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AIM: To report outcomes of endoscopy-assisted vitrectomy (EAV) in patients with chronic hypotony following severe ocular trauma or vitrectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective, noncomparative case series. Ciliary bodies were evaluated using ultrasound biomicroscopy pre-operatively and direct visualisation intraoperatively. All selected individuals (seven patients/seven eyes) underwent EAV. Removal of ciliary membrane and traction, gas/silicone oil tamponade (GT/SOT), and scleral buckling (SB) were performed in selected eyes. Outcome measurements mainly included intraocular pressure (IOP) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: Seven eyes from 7 male aphakic patients with a mean age of 45 (range, 20-68)y were included in this study; the average follow-up time was 12 (9-15)mo. GT was performed in 2 eyes; membrane peeling (MP) and SOT in 2 eyes; and MP, SOT, and SB in 3 eyes. The mean pre- and post-operative IOP were 4.5 (range, 4.0±0.11 to 4.8±0.2) mm Hg and 9.9 (range, 5.6±0.17 to 12.1±0.2) mm Hg at 52wk (12mo), respectively. BCVA improved in six eyes; one eye still showed light perception, and no bulbi phthisis was observed. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy offers improved judgment and recognition and has an improved prognosis for chronic hypotony. Therefore, endoscopy can be an effective and promising operative technique for chronic traumatic hypotony management.

With 12 representative states such as Ohio and Illinois as examples, the disciplinary system for acupuncturists in the United States is introduced. The disciplinary system mainly covers several aspects such as the subject of the implementation, the types of illegal acts, the form of disciplinary responsibility, and the hearing procedure. The acupuncture industry association has the responsibility of disciplinary action in most states. Corresponding disciplinary measures will be taken depending on the illegal activities of acupuncturists according to the types of illegal practice specified by each state. The hearing procedure provides procedural guarantee for the subsequent rights protection activities of acupuncturists.以有代表性的美国俄亥俄州、伊利诺伊州等12州为例，介绍相对成熟的美国针灸师惩戒制度。惩戒制度主要涵盖实施主体、违法行为种类、责任形式和听证程序等内容。美国大多数州由针灸行业协会组织承担惩戒职能，在惩戒程序启动后，依据各州针灸法案规定的针灸师违法行为类型，视其具体违法情形采取相应的处罚措施。听证程序为针灸师后续的维权活动提供程序保障。.

Background Nutritional status and inflammation are closely associated with poor outcome in malignant tumors. However, the prognostic impact of postoperative in these variables on breast cancer (BC) remains inconclusive. We aimed to determine whether prognostic nutritional index (PNI), systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII), neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) affect two long-term outcomes among patients after curative resection of BC. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 508 patients with BC treated with curative surgery between February 5, 2013 and May 26, 2020. All patients were divided into 3 groups based on tertiles (T1-T3) of PNI, SII, NLR, and PLR. The effects of four indexes on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) have been evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan–Meier method. Results Compared with PNI-lowest cases, patients with highest PNI showed significantly longer DFS (multivariate adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.37, 95% confident interval [CI] 0.19–0.70, P for trend = 0.002), whereas higher PLR seemed to be marginally associated with poorer DFS (P for trend = 0.086 and 0.074, respectively). Subgroup analyses indicate the potential modification effects of family history of BC and radiotherapy on the prognosis value of PNI to DFS in BC patients (P for interaction = 0.004 and 0.025, respectively). In addition, the levels of three inflammatory indices, namely SII, NLR, and PLR might be positively related with increased age at diagnosis (all P for trend Conclusions A high PNI was associated with better DFS, supporting its roles as prognostic parameters for patients with BC. The nutritional status and systemic immune may exert great effects on patient prognosis. Further studies are warrant to explore the prognosis value of PLR.

Microbial induced carbonate precipitation has been widely used in the biomineralization of heavy metals Cd2+. However, the low Cd-tolerance of ureolytic bacteria limits the applications with only low Cd2+concentrations. In this study, we discovered a simple approach to significantly enhance the Cd2+ resistance of ureolytic bacteria through an immediate supplement of Ca2+. The Ca2+ protected the cells by reducing the extracellular and intracellular Cd2+ concentration by about 50%. As a result, the Cd2+ removal efficiency was notably improved by about 100% (52.72% to 99.43%, Cd = 5 mM) with Ca2+ supplement. Moreover, extremely high concentration of Cd2+ could be almost completely removed (99.46% at C0 = 20 mM and 99.60% at C0 = 50 mM) within 24 h. Microstructure analyses indicated that the mineralized precipitates were rhombohedral-shaped CdCO3, CaCO3, and (Ca0.67, Cd0.33)CO3. Furthermore, Ca2+ could also protect ureolytic bacteria against toxicity from other heavy metals. The authors would like to thank the supports from the program of Jiangsu Distinguished Professor and the Innovation/Entrepreneurship Program of Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu Province Key Project of Research and Development Plan (BE2020676), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2020M671359), Initial Research Fund of Highly Specialized Personnel from Jiangsu University (4111370003), Senior Talent Funded Projects of Jiangsu University (17JDG016), and Project of Faculty of Agricultural Equipment of Jiangsu University (NZXB20200209), and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant no. BK20200914).

Luminescence characteristics of yttrium-aluminum garnet based phosphor samples differed by their elemental composition and prehistory of synthesis are studied. The morphology, structure, and elemental composition of phosphor samples, their excitation and emission spectra, efficiency of phosphor conversion of chip emission, and kinetics of luminescence decay are measured. The emission characteristics of phosphors are compared with their structural properties and elemental composition.

This paper presents an outline of the current status, regulations, and qualifications required for the practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture in Qatar. The paper also provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities that face practitioners of Acupuncture as a complimentary medicine in Qatar and the recent licensing mechanisms introduced in January 2016. Qatar's 2030 vision and demand for continued development and sustainable growth includes the Chinese initiative ‘One Belt, One Road’ project which offers a golden opportunity for the further development of TCM in Qatar. The findings of this paper suggest that there are now real possibilities China and Qatar to cooperate in the exchange of medical services, training and education in the field of TCM.

Patients with Her2-positive breast cancer exhibit de novo resistance or develop acquired resistance in less than one year after Her2 targeting treatment, but the mechanism is not fully elucidated. Compensatory pathways such as the IGF-1R/IRS-1 pathway, are activated, leading to aberrant enhanced PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activity to attenuate the efficacy of trastuzumab. Cullin7 could participate in the degradation of IRS-1 in a mTOR/S6K dependent manner. Whether Cullin7 participates in trastuzumab resistance needs to be further investigated. Here, we reveals that Cullin7 is overexpressed in trastuzumab-resistant Her2 positive breast cancer cells. Knockdown of Cullin7 reduces degradation of Ser phosphorylation of IRS-1, attenuates activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, and partly restores trastuzumab sensitivity in trastuzumab-resistant Her2 positive breast cancer cells. IGFBP-3 expression is decreased in trastuzumab-resistant Her2 positive breast cancer cells, which leads to release of the Wnt signaling pathway inhibition and an increase in Cullin7 expression, as mediated by TCF7L2. Overexpression of Cullin7 in Her2-amplified breast cancer tissues has clinical implications because it positively correlates with shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and inadequate response to trastuzumab. Thus, our results suggest a critical role for Cullin7 in response to trastuzumab, which has significant implications for selection of the optimal therapeutic strategy for Her2 positive breast cancers.

Controllable synthesis of uniform graphene-metal oxide nanocomposites is of great interest in energy storage applications, due to the combination of their merits and the synergistic effects on the enhancement of their electrochemical performance. Herein, we report a controllable synthesis of uniform mesoporous H-Nb₂O₅/rGO nanocomposites, which exhibit higher reversible specific capacity (∼190 mA h g⁻¹), and better rate capability and cycling stability (the capacitance retention is 96.5% over 500 cycles) than pristine H-Nb₂O₅ microflowers, attributed to their large specific surface area (364.17 m₂g⁻¹), porous structure, and intimate interface. More remarkably, the H-Nb₂O₅/rGO-based lithium ion hybrid supercapacitor (LIHS) delivered a high energy density of 100.2 W h kg⁻¹ at 50 W kg⁻¹ and still retained 18.3 W h kg⁻¹ at an ultrahigh power density of 20000 W kg⁻¹, as well as an excellent cycling stability. It is worth noting that some other nanocomposites, including Zn₂Ti₃O₈/rGO, Si/rGO, NaNbO₃/rGO, Nb₄N₅/rGO, and H-Nb₂O₅/2D g-C₃N₄, have also been successfully synthesized by this method, demonstrating that it can be extended to prepare other functional nanocomposites for applications in energy conversion and storage, photocatalytic hydrogen production, sensors, and so on. The financial support of this work by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20170549), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21706103), and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2017M621647) is gratefully acknowledged. J. B. Lian extends sincere appreciation to the Jiangsu Provincial Program for High-Level Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talents Introduction, the Project Startup Foundation for Advanced Talents (No. 16JDG020) and the Young Talent Cultivation Plan of Jiangsu University, as well as a Project Funded by High-Tech Research Key Laboratory of Zhenjiang (SS2018002) and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.

Electrodeposition of Ni-Co alloy foils on titanium substrate was performed in an acid chloride- sulphate bath. The influences of electrodeposition parameters such as current density, temperature, pH value, cobalt sulphate and saccharin concentration on composition and current efficiency were investigated in detail. The morphology and the microstructure of deposits were analyzed by SEM and XRD, respectively. The results indicated that the optimum parameters were current density 3-4 A/dm2, pH 2-3, temperature 40-50?C, cobalt sulphate 20 g/l and saccharin 2-3 g/l. Chemical analysis of the deposits by EDS revealed anomalous Ni-Co codeposition occured in this system. The SEM showed that hydroxide particles were not present on the surface and that fine-grain, smooth and compact Ni-Co alloy deposits were obtained. The crystallographic structures of Ni-Co alloy foils were the fcc Ni solid solution. The Ni-Co alloy foils with Co content 17.3-37.2 wt% and thickness of 20-45 μm were bright with low residual stress and super toughness.

We use individual level data from eight waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey during 1991–2011 to investigate age profiles of health expenditure for rural and urban residents in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Employing a two-part model, we find that health expenditure of rural residents is averagely 33% lower than that of urban residents and age–expenditure profile is much steeper in urban areas than in rural areas. However, there is no evidence that the health status of the rural elderly is better than that of the urban elderly. The findings imply that health spending of the rural elderly may increase more during the process of rural–urban integration. In addition, we find a significant difference in age–expenditure profiles across time. Compared with expenditure during 1991– 2000, the estimated age-expenditure profile becomes steeper during 2004–2011 in both urban and rural areas. Published version

The development and status of acupuncture-moxibustion in Turkey in the fields of education, legal establishment, treatment, etc. are introduced. There are four distinguished features of acupuncture-moxibustion development in Turkey: (1) The geographical position of the country as the link of Europe and Asia, has resulted in the special feature of acupuncture-moxibustion transmission and development. It combines both the traditional theories from the East and the modified and modern techniques from the West. (2) The combination of theories and clinical practice started when acupuncture-moxibustion was first introduced. (3) The application of acupuncture-moxibustion has gone through a process from spontaneous transmission among the people to legalization by the government, from disorderly to orderly, and from market behavior to government-lead regulation, which has powerfully promoted healthy development of the medicine. (4) Acupuncture-moxibustion education provided by registered universities has guaranteed the quality of the education itself and the competency of the professionals. It has raised the scientific and normative character of application and increased the credibility of the people, and also has ensured the sustainability of acupuncture-moxibustion development by providing qualified professionals.

A brief history and new developments of acupuncture moxibustion in the former Soviet Union is provided in this paper, as well as in Russia. Science of acupuncture-moxibustion was introduced into Russia after the 10th Century. After the foundation of People's Republic of China, acupuncture-moxibustion therapy has drawn widespread attention in the former Soviet Union and Russia since the 1950s. Notably, acupuncture moxibustion therapy was legalized and popularized in mid 1950s in the Soviet Union, which was gradually accepted as a part of the country's medical system. In the latest 20 years, Federal health departments have paid attention to acupuncture-moxibustion therapy and issued laws and regulations on acupuncture reflexotherapy. The number of books and journals about acupuncture-moxibustion has been increasing; clinical application of acupuncture-moxibustion has been spreading and is welcomed by people. Academic exchanges between China and Russia are more frequent, which promoted the development of science of acupuncture-moxibustion in Russia.

Frequent inactivation of p16 and p15 expression in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma detected by RT-PCR