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In order to maintain the stability of the transmitter to ensure the quality of the output signal, we propose a novel technique of automatic bias control based on the pilot signal that can be used in high-order modulation formats. The proposed scheme requires loading a pair of orthogonal pilot signals to the modulator and tapping the frequency-shifted local oscillation light with the signal light output from the modulator to achieve coherent detection. The control of the bias voltage is achieved by means of correlation operation and monitoring the value of the correlation coefficient. This scheme combines coherent detection and correlation detection techniques, which can effectively improve the sensitivity and control accuracy of the system. The feasibility of this scheme in high-order modulation systems and the improvement of sensitivity are also fully verified by simulation.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is associated with coronary artery injury. Studies have shown that the endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) participates in the process of arterial repair. Data have been reported that the number of EPC increased significantly in the subacute phase of KD. However, until now, there are no data about the functions of EPC in KD patients. The present study was designed to further investigate the number and functions of EPC in KD. Ten KD patients in the acute phase and ten healthy volunteers were recruited and attributed to the KD group and control group, respectively. The circulating CD34/kinase insert domain-containing receptor double positive cells were evaluated in the two groups using flow cytometry. In vitro assays were used to measure the functions of EPC, including proliferation, adhesion, and migration activities. The plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also assessed in both groups. The number of EPC in the KD group was significantly higher than that of the control group (0.021 ± 0.007% vs. 0.014 ± 0.003%, P < 0.05). The migratory response of EPC was significantly decreased in the KD group, compared with that of the control group (5.50 ± 1.78 vs. 3.40 ± 1.35 cells/high power field, P < 0.01). Similarly, the proliferative and adhesive activities of EPC in the KD group were also decreased (0.47 ± 0.08 vs. 0.66 ± 0.07, P < 0.01; 6.5 ± 2.12 vs. 11.2 ± 2.04 cells/high power field, P < 0.01). The plasma NO, TNF-α, and hs-CRP levels in the KD group were higher than those of the control group (54.10 ± 11.78 vs. 38.80 ± 11.10 μmol/l, P < 0.01; 48.20 ± 7.42 vs. 37.00 ± 11.12 pg/ml, P < 0.05; 87.10 ± 30.18 vs. 5.30 ± 3.37 mg/l, P < 0.01). The number of circulating EPC positively correlated with the level of NO ( r = 0.92, P < 0.001), and the functions of EPC negatively correlated with the levels of TNF-α and hs-CRP, respectively. In Kawasaki disease, the number of EPC was enhanced and the functions of EPC were attenuated. The two-way regulation of circulating EPC in KD patients may be associated with the disorders of cytokines or messengers in KD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the research on literary ontology had been hot in literary circles in the 1980s, it has been treated coldly in recent years as many scholars have shifted their interest to new cultural criticism due to the dissemination of post-modernism and the development of popular culture, and they unfurl the banner of anti essentialism and think that systematic basic theory research has been out of date. But we think that ontology shouldn't and can't be out of date in any age, since it explores the meaning of being which is the question of universal and ultimate significance to us. and solves the question concerning the foundation and values of our existence. In a society with moral irregularity and prevalent material or human desires, people are all encountering the serious spirit crisis and belief crisis. In the field of art and literature, for example, the depth has been reduced, the centre has been absent, and meaning has vanished. Considering all these, it is of urgent realistic significance to enhance the study of literary ontology. For this reason, we invite four experts in this area to state their new points of view. In his article My Views on Literature and Ontology, Prof. Zhu Liyuan makes an etymological study of the term ontology and clarifies the long-standing mistaken conception in this regard, before reviewing the development of ontology briefly and inspecting the important changes that have happened to ontology in modern philosophy. According to him, modern ontology should be the theory of practice, while literature should be regarded as a basic means of existence. In his The Crisis and Hope of Literary Ontology, Prof. Wang Yuechuan thinks that modern ontology has corrected the mistake of ignoring man in classical ontology, and regarded man's existence as the core. The mission of literature and ontology is to examine and establish the value of man's existence, which is of realistic significance for us to overcome today's nihilism and rebuild our spiritual homeland. In his The Art as Technique, Desire and Dao, Prof. Peng Fuchun tries to construct a system of literary ontology. In his opinion, literature is simultaneously the act of technique, the production of desires, and the appearance of Da Dao. There is a waltz of game among them, which makes art become pluralistic. In his How Can Literary Ontology Be Tenable in the Vision of Post-metaphysics, Associate Prof. Su Hongbin thinks that we should regard surpassing metaphysics and the dualistic way of thinking as our methodological precondition today. For this, we must look for an original method of thinking to rebuild ontology. Given this, literature is then regarded as a basic channel by which the meaning of being is made obvious. All these researches have enlightened us from various perspectives. My interest in literary ontology is to extricate myself from the difficult position of the research on literary value (practical value). In my article The Theoretical Value of Literary Ontology, through analyzing the meaning in the history of Kant's thought about ontology, I propose that we should regard human ontology, which is based on the unity of teleology and actinology, as the ideological foundation of our literary ontology, so as to avoid being subjective and random in understanding literature, overcome the relativism which comes from the differences between all kinds of criteria for evaluating literature, and provide the real, objective criterion of truth for literary value. Man is in eternal pursuit of truth. It is only through the full discussion that we will be able to be nearer to the truth. We should like to thank these experts for their great support to this column, while hoping that many more colleagues will join us for a further discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extralobar pulmonary sequestration (ELS) with torsion is extremely rare, consequently, the diagnosis of ELS with torsion in children presents a challenge for clinicians. Herein, we report four cases of ELS with torsion that presented with abdominal pain, and further review the relevant literature to summarize the clinical features., Case Summary: Four children presented to our department with abdominal pain. All underwent chest computed tomography, which revealed an intrathoracic soft tissue mass with pleural effusion. All four children underwent thoracoscopic resection of the identified pulmonary sequestration, and the vascular pedicle was clipped and excised. None of the patients experienced any postoperative complications., Conclusion: Clinicians should consider the possibility of ELS with torsion in children presenting with abdominal pain as the chief complaint., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To preliminarily investigate the relationship between serum apelin level and pulmonary artery pressure in children with congenital heart disease., Methods: One hundred and twenty-six children with congenital heart disease undergoing surgical treatment were enrolled as subjects. The serum level of apelin was determined before surgery and at 7 days after surgery. The ratio of pulmonary artery systolic pressure to aortic systolic pressure (Pp/Ps) was calculated before extracorporeal circulation. According to the Pp/Ps value, patients were classified into non-pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) group, mild PAH group, moderate PAH group, and severe PAH group. Pulmonary artery mean pressure was estimated by echocardiography at 7 days after surgery., Results: The non-PAH group had the highest serum level of apelin before and after surgery, followed by the mild PAH group, moderate PAH group, and severe PAH group (P<0.05). All groups had significantly increased serum levels of apelin at 7 days after surgery (P<0.05). The serum level of apelin was negatively correlated with pulmonary artery pressure before surgery (r=-0.51, P<0.05) and at 7 days after surgery (r=-0.54, P<0.05)., Conclusions: The decrease in serum apelin level is associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension in children with congenital heart disease. The significance of serum apelin in predicting the development and degree of pulmonary hypertension in children with congenital heart disease deserves further studies.

Objective: To study the protective effect of cold autologous blood cardioplegic solution on the heart of infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD)., Methods: Ninety-six infants with CCHD who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomly and equally divided into three groups: histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution, cold non-autologous blood cardioplegic solution, and cold autologous blood cardioplegic solution. The right auricular tissues were taken before aortic cross-clamping and at 30 minutes after aortic declamping, and ATP level and energy charge (EC) in the myocardium were measured. Venous blood was collected before and immediately after CPB, and the serum levels of creatine kinase (CK)-MB and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were measured. The clinical parameters, such as the re-beat time and re-beat rate during CPB, cardiac index, dependence on positive inotropic agents, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at 2 hours after CPB, the incidence rate of arrhythmia within 24 hours after CPB, and postoperative complications and mortality, were recorded., Results: At 30 minutes after aortic declamping, the three groups showed significantly decreased ATP and EC levels (P<0.05), and the cold autologous blood group had significantly higher ATP and EC levels than the other two groups (P<0.05). Immediately after CPB, the three groups showed significantly increased serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI (P<0.05), and the cold autologous blood group had significantly lower serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI than the other two groups (P<0.05). The cold autologous blood group had significantly better outcomes than the other two groups in terms of the re-beat time during CPB and the dependence on positive inotropic agents and LVEF at 2 hours after CPB (P<0.05)., Conclusions: Cold autologous blood cardioplegic solution is superior to HTK and cold non-autologous blood cardioplegic solutions in preserving myocardial energy and reducing myocardial injury in infants with CCHD who undergo CPB, thus providing a better protective effect on the heart.

Objective: To sum up one-stage complete correction of infantile aortic coarctation (CoA) or interrupted aortic arch (IAA) associated with intracardiac anomalies through median sternotomy., Methods: The clinical data of 52 infants with CoA or IAA associated with intracardiac anomalies from May 2004 to March 2010 was analyzed. There were 32 male and 20 female, aged from 25 d to 7 months with a mean of (2.03 ± 0.15) months, weighted from 2.5 to 8.0 kg with a mean of (3.9 ± 0.5) kg. All of intracardiac defect were corrected by self-arcula cordisand. Forty cases with CoA were underwent by operative techniques, including resection with end to side anastomosis, extended end to side anastomosis (n = 34), and vertical incision and cross joint (n = 3). Three cases of pseudo-CoA were cut and ductus arteriosus or ligamentum arteriosus and dissected arch. Twelve cases of IAA were underwent by extended end to side anastomosis., Results: The time of cardiopulmonary bypass was (98 ± 41) min, and all patients hemorrhaged (78 ± 13) ml during operation. One case of IAA associated with double outlet right ventricle died after 43 d post-operation because of left bronchial stenosis. The other patients were in good condition. The rate of aneurysm formation was 11% in 1 to 6 years' follow-up., Conclusions: One-stage complete correction of infantile CoA or IAA associated with intracardiac anomalies through median sternotomy yields excellent intermediate surgical results. This operative approach is beneficial, not only with shorten period of therapy and loss operative cost.

Objective: To access the expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in the lung of Nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia rat model., Methods: Twelve timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, namely control group and CDH group on day 9.5 of gestation. Each rat in the CDH group was given 125 mg of Nitrofen (dissolved in seed fat) by gavage. Each rat in the control group was given the same dose of single oil. On day 16 of gestation, the two groups mentioned above were divided into three subgroups, and fetuses were delivered by cesarean section respectively on day 16, 18 and 21 of gestation. After the fetuses were checked for diaphragmatic hernia, lung tissue weight (LW) and body weight (BW) of each fetus on gestational day 21 were recorded. Lung histologic evaluations were made with microscope and TGF-beta1 immunohistochemistry staining were performed with image analyzing., Results: At day 16 of gestation, no visible diaphragm closure was observed in all fetuses. Diaphragmatic hernia was observed in 32 of the 44 rat fetuses of the CDH groups on day 18 and day 21 of gestation (72.7%). Lw/Bw of the 21d subgroups of CDH group were lower than those of corresponding control group (P < 0.01). Observed under the microscope, the lungs of fetuses in CDH groups showed marked hypoplasia. The expression of TGF-beta1 was detected in cytoplasmic, without definite expression in nuclear. It was significantly stronger that the expression of TGF-beta1 was in the lungs of the CDH group than that of the control group (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: Nitrofen interferes with lung development in early stage of the fetal before the diaphragm developed. TGF-beta1 would be one of the important factors which lead to pulmonary hypoplasia.

Objective: To review the experience in correction operation of pectus excavatum with non-thoracoscopic Nuss procedure., Methods: From September 2005 to August 2007, 108 patients with pectus excavatum were surgically corrected by non-thoracoscopic Nuss procedure. There were 91 male patients and 17 female patients. The age was from 2 years and 10 months old to 25 years old with an average of 7 years and 9 months old. The Haller indexes were from 3.6 to 10.1 before the operation., Results: The operation in all patients had been performed successfully without any severe complications. The average time of operation was 40 minutes. The average bleeding volume during procedure was 10 ml. Uneventful recovery was achieved in all the cases. Excellent outcome was obtained in the follow-up of 2 months to 21 months in 92 patients., Conclusions: Non-thoracoscopic Nuss procedure for correction of pectus excavatum is safe and effective. It is unnecessary to perform the procedure into thoracic cavity so that there is less trauma and shorter time for the operation.

Objective: To assay the effects of prenatal hemin therapy on pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) and pulmonary arterial structural remodeling in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)., Methods: Six pregnant female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: control group, undergoing gastric perfusion of olive oil once on day 9.5 and intraperitoneal injection of normal saline on days 11-14; CDH group, undergoing gastric perfusion of nitrofen 125 mg once on day 9.5 and intraperitoneal injection of normal saline on days 11-14; and hemin group, undergoing gastric perfusion of nitrofen 125 mg once on day 9.5 and intraperitoneal injection of hemin 15 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) on days 11-14. On the gestational day 21 caesarean section was performed to take out the fetuses to undergo histological examination and image analysis., Results: CDH were detected in 28 of the 44 (63.6%) fetuses from the 2 groups receiving nitrofen. The lungs of all CDH group fetuses were hypoplastic, and the fetuses of the hemin group showed improved lung development. The right lung/body weight ratio and pulmonary alveolar area ratio (PAA%) of the hemin group were (16.6 +/- 1.0) mg/g and (45 +/- 6)% respectively, both significantly higher than those of the CDH group [(14.6 +/- 1.7) mg/g and (28 +/- 6)% respectively, P = 0.03 and P < 0.01]. The alveolar septum area ratio (ASA%) of the hemin group was (44 +/- 6)%, significantly lower than that of the CDH group [(64 +/- 8)%, P < 0. 01]. The media thickness percentages (MT%) of pre-acinar artery (PAPA) and intra-acinar artery (IAPA) of the fetuses of the hemin group were (21.2 +/- 2.2)% and (18.2 +/- 2.1)% respectively, both significantly lower than those of the CDH group [(24.3 +/- 4.0)% and (21.9 +/- 3.9)% respectively, both P < 0.05], which were significantly higher than those of the control group [(20.0 +/- 2.4)% and (17.2 +/- 2.3)% respectively, both P < 0.01]. The component ratio of nonmuscularized artery (NMA) in the IAPA level of the hemin group was (78.2 +/- 3.0)%, significantly higher than that of the CDH group [(72.8 +/- 3.2)%, P = 0.001]., Conclusion: PH and pulmonary arterial structural remodeling are present in CDH. Although prenatal administration of hemin cannot prevent the genesis of CDH in rats, it may improve the pulmonary development, inhibit medial hypertrophy, and reduce the percentage of muscularized IAPA.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of prenatal administration of tetrandrine (TET) on pulmonary hypoplasia in the nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) fetal rat model., Methods: Six timed-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: CDH group (receiving gavage of nitrofen 125 mg dissolved in seed fat on day 9.5), and TET group (receiving gavage of nitrofen 125 mg on day 9.5 and then gavage of TET 30 mg/kg on days 11.5 - 14.5), and control group (given the same dose of peanut oil on day 9.5 and the same dose of normal saline on days 11.5 - 14.5). The fetuses were delivered by cesarean section on day 21 to undergo light microscopy and electron microscopy. The numbers of type II pneumocytes were recorded and compared., Results: CDH were detected in 32 of the 41 fetuses from the CDH and TET groups with a teratogenic rate of 78%, however, without a significant difference between the CDH and TET groups (P = 0.645). Microscopy showed significant lung hypoplasia in both histologic structure and cellular structure in the CDH group; however the lung development of the TET group was improved in comparison to the CDH group. There was no significant difference in numbers of type II pneumocytes among the 3 groups (P = 0.779)., Conclusion: Prenatal administration of TET can improve the lung development of CDH rats in both histological structure and cellular structure. This may provide a new idea for the clinical treatment of CDH.