On the photophysics of metallophthalocyanine-based photothermal sensitizers: synergism between theory and experiment

A comprehensive understanding of the factors governing the efficiency of metallophthalocyanine-based photothermal sensitizers requires the knowledge of their excited-state dynamics. This can only be properly gained when the nature and energy of the excited states (often spectroscopically silent) lying between the photogenerated state and the ground state are known. Here the excited state deactivation mechanism of two very promising metallophthalocyanine-based photothermal sensitizers, NiPc(OBu)(8) and NiNc(OBu)(8), is reviewed. It is shown that time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods are capable to provide reliable information on the nature and energies of the low-lying excited states along the relaxation pathways. TDDFT calculations and ultrafast experiments consistently show that benzoannulation of the Pc ring modifies the photodeactivation mechanism of the photogenerated S(1)(pi,pi*) state by inducing substantial changes in the relative energies of the excited states lying between the S(1)(pi,pi*) state and the ground state.     

Physiological function of IspE, a plastid MEP pathway gene for isoprenoid biosynthesis, in organelle biogenesis and cell morphogenesis in Nicotiana benthamiana

Isoprenoid biosynthesis in plants occurs by two independent pathways: the cytosolic mevalonate (MVA) pathway and the plastidic methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. In this study, we investigated the cellular effects of depletion of IspE, a protein involved in the MEP pathway, using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). The IspE gene is preferentially expressed in young tissues, and induced by light and methyl jasmonate. The GFP fusion protein of IspE was targeted to chloroplasts. Reduction of IspE expression by VIGS resulted in a severe leaf yellowing phenotype. At the cellular level, depletion of IspE severely affected chloroplast development, dramatically reducing both the number and size of chloroplasts. Interestingly, mitochondrial development was also impaired, suggesting a possibility that the plastidic MEP pathway contributes to mitochondrial isoprenoid biosynthesis in leaves. A deficiency in IspE activity decreased cellular levels of the metabolites produced by the MEP pathway, such as chlorophylls and carotenoids, and stimulated expression of some of the downstream MEP pathway genes, particularly IspF and IspG. Interestingly, the IspE VIGS lines had significantly increased numbers of cells of reduced size in all leaf layers, compared with TRV control and other VIGS lines for the MEP pathway genes. The increased cell division in the IspE VIGS lines was particularly pronounced in the abaxial epidermal layer, in which the over-proliferated cells bulged out of the plane, making the surface uneven. In addition, trichome numbers dramatically increased and the stomata size varied in the affected tissues. Our results show that IspE deficiency causes novel developmental phenotypes distinct from the phenotypes of other MEP pathway mutants, indicating that IspE may have an additional role in plant development besides its role in isoprenoid biosynthesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Genbank accession number for IspE: ABO87658.     

Hydroxyurea‐induced partial mushroom body ablation in the honeybee Apis mellifera: Volumetric analysis and quantitative protein determination

Hydroxyurea (HU) treatment of first instar honeybee larvae was previously shown to cause mushroom body (MB) ablations. Predominantly, either one or both median MB subunits were ablated. This prompted us to analyze the effects of asymmetrical or symmetrical HU‐induced MB ablation on both the morphology of the brain and on the level of three proteins (synapsin, PKA RII, and PKC), which are considered to play a role in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. In brains with one median MB subunit missing the volume of the overall MB calyx neuropil in the lesioned side was diminished by 35%. This strong reduction occurred although the remaining lateral MB calyx of the lesioned brain side was found to be significantly larger than that of the intact side. Accordingly, in brains with both median MB subunits missing the size of the remaining lateral calyces increased. The various types of MB ablation differentially affected the amounts of synapsin, PKA RII, and PKC expressed in the central brain. In animals with bilateral and thus symmetrical MB ablation (both median calyces ablated) the protein amount was found to be similar to that in control animals. However, unilateral MB ablation causes an increase in the amounts of the tested proteins in the intact brain side, while the levels in the ablated side were the same as in control animals. These findings not only show that HU‐induced ablation of MB subunits is accompanied by volume changes and by changes in protein expression, but also suggest that these processes are highly regulated between the brain sides. The latter is of general importance in understanding the potential contribution of the MB subunits to learning and memory and their interaction between the brain sides. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 50: 31–44, 2002     

数字X线评价低温射频消融术治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征的 临床疗效

目的:探讨颅咽部数字X线指数对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者行低温射频消融手术治疗效果的评价作用。方法:选择2013年10月-2015年10月在我院接受低温射频消融术的OSAHS患者74例作为研究组,另选择同期在我院接受体检的健康志愿者44例作为对照组。分别于手术前后采用X线测量两组研究对象的上齿槽座角(SNA)、下齿槽座角(SNB)、上下齿槽座角(ANB)、颌上角(NA/PA);舌根后方气道前后径(PAS)、软腭后方气道横径(U-MPW)、会厌层气道前后径(V-LPW)、后鼻棘-咽顶点距(PNS-R)、舌骨最上缘至下颌骨垂直距离(H-MP)、软腭长度(SPL)、软腭厚度(SPT)以及舌骨至颈椎前平面距(H-CVP)。结果:研究组患者ANB,NA/PA,PAS,U-MPW,PNS-R及H-CVP均大于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);两组SNA、SNB、V-LPW、H-MP、SPL及SPT比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);与术前相比,研究组患者术后ANB、PAS、U-MPW及H-CVP均明显改善,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:颅咽部数字X线测量指数能够较好的评价OSAHS患者行射频消融术的治疗效果,值得临床参考。     

Numerical study to establish relationship between coagulation volume and target tip temperature during temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation

The present study aims at proposing a relationship between the coagulation volume and the target tip temperature in different tissues (viz., liver, lung, kidney, and breast) during temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation (RFA). A 20-min RFA has been modelled using commercially available monopolar multi-tine electrode subjected to different target tip temperatures that varied from 70°C to 100°C with an increment of 10°C. A closed-loop feedback proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller has been employed within the finite element model to perform temperature-controlled RFA. The coagulation necrosis has been attained by solving the coupled electric field distribution, the Pennes bioheat and the first-order Arrhenius rate equations within the three-dimensional finite element model of different tissues. The computational study considers temperature-dependent electrical and thermal conductivities along with the non-linear piecewise model of blood perfusion. The comparison between coagulation volume obtained from the numerical and in vitro experimental studies has been done to evaluate the aptness of the numerical models. In the present study, a total of 20 numerical simulations have been performed along with 12 experiments on tissue-mimicking phantom gel using RFA device. The study revealed a strong dependence of the coagulation volume on the pre-set target tip temperature and ablation time during RFA application. Further, the effect of target tip temperature on the applied input voltage has been studied in different tissues. Based on the results attained from the numerical study, statistical correlations between the coagulation volume and treatment time have been developed at different target tip temperatures for each tissue.     

针刺麻醉复合小剂量瑞芬太尼用于甲状腺良性结节消融术的临床疗效观察

目的:探讨小剂量瑞芬太尼复合针刺麻醉在甲状腺良性结节消融术中的麻醉镇痛效果。方法:选取2015年6月至2016年6月在我院进行甲状腺良性结节射频消融术的患者71例,并将其随机分为对照组(n=35)和复合麻醉组(n=36)。对照组患者接受单纯芬太尼麻醉,复合麻醉组患者接受小剂量瑞芬太尼复合针刺麻醉,观察和比较两组患者麻醉前(T0)、麻醉后(T1)、消融术中(T2)、手术结束(T3)时患者的平均动脉压(MAP)、心率(HR)、血氧饱和度(HPO_2)和VAS评分。结果:复合麻醉组患者T2和T3时间点MAP(95.00±6.09,90.86±3.23)(P0.05)、HR值(65.19±3.52,75.03±6.00)均显著低于对照组(P0.05),HPO_2水平(98.78±1.15,97.81±1.47)均显著高于对照组(P0.05),VAS评分(3.25±1.38,1.69±1.43)均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:电针刺激结合小剂量瑞芬太尼复合麻醉用于甲状腺良性结节消融术可有效镇痛并维持较稳定的血压和心率,效果明显优于单纯芬太尼麻醉。     

低温等离子髓核消融术治疗高原地区椎间盘源性下腰痛的疗效及对患者生活质量的影响

目的:研究低温等离子髓核消融术(LTPNPA)治疗高原地区椎间盘源性下腰痛(DLBP)的疗效及对患者生活质量的影响。方法:选择从2015年9月到2017年1月在我院接受治疗的高原地区DLBP患者,随机分为对照组(n=59)和观察组(n=59),对照组患者给予常规腰椎牵引治疗,观察组患者则予以LTPNPA术式治疗,对所有患者进行为期6个月的随访,并对比两组疗效、临床指标(疼痛缓解时间和住院时间)、治疗前后的椎间隙高度R值和Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)评分以及不同时期的日常生活能力量表(ADL)评分。结果:观察组的优良率是98.31%,高于对照组的88.14%(P0.05)。观察组的疼痛缓解时间及住院时间均少于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后两组的ODI评分均低于治疗前,且观察组较对照组偏低(P0.05)。治疗后两组的椎间隙高度R值相比差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后1个月、3个月、6个月两组的ADL评分均高于治疗前,治疗后3个月和6个月高于治疗后1个月,治疗后6个月高于治疗后3个月,且观察组均较对照组偏高(P0.05)。结论:对高原地区DLBP患者应用LTPNPA术式治疗,具有明显疗效,还可提升其生活质量,临床上可考虑在高原地区推广LTPNPA术式,从而使患者获得最佳疗效。     

Bare laser‐synthesized Au‐based nanoparticles as nondisturbing surface‐enhanced Raman scattering probes for bacteria identification

The ability of noble metal‐based nanoparticles (NPs) (Au, Ag) to drastically enhance Raman scattering from molecules placed near metal surface, termed as surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), is widely used for identification of trace amounts of biological materials in biomedical, food safety and security applications. However, conventional NPs synthesized by colloidal chemistry are typically contaminated by nonbiocompatible by‐products (surfactants, anions), which can have negative impacts on many live objects under examination (cells, bacteria) and thus decrease the precision of bioidentification. In this article, we explore novel ultrapure laser‐synthesized Au‐based nanomaterials, including Au NPs and AuSi hybrid nanostructures, as mobile SERS probes in tasks of bacteria detection. We show that these Au‐based nanomaterials can efficiently enhance Raman signals from model R6G molecules, while the enhancement factor depends on the content of Au in NP composition. Profiting from the observed enhancement and purity of laser‐synthesized nanomaterials, we demonstrate successful identification of 2 types of bacteria (Listeria innocua and Escherichia coli). The obtained results promise less disturbing studies of biological systems based on good biocompatibility of contamination‐free laser‐synthesized nanomaterials.

     

Change in P wave morphology after convergent atrial fibrillation ablation

Convergent atrial fibrillation ablation involves extensive epicardial as well as endocardial ablation of the left atrium. We examined whether it changes the morphology of the surface P wave. We reviewed electrocardiograms of 29 patients who underwent convergent ablation for atrial fibrillation. In leads V₁, II and III, we measured P wave duration, area and amplitude before ablation, and at 1, 3 and 6 months from ablation.After ablation, there were no significant changes in P wave amplitude, area, or duration in leads II and III. There was a significant reduction in the area of the terminal negative deflection of the P wave in V₁ from 0.38 mm² to 0.13 mm² (p = 0.03). There is also an acute increase in the amplitude and duration of the positive component of the P wave in V₁ followed by a reduction in both by 6 months. Before ablation, 62.5% of the patients had biphasic P waves in V₁. In 6 months, only 39.2% of them had biphasic P waves.Hybrid ablation causes a reduction of the terminal negative deflection of the P wave in V₁ as well as temporal changes in the duration and amplitude of the positive component of the P wave in V₁. This likely reflects the reduced electrical contribution of the posterior left atrium after ablation as well as anatomical and autonomic remodeling. Recognition of this altered sinus P wave morphology is useful in the diagnosis of atrial arrhythmias in this patient population.