Predicting visual outcomes in keratoprosthesis surgery with critical flicker fusion frequency, B-scan, visual electrophysiology and endoscopy.

Purpose: This study evaluates the predictive power of the critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) test for visual outcomes in keratoprosthesis (KPro) candidates, comparing its accuracy with B-scan ultrasound, flash visual evoked potentials (fVEP) and endoscopy.

Methods: The study included 42 patients (42 eyes) scheduled for KPro surgery with a median follow-up period of 6 months. The receiver operating characteristic curve identified the cut-off threshold for CFF in the model development study (17 eyes).

Effects of sacubitril-valsartan in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis.

Objectives: Data on angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) sacubitril-valsartan (SV) in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis is scarce. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of SV on patients undergoing dialysis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of end-stage kidney disease (ESRD) patients undergoing either peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD) in our center.

Application of immersion B-scan ultrasonography in diagnosis of complex retinal detachment, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous and intraocular tumors.

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic value of panoramic immersion B-scan ultrasonography (Pano-immersion B-scan, PIB) in complex retinal detachment (RD), persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) and intraocular tumors.

Methods: The clinical data of 44 patients collected from May 2012 to December 2019 in Chinese PLA General Hospital was retrospectively studied. All of these patients underwent PIB of the eye, because it was difficult to diagnose by routine ocular fundus examination, conventional ultrasound or/and ultrasonic biomicroscope (UBM) due to opacity of refractive media, pupillary occlusion, large involvement or special location of the lesion.

Analysis of the Influencing Factors of Seeking Intention on COVID-19 Risk Information: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Information seeking, as an important part of the prevention and control of infectious diseases, can lead to positive outcomes by reducing uncertainty and alleviating panic. However, most previous studies have limited their analysis to individual-level psychosocial factors, and little is known about how social-level factors influence individuals' information-seeking intentions.

Methods: The cross-sectional survey was conducted from July 30, 2020 to August 15, 2020 in China.

Various phenotypes of autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy with cone-rod homeobox mutation in two Chinese families.

Aim: To present the clinical manifestations of 5 autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy (adCORD) patients from two Chinese families with cone-rod homeobox (CRX) mutation (p.R41W), and to explore the clinical heterogeneity of adCORD with CRX mutation (p.R41W).

Accuracy of segmented measurement of axial length in ultra-high myopia filled with silicone oil using immersion B-scan ultrasonography.

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of segmented measurement of axial length (AL) in high myopia filled with silicone oil by immersion B-scan ultrasonography (immersion B-scan).

Methods: From June 2016 to June 2020, a total of 67 ultra-high myopia inpatients (67 eyes) who underwent silicone oil removal combined with cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were retrospectively enrolled. The preoperative axial length (AL) of 31 patients with severe cataract were segmented measured using immersion B-scan (B-scan group) and another 36 patients with mild or moderate cataract were measured using IOLMaster 500 (IOLMaster group).

Analysis of the spatial association of geographical detector-based landslides and environmental factors in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, China.

Steep canyons surrounded by high mountains resulting from large-scale landslides characterize the study area located in the southeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau. A total of 1766 large landslides were identified based on integrated remote sensing interpretations utilizing multisource satellite images and topographic data that were dominated by 3 major regional categories, namely, rockslides, rock falls, and flow-like landslides. The geographical detector method was applied to quantitatively unveil the spatial association between the landslides and 12 environmental factors through computation of the q values based on spatially stratified heterogeneity.

Gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus disease secondary to measles in an immunocompetent infant: A case report.

Background: Gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease occurs commonly in immunocompromised/immunodeficient patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection, neoplasm, solid organ transplantation, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or treatment with immunosuppressants, but is rarely reported in association with measles infection.

Case Summary: We describe a case of extensive gastrointestinal CMV disease secondary to measles infection in a 9-mo-old boy who presented with persistent fever and bloody diarrhea. His condition was improved after ganciclovir treatment.

Mechanisms Regulating the Dynamics of Photosynthesis Under Abiotic Stresses.

Photosynthesis sustains plant life on earth and is indispensable for plant growth and development. Factors such as unfavorable environmental conditions, stress regulatory networks, and plant biochemical processes limits the photosynthetic efficiency of plants and thereby threaten food security worldwide. Although numerous physiological approaches have been used to assess the performance of key photosynthetic components and their stress responses, though, these approaches are not extensive enough and do not favor strategic improvement of photosynthesis under abiotic stresses.

Predictors of outcomes of endoscopic balloon dilatation in strictures after esophageal atresia repair: A retrospective study.

Background: Endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) has become the first line of therapy for benign esophageal strictures (ESs); however, there are few publications about the predictive factors for the outcomes of this treatment.

Aim: To assess the predictive factors for the outcomes of EBD treatment for strictures after esophageal atresia (EA) repair.

Methods: Children with anastomotic ES after thoracoscopic esophageal atresia repair treated by EBD from January 2012 to December 2016 were included.

[Clinical features of cow's milk protein allergy in infants presenting mainly with gastrointestinal symptoms: an analysis of 280 cases].

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) in infants presenting mainly with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 280 hospitalized infants, who were diagnosed with CMPA presenting mainly with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Results: Among the 280 infants, 203 infants(72.

Infant cholestasis patient with a novel missense mutation in the gene successfully treated by early adequate supplementation with chenodeoxycholic acid: A case report and review of the literature.

Steroid 5β-reductase [aldo-keto reductase family 1 member D1 ()] is essential for bile acid biosynthesis. Bile acid deficiency caused by genetic defects in leads to life-threatening neonatal hepatitis and cholestasis. There is still limited experience regarding the treatment of this disease.

[Kidney-reinforcing and Governor Vessel-regulating EA Intervention May Improve Learningmemory Possibly by Suppressing Formation of Senile Plaques in Hippocampus in APP/PS 1 Double Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease Mice].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on learning-memory ability and the expression of senile plaques (SP), amyloid precursor protein (APP), β-secretase 1(BACE 1) and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) in the hippocampus in APP/presenilin 1 (PS 1) double transgenic Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice, so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying improvement of AD.

Methods: A total of 18 male APP/PS 1 double transgenic AD mice were randomly divided into model, EA-2-week and EA-3-week groups (=6 in each). The control group was consisted of 6 male wild mice.

Physicochemical properties and anticoagulant activity of polyphenols derived from Lachnum singerianum.

In this study, polyphenols (LSP) were obtained from the fermentation broth of Lachnum singerianum. Two fractions were isolated by Sephadex LH-20 chromatographic column, and the primary fraction (LSP-1) was collected. The comprehensive physicochemical properties of phenolic acids and polyhydroxy phenolic compounds of LSP-1 were determined by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Differential expression of long noncoding RNAs in congenital microtia.

Objective: To analyse lncRNA expression profiles in microtia using bioinformatics analysis.

Methods: We examined lncRNA expression profiles in residual ear cartilage and normal ear cartilage from individual congenital microtia patients.

Results: The gene chips used in this study included 30586 lncRNAs and 26109 mRNA probes.

Colorectal cancer anatomic distribution patterns remain the same after sessile serrated adenoma/polyp considered cancer precursor: a 9-year comparison study from community-based endoscopy centers.

Background: The overall incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the United States has steadily decreased. However, the incidence of right-sided CRC remains unchanged for the past two decades. The serrated neoplastic pathway (sessile serrated adenoma/polyp, SSA/P) has been considered an important pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis, especially in the right-sided CRC.

Evaluation of immersion 20 MHz B-scan ultrasonography in observing lens in the alkali burn eyes.

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of 20 MHz immersion B-scan ultrasonography in observing lens and to investigate the value of this noninvasive preoperative diagnosis method in alkali burn eyes.

Methods: It was a comparative study. Fifty-six cases (56 eyes) of alkali burn eyes were examined by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and immersion 20 MHz B-scan ultrasonography from June 2011 to April 2013, the images were analyzed, and the ultrasonographic diagnosis compared with the operation results.

Azvudine, a novel nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor showed good drug combination features and better inhibition on drug-resistant strains than lamivudine in vitro.

Azvudine is a novel nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with antiviral activity on human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Here we reported the in vitro activity of azvudine against HIV-1 and HIV-2 when used alone or in combination with other antiretroviral drugs and its drug resistance features. Azvudine exerted highly potent inhibition on HIV-1 (EC(50)s ranging from 0.

Accuracy of axial length measurements from immersion B-scan ultrasonography in highly myopic eyes.

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of axial length (AL) measurements obtained from immersion B-scan ultrasonography (immersion B-scan) for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in patients with high myopia and cataracts.

Methods: Immersion B-scan, contact A-scan ultrasonography (contact A-scan), and the IOLMaster were used to preoperatively measure the AL in 102 eyes from 102 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. Patients were divided into two groups according to the AL: one containing patients with 22 mm≤AL<26 mm(group A) and the other containing patients with AL≥26 mm (group B).

[Correction of cryptotia using crescent flap with skin-grafting].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of crescent flap with skin-grafting for the correction of cryptotia.

Methods: Between the helix and scalp, we designed a crescent flap with the pedicle above the helix. Another affiliated triangular flap was formed below the crescent flap.

Anti-hepatitis B virus activity of α-DDB-DU, a novel nucleoside analogue, in vitro and in vivo.

α-DDB-DU, 2'-deoxy-3'-(4,4'-dimethoxy-2'-methoxycarbonyl-5,6,5',6'-bis(methylenedioxy)-1,1'-biphenyl-2-carboxyl)uridine, is a novel nucleoside analogue accomplished by linking α-DDB (α-dimenthoxy dicarboxylate biphenyl) and DU (2'-deoxyuridine) via an ester bond. In the current study, the anti-HBV activity and hepatoprotective effect of this compound were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. In the human HBV-transfected liver cell line HepG2.

[Ear reconstruction after rupture of postauricular expanded flap].

Objective: To summarize the principles of ear reconstruction after rupture of postauricular expanded flap.

Methods: The rupture of the postauricular expanded flap was graded as I-IV degree. For flap rupture of I and II degree, the ear reconstruction was performed immediately with autogenous cartilage framework.

Physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of arginine-modified melanin from Lachnum YM-346.

Seven kinds of amino acids were used to modify the non-water-soluble extracellular melanin (LEM346) from Lachnum YM-346. It was found that arginine-melanin (ALEM346) had the highest solubility, being 4.55% (gg(-1)) in 30°C distilled water.

[Experimental research on DNA methylation profile in congenital microtia].

Objective: To screen for abnormal methylation in CpG islands and CpG sites through whole genome of congenital microtia to identify their associated genes. To discuss the relationship between abnormal methylation level of genes and the etiology of congenital microtia.

Methods: Residual ear cartilage of 50 patients with microtia was collected with ear cartilage of 34 patients without ear malformations as control.

KRAS mutational status of endoscopic biopsies matches resection specimens.

Aims: This study was performed to determine systematically whether KRAS mutational analysis in biopsy tissue is a reliable indicator of KRAS status in subsequent corresponding resection specimens.

Methods: 30 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with biopsy and corresponding subsequent surgical resection specimens were studied. KRAS mutational analysis was performed on each biopsy sample as well as two separate samples from each resection specimen by PCR and Sanger sequencing.