[Functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with preservation of pelvic stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of neurovascular bundle]

Objectives: To examine the functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of the neurovascular bundle (PEEL). Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study. Between June 1, 2022, and March 20, 2023, 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 153 cases of RARP with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure (PPSS) were included in this study. All patients were males, aged (62.5±5.2) years (range: 50 to 73 years). There were 18 cases of ≤T2b stage and 9 cases of T2c stage. After 1∶1 propensity score matching, the postoperative functional outcomes of 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 27 cases of RARP with PPSS were compared. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon and included patients were clinically staged as cT1-2N0M0 without preoperative urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. In RARP with PEEL, the prostate was cut near the midline at the front when dissecting the neurovascular bundle, dissection was performed between the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia and the prostatic fascia, preserving the parietal layer and the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia, and the neurovascular bundle was retrogradely released from the apex. The cumulative probability curve was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test was used to compare the differences in functional outcomes between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare postoperative urinary continence and sexual function. Results: The recovery time of continence and potency was significantly longer in the PPSS group than in the PEEL group (all P<0.05). The continence rate of the PEEL group was significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (92.59% vs. 68.10%, P=0.026) at 3 months after surgery. The potency rate of the PEEL group was also significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (40.70% vs. 15.10%, P=0.037) at 3 months after surgery. In the univariate analysis, compared to the PPSS technique, the PEEL technique was associated with a shorter recovery time of continence (HR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.08 to 3.48, P=0.027) and a shorter recovery time of potency (HR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.03 to 4.13, P=0.042). In the multivariate analysis, the PEEL technique was an independent prognosis factor for postoperative recovery of continence (HR=2.05, 95%CI: 1.01 to 4.17, P=0.047) and potency (HR=3.57, 95%CI: 1.43 to 8.92, P=0.007). All the cases of the PPSS group and the PEEL group were performed successfully with negative surgical margins. Conclusion: Compared with PPSS, PEEL may be more conducive to the recovery of urinary continence and sexual function after RARP.

[Cohort study on the association between hyperopia reserve and myopia incidence in primary school students: the Anyang Childhood Eye Study]

Objective: To analyze the longitudinal association between hyperopia reserve and the cumulative incidence of myopia in grade 1 primary school students. Methods: Cohort study. This study included 2 628 grade 1 primary school students (2 628 eyes) who without myopic at baseline from the Anyang Childhood Eye Study. There were 1 515 male and 1 113 female, aged(7.16±0.40) years. Every year, cycloplegic autorefraction was performed with 1% cyclopentolate eye drops to obtain data of hyperopia reserve. Students with different ranges of hyperopia reserve at baseline were analyzed. Axial length, anterior chamber depth, corneal curvature, lens thickness, and other parameters were obtained by ocular biometrics and compared by the independent sample ttest. Qualitative data were described by frequency and percentage, and comparison between groups was performed by the Chi-square test or exact probability method. Linear regression was used to analyze the association between baseline hyperopia reserve and spherical equivalent at 5 years. Results: The average hyperopia reserve was (+1.09±0.78) diopters (D) in grade 1 non-myopic children. Axial length, anterior chamber depth, corneal radius of curvature, and lens thickness were (22.66±0.72), (2.88±0.24), (7.80±0.25) and (3.62±0.19) mm, respectively. The cumulative incidence of myopia among non-myopic grade 1 primary school students was 8.5%, 21.5%, 35.6%, 47.6% and 64.1% at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively. The incidence of myopia in girls was significantly higher than that in boys at 3, 4 and 5 years. The 5-year cumulative incidence of myopia was 4.6%, 26.3%, 52.3%, 78.6%, 92.6% and 94.3%, respectively, corresponding to students with baseline hyperopia reserve of >+2.00 D,+1.50 D to +2.00 D,+1.00 D to +1.50 D,+0.50 D to +1.00 D, 0.00 D to +0.50 D and -0.50 D to 0.00 D, and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=490.59, P<0.001). The regression equation between baseline hyperopia reserve and 5-year spherical equivalent was as follows: 5-year spherical equivalent =-3.135+1.692·baseline hyperopia reserve (R²=0.454, P<0.001). Conclusions: The lower the hyperopia reserve, the higher the incidence of myopia. Monitoring children's hyperopia reserve and early protection to reduce its consumption and timely detection of children at high risk of myopia are of great significance to prevent the occurrence and development of myopia.

[A cohort study on the new infections and natural clearance of anal human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 in men who have sex with men]

Objective: To understand the infection status and elimination of anal human papillomavirus (HPV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Methods: The sample size formula in cohort study, a dynamic cohort study method, was used, with the sample size estimated to be 712 according to the new infection rate of HPV16. With the help from non-government organzitions in Urumqi, we recruited 810 MSMs by the snowballing method, and a follow-up program was carried every six months. Anal exfoliated cells were collected to analyze HPV type 16 and 18 infection rates. For statistical analyses, Poisson regression was used to estimate the density of new infections and persistent infections. Cox proportional hazard model was used to explore the influencing factors on both new and persistent infections and the diseases' natural clearing. Results: A total of 810 MSM were recruited, and 482 MSMs with the number of follow-ups more than 2 times were included in the analysis, with the total follow-up numbers as 994.7 person-years. The median number of follow-up and follow-up times was 4 (P₂₅,P₇₅:3,5) times , and 2.2 (P₂₅,P₇₅:1.8, 2.6) years. The baseline infection rates of HPV16 and HPV18 were 8.5% (41/482) and 3.3% (16/482), respectively. And the baseline mixed infection rate of the two types was 0.6% (3/482). The first new infection densities of HPV16 and HPV18 were 10.06 (95%CI:8.12-12.45)/100 person-years and 5.24 (95%CI:3.95-6.96)/100 person-years. The rate of natural infection clearance of HPV16 and HPV18 were 71.2% (89/125) and 71.8% (46/64), respectively. The natural clearance rate of HPV18 after 1.5 years follow-up was higher than HPV16 (97.7% vs. 94.1%). The persistent infection rate of HPV16 and HPV18 were 4.5% (20/441) and 1.7% (8/466), respectively. The risk of persistent HPV16 infection among unmarried subjects was lower than that of married subjects (aHR=0.29,95%CI:0.12-0.71). The natural clearance rate of HPV18 without condom use in anal intercourse in the last six months was 2.63 times higher than that of condom use (95%CI:1.08-6.42). Conclusions: HPV16 and 18 new infections are more common among MSM in Urumqi, and the natural clearance rate is higher. Compared with HPV18, HPV16 has a higher density of new and persistent infections, a low natural clearance rate, and a greater risk of the diseases.

[Active screening of intestinal carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in high-risk patients admitted to the hematology wards and its effect evaluation]

目的

观察血液科肠道碳青霉烯类耐药的肠杆菌科细菌（CRE）主动筛查患者CRE定植、感染的特征，并评价主动筛查结合加强干预在血液科患者CRE感染预防控制中的效果。

方法

以2017年3月至2019年12月血液内科接受化疗或免疫抑制治疗且预期会出现粒细胞缺乏（粒缺）的患者为研究对象，进行至少3个时间点（治疗前、治疗后粒缺期、粒缺伴发热期）的肠道CRE筛查，以2016年12月至2017年2月血液内科未开展肠道CRE主动筛查的、接受化疗或免疫抑制治疗的115例患者为历史对照组，两组患者均进行CRE感染实时监测，CRE筛查阳性者均采取接触隔离措施，CRE筛查阳性者出现发热或者感染症状时启动针对CRE联合抗生素治疗。

结果

主动筛查患者CRE定植率为16.46%（66/401）；病种分布上，以急性白血病定植率最高，为23.03%（26/113）。66例筛查阳性患者中，其中第1次筛查阳性患者为27例，占40.9%（27/66），第2次筛查阳性患者为15例，占22.7%（15/66），第3次及以后筛查阳性患者为24例，占36.4%（24/66）。CRE定植病原菌中耐碳青霉烯类肺炎克雷伯菌（CRKP）最多，占54.55%（36/66）。主动筛查患者CRE感染率（2.49%）及死亡率（50.00%）低于历史对照组的11.30%及69.23%；干预期间10例CRE血流感染患者病原菌种类与前期主动筛查病原菌完全相同，符合率为100.0%。

结论

血液科病房急性白血病患者CRE定植率最高，CRKP是CRE定植、感染的主要病原菌，提高筛查频率可以显著提高筛查阳性率，采取主动筛查并及早干预能有效降低血液科患者CRE发生率及死亡率，CRE筛查阳性病原菌与后续CRE感染病原菌符合率高。恶性血液病患者肠道CRE筛查可以对后期CRE血流感染起到预警以及优化抗菌药物使用的作用。

Overexpression of UBE2C correlates with poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) has been known as a crucial factor upregulated in various tumors. The functions of UBE2C is mainly involved in the pathway protein ubiquitination. This study investigates the expression of UBE2C in gastric cancers and its correlation with overall survival rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed to determine the expression of UBE2C in gastric cancer samples and adjacent normal tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assess the expression of UBE2C in 216 paraffin-embedded gastric cancer tissues.

RESULTS

The mRNA and relevant protein levels of UBE2C in gastric cancer tissues are significantly greater than those in the adjacent normal tissues. Also, the expression of UBE2C is found to correlate with lymphatic metastasis, serosa invasion, TNM (Malignant Tumors) staging and Lauren's classification (p<0.05). The univariate analysis shows that the overexpression of UBE2C associates with poor prognosis (p=0.001). The multivariate analysis demonstrates that expression of UBE2C, lymphatic metastasis, and TNM staging are independent prognostic indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that overexpression of UBE2C contributes to the development of gastric cancer, and UBE2C has the potential to be exploited as a therapeutic target.

Rotating Atomic Quantum Gases with Light-Induced Azimuthal Gauge Potentials and the Observation of the Hess-Fairbank Effect

We demonstrate synthetic azimuthal gauge potentials for Bose-Einstein condensates from engineering atom-light couplings. The gauge potential is created by adiabatically loading the condensate into the lowest energy Raman-dressed state, achieving a coreless vortex state. The azimuthal gauge potentials act as effective rotations and are tunable by the Raman coupling and detuning. We characterize the spin textures of the dressed states, in agreements with the theory. The lowest energy dressed state is stable with a 4.5-s half-atom-number-fraction lifetime. In addition, we exploit the azimuthal gauge potential to demonstrate the Hess-Fairbank effect, the analogue of Meissner effect in superconductors. The atoms in the absolute ground state has a zero quasiangular momentum and transits into a polar-core vortex when the synthetic magnetic flux is tuned to exceed a critical value. Our demonstration serves as a paradigm to create topological excitations by tailoring atom-light interactions where both types of SO(3) vortices in the |⟨F[over →]⟩|=1 manifold, coreless vortices and polar-core vortices, are created in our experiment. The gauge field in the stationary Hamiltonian opens a path to investigating rotation properties of atomic superfluids under thermal equilibrium.

Overexpression of UBE2C correlates with poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) has been known as a crucial factor upregulated in various tumors. The functions of UBE2C is mainly involved in the pathway protein ubiquitination. This study investigates the expression of UBE2C in gastric cancers and its correlation with overall survival rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed to determine the expression of UBE2C in gastric cancer samples and adjacent normal tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assess the expression of UBE2C in 216 paraffin-embedded gastric cancer tissues.

RESULTS

The mRNA and relevant protein levels of UBE2C in gastric cancer tissues are significantly greater than those in the adjacent normal tissues. Also, the expression of UBE2C is found to correlate with lymphatic metastasis, serosa invasion, TNM (Malignant Tumors) staging and Lauren's classification (p<0.05). The univariate analysis shows that the overexpression of UBE2C associates with poor prognosis (p=0.001). The multivariate analysis demonstrates that expression of UBE2C, lymphatic metastasis, and TNM staging are independent prognostic indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that overexpression of UBE2C contributes to the development of gastric cancer, and UBE2C has the potential to be exploited as a therapeutic target.

[Effect of calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) inhibitor in reducing hepatocyte lipoapoptosis and improving insulin resistance]

Objective: To investigate the effect of calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)) inhibitor in reducing hepatocyte lipoapoptosis and improving insulin resistance. Methods: A total of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following three groups: 12 rats in group I (normal control group) were given normal diet for 18 weeks; 8 rats in group II (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease model group) were given high-fat diet for 18 weeks; 8 rats in group III (iPLA(2) inhibitor group) were given high-fat diet for 18 weeks and intraperitoneal injection of the iPLA(2) inhibitor bromoenol lactone 150 μg/kg once every other day since week 15 (14 times of injection in total). All the rats were sacrificed at the same time, and body weight and liver weight were measured. Blood lipids, serum enzymes, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, free fatty acid, and serum iPLA(2) concentration were measured in each group, and liver pathological changes were evaluated. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling was used to measure the level of hepatocyte apoptosis and the apoptotic index was calculated. Quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of iPLA(2). The Student-Newman-Keuls test and the chi-square test were used for comparison of parameters between groups I, II, and III. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Compared with group I, group II had significant increases in triglyceride (0.75±0.05 mmol/L vs 1.20±0.13 mmol/L, P < 0.05), cholesterol (1.50±0.12 mmol/L vs 2.94±0.34 mmol/L, P < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein (0.65±0.06 mmol/L vs 1.30±0.16 mmol/L, P < 0.05), free fatty acid (0.58±0.09 mEq/L vs 0.80±0.20 mEq/L, P < 0.05), fasting blood glucose (4.85±0.22 mmol/L vs 6.94±0.65 mmol/L, P < 0.05), and fasting insulin (0.89±0.52 mmol/L vs 1.29±0.52 mmol/L, P < 0.05), and a significant reduction in the insulin sensitivity index (0.52±0.21 vs 0.27±0.11, P < 0.05); group II also had significant inflammation and fatty degeneration shown by liver pathology, and compared with group I, group II had significant increases in apoptotic cells and apoptotic index (0.58%±0.17% vs 39.69%±4.96%, P < 0.05). Compared with group I, group II had significant increases in serum iPLA(2) concentration (2.92±0.08 ng/ml vs 3.28±0.14 ng/ml, P < 0.05) and the mRNA expression of iPLA(2) in the liver (1.07±0.18 vs 7.68±0.49, P < 0.05). Compared with group II, group III had a lower level of hepatocyte apoptosis, a significant reduction in apoptotic index (39.69%±4.96% vs 24.80%±2.53%, P < 0.05), significant reductions in serum iPLA(2) concentration (3.28±0.14 ng/ml vs 2.64±0.24 ng/ml, P < 0.05) and the mRNA expression of iPLA(2) in the liver (7.68±0.49 vs 2.60±0.36, P < 0.05), significant reductions in fasting insulin (1.29±0.52 mmol/L vs 0.80±0.09 mmol/L, P < 0.05) and fasting blood glucose (6.94±0.65 mmol/L vs 5.18±0.35 mmol/L, P < 0.05), and a significant increase in insulin sensitivity index (0.27±0.11 vs 0.45±0.09, P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a significant increase in the expression of iPLA(2) in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and iPLA2 inhibitor can reduce hepatocyte lipoapoptosis and improve insulin resistance.

Development of a fuzzy-stochastic programming with Green Z-score criterion method for planning water resources systems with a trading mechanism

This study developed a fuzzy-stochastic programming with Green Z-score criterion (FSGZ) method for water resources allocation and water quality management with a trading-mechanism (WAQT) under uncertainties. FSGZ can handle uncertainties expressed as probability distributions, and it can also quantify objective/subjective fuzziness in the decision-making process. Risk-averse attitudes and robustness coefficient are joined to express the relationship between the expected target and outcome under various risk preferences of decision makers and systemic robustness. The developed method is applied to a real-world case of WAQT in the Kaidu-Kongque River Basin in northwest China, where an effective mechanism (e.g., market trading) to simultaneously confront severely diminished water availability and degraded water quality is required. Results of water transaction amounts, water allocation patterns, pollution mitigation schemes, and system benefits under various scenarios are analyzed, which indicate that a trading-mechanism is a more sustainable method to manage water-environment crisis in the study region. Additionally, consideration of anthropogenic (e.g., a risk-averse attitude) and systemic factors (e.g., the robustness coefficient) can support the generation of a robust plan associated with risk control for WAQT when uncertainty is present. These findings assist local policy and decision makers to gain insights into water-environment capacity planning to balance the basin's social and economic growth with protecting the region's ecosystems.

Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in diagnosing neonatal septicemia

Neonatal septicemia (NS) is a common cause of death of newborn infants, hence early diagnosis and treatment are of the utmost importance. However, lack of specific clinical symptoms and late detection delay a correct diagnosis. It is therefore of great importance to establish auxiliary indexes for the early diagnosis of NS. To evaluate the value of interleukin (IL-6 and IL-8) in the diagnosis of NS, a prospective study was carried out. Seventy-five newborns who developed septicemia and received treatment in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2014 were selected as research subjects; also, 50 healthy newborns were set as a control group. The levels of serum IL-6 and IL-8 were compared between the two groups. Results demonstrated that levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and IL-8 of the septicemia group were higher than those of the control group on admission, although the difference had no statistical significance (P less than 0.05); the septicemia group had higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores but lower pediatric critical illness scores (PCIS) compared to the control group (P less than 0.05); levels of CRP, IL-6 and IL-8 were in positive correlation to the SOFA scores and in negative correlation to PCIS. Analysis of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve demonstrated that the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 85.7%, 80.2% and 81.8%, respectively, when IL-6 level was set as 32 pg/mL, 78.1%, 64.2% and 66.9%, respectively when IL-8 level was set as 54 pg/mL, and 71.4%, 86.3% and 82.7% respectively, when detection of IL-6 and IL-8 were combined together. Hence it can be concluded that: IL-6 and IL-8 are involved in inflammatory reactions; levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were correlated to the severity of the infection; the value of IL-6 is higher than that of IL-8 in the diagnosis of neonatal septicemia and the combined detection of IL-6 and IL-8 can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of neonatal septicemia.

Proteomic analysis of susceptibility in intestinal stromal tumors

We analyzed the susceptibility of intestinal stromal tumors using cell culture and proteomics. Human SGC7901 gastric cells were selected and divided into a blank control group (untransfected SGC7901 cells), a negative control group [SGC7901 cells transfected with negative interference control-small interfering RNA (siRNA)], and a COOH-terminus tensin-like molecule (CTEN)-siRNA-1 group (SGC7901 cells transfected with CTEN-siRNA-1). The cells were successfully transfected and subjected to analyses of cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell invasion, CTEN expression, and proteomics. The percentages of cells in the G0/G1, S, and G2/M phases were similar in the three groups (P > 0.05), and the OD values were also similar at 24, 48, and 72 h (P > 0.05). Compared with the levels in the blank and negative control groups, CTEN protein in the CTEN-siRNA-1 group decreased by 66 and 65%, respectively, and significantly fewer cells in the CTEN-siRNA-1 group were capable of invasion (P < 0.05). Proteomic analysis showed that in the CTEN-siRNA-1 group, 283 proteins were upregulated and 242 were downregulated; from these, the expression levels of E-cadherin and ERK proteins changed significantly. Silencing the expression of CTEN in intestinal stromal tumor cells reduces their invasion capability. Moreover, silencing CTEN at different stages can also regulate the expression levels of E-cadherin and ERK proteins.

Probing angular correlations in sequential double ionization

We study electron correlation in sequential double ionization of noble gas atoms and HCl in intense, femtosecond laser pulses. We measure the photoelectron angular distributions of Ne+ relative to the first electron in a pump-probe experiment with 8 fs, 800 nm, circularly polarized laser pulses at a peak intensity of a few 10(15)  W/cm2. Using a linear-linear pump-probe setup, we further study He, Ar, and HCl. We find a clear angular correlation between the two ionization steps in the sequential double ionization intensity regime.

Porous hydroxyapatite reinforced with collagen protein

Porous hydroxyapatite (HAP) with certain porosity and pore size was prepared, and incorporated with bovine collagen protein. The composition and structure of the HAP was confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and ICP. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), mechanical tests and in vitro degradation were performed. Collagen protein with low antigenicity was obtained from bovine tendon by enzyme digestion, and was then forced to fill in the HAP matrix to form composites. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Mechanical tests and in vitro degradation were performed. The test results show that first, HAP thus made has specific pore size and directions; second, mechanical properties of the composites have been markedly improved; third, the in vitro degradation rate of the composite is almost the same as and mainly controlled by the degradation rate of collagen.

Solid-state reaction between sulfadiazine and acetylsalicylic acid

Kinetic data for the solid-state reaction of sulfadiazine and acetylsalicylic acid are presented. A compaction method was used to observe the influence of applied pressure, particle size, and temperature on the reaction rate.

[Renal function in chronic cor pulmonale monitored with beta 2-microglobulin]

Serum and urine levels of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG) were measured with radioimmune assay in 40 chronic cor pulmonale patients (52 episodes) and 26 normal controls. The results showed that the serum and urine levels of beta 2-MG were 2.01 +/- 0.47 mg/L and 0.10 +/- 0.08 mg/L respectively, in the normal controls, while in the cor pulmonale group 3.86 +/- 1.58 mg/L and 0.66 +/- 0.34 mg/L respectively, with statistical significance (P less than 0.001, less than 0.005). It was shown that there was a positive correlation between the levels of serum and urine beta 2-MG and PaCO2 and a negative correlation between the levels of serum and urine beta 2-MG and PaO2. The results indicated that determination of serum and urine beta 2-MG could be used in the early detection of the renal impairment in chronic cor pulmonale. The predisposing factors of renal dysfunction in cor pulmonale were also discussed.