Performance of Corvis ST Parameters Including Updated Stress-Strain Index in Differentiating Between Normal, Forme-Fruste, Subclinical, and Clinical Keratoconic Eyes.

PURPOSE: This study seeks to evaluate the ability of the updated stress strain index (SSIv2) and other Corvis ST biomechanical parameters in distinguishing between keratoconus at different disease stages and normal eyes. DESIGN: Diagnostic accuracy analysis to distinguish disease stages. METHODS: 1084 eyes were included and divided into groups of normal (199 eyes), forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC, 194 eyes), subclinical keratoconus (SKC, 113 eyes), mild clinical keratoconus (CKC-Ⅰ, 175 eyes), moderate clinical keratoconus (CKC-Ⅱ, 204 eyes), and severe clinical keratoconus (CKC-Ⅲ, 199 eyes). Each eye was subjected to a Corvis ST examination to determine the central corneal thickness (CCT), biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP), SSIv2 (updated stress-strain index), and other 8 Corvis parameters including the stress-strain index (SSIv1), stiffness parameter at first applanation (SP-A1), first applanation time (A1T), Ambrósio relational thickness to the horizontal profile (ARTh), integrated inverse radius (IIR), maximum deformation amplitude (DAM), ratio between deformation amplitude at the apex and at 2 mm nasal and temporal (DARatio2), and Corvis biomechanical index (CBI). The sensitivity and specificity of these parameters in diagnosing keratoconus were analyzed through receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Before and after correction for CCT and bIOP, SSIv2 and ARTh were significantly higher and IIR and CBI were significantly lower in the normal group than in the FFKC group, SKC group and the 3 CKC groups (all P < .05). There were also significant correlations between the values of SSIv2, ARTh, IIR, CBI, and the CKC severity (all P < .05). AUC of SSIv2 was significantly higher than all other Corvis parameters in distinguishing normal eyes from FFKC, followed by IIR, ARTh and CBI. CONCLUSION: Corvis ST's updated stress-strain index, SSIv2, demonstrated superior performance in differentiating between normal and keratoconic corneas, and between corneas with different keratoconus stages. Similar, but less pronounced, performance was demonstrated by the IIR, ARTh and CBI.

A New Reaction Mode of 3-Halooxindoles: Acting as C-C-O Three-Atom Components for (3+3) Cycloaddition to Access Indolenine-Fused 2H-1,4-Oxathiines.

Herein, we report an unprecedented implementation of 3-halooxindoles as C-C-O three-atom components for (3+3) cycloaddition with pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates, affording structurally diverse indolenine-fused 2H-1,4-oxathiines in moderate to high yields. A combined experimental and computational mechanistic study suggests that the reaction proceeds through addition of a S conjugate to the o-azaxylylene intermediate, followed by O-Michael addition and a sequential retro-Michael addition/pyridine extrusion pathway.

Immunogenicity consistency and safety with different production scales of recombinant adenovirus type-5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blinded, immunobridging trial.

BACKGROUND: The certification of immunogenicity consistency at different production scales is indispensable for the quality control of vaccines. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind immunobridging trial in healthy adults aged 18-59 was divided into Scale A (50 L and 800 L) and Scale B (50 L and 500 L) based on vaccine manufacturing scales. Eligible participants in Scale A were randomly assigned to receive the single-dose recombinant adenovirus type-5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine (Ad5-nCoV) of different scales at a 1:1 ratio, as was Scale B. The primary endpoint was the geometric mean titer (GMT) of anti-live SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies (NAb) 28 days post-vaccination. RESULTS: 1,012 participants were enrolled, with 253 (25%) per group. The post-vaccination GMTs of NAb were 10.72 (95% CI: 9.43, 12.19) and 13.23 (11.64, 15.03) in Scale A 50 L and 800 L, respectively; 11.64 (10.12, 13.39) and 12.09 (10.48, 13.95) in Scale B 50 L and 500 L, respectively. GMT ratios in Scale A and B have a 95% CI of 0.67-1.5. Most adverse reactions were mild or moderate. 17 of 18 participants reported non-vaccination-related serious adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The Ad5-nCoV in the scale-up production of 500 L and 800 L showed consistent immunogenicity with the original 50 L production scale, respectively.

Analysis of measles antibody level and susceptibility of enterprise employees in Jinshan District，Shanghai in 2019 / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Abstract：Objective To analyse the level of measles antibody and serological susceptibility of the enterprise employees in Jin⁃ shan District，Shanghai in 2019，to provide references for measles prevention and control of enterprise employees. Methods A total of 1 796 employees were selected from 6 enterprises in Jinshan District by using a stratified random sampling method，of which serum samples from intravenous blood were collected and determined for IgG antibody level of measles by ELISA. Geo⁃ metric mean concentration（GMC）of measles IgG antibody，antibody positive rate and antibody protection rate were calculated and the susceptibility factors of measles in enterprise employees were analyzed by using the unconditional multivariate Logistic regression model. Results The GMC of measles antibody in 1 796 monitoring objects was 639. 71 mIU／mL，the positive rate was 87. 58% and the protection rate was 29. 06%. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio（OR）of measles susceptibility was 1. 55（95% CI：1. 14 ~ 2. 12）in native subjects compared with non⁃resident subjects，while 2. 35 （95% CI：1. 35 ~ 4. 08）in subjects aged 40 ~ 49 years compared with those aged ≥ 50 years. Conclusion In 2019，the measles antibody level of enterprise employees in Jinshan District of Shanghai was low，and people aged 40 ~ 49，especially the nativeadults，wereathighriskofsusceptibilitytomeasles. Supplementaryimmunizationwithmeaslesvaccineshouldbecarried out for high⁃risk enterprise employees to reduce the risk of measles infection and control the epidemic situation of measles.

[Warming-needle moxibustion with different lengths of moxa stick for asthenospermia with kidney deficiency and liver depression: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of warming-needle moxibustion with different lengths of moxa stick for asthenospermia with kidney deficiency and liver depression. METHODS: A total of 240 patients with asthenospermia of kidney deficiency and liver depression were randomly divided into a 4-cm group (moxibustion with 4-cm moxa stick, 60 cases, 3 cases dropped off), a 3-cm group (moxibustion with 3-cm moxa stick, 60 cases, 4 cases dropped off), a 2-cm group (moxibustion with 2-cm moxa stick, 60 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and an acupuncture group (60 cases, 3 cases dropped off). All patients were treated with warming-needle moxibustion with different lengths of moxa stick or conventicnal acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Guilai (ST 29), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), etc., once a day, five times a week; 4-week treatment was taken as one course, a total of two courses of treatment were given. The semen routine indexes, seminal plasma biochemical indexes, sex hormone levels and TCM syndrome score were compared before and after treatment among the 4 groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the sperm density, sperm viability, ratio of grade A sperm, ratio of grade A and B sperm, seminal plasma fructose and neutral α-glucosidase were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the sperm deformity rates were lower than those before treatment in the 4-cm group and the 3-cm group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The ratio of grade A sperm, ratio of grade A and B sperm, seminal plasma fructose and neutral α-glucosidase in the 4-cm group were higher than the other three groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the sperm deformity rate was lower than the other three groups (P<0.05). After treatment, except for dizziness and tinnitus score, each-domain score and total scores of TCM syndrome scale in the 4-cm group and the 3-cm group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). The each-domain score of depression, weak waist and knees, low sexual function and total score in the 4-cm group were lower than those in the other three groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total effective rate was 87.7% (50/57) in the 4-cm group, which was higher than 78.6% (44/56) in the 3-cm group, 77.6% (45/58) in the 2-cm group and 70.2% (40/57) in the acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The warming-needle moxibustion with 4-cm moxa stick could effectively improve quality and motility of sperm and clinical symptoms in patients with asthenospermia of kidney deficiency and liver depression, which is superior to moxibustion with 3-cm, 2-cm moxa sticks and conventional acupuncture.

Correlational research on facial and clinical characteristics of adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND: The neurodevelopmental model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suggests that the neurodevelopmental changes in the ventral striatal circuit of the prefrontal lobe are associated with the initial symptoms of OCD. Facial morphology is one of the most consistent anatomical phenotypes of neurodevelopmental disorders, which can reflect brain structure and function. Facial deformity, an easily measured index of brain malformation, can reflect abnormal brain structure and function. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between clinical features and neurodevelopment of adolescents with OCD through facial morphology. METHODS: The enrolled study sample comprised 40 adolescents diagnosed with OCD using the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) and 38 healthy controls (HCs). Facial photos, 21 facial diameters, and 9 facial angles were collected using image software. RESULTS: In males, lower lip red height was significantly lower in OCD patients than in HCs (P < 0.025); no significant differences were observed in other facial indicators (all P > 0.025). In females, the nasolabial angle was smaller in OCD patients than in HCs (P < 0.025); no significant differences were observed in other facial indicators (all P > 0.025). The difference in lower lip red height between the OCD group and HC group was positively correlated with neutralizing symptoms (r = 0.401, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Male OCD patients had a thinner lower lip and female OCD patients had smaller nasolabial angles. The facial features of adolescents with OCD were positively correlated with lower lip redness and neutralizing symptoms.

Emerging Insights Into the Role of Epigenetics and Gut Microbiome in the Pathogenesis of Graves' Ophthalmopathy.

Graves' Ophthalmopathy (GO) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that is often characterized by infiltration of orbital tissues and is considered as the most common extra-thyroid manifestation of Graves' disease (GD). Although genetic susceptibility has been found to be critical for the phenotype of GO, the associated risk alleles in a single gene are generally insufficient to cause the disease. Accruing evidence has shown that epigenetic disorders can act as the potentially missing link between genetic risk and clinically significant disease development. Abnormal epigenetic modifications can lead to pro-inflammatory cascades and activation of orbital fibroblasts (OFs) by promoting the various inflammatory response pathways and regulating the diverse signaling molecules that are involved in the fibrogenesis and adipogenesis, thereby leading to the significant expansion of orbital tissues, fibrosis and inflammation infiltration. Additionally, emerging evidence has shown that the gut microbiome can possibly drive the pathogenesis of GO by influencing the secretion of Thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) and T-helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cells (Treg) imbalance. This paper describes the latest epigenetic research evidence and progress made in comprehending the mechanisms of GO development, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNAs, and the gut microbiome.

Maternal exposure to a high-fat diet showed unfavorable effects on the body weight, apoptosis and morphology of cardiac myocytes in offspring.

OBJECTIVE: The study intends to explore the functions of maternal high-fat diet exposure on progeny weight and heart. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, fed on a high-fat diet, were used to establish a model of weight gain before and during pregnancy. The body and cardiac weight of neonatal, 1-month- and 3-month-old rats were measured. The morphology of myocardial cells was observed by hemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The expression of caspase-3, 8, 9 was measured by qRT-PCR and western blot. RESULTS: Normal pregnant rats, fed on a high-fat diet throughout pregnancy, had a significant increase in body and cardiac weight of their neonates, and more fat deposition in myocardial cells and an increased expression of caspase-3, 8, 9, compared with that of the normal pregnant rats + normal diet group. These phenomena were relieved through later diet control. Pregnant rats, which fed on a high-fat diet throughout pregnancy, showed more adverse effects on neonatal body and cardiac weight, myocardial cell fat deposition, and the expression of caspase-3, 8, 9, compared with pregnant rats exposed to high-fat diet + normal diet and pregnant rats exposed to high-fat diet + normal diet + exercise. These phenomena cannot be fully restored via controlling later diet. CONCLUSIONS: Our results stated that a proper diet before and during pregnancy was important for the cardiac health of offspring.

[The estimation of cirrus cloud particulate shape using combined simulation and a three-wavelength lidar measurement].

The global occurrence of cirrus clouds can reach as high as 30%, whose scattering properties are essential impact on the climatic model, radiative transfer, and remote sensing. Their scattering properties are determined by the ice crystal shape, size distribution, refractive index and so on. Retrieval of the backscattering color ratios of cirrus cloud using a 355, 532 and 1 064 nm three-wavelength lidar, combined with the simulation of the three backscattering color ratios of different ice crystal shape, the shape of the lidar-measured ice crystal can be estimated. The results indicate that the shape of cirrus cloud over Hefei city is mostly composed by aggregates.

[Microbial transformation of buflomedil by Cunninghamella blakesleana AS 3.153].

The microbial transformation of buflomedil by Cunninghamella blakesleana AS 3.153 was studied, as well as a microbial model which can be used to mimic metabolism of buflomedil in mammal was established. Experiments were conducted to screen the capabilities of four strains of Cunninghamella species to transform buflomedil, in which C. blakesleana AS 3.153 was selected for a preparative biotransformation. Furthermore, the microbial model was established based on the transformation condition optimization. The parent drug and its metabolites produced by C. blakesleana AS 3.153 were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method and three metabolites were identified while two of them were new found metabolites. Two major metabolites, para-O-desmethyl buflomedil and 12-C-oxidated buflomedil, were isolated by semi-preparative HPLC. Based on the comparison between different species, the microbial transformation of buflomedil by C. blakesleana AS 3.153 is more similar to the metabolism of buflomedil in human and Beagle dog than that in rat.

[Congenital adrenal hyperplasia complicated by testicular adrenal rest tumors: one-case clinical analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early diagnosis and treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) complicated by testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 1 case of late-onset CAH complicated by TART diagnosed and treated in Xiamen Women and Children Health Care Hospital. RESULTS: The patient was a 15 years old boy, short statured and dark skinned, with skin pigmentation in the gum and external genital, secondary sex characteristics of the adult and irregular tubercles palpable in the bilateral testes. Laboratory examinations showed obviously increased levels of ACTH, 17-KS, DHEA-S and progesterone and evidently decreased levels of FSH, LH and CO. The low-dose dexamethasone suppression test reduced ACTH and DHEA-S to normal. Imaging examinations revealed soft tissue density in the bilateral adrenal glands, especially on the right, and irregularly increased volume of the bilateral testes, particularly on the left, with heterogeneous signals and septas and surrounded by the fluid signals. Histopathological examinations showed the eosinophilic cytoplasm to be polygon- or round-shaped, interstitium-like cells arranged in line, and lipopigment in the endochylema. Immunohistochemical results were negative for testicular interstitial cell tumor. The clinical signs of the patient were improved after 3 months of dexamethasone treatment, the hyperplastic nodules in the left testis decreased obviously and those in the right testis disappeared after 6 months, and the hyperplastic nodules in the adrenal glands vanished after 9 months. CONCLUSION: Based on the clinical manifestations and the results of auxiliary examinations, this case was diagnosed as late-onset CAH complicated by TART, which was attributed to the continued surge of ACTH induced by corticoadrenal insufficiency. Sufficient dexamethasone treatment could make the TART decrease or disappear and the CAH vanish; it could also improve the clinical symptoms and bring the laboratory results to normal.

[Studies on the blood group serologic characters of enzyme-only red cell antibody].

The objective of this study was to investigate the serologic characters of enzyme-only red cell antibody and its clinical significance, and to provide basis for the safety of blood transfusion. The patient serum containing enzyme-only antibody was used to react with the red cells of donors, panel cells and auto-cells in various medium. Absorption and elution test were also per formed. The results showed that this blood sample was found to contain an antibody that reacted with donor red cells and panel cells only in papain medium, but was not demonstrable by indirect antiglobulin test and other method s. Decline of antibody titers was observed after absorption test, but antibody activity was not detected in the elute. The patient underwent transfusion with 600 ml of Rh type identical RBCs, without any hemolytic transfusion reaction. In conclusion, enzyme-only antibody usually doe s not lead to hemolytic transfusion reaction.