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Due to the ultrawide bandgap (4.9 eV), high carrier mobility (300 cm 2 V − 1 s − 1 ), and high thermal stability, β − Ga 2 O 3 can be a potential candidate for high-temperature thermoelectric materials. However, the intrinsically high thermal conductivity may hinder its application for thermoelectric conversion. In this work, porous β − Ga 2 O 3 was prepared by the solvothermal method together with spark plasma sintering technology. Positron lifetime measurement and N 2 adsorption confirm the introduction of pores by adding sucrose in the sample preparation. The sucrose-derived β − Ga 2 O 3 sintered at a relatively low temperature of 600 ° C remains highly porous, which results in an extremely low thermal conductivity of 0.45 W m − 1 K − 1 at room temperature, and it further decreases to 0.29 W m − 1 K − 1 at 600 ° C. This is the lowest thermal conductivity for β − Ga 2 O 3 reported so far. Our work provides an avenue to reduce the thermal conductivity for β − Ga 2 O 3 and is believed to be widely applicable to many other thermoelectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of plant health status change, specifically the effect of root rot infection, on rhizosphere microbial structure remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the dynamic variations in soil nutrient and rhizosphere microbial community during cowpea root rot infection. Samples of healthy and moderately to severely diseased cowpea rhizosphere soil were collected from a field in Xiangyang, Hubei, China, and high-throughput sequencing was used to detect changes in soil microbial communities. Our results showed that cowpea biomass decreased significantly with increased disease severity, and differences in soil pH and nutrients (NO3 --N, NH4 +-N, and available phosphorus) were observed between healthy and diseased rhizosphere, particularly under moderate diseased conditions. The process of root rot infection affected the bacterial and fungal community structure in the rhizosphere, but with inconsistent responses. Specifically, bacterial richness decreased with increased disease severity, while minor differences were observed in fungal alpha diversity. Principal coordinate analysis revealed significant disparities in rhizosphere bacteria and fungi under healthy and diseased conditions (moderate and severe). Moreover, while bacterial communities underwent notable alterations, fungal communities exhibited no significant changes between moderate and severe diseased conditions. In addition, Redundancy analysis showed that bacteria beta diversity was determined by available potassium and pH in the rhizosphere, whereas fungal beta diversity was determined by soil organic matter and pH. Overall, with root rot infection, both the soil nutrients and microbial community structure of cowpea significant changed. As a result, our study provides insights into the molecular mechanism underlying cowpea root rot and other plant rhizosphere microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nominal stoichiometric NaxCo2O4 (x?=?1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0) polycrystals were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. They were further pressed into pellets by the spark plasma sintering. The crystal structure and morphology of NaxCo2O4 samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy measurements. Good crystallinity and layered structures were observed for all the samples. Positron annihilation measurements were performed for NaxCo2O4 as a function of Na content. Two lifetime components are resolved. τ1 is attributed mainly to positron annihilation in the O-Co-O layers and shifts to Na layers only in the H3 phase. The second lifetime τ2 is due to positron annihilation in vacancy clusters which may exist in the Na layers or grain boundary region. The size of vacancy clusters grow larger but their concentration decreases with increasing Na content in the range of 1.0?1. The thermal conductivity κ, on the other hand, shows systematic decrease with increasing Na content. This suggests that the increasing spacing of O-Co-O layer could effectively reduce the thermal conductivity of NaxCo2O4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructure of unfilled and Ba-filled CoSb3 has been studied by positron lifetime measurements together with theoretical calculation. Positron trapping in intrinsic voids is observed in the CoSb3, which contributes a positron lifetime of 263 6 2 ps. After filling Ba atoms with content up to x=0.4, the positron lifetime shows continuous increase. By comparing the experimental results with calculation following the phase diagram of BaxCo4Sb12 with x in the range of 0-0.5, it is found that when the Ba content is lower than 0.16, the filling of Ba atoms is in a phase of solid solution. At x=0.2, γ phase is formed, which is mixed with solid solution. At x>0.25, transition from γ phase to a mixture of γ and α phases is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and molecular mechanisms of ZSP1603 as a novel anti-fibrotic compound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The unilateral left pulmonary fibrosis model was established in the Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The bilateral pulmonary fibrosis model was established in the C57BL/6J mice. The therapeutic treatment regimen began after the induction of pulmonary fibrosis. The preventive treatment regimen began on the first day of bleomycin administration. Animals were randomly divided into the sham, model, Nintedanib, and ZSP1603 treatment groups. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining were performed to evaluate pulmonary injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Western blot were used to investigate the effects and mechanisms of ZSP1603 on the proliferation of primary human pulmonary fibroblasts (pHPFs). The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), and collagen 1A1 (COL1A1) in pHPFs was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). RESULTS: ZSP1603 inhibited the proliferation of pHPFs in vitro by blocking the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGF-Râ) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signalling pathway. ZSP1603 also inhibited the differentiation of pHPFs by reducing the expression of TGF-â1, TIMP-1, and COL1A1. ZSP1603 significantly attenuated pulmonary injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in vivo in four independent animal studies of pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: ZSP1603 is an effective anti-fibrotic compound with clear mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipids are vital cellular constituents in plant, and lipid peroxidation metabolites are critical defence substances in plants. In this study, mass spectrometry along with projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to detect lipid metabolism changes in Arabidopsis thaliana in response to oligochitosan (an effective resistance elicitor for the control of plant diseases). The PLS-DA showed that lipid metabolites of Arabidopsis thaliana were influenced by oligochitosan treatment. The total content of oxylipin containing monogalactosyldiacylglycerols, oxylipin-containing digalactosyldiacylglycerols, and oxylipin-containing phosphatidylglycerols increased firstly (after 1 h), and then decreased with the increase of oligochitosan treatment duration. In contrast, the total content of monogalactosyldiacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerols decreased firstly, and then increased with the increase of oligochitosan treatment duration. The amounts of free fatty acids (C16:2, C16:3, C18:2, and C18:3) were lower after treatment with oligochitosan for 1, 3, and 6 h than in the control, while the production of volatile organic compounds such as 2-hexenal (except for 3 h) and nonanal was higher than in the control. In conclusion, lipid metabolites of Arabidopsis thaliana were influenced by oligochitosan treatment, and the synthesized lipids and oxylipin-containing lipids were remodelled and free fatty acids was metabolized to volatile organic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High purity In2O3 nanopowders were subjected to different thermal treatments to investigate the role of defects on the lattice thermal conductivity. The powders were first treated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 700∘C and annealed in air between 700 and 1300∘C. X-ray diffraction measurements show that the samples are single phase, and the diffraction peaks become sharper with increasing of annealing temperature, indicating improvement in crystallinity and increase in grain size. The In2O3 nanopowders were also treated by SPS sintering at different temperatures without subsequent annealing. On the contrary, the average grain size of In2O3 treated by SPS has no obvious change with the increase in sintering temperatures. Positron annihilation measurements reveal large amounts of monovacancies and vacancy clusters in the In2O3 nanocrystals. The monovacancies gradually recover and the vacancy clusters transform into smaller vacancies with increasing annealing or sintering temperatures. The lattice thermal conductivity increases with the increase in annealing or sintering temperature, which shows close correlation with the recovery of vacancy defects after heat treatment. This gives us strong evidence that vacancy defects play an important role on the suppression of lattice thermal conductivity in nanostructured thermoelectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study intended to explore the efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided implantation of iodine-125 (125I) seeds in the treatment of refractory malignant tumors with cancer pain and its influence on tumor markers in the serum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 76 patients with refractory malignant tumors accompanied by cancer pain that received treatments in Long- Hua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2013 to August 2014 were selected. They were divided into control group and observation group using a random number table (38 patients in each group). Patients in the control group received simple chemotherapy, while those in the observation group undergone CT-guided implantation of 125I seeds in combination with chemotherapy. Recent efficacy and 1-3-year survival rate were compared between the two groups of patients. The degree of pain relief after treatment was also compared between the two groups of patients. Electrochemiluminescence method was used to detect the concentrations of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), sugar chain antigen 199 (CA 199), sugar chain antigen 125 (CA 125), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and cytokeratin- 19-fragment (CYFRA21-1) in the two groups of patients before treatment, and 3 days, 7 days and 30 days after treatment. RESULTS: Recent disease control rate of the patients in the observation group was higher than that of the patients in the control group (p<0.05). The 1-3-year survival rate after surgery in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). The total efficiency of pain control in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). The levels of tumor markers in the two groups of patients were significantly decreased after treatment, while the reduction in the observation group was more evident than that in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that CT-guided implantation of 125I seeds is effective for the treatment of patients with refractory malignant tumors accompanied by cancer pain. It can reduce the levels of tumor markers, improve the survival rate and prolong the survival time of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid carcinoma, and our understanding of its pathogenesis is incomplete. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying such progression and identify novel diagnostic markers, we aimed to discover the underlying gene associated with PTC. Integrated analysis of microarray datasets was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PTCs and normal tissues. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were then performed to uncover the functions of DEGs. Furthermore, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was constructed. Five GEO datasets were obtained. Totally, 154 DEGs across the studies were identified, including 26 upregulated and 128 downregulated DEGs. In the PPI network, MLLT1, DLG2, and EFEMP1 were the hub proteins, in which DLG2 and EFEMP1 were involved in tumor progression. Among the top 10 up- and down-regulated genes, the dysregulation genes of TPO, CDH16, and MPPED2 may be closely related to the tumorigenesis of PTC. By integrated analysis of multiple gene expression profiles, we propose that the dysregulation genes of TPO and MPPED2 will be the promising diagnostic markers for PTCs. Supporting Information for this article is available online at http://www.thieme-connect.de/products [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the incidence of HIV infection, high risk behaviors and pre-exposure prophylaxis/post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) utilization in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing. Methods: Sample size was estimated to be 1 227 persons and 207 person year respectively in the survey and the cohort by using Epi Info 7.0 software. Using convenient sampling method, MSM were recruited by using Wechat app. Questionnaire was completed online to collect the information about demographic characteristics, high risk behavior, and utilization of PrEP/PEP of the MSM. MSM collected dry blood spot (DBS) samples by themselves, and mailed the DBS samples to laboratory for HIV nucleic acid testing. Open cohort was established and those with HIV negative nucleic acid testing results were followed up. Non-conditional binary logistic regression method was used to identify the associated factors for high risk anal sex in the last month and having multiple homosexual partners in the last month. Results: A total of 1 147 MSM were recruited, and follow up for 236 person years was conducted in 956 MSM with negative HIV nucleic acid testing results. The detection rate of new HIV infection was 1.3 per 100 person-years (3/236). During the last month, the proportions of consistent condom use in anal sex and oral sex were 50.7% (238/469) and 4.9% (23/469). In the MSM, 5.9% (43/723) had sex with HIV positive partners in the last month. 9.8% (103/1 049) used PrEP, and 8.7% (91/1 049) used PEP. The proportion of consistent condom use in PrEP and PEP were 34.3% (24/70) and 72.2% (39/54) respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that compared with those who used no PrEP/PEP, those who used PrEP/PEP were more likely to have unprotected anal sex in the last month (a OR =3.16, 95% CI :1.45-7.18), and more likely to have multiple homosexual partners in the last month (a OR =2.64, 95% CI :1.19-6.30), and compared with those who used no Rush Popper or drugs in the last month, those who used Rush Popper or drugs in the last month were more likely to have unprotected anal sex in the last month (a OR =2.34, 95% CI :1.67-3.30), and more likely to have multiple homosexual partners (a OR =2.42,95% CI :1.76-3.33). Conclusions: It is necessary to strengthen the health education to promote condom use and introduce the harm of drug use in MSM. In PrEP and PEP services, it is still necessary to suggest consistent condom use for MSM.

Objective: Cluster classification based on m6A methylation regulators and construct prognostic evaluation model. Methods: Utilizing consensus cluster to classify the liver cancer samples form TCGA based on the expression of 13 m6A methylation regulators, and verify the function and prognostic significance of the clustered subtypes. Marker genes were further screened to construct a risk prediction model for evaluating the prognosis of liver cancer patients. Results: The two clustered subtypes based on m6A methylation regulators showed significant differences in the prognosis value of liver cancer patients ( P =0.048), and 38 prognostic markers related to m6A methylation in liver cancer were screened from the subgroup with poor prognosis. Two m6A regulatory genes, YTHDF1 and YTHDF2, are proved with adverse prognosis by univariate cox analysis ( P <0.05, Hazard ratio>1). We used Lasso regression method to build risk assessment model and effectively predicted the prognosis status of liver cancer patients within 4 years (4-year AUC=0.685, 3-year AUC=0.669). Moreover, the assessment model was validated in another dataset of Asia liver cancer patients. Conclusion: The study provided ideas for studying m6A methylation in liver cancer, and the risk prediction model can be used to evaluate the short-term prognosis of liver cancer patients.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between clinical characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and COPD exacerbation over a three-year observation period. Methods: A total of 366 cases of stable COPD patients were enrolled from the Department of Respiratory Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology. The patients underwent pulmonary function tests(PFT), COPD assessment test (CAT), Saint George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), transthoracic echocardiogrophy(TTE), chest CT and biochemical detection. The likelihood of PH was evaluated based on the peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) measured by echocardiography at rest and other indicators, which were represented by low, medium, and high probability, respectively. Highly probability was defined as PH. The mean values of the groups were compared using a two-tailed unpaired t test for normally distributed variables. Qualitative data were assessed using a χ 2 test. Pearson correlation analysis was performed, and risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression analysis and stepwise regression analysis. P <0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: The prevalence of patients with high likelihood of PH was 18.3% ( n =67) in a series of 366 patients with COPD. The median estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure in patients with PH was (51.7±6.7) mmHg(1mmHg=0.133 kPa). There were differences between patients with high likelihood of PH and those with low to moderate likelihood of PH for the following factors: age (76.0 vs. 64.0), body mass index (BMI) [(21.4±6.0) kg/m 2 vs. (22.6±7.2)kg/m 2 ], brain natriureticpeptide (BNP) [(50.8±9.1) pg/ml vs . (36.4±8.1) pg/ml], toral number of acute exacerbation in three-year [(6.1±0.1) times vs. (2.8±0.4) times], CAT (17.0 vs. 10.0), SGRQ (48.9 vs. 32.1), carbon monoxide diffusion percentage of predicted value (D L CO%) [(51.9±21.9)% vs. (67.0±22.1)%]; all the differences being statistically significant(mean P <0.05).There was a negative correlation between D L CO% and SPAP ( r =-0.28, P <0.01).In patients with high likelihood of PH, the percentage of low attenuation area (LAA%) and interstitial abnormalities in chest CT were higher than those in patients with low to moderate likelihood of PH (56.1% vs. 34.3% and 30.8% vs. 15.6%, mean P <0.05).LAA% ≥ 30% and pulmonary interstitial abnormalities were independent risk factors for pH [beta value were 1.479, 1.065, OR value was (3.640-5.720), 95% CI (1.462-8.571), mean P <0.01]. The ratio of main pulmonary diameter to aortic artery diameter was significantly correlated with estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure( r =-0.35, P< 0.01).Age ≥75 years, FEV 1 %predicted value<50% and the presence of PH increased the likelihood of exacerbations of COPD over three years[beta value (0.459-1.211), OR value (3.643-5.722), 95% CI (1.463-8.904), mean P <0.01]. Conclusions: COPD patients with high likelihood of PH assessed by echocardiography were older, had a lower BMI, and presented with a worse health status compared to those with low to moderate likelihood of PH. The presence of PH assessed by echocardiography was related to future COPD exacerbations in COPD patients, and emphysema was closely related to PH assessed by echocardiography.

Objectives: To understand the prevalence of HIV nucleic acid using internet-based dry blood spots HIV testing strategy in men who had sex with men (MSM) and to probe the factors associated with HIV infection. Methods: Using convenient sampling method, 1 375 MSM were recruited and their dry blood spots samples were collected before being mailed to the laboratories for HIV nucleic acid testing. Results were showed to these MSM on a specific website by inputting their codes to it. Non-conditional binary logistic regression method was used to identify the associated factors on HIV infection. Results: The overall proportions of HIV nucleic acid positives appeared as 9.7 % (131/1 349) and HIV antibody positives as 8.3 % (112/1 349). Fresh infections accounted for 14.5 % (19/131) among the newly-identified HIV nucleic acid positives, and the interval was ranging from 6 to 120 days, between the laboratory testings and the closest date that experiencing high risk behavior. Risk factors that related to HIV infection would include: 30 to 39 years of age (comparing to those under the age of 30, OR =1.88, 95 %CI : 1.07-3.29), ≥8 000 Yuan of monthly income (comparing to those without income, OR =0.42, 95 %CI : 0.19-0.96), inconsistent condom use during anal sexual contacts in the last six months (compared with those who had not anal sex or used condoms consistently in anal sex in the past six months, OR =2.22, 95 %CI : 1.45-3.40), ever use of Rush Poppers (compared with those who never used Rush Poppers, OR =2.33, 95 %CI : 1.49-3.64), addictive drug abuse (compared with those who never abused addictive drugs, OR =5.43, 95 %CI : 2.32-12.69), and not having regular sexual partners (compared with having regular sexual partners, OR =1.74, 95 %CI : 1.13-2.68) etc .. Conclusions: Dry blood spots HIV nucleic acid testing could help to identify the fresh HIV infections at an early stage, so as to prevent further transmission in the MSM population, among which fresh HIV infections accounted for a fairly large proportion. It is necessary to set up programs in reducing the abuse of drugs or Rush Poppers, and to promote condom use and advocate on stable sexual partnership etc ., among the MSM population.

Objective: This study intended to explore the efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided implantation of iodine-125 (125I) seeds in the treatment of refractory malignant tumors with cancer pain and its influence on tumor markers in the serum., Patients and Methods: 76 patients with refractory malignant tumors accompanied by cancer pain that received treatments in LongHua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2013 to August 2014 were selected. They were divided into control group and observation group using a random number table (38 patients in each group). Patients in the control group received simple chemotherapy, while those in the observation group undergone CT-guided implantation of 125I seeds in combination with chemotherapy. Recent efficacy and 1-3-year survival rate were compared between the two groups of patients. The degree of pain relief after treatment was also compared between the two groups of patients. Electrochemiluminescence method was used to detect the concentrations of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), sugar chain antigen 199 (CA 199), sugar chain antigen 125 (CA 125), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and cytokeratin-19-fragment (CYFRA21-1) in the two groups of patients before treatment, and 3 days, 7 days and 30 days after treatment., Results: Recent disease control rate of the patients in the observation group was higher than that of the patients in the control group (p<0.05). The 1-3-year survival rate after surgery in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). The total efficiency of pain control in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). The levels of tumor markers in the two groups of patients were significantly decreased after treatment, while the reduction in the observation group was more evident than that in the control group (p<0.05)., Conclusions: Our results showed that CT-guided implantation of 125I seeds is effective for the treatment of patients with refractory malignant tumors accompanied by cancer pain. It can reduce the levels of tumor markers, improve the survival rate and prolong the survival time of the patients.

We investigated the expression level of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), myeloid cell leukemia-I (MCL-1), and p53 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and para-carcinoma tissues, as well as their clinical significance. The expression levels of PUMA, MCL-1, and p53 in RCC and para-carcinoma tissues were measured using immunohistochemical and quantitative real-time PCR methods. Correlations between protein expression and pathological characteristics were analyzed. Renal clear cell carcinoma showed elevated MCL-1 and p53 protein expression (P > 0.05) and reduced PUMA expression as compared to that in para-carcinoma tissues. Spearman ranking correlation analysis showed that expression of PUMA, MCL-1, and p53 in was negatively correlated with RCC (r = -0.504, P = 0.001; r = -0.413, P = 0.008). We also observed significant correlation between MCL-1 expression and tumor differentiation (P < 0.05), where MCL-1 expression was significantly higher in well-differentiated adenocarcinoma as compared to that in medium or lowly differentiated adenocarcinoma. In addition, p53 expression was highly correlated with TNM staging (P < 0.05). Single factor analysis on COX's proportional hazard model indicated that postoperative survival rate and prognosis of renal clear cell carcinoma was highly correlated with TNM staging (P < 0.05). Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated higher expression of PUMA, MCL-1, and p53 in cancer tissues as compared to that in para-carcinoma tissues (P < 0.05).The expression of PUMA, MCL-1, and p53 can reflect the biological behavior of renal cell carcinoma, and can be used to indicate tumor invasion, progression, and prognosis.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the anterior corneal asphericity after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)., Methods: In this case-control study, 45 subjects who underwent SMILE operation comprised the study group, and 33 subjects with FS-LASIK operation comprised the control group. The asphericity coefficient Q-value of the right eyes in both groups was measured at diameters of 6, 7, 8 and 9 mm, respectively, before surgery and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 6 months following surgery. The correlation between the variation of Q-value and the central cutting depth was analyzed., Results: The Q-value of anterior corneal surface was 0.85 ± 0.31, 0.80±0.28, 0.69±0.25 and 0.51±0.23 after SMILE, and 1.13±0.56, 1.01±0.47, 0.80±0.39 and 0.51±0.31 after FS-LASIK at 1 week. In both groups, the Q-value was significantly different before and after surgery(P< 0.05); there were interaction effects between the operation method and time; the difference between the two groups at 6-mm and 7-mm diameters was statistically significant(P<0.05). The variation of the Q-value before and after operation(ΔQ)showed significant difference(P6mm=0.004, P7mm=0.014)between the two groups at 6-mm and 7-mm diameters. The cap diameter of the SMILE group was smaller than that of the FS-LASIK group, but the cutting depth was larger. There was no correlation between ΔQ and the cap/disc diameter. It showed a linear relationship(P<0.05)between ΔQ and the central cutting depth at all examined diameters in the two groups, and the relation degree in the FS-LASIK group was superior to the SMILE group., Conclusions: Both SMILE and FS-LASIK operations can change the negative Q-value of the anterior corneal surface to the positive. The impact of SMILE on the asphericity is smaller than that of FS-LASIK. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 681-685).

Objective: To investigate changes in posterior corneal elevation after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and related factors., Methods: Retrospective case series study. Eighty-three eyes of 44 myopic patients undergoing SMILE were examined with the Pentacam preoperatively, and at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Posterior corneal elevation at the corneal apex and 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270° and 325° points of the 2 mm and 6 mm diameter (total, 17 points) was analyzed., Results: The changes in posterior corneal elevation at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months were(-1.72±2.59), (-0.98±2.37), (-0.45±1.81) and (-0.25±2.20) μm, respectively, at the corneal apex. The results were statistically significant (t=6.07, 3.75, 6.07; P<0.05), except 6 months. The changes in posterior corneal elevation were (-1.42±2.06),(-0.69±1.86), (-0.30±1.50) and(-0.22±1.58) μm, respectively, in the 2 mm circle. The results of 1 day and 1 month were statistically significant (t=6.28, 6.28, P<0.05). The changes in posterior corneal elevation were (1.48±1.47),(0.98±1.32),(0.90±1.31) and (0.90±1.16) μm, respectively, in the 6 mm circle .The results were totally statistically significant (t=6.28, 6.28, P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between 1 month and 1 day postoperatively in the corneal apex, 2 mm and 6 mm circles. The changes were (0.75±2.55),(0.73±1.97) and(-0.50±1.60) μm. There were statistically significant differences between 3 months and 1 month postoperatively in the corneal apex and 2 mm circle. The changes were (0.53±2.22) and (0.39±1.80) μm. No significant change was found in the 6 mm circle. Between postoperative 6 months and 3 months, there were no statistically significant differences. The spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure, ablation depth, residual bed thickness, corneal hysteresis, and corneal resistance factor had no obvious correlation with the changes in posterior corneal elevation., Conclusions: After SMILE, the surrounding cornea was slightly forward, while the central posterior cornea was slightly backwards, and returned gradually. The spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure, ablation depth, residual bed thickness, corneal hysteresis, and corneal resistance factor had no obvious correlation with the changes in posterior corneal elevation. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 494-498).

The variant of PPAR-g2 has been shown to promote the increase of carotid IMT in patients suffering from cerebral infarction and the Pro12Ala polymorphism in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorg2 (PPARg2) gene may be associated with cerebral infarction. However, due to the different genetic background, race, and regional variations of cerebral infarction patient, the results of investigations into this subject differ. The aim of this study was to investigate this polymorphism in relation to cerebral infarction among the Inner Mongolian Han Chinese population. A total of 574 Han Chinese individuals from Inner Mongolian were selected randomly, including 302 patients with cerebral infarction and 272 healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to determine genotypes of the PPARg2 Pro12Ala variant and results were confirmed by direct sequencing. Genotype frequencies were found to be 90.7 and 91.9% for P/P, 8.6 and 7.7% for P/A, and 0.7 and 0.4 for A/A in the cerebral infarction and control groups, respectively. No statistically significant differences in genotype distribution were observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, PPARg2 Pro12Ala genotype was not significantly associated with altered fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, or serum lipid profiles. After adjustment for gender, body mass index, and smoking habit, logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the Pro12Ala polymorphism and cerebral infarction (odds ratio = 0.888, 95% confidence interval = 0.106-7.460, P > 0.05), revealing that this variant was not the main pathogenic factor involved. Therefore, the Pro12Ala mutation of PPARg2 may not be associated with cerebral infarction in the Inner Mongolian Han Chinese population.

The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PPARγ with hypertension is controversial. The aim of the present study was to clarify the contributions of PPARγ genetic variants to hypertension through an association study. A total of 414 unrelated Mongolian herdsmen and 524 Han farmers were included in this study. Fourteen intronic SNPs were analyzed and genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction/ligase detection reaction assay. Prior to correction for multiple testing, the SNPs rs6802898 and rs12633551 were significantly associated with the prevalence of hypertension in the Han and Mongolian populations, respectively. The genetic association of each SNP with hypertension was individually tested using logistic regression. The SNP rs6802898 was associated with hypertension in both dominant (P = 0.033) and additive models (P = 0.026) in the Han population, whereas the SNP rs12633551 was associated with hypertension in both dominant (P = 0.014) and additive models (P = 0.0073) in the Mongolian population. Moreover, SNP rs12633551 had a significant effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure response. However, none of these associations were statistically significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, although there was a significant difference among the haplotypes in the Han and Mongolian populations. Interestingly, there was an association of the PPARγ haplotypes with hypertension even after Bonferroni correction. Thus, determination of the PPARγ haplotypes in different populations may prove informative for assessment of the genetic risk for hypertension.

Mounting evidence has implicated the SLC12A3 gene in essential hypertension. Here, we examined the potential associations of common variants of the SLC12A3 gene with blood pressure traits in Mongolians in China. Genomic DNA was extracted from 508 unrelated Mongolian patients with essential hypertension and 246 normotensive Mongolian subjects for genotyping. The genotype distributions of all selected polymorphisms were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The presence of the G allele in the rs7187932 polymorphism was found to be associated with an increased risk of hypertension (OR: 1.30; 95%CI = 1.00-1.38; P = 0.048), whereas the rs2399594 G allele was associated with a reduced risk for hypertension (OR: 0.76; 95%CI = 0.60-0.97; P = 0.030). No significant difference was observed for other alleles. Haplotype analysis revealed an association of the rs2399594 and rs711746 GG haplotype with a reduced risk for hypertension (OR: 0.76; 95%CI = 0.60-0.97; P = 0.029). No significant association was observed between other haplotypes and hypertension. These results suggest that the SLC12A3 gene is a susceptibility gene for hypertension in the Mongolian population.