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Objective·To explore the clinical features of allergy-related obstructive parotitis (AROP) and the ultrasonic characteristics of its duct.Methods·Patients diagnosed with AROP at the Oral Surgery Department of Shanghai Ninth People′s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from October 2020 to October 2022 due to recurrent swelling of parotid gland were included. Clinical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed, including medical history, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations and imaging examinations. Static ultrasound was used to display the morphological characteristics of the AROP duct, ultrasonic images were used to measure the inner diameter at the widest point of duct dilation, and the degree of duct dilation was graded. Dynamic ultrasound was used to show the morphological changes of the duct at the functional state of AROP patients. The value and ratio of duct widening were calculated, and the symptoms of parotid swelling were recorded.Results·Thirty-seven patients were diagnosed with AROP and included in the study, including 9 males (24.3%) and 28 females (75.7%). The main clinical symptoms were recurrent swelling of parotid gland, skin itching and duct discharge of mucus plug. Thirty-two patients (86.5%) had a history of systemic allergic disease. The proportion of increased serum IgE concentration and peripheral blood eosinophil (PBE) absolute count was 59.5% and 43.2%, respectively. The static ultrasound results of 37 AROP patients were mainly manifested by duct dilation. The grading results of duct dilation degree were mild in 21 cases (56.8%), moderate in 10 cases (27.0%) and severe in 6 cases (16.2%). Seven patients with AROP underwent dynamic ultrasonography. Results showed that 4 patients were in the asymptomatic period and 3 patients were in the symptomatic period.Conclusion·AROP is a type of chronic obstructive parotitis closely related to allergic reactions, and its diagnosis should be considered in many aspects. Ultrasound can effectively display the morphological characteristics of parotid duct, and can be used to assess the obstruction status of the duct, which is helpful for the diagnosis and follow-up of AROP.

BACKGROUND Infertility and pregnancy loss are longstanding problems. Successful fertilization and high-quality embryos are prerequisites for an ongoing pregnancy. Studies have proven that every stage in the human reproductive process is regulated by multiple genes and any problem, at any step, may lead to fertilization failure (FF) or early embryonic arrest (EEA). Doctors can diagnose the pathogenic factors involved in FF and EEA by using genetic methods. With the progress in the development of new genetic technologies, such as single-cell RNA analysis and whole-exome sequencing, a new approach has opened up for us to directly study human germ cells and reproductive development. These findings will help us to identify the unique mechanism(s) that leads to FF and EEA in order to find potential treatments. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The goal of this review is to compile current genetic knowledge related to FF and EEA, clarifying the mechanisms involved and providing clues for clinical diagnosis and treatment. SEARCH METHODS PubMed was used to search for relevant research articles and reviews, primarily focusing on English-language publications from January 1978 to June 2023. The search terms included fertilization failure, early embryonic arrest, genetic, epigenetic, whole-exome sequencing, DNA methylation, chromosome, non-coding RNA, and other related keywords. Additional studies were identified by searching reference lists. This review primarily focuses on research conducted in humans. However, it also incorporates relevant data from animal models when applicable. The results were presented descriptively, and individual study quality was not assessed. OUTCOMES A total of 233 relevant articles were included in the final review, from 3925 records identified initially. The review provides an overview of genetic factors and mechanisms involved in the human reproductive process. The genetic mutations and other genetic mechanisms of FF and EEA were systematically reviewed, for example, globozoospermia, oocyte activation failure, maternal effect gene mutations, zygotic genome activation abnormalities, chromosome abnormalities, and epigenetic abnormalities. Additionally, the review summarizes progress in treatments for different gene defects, offering new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The information provided in this review will facilitate the development of more accurate molecular screening tools for diagnosing infertility using genetic markers and networks in human reproductive development. The findings will also help guide clinical practice by identifying appropriate interventions based on specific gene mutations. For example, when an individual has obvious gene mutations related to FF, ICSI is recommended instead of IVF. However, in the case of genetic defects such as phospholipase C zeta1 (PLCZ1) , actin-like7A (ACTL7A) , actin-like 9 (ACTL9) , and IQ motif-containing N (IQCN) , ICSI may also fail to fertilize. We can consider artificial oocyte activation technology with ICSI to improve fertilization rate and reduce monetary and time costs. In the future, fertility is expected to be improved or restored by interfering with or supplementing the relevant genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring shaft safety is critical in the process of coal mining. During coal mining in the Guotun coal mine, Shandong Province, China, issues, such as shaft deflection, tank channel and shaft deformation, and tank jamming, which did not appear in the shaft before, brought huge hidden dangers to safety. In this study, a set of three-dimensional analog simulation systems for assessing the influence of mining on shaft deflection was designed by using penetration force simulations of gravity fields. In this system, electromagnetic displacement meter is used to collect surface settlement data, which verifies the feasibility of using hydraulic pillow to simulate formation disturbance caused by coal mining. the strain of the shaft is measured by optical fibers and strain gauges, and the amount that mining influenced the deflection of the shaft is obtained. The results show that there is an approximately positive linear correlation between the horizontal displacement of the shaft caused by mining and the mining thickness of the coal. The horizontal displacement of shaft caused by coal mining is inversely proportional to the moving Angle within a reasonable range. The horizontal displacement of shaft is affected by mining mode, and symmetrical mining can significantly reduce the horizontal displacement of shaft. The horizontal displacement of the shaft at different depths caused by mining decreases with increasing shaft depth, which is the main cause of shaft deflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]