AIM:Given the uncertain impact of osmotic pressure on embryoid body(EB)differentiation,this study aimed to investigate the effects of increased osmotic pressure on EB differentiation and explore the potential relation-ship between this process and cadherin.METHODS:Polhethylene glycol 300(PEG 300)was used to increase the os-motic pressure of the culture medium used for cultivating EBs under both high osmotic pressure and standard culture condi-tions.The experimental design included a control group,an experimental group(hypertonic group),groups treated with varying concentrations of PEG 300,and an experimental group treated with an inhibitor.Western blot,RT-qPCR,AM/PI staining,CCK-8,and immunocytochemical staining was used to analyze the cell viability and the expression of CDH1 and CDH2 markers of the three germ layers,and pluripotency markers within the EBs.RESULTS:Hypertonicity did not af-fect cell viability.Significant differences were observed in the expression of the cadherin proteins CDH1 and CDH2 in EBs between the experimental and control groups;however,no cleartrend towards an EMT shift was observed.Specifically,CDH2 expression was significantly down-regulated in experimental group,showing a clear correlation with variations in os-motic pressure.Moreover,compared with control group,pluripotency markers in the EBs from experimental group exhibited significantly higher expression levels from the 2nd day to the 5th day.A substantial increase in the expression of mesoder-mal markers was also observed;however,a downward trend was observed for ectodermal markers in experimental group.Intervention using SB431542,which up-regulates CDH2 expression by affecting TGF-β signaling,reversed the expression trend of mesodermal and ectodermal markers in experimental group.CONCLUSION:Elevated osmotic pressure appears to enhance the mesodermal differentiation efficiency in EBs,possibly correlating with CDH1 and CDH2 changes induced by osmotic pressure.Therefore,this study emphasizes the significant role of osmotic pressure in stem cell applications.

Objective:To examine the social isolation(SI)status among the elderly population in China and its effect on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases(CCVD).Methods:Utilizing data from the Fourth China Urban and Rural Elderly Living Conditions Sample Survey, the social isolation(SI)score was determined based on four components: marital status, living arrangements, frequency of contact with relatives and friends, and social participation.The χ2 test was employed to examine variations among socially isolated individuals, regional disparities within each province, and subgroups within each covariate.Additionally, Logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the impact of SI and its associated factors on CCVD. Results:The final analysis included 218 329 elderly individuals, revealing that the incidence and number of SI in Shandong Province are the highest in China at 18.95%(3 360 out of 17 735).The incidence of SI in the Eastern coastal provinces is notably higher than in the Western region.Factors contributing to a higher prevalence of SI include living in rural areas, being female, older age, belonging to ethnic minorities, having low educational attainment, facing economic disadvantages, smoking, drinking alcohol, lack of exercise, loneliness, poor sleep quality, and dissatisfaction with housing conditions.The study found that SI increased the risk of developing cardiovascular disease even after adjusting for negative emotional experiences or poor lifestyle choices( OR=1.190, 95% CI: 1.016-1.296, P=0.016, OR=1.208, 95% CI: 1.131-1.291, P<0.001), and the risk further increased when both factors were simultaneously adjusted for( OR=1.237, 95% CI: 1.160-1.319, P<0.001). Conclusions:Combining SI with poor lifestyle and negative emotions significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of addressing these factors in the elderly population.

Methods:Two thousand standard sections images werre collected from 2 000 clinical retrospective pediatric hip ultrasound videos from January 2019 to January 2021. All standard sections were annotated by the annotation team through the self-designed software based on Python 3.6 environment for image cross-media data annotation and manual review standardization process with unified standards. Among them, 1 753 were randomly selected for training the deep learning system, and the remaining 247 were used for testing the system. Further, 200 standard sections were randomly selected from the test set, and 8 clinicians independently completed the film reading annotation. The 8 independent results were then compared with the AI results.Results:The testing set consists of 247 patients. Compared with the clinician's measurements, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of diagnosing hip joint maturity was 0.865, the sensitivity was 76.19%, and the specificity was 96.9%. The AUC of AI system interpretation under Graf detailed typing was 0.575, the sensitivity was 25.90%, the specificity was 89.10%. The 95% LoA of α-angle determined by Bland-Altman method, of -4.7051° to 6.5948° ( Bias -0.94, P<0.001), compared with clinicians' measurements. The 95% LoA of β-angle, of -7.7191 to 6.8777 ( Bias -0.42, P=0.077). Compared with those from 8 clinicians, the results of AI system interpretation were more stable, and the β-angle effect was more prominent. Conclusion:The AI system can quickly and accurately measure the Graf correlation index of standard DDH ultrasonic standard diagnosis plane.

Objective:To conduct interviews from the perspective of caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to conduct a multi-level and multi-dimensional strategy to provide help for families of children with ASD by exploring the experience of oral health care of such children.Methods:Using the purposive sampling method, a total of 11 family caregivers of children with ASD aged 12 and below who visited Outpatient Department of Pediatric Dental Prevention in Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2020 to May 2021 were selected for semi-structured interviews. The subject was finally determined using Colaizzi's 7-step analysis method and assisted by Nvivo 12 software.Results:The current situation of oral care for children with ASD had three themes, namely, caregiver emotion, care dilemma and needs.Conclusions:More attention should be paid to the mental health of family caregivers with ASD. The oral health of children with ASD not only needs family caregivers, but also needs the common attention and support of the whole society, including multi-disciplinary and multi-department, to provide effective oral health management programs for children with ASD, so as to promote the oral health of this group of children.

Objective: To investigate the association between the whole blood riboflavin level and the occurrence, development and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in China. Methods: From March 2014 to September 2018, ESCC patients from three hospitals (the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou Central Hospital in Southern Chaoshan area and First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in Northern Taihang Mountain) were selected as a case group; non-esophageal patients who had a physical examination were selected as a control group. The case and control group were paired by age (±5 years) and a 1:1 ration. A total of 1 528 subjects were enrolled including 764 patients in the case group and 764 patients in the control group. About 3-5 ml venous blood samples were collected, and the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (GRAC) was measured to assess the whole blood riboflavin level. A multivariate conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between the GRAC and the risk of ESCC. The association between the GRAC and the prognosis of ESCC was analyzed by using Cox proportional risk regression model based on 288 patients with complete survival data. They were divided into two groups, the high GRAC group (GRAC≥7.87) group and the low GRAC group (GRAC<7.87) according to the strongest correlation between the total survival time, survival outcome and GRAC (GRAC=7.87). Results: Among the 1 528 patients, 958 patients were from Southern Chaoshan area, including 479 patients in the case group with an average age about (59.90±9.34) years and 479 patients in the control group with an average age about (59.55±8.77) years. Other 570 patients were from Northern Taihang Mountain area, including 285 patients in the case group with an average age (58.39±5.19) years and 285 patients in the control group with an average age about (58.74±4.57) years. The multivariate conditional logistic regression showed that the OR (95%CI) of the GRAC and the risk of ESCC was 1.009 (0.998-1.019). The Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the HR (95%CI) of the high GRAC group was 1.712 (1.034-2.824) compared with the low GRAC group in the 50-70 years group. Conclusion The whole blood riboflavin level might not be associated with the occurrence of ESCC. The high whole blood riboflavin level would be more beneficial to the prognosis of ESCC patients aged 50-70 years.

Objective To investigate the association between the whole blood riboflavin level and the occurrence, development and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in China. Methods From March 2014 to September 2018, ESCC patients from three hospitals (the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou Central Hospital in Southern Chaoshan area and First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in Northern Taihang Mountain) were selected as a case group; non-esophageal patients who had a physical examination were selected as a control group. The case and control group were paired by age (±5 years) and a 1:1 ration. A total of 1 528 subjects were enrolled including 764 patients in the case group and 764 patients in the control group. About 3-5 ml venous blood samples were collected, and the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (GRAC) was measured to assess the whole blood riboflavin level. A multivariate conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between the GRAC and the risk of ESCC. The association between the GRAC and the prognosis of ESCC was analyzed by using Cox proportional risk regression model based on 288 patients with complete survival data. They were divided into two groups, the high GRAC group (GRAC≥7.87) group and the low GRAC group (GRAC<7.87) according to the strongest correlation between the total survival time, survival outcome and GRAC (GRAC=7.87). Results Among the 1 528 patients, 958 patients were from Southern Chaoshan area, including 479 patients in the case group with an average age about (59.90±9.34) years and 479 patients in the control group with an average age about (59.55 ± 8.77) years. Other 570 patients were from Northern Taihang Mountain area, including 285 patients in the case group with an average age (58.39±5.19) years and 285 patients in the control group with an average age about (58.74± 4.57) years. The multivariate conditional logistic regression showed that the OR (95%CI ) of the GRAC and the risk of ESCC was 1.009 (0.998-1.019). The Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the HR (95%CI ) of the high GRAC group was 1.712 (1.034-2.824) compared with the low GRAC group in the 50-70 years group. Conclusion The whole blood riboflavin level might not be associated with the occurrence of ESCC. The high whole blood riboflavin level would be more beneficial to the prognosis of ESCC patients aged 50-70 years.

Objective To investigate the association between the whole blood riboflavin level and the occurrence, development and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in China. Methods From March 2014 to September 2018, ESCC patients from three hospitals (the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou Central Hospital in Southern Chaoshan area and First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in Northern Taihang Mountain) were selected as a case group; non-esophageal patients who had a physical examination were selected as a control group. The case and control group were paired by age (±5 years) and a 1:1 ration. A total of 1 528 subjects were enrolled including 764 patients in the case group and 764 patients in the control group. About 3-5 ml venous blood samples were collected, and the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (GRAC) was measured to assess the whole blood riboflavin level. A multivariate conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between the GRAC and the risk of ESCC. The association between the GRAC and the prognosis of ESCC was analyzed by using Cox proportional risk regression model based on 288 patients with complete survival data. They were divided into two groups, the high GRAC group (GRAC≥7.87) group and the low GRAC group (GRAC<7.87) according to the strongest correlation between the total survival time, survival outcome and GRAC (GRAC=7.87). Results Among the 1 528 patients, 958 patients were from Southern Chaoshan area, including 479 patients in the case group with an average age about (59.90±9.34) years and 479 patients in the control group with an average age about (59.55 ± 8.77) years. Other 570 patients were from Northern Taihang Mountain area, including 285 patients in the case group with an average age (58.39±5.19) years and 285 patients in the control group with an average age about (58.74± 4.57) years. The multivariate conditional logistic regression showed that the OR (95%CI ) of the GRAC and the risk of ESCC was 1.009 (0.998-1.019). The Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the HR (95%CI ) of the high GRAC group was 1.712 (1.034-2.824) compared with the low GRAC group in the 50-70 years group. Conclusion The whole blood riboflavin level might not be associated with the occurrence of ESCC. The high whole blood riboflavin level would be more beneficial to the prognosis of ESCC patients aged 50-70 years.

Objective To explore the feasibility of tracking migration and distribution of SD-rat adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) labeled with Polyethylene Glycol/Polyehthyleneimine modified superparamagnetic iron oxide (PEG/PEI-SPIO) in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia using MRI.Methods Thirty female SD rats underwent permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries 6 months were divided into PEG/PEI-SPIO labeled group and unlabeled group (each n =15).Labeled or unlabeled ADSCs suspension was injected into the right ventricle of rats in two groups,respectively.MR scans were performed at the 7th,14th and 21st day after transplantation for each 5 rats.T2 value of T2mapping sequence in hippocampus,cortex and cerebellum were measured.Then the rats were scarified,and the brains were obtained,and Prussia dyeing was performed.Under high magnification,blue dye cells at each time points and brain area were counted.T2 values and blue dye cells were statistically analyzed.Results Class round hypointensity areas were detected in temporol-parietal cortex and hippocampus in both groups on T2WI,T2* WI and SWI.T2 value of the right temporolparietal cortex and hippocampus in the labeled group was shorter than those of the unlabeled group on the 14th day after transplantation (P=0.013,0.045).T2 value of the right temporol-parietal cortex in the labeled group was shorter than that of the unlabeled group on the 21st day after transplantation (P=0.007).The number of blue dye cell of the right temporol-parietal cortex on the 14th and 21th day,hippocampus on the 14th day in the labeled group were more than those of the unlabeled group after transplantation (P=0.029,0.032,0.043).Conclusion ADSCs labeled with PEG/PEI-SPIO transplanted into lateral ventricle of SD rat could migrate to the damaged areas caused by chronic cerebral ischemia.It is possible to use quantitative MRI to track migration and distribution of ADSCs labeled with PEG/PEI-SPIO in rat brain.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference (Pcv-aCO2) on the prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis.Methods 208 elderly patients who met the diagnostic criteria of the Sepsis-3 and with the age of more than 60 years old, and admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Guangdong General Hospital from January to December in 2017 were enrolled. According to the prognosis, the patients were divided into death group (n = 46) and survival group (n = 162). The Pcv-aCO2, central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), serum procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ (APACHEⅡ) were collected for all patients. The differences of each index between the two groups were compared. The correlations between Pcv-aCO2 and ScvO2, PCT, CRP, SOFA, APACHEⅡscores were analyzed respectively with Pearson correlation. The prognostic value of Pcv-aCO2 in elderly patients with sepsis was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).Results Compared with survival group, the Pcv-aCO2, PCT, CRP, SOFA and APACHEⅡscores in death group were significantly increased [Pcv-aCO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 6.13±3.33 vs. 4.40±2.65, PCT (μg/L): 31.41±12.83 vs. 3.01±2.69, CRP (mg/L): 130.51± 42.23 vs. 104.46±50.12, SOFA: 12.01±2.25 vs. 9.05±2.06, APACHEⅡ: 29.52±5.03 vs. 20.01±3.21, allP < 0.05], and ScvO2 in death group was significantly decreased (0.571±0.136 vs. 0.685±0.106,P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the Pcv-aCO2 was negatively correlated with ScvO2 (r = -0.762,P = 0.001) and was positively correlated with PCT, CRP, SOFA and APACHEⅡscores (r value was 0.737, 0.625, 0.738, 0.713, respectively, allP < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of Pcv-aCO2 prediction of death in patients with sepsis was 0.826, the cut-off was 6.62 mmHg, the sensitivity was 84.7％, the specificity was 77.5％, the positive likelihood ratio was 3.76, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.19.Conclusion Pcv-aCO2 has a great value in evaluating the prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis and can accurately determine the prognosis of sepsis.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate risk factors of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) infection in elderly patients of ICU,and to provide reference for formulation and implementation of MDROs prevention and control measures.METHODS:A total of 146 elderly patients were selected from ICU of our hospital during Dec.2013-Jun.2016.Throat swab,sputum swab and anal swab specimens (1 copy,respectively) were collected to conduct active screening of MRSA and ESBLs-producing Enterobacteriaceae.Risk factors of MDROs infection,pathogen distribution and drug resistance were analyzed.RESULTS:Among samples of 146 patients,there were 34 MRSA positive samples in throat swab with positive rate of 23.3％;there were 30 MRSA positive samples in sputum swab with positive rate of 20.5％;there were 99 ESBLs-producing bacteria positive samples in anal swab (containing 50 ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli positive samples and 49 ESBLs-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae positive samples) with positive rate of 67.8％.The positive rate of throat swab MRSA screening was not correlated with patient's gender,age,tracheal intubation or mechanical ventilation (P＞0.05),but it was related with hospitalization time in ICU (P＜0.05).The positive rate of sputum swab MRSA screening was not correlated with patient' s gender,tracheal intubation or mechanical ventilation;the positive rate of anal swab ESBLs-producing bacteria screening were not related with patient's gender(P＞0.05).But they were related with age and hospitalization time in ICU (P＜0.05).Compared with negative patients,there was no statistical significance in the times of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in throat/sputum swab MRSA screening positive patients (P＞0.05).The times of enema,the times of bladder irrigation,the times of urethral catheterization and the duration of indwelling catheter in anal swab ESBLs-producing bacteria screening positive patients were significantly more or longer than negative patients,with statistical significance (P＜0.05).Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that hospitalization time in ICU was risk factor of positive active screening of throat swab in elderly patients of ICU[OR=1.119,95 ％ CI (1.071,1.385),P=0.021];age was risk factor of positive active screening of sputum swab[OR=1.893,95 ％ CI (1.232,4.042),P=0.032];age and hospitalization time in ICU were risk factors of positive active screening of anal swab [OR were 1.046,1.022,95％CI were (1.005,1.088) (1.006,3.283),P were 0.027,0.031].A total of 163 strains of MDROs were detected,among which there were 64 strains of MRSA,50 strains of ESBLs-producing E.coli and 49 strains of ESBLs-producing K.pneumoniae.They were generally highly resistant to compound preparation containing enzyme inhibitors.CONCLUSIONS:The results of MDROs active screening in elderly patients of ICU are related with age,hospitalization time in ICU,the times of enema,the times of bladder irrigation,the times of urethral catheterization and the duration of indwelling catheter.Age and hospitalization time in ICU were risk factors of MDROs infection.The pathogens are mainly ESBLs-producing Enterobacteriaceae,and drug resistance is severe.For elderly critical patients with MDROs infection,clinical prevention and intervention measures should be taken to prevent and control the prevalence and spread of MDROs in ICU.