BACKGROUND:Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease.Early diagnosis is crucial for preventing disease progression and for effective treatment.Therefore,it is of significance to investigate the diagnostic characteristics and immune cell infiltration of rheumatoid arthritis. OBJECTIVE:Based on the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,to screen potential diagnostic markers of rheumatoid arthritis using machine learning algorithms and to investigate the relationship between the diagnostic characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis and immune cell infiltration in this pathology. METHODS:The gene expression datasets of synovial tissues related to rheumatoid arthritis were obtained from the GEO database.The data sets were merged using a batch effect removal method.Differential expression analysis and functional correlation analysis of genes were performed using R software.Bioinformatics analysis and three machine learning algorithms were used for the extraction of disease signature genes,and key genes related to rheumatoid arthritis were screened.Furthermore,we analyzed immune cell infiltration on all differentially expressed genes to examine the inflammatory state of rheumatoid arthritis and investigate the correlation between their diagnostic characteristics and infiltrating immune cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In both rheumatoid arthritis and normal synovial tissues,we identified 179 differentially expressed genes,with 124 genes up-regulated and 55 genes down-regulated.Enrichment analysis revealed a significant correlation between rheumatoid arthritis and immune response.Three machine learning algorithms identified LRRC15 and MICB as potential biomarkers of rheumatoid arthritis.LRRC15(area under the curve=0.964,95%confidence interval:0.924-0.992)and MICB(area under the curve=0.961,95%confidence interval:0.923-0.990)demonstrated strong diagnostic performance on the validation dataset.The infiltration of 13 types of immune cells was altered,with macrophages being the most affected.In rheumatoid arthritis,the majority of proinflammatory pathways in immune cell function were activated.Immunocorrelation analysis revealed that LRRC15 and MICB had the strongest correlation with M1 macrophages.To conclude,this study identified LRRC15 and MICB as potential diagnostic markers for rheumatoid arthritis,with strong diagnostic performance and significant correlation with immune cell infiltration.Machine learning and bioinformatics analysis deepened the understanding of immune infiltration in rheumatoid arthritis and provided new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of astragalin （AST） on autophagy and apoptosis of astrocytes in the L_4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord in mice with inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant （CFA）. MethodsTwenty-four male C57BL/6 mice， aged six months， were randomly assigned to four groups： control group， saline group， CFA model group， and CFA+AST group， six mice in each group. The inflammatory pain model was established by injection of 10 µL CFA into the right lateral malleolus fossa. The saline group were injected with an equal amount of normal saline at the same site. The inflammatory pain mice in CFA+AST group were further treated with AST （60 mg/kg） intraperitoneally once a day for 21 consecutive days. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the coexpression of autophagy-related factors including ATG 12 and Beclin-1， apoptosis-related factors including Cleaved-Caspase3 and Caspase9， and the astrocyte marker such as GFAP in the L_4-5 spinal dorsal horn of the mice in each group. Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of autophagy-related proteins（ATG12， Beclin-1） and apoptosis-related proteins（Caspase 3， Caspase 9） in the L_4-5 spinal dorsal horn of mice. ResultsImmunofluorescent staining showed that in the L_4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord， the fluorescence intensity of ATG12 （P<0.000 1） and Beclin-1 （P<0.000 1） was significantly increased， while that of Cleaved-Caspase 3 （P<0.001） and Caspase 9 （P<0.000 1） was decreased in the CFA+AST group when compared to the CFA model group. Furthermore， AST could inhibit the activation of astrocytes. Western blot further confirmed that AST significantly upregulated the expression of ATG12 （P<0.000 1） and Beclin-1 （P<0.000 1） in the L_4-5 spinal cord of CFA mice， and downregulated the expression of Caspase 3 （P<0.01） and Caspase 9 （P<0.001）. ConclusionsAST promotes autophagy of astrocytes and inhibits their apoptosis in the L_4-5 spinal dorsal horn of CFA mice.

Objective To create a mouse model of colorectal polyps with Apc-Kras-Cre gene mutations using the tamoxifen induction method.Methods Mice with Apc-Kras-Cre mutations were divided into four groups and injected intraperitoneally with different concentrations and dosages of tamoxifen for different durations,with group 1 injected with low dosage tamoxifen(5 mg/kg)for 1 day,group 2 injected with low dosage tamoxifen(5 mg/kg)for 3 days,group 3 injected with high dosage tamoxifen(50 mg/kg)for 1 day,group 4 injected with high dosage tamoxifen(50 mg/kg)for 3 days.C57BL/6J mice were used as a healthy control group and survival and changes in body weight were observed.All mice were euthanized 4 weeks post-tamoxifen induction and the colon length and number and size of intestinal polyps were observed.Histological changes in the intestinal tissue and polyps were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Results The survival rate of male mice was higher(P＜0.001)and the morbidity rate of male mice was lower compared with female mice(P＜0.05).The survival rate differed significantly among the four groups(P＜0.01).All groups showed significant changes in body weight compared with the healthy control group(P＜0.001).There were also significant differences in weight changes between tamoxifen-induced groups 1 and 2,between groups 2 and 3,and between groups 1 and 4(P＜0.001,P＜0.01,P＜0.05,respectively).There were no significant differences in colon length between any treated group and the healthy control group(P＞0.05),but colon length did differ between tamoxifen-induced groups 1 and 3(P＜0.05).Polyp size varied in each group of tamoxifen-treated mice,with most polyps occuring at the distal end of the colon,while mice in groups 3 and 4 had more and larger polyps.Histopathological examination showed intestinal polyps with uneven and misaligned glandular and epithelial arrangements,a loosely-packed intestinal mucosal barrier,and irregularly-distributed crypts in tamoxifen-induced mice compared with the healthy control group,while mice in tamoxifen-induced groups 3 and 4 showed signs of inflammation and mice in group 4 showed necrosis of cells in some regions.Conclusions Tamoxifen-induced Apc-Kras-Cre model mice were successfully established,with the group 3 induction method being the most suitable.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness for the treatment of totally robotic fundoplication.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 21 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who underwent unassisted totally robotic fundoplication at the Second Department of General Surgery, Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University from Aug 2023 to Jan 2024. The postoperative outcomes were evaluated using SF-36, GERD-Q, and NRS scoring indicators.Results:All 21 patients successfully underwent the surgery. The robotic surgery time was (99±41) minutes, with precise intraoperative anatomy and insignificant blood loss of (1.7±1.4) ml. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, and no conversions to open surgery . Postoperative recovery of bowel function was rapid (11.71±3.33) hours, with minimal postoperative pain (NRS score of 1.67±0.48).The postoperative hospital stay was short (3.86±2.90) days, and patient satisfaction was high, SF-36 score of (80.90±1.14);The symptoms of reflux after surgery was significantly reduced.Postoperative GERD-Q score of (4.38±1.69) significantly lower than the preoperative score of (13.90±2.07).Conclusion:Totally robotic fundoplication provides clear view of intraoperative anatomical structures, rapid postoperative recovery, minimal pain, and effective anti-reflux outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) and the necessity to perform LLIF plus posterior direct decompression in the treatment of severe degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS).Methods:In this prospective randomized, controlled trial, we assigned 71 patients, who were 50 to 80 years old, and diagnosed with severe DLSS (Schizas Classification grade C on magnetic resonance imaging), in a 1∶1 ratio to undergo either one-stage LLIF plus posterior internal fixation (treatment group) or CLIF plus posterior internal fixation with laminectomy (control group). Demographic and perioperative data were collected and compared. The clinical outcome measures included Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) score as well as visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients were followed up for at least 1 year.Results:The treatment group included 36 patients with 46 surgical levels, while the control group included 35 patients with 46 surgical levels. The baseline demographic data of the 2 groups were equivalent in preoperative central canal areas, spinal canal anteroposterior diameter, disc height, ODI, ZCQ score for symptom severity and physical function, as well as VAS scores for back and leg pain. The mean operative time, blood loss, drainage volume and hospital stay of the treatment group are significantly less than the control group (157.2±29.1 min vs. 180.6±26.8 min, 75.6±39.1 ml vs. 108.6±43.3 ml, 136.9±73.9 ml vs. 220.5±121.3 ml, 5.3±1.1 d vs. 6.6±2.3 d). There were 2 cases with dura tear and 1 case with wound infection in control group. Thus, the surgical trauma and complications of the control group were more than the treatment group. At 1-year follow-up, the mean ODI score of treatment group improved from 42.24%±10.70% preoperatively to 18.21%±11.49%, the mean ZCQ symptom severity from 2.89±0.38 to 1.61±0.41, the mean ZCQ physical function from 2.31±0.45 to 1.50±0.37, the mean VAS for back from 5.56±1.19 to 1.97±1.13 and the mean VAS for leg from 4.44±1.81 to 0.94±1.26. At 1-year follow-up, the mean ODI score of the control group improved from 43.65%±14.93% preoperatively to 17.36%±12.15%, the mean ZCQ symptom severity from 2.92±0.52 to 1.65±0.39, the mean ZCQ physical function from 2.37±0.52 to 1.55±0.39, the mean VAS for back from 5.63±1.40 to 2.34±1.47, and the mean VAS for leg from 4.37±2.14 to 0.83±1.20. The ZCQ satisfactory score of both groups were not significant different (1.25±0.45 vs. 1.26±0.43, t=0.07, P=0.944). The mean improvement rate of both groups for ODI, ZCQ symptom severity, ZCQ physical function, VAS back and VAS leg at 1-year follow-up were not significant different (55.43%±27.74% vs. 58.36%±25.06%, 43.07%±17.22% vs. 42.66%±12.95%, 32.25%±23.65% vs. 31.71%±23.24%, 62.65%±21.25% vs. 58.37%±22.44%, 78.94%±26.41% vs. 85.45%±20.53%). One adjacent segment disease was found in each group at 1 year follow-up. Conclusion:CLIF+ posterior internal fixation in the treatment of Schizas Grade C DLSS has satisfactory clinical outcome at 1-year follow-up. Laminectomy increases surgical trauma, but does not significantly improve the clinical outcome at 1-year follow-up.

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 explore the clinical effect of the application of intraoperative psoas major intramuscular block therapy on the complications related to the approach after multi-segmental crenel lumbar interbody fusion (CLIF).Methods:All of 68 degenerative lumbar scoliosis patients who had received multi-segmental crenel lumbar interbody fusion during January 2020 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether the psoas major muscle was treated with block therapy during the operation. The psoas muscle inblock group were filled with gel sponge infiltrated with a mixture of Betamethasone and lidocaine for local block therapy before closing the incision while that in the control group were not filled with gel sponge. There were 33 patients in the control group, 7 males and 26 females with an average of 65.8±7.1 years old (range: 54-81 years old); 35 cases in the block group, 9 males and 26 females with an average of 68.0±6.5 years old (range: 54-85 years old). The complications related to the approach (mainly includes pain, numbness in the front of the thigh, as well as psoas major, quadriceps muscle strength) were recorded respectively 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. The main indicators of outcome including visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, the visual analog scale (VAS) of numbness, muscle strength of psoas major and quadriceps femoris, and the incidence of complications related to the approach were compared between the two groups of patients at different time points after surgery. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI), VAS for low back pain. The radiological outcome was evaluated with Cobb angles and sagittal balance parameters (sagittal vertical axis, SVA).Results:There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), number of fusion segments, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups. The incidence of approach-related complications was 17.1% in the block group and 39.4% in the control group, with statistically significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=4.177, P=0.041). The incidence of postoperative pain, numbness in the front of the thighs, and muscle strength of psoas major in the block group (11.4%, 14.3%) were lower than those in the control group (33.3%, 36.4%) ( χ2=4.740, P=0.029; χ2=4.416, P=0.036). And for numbness in the front of thigh, the block group (14.3) was lower than control group (21.2%), but no significant difference was shown between two groups ( χ2=0.561, P=0.454). However, there was no quadriceps weakness in either group. The VAS scores of painof the block group were lower than those of the control group at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.220, P=0.031; t=2.235, P=0.031; t=2.086, P=0.044). The difference at 3 months was not statistically significant ( t=0.385, P=0.701). The muscle strength of psoas major of the block group, meanwhile, was higher than those of the control group on the 1day and 1 week after surgery, the difference was statistically significant as well ( t=2.208, P=0.032; t=2.171, P=0.034). The difference at 1 and 3 months was not statistically significant ( t=0.923, P=0.359; t=1.437, P=0.160). No statistically significant differences were found in VAS scores of numbness at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. Postoperative low back pain and lumbar spine function were significantly improved in both groups, and there was no statistical significance between the two groups. Coronal Cobb angle and sagittal balance were significantly improved in both groups after surgery, and there was no statistical significance between the two groups. Conclusion:Psoas major intramuscular block therapy can reduce the incidence of early postoperative complications of multi-segmental CLIF. Furthermore, it was found to be effective to alleviate anterior thigh pain within 1 month, and improve psoas major muscle weakness within 1 week.

Objective To observe the morphological changes in the testes and ovaries of adult 12th-generation Oncomelania hupensis bred for 12 winters in Weishan Lake areas. Methods The offspring of the adult O. hupensis snails bred in the Weishan Lake that were originated from the Yangzhou section of the Yangtze River was defined as the experiment group, while uninfected, adult O. hupensis snails captured from the marshland of the Yangzhou section of the Yangtze River served as the control group. Snails were dissected and intact testicular and ovarian specimens were sampled, routinely fixed, dehydrated, embedded, polymerized in an oven and sliced on an ultramicrotome. The sections were visualized under a transmission electron microscope, and the ultrastructure of the snail gonad was compared between the experiment and control groups. Results Transmission electron microscopy showed “9 + 2” microtubules on the transverse sections of the tails of sperm cells in the testes of male snails in the control group, with triangular acrosomes and spiral, dense nuclei seen in the tip, while in the experiment group, the “9 + 2” microtubules disappeared on the transverse sections of the tails of sperm cells in the testes of male snails, with low chromatin density found in the tip. Transmission electron microscopy revealed clear nucleolus and nuclear membranes in the ova of female snail ovaries, and displayed yolk body, liposomes and endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, bilayer twists of nuclear membrane and a uniform nucleolus in the control group, while in the experiment group, smooth nuclear membrane and unclear nucleolus were observed in the ova of female snail ovaries, with few contents seen within cells. Conclusions Following breeding for 12 winters in the Weishan Lake, the 12th-generation O. hupensis snails fail to fully adapt to the natural environment in northern China, and the remarkable changes in the ultrastructure of the snail gonad may be a cause of gradual decline and even extinction of O. hupensis in the Weishan Lake areas.

Objective:To establish an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnostic system for lung cancer via deep transfer learning.Methods:The researchers collected 519 lung pathologic slides from 2016 to 2019, covering various lung tissues, including normal tissues, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma, from the Beijing Chest Hospital, the Capital Medical University. The slides were digitized by scanner, and 316 slides were used as training set and 203 as the internal test set. The researchers labeled all the training slides by pathologists and establish a semantic segmentation model based on DeepLab v3 with ResNet-50 to detect lung cancers at the pixel level. To perform transfer learning, the researchers utilized the gastric cancer detection model to initialize the deep neural network parameters. The lung cancer detection convolutional neural network was further trained by fine-tuning of the labeled data. The deep learning model was tested by 203 slides in the internal test set and 1 081 slides obtained from TCIA database, named as the external test set.Results:The model trained with transfer learning showed substantial accuracy advantage against the one trained from scratch for the internal test set [area under curve (AUC) 0.988 vs. 0.971, Kappa 0.852 vs. 0.832]. For the external test set, the transferred model achieved an AUC of 0.968 and Kappa of 0.828, indicating superior generalization ability. By studying the predictions made by the model, the researchers obtained deeper understandings of the deep learning model.Conclusions:The lung cancer histopathological diagnostic system achieves higher accuracy and superior generalization ability. With the development of histopathological AI, the transfer learning can effectively train diagnosis models and shorten the learning period, and improve the model performance.