ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore the therapeutic effects of orthokeratology lens combined with 0.01% atropine eye drops on juvenile myopia. Methods: A total of 340 patients with juvenile myopia (340 eyes) treated from 2018 to December 2020 were divided into the control group (170 cases with 170 eyes, orthokeratology lens) and observation group (170 cases with 170 eyes, orthokeratology lens combined with 0.01% atropine eye drops). The best-corrected distance visual acuity, best-corrected near visual acuity, diopter, axial length, amplitude of accommodation, bright pupil diameter, dark pupil diameter, tear-film lipid layer thickness, and tear break-up time were measured before treatment and after 1 year of treatment. The incidence of adverse reactions was observed. Results: Compared with the values before treatment, the spherical equivalent degree was significantly improved by 0.22 (0.06, 0.55) D and 0.40 (0.15, 0.72) D in the observation and control groups after the treatment, respectively (p<0.01). After the treatment, the axial length was significantly increased by (0.15 ± 0.12) mm and (0.24 ± 0.11) mm in the observation and control groups, respectively, (p<0.01). After the treatment, the amplitude of accommodation significantly declined in the observation group and was lower than that in the control group, whereas both bright and dark pupil diameters significantly increase and were larger than those in the control group (p<0.01). After the treatment, the tear-film lipid layer thickness and tear break-up time significantly declined in the two groups (p<0.01). Conclusions: Orthokeratology lens combined with 0.01% atropine eye drops can synergistically enhance the control effect on juvenile myopia with high safety.

RESUMO Objetivo: Explorar os efeitos terapêuticos das lentes de ortoceratologia combinados com colírio atropina 0,01% em miopia juvenil. Métodos: Um total de 340 pacientes com miopia juvenil (340 olhos) tratados entre 2018 e Dezembro de 2020 foram divididos em Grupo Controle (170 casos com 170 olhos, lentes de ortoceratologia) e Grupo Observação (170 casos com 170 olhos, lentes de ortoceratologia combinadas com colírio atropina 0,01%). A acuidade visual melhor corrigida para longe, acuidade visual melhor corrigida para perto, dioptria, comprimento axial, amplitude de acomodação, diâmetro da pupila brilhante, diâmetro da pupila escura, espessura da camada lipídica da película lacrimal e tempo de ruptura do rasgo foram medidos antes do tratamento e 1 ano depois. A incidência de reações adversas foi observada. Resultados: Antes do tratamento, o grau esférico equivalente foi significativamente melhorado em 0,22 (0,06, 0,55) D e 0,40 (0,15, 0,72) D respectivamente no Grupo Observação e no Grupo Controle após o tratamento (p<0,01). Após tratamento, o comprimento axial foi significativamente aumentado em (0,15 ± 0,12) mm e (0,24 ± 0,11) mm respectivamente nos Grupos Observação e controle (p<0,01), enquanto, no grupo de observação, a amplitude de acomodação diminuiu significativamente e foi inferior a do Grupo Controle, e o diâmetro da pupila brilhante e o diâmetro da pupila escura aumentaram significativamente e foram maiores do que os do Grupo Controle (p<0,01). A espessura da camada lipídica da película lacrimal e o tempo de ruptura do rasgo diminuíram significativamente nos dois grupos (p<0,01) após o tratamento. Conclusões: As lentes de ortoceratologia combinadas com colírio atropina 0,01% podem melhorar significativamente o efeito controle em miopia juvenil com elevada segurança.

RESUMO Objetivo: Explorar os efeitos terapêuticos das lentes de ortoceratologia combinados com colírio atropina 0,01% em miopia juvenil. Métodos: Um total de 340 pacientes com miopia juvenil (340 olhos) tratados entre 2018 e Dezembro de 2020 foram divididos em Grupo Controle (170 casos com 170 olhos, lentes de ortoceratologia) e Grupo Observação (170 casos com 170 olhos, lentes de ortoceratologia combinadas com colírio atropina 0,01%). A acuidade visual melhor corrigida para longe, acuidade visual melhor corrigida para perto, dioptria, comprimento axial, amplitude de acomodação, diâmetro da pupila brilhante, diâmetro da pupila escura, espessura da camada lipídica da película lacrimal e tempo de ruptura do rasgo foram medidos antes do tratamento e 1 ano depois. A incidência de reações adversas foi observada. Resultados: Antes do tratamento, o grau esférico equivalente foi significativamente melhorado em 0,22 (0,06, 0,55) D e 0,40 (0,15, 0,72) D respectivamente no Grupo Observação e no Grupo Controle após o tratamento (p<0,01). Após tratamento, o comprimento axial foi significativamente aumentado em (0,15 ± 0,12) mm e (0,24 ± 0,11) mm respectivamente nos Grupos Observação e controle (p<0,01), enquanto, no grupo de observação, a amplitude de acomodação diminuiu significativamente e foi inferior a do Grupo Controle, e o diâmetro da pupila brilhante e o diâmetro da pupila escura aumentaram significativamente e foram maiores do que os do Grupo Controle (p<0,01). A espessura da camada lipídica da película lacrimal e o tempo de ruptura do rasgo diminuíram significativamente nos dois grupos (p<0,01) após o tratamento. Conclusões: As lentes de ortoceratologia combinadas com colírio atropina 0,01% podem melhorar significativamente o efeito controle em miopia juvenil com elevada segurança.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore the therapeutic effects of orthokeratology lens combined with 0.01% atropine eye drops on juvenile myopia. Methods: A total of 340 patients with juvenile myopia (340 eyes) treated from 2018 to December 2020 were divided into the control group (170 cases with 170 eyes, orthokeratology lens) and observation group (170 cases with 170 eyes, orthokeratology lens combined with 0.01% atropine eye drops). The best-corrected distance visual acuity, best-corrected near visual acuity, diopter, axial length, amplitude of accommodation, bright pupil diameter, dark pupil diameter, tear-film lipid layer thickness, and tear break-up time were measured before treatment and after 1 year of treatment. The incidence of adverse reactions was observed. Results: Compared with the values before treatment, the spherical equivalent degree was significantly improved by 0.22 (0.06, 0.55) D and 0.40 (0.15, 0.72) D in the observation and control groups after the treatment, respectively (p<0.01). After the treatment, the axial length was significantly increased by (0.15 ± 0.12) mm and (0.24 ± 0.11) mm in the observation and control groups, respectively, (p<0.01). After the treatment, the amplitude of accommodation significantly declined in the observation group and was lower than that in the control group, whereas both bright and dark pupil diameters significantly increase and were larger than those in the control group (p<0.01). After the treatment, the tear-film lipid layer thickness and tear break-up time significantly declined in the two groups (p<0.01). Conclusions: Orthokeratology lens combined with 0.01% atropine eye drops can synergistically enhance the control effect on juvenile myopia with high safety.

Abstract The lithology and thickness of the rock beam affect its mechanical properties and acoustic emission characteristics when it is fractured. In this study, three-point bending tests of rock beams were carried out. Then, we proposed to utilize the percentage of peak energy to characterize the intensity of energy release during fracture. Finally, the energy release mechanism of coal roof fracture was discussed. The evolution process of acoustic emission includes five stages. The acoustic emission amplitude distribution of rock beams has three typical patterns. Most of the cracks after fracture are tensile cracks, the proportion of tensile cracks is positively correlated with the elastic modulus. The percentage of peak energy is positively correlated with thickness and elastic modulus. More energy is released when thick and hard roof fractures. When necessary, measures such as reducing the thickness or the strength of the roof could be taken to improve the safety of mining.

ABSTRACT Sarcopenia, a concept reflecting the loss of skeletal muscle mass, was reported to be associated with the prognosis of several tumors. However, the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with renal cancer remains unclear. We carried out this metaanalysis and systematic review to evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with renal cell carcinomas. We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to December 2018. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled together. A total of 5 studies consisting of 771 patients were enrolled in this quantitative analysis, 347 (45.0%) of which had sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had a worse OS compared with those without sarcopenia (HR=1.76; 95%CI, 1.35-2.31; P <0.001). In the subgroup of patients with localized and advanced/metastatic diseases, sarcopenia was also associated with poor OS (HR=1.48, P=0.039; HR=2.14, P <0.001; respectively). With a limited sample size, we did not observe difference of PFS between two groups (HR=1.56, 95% CI, 0.69-3.50, P=0.282). In the present meta-analysis, we observed that patients with sarcopenia had a worse OS compared with those without sarcopenia in RCC. Larger, preferably prospective studies, are needed to confirm and update our findings.

ABSTRACT Although urological diseases are not directly related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), urologists need to make comprehensive plans for this disease. Urological conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and tumors are very common in elderly patients. This group of patients is often accompanied by underlying comorbidities or immune dysfunction. They are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and they tend to have severe manifestations. Although fever can occur along with urological infections, it is actually one of the commonest symptoms of COVID-19; urologists must always maintain a high index of suspicion in their clinical practices. As a urological surgeon, how we can protect medical staff during surgery is a major concern. Our hospital had early adoption of a series of strict protective and control measures, and was able to avoid cross-infection and outbreak of COVID-19. This paper discusses the effective measures that can be useful when dealing with urological patients with COVID-19.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Mycobacterium vaccae on Jagged 1 and gamma delta T17 (γδT17) cells in asthmatic mice. An asthma mouse model was established through immunization with ovalbumin (OVA). Gamma-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) was used to block the Notch signaling pathway. M. vaccae was used to treat asthma, and related indicators were measured. Blocking Notch signaling inhibited the production of γδT17 cells and secretion of cytokine interleukin (IL)-17, which was accompanied by a decrease in Jagged1 mRNA and protein expression in the treated asthma group compared with the untreated asthma group. Similarly, treatment with M. vaccae inhibited Jagged1 expression and γδT17 cell production, which was associated with decreased airway inflammation and reactivity. The Notch signaling pathway may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma through the induction of Jagged1 receptor. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of M. vaccae on Jagged1 receptor in γδT17 cells could be used for the prevention and treatment of asthma.

Abstract The pericarp of Trapa natans L., an annual aquatic floating herb belonging to Lythraceae family, is used as a folk medicine in China. In this study, extracts of Trapa natans pericarp were tested both in vitro and in vivo through a high-fat diet with a single medium dosage streptozotocin injection induced type 2 diabetic mice. Different solvent extracts of Trapa natans pericarp showed α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. After four weeks administration, the ethyl acetate extract of Trapa natans pericarp (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w.) reduced fasting blood glucose level, ameliorated oral glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, improved serum lipids alterations in type 2 diabetic mice as well. Additionally, ethyl acetate extract significantly elevated the insulin receptor substrate 1 and Akt serine/threonine kinase phosphorylation compared to diabetic group. HPLC-MS and HPLC-DAD analysis showed that the ethyl acetate extract was rich in hydrolysable tannins. Results support the notion that Trapa natans pericarp extract has a potential hypoglycemic activity.

The influence of temperature on devulcanization of waste sidewall rubber via supercritical ethanol was investigated. The effect of parameters on devulcanizing process was analyzed by a full factorial experimental design. The devulcanized products at different temperatures were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry. In addition, the kinetics analysis for the devulcanizing process via supercritical ethanol was established. It was found that the reaction temperature was the only significant parameter. When the temperature rose above 240 ºC, the reaction rate increased dramatically. A special phenomenon was observed that the devulcanizing reaction rate of natural rubber (NR) was faster than that of butadiene rubber (BR) in supercritical ethanol. Moreover, when the reaction temperature reached 270 ºC, the use of the devulcanizing reagent did not significantly affect the sol fraction. The analysis of experimental results indicated that supercritical ethanol beyond the critical temperature could strongly promote the devulcanizing reaction, maintaining polymer structure of products as the most intact state.

In this work, thermal properties and kinetics of Al-nanoparticles/α-MnO2 nanorods thermite were reported. The α-MnO2 nanorods were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), then combined with Al nanoparticles based on the ultrasonic mixing method to prepare the nanostructure thermite. Besides, both pure components and mixture were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) to observe their morphologies and structures. Subsequently, the thermal properties of Al/α-MnO2 nanostructure thermite were studied on the basis of thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). According to the TG-DSC tests, the calculation results of activation energy for kinetics of Al/α-MnO2 thermite were obtained using different isoconversional methods. It was found that Al/α-MnO2 nanostructure thermite has high heat release and low onset temperature, and the heat release of the nanostructure thermite was approximately 1146.6 J g -1.

A simple and rapid high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was developed for simultaneous quantification of three chemical types of bioactive compounds including an alkaloid (epigoitrin), six nucleosides (uracil, cytidine, hypoxanthine, uridine, guanosine and adenosine), and four phenylpropanoids (syringin, clemastanin B, indigoticoside A and isolariciresinol) in Radix Isatidis and its relevant pharmaceutical dosage forms. The developed method was successfully applied to analyze 32 batches of samples with good linearity (R2, 0.9966-0.9999), precisions (relative standard deviation (RSD), 0.24-4.61%), repeatability (RSD, 0.39-4.93%), stability (RSD, 1.18-4.29%) and recovery (range, 95.4-104.6%) of the eleven compounds. The limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) of the method ranged 0.0383-0.1744 and 0.1550-0.5467 µg mL-1, respectively. The results indicated that the newly established HPLC-DAD method was sensitive, precise, accurate and reproducible. It could be applied to the quality control of Radix Isatidis and its relevant pharmaceutical dosage forms.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum HA and LN as serum markers for predicting significant fibrosis in CHB patients. METHODS: Serum HA and LN levels of 87 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 19 blood donors were assayed by RIA. Liver fibrosis stages were determined according to the Metavir scoring-system. The diagnostic performances of all indexes were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Serum HA and LN concentrations increased significantly with the stage of hepatic fibrosis, which showed positive correlation with the stages of liver fibrosis (HA: r = 0.875, p < 0.001; LN: r = 0.610, p < 0.001). There were significant differences of serum HA and LN levels between F2-4 group in comparison with those in F0-F1 group (p < 0.001) and controls (p < 0.001), respectively. From ROC curves, 185.3 ng/mL as the optimal cut-off value of serum HA for diagnosis of significant fibrosis, giving its sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, LR+, LR- and AC of 84.2%, 83.3%, 90.6%, 73.5%, 5.04, 0.19 and 83.9, respectively. While 132.7 ng/mL was the optimal cut-off value of serum LN, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, LR+, LR- and AC were 71.9%, 80.0%, 87.2%, 60.0%, 3.59%, 0.35% and 74.7, respectively. Combinations of HA and LN by serial tests showed a perfect specificity and PPV of 100%, at the same time sensitivity declined to 63.2% and LR+ increased to 18.9, while parallel tests revealed a good sensitivity of 94.7%, NPV to 86.4%, and LR- declined to 0.08. CONCLUSIONS: Serum HA and LN concentrations showed positive correlation with the stages of liver fibrosis. Detection of serum HA and LN in predicting significant fibrosis showed good diagnostic performance, which would be further optimized by combination of the two indices. HA and LN would be clinically useful serum markers for predicting significant fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B, when liver biopsy is contraindicated.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of a recently developed rapid test - a colloidal dye immunofiltration assay (CDIFA) - used by health workers in field settings to identify villagers infected with Schistosoma japonicum. METHODS: Health workers in the field used CDIFA to test samples from 1553 villagers in two areas of low endemicity and an area where S. japonicum was not endemic in Anhui, China. All the samples were then tested in the laboratory by laboratory staff using a standard parasitological method (Kato-Katz), an indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), and CDIFA. The results of CDIFA performed by health workers were compared with those obtained by Kato-Katz and IHA. FINDINGS: Concordance between the results of CDIFA performed in field settings and in the laboratory was high (kappa index, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-0.97). When Kato-Katz was used as the reference test, the overall sensitivity and specificity of CDIFA were 98.5% and 83.6%, respectively in the two villages in areas of low endemicity, while the specificity was 99.8% in the non-endemic village. Compared with IHA, the overall specificity and sensitivity of CDIFA were greater than 99% and 96%, respectively. With the combination of Kato-Katz and IHA as the reference standard, CDIFA had a sensitivity of 95.8% and a specificity of 99.5%, and an accuracy of 98.6% in the two areas of low endemicity. CONCLUSION: CDIFA is a specific, sensitive, and reliable test that can be used for rapid screening for schistosomiasis by health workers in field settings.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la validez de una prueba rápida desarrollada recientemente -prueba de inmunofiltración con colorante coloidal (PICC)- y empleada por agentes de salud sobre el terreno para identificar a los lugareños infectados por Schistosoma japonicum. MÉTODOS: Agentes de salud sobre el terreno utilizaron la PICC para analizar muestras de 1553 lugareños en dos zonas de baja endemicidad y una zona sin S. japonicum endémica de Anhui, China. Todas las muestras fueron analizadas en el laboratorio por personal técnico utilizando un método parasitológico estándar (Kato-Katz), una prueba de hemaglutinación indirecta (IHA) y la PICC. Los resultados de la PICC llevada a cabo por los agentes de salud fueron comparados con los obtenidos mediante las técnicas de Kato-Katz e IHA. RESULTADOS: Se observó una elevada concordancia entre los resultados de la PICC aplicada sobre el terreno y la practicada en el laboratorio (índice kappa = 0,95; intervalo de confianza del 95% = 0,93-0,97). Cuando se utilizó el método Kato-Katz como prueba de referencia, la sensibilidad y la especificidad generales de la PICC fueron de un 98,5% y un 83,6%, respectivamente, en las dos aldeas de las zonas de endemicidad baja, mientras que la especificidad fue del 99,8% en la aldea sin endemicidad. En comparación con la IHA, la especificidad y la sensibilidad generales de la PICC superaron el 99% y el 96%, respectivamente. Utilizando la combinación de Kato-Katz e IHA como referencia, la PICC presentó una sensibilidad del 95,8% y una especificidad del 99,5%, con una precisión del 98,6%, en las dos zonas de endemicidad baja. CONCLUSIÓN: La PICC constituye una prueba específica, sensible y fiable, que se presta a ser utilizada por los agentes de salud sobre el terreno para el cribado rápido de la esquistosomiasis.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer la validité d'un test diagnostique rapide (CDIFA) récemment mis au point, faisant appel à un colorant colloïdal et à la technique d'immunofiltration et destiné au dépistage sur le terrain par des agents de santé de Schistosoma japonicum chez les villageois. MÉTHODES: Des agents de santé présents sur le terrain ont appliqué le test CDIFA à des prélèvements effectués sur 1553 villageois provenant de deux zones de faible endémicité de la schistosomiase sino-japonaise et d'une zone où cette maladie n'est pas endémique, appartenant à la province d'Anhui, en Chine. Tous ces prélèvements ont ensuite été analysés en laboratoire par du personnel spécialisé utilisant une technique de diagnostic parasitologique classique (technique de Kato), la technique d'hémagglutination indirecte (IHA) et le test CDIFA. Les résultats des tests CDIFA effectués par les agents de santé ont été comparés à ceux obtenus par la technique de Kato et par hémagglutination indirecte. RÉSULTATS: Le taux de concordance entre les résultats des tests CDIFA effectués sur le terrain et en laboratoire est élevé (indice kappa : 0,95, intervalle de confiance à 95 % : 0,93- 0,97). Si l'on utilise la technique Kato comme référence, on parvient à une sensibilité et à une spécificité globales pour le test CDIFA de 98,5 % et de 83,6 % respectivement dans les deux villages situés en zones de faible endémicité, ainsi qu'à une spécificité de 99,8 % dans le village exempt de schistosomiase sino-japonaise à l'état endémique. Par comparaison avec la technique d'hémagglutination indirecte (IHA), la spécificité et la sensibilité globales du test CDIFA sont respectivement supérieures à 99 et 96 %. Si l'on se réfère à une combinaison de la technique KATO et de la technique d'hémagglutination indirecte, on obtient pour le test CDIFA une sensibilité de 95,8 % et une spécificité de 99,5 %, ainsi qu'une précision de 98,6 % dans les deux zones d'endémicité. CONCLUSION: Le test CDIFA offre une méthode spécifique, sensible et fiable permettant le dépistage rapide sur le terrain de la schistosomiase par les agents de santé.