Progression of age related maculopathy in phakic versus pseudophakic eyes

Age-related maculopathy (ARM) is one of the leading causes of central visual acuity loss in older western population. Many factors are responsible for the fast development of ARM. One of this is significant increases of optical radiations through artificial lens after removal of the catarctous lens. The aim of this study was to compare progression of ARM in phakic and pseudophakic patients and to calculate the possibility ofpseudophakia as a risk factor for faster progression of ARM. Medical records of 76 patients, older than 60 years (32 male and 44 female) with early forms of ARM were randomly evaluated. They had undergone cataract removal by phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation from January 2002 to December 2006 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Rijeka University Hospital, Croatia. Patients were examined two weeks after the surgery and followed up for two years. The control group consisted of 48 patients (21 males and 27 females) with also early forms of ARM, older than 60 years, examined at the Policlinic Department from January 2006 to December 2006 and followed up at least for two years without any cataract surgery. Comparing progression of ARM in these two groups, a total of 19 patients (25%) in pseudophakic group showed progression to late forms of ARM, but only 6 patients (12.5 %) in the control group developed these aggressive ARM forms. More aggressive forms of ARM in pseudophakic group indicate that pseudophakia should be considered as a risk factor for development of ARM.     

National Development Generates National Identities

The purpose of the article is to test the relationship between national identities and modernisation. We test the hypotheses that not all forms of identity are equally compatible with modernisation as measured by Human Development Index. The less developed societies are characterised by strong ascribed national identities based on birth, territory and religion, but also by strong voluntarist identities based on civic features selected and/or achieved by an individual. While the former decreases with further modernisation, the latter may either decrease or remain at high levels and coexist with instrumental supranational identifications, typical for the most developed countries. The results, which are also confirmed by multilevel regression models, thus demonstrate that increasing modernisation in terms of development contributes to the shifts from classical, especially ascribed, identities towards instrumental identifications. These findings are particularly relevant in the turbulent times increasingly dominated by the hardly predictable effects of the recent mass migrations.     

Inferring gene function from evolutionary change in signatures of translation efficiency

Background

The genetic code is redundant, meaning that most amino acids can be encoded by more than one codon. Highly expressed genes tend to use optimal codons to increase the accuracy and speed of translation. Thus, codon usage biases provide a signature of the relative expression levels of genes, which can, uniquely, be quantified across the domains of life.

Results

Here we describe a general statistical framework to exploit this phenomenon and to systematically associate genes with environments and phenotypic traits through changes in codon adaptation. By inferring evolutionary signatures of translation efficiency in 911 bacterial and archaeal genomes while controlling for confounding effects of phylogeny and inter-correlated phenotypes, we linked 187 gene families to 24 diverse phenotypic traits. A series of experiments in Escherichia coli revealed that 13 of 15, 19 of 23, and 3 of 6 gene families with changes in codon adaptation in aerotolerant, thermophilic, or halophilic microbes. Respectively, confer specific resistance to, respectively, hydrogen peroxide, heat, and high salinity. Further, we demonstrate experimentally that changes in codon optimality alone are sufficient to enhance stress resistance. Finally, we present evidence that multiple genes with altered codon optimality in aerobes confer oxidative stress resistance by controlling the levels of iron and NAD(P)H.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results provide experimental evidence for a widespread connection between changes in translation efficiency and phenotypic adaptation. As the number of sequenced genomes increases, this novel genomic context method for linking genes to phenotypes based on sequence alone will become increasingly useful.     

Satellite chlorophyll fluorescence measurements reveal large‐scale decoupling of photosynthesis and greenness dynamics in boreal evergreen forests

Mid‐to‐high latitude forests play an important role in the terrestrial carbon cycle, but the representation of photosynthesis in boreal forests by current modelling and observational methods is still challenging. In particular, the applicability of existing satellite‐based proxies of greenness to indicate photosynthetic activity is hindered by small annual changes in green biomass of the often evergreen tree population and by the confounding effects of background materials such as snow. As an alternative, satellite measurements of sun‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) can be used as a direct proxy of photosynthetic activity. In this study, the start and end of the photosynthetically active season of the main boreal forests are analysed using spaceborne SIF measurements retrieved from the GOME‐2 instrument and compared to that of green biomass, proxied by vegetation indices including the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) derived from MODIS data. We find that photosynthesis and greenness show a similar seasonality in deciduous forests. In high‐latitude evergreen needleleaf forests, however, the length of the photosynthetically active period indicated by SIF is up to 6 weeks longer than the green biomass changing period proxied by EVI, with SIF showing a start‐of‐season of approximately 1 month earlier than EVI. On average, the photosynthetic spring recovery as signalled by SIF occurs as soon as air temperatures exceed the freezing point (2–3 °C) and when the snow on the ground has not yet completely melted. These findings are supported by model data of gross primary production and a number of other studies which evaluated in situ observations of CO₂ fluxes, meteorology and the physiological state of the needles. Our results demonstrate the sensitivity of space‐based SIF measurements to light‐use efficiency of boreal forests and their potential for an unbiased detection of photosynthetic activity even under the challenging conditions interposed by evergreen boreal ecosystems.     

Liraglutide Exerts Protective Effects by Downregulation of PPARγ, ACSL1 and SREBP-1c in Huh7 Cell Culture Models of Non-Alcoholic Steatosis and Drug-Induced Steatosis

(1) Background: With the aging of the population and polypharmacy encountered in the elderly, drug-induced steatosis (DIS) has become frequent cause of non-alcoholic steatosis (NAS). Indeed, NAS and DIS may co-exist, making the ability to distinguish between the entities ever more important. The aim of our study was to study cell culture models of NAS and DIS and determine the effects of liraglutide (LIRA) in those models. (2) Methods: Huh7 cells were treated with oleic acid (OA), or amiodarone (AMD) to establish models of NAS and DIS, respectively. Cells were treated with LIRA and cell viability was assessed by MTT, lipid accumulation by Oil-Red-O staining and triglyceride assay, and intracellular signals involved in hepatosteatosis were quantitated by RT-PCR. (3) Results: After exposure to various OA and AMD concentrations, those that achieved 80% of cells viabilities were used in further experiments to establish NAS and DIS models using 0.5 mM OA and 20 µM AMD, respectively. In both models, LIRA increased cell viability (p < 0.01). Lipid accumulation was increased in both models, with microsteatotic pattern in DIS, and macrosteatotic pattern in NAS which corresponds to greater triglyceride accumulation in latter. LIRA ameliorated these changes (p < 0.001), and downregulated expression of lipogenic ACSL1, PPARγ, and SREBP-1c pathways in the liver (p < 0.01) (4) Conclusions: LIRA ameliorates hepatocyte steatosis in Huh7 cell culture models of NAS and DIS.     

Prevalence and five-year cumulative incidence of psychological distress: the CroHort study

The aims of this paper are to investigate the change in prevalence of psychological distress (PD), to investigate the cumulative incidence of the psychological distress and to indicate are there any differences between genders and various age groups in Croatian adult population. Psychological distress status was measured by the five-item Mental Health Scale (MHI-5) of the Short Form questionnaire (SF-36). Psychological distress was present in 28.5% (95% CI 25.7%-31.2%) of men and 32.1% (95% CI 30.1%-34.0%) of women in 2003. In 2008 PD was present in 33.0% (95% CI 30.1%-35.9%) of men and 34.1% (95% CI 32.1%-36.0%) of women. The highest incidence of PD, both for men and women, was in the oldest age group (> 65 years). Results of this study demonstrating the fact that every third adult men and woman in Croatia are in psychological distress, the fact that there is an increase in PD prevalence for men and women should be taken into account in the future mental health policy planning.     

Infection and replication sites of Spiroplasma kunkelii (Class: Mollicutes) in midgut and Malpighian tubules of the leafhopper Dalbulus maidis

Spiroplasma kunkelii distribution and infection mechanisms in the intestines and Malpighian tubules of Dalbulus maidis were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Spiroplasmas were found between microvilli and in endocytic vesicles of the midgut epithelium. At the basal part, cytoplasmic vesicles contained multiple spiroplasmas with tube-like extensions and spiroplasmas accumulated between the laminae rara and densa of the basal lamina. Tip structures of flask-shaped spiroplasmas pierced the lamina densa that was discontinuous in close proximity to spiroplasmas. Spiroplasmas were found in hemolymph, crossed the basal lamina of Malpighian tubule epithelium and accumulated at high numbers in muscle cells that had cytopathogenic changes. S. kunkelii had perithrochous approximately 8nm diameter structures determined to be fimbriae protruding from the cell surface, and similar structures were adhering to the basal lamina of midgut epithelium and to external lamina of muscle cells. Further, spiroplasmas had pili-like appendages at one or both cell poles and appeared to conjugate. This is the first time that fimbriae and pili have been observed in a mollicutes.     

NMR structural determination of dissolved O-acetylated galactoglucomannan isolated from spruce thermomechanical pulp

Water-soluble O-acetylated galactoglucomannan (GGM) isolated from spruce thermomechanical pulp (TMP) by hot-water extraction was characterized by 1D and 2D (homo- and heteronuclear) NMR analysis. The backbone was found to consist of (1-->4)-linked mannopyranosyl and glucopyranosyl units in a ratio of 10:1.9-2.6. The mannopyranosyl units were acetylated at C-2 and C-3 with a degree of acetylation around 0.28-0.37 as determined by NMR. A slightly larger amount of 2-O-acetylated mannopyranosyl was detected when compared to the 3-O-acetylated component. Approximately every 10th mannopyranosyl unit was substituted at C-6 by a single alpha-galactopyranosyl unit. Fine structure determination based on sequence-specific chemical shift variations showed that the distribution of glycosyl residues is random. Small amounts of other minor polysaccharide species including xylans and galactans could also be identified by NMR.     

The role of omega6 to omega3 ratio in development and progression of age-related macular degeneration

The aim of this study is to investigate possible connection between omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio and development and progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). We examined 125 patients diagnosed with ARMD and divided into 5 groups of 25 patients according to CARMS (Clinical Age-Related Maculopathy Staging System). Control group consists of 51 patients with similar ages, without ARMD. All of them underwent stereobiomicroscopy, fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. Dietary fatty acids intake was measured using food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The FFQ was based on previously validated questionnaire (DIETQ, Tinuviel Software, Warington, Ches, UK) and FFQ2 from Blue MountainEye Study. The data were analysed using food nutritient dana from McCance and Widdowson's Food Composition Tables, supplemented with a food fatty acid content database (Foodbase, London, UK). We noticed statistically significant difference between omega-6/omega-3 ratio in neovascular ARMD (stage 5) and all other groups including control group (p = 0.000020). The ratio in Stage 5 was about 11:1 like in Western diet. Stage 4-geographic atrophy (GA) has statistically significant difference in o-mega-6/omega-3 ratio compared with stage 1 (p = 0.000571), stage 2 (p = 0.000112) and stage3 (p = 0.000430). The ratio in first three groups is about 7-7.5:1 (greater then Mediteran-4-5:1, but lower then Western Diet-10-20:1). There is no statistically significant difference between first three stages (p > 0.05) and stage 4 and control group (p = 0.172388). Omega-6/omega-3 ratio is connected with development of neovascular ARMD. Decreased ratio protects against neovascular ARMD. On the contrary, GA seems to be connected with prolonged sunlight exposure (the ratio is about 6:1). It is good to know that changing nutrition habits someone can prevent development of severe neovascular form of ARMD because intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy limitations.     

Evaluation of a hydrogel-fiber composite for ACL tissue engineering

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is necessary for normal knee stability and movement. Unfortunately the ACL is also the most frequently injured ligament of the knee with severe disruptions requiring surgical intervention. In response to this, tissue engineering has emerged as an option for ACL replacement and repair. In this study we present a novel hydrogel-fibrous scaffold as a potential option for ACL replacement. The scaffold was composed of PLLA fibers, in a previously evaluated braid-twist structure, combined with a polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel to improve viscoelastic properties. Both hydrogel concentration (10%, 15%, and 20%) and amount of hydrogel (soaking the fibrous scaffold in hydrogel solution or encasing the scaffold in a block of hydrogel) were evaluated. It was found that the braid-twist scaffold had a greater porosity and larger number of pores above 100 μm than braided scaffolds with the same braiding angle. After testing for their effects on swelling, fiber degradation, and protein release, as well as viscoelastic and tensile testing (when combined with fibrous scaffolds), it was found that the composite scaffold soaked in 10% hydrogel had the best chemical release and mechanical properties. The optimized structure behaved similarly to natural ligament in tension with the addition of the hydrogel decreasing the ultimate tensile stress (UTS), but the UTS was still comparable to natural ACL. In addition, cellular studies showed that the hydrogel-PLLA fiber composite supported fibroblast growth.