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Abstract Acute brain slices represent a workhorse model for studying the central nervous system (CNS) from nanoscale events to complex circuits. While slice preparation inherently involves tissue damage, it is unclear how microglia, the main immune cells and damage sensors of the CNS react to this injury and shape neuronal activity ex vivo. To this end, we investigated microglial phenotypes and contribution to network organization and functioning in acute brain slices. We reveal time-dependent microglial phenotype changes influenced by complex extracellular ATP dynamics through P2Y12R and CX3CR1 signalling, which is sustained for hours in ex vivo mouse brain slices. Downregulation of P2Y12R and changes of microglia-neuron interactions occur in line with alterations in the number of excitatory and inhibitory synapses over time. Importantly, functional microglia modulate synapse sprouting, while microglial dysfunction results in markedly impaired ripple activity both ex vivo and in vivo. Collectively, our data suggest that microglia are modulators of complex neuronal networks with important roles to maintain neuronal network integrity and activity. We suggest that slice preparation can be used to model time-dependent changes of microglia-neuron interactions to reveal how microglia shape neuronal circuits in physiological and pathological conditions.

Highly homogeneous magnetic fields in magnetic resonance spectrometers are an important guarantee for improving the quality of spectra for chemical structure analysis and kinetic information. The active shimming process using a shimming power supply to drive a shimming coil to produce a compensating electromagnetic field is an essential way to improve the homogeneity of the magnetic field. The high accuracy and stability of the shimming power supply’s output are crucial indicators for improving the active shimming capability and maintaining the shimming results. The paper develops a high-precision, high-stability, low-ripple active shimming power supply system for magnetic resonance spectrometers, and designs a shimming current driver (constant current source) with output state monitoring based on negative feedback control, coupled with an MCU control platform and host computer system to complete the closed-loop transmission of control commands and data between hardware and software, to achieve digital constant current output control. Under R=2.84 Ω, L=25.5 µH shimming coil load, the full-scale output response time is less than 18.9 µs, the output ripple peak-to-peak control is 30 mV, the positive and negative current output symmetry is good, and the maximum output deviation is 4.8‰ for long time operation. This power supply was used in a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer system using 0.5 T-Halbach configuration magnets, and the magnetic field homogeneity was optimised from 24.48 ppm (10-6) to 2.72 ppm by driving a first-order shimming coil. This work contributes to the integration of compact nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer systems and the applications related to active shimming.

As one of the important indicators for evaluating the quality of pears, stone cells exhibit a supportive effect on pear fruits and improve its storability. However, excess stone cells in pear fruits are not conducive to the accumulation of nutrients, affecting the taste, flavor and health benefits, ultimately reducing the marketability of pears. Gaining insights into the formation pathways of stone cells and developing methods to regulate the formation of stone cells are beneficial to improve the quality of pear fruits and promote the development of processed pear products. In this article, we review the key internal factors controlling the development of stone cells in pear fruits such as enzymes, lignin, vascular bundles and genes and the external factors affecting the distribution, size and content of stone cells in pear fruits such as exogenous calcium, hormones, and the environment. Moreover, we also discuss the effects of stone cells on the sensory and nutritional quality of pear fruits. It is our hope that this review will provide a reference for the deep processing and utilization of pear fruits in the future.

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) can cause diarrhoea (BVD) in an animal herd, leading to heavy economic losses. There are limited drugs available for treating and controlling BVD. This research aims to investigate the antiviral and immunoregulatory effects of two traditional Chinese herb extracts against BVDV infection. The extracts are matrine and icariin, which have been proved to have immunostimulant and antiviral effects.

The consumption of whole grain foods has positive significance for reducing grain loss and enhancing national health, which is a crucial direction for future developments in the food industry. However, current whole grain consumption in China falls far below recommended levels. This study analyzes the overall quantity, structure, and policy environment of whole grain food consumption in major countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It analyzes key factors influencing whole grain food consumption from the aspects of products, consumers, market and policy. In conclusion, great efforts should be made to raise consumer awareness regarding whole grain consumption, advance the processing technology of whole grain foods, and foster nutrition-oriented agriculture through policy initiatives. In this way, the way toward increased whole grain food consumption can be paved and the growth of the whole grain food industry can be promoted.

The pollution of silver ion (Ag(i)) has become a serious environmental threat and hazard to ecosystem and human health. Thus, the nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI)-doped polypyrrole-based carbon nanotube (nZVI/CNT) composites were synthesized by a facile method to remove Ag(i) from wastewater due to the toxicity and scarcity nature of Ag(i). In this process, Fe3+ initiated the self-assembly of polypyrrole tubes in the presence of methyl orange, while it also served as an iron source generated nZVI/CNTs by carbothermal reduction method. The nZVI/CNT composites exhibited a homogeneous tubular structure, and the nZVI formed were uniformly dispersed in the nZVI/CNT composites. The nZVI/CNT composites were used as an adsorbent for the removal of Ag(i) and showed a higher adsorption capacity compared to nZVI and CNTs, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 522.41 mg g−1. Ag(i) was adsorbed on nZVI/CNT composites by ion exchange and chelation, where Ag(i) was reduced to non-toxic Ag due to the redox reaction among pyrrolic-N, nZVI, and Ag(i). The adsorption process of Ag(i) on nZVI/CNT composites was dominated by monolayer adsorption. According to our results, nZVI/CNT composites can be used as economical treatment for wastewater containing Ag(i).

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the main causes of disability and death, and atherosclerosis is an important cause. The incidence of atherosclerosis in premenopausal women is significantly lower than that in men of the same age, while the incidence of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women is significantly higher than that in men of the same age, which is closely related to estrogen levels. In this paper, sex differences in atherosclerosis were reviewed from the aspects of imaging examination, risk factors, intestinal microbiome and vascular inflammatory effects on atherosclerosis, to provide evidence for precision medical treatment of atherosclerosis.

Temperature drift is an important factor affecting the measurement accuracy of desktop NMR spectrometers, and adding a field-locking coil to the probe to achieve field-frequency interlocking is a common means of suppressing temperature drift. In this paper, a dual-channel miniaturised RF probe with an external field-locking channel is designed based on a laboratory compact Halbach magnet. The coil diameter, height, number of turns, turn spacing and enamelled wire radius were optimized based on the solenoid structure. The optimum solenoid size was obtained with an enameled wire radius of 0.4 mm, a coil diameter and height of 8.2 mm, a turn spacing of 1.6 mm and a number of turns of 5. Based on the simulation results, the detection and field-locking coils were fabricated, and tested in conjunction with the peripheral circuitry. The results show that the crosstalk between the two coils is low, the signal-to-noise ratio of the detection channel is above 50 and the signal-to-noise ratio of the locking channel is above 20. Final field locking experiments were performed and the frequency drift of the overall system after equipping the locking field was approximately 0.2 ppm/h (1 ppm=10-6), verifying that this probe design can be applied in compact Halbach magnet-based NMR analysis facilities.

In this paper, based on the research background of recovering uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid(WPA) by amino phosphonate acid chelating resin, the distribution of uranium in single particle amino phosphonate chelating resin was studied. The results show that the optimal laser frequency of LA-ICP-MS is determined to be 6 Hz, the beam spot diameter is 44 μm, and the energy density is 6 J/cm2. The resin with saturated adsorption and the resin with complete elution were selected as the external standard of the adsorption and leaching process, and the homogeneity test was carried out. The relative standard deviation of uranium content in the resin with saturated adsorption and the resin with complete elution are 3.87% and 3.52%(n=9), respectively. Uniformity is good. In situ microzone analysis of uranium in amino phosphonic acid chelating resin was carried out by LA-ICP-MS. The adsorption process of uranium on the resin is gradually completed from the outside to the inside, and the leaching process is gradually completed from the outside to the inside, and the concentration of uranium inside and outside the resin is gradually uniform and unified, and finally reaches adsorption saturation and leaching complete.

As the wave of industrial intelligence (AI) swept, the demographic dividend era in the Chinese labor market continued to decrease. This study aimed to explore how AI reshaped the labor employment structure of the floating population. Additionally, it clarified the internal mechanism of AI on the employment structure of the floating population based on the existing AI model and the theoretical model of AI technology. At the same time, the workforce was divided into high-, medium-, and low-skilled groups according to education level. Empirical analysis was conducted using relevant data from 31 Chinese provinces spanning from 2012 to 2018. The aim was to test the impact of AI technology on the employment of different types of floating populations. The results indicated that: (1) industrial robots impacted heterogeneous skilled floating population labor by bipolar promotion and central substitution. (2) The application of industrial robots had a promotion effect on unfinished school and primary school groups, a substitution effect on middle school, high school/technical secondary school, and college specialties, and a promotion effect on college undergraduate and graduate students. (3) Distinguish employment status, industrial robot application had a significant negative impact on low-skilled employees and significant positive effects on high-skilled employers. Hence, it was recommended to put forward corresponding policy suggestions to address this issue.

In this experiment the pretreatment methods of automatic immunomagnetic bead purification and immunoaffinity chromatography purification were used to quantitatively detect aflatoxin B1 in different edible oils by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, and the accuracy, spike recovery and detection time of the two pretreatment methods were compared. The results showed that the results of automatic immunomagnetic bead purification and immunoaffinity chromatography purification for the determination of vegetable oil standard materials were 15.59 μg/kg and 14.64 μg/kg, respectively, both of which were within the standard range. Different amounts of aflatoxin B1 standard materials were added to different kinds of edible oils, and the recovery rate of spikes was between 88%~110%, and the relative standard deviation was within 5%. The Bland-Altman method was used to analyze differences between the automatic immunomagnetic bead purification method and the immunoaffinity chromatography purification method, and the results showed that differences between the two purification methods were within the acceptable range. Both methods could meet the experimental requirements in purification and enrichment of aflatoxin B1 in edible oil and can be used instead of each other. Through the comparison of detection time, automatic immunomagnetic bead purification combined with mycotoxin automatic purification instrument pretreatment method can process multiple samples at the same time, and the average purification time of one sample is less than 3 min, indicating that the treatment time is shorter, and the experimental efficiency is higher.

Lan Sun,1 Hong-Juan Yao,2 Jing-Cao Li,1 Bao-Quan Zhao,1 Yong-An Wang,1 Ying-Ge Zhang1 1Key Laboratory of Nanopharmacology and Nanotoxicology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Key Laboratory of Antibiotic Bioengineering of National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology (IMB), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ying-Ge Zhang; Yong-An Wang, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 10-66930654 ; +86 10-66874607, Fax +86 10-68211656, Email Zhangyg58@126.com; yonganw@126.comIntroduction: Hepatocellular cancer stem cells (CSCs) play crucial roles in hepatocellular cancer initiation, development, relapse, and metastasis. Therefore, eradication of this cell population is a primary objective in hepatocellular cancer therapy. We prepared a nanodrug delivery system with activated carbon nanoparticles (ACNP) as carriers and metformin (MET) as drug (ACNP-MET), which was able to selectively eliminate hepatocellular CSCs and thereby increase the effects of MET on hepatocellular cancers.Methods: ACNP were prepared by ball milling and deposition in distilled water. Suspension of ACNP and MET was mixed and the best ratio of ACNP and MET was determined based on the isothermal adsorption formula. Hepatocellular CSCs were identified as CD133+ cells and cultured in serum-free medium. We investigated the effects of ACNP-MET on hepatocellular CSCs, including the inhibitory effects, the targeting efficiency, self-renewal capacity, and the sphere-forming capacity of hepatocellular CSCs. Next, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of ACNP-MET by using in vivo relapsed tumor models of hepatocellular CSCs.Results: The ACNP have a similar size, a regular spherical shape and a smooth surface. The optimal ratio for adsorption was MET: ACNP=1:4. ACNP-MET could target and inhibit the proliferation of CD133+ population and decrease mammosphere formation and renewal of CD133+ population in vitro and in vivo.Conclusion: These results not only suggest that nanodrug delivery system increased the effects of MET, but also shed light on the mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of MET and ACNP-MET on hepatocellular cancers. ACNP, as a good nano-carrier, could strengthen the effect of MET by carrying drugs to the micro-environment of hepatocellular CSCs.Keywords: nanodrug delivery system, metformin, CD133, hepatocellular cancer stem cells

ObjectiveTo investigate the reliability and accuracy of deep learning technology in automatic sex estimation using the 3D reconstructed images of the computed tomography （CT） from the Chinese Han population.MethodsThe pelvic CT images of 700 individuals （350 males and 350 females） of the Chinese Han population aged 20 to 85 years were collected and reconstructed into 3D virtual skeletal models. The feature region images of the medial aspect of the ischiopubic ramus （MIPR） were intercepted. The Inception v4 was adopted as the image recognition model, and two methods of initial learning and transfer learning were used for training. Eighty percent of the individuals’ images were randomly selected as the training and validation dataset, and the remaining were used as the test dataset. The left and right sides of the MIPR images were trained separately and combinedly. Subsequently, the models’ performance was evaluated by overall accuracy, female accuracy, male accuracy, etc.ResultsWhen both sides of the MIPR images were trained separately with initial learning, the overall accuracy of the right model was 95.7%, the female accuracy and male accuracy were both 95.7%; the overall accuracy of the left model was 92.1%, the female accuracy was 88.6% and the male accuracy was 95.7%. When the left and right MIPR images were combined to train with initial learning, the overall accuracy of the model was 94.6%, the female accuracy was 92.1% and the male accuracy was 97.1%. When the left and right MIPR images were combined to train with transfer learning, the model achieved an overall accuracy of 95.7%, and the female and male accuracies were both 95.7%.ConclusionThe use of deep learning model of Inception v4 and transfer learning algorithm to construct a sex estimation model for pelvic MIPR images of Chinese Han population has high accuracy and well generalizability in human remains, which can effectively estimate the sex in adults.

The Crankshaft Full-automatic Measuring Machine (CFMM) features high accuracy, high efficiency and complete measurement parameters, and represents the forefront of a geometric crankshaft accuracy measuring instrument. One of its core technologies is the high-precision radial following the crankshaft connecting rod journal measurement. In this paper, an independent probe design scheme combining the flexible dual-complex parallel four-bar guide mechanism and double displacement sensors based on the contact measurement method was proposed. It was suitable for the measurement of precision parts with eccentric characteristics such as crankshaft and camshaft measurement. Taking the spring as the flexible part, the probe prototype’s optimization design, processing and assembly were completed, the test device was built, and the system accuracy was calibrated under various positions and feed quantities of the probe. The results revealed that the expanded measurement uncertainty after double-sensor compensation was enhanced from 1.53 μm in single-sensor measurement to 0.44 μm, satisfying the high-precision requirements of engineering measurement accuracy and reducing the measurement cost.

Multi Core Fiber (MCF) is an important transmission medium of Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) technology, which can significantly enhance the communication capacity of existing optical fiber. However, MCF has the problems of high structural complexity, difficult to test, and no test standard for parameters. According to the structural characteristics, combined with the technical experience in the development, this paper standardize the splicing method and the parameters testing method of MCF, which lays the foundation for the large-scale commercialization of MCF in the future.

Objective: To explore the difference in gut microbiota between different traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and its internal relationship. Methods: From June 2020 to August 2021, 109 colorectal cancer patients with a clear pathological diagnosis who had not yet undergone surgery or chemotherapy were classified according to the TCM syndrome classification, and the feces samples of 109 patients with preoperative colorectal cancer were collected. 16s rRNA gene sequencing was used to determine gut microbiota diversity and abundance in CRC patients with different TCM syndrome, and LEfSe analysis was made to screen different TCM syndrome for differential representative microbiota. Results: 109 patients were divided into 5 syndromes by TCM syndrome classification, which were Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome (LKYDS, n = 19), Spleen Deficient Qi Stagnation Syndrome (SDQSS, n = 30), Stasis and Poison Obstruction Syndrome (SPOS, n = 17), Damp-Heat Syndrome (DHS, n = 30), Qi and Blood Deficiency Syndrome (QBDS, n = 13). Alpha diversity index showed significant differences among the five groups of TCM syndromes, with Shannon index being highest in the SDQSS group and lowest in the LKYDS (p = 0.003). ACE index being highest in the SDQSS group and lowest in the SPOS (p = 0.010). PD whole tree index being highest in the SDQSS group and lowest in the SPOS (p = 0.017). Similarly, beta diversity showed significant differences among the five groups of TCM syndromes, with principal coordinate analysis (PCo1 = 31.86 %, PCo2 = 5.62 %) showing separation and coincidence between the groups, and Adonis group differences showing coincidence between the QBDS-LKYDS (p = 0.702), QBDS-DHS (p = 0.133), and SDQSS-DHS (p = 0.260) groups. LEfSe analysis revealed that the representative microbiota of DHS patients was Dialister sp Marseille P5638 (LDA = 3.05, p＜0.001), the representative microbiota of SPOS patients was Oscillospirales (LDA = 4.78, p = 0.029), the representative microbiota of SDQSS patients was Selenomonadaceae (LDA = 3.94, p = 0.003), the representative microbiota of LKYDS patients was Dialister (LDA = 4.19, p = 0.001), and the representative microbiota of QBDS patients was Akkermansia muciniphila (LDA = 4.23, p = 0.006). Conclusions: There are significant differences in gut microbiota between different TCM syndromes in CRC patients. The five microbiota, Dialister sp Marseille P5638, Oscillospirales, Selenomonadaceae, Dialister, and Akkermansia muciniphila, may be differential markers of TCM syndrome in CRC and are expected to be one of the bases for accurate TCM syndrome differentiation of CRC.

Objectives: To identify the dermatological system drugs that may be prescribed by Chinese dermatological nurses through expert consensus.

Bone development shows certain regularity with age. The regularity can be used to infer age and serve many fields such as justice， medicine， archaeology， etc. As a non-invasive evaluation method of the epiphyseal development stage， MRI is widely used in living age estimation. In recent years， the rapid development of machine learning has significantly improved the effectiveness and reliability of living age estimation， which is one of the main development directions of current research. This paper summarizes the analysis methods of age estimation by knee joint MRI， introduces the current research trends， and future application trend.

ObjectiveTo investigate the genetic polymorphism of InDel loci in SifalnDel 45plex system in the Han population in Jiangsu Province and the Mongolian population in Inner Mongolia, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the system in forensic medicine.MethodsSifaInDel 45plex system was used for genotyping in blood samples of 398 unrelated individuals from the above two populations, and allele frequencies and population genetic parameters of the two populations were calculated respectively. Eight intercontinental populations in the gnomAD database were used as reference populations. The genetic distances between the two studied populations and eight reference populations were calculated based on the allele frequencies of 27 autosomal-InDels （A-InDels）. The phylogenetic trees and multidimensional scaling （MDS） analysis diagrams were constructed accordingly.ResultsAmong two studied populations, the 27 A-InDels and 16 X-InDels showed no linkage disequilibrium between each other and the allele frequency distributions were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The CDP of the 27 A-InDels in two studied populations were all higher than 0.999 999 999 9, and the CPEtrio were all less than 0.999 9. The CDP of the 16 X-InDels in Han in Jiangsu and Mongolian in Inner Mongolia female and male samples were 0.999 997 962, 0.999 998 389, and 0.999 818 940, 0.999 856 063, respectively. The CMECtrio were all less than 0.999 9. The results of population genetics showed that the Jiangsu Han nationality, Inner Mongolia Mongolian nationality and East Asian population clustered into one branch, showing closer genetic relationship. The other 7 intercontinental populations clustered into another group. And the above 3 populations displayed distant genetic relationships with the other 7 intercontinental populations.ConclusionThe InDels in the SifaInDel 45plex system have good genetic polymorphism in the two studied populations, which can be used for forensic individual identification or as an effective complement for paternity identification, and to distinguish different intercontinental populations.

Lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma (LPRM) is a rare subtype of meningioma, the specific pathogenesis of which remains unclear. Herein, we report the case of a 48-year-old Asian man who experienced progressive deafness and limb weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed extramedullary masses diffusely growing, wrapping, and compressing the cervical spinal cord. The dural lesion was partially excised by surgery, and postoperative pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of LPRM. Diffuse LPRM is extremely rare, and its treatment is challenging owing to difficulties associated with surgery and the uncertain efficacy of traditional therapies. Therefore, further clinical practice and basic research are needed to improve the prognosis of diffuse LPRM.

Objective To investigate the effect of high⁃frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on pain and emotion in patients with neuropathic pain (NP) combined with anxiety and/or depression. Methods A total of 39 patients with NP combined with anxiety and/or depression from June 2019 to October 2021 were included and randomly divided into conventional treatment combined with sham stimulation group (control group, n=19) and conventional treatment⁃assisted high⁃frequency rTMS (rTMS group, n=20). The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to evaluate the pain state, Hamilton Anxiety Scale⁃14 (HAMA⁃14) was used to evaluate the anxiety state, and Hamilton Depression Scale⁃17 (HAMD⁃17) was used to evaluate depression state before treatment and at 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment. Results The NRS score (F=23.573, P=0.000) and HAMD score (F=15.426, P=0.000) before and after treatment were significantly different between the 2 groups. The NRS score and HAMD score in rTMS group were lower than those in control group at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (P≤0.01, for all). The differences in NRS score (F=317.751, P=0.000), HAMA score (F=81.510, P=0.000) and HAMD score (F=32.773, P=0.000) at different observation times were also statistically significant in the same treatment group. In rTMS group, NRS score and HAMD score at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment were lower than those before treatment and 3 days of treatment (P＜0.01, for all), and HAMA score at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of treatment were lower than those before treatment and 3 days of treatment (P=0.000, for all). HAMA score at 4 weeks of treatment was lower than that before treatment (P=0.007), at 1 week (P=0.014) and 2 weeks (P=0.001) of treatment. In control group, NRS score only at 4 weeks of treatment was lower than that before treatment (P=0.000), HAMA score at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of treatment was lower than those before treatment (P＜0.05, for all), and HAMA score at 1 week of treatment was lower than that at 3 days of treatment (P=0.002). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the degree of pain relief before and after treatment was positively correlated with the ease of anxiety (rs=0.442, P=0.048) and depression (rs=0.705, P=0.001). Conclusions High⁃frequency rTMS is a safe and effective treatment for NP with anxiety and/or depression. It can significantly ease anxiety and depression in patients while relieving pain.

Objective To investigate the difference between walking and static standing characteristics in stroke patients with and without vestibular symptoms. Methods A total of 82 stroke patients who received rehabilitation treatment in Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin University from May 2020 to December 2021, and 49 controls with the matched gender, age and education level were included. The stroke patients were divided into vestibular symptom group (n=51) and vestibular symptomless group (n=31) according to the condition of vestibular symptoms. The walking stability was evaluated by 7⁃Meter Walking Test, and the stability of static standing balance was evaluated by the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB). Results The results of the 7⁃Meter Walking Test showed that there were statistically significant differences in the spatial and temporal parameters of gait, the coronal plane swing angle of trunk, swing area and the root mean square of coronal plane posture swing among 3 groups (P=0.000, for all). The stride length, stride speed and stride frequency of the vestibular symptoms group and the vestibular symptomless group were lower than those of the control group (P=0.000, for all), and the time parameters of the double brace phase time and the terminal double brace phase time were higher than those of the control group (P=0.000, for all). The stride length, stride speed and stride frequency of the vestibular symptoms group were lower than those of vestibular symptomless group (P＜0.05, for all), and the time of dual brace phase and terminal dual brace phase were higher than those of vestibular symptomless group (P=0.000, for all). The trunk coronal plane swing angle (P＜0.01, for all), swing area (P=0.000, for all) and root mean square of coronal plane posture swing (P=0.000, for all) in vestibular symptoms group and vestibular symptomless group were greater than those in control group. The coronal plane swing angle of trunk and the root mean square of coronal plane posture swing of vestibular symptoms group were also greater than those of vestibular symptomless group (P=0.000, for all). The results of CTSIB showed there were statistically significant differences in trunk swing area, root mean square of coronal and sagittal plane postural swing among 3 groups (P=0.000, for all). In vestibular symptom group and vestibular symptomless group, the root mean square of coronal and sagittal plane postural swing were greater than those of the control group under the 4 test conditions of eyes open on firm, eyes closed of firm, eyes open on foam, eyes closed on foam (P＜0.01, for all). In vestibular symptom group and vestibular symptomless group, the trunk swing area was greater than that in control group under 3 test conditions of eyes open on firm, eyes closed on firm and eyes closed on foam (P=0.000, for all). The trunk swing area in vestibular symptom group was greater than that in control group (P=0.000), but less than that in vestibular symptomless group (P=0.000). There was no statistical significance between vestibular symptoms group and vestibular symptomless group under 4 test conditions (P＞0.05, for all). Conclusions The walking parameters of stroke patients with vestibular symptoms were significantly changed than those of vestibular symptomless, which can provide important clinical value for the implementation of precise rehabilitation treatment.

Surgical operation is the most commonly used method to correct intermittent exotropia(IXT), and the results are relatively positive. However, after surgery, some patients will experience a recurrence of exotropia. The recurrence rate increases with time. At present, there is no unified conclusion on the factors in the recurrence after intermittent exotropia surgery. Age at onset and surgery, preoperative and initial postoperative deviation, abnormal visual function, type of intermittent exotropia, operation pathway and preoperative assessment method may all be the risk factors. This review presents a conclusion on different results of recent studies and indication of the interaction among factors in order to gain a better understanding of the surgical indication and provide guidance for future research directions.

ObjectiveTo study the genetic polymorphism and population genetic parameters of 16 X-STR loci in Xinjiang Uygur population.MethodsThe Goldeneye® DNA identification system 17X was used to amplify 16 X-STR loci in 502 unrelated individuals （251 females and 251 males）. The amplified products were detected by 3130xl genetic analyzer. Allele frequencies and population genetic parameters were analyzed statistically. The genetic distances between Uygur and other 8 populations were calculated. Multidimensional scaling and phylogenetic tree were constructed based on genetic distance.ResultsIn the 16 X-STR loci, a total of 67 alleles were detected in 502 Xinjiang Uygur unrelated individuals. The allele frequencies ranged from 0.001 3 to 0.572 4. PIC ranged from 0.568 8 to 0.855 3. The cumulative discrimination power in females and males were 0.999 999 999 999 999 and 0.999 999 999 743 071, respectively. The cumulative mean paternity exclusion chance in trios and in duos were 0.999 999 997 791 859 and 0.999 998 989 000 730, respectively. The genetic distance between Uygur population and Kazakh population was closer, and the genetic distance between Uygur and Han population was farther.ConclusionThe 16 X-STR loci are highly polymorphic and suitable for identification in Uygur population, which can provide a powerful supplement for the study of individual identification, paternity identification and population genetics.

ObjectiveRetrospectively analyzed the esophageal carcinoma (EC) patients with esophageal perforation (EP) after radiotherapy to discuss the treatment and prognosis.MethodsData of patients with EC who had EP after radiotherapy in Hebei Cancer Hospital were collected from 2001 to 2020 and retrospectively analyzed. All analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 18. 0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA). P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of 94 patients with EC were enrolled, among which 72 were males and 22 were females, with a median age of 62 (38–82) years. The tumor was located in the upper thoracic in 45 patients, middle thoracic in 45 patients, and lower thoracic in 4 patients. There were 30 cases of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and 64 cases of esophagomediastinal fistula (EMF). All patients died within 11 months (median: two months) after EP. After EP, 48 patients were treated by tube feeding (include nasal feeding and gastrostomy), 26 patients by esophageal stenting, and 20 patients by fluid infusion therapy, and their one, three, and six months survival rates after EP were 81.3%, 31.3%, and 12.5% (P = 0.000). In the TEF group, the one, three, and six month survival rates after EP of tube feeding, esophageal stenting and fluid infusion groups were 88.2%, 17.6%, 11.8%; 45.5%, 27.3%, 0%; and 50.0%, 50.0%, 0% (P = 0.345). In the EMF group, the one, three, and six months survival rates after EP of this three groups were 77.4%, 38.7%, 12.9%; 26.7%, 20.0%, 6.7%; and 22.2%, 11.1%, 0% (P=0.002), respectively.ConclusionMost patients with EP after radiotherapy died within six months, with low survival and poor prognosis. Tube feeding therapy can achieve relatively good survival, especially for patients with EMF. The survival of patients treated by tube feeding therapy is significantly better than the survival of those treated by other methods.

The blasting induced seismic waves are generally composed of compressional wave (P-wave), shear wave (S-wave), and Rayleigh wave (R-wave), however, wave-type and seismic components are not differentiated in the attenuation law and safety criteria for the current blast vibration studies. In this study, a method of wave-type discrimination is used for the seismic wave prediction based on polarization direction. Using theoretical analysis and numerical modelling, the blasting source characteristics and the radiated wave-types are investigated for different shapes of explosive charge. Combined the results of the site blasting experiments, the wave-type and seismic components induced by three typical blast-holes are analyzed and three blast holes include the single vertical blast-hole, the smooth blast-hole, and the slope pre-splitting blast-hole. The source characteristics and acting mechanism are then discussed for different blast-holes. The dominant wave-type at special location is predicted for three blast types. The research results indicate that the blasting source of the vertical blast-hole can be viewed as a delay superposition of the short explosive column. All the P-, S-, and R-waves contribute to the ground surface vibration from the vertical blast-hole. With the increase of the blasting-target distance, it is found that the S-wave gradually deviates from its dominant radiation direction, while the P-wave mainly contributes to the horizontal radial vibration, and the R-wave dominates the vertical vibration. Because the horizontal smooth blast-hole and the slope pre-splitting blast-hole are both contour blast-holes, the two blast holes have a similar acting mechanism, in which the main acting force is the loading from the normal surface. The S- and R-waves are the dominant seismic wave types within the blasting contour surface, whereas the role of the P-wave is negligible. Besides, the R-wave becomes the dominant wave-type as the blasting center distance increases; however, the contribution of P-wave outside the contour surface cannot be ignored.

Logging data of Tazhong clastic rock formation shows that cementing quality of water layer is poor and the efficiency of cement displacement is low. Bohai Drilling Co., Ltd. has adopted a cement slurry system with excellent anti-channeling performance in Tazhong block and strictly controlled the cementing construction procedure, however, the cementing quality problem of water layer still exists. According to the cementing quality analysis, the influence of ions in formation water in Tazhong clastic strata on cement slurry performance was researched in this paper. The results show that ions in formation water has no negative impact on the loss of water and gas channeling resistance of the cement slurry system, however, has some adverse effects on the rheological property, thickening property and hardened strength. Furthermore, cement slurry consistency increasing caused by formation water is the key factor leading to poor cementing quality. Studies show that the carboxylic acid group and the magnesium ion chelate to form a network structure, which binds the free water in the cement slurry and causes the deterioration of the rheology. The magnesium resistance ability of the polymer becomes worse, when the proportion of the carboxylic acid group increases. Therefore, in order to improve rheology of cement slurry, a fluid loss agent with a small number of carboxylic acid group or no carboxylic acid group is required when the slurry or formation water containing a certain amount of magnesium ion. This investigation provides the theoretical guidance of the selection of cementing additives in the areas of which water containing high dosage of magnesium ion.

Objective To explore the risk factors related to higher fall risk in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) who can walk independently. Methods A total of 226 patients with CSVD treated in Department of Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from December 2017 to December 2020 were included. Clinical data (including sex, age, height, weight, past medical history, resting blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin) were collected. Lacunar infarct (LACI) and white matter hyperintense [deep white matter hyperintense (DWMH) and periventricular white matter hyperintense (PWMH)] were observed by MRI, carotid intima⁃media thickness (IMT) was measured by color Doppler ultrasound. Postural instability was assessed based on One⁃Leg Standing Test (OLST). Univariate and multivariate forward Logistic regression analysis were used to screen the risk factors of higher fall risk in patients with CSVD who can walk independently. Results According to OLST time, the patients were divided into high fall risk group (≤10 s, 104 cases) and low fall risk group (＞10 s, 122 cases). Univariate and multivariate forward Logistic regression analysis suggested that age (OR=1.053, 95%CI: 1.006-1.101; P=0.026), diabetes history (OR=2.910, 95%CI: 1.288-6.577; P=0.010), DWMH Fazekas score 1 (OR=7.329, 95%CI: 1.775-30.272; P=0.006), Fazekas score 2 (OR=8.004, 95%CI: 1.905-33.627; P=0.005) and Fazekas score 3 (OR=23.884, 95%CI: 4.205-135.657; P=0.000) were the risk factors of higher fall risk patients with CSVD who can walk independently. Conclusions For patients with CSVD, especially those who appear to have a normal gait and can walk independently, there is still a high risk of falling, which may be independently related to the age, diabetes history and DWMH.

Antimicrobial proteins possess a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity and play an important role in shaping the composition of gut microbiota, which is related to multiple diseases such as metabolic syndrome. However, it is incompletely known for the regulation of defensin expression in the gut Paneth cells. Here, we found that FABP4 in the Paneth cells of gut epithelial cells and organoids can downregulate the expression of defensins. FABP4fl/flpvillinCreT mice were highly resistance to Salmonella Typhimurium (S.T) infection and had increased bactericidal ability to pathogens. The FABP4-mediated downregulation of defensins is through degrading PPARγ after K48 ubiquitination. We also demonstrate that high-fat diet (HFD)-mediated downregulation of defensins is through inducing a robust FABP4 in Paneth cells. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio in FABP4fl/flpvillinCreT mice is lower than control mice, which is opposite to that in mice fed HFD, indicating that FABP4 in the Paneth cells could reprogram gut microbiota. Interestingly, FABP4-mediated downregulation of defensins in Paneth cells not only happens in mice but also in human. A better understanding of the regulation of defensins, especially HFD-mediated downregulation of defensin in Paneth cells will provide insights into factor(s) underlying modern diseases.Abbreviations: FABP4: Fatty acid binding protein 4; S. T: Salmonella Typhimurium; HFD: High-fat diet; Defa: α-defensin; 930 HD5: Human α-defensin 5; HD6: Human α-defensin 6; F/B: Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes; SFB: Segmental filamentous bacteria; AMPs: Antimicrobial peptides; PPARγ: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ; P-PPAR: Phosphorylated PPAR; Dhx15: DEAD-box helicase 15; 935 EGF: Epidermal growth factor; ENR: Noggin and R-spondin 1; CFU: Colony forming unit; Lyz1: Lysozyme 1; Saa1: Serum amyoid A 1; Pla2g2a: Phospholipase A2, group IIA; MMP-7: Matrix metalloproteinase; AU-PAGE: Acid-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; PA: Palmitic 940 acid; GPR40: G-protein-coupled receptor; GF: Germ-free; EGF: Epidermal growth factor; LP: Lamina propria; KO: Knock out; WT: Wild-type.

Objective To explore the hierarchical and advanced training mode applied in the standardized residency training to improve the quality of the program in ultrasound specialty. Methods Stratified training was conducted for ultrasound residents with different educational backgrounds, advanced training programs were developed according to grade and training stage design, and a hierarchical and advanced training system for residents training in ultrasound specialty was established, which was applied to the 2016 class of residents. The quality of ultrasonic reports of 2013 class residents before the reform and 2016 class residents after the reform was compared to evaluate the effect of the teaching reform. Results After the implementation of the hierarchical and advanced training program, the pathological coincidence rate reported by the 2016 class residents was 97.2%, while that reported by the 2013 class residents before the reform was 92.8%. The pathological coincidence rate of ultrasonic reports in the grade after the teaching reform was significantly higher than that before (P＜0.05). Conclusions The hierarchical and advanced training mode improves the training quality of ultrasound residents and can be applied in the standardized training of residents in ultrasound specialty.

ObjectiveTo study the similarities and differences of food safety indicators in the National Food Safety Standard and international standards, and to provide a reference for the development and management of canned food industry.MethodsSafety indicators in the relevant standards and regulations of canned food by China, Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), European Union (EU) and the United States were compared from the aspects of histamine, pollutant, biotoxin, food additive and others.ResultsIn terms of the limit of histamine, there were no provisions in the relevant laws and regulations of the United States, while China and CAC had set their limits in canned fish. In terms of the limits of pollutants, China's provisions were relatively comprehensive in all kinds of canned food and food contact materials than those in other countries. In terms of the limit of biotoxin, only China and the United States had clear requirements. In terms of the types of canned food, the types, functions and the requirements of additives, China, CAC and EU were similar, while the regulations of the United States were totally different.ConclusionProcess control is the essence of canned foods safety, which provides thoughts on the future standard setting and revision in China, and is also worth learning for the canned food manufacturing industry. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of pollutants in canned food, control the pollutant in raw materials and migration from processing equipment and food contact materials, and research on the safety of process parameters, and further establish and improve food safety risk control and traceability system.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has a high mortality rate and is difficult to diagnose and treat in its early stage. Previous studies have demonstrated that small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) play a critical role in tumor immune infiltration and the development of a variety of solid tumors. However, there have been no studies on the correlation between tumor-infiltrating immune-related snoRNAs (TIISRs) and LUAD.In this study, we filtered six immune-related snoRNAs based on the tissue specificity index (TSI) and expression profile of all snoRNAs between all LUAD cell lines from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and 21 types of immune cells from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Further, we performed real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to validate the expression status of these snoRNAs on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and lung cancer cell lines. Next, we developed a TIISR signature based on the expression profiles of snoRNAs from 479 LUAD patients filtered by the random survival forest algorithm. We then analyzed the value of this TIISR signature (TIISR risk score) for assessing tumor immune infiltration, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment response, and the prognosis of LUAD between groups with high and low TIISR risk score. Further, we found that the TIISR risk score groups showed significant differences in biological characteristics and that the risk score could be used to assess the level of tumor immune cell infiltration, thereby predicting prognosis and responsiveness to immunotherapy in LUAD patients.