Objective:To analyze the efficacy of high disinsertion of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle combined with conjoint fascial sheath (CFS) fixation for the treatment of moderate to severe ptosis.Methods:A retrospective study included 20 patients with moderate to severe ptosis treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from June 2022 to June 2023. Participants were divided into two groups based on surgical technique. Traditional group [9 patients (16 eyes), 3 males and 6 females, aged 5-32 (18.2±7.1) years]: were treated with standard surgical approach involving levator palpebrae superioris muscle separation starting from the tarsal plate margin combined with CFS fixation. Modified group [11 patients (16 eyes), 5 males and 6 females, aged 6-28 (17.5±6.3) years]: were treated with modified technique utilizing high disinsertion of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle combined with CFS fixation. Outcomes including CFS exposure time, postoperative edema resolution time, complications, and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups.Results:The CFS exposure time in the traditional group lasted for (37.5±3.0) min, which was significantly longer than that in the modified group of (23.9±1.8) min ( P<0.001). Postoperative edema resolution time in the traditional group was (16.4±1.4) days, which was also longer than that in the modified group of (7.0±0.6) days ( P<0.001). Transient lagophthalmos occurred in all patients postoperatively. The traditional group exhibited 3 cases of mild conjunctival prolapse and 3 cases of chemosis, while the modified group had 1 case of mild conjunctival prolapse and 1 case of chemosis. Patient satisfaction rates were 15/16 eyes in the modified group and 12/16 eyes in the traditional group. Conclusion:The modified technique involving high disinsertion of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle combined with CFS fixation demonstrates superior effectiveness in correcting moderate to severe ptosis.

This study identified the types and pathogen carrying status of fleas on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang,and analyzed the genetic evolution differences with respect to related pathogens.The aim was to provide a reference for the local prevention and control of fleas and insect borne infectious diseases.A total of 1 586 fleas were collected from agricultural and pas-toral areas of Tumushuke City and Hotan Prefecture.Flea species were identified on the basis of morphology and the Pulex irritans mi-tochondrial COII gene.Flea DNA was extracted,and PCR was conducted to amplify the Bartonella gltA gene;Arsenophonus,Ana-plasma,Ehrlichia,and Wolbachia 16S rRNA genes;RickettsiaOmpA,17kDa,16S rRNA genes,and Yersinia pestis 16S rDNA gene.The amplified products were sequenced,and the homology of the genes of the three detected pathogens(gltA gene of Bartonella,16S rRNA gene of Wolbachia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum)with respect to known corresponding genes of the same pathogen in Gen-Bank was analyzed.Phylogenetic trees were constructed with the adjacency method in MEGA 11.0.According to morphological and mo-lecular biology identification results,all fleas collected in this study were Pulex irritans.PCR indicated that the target gene fragments had been added to the mitochondrial COII,BartonellagltA,Wolbachia,and autophagosomal 16S rRNA genes of human fleas,all of which were consistent with the expected fragment sizes.Target bands were not amplified from Ehrlichia,Arsenophonus,spotted fever group Rickettsia,and Yersinia pestis.According to homology and genetic evolution analysis of human flea mitochondrial COII and the corresponding genes of the above-described pathogens,the COX2 gene(ON455234.1)of human fleas in Tumushuke city and Iran ob-tained in this study showed the highest homology(99.84%).The COII gene(NC_063709.1)of human fleas in Hetan City and Hunan region showed the highest homology(100%).Our findings further confirmed that the flea species was Pulex irritans.The PCR amplifi-cation results indicated that the collected Pulex irritans carried multiple pathogens,among which Bartonella and Wolbachia had the highest infection rates,and the infection rate with Anaplasma phagocytophilum was relatively low.This study is the first to discover flea species on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang.Our findings preliminarily confirmed that Bartonella,Wolba-chia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are the main Pulex irritans pathogens.

This study identified the types and pathogen carrying status of fleas on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang,and analyzed the genetic evolution differences with respect to related pathogens.The aim was to provide a reference for the local prevention and control of fleas and insect borne infectious diseases.A total of 1 586 fleas were collected from agricultural and pas-toral areas of Tumushuke City and Hotan Prefecture.Flea species were identified on the basis of morphology and the Pulex irritans mi-tochondrial COII gene.Flea DNA was extracted,and PCR was conducted to amplify the Bartonella gltA gene;Arsenophonus,Ana-plasma,Ehrlichia,and Wolbachia 16S rRNA genes;RickettsiaOmpA,17kDa,16S rRNA genes,and Yersinia pestis 16S rDNA gene.The amplified products were sequenced,and the homology of the genes of the three detected pathogens(gltA gene of Bartonella,16S rRNA gene of Wolbachia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum)with respect to known corresponding genes of the same pathogen in Gen-Bank was analyzed.Phylogenetic trees were constructed with the adjacency method in MEGA 11.0.According to morphological and mo-lecular biology identification results,all fleas collected in this study were Pulex irritans.PCR indicated that the target gene fragments had been added to the mitochondrial COII,BartonellagltA,Wolbachia,and autophagosomal 16S rRNA genes of human fleas,all of which were consistent with the expected fragment sizes.Target bands were not amplified from Ehrlichia,Arsenophonus,spotted fever group Rickettsia,and Yersinia pestis.According to homology and genetic evolution analysis of human flea mitochondrial COII and the corresponding genes of the above-described pathogens,the COX2 gene(ON455234.1)of human fleas in Tumushuke city and Iran ob-tained in this study showed the highest homology(99.84%).The COII gene(NC_063709.1)of human fleas in Hetan City and Hunan region showed the highest homology(100%).Our findings further confirmed that the flea species was Pulex irritans.The PCR amplifi-cation results indicated that the collected Pulex irritans carried multiple pathogens,among which Bartonella and Wolbachia had the highest infection rates,and the infection rate with Anaplasma phagocytophilum was relatively low.This study is the first to discover flea species on the surface of sheep in some areas of southern Xinjiang.Our findings preliminarily confirmed that Bartonella,Wolba-chia,and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are the main Pulex irritans pathogens.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy of high disinsertion of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle combined with conjoint fascial sheath (CFS) fixation for the treatment of moderate to severe ptosis.Methods:A retrospective study included 20 patients with moderate to severe ptosis treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from June 2022 to June 2023. Participants were divided into two groups based on surgical technique. Traditional group [9 patients (16 eyes), 3 males and 6 females, aged 5-32 (18.2±7.1) years]: were treated with standard surgical approach involving levator palpebrae superioris muscle separation starting from the tarsal plate margin combined with CFS fixation. Modified group [11 patients (16 eyes), 5 males and 6 females, aged 6-28 (17.5±6.3) years]: were treated with modified technique utilizing high disinsertion of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle combined with CFS fixation. Outcomes including CFS exposure time, postoperative edema resolution time, complications, and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups.Results:The CFS exposure time in the traditional group lasted for (37.5±3.0) min, which was significantly longer than that in the modified group of (23.9±1.8) min ( P<0.001). Postoperative edema resolution time in the traditional group was (16.4±1.4) days, which was also longer than that in the modified group of (7.0±0.6) days ( P<0.001). Transient lagophthalmos occurred in all patients postoperatively. The traditional group exhibited 3 cases of mild conjunctival prolapse and 3 cases of chemosis, while the modified group had 1 case of mild conjunctival prolapse and 1 case of chemosis. Patient satisfaction rates were 15/16 eyes in the modified group and 12/16 eyes in the traditional group. Conclusion:The modified technique involving high disinsertion of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle combined with CFS fixation demonstrates superior effectiveness in correcting moderate to severe ptosis.

Objective·To explore the effect of double homeobox(DUX)protein on the differentiation potential of mouse embryonic stem cells(mESCs)into extraembryonic endoderm(XEN)and the possible mechanism of its action.Methods·Overexpression of DUX cell lines in mESCs was achieved by using a lentiviral system.The proportion of 2-cell-like cells(2CLCs)before and after DUX overexpression was detected by flow cytometry,and the expression of 2-cell stage-specific genes,Dux,zinc finger and SCAN domain containing 4c(Zscan4c),zinc finger protein 352(Zfp352)and murine endogenous retrovirus-L polymerase(MERVL-pol),were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).RT-qPCR assay was used to detect the expression of pluripotency factors,nanog homeobox(Nanog),kruppel-like transcription factor 4(Klf4),sex determining region Y-box 2(Sox2),and octamer-binding transcription factor 4(Oct4),in pluripotent state,as well as the expression of signature genes for different germ layers in the differentiated state[endodermal:GATA binding protein 4(Gata4),GATA binding protein 6(Gata6),and sex determining region Y-box 17(Sox17);ectodermal:Nestin and tubulin beta 3 class Ⅲ(Tubb3);mesodermal:heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 1(Hand1),myogenic differentiation 1(Myod1),and kinase insert domain protein receptor(Flk1)].Public RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)data were mined to further clarify the effect of DUX on the differentiation of mESCs into extraembryonic endoderm.Functional and pathway enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes were performed using Gene Ontology(GO),Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG),and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)to identify the signaling pathways regulated by DUX.Additionally,an in-depth analysis of existing chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing(ChIP-seq)data was conducted to explore the potential target genes of DUX.Results·Molecular biology experiments showed that overexpression of DUX could effectively maintain the pluripotency of mESCs,which was consistent with the analysis of public RNA-seq data.Differential gene analysis revealed that endodermal genes were specifically upregulated.After differentiation assay of mESCs,RT-qPCR assay experiments showed that mRNA expression of the XEN marker genes(Gata4,Gata6,Sox17)was significantly upregulated(P<0.001).In contrast,there was no specific change in mesodermal and ectodermal genes.GSEA enrichment analysis indicated that DUX might activate the retinoid metabolism signaling pathway,and the analysis of the ChIP-seq data further revealed the presence of a large number of known retinoic acid receptor motif in DUX-bound peaks,which could activate downstream target genes related to the development of the XEN.Conclusion·DUX has a strong correlation with the retinoic acid signaling pathway and it is predicted to activate the retinoic acid signaling pathway,which could promote the tendency of mESCs toward XEN differentiation.

Objective: To design the proficiency testing (PT) project (No. NIFDC-PT-183) for assays of bismuth potassium citrate capsules and organize to assess the proficiency of complexometric titration in laboratories, and provide some technical analyses and advices.
Methods: Two groups of samples with different concentration were prepared. The uniformity was evaluated with one-way analysis of variance and the stability was confirmed with t-test, whose results all conformed the requirements. The samples with three combinations were randomly distributed to 279 laboratories. The determination was performed according to the assays of bismuth potassium citrate capsules in Volume Ⅱ of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015. The median value and normalized interquartile range (NIQR) of robust statistical analysis was adopted and Z-scores were used to evaluate the results from each of laboratories.
Results: Among 279 laboratories, 240 laboratories results were satisfactory, 23 were questionable, and the other 16 were unsatisfied. The satisfaction rate was 86.0%.
Conclusion: The overall capacity of national laboratories for assays of bismuth potassium citrate capsules is good while a portion of participants require further improvement.

Objective:To study the different factors affecting platelet production post transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) isolated from different sources in order to explore novel options for treating platelet depletion following HSCs transplantation.Methods:HSCs and their downstream derivatives including myeloid and lymphoid cells (i.e., collective of mononuclear cells (MNCs)), were isolated from E14.5 fetal liver (FL) and bone marrow (BM) of 8-week-old mice by Ficoll separation technique. These cells were subsequently transplanted into the tibia bone marrow cavity of recipient mice post lethal myeloablative treatment in order to construct the FL-MNCs and BM-MNCs transplantation mouse model. Routine blood indices were examined in these recipient mice. The chimeric rate of donor cells in recipient peripheral blood cells were determined by flow cytometry. Different groups of cells involved in platelet reconstruction were analyzed. CD41 +megakaryocytes were sorted from fetal liver or bone marrow using magnetic beads, which were then induced to differentiate into platelets in an in vitro assay . Quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of platelet-related genes in CD41 +megakaryocytes from the two sources. Results:Both the FL-MNCs and the BM-MNCs transplantation groups resumed normal hematopoiesis at the 4th week after transplantation, and the blood cells of the recipient mice were largely replaced by the donor cells. Compared with the mice transplanted with BM-MNCs, the platelet level of mice transplanted with FL-MNCs recovered faster and were maintained at a higher level. At week 4, the PLT level of the FL-MNCs group was (1.45±0.37)×10 12/L, and of the BM-MNCs group was (1.22±0.24)×10 12/L, P<0.05. The FL-MNCs contain a higher proportion of hematopoietic stem cells (Lin -Sca-1 +c-Kit +)(7.60%±1.40%) compared to the BM-MNCs (1.10%±0.46%), P<0.01; the proportion of the megakaryocyte progenitor cells (Lin -Sca-1 -c-Kit +CD41 +CD150 +) and mature megakaryocyte cells (CD41 +CD42b +), also differ significantly between the FL-MNCs (3.05%±0.22%, 1.60%±0.06%, respectively) and the BM-MNCs (0.15%±0.02%, 0.87%±0.11%, respectively) groups, both P<0.01. In vitro functional studies showed that FL-MNCs-CD41 +megakaryocytes could produce proplatelet-like cells more quickly after induction, with proplatelet-like cells formation on day 3 and significant platelet-like particle formation on day 5, in contrast to bone marrow-derived BM-MNCs-CD41 +megakaryocytes that failed to form proplatelet-like cell on day 5. In addition, FL-MNCs-CD41 +cells expressed higher levels of platelet-related genes, Mpl (3.25-fold), Fog1 (3-fold), and Gata1 (1.5-fold) ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with the BM-MNCs group, the FL-MNCs transplantation group appears to have a more efficient platelet implantation effect in the HSCs transplantation recipient in vivo , as well as a higher platelet differentiation rate in vitro. This might be related to a higher proportion of megakaryocytes and higher expression levels of genes such as Mpl, Fog1, and Gata1 that could be important for platelet formation in FL-MNCs-CD41 +cells. Further exploration of the specific functions of these genes and the characteristics of the different proportions of the donor cells will provide valuable clues for the future treatment of platelets reconstitution after HSCs transplantation clinically.

Objective? To explore the effect of continuous 4C nursing model on treatment compliance and quality of life of diabetic retinopathy(DR) patients, and to provide reference for clinical nursing practice. Methods? By convenience sampling, 96 inpatients with diabetic retinopathy in Shenzhen Eye Hospital from September of 2016 to August of 2018 were selected and 2 of them were lost in the follow-up visit. Based on the random number table, they were divided into the control group(n=48) and observation group(n=48). Conventional nursing approach was adopted in the control group while 4C nursing model was adopted in the observation group. Self-designed Medication Compliance Questionnaire and Chinese-version Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire were used in the investigation. The two groups were compared in terms of their treatment compliance and quality of life. Results? Before intervention, there was no significant difference in treatment compliance and quality of life scores between the two groups (P＞ 0.05); after intervention, the treatment compliance rate of the control group was 60.87%, which was lower than 87.5% of the observation group, with statistical difference (P＜ 0.05). There was no significant difference in quality of life score between the two groups before intervention (P＞ 0.05). Six months after intervention, the total score of quality of life in the observation group (80.08 ±5.83) was higher than that in the control group (67.56 ±10.62), there was significant differences in the quality of life score between the two groups (P＜0.05). Conclusions? Continuous 4C nursing model can improve the treatment compliance of diabetic retinopathy patients and improve their quality of life, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Mitochondria play a key role in various cell processes including ATP production, Ca homeostasis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and apoptosis. The selective removal of impaired mitochondria by autophagosome is known as mitophagy. Cerebral ischemia is a common form of stroke caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain. Emerging evidence suggests that mitophagy plays important roles in the pathophysiological process of cerebral ischemia. This review focuses on the relationship between ischemic brain injury and mitophagy. Based on the latest research, it describes how the signaling pathways of mitophagy appear to be involved in cerebral ischemia.
Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Mitochondrial Degradation ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Stroke ; metabolism ; pathology

A novel amplifier system was proposed for low-noise recording of pico-ampere current in nanopore experiment (<100 pA). As an example, the amplifier system was applied in α-hemolysin based nanopore detection of DNA-PEG-DNA conjugate to record the signals of translocation and bumping events in buffer solution (1 mol/L KCl, 10 mmol/L Tris--HCl, 1 mmol/L EDTA and pH=8. 0). The amplified current signal was filtered by a 3 kHz Bessel filter and sampled by a 100 kHz analog-digital convertor. As a result, the presented amplifier system could lower the noise in recording the current. The current blockages (<10 pA) of single molecules with low amplitude were recovered due to the high signal-to-noise ratio.