Objective To evaluate the performance of two molecular point-of-care testing(POCT)prod-ucts in the diagnosis of influenza A virus(Flu A)and influenza B virus(Flu B)of clinical samples,and pre-liminarily evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of the changes of infection-related indicators in peripheral blood.Methods A total of 491 oropharyngeal swabs from patients with influenza-like symptoms who were treated in the hospital were recruited into this study from November 1,2019 to June 30,2023.These swabs were collected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),and two POCT molecular products,XpertTM Xpress Flu/RSV and EasyNAT? Flu Assay,respectively.The diagnostic performance of two POCT molecular products was analyzed using RT-qPCR reaction as a standard.According to the results of RT-qPCR method,the subjects were divided into Flu A positive group,Flu B positive group and negative group(both Flu A and Flu B were negative).The levels of indicators in pe-ripheral blood of the three groups were compared to evaluate the value of these indicators in the clinical diag-nosis of Flu A and Flu B.Results Among the 491 patient specimens,the XpertTM Xpress Flu/RSV assay showed the sensitivity for Flu A was 96.88%,and the specificity was 99.75%,and the sensitivity for Flu B was 100.00%,and the specificity was 100.00%.EasyNAT? Flu Assay assay showed the sensitivity for Flu A was 94.79%,and the specificity was 96.81%,and the sensitivity for Flu B was 100.00%,and the specificity was 100.00%.And two POCT molecular methods performed well consistency(Kappa value was 0.974).There was no significant difference in the levels of C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A among the negative group,Flu A positive group,and Flu B positive group(P>0.05).But the levels of white blood cell count in the negative group were higher than those in the Flu A positive group and Flu B positive group(P<0.01).Conclusion In this paper,two typical molecular POCT products are studied.Their sensitivity and specificity are highly consistent with the results of RT-qPCR.Molecular POCT products have the advantages of flexibil-ity and rapidity,which are of great value for the improvement of clinical diagnosis and treatment.Molecular detection combined with peripheral blood infection related indicators is helpful for the early diagnosis of influ-enza virus infectious diseases.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), and to explore the risk factors leading to poor prognosis.Methods:The clinical data of 95 patients with ECPR admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the survival status at the time of discharge, the patients were divided into the survival group and death group. The difference of clinical data between the two groups was compared to explore the risk factors related to death and poor prognosis. Risk factors associated with death were identified by Binary Logistic regression analysis. Results:A total of 95 patients with ECPR were included in this study, 62 (65.3%) died and 33 (34.7%) survived at discharge. Patients in the death group had longer low blood flow time [40 (30, 52.5) min vs. 30 (24.5, 40) min ] and total cardiac arrest time[40 (30, 52.5) min vs. 30(24.5, 40) min], shorter total hospital stay [3 (2, 7.25) d vs. 19 (13.5, 31) d] and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assisted time [26.5 (17, 50) h vs. 62 (44, 80.5) h], and more IHCA patients (56.5% vs. 33.3%) and less had spontaneous rhythm recovery before ECMO (37.1% vs. 84.8%). Initial lactate value [(14.008 ± 5.188) mmol/L vs.(11.23 ± 4.718) mmol/L], APACHEⅡ score [(30.10 ± 7.45) vs. (25.88 ± 7.68)] and SOFA score [12 (10.75, 16) vs. 10 (9.5, 13)] were higher ( P< 0.05). Conclusions:No spontaneous rhythm recovery before ECMO, high initial lactic acid and high SOFA score are independent risk factors for poor prognosis in ECPR patients.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of venous excess ultrasound score (VExUS Score) in the acute kidney injury(AKI) in Patients with sepsis, so as to reduce the risk of disease and improve the prognosis of patients.Methods:This experiment was a single-center prospective cohort study. Include septic patients with AKI who were admitted to the Department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2022 to February 2023, Those with inadequate window, inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus, age<18 years and known case of cirrhosis with portal hypertension were excluded from the study. Patients underwent ultrasound examination with serial determination till AKI resolved or patient is initiated on dialysis.Results:Totally 86 patients were enrolled for the study. The mean age was (60.43±15.48) with 50 (58.1%) males. Mean sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was (6.23±1.87). 38 patients (44.2%) were in AKI stage 1, while 24 patients (27.9%) were in AKI stage 2 and stage 3 each. 52 patients (60.5%) had VExUS grade Ⅲ. Resolution of AKI injury showed significant correlation with improvement in VExUS grade ( p value 0.003). Similarly, there was significant association between changes in VExUS grade and fluid balance ( p value 0.005). There was no correlation between central venous pressure (CVP), left ventricular function, and right ventricular function with change in VExUS grade. Conclusions:The study shows a significant correlation between the VExUS Score and AKI staging, With improvement in kidney function, there is decline in the VExUS grade as well. Moreover VExUS Score might reliably demonstrate venous congestion and aid in the clinical decision to perform fluid removal.

BACKGROUND:In the treatment of skin trauma with active repair,tissue engineering techniques are needed to generate new tissue to replace necrotic tissue.Skin scaffolds have a good application prospect in the field of wound repair.Skin scaffolds need to present three-dimensional porous structures with certain mechanical strength to meet the needs of cell proliferation and division.However,the mechanical strength of the currently used gelatin-based biomaterials is weak and cannot meet the requirements of the use of skin scaffolds. OBJECTIVE:To study the 3D printing process used in the preparation of tissue engineering skin scaffolds by gelatin/oxidized nanocellulose composites,and focus on the relationship between the porosity and mechanical strength of the scaffolds prepared under different process parameters. METHODS:Oxidized nanocellulose whiskers at 10%concentration were extracted from Humulus scandens and then compounded with 5%gelatin to obtain gelatin/oxidized nanocellulose composites.The elastic modulus of gelatin and gelatin/oxidized nanocellulose composite was determined.Skin scaffolds were prepared by 3D printing extrusion molding using gelatin/oxidized nanocellulose composite as the base material.Mechanical and rheological properties of the composite were tested to determine extrusion molding parameters(filling gap 1.5-2.5 mm,uniform distribution of 0.1 mm;air pressure of 160-200 kPa),and the skin scaffold with a three-dimensional porous structure was prepared.The compressive performance of the skin scaffold was tested and compared with the finite element analysis results.The relationship between the filling gap and the porosity and mechanical strength of the scaffold was demonstrated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The elastic modulus of 5%gelatin was increased by 8.84 times by adding 10%oxidized nanocellulose whisker.A gel filament with a diameter of 1 mm was obtained by extrusion at the air pressure of 160 kPa.When the filling gap increased from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm,the theoretical porosity of the scaffold increased from 33%to 60%,but the compressive strength decreased from 230 000 Pa to 95 000 Pa.(2)These findings showed that the skin scaffold with theoretical porosity of 50%and elastic modulus of 160 000 Pa was prepared by using 2 mm filling gap.The scaffold had a clear three-dimensional porous structure.

Objective:To characterize the biomechanics of distal dynamic locking and distal static locking of proximal femur bionic nails (PFBN) in fixation of intertrochanteric fractures by a finite element analysis.Methods:The CT image data from the hip to the upper tibia from an adult male volunteer were used to establish a three-dimensional model of the femur by Mimics 20.0 and Geomagic 2013 which was processed further into a model of Evans type I intertrochanteric fracture by software NX 12.0. With reference to the internal fixation parameters commonly used, 4 models of PFBN fixation were established: distal single transverse nail dynamic locking (model A), single oblique nail dynamic locking (model B), single nail static locking (model C) and double nail dynamic locking (model D). Abaqus 6.14 software was used to load and analyze the internal fixation stresses and displacements of fracture ends.Results:Under a 2100N loading, the peak stress was located upon the main nail in the 4 models. The smallest peak stress upon the main nail was in Model D (161.9 MPa), decreased by 15.9% compared with model A (192.5 MPa), by 15.6% compared with model B (191.9 MPa), and by 0.9% compared with model C (163.3 MPa). The peak stress upon the fixation screw was the largest in model A (95.3 MPa), the smallest in model B (91.5 MPa), and 91.5 MPa and 92.2 MPa in models C and D, respectively. The overall displacements of the implants, in a descending order, were 10.14 mm in model A, 10.10 mm in model B, 10.09 mm in model C, and 10.05 mm in model D. Similarly, the displacements of fracture ends were 0.125 mm in model A, 0.121 mm in model B, 0.110 mm in model C, and 0.098 mm in model D.Conclusion:Compared with dynamic locking, distal static locking of PFBN provides a better mechanical stability and reduces stress concentration upon internal fixation.

Objective:To investigate the effect of time-restricted feeding (TRF) on bone marrow fat of proximal femur in obese rats induced by high-fat diet (HFD) using proton density fat fraction (PDFF).Methods:Totally 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were stratified and randomly sampled into 6 subgroups according to body weight, with 5 rats each. Then 2 subgroups were combined into one group, and there were totally 3 groups. The rats in the control group were fed with normal diet, and the rats could eat as much as they wanted for 24 h; the rats in the HFD group were fed with high-fat diet, and the rats could eat as much as they wanted for 24 h; the rats in the HFD+TRF group were fed with high-fat diet only between 9 AM (2 h after light) and 17 PM. One subgroup of rats from each group was examined with MRI on the femur on day 28 of the experiment, and the other subgroup from each group was examined on day 56 to measure the bone marrow PDFF of proximal femur based on mDixon-Quant quantitative sequence images. The rats were executed at the end of the scanning period, and blood samples were collected to measure serum levels of leptin. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the differences in body weight, PDFF, and serum levels of leptin among 3 groups. The LSD- t test was used for multiple comparisons. Results:On day 28 of the experiment, the differences in body weight, PDFF, and serum leptin among the 3 groups of rats were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). On day 56, the bone marrow PDFF of proximal femur of the rats in the control group, HFD group, and HFD+TRF group were (7.2±1.4)%, (9.7±2.4)%, and (11.2±3.6)%, respectively. The differences in body weight, PDFF, and serum levels of leptin among the 3 groups of rats were statistically significant ( F=6.95, P=0.010, F=5.98, P=0.007, F=4.54, P=0.034). The results of multiple comparisons showed that the body weight in the HFD group was higher than those in the control group (LSD- t=52.96, P=0.036) and the HFD+TRF group (LSD- t=82.74, P=0.003). The values of bone marrow PDFF of proximal femur in the HFD+TRF group was higher than that in the control group (LSD- t=4.01, P=0.012). The serum levels of leptin in the HFD group were higher than those in the control group (LSD- t=1.45, P=0.030) and the HFD+TRF group (LSD- t=1.62, P=0.018). Conclusion:TRF induces an increase in the values of bone marrow PDFF of proximal femur in conjunction with weight loss in obese rats induced by HFD, and the increase in bone marrow fat may be related to the decrease in serum leptin.

Objective:To explore the effects of estrogen receptor α (ERα) encoded by protein encoding gene ESR1 on the radiation resistance of breast cancer cells and their molecular mechanisms.Methods:The ESR1 overexpression plasmid was transfected into estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cells. Then, the shRNA-ESR1 vector was introduced into ER-positive cell to establish models with different phenotype. The ATG5 mRNA level and protein expression levels of LC3B-I, LC3B-II, P62, FIP200, ATG5, ATG7, ATG12, Beclin1, ULK1 were detected using qPCR and Western blot techniques. Cell death was measured using flow cytometry. The radiation sensitivity was determined through the colony formation assay. The mortality of breast cancer cells under the autophagy gene knockdown and overexpression or treated with estrogen receptor inhibitor (TAM) combined with ionizing radiation were detected by trypan blue staining.Results:Under the condition of 8 Gy X-ray irradiation, the knockdown of ESR1 in ER-positive ZR75 breast cancer cells promoted cell death ( t = 3.49, 3.13, P < 0.05), while the overexpression of ESR1 in ER-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells inhibited cell death ( t = 4.16, 7.48, P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment with chloroquine increased the number of formed colonies of ESR1 knockdown ZR75 cells ( t = 8.49, P < 0.05), and inhibiting autophagy could reduce the death of ZR75 cells caused by ESR1 silencing. Under the treatment with ionizing radiation, the overexpression of ESR1 in MDA-MB-231 cells promoted protective autophagy, which, however, was reduced after ESR1 knockdown in ZR75 cells. Furthermore, it was observed that the knockdown of ATG5 in ZR75 cells was associated with reduced autophagy and an increase in cell death ( t = 4.19, 6.39, P < 0.05). In contrast, the overexpression of ATG5 in ZR75 cells reversed the increase in cell death caused by ESR1 knockdown ( t = 1.70, 4.65, P < 0.05). After the treatment of ER-positive ZR75 breast cancer cells with TAM, the expressions of ATG5 and ATG12 decreased, suggesting inhibited autophagy and an increase in cell death ( t = 18.70, P < 0.05). Furthermore, these processes were promoted by ionizing radiation ( t = 16.82, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The estrogen receptor encoded by ESR1 promotes protective autophagy of ER-positive breast cancer cells by increasing ATG5, further leading to radiation resistance in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Treatment with tamoxifen combined with ionizing radiation can increase the radiation sensitivity of ER-positive breast cancer cells.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

BACKGROUND:Overweight or obesity is the most significant risk factors for knee osteoarthritis.Time-restricted diet shows an effective effect in preventing overweight or obesity.Whether infrapatellar fat pad,an important component of the knee joint,is affected by time-restricted diet and thus influences knee osteoarthritis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To employ a high-fat diet-induced rat model to investigate the effect of weight loss by time-restricted diet on infrapatellar fat pad,thereby providing evidence for early prevention and treatment of obesity-related knee osteoarthritis. METHODS:Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups(n=5 per group).Rats in the control group were allowed to eat at will for 24 hours and were fed the defined control diet(12%fat);rats in the high-fat diet group were allowed to eat at will for 24 hours and were fed the high-fat diet(45%fat);and rats in the high-fat diet with time-restricted diet group were fed the high-fat diet only from 9:00(2 hours after the light)to 17:00(2 hours before the dark).After 8 weeks of feeding,mDixon-Quant sequence was used to assess proton density fat fraction in the infrapatellar fat pad and subcutaneous adipose tissue in the right inguinal region.ELISA was used to quantify differences adipokine.Sirius red staining was used to evaluate changes in fibrosis of the infrapatellar fat pad.The expressions of uncoupling protein-1 in the infrapatellar fat pad and subcutaneous adipose tissue in the right inguinal region as well as leptin,adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-α in the infrapatellar fat pad were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 8 weeks of feeding,compared with the high-fat diet group,the body mass of rats in the control group(P=0.036)and the high-fat diet with time-restricted diet group(P=0.003)was significantly reduced.The proton density fat fraction in the infrapatellar fat pad in the high-fat diet group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.001)and the high-fat diet with time-restricted diet group(P=0.004),while there was no significant difference in the proton density fat fraction of the subcutaneous adipose tissue among the three groups.The serum leptin levels of rats in the high-fat diet group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P=0.030)and the high-fat diet with time-restricted diet group(P=0.018).Compared with the high-fat diet group,the infrapatellar fat pad fibrosis characterized by Sirius red staining in the control group(P<0.001)and the time-restricted diet group(P=0.003)was significantly decreased.The expression of leptin in IFP of the high-fat diet group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.001)and the high-fat diet with time-restricted diet group(P<0.001).The expression of adiponectin in the infrapatellar fat pad of the high-fat diet group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P=0.004)and the high-fat diet with time-restricted feeding group(P=0.048).However,there was no positive expression of uncoupling protein-1 in the infrapatellar fat pad and subcutaneous adipose tissue of all the three groups,and no positive expression of tumor necrosis factor-α in the infrapatellar fat pad.To conclude,time-restricted diet could retard the fibrosis of the infrapatellar fat pad,reduce the proton density fat fraction of the infrapatellar fat pad,and affect the level of adipokine in serum and infrapatellar fat pad.Time-restricted diet may become a simple and effective option for the treatment and prevention of obesity-related knee osteoarthritis.

Since 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection has been widespread in the world, causing about 770 million infecting and 6.9 million deaths. Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection have become the main way to prevent the severe SARS-CoV-2. The use of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has substantial protection against the serious consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but multiple systemic adverse reactions can occur after the use of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. More and more studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 vaccine caused lesions of ocular conjunctiva, cornea, sclera, uvea, retina and optic nerve tissue and resulted in damage to visual function. In this paper, the classification and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and related studies on ocular tissue lesions were reviewed, hoping to better understand the ocular adverse reactions of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and provide some theoretical guidance for the prevention and treatment of ocular tissue damage caused by SARS-COV-2 vaccine.