A reporter gene assays for bioactivity determination of human chorinonic gonadotropin / 药学学报

This study constructed a LHCGR-CRE-luc-HEK293 transgenic cell line according to the activation of the cAMP signaling pathway after recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin binding to the receptor. The biological activity of recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin was assayed using a luciferase assay system. The relative potency of the samples was calculated using four-parameter model. And the method conditions were optimized to validate the specificity, relative accuracy, precision and linearity of the method. The results showed that there was a quantitative potency relationship of human chorinonic gonadotropin (hCG) in the method and it was in accordance with the four-parameter curve. After optimization, the conditions were determined as hCG dilution concentration of 2.5 μg·mL-1, dilution ratio of 1∶4, cell number of 10 000-15 000 cells/well, and induction time of 6 h. The method had good specificity, relative accuracy with relative bias ranging from -8.9% to 3.4%, linear regression equation correlation coefficient of 0.996, intermediate precision geometric coefficient of variation ranging from 3.3% to 15.0%, and linearity range of 50% to 200%. This study successfully established and validated a reporter gene method to detect hCG biological activity, which can be used for hCG biological activity assay and quality control.

Analysis of ocular biometric parameters in Tibetan patients with age-related cataract / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To compare the differences of ocular biometric parameters of age-related cataract between Tibetan and Han ethnic groups, and to analyze the distribution characteristics of ocular biometric parameters in Tibetan cataract patients.METHODS:Retrospective cohort study. A total of 661 patients(1 030 eyes)with age-related cataract confirmed in the hospital between January 2019 and December 2020 were enrolled. The parameters of axial length, anterior chamber depth, keratometry, corneal astigmatism and astigmatic axis were measured by IOL Master 500 in 483 cases(739 eyes)of Tibetan age-related cataract patients and 178 cases(291 eyes)of Han patients.RESULTS:The axial length, anterior chamber depth and corneal astigmatism of the Tibetan patients with age-related cataract were 23.33(22.81, 23.86)mm, 3.04(2.79, 3.30)mm and 0.73(0.47, 1.07)D. The mean keratometry was 43.89±1.35 D. The results indicated that Tibetan cataract patients had shorter axial lengths and smaller keratometry compared to Han patients(all P<0.05). Age in Tibetan patients was negatively correlated with axial length and anterior chamber depth, and positively correlated with keratometry(all P<0.05). Tibetan male patients had longer axial lengths, deeper anterior chambers, and flatter corneas compared to female patients(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION:There were differences in ocular biometric parameters between age-related cataract patients of Tibetan and Han ethnicities. The distribution of ocular biometric parameters in Tibetan cataract patients varied across different age groups and gender groups.

Crystalline lens decentration and tilt in eyes with different axial lengths and their associated factors

Purpose: To analyze crystalline lens decentration and tilt in eyes with different axial lengths (ALs) using a swept?source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS?AS?OCT). Methods: Patients with normal right eyes who visited our hospital between December 2020 and January 2021 were included in this cross?sectional study. Data on crystalline lens decentration and tilt, AL, aqueous depth (AD), central corneal thickness (CCT), lens thickness (LT), lens vault (LV), anterior chamber width (ACW), and angle ? were collected. Results: A total of 252 patients were included and divided into normal (n = 82), medium–long (n = 89), and long (n = 81) AL groups. The average age of these patients was 43.63 ± 17.02 years. The crystalline lens decentration (0.16 ± 0.08, 0.16 ± 0.09, and 0.20 ± 0.09 mm, P = 0.009) and tilt (4.58° ± 1.42°, 4.06° ± 1.32°, and 2.84° ± 1.19°, P < 0.001) were significantly different among the normal, medium, and long AL groups. Crystalline lens decentration was correlated with AL (r = 0.466, P = 0.004), AD (r = 0.358, P = 0.006), ACW (r = ?0.004, P = 0.020), LT (r = ?0.141, P = 0.013), and LV (r = ?0.371, P = 0.003). Crystalline lens tilt was correlated with age (r = 0.312, P < 0.001), AL (r = ?0.592, P < 0.001), AD (r = ?0.436, P < 0.001), ACW (r = ?0.018, P = 0.004), LT (r = 0.216, P = 0.001), and LV (r = 0.311, P = 0.003). Conclusion: Crystalline lens decentration was positively correlated with AL, and tilt was negatively correlated with AL

Meta-análisis de la escala de capital intelectual: implicaciones para hacer frente a la pandemia del COVID-19

Introducción: la medición del capital intelectual como activo intangible se ha establecido a partir de una escala de seis dimensiones relacionada con formación, academia, laboral, profesional, sindical y organizativa. La pandemia ha generado estudios que muestran diferencias significativas entre estas dimensiones, abriendo la discusión sobre la validez metaanalítica. Objetivo: realizar una revisión documental, sistemática y metaanalítica, con una muestra de artículos publicados entre 2014 y 2021 en revistas indexadas en repositorios internacionales. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio documental, sistemático y metaanalítico sobre una muestra de artículos publicados en repositorios internacionales en los últimos dos años. Se utilizó la Escala de Capital Intelectual, considerando sus dimensiones reportadas en la literatura. Resultados: se estableció la estructura y los umbrales de los efectos aleatorios, calculados mediante la ecuación para establecer el parámetro delta, considerando sus intervalos de confianza para la corrección de errores de muestreo y estimación, así como las diferencias entre grupos. Conclusión: se recomienda extender la revisión de la literatura hasta agosto de 2021, para poder contrastar ambas revisiones, y establecer así la validez metaanalítica de la escala, y discutir sus implicaciones en la era COVID-19.

Introduction: the measurement of intellectual capital as an intangible asset has been established from a scale of six dimensions related to training, academia; labor, professional, union, and organizational. The pandemic has generated studies that show significant differences between these dimensions, opening the discussion on meta-analytic validity. Objective: to carry out a documentary, systematic and meta-analytical review with a sample of articles published from 2014 to 2021 in journals indexed in international repositories. Materials and methods: a documentary, systematic and meta-analytical study was carried out on a sample of articles published in international repositories in the last two years. The Intellectual Capital Scale was used, considering its dimensions reported in the literature. Results: the structure and thresholds of the random effects were established, calculated by means of the equation to establish the delta parameter, considering their confidence intervals for correction of sampling and estimation errors, as well as differences between groups. Conclusion: it is recommended to extend the review of the literature until August 2021 in order to be able to contrast both reviews to establish the meta-analytic validity of the scale and discuss its implications in the COVID-19 era.

Preformulation screening of lipids using solubility parameter concept in conjunction with experimental research to develop ceftriaxone loaded nanostructured lipid carriers

Abstract Development of ceftriaxone loaded nanostructured lipid carriers to increase permeability of ceftriaxone across uninflamed meninges after parenteral administration. Lipids were selected by theoretical and experimental techniques and optimization of NLCs done by response surface methodology using Box-Behnken design. The Δδt for glyceryl monostearate and Capryol90 were 4.39 and 2.92 respectively. The drug had maximum solubility of 0.175% (w/w) in glycerol monostearate and 2.56g of Capryol90 dissolved 10mg of drug. The binary mixture consisted of glyceryl monostearate and Capryol90 in a ratio of 70:30. The optimized NLCs particle size was 130.54nm, polydispersity index 0.28, % entrapment efficiency 44.32%, zeta potential -29.05mV, and % drug loading 8.10%. In vitro permeability of ceftriaxone loaded NLCs was 5.06x10-6 cm/s; evidently, the NLCs pervaded through uninflamed meninges, which, was further confirmed from in vivo biodistribution studies. The ratio of drug concentration between brain and plasma for ceftriaxone loaded NLCs was 0.29 and that for ceftriaxone solution was 0.02. With 44.32% entrapment of the drug in NLCs the biodistribution of ceftriaxone was enhanced 7.9 times compared with that of ceftriaxone solution. DSC and XRD studies revealed formation of imperfect crystalline NLCs. NLCs improved permeability of ceftriaxone through uninflamed meninges resulting in better management of CNS infections.

Research progress on effects of radio frequency radiation and its physical parameters on male reproductive system / 环境与职业医学

With the widespread use of mobile phones, laptops, and WIFI, the effects of radio frequency radiation (RFR) on human health are of increasing concern, and there are particular concerns about its reproductive toxicity. Studies have shown that the reproductive system is a sensitive target for RFR. In males, RFR is associated with decreased sperm quality and serum testosterone levels, but there are few studies on the biological effects of RFR by altering physical parameters on the male reproductive system. This paper introduced common sources of RFR, reviewed the toxic effects and mechanisms of RFR targeting male reproductive system from the aspects of spermatogenic cells, sperm structure, blood-testicular barrier, and testicular function, and analyzed male reproductive system related toxic effects of RFR by varying physical parameters including frequency, treatment duration, and specific absorption rate, so as to provide a theoretical basis and scientific basis for the safe and reasonable use of radio frequency electromagnetic field by humans and subsequent in-depth research.

Design of Portable Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilator System Based on Threshold Trigger of Flow Rate Change / 中国医疗器械杂志

In order to effectively treat respiratory diseases, a non-invasive positive pressure ventilator system is designed, the overall structure design of the system is proposed, and the hardware construction is completed. The breathing state of the patient is identified by the threshold triggering method of the flow rate of change, and the calculation of the flow rate of change is realized by the least squares method. At the same time, the breathing parameters are calculated in real time according to the flow-time and pressure-time characteristic curves. In addition, CMV, CPAP, BiPAP and PSV ventilation modes are also implemented. Finally, the parameter measurement accuracy and ventilation mode setting tests are carried out. The results show that the calculation of key breathing parameters provided by the system meets the relevant standards, and supports the stable output of 4 ventilation modes at the same time, provides breathing treatment for patients, and meets the basic functional requirements of the ventilator.

Analysis of changes in routine blood parameters and thyroid hormone levels in women at different stages of pregnancy and their correlations with TPOAb / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo investigate the patterns of changes in routine blood parameters， thyroid hormone levels， and their correlations with thyroid peroxidase antibodies （TPOAb） among women at different stages of pregnancy， so as to provide a theoretical basis for maternal and child health care and diagnosis and treatment. MethodsA total of 732 pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy who underwent health examinations at the First Maternity and Infant Hospital affiliated to Tongji University from May 2020 to August 2022 were selected as the observation group. The group comprised 245 women in the first trimester （≤12 weeks）， 247 women in the second trimester （between13 and 27 weeks） and 240 women in the third trimester （≥28 weeks）. Additionally， 240 non-pregnant， healthy women of child-bearing age who conducted their health checkups in the same hospital were selected as the control group. All the research subjects were required to provide peripheral venous blood samples to measure hemoglobin （Hb）， standard deviation of red blood cell distribution width （RDW-SD）， coefficient of variation of red blood cell distribution width （RDW-CV）， platelet （Plt） count， platelet distribution width （PDW）， as well as thyroid stimulating hormone （TSH）， total thyroxine （TT4）， total triiodothyronine （TT3）， free thyroxine （FT4）， free triiodothyronine （FT3）， and TPOAb. The results were statistically analyzed. ResultsWith advancing gestational age， Hb levels were significantly lower in the second and third trimesters than in the first trimester and the control group （F=68.25， P<0.001）， while RDW-SD and RDW-CV were significantly higher （F=41.34， P<0.001； F=3.64， P=0.012）. Plt levels throughout pregnancy were significantly lower than that in the control group （F=43.21， P<0.001）. TSH levels were significantly lower in the first and second trimesters than in the control group （Z=53.49， P<0.001）， but gradually increased with gestational age. TT3 and TT4 levels were significantly higher than those in the control group throughout pregnancy （F＝148.25， P<0.001； F＝210.83， P<0.001）， while FT3 and FT4 levels were significantly lower in the second and third trimesters than in the first trimester and the control group （F=42.95， P<0.001； F=101.73， P<0.001）. The abnormal rate of TPOAb was significantly higher than that in the control group throughout pregnancy （χ2＝25.61， P<0.001）. Among pregnant women， those with TPOAb positivity had significantly higher TSH levels and RDW-CV than those with TPOAb negativity （Z＝5.70， P<0.001； t＝2.39， P＝0.018）. ConclusionThe levels of Hb， Plt， and thyroid hormones in pregnant women are closely related to gestational age. With increasing gestational age， the abnormal rate of TPOAb decreases， but the TSH levels and RDW-CV of TPOAb positive pregnant women are higher， requiring clinical attention and screening to improve maternal and child health.

Design and Experimental Research of Synchronous Acquisition System of EMG and Blood Oxygen Signal / 中国医疗器械杂志

In this study, a surface electromyography (sEMG) and blood oxygen signal real-time monitoring system is designed to explore the changes of physiological signals during muscle fatigue, so as to detect muscle fatigue. The analysis method of sEMG and the principle of blood oxygen detection are respectively introduced, and the system scheme is expounded. The hardware part of the system takes STM32 as the core. Conditioning module composition; blood oxygen signal acquisition is based on near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), specifically including light source, light source driving, photoelectric conversion, signal conditioning and other modules. The system software part is based on the real-time uC/OS-III software system. The characteristic parameters of sEMG were extracted by isometric contraction local muscle fatigue experiment; the relative changes of oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) were calculated in the forearm blocking experiment, thereby verifying that the system collects two signals effectiveness.

Value of ocular trauma score and ocular structural parameters in the assessment of healing visual acuity from ocular trauma / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To explore the value of ocular trauma score(OTS), initial visual acuity, and ocular structural parameters in the assessment of healing visual acuity from ocular trauma.METHOD: A total of 302 cases(302 eyes)of ocular trauma were selected as subjects, which were accepted and issued clear appraisal opinions by the Academy of Forensic Science from June 2015 to June 2021. The subjects were grouped according to the healing best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)from ocular trauma. Group Ⅰ included 63 cases(63 eyes)with BCVA &#x0026;#x003C;3.7; Group Ⅱ included 70 cases(70 eyes)with 3.7≤ BCVA &#x0026;#x003C;4.5; Group Ⅲ included 78 cases(78 eyes)with 4.5≤ BCVA &#x0026;#x003C;4.9; Group Ⅳ included 91 cases(91 eyes)with BCVA≥4.9. In addition, 77 cases(77 healthy eyes)of ocular trauma were selected as the control group, namely Group Ⅴ. The healing BCVA and ocular structural parameters from ocular trauma and theirs correlation were analyzed, and the random forest(RF)and support vector machine(SVM)model of healing visual acuity was established by the IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0.RESULTS: The initial visual acuity, OTS, the grading of corneas, lenses, and fundus, and the thickness of the retinal never fiber layer of ocular trauma patients were correlated with the healing BCVA(P&#x0026;#x003C;0.01). There were significant differences in ocular structural parameters among groups, except the central subfield thickness(P&#x0026;#x003C;0.001). The SVM model had higher accuracy of predicting healing visual acuity than the RF model, and the accuracy rate was over 80% when the error was within 0.15.CONCLUSION:OTS and ocular structural examination can provide effective information for the clinical forensic medicine appraisal of visual dysfunction after ocular trauma, and they are valuable in discriminating camouflage of visual dysfunction.

Expert knowledge-based strategies for ventilator parameter setting and stepless adaptive adjustment / 生物医学工程学杂志

The setting and adjustment of ventilator parameters need to rely on a large amount of clinical data and rich experience. This paper explored the problem of difficult decision-making of ventilator parameters due to the time-varying and sudden changes of clinical patient's state, and proposed an expert knowledge-based strategies for ventilator parameter setting and stepless adaptive adjustment based on fuzzy control rule and neural network. Based on the method and the real-time physiological state of clinical patients, we generated a mechanical ventilation decision-making solution set with continuity and smoothness, and automatically provided explicit parameter adjustment suggestions to medical personnel. This method can solve the problems of low control precision and poor dynamic quality of the ventilator's stepwise adjustment, handle multi-input control decision problems more rationally, and improve ventilation comfort for patients.

Discrete element simulation study of mixing process of Guizhi Fuling Capsules: parameter calibration / 中国中药杂志

The mixing process is a critical link in the formation of oral solid preparations of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper took the extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules and Paeonol powder as research objects. The angle of repose, loose packing density, and particle size of the two powders were measured to calibrate discrete element simulation parameters for the mixing process. The discrete element method was used to calibrate the simulated solid density of Paeonol powder and extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules based on the Hertz-Mindlin with JKR V2 contact model and particle scaling. The Plackett-Burman experimental design was used to screen out the critical contact parameters that had a significant effect on the simulation of the angle of repose. The regression model between the critical contact parameters and the simulated angle of repose was established by the Box-Behnken experimental design, and the critical contact parameters of each powder were optimized based on the regression model. The best combination of critical contact parameters of the extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules was found to be 0.51 for particle-particle static friction coefficient, 0.31 for particle-particle rolling friction coefficient, and 0.64 for particle-stainless steel static friction coefficient. For Paeonol powder, the best combination of critical contact parameters was 0.4 for particle-particle static friction coefficient and 0.19 for particle-particle rolling friction coefficient. The best combination of contact parameters between Paeonol powder and extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules was 0.27 for collision recovery coefficient, 0.49 for static friction coefficient, and 0.38 for rolling friction coefficient. The verification results show that the relative error between the simulated value and the measured value of the angle of repose of the two single powders is less than 1%, while the relative error between the simulated value and the measured value of the angle of repose of the mixed powder with a mass ratio of 1∶1 is less than 4%. These research results provide reliable physical property simulation data for the mixed simulation experiment of extract powder of Guizhi Fuling Capsules and Paeonol powder.

Nusinersen treatment in patients with spinal muscular atrophy: A safety analysis of laboratory parameters / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To explore the changes of laboratory parameters and safety of nusinersen in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). 【Methods】 Retrospective analysis was made on the six SMA patients treated with nusinersen in the Department of Neurology at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from December 2021 to December 2022. We summarized the patients’ clinical data, including genetic diagnosis results, disease classification, and clinical manifestations. Intrathecal injection of 5 mL/12 mg of nusinersen administered on the 1st, 14th, 28th, and 63rd days, followed by maintenance treatment every 4 months. After each administration, we compared and evaluated the patients’ cerebrospinal fluid, blood routine, liver function, kidney function, and coagulation function with baseline values. We regularly followed up the patients and recorded adverse reactions after administration to evaluate medication safety. 【Results】 A total of six patients were diagnosed with SMA, including four cases of SMA3 type and two cases of SMA4 type. The deletion of exon 7 of the survival motor neuron gene 1 (SMN1) in patients led to changes in motor neuron, most of which were caused by limb weakness; in severe cases, the patients were unable to stand. The baseline abnormal test indicators of patients included the increase of cerebrospinal fluid lactate dehydrogenase (CSF-LDH), the increase of creatine kinase (CK), and the decrease of creatinine (Cr). After four times of treatment, the patients’ CSF-WBC, CSF-Glu, CSF-Pro, CSF-LDH, WBC, PLT, RBC, ALT, AST, GGT, BUN, uric acid (UA), INR, aPTT, and D-dimer had no significant difference from the baseline (P>0 05). The patients had no other significant adverse reactions except headaches, dizziness, and back pain after puncture. 【Conclusion】 Nusinersen has good safety on SMA patients.

A simulating method for dripping process of Ginkgo biloba leaf dripping pills based on computational fluid dynamics technology / 药学学报

A simulating method for dripping process of Ginkgo biloba leaf dripping pills based on computational fluid dynamics was constructed. Ginkgo biloba leaf dripping pills was explored as the experimental subject to simulate the dripping process based on FLOW-3D software. The dripping process was simulated through the derivation of the governing equations, the selection of the models, and simulation parameters. Firstly, the droplet morphologies and drop speeds under different liquid viscosity were simulated. It was found that with the increase of the liquid viscosity, the drop speed decreased and the difficulty of droplet preparation gradually increased. The simulation results were consistent with the experiment results. Secondly, the droplet morphologies at different drop speeds were investigated and verified by experiments. It was found that the simulation results had a good correlation with the experiment results. The results shown that the viscosity of the liquid was the critical material attribute, and the drop speed was the critical process parameter, according to the droplet morphology. The establishment of the simulation method can deepen the understanding of the dripping process and provide a reference for the selection of raw materials and process parameters.

Effect of rotational errors on dose of positive lymph nodes in cervical cancer VMAT plan and its coping strategies / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of rotational errors (antero-posterior) on dosimetric parameters of positive lymph nodes in the long target volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan for advanced cervical cancer and investigate its coping strategies.Methods:Clinical data of patients with cervical cancer complicated with para-aortic or inguinal lymph node metastasis admitted to Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College were randomly selected and retrospectively analyzed. The target areas of the lymph nodes at different distances from the center of the plan were outlined according to the requirements. After designing the VMAT plan on the CT images of each case, the rotational errors (antero-posterior) were introduced by changing the parameters of the treatment couch, and the dose distribution was reconstructed by dose calculation with other parameters unchanged. Then, the external boundary of the original lymph node target was added according to d=2πr(α/360) ( r is the distance from the center of the lymph node to the plan center), re-planned, and the changes of dosimetric parameters in the target area of the original lymph node were analyzed after the corresponding rotational errors were introduced. Results:When the distance between the lymph node target area and the plan center was 6 cm with an error of 3°, the distance was 9 cm and 12 cm with an error of 2.5°, the distance was 15 cm with an error of 2°, and the distance was 18 cm with an error of 1.5°, the mean change of D 95% was more than 5%. When the rotational errors were ≤1°, the mean change of D 95% in lymph node target area was less than 5%, and when the lymph node was 18 cm away from the treatment plan center, the mean change was more than 3%, reaching 3.75%. When the rotational errors were 0.5° and the distance from the plan center was 18 cm (0.5°, 18 cm), the dose change of lymph node target was more than 5%, reaching 5.58%. At (1°, 15 cm), the V 100% change reached 8.96%, and at (1°, 18 cm), the V 100% change was 14.5%. The D 95% and V 100% parameters of the original lymph node target were changed by less than 1% after adding the external boundary of the original lymph node target and introducing corresponding rotational errors. Conclusions:In the long target area radiotherapy of cervical cancer, the variation of dosimetric parameters of lymph node target was increased with the increase of rotational errors and with the increase of distance from the plan center. It is recommended to increase the efferent boundary of lymph nodes in different positions to avoid underdose by d=2πr(α/360).

Application of measurement of pedicle parameters before L1 percutaneous vertebroplasty / 中国基层医药

Objective:The included angle of the outermost edge of the pedicle and the front edge of the central line of T12, L1, and L12 in the axial projection was compared before surgery (the incidence angle of the pedicle was set as α). A horizontal line passing through point C was made to cross the inner edge of the pedicle in the axial projection and the intersection point was designated as point D. The distance between point C and point D was compared among T12, L1, and L2. The advantages and feasibility of the measurement of these parameters for guiding puncture and bone cement injection in L1 percutaneous vertebroplasty were investigated.Methods:The clinical data of 91 patients with L1 osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty in The First People's Hospital of Chu Zhou from January 2018 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Axial α and CD of the L1 vertebral body and its adjacent vertebral bodies were measured. The amount of bone cement injected during the surgery, bone cement leakage rate, and pre- and post-surgery Visual Analogue Scale score were determined.Results:The α and CD of L1 in the axial projection were (20.43 ± 1.61)° and (5.37 ± 1.08) mm, respectively. Bone cement leakage rates of unilateral and bilateral approaches of L1 vertebral body were 35% and 12%, respectively, and there was a significant difference between the two approaches ( χ2 = 6.08, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the amount of bone cement injected during the surgery between unilateral and bilateral approaches of L1 ( P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in pre- and post-surgery Visual Analogue Scale scores between unilateral and bilateral approaches of L1 ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:The α and CD of L1 in the axial projection are smaller than those of other adjacent vertebral bodies, which is of great significance for selecting a puncture path and reducing bone cement leakage.

Effect of physical parameters in enhancing prodigiosin production and anti-MRSA activity of marine bacterium, Serratia marcescens IBRL USM84

Aims@#Marine bacteria have been reported to produce potential natural pigment with pharmaceutical properties and their growth can be manipulated in the laboratory to increase pigment production and their antimicrobial activity. Hence, this study aimed to enhance the prodigiosin production in Serratia marcescens IBRL USM84 by improving physical conditions.@*Methodology and results@#The quantification of the pigment produced by S. marcescens IBRL USM84, bacterial cell growth, and its antibacterial activity in the broth medium were determined using a spectrophotometry method. Meanwhile, the antibacterial effect of red pigment on MRSA cells was observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). This marine isolate produced the highest yield of prodigiosin (6.95 μg/mL) when cultivated in marine broth with the addition of 0.2% of agar, 25 °C incubation temperature, initial medium pH of 7, 150 rpm of agitation speed for 48 h of cultivation time under light illumination. There was an increment of 151.81% in prodigiosin production after enhancement compared to before the enhancement of cultural conditions. SEM observations revealed that severe damage to the cell’s morphologies was exposed to red pigment as indicated by the formation of small dents, which led to completely collapse and eventually, cell death.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#A positive correlation between pigment production and antibacterial activity was observed in the present study. The results supported the fact that marine bacteria are a reservoir of various pigments with antimicrobial properties. Also, the pigment production by S. marcescens and its antibacterial activity were significantly influenced by physical parameters.

Biomechanical Characteristics Analysis of Human-Machine Coupling on Ankle / 医用生物力学

Objective A 2-PSU/ RR parallel ankle rehabilitation robot was designed, and the biomechanical properties of human muscles were also analyzed, so as to study rehabilitation strategy of the ankle rehabilitation robot. Methods The actual workspace of the robot was obtained by numerical discrete search method, and the effect of structural parameter changes on the height of robot moving platform was explored. Then the human biomechanical responses such as muscle force and muscle mobility were obtained by human biomechanical simulation software AnyBody, so as to investigate the effect of moving platform height changes on muscle behavior. Results The robot could meet the demand of ankle plantarflexion/ dorsiflexion and inversion/ eversion motion. Appropriately increasing the initial inclination angle and decreasing the length of the fixed-length bar enabled the ankle rehabilitation robot to have a lower overall height. The height of the moving platform was decreased by 10 mm in turn, and the muscle force and muscle activity of the human body involved in the movement were decreased to a certain extent. Conclusions This study provides a new design solution for ankle rehabilitation, offers theoretical guidance for motion analysis of the ankle rehabilitation robot, and accelerates rehabilitation of the patients’ ankles by modifying the mechanism parameters.

Comparison of diagnostic performance of Clear Cell Likelihood Score v1.0 and v2.0 for clear renal cell carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the performance of Clear Cell Likelihood Score (ccLS) v1.0 and v2.0 in diagnosing clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) from small renal masses (SRM).@*METHODS@#We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and MR images of patients with pathologically confirmed solid SRM from the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2021, and from Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University and Peking University First Hospital between January 1, 2019 and May 17, 2021. Six abdominal radiologists were trained for use of the ccLS algorithm and scored independently using ccLS v1.0 and ccLS v2.0. Random- effects logistic regression modeling was used to generate plot receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ccLS v1.0 and ccLS v2.0 for ccRCC, and the area under curve (AUC) of these two scoring systems were compared using the DeLong's test. Weighted Kappa test was used to evaluate the interobserver agreement of the ccLS score, and differences in the weighted Kappa coefficients was compared using the Gwet consistency coefficient.@*RESULTS@#In total, 691 patients (491 males, 200 females; mean age, 54 ± 12 years) with 700 renal masses were included in this study. The pooled accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of ccLS v1.0 for diagnosing ccRCC were 77.1%, 76.8%, 77.7%, 90.2%, and 55.7%, as compared with 80.9%, 79.3%, 85.1%, 93.4%, 60.6% with ccLS v2.0, respectively. The AUC of ccLS v2.0 was significantly higher than that of ccLS v1.0 for diagnosis of ccRCC (0.897 vs 0.859; P < 0.01). The interobserver agreement did not differ significantly between ccLS v1.0 and ccLS v2.0 (0.56 vs 0.60; P > 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#ccLS v2.0 has better performance for diagnosing ccRCC than ccLS v1.0 and can be considered for use to assist radiologists with their routine diagnostic tasks.

Characterastics of muscle architectural parameters for early knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged and elderly women / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo observe the architectural parameter changes of the muscles around the knee in middle-aged and elderly women with early knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by musculoskeletal ultrasound, and to clarify the indicators of muscles that affect early KOA. MethodsFrom January to August, 2022, 20 healthy middle-aged and elderly healthy women (controls) and 20 middle-aged and elderly women with unilateral early KOA (KOA group) were recruited through Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, to measure muscle thickness of the popliteus muscle, the muscle thickness and the pennation angle of the quadriceps, as rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis longus and vastus medialis oblique. ResultsCompared with the healthy limb of KOA group, and the controls, the muscle thickness of vastus medialis longus, vastus medialis oblique and popliteus muscle of the affected limb of KOA group became thinner (t > 2.133, P < 0.05); the proportion of thickness of vastus medialis oblique to thickness of vastus lateralis became smaller (t > 3.660, P < 0.05). The pennation angle was smaller in the affected limb of KOA group than in the matched dominant side of the controls (t = 3.101, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the muscle thickness of vastus medialis oblique (OR = 0.235, 95%CI 0.068 to 0.805, P = 0.021) and popliteus muscle (OR = 0.387, 95%CI 0.152 to 0.980, P = 0.045) were related to the onset of early KOA. ConclusionThe thickness of vastus medialis longus, vastus medialis oblique and popliteus muscle decrease, and the balance of the strength of vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis weakens in the affected limbs of the middle-aged and elderly women with early KOA. The thickness of vastus medialis oblique and popliteus muscle are protective factors for onset of KOA.