OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment of "biaoben acupoint combination" on cardiomyocyte mitochondrial fission in the rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and explore its mechanism. METHODS: Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, an EA pretreatment group, an EA pretreatment + Compound C group and an EA pretreatment+ML385 group, 10 rats in each group. In the EA pretreatment, the EA pretreatment + Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group, EA was delivered at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6), "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Guanyuan" (CV4) for 20 min, with continuous wave and 2 Hz of frequency, 1 mA of current, once daily for consecutive 7 days. On day 8, in the EA pretreatment + Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group, 30 min before model preparation, the intraperitoneal injection with Compound C (0.3 mg/kg) and ML385 (30 mg/kg) was administered respectively. Except in the sham-operation group, the ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery was performed to prepare MIRI rat model in the rest groups. In the sham-operation group, the thread was not ligated. After modeling, the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ischemic area was measured by flow cytometry, superoxide dismutase (SOD) was detected using xanthine oxidase method, and malondialdelyde (MDA) was detected using thiobarbituric acid (TBA) chromatometry. The morphology of myocardial tissue in the ischemic area was observed with HE staining, and the mitochondria ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes observed under transmission electron microscopy. Using immunofluorescence analysis, the positive expression of mitochondrial fission factor (MFF), mitochondrial fission 1 protein antibody (Fis1) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) was detected; and with immunohistochemical method used, the protein expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nuclear factor E2-associated factor2 (Nrf2) and Drp1 in the ischemic area was detected. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the content of ROS and MDA in the myocardial tissue of the ischemic area, and the positive expression of MFF, Fis1 and Drp1 increased in the model group (P<0.01); the content of SOD and the protein expression of AMRK and Nrf2 decreased (P<0.01), and the protein expression of Drp1 elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the content of ROS and MDA in the myocardial tissue of the ischemic area, and the positive expression of MFF, Fis1 and Drp1 were dropped in the EA pretreatment group (P<0.01); the content of SOD and the protein expression of AMRK and Nrf2 rose (P<0.01), and the protein expression of Drp1 declined (P<0.01); and in the EA pretreatment+Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group, the positive expression of MFF, Fis1 and Drp1, and the protein expression of Drp1 were all reduced (P<0.01). When compared with the EA pretreatment + Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group, the content of ROS and MDA in the myocardial tissue of the ischemic area, and the positive expression of MFF, Fis1 and Drp1 were dropped in the EA pretreatment group (P<0.01); the content of SOD and the protein expression of AMRK and Nrf2 rose (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the protein expression of Drp1 decreased (P<0.05). In comparison with the model group, the EA pretreatment+Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group, the cardiac muscle fiber rupture, cell swelling and mitochondrial disorders were obviously alleviated in the EA pretreatment group. The morphological changes were similar among the model group, the EA pretreatment+Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group. CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture pretreatment of "biaoben acupoint combination" attenuates myocardial injury in MIRI rats, probably through promoting the phosphorylation of AMPK and Nrf2, inhibiting the excessive mitochondrial fission induced by Drp1, and reducing mitochondrial dysfunction caused by mitochondrial fragmentation and vacuolation.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/physiopathology* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology* ; Rats ; Acupuncture Points ; Mitochondrial Dynamics ; Humans ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

Selection markers are essential tools in gene editing, the utility of such systems is inherently constrained by species-specific limitations, governed by divergent host genetic backgrounds and metabolic compatibility. To address this limitation, we leveraged the CRISPR/Cas9 system to develop a universal counter-selection tool. We designed and introduced an sgRNA expression cassettes as counter-selection markers, which directs the Cas9 protein to target and cleave genomic DNA, allowing for the selection of the strains where the sgRNA expression cassette has been replaced. Optimized to target multiple copy sites with sgRNA, this system significantly enhances cell lethality, boosting counter-selection efficiency to over 85.00%. This counter-selection tool is not limited to single strains and is suitable for various scenarios, including multi-copy plasmid assembly and plasmid editing, demonstrating broad application potential.
CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics* ; Gene Editing/methods* ; RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics* ; Plasmids/genetics*

Glaucoma is a group of ocular diseases characterized by structural damage to the optic nerve, and the goal of its clinical management is to slow disease progression and preserve the physiological need for visual function.Methods to assess glaucoma disease progression include assessment of structural damage and assessment of visual function damage.As glaucomatous disease progresses, some of the indicators used to assess structural damage have a floor effect when retinal ganglion cells die in large numbers.Therefore, visual function assessment has become the main modality to monitor the progression of mid- to late-stage glaucoma.This article reviews the visual function assessment methods, applications, and recent advances from four aspects, namely, visual field examination, visual electrophysiology examination, contrast sensitivity, and comprehensive visual function assessment, and analyzes their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages in assessing the progression of visual function damage in glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patterns in China are becoming similar to those in the United States (US). Comparing the recent cancer profiles, trends, and determinants in China and the US can provide useful reference data. METHODS: This study used open-source data. We used GLOBOCAN 2022 cancer estimates and United Nations population estimates to calculate cancer cases and deaths in both countries during 2024. Data on cancer incidence and mortality trends were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and National Centre for Health Statistics in the US and cancer registry reports of the National Cancer Center (NCC) of China. Data from the Global Burden of Disease study (GBD) and a decomposition approach were used to estimate the contributions of four determinants to the change in cancer deaths. RESULTS: In 2024, there are an estimated 3,246,625 and 2,510,597 new cancer cases and 1,699,066 and 640,038 cancer deaths in China and the US, respectively. The highest estimated cancer cases are lung cancer in China and breast cancer in the US. The age-standardized incidence rates of lung and colorectal cancer in the US, and stomach, liver, and esophageal cancer in China have decreased, but the incidence rates of liver cancer in the US and colorectal cancer, prostate cancer in men, and cervical cancer in women in China have increased. Increases in the adult population size and population aging are main reasons for the increase in cancer deaths; case fatality rates are a main reason for the decrease in cancer deaths in both countries. CONCLUSIONS China has made progress in cancer control but lags the US. Considering the transformation in China's pattern of cancers epidemiology, it is imperative to develop stronger policies by adopting the cancer prevention and control strategies used in the US to address population aging and curb growing cancer trends.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; United States/epidemiology* ; Male ; Neoplasms/mortality* ; Female ; Incidence ; SEER Program ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Lung Neoplasms/mortality*

Abstract： Objective　To establish a screening-diagnosis-evaluation system of neonatal congenital heart disease (CHD) suitable for Hainan Province based on the application of percutaneous blood oxygen saturation measurement and cardiac auscultation screening, and to provide a basis for further promotion of the evaluation effect. Methods　Screening agencies (all midwifery institutions) used the "double index method" to screen newborns for congenital heart disease. Those who were screened positive for any index were transferred to diagnostic institutions (the people's hospitals of all cities and counties and some tertiary hospitals) for echocardiography examination within 1 week. Those with abnormal results were transferred to the treatment institution (two tertiary hospitals) for reconfirmation and evaluation. All data were managed online. Results　In this study, 96 913 newborns born in midwifery institutions in 19 cities and counties were screened, with a response rate of 99.44%. The ratio of male infants (50 836) to female infants (46 077) was 1.10∶1. A total of 2 284 positive patients were screened by dual index method, and ultrasound diagnosis was performed, with the rate of cardiac ultrasonography of 98.07% (2 240/2 284) and a high response rate. A total of 238 cases of congenital heart disease were diagnosed (incidence rate of 0.25%), with the top three main types were ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and patent ductus arteriosus. The sensitivity (88.24%) and Youden index (0.86) of dual-indicator screening for CHD detection were significantly higher than the other separate indicators. Through Kappa consistency test analysis, the consistency of dual-indicator screening with simple heart murmur screening results was excellent, with a Kappa coefficient value of 0.835 (>0.75); the consistency of dual-indicator screening and simple POX screening results was good, with a Kappa coefficient value of 0.429 (between 0.40-0.75), and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). By the end of the study, 136 children had undergone open-chest/occlusion surgery, with good postoperative recovery, and the rest were followed up. Conclusions　The neonatal CHD screening-diagnosis-assessment technology system established in this study, with close connections between various blocks, high screening response rate and echocardiography examination rate, is beneficial for the early diagnosis and treatment of CHD children, and has certain application value in institutions at all levels in Hainan Province, and is worth further promotion.

Delayed endolymphatic hydrops （DEH） is a rare disease that causes vertigo and is often misdiagnosed as other vertigo diseases. This article reports on a patient with vertigo who was easily misdiagnosed. The patient was a middle ear cholesteatoma complicated by labyrinthine fistula （LF）; however, his vertigo was episodic vertigo, which could not be explained solely by LF causing labyrinthitis. The possibility of endolymphatic hydrops was suspected, which was confirmed by inner ear magnetic resonance gadolinium imaging. This is the first reported case of middle ear cholesteatoma complicated by LF and DEH. The patient underwent surgical resection of the cholesteatoma and three semicircular canal obstructions at the same time. During two years postoperative follow-up, the patient did not experience a recurrence of vertigo. When diagnosing vertigo diseases, a careful history of vertigo is of utmost importance.
Humans ; Endolymphatic Hydrops/diagnosis* ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/complications* ; Vertigo/complications* ; Labyrinth Diseases/complications* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/adverse effects* ; Semicircular Canals

Abstract: Objective　To evaluate the free thalassaemia screening programme for preconception and pregnancy in Hainan Province, and to provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the screening process for thalassaemia. Methods From November 2020 to July 2021, a survey was conducted on 10 396 adults with Hainan household registration who participated in the Epidemiological Survey of Thalassemia in Hainan Residents in 19 cities and counties of Hainan Province. All of them underwent routine blood tests, haemoglobin electrophoresis tests and genetic tests for thalassaemia. The optimal diagnostic cut-off values for mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and haemoglobin adult type 2 (HbA2) were determined using screening test indexes such as receiver operating characteristic curve and sensitivity. The diagnostic effectiveness of different primary screening programs for thalassemia gene carriers was evaluated. Results Using the existing MCV single-indicator thalassemia primary screening protocol in Hainan Province, where individuals with MCV<82 fL undergo thalassemia gene testing, resulted in a high missed diagnosis rate (34.06%) and low sensitivity (65.94%). The optimal cut-off values for MCV screening for alpha-and beta-thalassaemia were 84.45 fL and 79.05 fL, respectively; the optimal cut-off values for MCH screening for alpha-and beta-thalassaemia were 27.95 pg and 25.15 pg, respectively. The optimal cut-off value for HbA2 screening for alpha-thalassaemia was less than 2.55% and greater than 3.35% for beta-thalassaemia. The "combined HbA2 or MCH or MCV screening protocol" with the cut-off values recommended in this study had a better performance in primary screening for thalassemia, with the highest sensitivity (92.96%) and negative predictive value (92.67%) and the lowest underdiagnosis rate (7.04%), statistically significant differences compared with the existing protocol (P<0.05). Conclusions The current process of screening for thalassemia in Hainan Province may lead to missed diagnoses. The combined use of MCV, MCH and HbA2 for thalassemia screening, adopting locally suitable cutoff values for primary screening indicators, can improve the incidence of missed reporting of thalassemia and enhance diagnostic effectiveness.

Abstract: Objective To explore the trend of maternal mortality in Hainan Province during the period of 2003-2022, both in the province and in urban and rural areas, and to forecast the maternal mortality rate for the period 2023-2025. Methods The 2003-2022 data collected from Hainan Province's three-tier network for maternal mortality surveillance was examined using the Chi-square test for trend (CMH) to analyze the province-wide and urban-rural maternal mortality trends. The time series model forecasting using exponential smoothing was used to predict the maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province from 2023 to 2025. Results　From 2003 to 2022, a total of 201 011 616 live births and 463 maternal deaths were reported in Hainan Province, with a maternal mortality rate of 23.03 per 100 000. Over 20 years, the maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province showed a downward trend, with an annual rate of decline of -4.13%. The rate decreased significantly during this period.. From 2003 to 2022, the maternal mortality rate in rural areas of Hainan Province was 25.74/100 000 (373/1 448 943), and it was significantly higher than that in urban areas, 16.04/100 000 (90/561 173). In the first 10 years, the gap between urban and rural areas progressively reduced, but it widened significantly in the last decade, especially after 2017. The maternal mortality rate was significantly lower in urban than rural areas, and the differences had statistical significance. The annual rates of decline in maternal mortality in Hainan Province and in urban and rural areas from 2003 to 2022 were -5.0% and -3.71%, respectively, showing a negative growth with the decrease rate in rural areas lower than urban areas. The maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province showed a fluctuating downward trend, different from the stable trend of national decrease. The mortality rates for direct obstetric causes of death (233 cases) and indirect obstetric causes of death (230 cases) were 11.59/100 000 and 11.44/100 000, respectively. The results of the maternal mortality review showed a predominance of avoidable deaths (315 cases, 68.03%). Brown's cubic exponential smoothing predicted the maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province for 2023-2025 as 9.45/100 000, 8.17/100 000, and 6.89/100 000. Conclusions　The maternal mortality rate in Hainan Province is largely influenced by maternal deaths in rural areas, and maternal health care in rural areas should be emphasized. Measures such as intervening to address the main factors influencing avoidable maternal deaths, strengthening high-risk maternal management, improving the level of critical maternal care, and providing subsidies for critical maternal care can sustainably reduce the maternal mortality rate in Hainan.