Visual impairment and spectacle coverage rate in Baoshan district, China: population-based study

BACKGROUND: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of visual impairment associated with refractive error and the unmet need for spectacles in a special suburban senior population in Baoshan District of Shanghai, one of several rural areas undergoing a transition from rural to urban area, where data of visual impairment are limited. METHODS: The study was a population based survey of 4545 Chinese aged (age: >60 years or older ) at Baoshan, Shanghai, in 2009. One copy of questionnaire was completed for each subject. Examinations included a standardized refraction and measurement of presenting and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as well as tonometry, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and fundus photography. RESULTS: The prevalence of mild (6/12 to 6/18), moderate (6/18 to 6/60) and severe visual impairment was 12.59%, 8.38% and 0.44%, respectively, and 5.26%, 3.06% and 0.09% with refractive correction. Visual impairment was associated with age, gender, education and career, but not insurance . The prevalence of correctable visual impairment was 5.81% (using 6/18 cutoff) and 13.18% (using 6/12 cutoff). Senior people and women were significantly at a higher risk of correctable visual impairment, while the well-educated on the contrary. The prevalence of undercorrected refractive error (improves by 2 or more lines with refraction) was 24.84%, and the proportion with undercorrected refractive error for mild, moderate , severe and no visual impairment was 61.54%, 67.98%, 60.00% and 14.10%, respectively. The spectacle coverage rate was 44.12%. Greater unmet need for spectacles was observed among elderly people, females, non-peasant, and subjects with less education and astigmatism only. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of visual impairment, visual impairment alleviated by refractive correction, and low spectacle coverage existed among the senior population in Baoshan District of Shanghai. Education for the public of the importance of regular examination and appropriate and accessible refraction service might be helpful to solve the problem

Lurasidone hydro­chloride

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C28H37N4O2S+·Cl− [systematic name: 4-(1,2-benzothia­zol-3-yl)-1-({2-[(3,5-dioxo-4-aza­tricyclo­[5.2.1.02,6]decan-4-yl)meth­yl]cyclo­hex­yl}meth­yl)piperazin-1-ium chloride], the anions and cations are linked by N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure is further stabilized by C—H⋯π and C—H⋯O inter­actions

Case report:Multiple abscesses caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing

BackgroundExtraoral infection by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is extremely rare and challenging to diagnose because the fastidious pathogen is difficult to culture by traditional methods. We report the first case of a patient with multiple abscesses in muscles and the brain with dura empyema due to P. gingivalis, which was diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS).Case presentationA 65-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital for multiple lumps in his body. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lower-limb computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple abscesses in the brain and muscles. A diagnosis of P. gingivalis infection was made based on mNGS tests of blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and pus samples, as the traditional bacterial culture of these samples showed negative results. Target antibiotic therapy with meropenem and metronidazole was administered, and CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of abscesses in both thighs was performed. The size of muscle abscesses reduced significantly and neurological function improved. The patient was followed up for 4 months. No abscesses re-appeared, and the remaining abscesses in his backside and both legs were completely absorbed. He can speak fluently and walk around freely without any neurological deficits.ConclusionMetagenomic next-generation sequencing is helpful for early diagnosis and subsequent treatment of P. gingivalis-associated multiple abscesses

NMDA Receptors of Gastric-Projecting Neurons in the Dorsal Motor Nucleus of the Vagus Mediate the Regulation of Gastric Emptying by EA at Weishu (BL21)

A large number of studies have been conducted to explore the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) for the treatment of gastrointestinal motility. While several lines of evidence addressed the basic mechanism of EA on gastrointestinal motility regarding effects of limb and abdomen points, the mechanism for effects of the back points on gastric motility still remains unclear. Here we report that the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist kynurenic acid inhibited the gastric emptying increase induced by high-intensity EA at BL21 and agonist NMDA enhanced the effect of the same treatment. EA at BL21 enhanced NMDAR, but not AMPA receptor (AMPAR) component of miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) in gastric-projecting neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). In sum, our data demonstrate an important role of NMDAR-mediated synaptic transmission of gastric-projecting DMV neurons in mediating EA at BL21-induced enhancement of gastric emptying

Nevirapine Plasma Concentrations Are Associated with Virologic Response and Hepatotoxicity in Chinese Patients with HIV Infection

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on the relationship between nevirapine plasma concentrations and virologic response or liver toxicity in Chinese patients with HIV infection. The objective of this prospective study was to test this relationship and to determine the minimal therapeutic trough concentration of nevirapine for Chinese patients. METHODS: A total of 227 HIV-infected, treatment naïve patients were enrolled into this study. Blood samples were taken at C(trough) (12 hr postdose) and C(2) (2 hr postdose) for measurement of nevirapine concentrations 6 months after treatment initiation. Therapeutic outcomes, viral load and CD4 cell count, were assessed at 3 and 6 months after starting therapy, while the evaluation of hepatotoxicity was undertaken 12 months after nevirapine treatment. RESULTS: A significant correlation between nevirapine trough concentrations and viral load was noticed after 6 months of treatment, particularly in patients with partial response and viral failure (p<0.01). The therapeutic C(trough) of nevirapine for Chinese patients was determined to be 3.9 µg/ml using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Virologic failure was observed in 21% (6/29) of patients with low nevirapine concentrations (<3.9 µg/ml) versus 5% (4/87) in patients with concentrations higher than 3.9 µg/ml (p = 0.015). Hepatotoxicity was significantly associated with the median nevirapine trough concentrations among male patients (8.20 vs. 5.48 µg/ml, p = 0.015) and hepatitis C virus co-infection (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Among Chinese patients with HIV infection, the therapeutic C(trough) of nevirapine was 3.9 µg/ml, higher than the recommended 3.0 µg/ml. The correlation between nevirapine concentrations, efficacy and hepatotoxicity suggests the benefit of dosage adjustment based on therapeutic drug monitoring among Chinese HIV-infected patients to optimize nevirapine containing antiretroviral therapy

Serum N‐glycans outperform CA19‐9 in diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Extensive efforts have been devoted to improve the diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECCA) due to its silent clinical character and lack of effective diagnostic biomarkers. Specific alterations in N‐glycosylation of glycoproteins are considered a key component in cancer progression, which can serve as a distinct molecular signature for cancer detection. This study aims to find potential serum N‐glycan markers for ECCA. In total, 255 serum samples from patients with ECCA (n = 106), benign bile tract disease (BBD, n = 60) and healthy controls (HC, n = 89) were recruited. Only 2 μL of serum from individual patients was used in this assay where the N‐glycome of serum glycoproteins was profiled by DNA sequencer‐assisted fluorophore‐assisted capillary electrophoresis (DSA‐FACE) technology. Multi‐parameter models were constructed by combining the N‐glycans and carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA19‐9) which is currently used clinically. Quantitative analyses showed that among 13 N‐glycan structures, the bifucosylated triantennary N‐glycan (peak10, NA3F2) presented the best diagnostic performance for distinguishing ECCA from BBD and HC. Two diagnostic models (Glycotest1 and Glycotest2) performed better than single N‐glycan or CA19‐9. Additionally, two N‐glycan structures (peak9, NA3Fb; peak12, NA4Fb) were tightly related to lymph node metastasis in ECCA patients. In conclusion, sera of ECCA showed relatively specific N‐glycome profiling patterns. Serum N‐glycan markers and models are novel, valuable and noninvasive alternatives in ECCA diagnosis and progression monitoring.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139072/1/elps6272.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139072/2/elps6272_am.pd

Case Report: A Clinical and Genetic Analysis of Childhood Growth Hormone Deficiency With Familial Hypercholesterolemia

BackgroundGrowth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a developmental disorder in children characterized by low growth hormone (GH), short stature and unfavorable lipid profiles. Familial hypercholesteremia (FH) is an inborn disorder of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) metabolism which results in premature cardiovascular events. The co-occurrence of GHD and FH, which may aggravate the hypercholesteremic condition in the affected individuals, had rarely been discussed in previous publication.MethodsThis work reports two cases of GHD with FH, and explores the lipid profiles of GHD children and their therapeutic response to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). The diagnosis of GHD is based on low peak GH level (&lt;7 ng/mL) in GH provocation test. FH is diagnosed by high LDL-C level (≥ 4 mmol/L) and confirmed genetic mutations in the LDL-C metabolic pathway. We also searched all previously published metabolic studies on GHD children as of December 31, 2020. Information on their LDL-C, duration and dose of rhGH treatment were retrieved and summarized.ResultsThe first case was a 5.3 year-old boy. His height was 103.6 cm (SDS = -2.29) and his peak GH in provocative test was 6.37 ng/mL. Additionally, his LDL-C was 4.80 mmol/L and he harbored a heterozygous mutation for the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene (c.10579 C &gt; T). The second case was a 9-year-old girl at the height of 117.3 cm (SDS = -2.91). Her GH peaked at 4.99 ng/mL in insulin-induced hypoglycemic test and 2.80 ng/mL in L-dopa test. Her LDL-C was 6.16 mmol/L, and she carried a mutated copy of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene (c.809 G &gt; A). Literature review indicated that GHD children suffered from higher baseline LDL-C, but it was significantly reduced after rhGH treatment.ConclusionsFH should be considered if a GHD child has remarkably elevated LDL-C that cannot be attributed to low GH level alone. Genetic mutations in the LDL-C metabolic pathway prevent the body from effectively metabolizing lipids, thereby resulting in early-onset hypercholesteremia and probably playing a negative role in children’s growth

Freely adjusted properties in Ge–S based chalcogenide glasses with iodine incorporation

International audienceIn this study, we examined the function of halogen iodine acting as a glass network modifier in green chalcogenide glasses based on the Ge–S system. We obtained a series of Ge–S–I glasses and determined their glass-forming region. We then recorded the physical, thermal, and optical properties and studied the effect of halogen iodine on Ge–S–I glasses. Results show that these glasses have relatively wide optical transmission window for infrared (IR) applications. The softening temperature of Ge–S–I glasses varies from 210.54 °C to 321.63 °C, this temperature fits well with some kinds of high-temperature polymers, such as PES and PEI, the polymers serve as protective layers with high strength and flexibility, thus simplifying the fabrication processes of IR chalcogenide glass fiber. Finally, we performed a purification process to eliminate impurities and to improve optical spectr

Clinical characteristics of male prolactinoma patients mainly presenting with severe obesity and the metabolic response to dopamine agonist therapy

ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical characteristics of 4 male prolactinoma patients with severe obesity.MethodsThe clinical data of all the patients were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsAll the patients visited our hospital for severe obesity at the age of 16-30 years old with their body mass index (BMI) of 37.9-55.9 kg/m2. All the patients were obese since childhood, even at birth. Hyperprolactinemia (72.3-273.0 ng/ml) was found during the etiological screening of obesity and MRI revealed pituitary adenomas. Additionally, all of them had multiple obesity related complications, such as hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia. Treatment of dopamine agonists (DAs) effectively normalized their prolactin level and the pituitary MRI reexamination after 6 months of DAs treatment showed the shrinkage of the pituitary adenomas in 3 patients. Their weight also decreased in different degrees (2.70~19.03% lower than the baseline) with improved metabolic profiles.ConclusionSerum prolactin level should be screened in obese patients, especially those with severe obesity

Retraction Note: Research on Key Technologies and Scenario Application of Emerging Business under the Energy Internet

This paper has been formally retracted at the author’s request. Requestapproved by the proceedings Editor and the Publisher on September 13, 2022