AIM: To investigate the distribution characteristics of pathogens in patients with post-traumatic infectious endophthalmitis(PTIE)and their relationship with serum levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 1α(MIP-1α), heat shock protein 70(HSP70), and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1(sTREM-1).METHODS:A total of 157 patients with PTIE from the Handan City Eye Hospital(The Third Hospital of Handan)from May 2023 to May 2025 were selected as the study group. They were divided into a good prognosis group and a poor prognosis group based on their uncorrected visual acuity at discharge. Meanwhile, 157 patients with ocular trauma but without endophthalmitis during the same period were selected as control group 1, and 157 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations during the same period were selected as control group 2. Aqueous humor and vitreous fluid samples were collected from the study group to detect the distribution of pathogens. The levels of serum MIP-1α, HSP70, and sTREM-1 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for poor prognosis. The predictive value of serum MIP-1α, HSP70, and sTREM-1 levels for poor prognosis was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)and decision curve analysis(DCA).RESULTS: The general data of the participants in the three groups was comparable. A total of 173 pathogens were detected in the 157 patients with PTIE, with Gram-positive bacteria being the predominant type. The levels of serum MIP-1α and sTREM-1 in the study group were higher than those in control groups 1 and 2, while the level of HSP70 was lower than those in control groups 1 and 2(all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the levels of serum MIP-1α, HSP70, and sTREM-1 between control groups 1 and 2(all P>0.05). In the poor prognosis group, the time of wound suture was ≥24 h, the wound location was in zones II/III, the type of trauma was rupture, the proportion of rupture injuries, and the levels of serum C-reactive protein, MIP-1α, and sTREM-1 were higher than those in the good prognosis group, while the level of HSP70 was decreased(all P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the time of wound suture, wound location, type of trauma, C-reactive protein, MIP-1α, HSP70, and sTREM-1 were risk factors for poor visual prognosis in patients with PTIE(all P<0.05). The ROC curve results showed that the combined prediction of serum MIP-1α, HSP70, and sTREM-1 for poor visual prognosis in PTIE patients had an AUC value of 0.965, which was significantly higher than that of individual predictions(ZMIP-1α, ZHSP70, ZsTREM-1=3.628, 4.705, 3.930, all P<0.05). Additionally, the DCA curve showed that the combined prediction had a higher net benefit rate than individual predictions in the high-risk threshold range of 0.03-0.97.CONCLUSION:Gram-positive bacteria are the predominant type of pathogenic bacteria in patients with PTIE, with elevated levels of serum MIP-1α and sTREM-1 and decreased levels of HSP70. The combined detection of these three factors has a high predictive efficacy for visual prognosis in patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Buyang huanwu decoction （BYHWD） and its active fractions in ameliorating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS BYHWD and its effective fractions obtained through ethanol precipitation， as well as 30% ethanol， 50% ethanol， and 75% ethanol fractions （namely， the CC effective fraction， 30YC effective fraction， 50YC effective fraction， and 75YC effective fraction）， were prepared. These preparations were administered to rats via intragastric administration to prepare corresponding drug-containing serum （blank serum and simvastatin-containing serum were prepared using the same protocol）. Human L02 hepatocytes were divided into control group， model group， simvastatin-containing serum group， BYHWD-containing serum group， CC-containing serum group， 30YC-containing serum group， 50YC-containing serum group， and 75YC-containing serum group. Except for the control group， other groups were given 0.2 mol/L oleic acid for 24 h to induce a lipid accumulation model， and then intervened with 20% drug-containing serum/blank serum for 24 h. The lipid deposition in cells was observed， and the proportion of lipid droplet area was calculated； the levels of triglycerides （TG） and indicators of oxidative stress [malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）] as well as liver function [alanine amino- transferase （ALT）， aspartate amino-transferase （AST）] in cells were detected； protein and mRNA expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 （SREBP-1）/glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase （GPAT） signaling pathway were also measured. RESULTS Compared with the control group， cells in the model group exhibited severe cellular steatosis， with a significantly increased proportion of lipid droplet area， as well as the elevated levels of TG， ALT， AST， and MDA in cells， along with significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein expression levels of SREBP-1 and GPAT （P＜0.05）. The level of SOD， mRNA expression of AMPK， as well as the protein phosphorylation level of AMPK were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， cellular steatosis was alleviated in all drug-containing serum groups， and the levels of most of the aforementioned quantitative indicators were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS BYHWD and its active fractions can exert a therapeutic effect on improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating the AMPK/SREBP-1/GPAT signaling pathway， inhibiting oxidative stress responses， and reducing lipid deposition.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the latest research progress of graphene and its derivatives (GDs) in bone repair. METHODS: The relevant research literature at home and abroad in recent years was extensively accessed. The properties of GDs in bone repair materials, including mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and antibacterial properties, were systematically summarized, and the unique advantages of GDs in material preparation, functionalization, and application, as well as the contributions and challenges to bone tissue engineering, were discussed. RESULTS: The application of GDs in bone repair materials has broad prospects, and the functionalization and modification technology effectively improve the osteogenic activity and material properties of GDs. GDs can induce osteogenic differentiation of stem cells through specific signaling pathways and promote osteogenic activity through immunomodulatory mechanisms. In addition, the parameters of GDs have significant effects on the cytotoxicity and degradation behavior. CONCLUSION GDs has great potential in the field of bone repair because of its excellent physical and chemical properties and biological properties. However, the cytotoxicity, biodegradability, and functionalization strategies of GDs still need to be further studied in order to achieve a wider application in the field of bone tissue engineering.
Graphite/pharmacology* ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Humans ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Biocompatible Materials/pharmacology* ; Bone Regeneration ; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry* ; Cell Differentiation ; Bone and Bones ; Bone Substitutes/chemistry* ; Animals

Objective To evaluate the value of ultrasound scoring system combined with serum levels of creatine kinase(CK),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)in predicting the degree of placental implantation in parturients.Methods A total of 137 pregnant women with placental implantation disorders who were admitted to Xi'an Daxing Hospital from January 2020 to January 2024 were enrolled in this retrospective study.Pathological examination revealed 101 cases of adhesion type and 36 cases of implantation and penetration types.Clinical data were collected.All the patients underwent ultrasonic examination and were scored using an ultrasound scoring system.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the factors influencing the degree of placental implantation.The predictive value of the ultrasound scoring system and serum markers for the degree of placental implantation was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results The transfusion rate of allogeneic red blood cell and ultrasound score in patients with implantation and penetration types were significantly higher than those in patients with adhesion type(55.56%vs.14.85%,5.97±1.23 vs.2.52±1.20,P<0.05).Serum levels of CK,VEGF and AFP in patients with implantation and penetration types were also significantly higher than those in patients with adhesion type([151.94±51.02]U/L vs.[121.37±43.01]U/L,[251.64±52.09]pg/mL vs.[151.67±31.08]pg/ml,[234.95±43.01]ng/mL vs.[205.64±35.12]ng/ml,P<0.05).Ultrasound findings such as the disappearance of the clear zone,abnormal placental lacunae,disruption of the bladder boundary,thinning of the myometrium,placental protrusion,extrusion of local tissue,high vascularization between the uterus and bladder,high vascularization behind the placenta,vascular bridges,and direct blood vessels in the placental bed were significantly more frequent in patients with implantation and penetration types compared to the adhesion type(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that allogeneic red blood cell transfusion rate,ultrasound score,and serum levels of CK,VEGF and AFP were independent risk factors for a higher degree of placental implantation,with odds ratios of 5.363,1.810,1.015,1.019,and 1.020(95%CI:1.410-20.404,1.197-2.736,1.000-1.030,1.004-1.035,1.002-1.038,P<0.05).The combined predictive value of ultrasound scoring and serum levels of CK,VEGF and AFP showed the highest sensitivity(94.40%)and specificity(97.00%)for the degree of placental implantation in patients with implantation and penetration types,with a Youden index of 0.914 and an AUC of 0.937(95%CI:0.874-0.999).Conclusion The ultrasound scoring system combined with serum CK,VEGF and AFP can effectively predict the severity of placental implantation.This combined approach offers high sensitivity and specificity for identifying high-risk cases of implantation and penetration types of placental implantation,thereby aiding clinicians in optimizing management and intervention strategies for pregnant women.

Objective To establish a safe disposal management program for home used sharps waste of insulin injection so as to provide a reference for the standardised management of sharps waste after insulin.injection.Methods Based on the model of information-motivation-behavioural skills,the safe disposal management program for insulin needles used at home was developed by literature reviews and semi-structured interviews to investigate the perceptions and requirements of patients.The program was then modified and refined by two rounds of expert consultation with Delphi method.Results The effective retrieval rates of questionnaire for two rounds of expert consultations were 88.89%and 93.75%,with an expert authority coefficient at 0.93.In the second round,the mean importance scores of the items were 4.40 to 5.00,with a coefficient of variation ranged from 0 to 0.168.The established program consisted of three primary items,six secondary items,and 20 tertiary items.Conclusion The safe disposal management program for home used sharps waste of insulin injection established from the perspectives of information,motivation and behavioural skills was scientific and practical,which offered a guidance to healthcare professionals in the clinical practices.

Objective:To study the efficacy and safety of anlotinib in the treatment of advanced radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC) and the effect of anlotinib on iodine uptake of lesions.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 23 patients (10 males and 13 females, age (59.1±8.7) years) with advanced RAIR-DTC who were treated with anlotinib in Liaocheng Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University between January 2019 and February 2023 and met the enrollment criteria. Thyroid function, serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and Tg antibody (TgAb) were determined every 6 weeks during the treatment with anlotinib, and maximum diameter of target lesion (TL) was monitored by CT every 12 weeks, in order to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, and treatment-related adverse reactions were observed. Diagnostic 131I whole body scan (Dx-WBS) was performed in some patients to evaluate the changes in iodine uptake of lesions after anlotinib treatment. In this study, the posttreatment changes of patients within 24 weeks during the treatment were analyzed. The maximum diameter of TL and Tg at different time points were compared by Friedman test, and were further compared in pairs with P values corrected by Bonferroni method. Results:After 24 weeks of treatment with anlotinib, 8 of 23 patients achieved partial response, 15 had stable disease, and no patients achieved complete response. Serum Tg levels at 6, 12, 18, 24 weeks after anlotinib treatment were 189.5(85.0, 483.3), 127.7(52.4, 319.8), 82.0(40.2, 213.5) and 80.1(39.9, 205.0) μg/L, all of which were lower than the baseline level of Tg (384.5(210.9, 1 605.0) μg/L; χ2 values: 4.23-7.86, all P<0.001). Tg level at 18 weeks after treatment was statistically different from that at 12 weeks after treatment ( χ2 =3.06, P<0.001), but was not statistically different from that at 24 weeks after treatment ( χ2 =12.57, P=0.059). The maximum TL diameters of lung and cervical lymph nodes were significantly reduced at week 12 and 24 of anlotinib treatment compared with baseline ( χ2 values: 14.76-31.12, all P<0.001), while there was no significant difference in TL maximum diameter at 12 and 24 weeks of treatment ( χ2 values: 5.65, 9.02, P values: 0.314, 0.070). Common adverse reactions included hypertension, hand-foot syndrome, hyperacylglyceremia and proteinuria. No adverse reactions above grade 4 or death related to adverse reactions occurred. Dx-WBS evaluation was performed in 7 patients after anlotinib treatment, and no change in iodine uptake was found. Conclusions:Anlotinib has a clear effect on advanced RAIR-DTC with less adverse reactions. The efficacy of anlotinib reaches the strongest at around 12-18 weeks and becomes stable at 24 weeks. No effect of anlotinib on inducing redifferentiation of RAIR-DTC cells and enhancing iodine uptake is found.

Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius is a kind of Gram-positive facultative anaerobic bacteria. The fast growth rate under high temperature and less susceptibility to microbial contamination enable G. thermoglucosidasius to be a desirable producer of biofuels and high-value-added chemicals for the next-generation industrial biotechnology. However, compared with the classical model strain Escherichia coli, the applications of G. thermoglucosidasius are hampered by its low transformation efficiency. This study aimed at obtaining competent cells with high transformation efficiency through inactivating restriction enzymes, adding cell membrane inhibitors and cell wall weakening agents. The results showed that the electro-transformation efficiency achieved 1.2×10⁴ CFU/(μg DNA) by knocking out four genes encoding restriction enzymes. Adding a certain amount of tween 80, dl-threonine and glycine further increased the competent efficiency about 22.5, 44, and 334 times, respectively. The electro-transformation efficiency was enhanced to 4.6×10⁶ CFU/(μg DNA) under the optimized conditions, laying a foundation for genetic manipulation and metabolic engineering of G. thermoglucosidasius.
Electroporation ; Electroporation Therapies ; Bacillaceae ; Cell Membrane ; Escherichia coli/genetics*

Objective:To retrieve and summarize the best evidence related to the management of insulin injection-related sharps waste disposal in diabetic patients at home and abroad, so as to provide reference for clinical healthcare professionals.Methods:This was a evidence-based research. Evidence on insulin injection-related sharps waste management in patients with diabetes, including guidelines, expert consensus, evidence summaries, best practice information sheet, recommended practices, clinical decisions and systematic reviews was systematically searched from domestic and international databases and professional websites, and the search time frame was from the establishment of the database to December 2021. Evidence was extracted and summarized following a quality evaluation of the literature that met the criteria.Results:A total of 15 papers were included, summarizing 25 pieces of best evidence on four areas including risk assessment and management of sharps waste associated with insulin injections, education and training, and the use of safe devices and sharps containers.Conclusions:Best evidence on the management of insulin injection-related sharps waste disposal provides evidence to support clinical practice for healthcare professionals to standardized sharps waste disposal practices in patients with diabetes.