Background/Aims: Opiates are potent analgesics but their clinical use is limited by sex-associated side effects, such as drug tolerance, opioid-induced hyperalgesia and withdrawal reaction. OPRM1, as the main receptor of opioids, plays an important role in the pharmacological process of opioids in rodents and human. We have previously investigated OPRM1, the μ opioid receptor gene, which have dozens of alternatively spliced variants probably correlating with opioid-induced effects in brain regions of four inbred mouse strains and demonstrated the strain-specific expressions of these splice variants. Also, within a strain, the regional expression patterns of some of the variants were similar while others were opposite. Thus, we are aiming to seek out the relationship between sex differences and these alternatively spliced variants. Methods: The present studies follow a SYBR green quantitative PCR (qPCR) which we had used before to examine the expression of OPRM1 splice variant mRNAs in selected brain regions of male and female C57BL/6 mice. Sex-associated differences in baseline latency, opioid-induced tolerance, analgesia and addiction were examined and determined by Tail-flick test, jumps and statistical analysis. Results: The mRNA levels of opioid receptor gene splice variants in male and female mice showed significant differences among the brain regions, implying region-specific alternative splicing of the OPRM1 gene, which was consistent with our previous study. More importantly, the complete mRNA expression profiles of the OPRM1 splice variants was also gender-specific, suggesting a sexual influence on OPRM1 alternative splicing. Conclusion: In brief, we put forward that the distinctions among baseline latency, opioid-induced tolerance, analgesia and physical dependence in male and female mice might correlate with sex associated differential expressions of OPRM1 gene.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess visual and refractive outcomes and cost utility of toric intraocular lens (IOLs) implantation in cataract patients over 80 with corneal astigmatism.Methods: Patients >= 80 years with corneal astigmatism >= 1.50 diopters (D) who underwent cataract surgery with toric or monofocal IOLs were enrolled. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and residual refractive astigmatism at the 3-month postoperative follow-up were compared between the toric and non-toric groups. Cost data were gathered, long-term quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was determined.Results: The study included 50 eyes from 50 patients, with 25 eyes receiving toric IOLs and the remaining 25 receiving non-toric IOLs. Three months after surgery, both the mean UDVA (P < 0.0001) and the mean residual refractive astigmatism (P < 0.0001) in the toric group significantly outperformed those in the non-toric group. An average of 4.04 ± 0.25 QALYs were obtained in the toric group through cataract surgery, while 3.78 ± 0.26 QALYs were obtained in the non-toric group. The median ICER stood at 11,222 CNY (1,753 USD) per QALY [95% CI: 5,840 ~ 25,295 CNY (913 ~ 3,952 USD) per QALY], which is lower than the threshold of cost-effectiveness in China (80,976 CNY (12,653 USD) per QALY).Conclusion: In cataract patients aged over 80 with corneal astigmatism and no complicating vision-threatening conditions, toric IOL implantation not only improved UDVA and reduced residual astigmatism but also emerged as a cost-effective intervention compared with non-toric IOL implantation.

Background/Aims: Opiates are potent analgesics but their clinical use is limited by sex-associated side effects, such as drug tolerance, opioid-induced hyperalgesia and withdrawal reaction. OPRM1, as the main receptor of opioids, plays an important role in the pharmacological process of opioids in rodents and human. We have previously investigated OPRM1, the μ opioid receptor gene, which have dozens of alternatively spliced variants probably correlating with opioid-induced effects in brain regions of four inbred mouse strains and demonstrated the strain-specific expressions of these splice variants. Also, within a strain, the regional expression patterns of some of the variants were similar while others were opposite. Thus, we are aiming to seek out the relationship between sex differences and these alternatively spliced variants. Methods: The present studies follow a SYBR green quantitative PCR (qPCR) which we had used before to examine the expression of OPRM1 splice variant mRNAs in selected brain regions of male and female C57BL/6 mice. Sex-associated differences in baseline latency, opioid-induced tolerance, analgesia and addiction were examined and determined by Tail-flick test, jumps and statistical analysis. Results: The mRNA levels of opioid receptor gene splice variants in male and female mice showed significant differences among the brain regions, implying region-specific alternative splicing of the OPRM1 gene, which was consistent with our previous study. More importantly, the complete mRNA expression profiles of the OPRM1 splice variants was also gender-specific, suggesting a sexual influence on OPRM1 alternative splicing. Conclusion: In brief, we put forward that the distinctions among baseline latency, opioid-induced tolerance, analgesia and physical dependence in male and female mice might correlate with sex associated differential expressions of OPRM1 gene.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess visual and refractive outcomes and cost utility of toric intraocular lens (IOLs) implantation in cataract patients over 80 with corneal astigmatism.Methods: Patients >= 80 years with corneal astigmatism >= 1.50 diopters (D) who underwent cataract surgery with toric or monofocal IOLs were enrolled. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and residual refractive astigmatism at the 3-month postoperative follow-up were compared between the toric and non-toric groups. Cost data were gathered, long-term quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was determined.Results: The study included 50 eyes from 50 patients, with 25 eyes receiving toric IOLs and the remaining 25 receiving non-toric IOLs. Three months after surgery, both the mean UDVA (P < 0.0001) and the mean residual refractive astigmatism (P < 0.0001) in the toric group significantly outperformed those in the non-toric group. An average of 4.04 ± 0.25 QALYs were obtained in the toric group through cataract surgery, while 3.78 ± 0.26 QALYs were obtained in the non-toric group. The median ICER stood at 11,222 CNY (1,753 USD) per QALY [95% CI: 5,840 ~ 25,295 CNY (913 ~ 3,952 USD) per QALY], which is lower than the threshold of cost-effectiveness in China (80,976 CNY (12,653 USD) per QALY).Conclusion: In cataract patients aged over 80 with corneal astigmatism and no complicating vision-threatening conditions, toric IOL implantation not only improved UDVA and reduced residual astigmatism but also emerged as a cost-effective intervention compared with non-toric IOL implantation.

Introduction: Inflammaging is a key mechanism in presbycusis. CX3CL1-CX3CR1 pathway is critical for cochlear macrophage-hair cell cross-talk. However, its role in Inflammaging remains unclear.Methods: To investigate the role of CX3CL1-CX3CR1 signaling in cochlear inflammaging, Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from young and aged mouse cochleae were analyzed to map CX3CL1-CX3CR1 distribution and aging-related trends. Findings were validated with immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. A migration assay assessed CX3CL1-CX3CR1's influence on macrophage migration and inflammation.Results: scRNA-seq analysis showed CX3CL1 mainly located in the basal cells of stria vascularis, while CX3CR1 and TNF-a mainly located in macrophages.The mRNA levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, and TNF-a in the stria vascularis significantly upregulated in aged mice. The Western blot showed similar trends, but only the upregulation of soluble CX3CL1 was statistically significant. Exogenous CX3CL1 significantly promoted BV2 cell migration and TNF-a secretion induced by LPS, while such effects were canceled in BV2 cells with CX3CR1 interfered. Conclusion: The overexpression of CX3CL1 in the basal cells of the stria vascularis with aging may be a trigger point for activating the local inflammatory microenvironment in age-related hearing loss, but it still requires further in vivo intervention experiments for validation.

Introduction: Inflammaging is a key mechanism in presbycusis. CX3CL1-CX3CR1 pathway is critical for cochlear macrophage-hair cell cross-talk. However, its role in Inflammaging remains unclear.Methods: To investigate the role of CX3CL1-CX3CR1 signaling in cochlear inflammaging, Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from young and aged mouse cochleae were analyzed to map CX3CL1-CX3CR1 distribution and aging-related trends. Findings were validated with immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. A migration assay assessed CX3CL1-CX3CR1's influence on macrophage migration and inflammation.Results: scRNA-seq analysis showed CX3CL1 mainly located in the basal cells of stria vascularis, while CX3CR1 and TNF-a mainly located in macrophages.The mRNA levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, and TNF-a in the stria vascularis significantly upregulated in aged mice. The Western blot showed similar trends, but only the upregulation of soluble CX3CL1 was statistically significant. Exogenous CX3CL1 significantly promoted BV2 cell migration and TNF-a secretion induced by LPS, while such effects were canceled in BV2 cells with CX3CR1 interfered. Conclusion: The overexpression of CX3CL1 in the basal cells of the stria vascularis with aging may be a trigger point for activating the local inflammatory microenvironment in age-related hearing loss, but it still requires further in vivo intervention experiments for validation.

Background: Rotavirus(RVs) A is one of major reasons which causes severe dehydration diarrhea. It is also one of the high morbidity disease in children. There are only a few reports about the changes in prevalence and VP4 / VP7 genotype of RVs in southwest China.Here is the report about the prevalence of RV from 2015 to 2020 in Yunnan, southwest China.Methods: The virus genes were extracted from RV positive samples, then VP4/VP7 genes were amplified, followed by sequencing and Gene typing, Phylogenetic analysis, antigenic epitope variation analysis and selective pressure analysis were also performed.Results: 135 VP4 gene sequences and 143 VP7 gene sequences were obtained from stool samples during 2015 to 2020. Of them, P[8] genotype accounted for 97.0% of total, while the P[4] genotype accounted for 3.0%. As for the VP7 genotype, G9 genotype accounted for 86.0% of total, the G3 genotype accounted for 9.1%, and the G2 genotype accounted for 4.9%. G9P[8] was identified as the predominant RV strain during the epidemic season in Yunnan during 2015 to 2020. Phylogenetic analysis showed that G9 genotype sequences were primarily similar to African strains (KJ753473, KY661937), while P[8] genotype sequences were close to Southeast Asian strains (JQ837878, KX362594). In antigenic epitope variation analysis, among 37 epitope of P[8] genotype, the RotaTeq™ vaccine strain covers 31 amino acid positions, Rotarix™ covers 28 amino acid positions, while LLR covers only 9. In the representative sequence of the G9 genotype, RotaTeq™ vaccine strains cover 27 out of 29 amino acid positions, Rotarix™ cover 16 positions, and LLR cover 16 positions. The results of the selective pressure analysis indicated potential positive sites for the G9P[8] genotype located at vp7-44, vp7-100, vp7-221, vp7-278, vp4-3 and vp4-4.Conclusions: Our study shows that G9P [8] is the most dominant rotavirus genotype in Yunnan China. Consistent with the recent epidemic trend of RV strains in China, this study could provide new perspectives on vaccine research.

Background: Rotavirus(RVs) A is one of major reasons which causes severe dehydration diarrhea. It is also one of the high morbidity disease in children. There are only a few reports about the changes in prevalence and VP4 / VP7 genotype of RVs in southwest China.Here is the report about the prevalence of RV from 2015 to 2020 in Yunnan, southwest China.Methods: The virus genes were extracted from RV positive samples, then VP4/VP7 genes were amplified, followed by sequencing and Gene typing, Phylogenetic analysis, antigenic epitope variation analysis and selective pressure analysis were also performed.Results: 135 VP4 gene sequences and 143 VP7 gene sequences were obtained from stool samples during 2015 to 2020. Of them, P[8] genotype accounted for 97.0% of total, while the P[4] genotype accounted for 3.0%. As for the VP7 genotype, G9 genotype accounted for 86.0% of total, the G3 genotype accounted for 9.1%, and the G2 genotype accounted for 4.9%. G9P[8] was identified as the predominant RV strain during the epidemic season in Yunnan during 2015 to 2020. Phylogenetic analysis showed that G9 genotype sequences were primarily similar to African strains (KJ753473, KY661937), while P[8] genotype sequences were close to Southeast Asian strains (JQ837878, KX362594). In antigenic epitope variation analysis, among 37 epitope of P[8] genotype, the RotaTeq™ vaccine strain covers 31 amino acid positions, Rotarix™ covers 28 amino acid positions, while LLR covers only 9. In the representative sequence of the G9 genotype, RotaTeq™ vaccine strains cover 27 out of 29 amino acid positions, Rotarix™ cover 16 positions, and LLR cover 16 positions. The results of the selective pressure analysis indicated potential positive sites for the G9P[8] genotype located at vp7-44, vp7-100, vp7-221, vp7-278, vp4-3 and vp4-4.Conclusions: Our study shows that G9P [8] is the most dominant rotavirus genotype in Yunnan China. Consistent with the recent epidemic trend of RV strains in China, this study could provide new perspectives on vaccine research.

Background: Breast cancer is among the most prevalent malignancies in women worldwide, with substantial morbidity and mortality. Upper limb lymphedema (ULL) is a common complication after breast cancer surgery that affects patients' daily activities and quality of life. Decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT) and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy are two primary treatment methods for ULL. Objectives: This study aims to compare the efficacy of DLT with IPC versus DLT alone in the management of ULL following breast cancer surgery. Method: PubMed Central, SCOPUS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane trial registry, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases were comprehensively searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DLT with IPC and DLT alone in patients with breast cancer-related ULL. Risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB 2 tool. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random-effects models. Results: A total of 1894 citations were identified by the systematic search. Of them, 9 RCTs were included in the analysis. The pooled SMD for percentage volume reduction was 0.63 (95%CI: -0.24 to 1.50; I2=90.9%), showing no significant difference between the DLT alone and DLT combined with IPC (p=0.15). Pain and heaviness scores were also comparable between the groups. However, there was a significant difference in external rotation joint mobility (SMD=0.62; 95%CI: 0.08-1.16; I2=23.8%), favouring DLT with IPC. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that DLT with IPC and DLT alone showed similar findings in managing ULL after breast cancer surgery, with DLT with IPC showing a greater impact on external rotation joint mobility. Healthcare providers should consider patient preferences and individual factors when selecting the most appropriate treatment modality for ULL management.

Background: Breast cancer is among the most prevalent malignancies in women worldwide, with substantial morbidity and mortality. Upper limb lymphedema (ULL) is a common complication after breast cancer surgery that affects patients' daily activities and quality of life. Decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT) and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy are two primary treatment methods for ULL. Objectives: This study aims to compare the efficacy of DLT with IPC versus DLT alone in the management of ULL following breast cancer surgery. Method: PubMed Central, SCOPUS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane trial registry, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases were comprehensively searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DLT with IPC and DLT alone in patients with breast cancer-related ULL. Risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB 2 tool. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random-effects models. Results: A total of 1894 citations were identified by the systematic search. Of them, 9 RCTs were included in the analysis. The pooled SMD for percentage volume reduction was 0.63 (95%CI: -0.24 to 1.50; I2=90.9%), showing no significant difference between the DLT alone and DLT combined with IPC (p=0.15). Pain and heaviness scores were also comparable between the groups. However, there was a significant difference in external rotation joint mobility (SMD=0.62; 95%CI: 0.08-1.16; I2=23.8%), favouring DLT with IPC. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that DLT with IPC and DLT alone showed similar findings in managing ULL after breast cancer surgery, with DLT with IPC showing a greater impact on external rotation joint mobility. Healthcare providers should consider patient preferences and individual factors when selecting the most appropriate treatment modality for ULL management.