic acids of spectinomycin-sensitive and resistant N.gonorrhoeae,Escherichia coli,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Salmonella typhi were used as templates to be amplified by PCR and quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR).The sensitivity and specificity of the method were evaluated accordingly.Results The NG1/NG2 primers could effectively amplify specific fragments of N.gonorrhoeae,yielding negative results for the nucleic acid amplification test of the other types of bacteria tested.E64/E175R and E-87/E95R could effectively differentiate the wild type and mutant(80_82 delTTA)rpsE genes.In PCR reactions,the minimum limits of NG1/NG2,E64/E175R,and E87/E95R for the target genes were 414.8 copies,414.8 copies,and 4.1 copies/μL,respectively,while those for qPCR reactions were 41.5,41.5,and 4.1×10-2 copies/μL,respectively.Conclusion A nucleic acid amplification test for spectinomycin-resistant N.gonorrhoeae with high specificity and sensitivity was successfully established in this study,which is expected to provide support for the rapid diagnosis of N.gonorrhoeae infection and treatment decision-making in clinical settings.

ObjectiveTo observe and compare the electrocardiogram index， myocardial morphology， and connexin 43 （Cx43） expression of two rat models of acute cerebral infarction （ACI） due to stasis combined with toxin complicated with cerebral-cardiac syndrome （CCS）， and to provide experimental evidence for the research on the occurrence mechanism of cardiac diseases induced by ACI and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CCS. MethodSixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into six groups （n=10）： normal ， syndrome of stasis combined with toxin induced by carrageenin combined with dry yeast （CA/Y）， multi-infarct induced by micro-embolism （ME）， middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）， CA/Y+ME， and CA/Y+MCAO groups. The model of syndrome of stasis combined with toxin was established by intraperitoneal injection with carrageenan （CA） at 10 mg·kg^-1 on the first day and subcutaneous injection with dry yeast （Y） suspension （2 mg·kg^-1） on the second day of modeling. Twenty-four hours after the modeling of ACI， the electrocardiograms （ECGs） of rats in each group were collected and the number/percentage （%） of abnormal ECG was calculated. The infarct area of the brain was evaluated by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining， and myocardial injury was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Immumohistochemical staining and Western blot were employed to determine the expression of Cx43 in the myocardium. ResultA certain number of rats in each model group presented abnormal ECG. Compared with the normal group and CA/Y group， CA/Y+MCAO group had the highest rate of abnormal ECG （P<0.01）. Compared with the normal， CA/Y， ME， and CA/Y+ME groups， the CA/Y+ME and CA/Y+MCAO groups showed decreased amplitudes of P-wave and T-wave， shortened P-R interval， and extended Q-T interval， which were particularly obvious in the CA/Y+MCAO group （P<0.05， P<0.01） and in accordance with the cerebral infarction area and pathological changes. The expression of Cx43 was up-regulated in both CA/Y+ME and CA/Y+MCAO groups， especially in the CA/Y+MCAO group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe two rat models of ACI due to stasis combined with toxin complicated with CCS can be used to study the mechanism of heart diseases caused by cerebrovascular diseases and the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicines with the functions of resolving stasis and detoxifying. Moreover， the CA/Y+MCAO method has higher abnormal electrocardiogram rate， severer myocardial pathological injury， and higher expression of Cx43 protein. The models can be chosen according to specific experimental purpose.

Objective To investigate the correlation between brain injury and spleen damage in a rat model of acute ischemic stroke and stasis interaction,and its effect on the MCP-1/CCR2 axis,and to provide an experimental basis for the mechanism of brain-spleen inflammatory coupling in spleen lesions caused by acute ischemic stroke.Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group,carrageenan/yeast stasis syndrome group(carrageenan/yeast,CA/Y),middle cerebral artery occlusion group(MCAO),and middle cerebral artery stasis syndrome group(MCAO CA/Y)with 10 rats in each group.CA/Y and MCAO CA/Y groups were injected with 10 mg/kg carrageenan and 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally on the first day of modeling.2 mg/kg of dry yeast suspension were injected subcutaneously on the second day.MCAO and MCAO CA/Y groups were established by wire embolism on the second day.At 24 h after cerebral infarction modeling,the neurological deficit score was calculated in each group,the percentage of the cerebral infarction area was determined by TTC staining,the spleen weight was measured,and the correlation between the percentage of the cerebral infarction area and spleen weight was analyzed by the Spearman correlation coefficient.Furthermore,the pathological morphology of brain and spleen tissues was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,and chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)contents were measured in rat plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Western blot was used to detect chemokine C-C-motif receptor 2(CCR2)protein expression in the ischemic side of brain tissue.Results Compared with the sham group,the neurological deficit score,cerebral infarction area,and MCP-1 and IFN-γ contents in plasma were significantly increased(P＜0.01),spleen weight was decreased significantly(P＜0.01),and CCR2 protein expression in brain tissue was significantly upregulated(P＜0.05)in MCAO and MCAO CA/Y groups.Moreover,the area of cerebral infarction was increased significantly(P＜0.01),the spleen weight was decreased significantly(P＜0.01),and CCR2 protein expression in brain and spleen tissues was significantly upregulated(P＜0.05)Compared with the MCAO group,the area of cerebral infarction in the MCAO CA/Y group was significantly increased(P＜0.01)and the spleen weight was decreased significantly(P＜0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the spleen weight was negatively correlated to the percentage of the cerebral infarction area(P＜0.01,r=-0.9711).Pathological morphology observation revealed that the pathological changes in the MCAO CA/Y group were the most serious,cerebral liquefaction necrosis foci were seen in the brain tissue cortex,arrangement of neuronal cells in the lesions was sparse and disordered with volume atrophy and a small number of vacuoles and nuclear solidification,most neuronal cells were degenerated and necrotic,microglia hyperplasia was obvious,small blood vessels were significantly increased,and interstitial lipid degeneration was severe.The density of periarterial lymph sheath cells in some of the spleen tissue was reduced and the marginal area is widened.Conclusions A correlation between brain and spleen injury was found after acute ischemic stroke with stasis and toxin syndrome,and the chemokine signaling axis of MCP-1/CCR2 might be involved in the mechanism of brain-spleen inflammation coupling.

BACKGROUND: There are few multi-city studies on the association between temperature and mortality in basin climates. This study was based on the Sichuan Basin in southwest China to assess the association of basin temperature with non-accidental mortality in the population and with the temperature-related mortality burden. METHODS: Daily mortality data, meteorological and air pollution data were collected for four cities in the Sichuan Basin of southwest China. We used a two-stage time-series analysis to quantify the association between temperature and non-accidental mortality in each city, and a multivariate meta-analysis was performed to obtain the overall cumulative risk. The attributable fractions (AFs) were calculated to access the mortality burden attributable to non-optimal temperature. Additionally, we performed a stratified analyses by gender, age group, education level, and marital status. RESULTS: A total of 751,930 non-accidental deaths were collected in our study. Overall, 10.16% of non-accidental deaths could be attributed to non-optimal temperatures. A majority of temperature-related non-accidental deaths were caused by low temperature, accounting for 9.10% (95% eCI: 5.50%, 12.19%), and heat effects accounted for only 1.06% (95% eCI: 0.76%, 1.33%). The mortality burden attributable to non-optimal temperatures was higher among those under 65 years old, females, those with a low education level, and those with an alternative marriage status. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that a significant association between non-optimal temperature and non-accidental mortality. Those under 65 years old, females, and those with a low educational level or alternative marriage status had the highest attributable burden.
Female ; Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Cities ; Cold Temperature ; Hot Temperature ; Mortality ; Temperature ; Time Factors ; Middle Aged ; Male

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality influencing factors of patients with Keshan disease.Methods:Clinical data of patients with Keshan disease from Keshan disease areas in Sichuan Province and Yunnan Province were collected and retrospectively analyzed for clinical characteristics and survival status during regular follow-up. According to the survival status of patients, the survey subjects were divided into a survival group and a death group. All-cause mortality (referring to the death caused by various reasons throughout the follow-up period) was used as the study endpoint. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curve analysis and log-rank χ 2 test were performed, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used for all-cause mortality factor analysis. Results:A total of 176 patients with Keshan disease were collected, including 92 cases in Sichuan Province and 84 cases in Yunnan Province. Among all the patients, there were 105 males, accounting for 59.66%, and 71 females, accounting for 40.34%. The age was (53.89 ± 13.19) years old. Thirty-five cases died from all causes, with a mortality rate of 19.89%. There were significant differences in age ( t = 2.09, P = 0.038), New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function grading (χ 2 = 14.62, P < 0.001) and ventricular premature contraction (χ 2 = 6.82, P = 0.009) between the survival group and the death group. K-M survival curve analysis showed that patients with Keshan disease complicated by premature ventricular contraction and high NYHA cardiac function grading (Ⅲ and Ⅳ) had higher all-cause mortality (log-rank χ 2 = 8.72, 22.49, P < 0.05). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that NYHA cardiac function grading and ventricular premature contraction ( HR = 3.09, 2.71, P < 0.05) were predictive influencing factors for all-cause mortality in patients with Keshan disease. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that NYHA cardiac function grading ( HR = 6.57, P = 0.002) and ventricular premature contraction ( HR = 2.98, P = 0.050) were independent factors for all-cause mortality in patients with Keshan disease. Conclusions:Among 176 patients with Keshan disease, the number of patients with poor cardiac function (NYHA cardiac function grading Ⅲ and Ⅳ) and arrhythmia is high. NYHA cardiac function grading and ventricular premature contractions are independent influencing factors for all-cause mortality in patients with Keshan disease.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics, prognosis and gene mutation in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Keshan disease area of Sichuan Province, and to explore the risk factors for all-cause death in DCM patients.Methods:In June 2016, 55 DCM patients diagnosed at the local disease prevention and control center through clinical manifestations, electrocardiogram examination, and echocardiography were selected as the survey subjects in Mianning County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, and Renhe District, Panzhihua City, Keshan disease areas of Sichuan Province. Baseline clinical data were analyzed and long-term follow-up was conducted. The follow-up period ended June 15, 2021, with the endpoint of all-cause death. Univariate Cox regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of all-cause death in patients, and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curve was used to analyze the survival time of patients. At the same time, peripheral venous blood was collected from 27 DCM patients. After separating white blood cells, DNA was extracted, and whole exome sequencing was performed to screen potential pathogenic genes.Results:Among the 55 DCM patients, 40 were males and 15 were females. The age was (54.09 ± 12.38) years old. The heart function classification of New York Heart Association (NYHA) was mainly grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ, accounting for 94.55% (52/55). The follow-up time for 55 DCM patients was (7.02 ± 2.96) years, and 17 patients experienced all-cause death, accounting for 30.91% (17/55), including 15 males and 2 females. Compared with the survival group, the death group had a lower incidence of syncope (χ 2 = 6.57, P = 0.010), but higher rates of bilateral lower limb edema (χ 2 = 6.43, P = 0.017), pulmonary congestion (χ 2 = 7.61, P = 0.006), intraventricular conduction block (χ 2 = 6.41, P = 0.011), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) use (χ 2 = 6.57, P = 0.010), as well as increased left ventricular diameter ( t = 2.36, P = 0.022). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that bilateral lower limb edema [hazard ratio ( HR) = 4.61, P = 0.042] and intraventricular conduction block ( HR = 3.20, P = 0.019) were risk factors for all-cause death of DCM patients. The results of K-M survival curve analysis showed that patients with bilateral lower limb edema and intraventricular conduction block had higher all-cause death rates (log-rank χ 2 = 5.02, 6.24, P = 0.025, 0.012). Whole exome sequencing results showed that 4 patients were detected to carry pathogenic or suspected pathogenic gene mutations, with a positive rate of 14.81% (4/27), involving three genes: β-myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7), calreticulin 3 (CALR3), and gelsolin (GSN). Conclusions:The all-cause death rate of DCM patients in the Keshan disease area of Sichuan Province is relatively high. Dead patients are prone to bilateral lower limb edema, pulmonary congestion, and intraventricular conduction block, as well as increased left ventricular diameter. Bilateral lower limb edema and intraventricular conduction block are independent predictive risk factors for all-cause death in DCM patients. MYH7, CALR3 and GSN are involved in the pathogenesis of DCM.

Objective To establish and evaluate a microbial sensitivity test method for Neisseria gonorrhoeae based on resazurin coloration.Methods Based on the broth microdilution method,resazurin was added as a live bacteria indicator.WHO G,a WHO gonococcal reference strain,was used to optimize the incubation time for resazurin-stained bacteria and the color change was visually observed to obtain the results.Agar dilution method(the gold standard)and resazurin-based microdilution assay were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)of azithromycin,ceftriaxone,and spectinomycin for 3 reference strains and 32 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.The results were analyzed based on essential agreement(EA),which reflected the consistency of the MIC values,category agreement(CA),which reflected the consistency in the determination of drug resistance,intermediary,and sensitivity,very major error(VME),which reflected false sensitivity,and major error(ME),which reflected pseudo drug resistance,to evaluate the accuracy of resazurin-based microdilution assay as a microbial sensitivity test of of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.CA and EA rates≥90%and VME and ME rates≤3%were found to be the acceptable performance rates.Results The results obtained 6 hours after resazurin was added were consistent with those of the agar dilution method and the resazurin-based microdilution assay was established accordingly based on this parameter.The EA of resazurin-based microdilution assay for measuring the MIC results of azithromycin,ceftriaxone,and spectinomycin was 97.1%,91.5%,and 94.3%,respectively,and the CA was 88.6%,94.3%,and 94.3%,respectively.The VME was 0%for all three antibiotics,while the ME was 11.4%,5.7%,and 5.7%,respectively.Conclusion The resazurin-based microdilution assay established in this study showed good agreement with agar dilution method for measuring the MIC of antibiotics against Neisseria gonorrhoeae.Moreover,the sensitivity results of this method were highly reliable and could be easily obtained through naked eye observation.Nonetheless,the results of drug resistance should be treated with caution and the optimization of parameters should be continued.

Medical polyurethanes have emerged as a leading choice for biomedical applications owing to their exceptional biocompatibility and good physical and mechanical properties.Catalysts play a crucial role as additives in the synthesis of medical polyurethanes,enhancing synthesis efficiency and material properties.However,the catalysts used may affect the biocompatibility of polyurethanes and pose potential harm to human health.This review encapsulates the latest findings regarding the catalysts employed in the synthesis of medical polyurethane materials and their biotoxicity.Initially,we reviewed the prevalent types of catalysts used in the synthesis of medical polyurethane materials and described their distinctive characteristics.Subsequently,our focus shifted to exploring the potential biotoxicity associated with these catalysts.Finally,we provided a forward-looking perspective and recommendations for the future trajectory of catalyst selection in the synthesis of medical polyurethane materials.By acquiring a more profound understanding of the properties and biotoxicity of catalysts used in the synthesis of medical polyurethane materials,and by uncovering existing issues and challenges,we can better guide the design of medical polyurethane materials.This,in turn,enables us to chart the course for future development and ultimately enhance the biocompatibility and safety profiles of medical polyurethane materials.Such advancements will promote the continued development and application of medical polyurethane materials in clinical settings.