Risk of Bias Tool in Systematic Reviews/Meta-Analyses of Acupuncture in Chinese Journals

BACKGROUND: Use of a risk of bias (ROB) tool has been encouraged and advocated to reviewers writing systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs). Selective outcome reporting and other sources of bias are included in the Cochrane ROB tool. It is important to know how this specific tool for assessing ROB has been applied since its release. Our objectives were to evaluate whether and to what extent the new Cochrane ROB tool has been used in Chinese journal papers of acupuncture. METHODS: We searched CBM, TCM database, CJFD, CSJD, and the Wanfang Database from inception to March 2011. Two reviewers independently selected SRs that primarily focused on acupuncture and moxibustion, from which the data was extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 836 SRs were identified from the search, of which, 105 were included and four are awaiting assessment. Thirty-six of the 105 SRs were published before release of the Cochrane ROB tool (up to 2009). Most used the Cochrane Handbook 4.2 or Jadad's scale for risk or quality assessment. From 2009 to March 2011 69 SRs were identified. While "risk of bias" was reported for approximately two-thirds of SRs, only two SRs mentioned use of a "risk of bias tool" in their assessment. Only 5.8% (4/69) of reviews reported information on all six domains which are involved in the ROB tool. A risk of bias graph/summary figure was provided in 2.9% (2/69) of reviews. Most SRs gave information about sequence generation, allocation concealment, blindness, and incomplete outcome data, however, few reviews (5.8%; 4/69) described selective reporting or other potential sources of bias. CONCLUSIONS: The Cochrane "risk of bias" tool has not been used in all SRs/MAs of acupuncture published in Chinese Journals after 2008. When the ROB tool was used, reporting of relevant information was often incomplete

Combination of machine learning-based bulk and single-cell genomics reveals necroptosis-related molecular subtypes and immunological features in autism spectrum disorder

BackgroundNecroptosis is a novel form of controlled cell death that contributes to the progression of various illnesses. Nonetheless, the function and significance of necroptosis in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) remain unknown and require further investigation.MethodsWe utilized single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) data to assess the expression patterns of necroptosis in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on 159 necroptosis-related genes. We identified differentially expressed NRGs and used an unsupervised clustering approach to divide ASD children into distinct molecular subgroups. We also evaluated immunological infiltrations and immune checkpoints using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Characteristic NRGs, identified by the LASSO, RF, and SVM-RFE algorithms, were utilized to construct a risk model. Moreover, functional enrichment, immune infiltration, and CMap analysis were further explored. Additionally, external validation was performed using RT-PCR analysis.ResultsBoth snRNA-seq and bulk transcriptome data demonstrated a greater necroptosis score in ASD children. Among these cell subtypes, excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, and endothelials displayed the highest activity of necroptosis. Children with ASD were categorized into two subtypes of necroptosis, and subtype2 exhibited higher immune activity. Four characteristic NRGs (TICAM1, CASP1, CAPN1, and CHMP4A) identified using three machine learning algorithms could predict the onset of ASD. Nomograms, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) based on 3-NRG have been shown to have clinical benefit in children with ASD. Furthermore, necroptosis-based riskScore was found to be positively associated with immune activation. Finally, RT-PCR demonstrated differentially expressed of these four NRGs in human peripheral blood samples.ConclusionA comprehensive identification of necroptosis may shed light on the underlying pathogenic process driving ASD onset. The classification of necroptosis subtypes and construction of a necroptosis-related risk model may yield significant insights for the individualized treatment of children with ASD

A protocol of Chinese expert consensuses for the management of health risk in the general public

IntroductionNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Robust evidence has demonstrated that modifiable lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity are the primary causes of NCDs. Although a series of guidelines for the management of NCDs have been published in China, these guidelines mainly focus on clinical practice targeting clinicians rather than the general population, and the evidence for NCD prevention based on modifiable lifestyle factors has been disorganized. Therefore, comprehensive and evidence-based guidance for the risk management of major NCDs for the general Chinese population is urgently needed. To achieve this overarching aim, we plan to develop a series of expert consensuses covering 15 major NCDs on health risk management for the general Chinese population. The objectives of these consensuses are (1) to identify and recommend suitable risk assessment methods for the Chinese population; and (2) to make recommendations for the prevention of major NCDs by integrating the current best evidence and experts’ opinions.Methods and analysisFor each expert consensus, we will establish a consensus working group comprising 40–50 members. Consensus questions will be formulated by integrating literature reviews, expert opinions, and an online survey. Systematic reviews will be considered as the primary evidence sources. We will conduct new systematic reviews if there are no eligible systematic reviews, the methodological quality is low, or the existing systematic reviews have been published for more than 3 years. We will evaluate the quality of evidence and make recommendations according to the GRADE approach. The consensuses will be reported according to the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT)

A rare, large, well-differentiated liposarcoma in the hypopharynx of a female: A case report

A liposarcoma is a common soft tissue sarcoma found in adults; however, liposarcomas in the hypopharynx are extremely rare. Here, we report a large liposarcoma originating from the piriform sinus in a female; this is the fifth reported liposarcoma of the hypopharynx in a female, and the first (to our knowledge) liposarcoma in a female that was larger than 20 cm in its largest diameter. The mass was removed using suspension laryngoscopy and diagnosed as a well-differentiated liposarcoma. No recurrence was evident 14 months after surgery. Keywords: Liposarcoma, Hypopharynx, Piriform sinus, Endoscop

Predicting adsorption isotherms of organic micropollutants by high-silica zeolite mixtures

One framework type of high-silica zeolite only can effectively remove a limited range of organic micropollutants (OMPs) from water. In order to extend the OMP removal range, different types of high-silica zeolites need to be combined in the adsorption process. In this study, Mordernite (MOR) and ZSM-5 (MFI) high-silica zeolite powders were mixed in different mass ratios. The removal performances of eight OMPs by zeolite mixtures, as well as single MOR and MFI zeolites, were evaluated through batch adsorption experiments to investigate their adsorption behaviors and mechanisms. When there was only one solute in water, the adsorption isotherms of OMPs by zeolite mixtures were well predicted by combining the experimental adsorption isotherms of single zeolites based on the mass ratios of single zeolites. In multi-solute water, adsorption isotherms by zeolite mixtures were calculated with less accuracy when solely combining experimental isotherms of single zeolites, especially in the case of having a lower portion of more-effective zeolite in the mixture. This could be attributed to the competition for more-effective zeolite between different OMPs.Sanitary Engineerin

Inhibition of TREM-1 and Dectin-1 Alleviates the Severity of Fungal Keratitis by Modulating Innate Immune Responses.

To explore the possibility that inhibiting triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) and Dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1(Dectin-1) could modulate the innate immune response and alleviate the severity of corneal fungal keratitis.TREM-1 and Dectin-1 expression was detected in fungus-infected human corneal specimens by real-time PCR. C57BL/6 (B6) mice were injected with Aspergillus fumigatus and divided into 4 groups that received subconjunctival injections of PBS and IgG as a control (group I), mTREM-1/IgG fusion protein (group II), the soluble β-glucan antagonist laminarin (group III), or mTREM-1/Fc and laminarin (group IV). Corneal virulence was evaluated based on clinical scores. TREM-1 and Dectin-1 mRNA levels were assayed using real-time PCR. The distribution patterns of TREM-1, Dectin-1 and cellular infiltrates in fungus-infected corneas were examined by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, changes in T Helper Type1 (Th1)-/ T Helper Type1 (Th2)- type cytokines and proinflammatory cytokines were measured.The expression of TREM-1 and Dectin-1 increased significantly and correlated positively with the progression of fungal keratitis. Most infiltrated cells were neutrophils and secondarily macrophages in infected cornea. The clinical scores decreased after interfering with TREM-1 and Dectin-1 expression in infected mouse corneas. Levels of Th1-type cytokines including interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-18 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were decreased in the cornea, while the levels of Th2-type cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10, showed obvious increases.TREM-1 and Dectin-1 function concurrently in the corneal innate immune response by regulating inflammatory cytokine expression in fungal keratitis. Inhibition of TREM-1 and Dectin-1 can alleviate the severity of corneal damage by downregulating the excessive inflammatory response

Point-wise spatial network for identifying carcinoma at the upper digestive and respiratory tract

Abstract Problem Artificial intelligence has been widely investigated for diagnosis and treatment strategy design, with some models proposed for detecting oral pharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, or laryngeal carcinoma. However, no comprehensive model has been established for these regions. Aim Our hypothesis was that a common pattern in the cancerous appearance of these regions could be recognized and integrated into a single model, thus improving the efficacy of deep learning models. Methods We utilized a point-wise spatial attention network model to perform semantic segmentation in these regions. Results Our study demonstrated an excellent outcome, with an average mIoU of 86.3%, and an average pixel accuracy of 96.3%. Conclusion The research confirmed that the mucosa of oral pharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, and laryngeal regions may share a common appearance, including the appearance of tumors, which can be recognized by a single artificial intelligence model. Therefore, a deep learning model could be constructed to effectively recognize these tumors

Expressions of TREM-1 and Dectin-1 in fungus-infected human corneas.

<p>TREM-1 and Dectin-1 mRNA levels (A) and distribution patterns of TREM-1 and Dectin-1 (B) were examined both in normal and fungus-infected human corneas. Data are presented as mean ± SEM with 10 patients per group.Magnifications: ×20. *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01; ***, p<0.001.</p

Expressions of TREM-1 and Dectin-1 and Cellular composition in the murine fungal keratitis model.

<p>TREM-1 and Dectin-1 protein expression levels were determined using immunohistochemistry in the same samples at the corresponding time points (A). TREM-1 (B) and Dectin-1 (C) mRNA levels were examined in normal (N) and infected B6 mouse corneas at 1, 3 and 5 days p.i.. The percentages of neutrophils and macrophages (D) were determined by counting 100 cells from 5 samples. Magnifications: ×40. *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01; ***, p<0.001.</p