Macular retinal thickness and flow density change by optical coherence tomography angiography after posterior scleral reinforcement

Optical coherence tomography angiography(Angio-OCT) has introduced a new non-invasive, quantitative method to assess superficial and deep capillary networks of the retina. In this study, we investigated macular retinal thickness and flow density change following posterior scleral reinforcement(PSR) surgery, using an RTVue XR Avanti Angio-OCT, in patients with pathological myopia. A total of 13 patients with pathological myopia were recruited and all patients completed the 6 months follow-up visit. Data from 22 eyes were used in this study. The mean age was 36.23±15.29 years, and 43%(n=6) were men.Spherical equivalent refractive error(SE) ranged from –8.0 to –24.0 D. Postoperative axial length, best-corrected visual acuity and SE did not change significantly at each follow-up, compared with pre-operative measures(P0.05). Postoperative flow density of superficial and deep retinal layers at each sector did not change significantly at each follow-up, compared with preoperative measures(P0.05). However, we found significant decrease in retinal thickness of parafovea-inferior sector after PSR surgery(P0.01), indicating potential relaxation of vitreofoveal traction after PSR surgery.     

Isorhamnetin attenuates osteoarthritis by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and protecting chondrocytes through modulating reactive oxygen species homeostasis

Increasing evidence indicates that osteoarthritis (OA) is a musculoskeletal disease affecting the whole joint, including both cartilage and subchondral bone. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been demonstrated to be one of the important destructive factors during early‐stage OA development. The objective of this study was to investigate isorhamnetin (Iso) treatment on osteoclast formation and chondrocyte protection to attenuate OA by modulating ROS. Receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand (RANKL) was used to establish the osteoclast differentiation model in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in vivo. H₂O₂ was used to induce ROS, which could further cause chondrocyte apoptosis. We demonstrated that Iso suppressed RANKL‐induced ROS generation, which could mediate osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, we found that Iso inhibited osteoclast formation and function by suppressing the expression of osteoclastogenesis‐related genes and proteins. We proved that Iso inhibited RANKL‐induced activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) and AKT signalling pathways in BMMs. In addition, Iso inhibited ROS‐induced chondrocyte apoptosis by regulating apoptosis‐related proteins. Moreover, Iso was administered to an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)‐induced OA mouse model. The results indicated that Iso exerted beneficial effects on inhibiting excessive osteoclast activity and chondrocyte apoptosis, which further remedied cartilage damage. Overall, our data showed that Iso is an effective candidate for treating OA.     

Application of an efficient indole oxygenase system from Cupriavidus sp. SHE for indigo production

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Indigo, one of the most widely used dyes, is mainly produced by chemical processes, which generate amounts of pollutants and need high energy consumption....     

分泌性中耳炎患者外周血Th1Th2细胞及T淋巴细胞亚群水平的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨分泌性中耳炎(SOM)患者外周血T辅助细胞1(Th1)、T辅助细胞2(Th2)细胞因子及T淋巴细胞亚群水平的表达及其临床意义。方法:选取我院于2015年1月至2018年1月期间收治的SOM患者135例记为SOM组,根据病程将患者分为急性组(病程14d,49例)、亚急性组(病程14-30d,53例)、慢性组(病程30d,33例)。另外选择同期于我院进行体检的100例健康者为对照组。分别对比SOM组和对照组受试者、不同病程SOM患者外周血Th1细胞因子[干扰素(INF-γ)、白细胞介素-2(IL-2)]、Th2细胞因子[白细胞介素-4(IL-4)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)]以及T淋巴细胞亚群[CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+]水平。采用Pearson相关性分析INF-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-10与CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+的相关性。结果:SOM组患者外周血INF-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-10水平高于对照组(P0.05);急性组患者外周血INF-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-10水平低于亚急性组、慢性组,亚急性组患者外周血INF-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-10水平低于慢性组(P0.05)。SOM组患者外周血CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+水平低于对照组,CD8~+水平高于对照组(P0.05);急性组患者外周血CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+水平高于亚急性组、慢性组,CD8~+水平低于亚急性组、慢性组,亚急性组患者外周血CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+水平高于慢性组,CD8~+水平低于慢性组(P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,SOM患者外周血INF-γ、IL-4与CD8~+呈正相关(P0.05),IL-4与CD3~+、CD4~+呈负相关(P0.05)。结论:SOM患者外周血Th1Th2细胞因子、T淋巴细胞亚群水平均表现异常,且其水平与疾病发生和发展存在一定联系,通过监测Th1Th2细胞因子、T淋巴细胞亚群有助于评估SOM患者病情。     

CPI-17-mediated contraction of vascular smooth muscle is essential for the development of hypertension in obese mice

Several factors have been implicated in obesity-related hypertension, but the genesis of the hypertension is largely unknown. In this study, we found a significantly upregulated expression of CPI-17(C-kinasepotentiated protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor of 17 kDa) and protein kinase C(PKC) isoforms in the vascular smooth muscles of high-fat diet(HFD)-fed obese mice. The obese wild-type mice showed a significant elevation of blood pressure and enhanced calcium-sensitized contraction of vascular smooth muscles. However, the obese CPI-17-deficient mice showed a normotensive blood pressure, and the calcium-sensitized contraction was consistently reduced. In addition, the mutant muscle displayed an abolished responsive force to a PKC activator and a 30%-50% reduction in both the initial peak force and sustained force in response to various G protein-coupled receptor(GPCR) agonists. Our observations showed that CPI-17-mediated calcium sensitization is mediated through a GPCR/PKC/CPI-17/MLCP/RLC signaling pathway. We therefore propose that the upregulation of CPI-17-mediated calcium-sensitized vasocontraction by obesity contributes to the development of obesity-related hypertension.     

Insights into the Effects of Electrolyte Composition on the Performance and Stability of FeF2 Conversion‐Type Cathodes

As an alternative to commercial Ni‐ and Co‐based intercalation‐type cathode materials, conversion‐type metal fluoride (MF_x) cathodes are attracting more interest due to their promises to increase cell‐level energy density when coupled with lithium (Li) or silicon (Si)‐based anodes. Among metal fluorides, iron fluorides (FeF₂ and FeF₃) are regarded as some of the most promising candidates due to their high capacity, moderately high potential and the very low cost of Fe. In this study, the impacts of electrolyte composition on the performance and stability of nanostructured FeF₂ cathodes are systematically investigated. Dramatic impacts of Li salt composition, Li salt concentration, solvent composition, and cycling potential range on the cathode's most critical performance parameters—stability, capacity, rate, and voltage hysteresis are discovered. In contrast to previous beliefs, it is observed that even if the Fe²⁺ cation dissolution could be avoided, the dissolution of F^? anions may still negatively affect cathode performance. Formation of the more favorable cathode solid electrolyte interface (CEI) is found to minimize both processes.     

细叶远志皂苷在Aβ23-35诱导SH-SY5Y 细胞氧化损伤中的作用及机制研究

为研究细叶远志皂苷(tenuifolin,TEN)在Aβ25-35诱导SH-SY5Y细胞氧化损伤中的作用,并探讨其作用机制。建立Aβ25-35诱导的细胞损伤模型,细叶远志皂苷以及自噬抑制剂3-MA进行干预,显微镜观察细胞形态变化,试剂盒检测细胞氧化应激水平,RT-qPCR和Westernblot检测细叶远志皂苷以及自噬抑制剂干预前后Beclin-1、LC3、mTOR、AMPK和ULK1mRNA及蛋白水平变化。结果发现,TEN改善Aβ25-35诱导的SH-SY5Y细胞形态损伤和细胞活力下降;降低ROS和MDA浓度,并提高SOD、GSH-Px及过氧化氢酶的活性;增加AMPK和ULK1的表达,减少mTOR的表达及增加Beclin-1和LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ的表达水平。而加入3-MA会拮抗TEN的作用。总之,TEN可能通过调控AMPK/mTOR/ULK1通路,增加Beclin-1及LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ蛋白水平激活自噬,进而改善Aβ25-35诱导的细胞形态损伤和细胞活力下降,提高细胞抗氧化应激能力,发挥神经保护作用。