A rare asymptomatic metallic intraocular foreign body retained in the anterior chamber for 15 years: A case report

Rationale:Intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) are common in ocular injuries, but asymptomatic metallic IOFBs retained in the anterior chamber for years are rare.Patient concerns:A 31-year-old female presented with blurred vision in her right eye after lumbar magnetic resonance imaging. Her best-corrected vision acuity was 0.6 in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed a brown granular foreign body in the anterior chamber and pigmentation of the limbus. Lens and retina examination indicated ocular siderosis. Corneal endothelioscopy revealed decreased endothelial cell density. A detailed history showed ocular globe injury 15 years earlier.Diagnoses:Anterior chamber IOFB with ocular siderosis.Interventions:Anterior chamber foreign body removal was performed with appropriate incision and forceps.Outcomes:The anterior chamber IOFB was successfully removed and examined as a magnetic metal foreign body. The best-corrected vision acuity was 1.0 at 1 day postoperatively. An abnormal electroretinogram with a 12% decrease in the “b” wave and a 91% decrease in the “a” wave was observed 3 months postoperatively. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications during a 3-month follow-up.Lessons:Eye trauma should be examined carefully to exclude IOFBs. Asymptomatic anterior chamber foreign bodies can also cause corneal endothelial injury and ocular siderosis. Careful examination and timely management are needed in such cases.     

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with analgesics on lung cancer pain: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Lung cancer (LC) is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence in the world, and treatment methods include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Cancer pain is a common symptom in patients with LC, and the clinical treatment is to relieve it with analgesics. Acupuncture can relieve cancer pain. This study aims to systematically study the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with analgesics on cancer pain in patients with LC.Methods:From the beginning to April 2021, search Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Controlled Trials Register (Central), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Science Journal Database (VIP database). Search the international clinical trial registration platform and the Chinese clinical trial registration platform to find ongoing or unpublished trials. The main outcome indicator is the total effective rate of analgesia, and the secondary outcome indicator is pain intensity score and adverse reactions. The RevMan 5.4 software will be used for statistical analysis.Results:This study will provide the latest evidence for acupuncture combined with analgesics to relieve LC pain.Conclusion:The conclusion of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture combined with analgesics in alleviating LC pain.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY202150051     

Whether cognitive behavioral therapy is effective for Alzheimer's disease: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background:Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by impaired memory and cognitive judgment. It is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, and its high morbidity and mortality have also brought a significant social burden. So far, there is no method can completely cure Alzheimer''s dementia, but there are many non-drug treatments that have been praised by people, especially the cognitive behavioral therapy proposed in recent years. The main purpose of this article is to evaluate the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on the cognitive function improvement of patients with Alzheimer''s dementia.Methods:We did a network meta-analysis to identify both direct and indirect evidence in relevant studies. A systematic literature search will be performed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE from inception to October 2020. We extracted the relevant information from these trials with a predefined data extraction sheet and assessed the risk of bias with the Cochrane risk of bias tool.The outcomes investigated were Mini–Mental State Examination and AD Assessment Scale-Cognitive section scores. We did a pair-wise meta-analysis using the fixed-effects model and then did a random-effects network meta-analysis within a Bayesian framework. The = the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 scale, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses scale and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation were used to assess the quality and evidence grade of the literature. General characteristics of the eligible randomized controlled trials will be summarized and described. Meanwhile, The ADDIS software will be used to perform the network meta-analysis, and the result figures will be generated by STATA 15.0 software.Results:Using the draft search strategy of databases and after screening,7 randomized controlled trials met the a priori criteria and were included. This network mate-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Conclusion:Our study will provide evidence for cognitive behavioral intervention in AD patients. And provide recommendations and guidelines for the clinic.Protocol Registration:INPLASY2020110052.     

An integrated pathway interaction network for the combination of four effective compounds from ShengMai preparations in the treatment of cardio-cerebral ischemic diseases

Aim:

SMXZF (a combination of ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rg1, schizandrin and DT-13) derived from Chinese traditional medicine formula ShengMai preparations) is capable of alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. In this study we used network pharmacology approach to explore the mechanisms of SMXZF in the treatment of cardio-cerebral ischemic diseases.

Methods:

Based upon the chemical predictors, such as chemical structure, pharmacological information and systems biology functional data analysis, a target-pathway interaction network was constructed to identify potential pathways and targets of SMXZF in the treatment of cardio-cerebral ischemia. Furthermore, the most related pathways were verified in TNF-α-treated human vascular endothelial EA.hy926 cells and H2O2-treated rat PC12 cells.

Results:

Three signaling pathways including the NF-κB pathway, oxidative stress pathway and cytokine network pathway were demonstrated to be the main signaling pathways. The results from the gene ontology analysis were in accordance with these signaling pathways. The target proteins were found to be associated with other diseases such as vision, renal and metabolic diseases, although they exerted therapeutic actions on cardio-cerebral ischemic diseases. Furthermore, SMXZF not only dose-dependently inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB, p50, p65 and IKKα/β in TNF-α-treated EA.hy926 cells, but also regulated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in H2O2-treated PC12 cells.

Conclusion:

NF-κB signaling pathway, oxidative stress pathway and cytokine network pathway are mainly responsible for the therapeutic actions of SMXZF against cardio-cerebral ischemic diseases.     

连续性血液净化治疗重症脓毒症合并应激性心肌病疗效分析

目的探讨连续血液净化(CBP)对重症脓毒症合并应激性心肌病患者的疗效。方法回顾性收集2012年1月至2014年1月60例重症脓毒症合并应激性心肌病患者,分为常规治疗组30例和血液净化组30例,分析2组治疗前、治疗后24、48、72 h相关血流动力学及72 h炎症感染指标变化。结果CBP治疗后患者平均动脉压、心率、每搏输出量、左心室射血分数和氧合指数(Pa O2/Fi O2)均较治疗前有所改善(P<0.05);与常规治疗组相比,CBP治疗组在C-反应蛋白、降钙素原、白细胞介素-6、脑利钠肽及血乳酸等指标均降低(P<0.05),氧合指数上升(P<0.05),急性生理学及慢性健康状况评分Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)亦降低(P<0.05)。结论对于重症脓毒症合并应激性心肌病患者采用连续性血液净化治疗,在早期能有效清除炎症因子,维持血流动力学稳定,改善氧合功能。     

Efficacy and safety of app-based remote warfarin management during COVID-19-related lockdown: a retrospective cohort study

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are at increased risk for thrombotic and bleeding...     

Genetic diversity of VP3 of goose parvovirus isolated from Southeastern China during 2012–2013

Although vaccine and passive immunotherapy were widely used to prevent goose parvovirus (GPV) infection in goose industry, GPV still poses a big problem in Southeastern China. In this study, 23 GPV isolates were isolated from goslings suspected with GPV infection in Southeastern China during 2012–2013, and the genetic diversity of VP3 of GPV was analyzed. Phylogenetic tree revealed that these isolates could be clustered into two groups, and 11 of 23 could be further clustered into a new subgroup. Moreover, eight novel mutations and seventeen conserved amino acids were found in these 23 isolates in comparison with isolates previously deposited in GenBank. These isolates and findings not only provide insights into the etiology and molecular characteristics of GPV endemic in Southeastern China, but also enrich the GPV genetic information for better controlling the disease.     

Surface plasmon mediates the visible light–responsive lithium–oxygen battery with Au nanoparticles on defective carbon nitride

Aprotic lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂) batteries have gained extensive interest in the past decade, but are plagued by slow reaction kinetics and induced large-voltage hysteresis. Herein, we use a plasmonic heterojunction of Au nanoparticle (NP)–decorated C₃N₄ with nitrogen vacancies (Au/N_V-C₃N₄) as a bifunctional catalyst to promote oxygen cathode reactions of the visible light–responsive Li-O₂ battery. The nitrogen vacancies on N_V-C₃N₄ can adsorb and activate O₂ molecules, which are subsequently converted to Li₂O₂ as the discharge product by photogenerated hot electrons from plasmonic Au NPs. While charging, the holes on Au NPs drive the reverse decomposition of Li₂O₂ with a reduced applied voltage. The discharge voltage of the Li-O₂ battery with Au/N_V-C₃N₄ is significantly raised to 3.16 V under illumination, exceeding its equilibrium voltage, and the decreased charge voltage of 3.26 V has good rate capability and cycle stability. This is ascribed to the plasmonic hot electrons on Au NPs pumped from the conduction bands of N_V-C₃N₄ and the prolonged carrier life span of Au/N_V-C₃N₄. This work highlights the vital role of plasmonic enhancement and sheds light on the design of semiconductors for visible light–mediated Li-O₂ batteries and beyond.

The aprotic lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂) battery promises ultrahigh theoretical energy density (∼3,600 Wh·kg⁻¹) and is operated with oxygen reduction to generate the product of Li₂O₂ and its reverse oxidation (2Li⁺ + O₂ + 2e⁻ ↔ Li₂O₂, E⁰ = 2.96 V) (1–5). The sluggish oxygen cathode reactions, including the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), lead to a high discharge/charge overvoltage (∼1.0 V) during cycles and low round-trip efficiency (6–9). Since the pioneering work on the photoinvolved Li-O₂ battery using TiO₂ (10) or C₃N₄ (11) under ultraviolet (UV)-light irradiation, reduction of the charge/discharge overvoltage via a photomediated strategy has been extensively studied and is anticipated to solve the kinetic issues of the Li-O₂ battery (12–18). However, the light absorption of most semiconductors used is confined in the region of UV light, accounting for only ca. 4% of the solar spectrum (14–16). Expanding the light harvesting from UV to visible light is the long-term goal and challenge of photocatalysis (17–20). Simultaneously, high carrier recombination consumes the majority of photoelectrons and holes before catalyzing the targeted reactions, resulting in a mismatch between the carrier lifetime and kinetics of ORR or OER (19–21). This necessitates a structural design of semiconducting materials for visible-light harvesting to accelerate the cathode reactions in Li-O₂ batteries.Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), which refers to the collective oscillation of conduction band (CB) electrons in metal nanocrystals under resonant excitation, has recently gained much attention (22–25). The decay of excited LSPR can produce hot electrons and holes, which initiate various chemical reactions (22, 23). Intriguingly, when plasmonic metal (e.g., Au, Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) come into contact with a semiconductor such as MoS₂, TiO₂, etc., an interfacial Schottky barrier forms; this barrier functions as a filter to force the energetic electrons or holes to migrate across the interface while inhibiting their reverse movement, thereby leading to effective electron–hole separation and suppressed charge–carrier recombination (26–30). LSPR systems generally are composed of plasmonic metal and semiconductors and exhibit the benefits of a low electron–hole recombination rate, enhanced light harvesting, and tailored response wavelengths from the visible to the near-infrared region (22). Recently, Au/CdSe (31) and Au/Ni(OH)₂ (32) heterojunctions have been attempted for a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction and OER with the aid of hot electrons and holes under visible light. Coupling the plasmonic metal with suitable semiconductors for broadened light harvesting and a plasmon-enhanced effect is highly desirable for both ORR and OER in the Li-O₂ battery.Herein, we report defective C₃N₄ (Au/N_V-C₃N₄) decorated with plasmonic Au NPs as a bifunctional heterojunction catalyst that promotes cathode reactions of the Li-O₂ battery under visible light. The N_V on N_V-C₃N₄ is prone to adsorb and activate O₂, and the plasmon-excited electrons on Au migrate to the CB of N_V-C₃N₄ and relax to the N_V-induced defect band (DB) for O₂ reduction to LiO₂; then it undergoes electron reduction to Li₂O₂. Reversely, the Li₂O₂ is removed by the holes on the Au NPs driven by the applied voltage. The discharge voltage is raised to 3.16 V, and the charge voltage is lowered to 3.26 V at 0.05 mA·cm⁻² with a good rate capability and cycle stability. This investigation integrates a plasmonic heterojunction into the aprotic Li-O₂ battery and illustrates photoenergy conversion and storage under visible light.     

A high-fat maternal diet decreases adiponectin receptor-1 expression in offspring

In early life, over-nutrition may increase the risk of insulin resistance in the adult stage. Adiponectin and its receptor may play a key role in this process. This study aimed to identify the effect of a high-fat (HF) maternal diet on metabolic parameters and muscle adiponectin signaling in young adult offspring. We found that offspring born to dams fed HF chow (HF; 31% of calories from fat) had elevated body and adipose tissue weight and higher serum glucose levels after glucose challenge at three weeks (W3) and eight weeks (W8) of age. Offspring exposed to a HF diet also had higher serum adiponectin levels at W3 compared to controls. However, adiponectin levels were significantly decreased compared to controls by W8. Adiponectin receptor 1?mRNA expression in skeletal muscle was decreased in the HF group at W3 and W8, and there was no difference between the two groups in adiponectin receptor 2 expression. Furthermore, glucose transporter 4?mRNA and protein expression was decreased in the skeletal muscle of the HF group at W3 and W8. Our results suggest that a HF maternal diet decreases adiponectin receptor 1 expression in the offspring, which could contribute to reduced sensitivity to adiponectin and to adverse nutritional programing outcomes.