Intravitreal slow-release dexamethasone alleviates traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy by inhibiting persistent inflammation and Müller cell gliosis in rabbits

AIM:To evaluate the effects of intravitreal slow-release dexamethasone on traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR)and Müller cell gliosis and preliminarily explored the possible inflammatory mechanism in a rabbit model induced by penetrating ocular trauma.METHODS:Traumatic PVR was induced in the right eyes of pigmented rabbits by performing an 8-mm circumferential scleral incision placed 2.5 mm behind the limbus,followed by treatment with a slow-release dexamethasone implant(Ozurdex)or sham injection.Left eyes were used as normal controls.The intraocular pressure(IOP)was monitored using an iCare tonometer.PVR severity was evaluated via anatomical and histopathological examinations every week for 6wk;specific inflammatory cytokine and proliferative marker levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,Western blot,protein chip analysis,or immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:During the observation period,PVR severity gradually increased.Intense Müller cell gliosis was observed in the peripheral retina near the wound and in the whole retina of PVR group.Ozurdex significantly alleviated PVR development and Müller cell gliosis.Post-traumatic inflammation fluctuated and was persistent.The interleukin-1β(IL-1β)mRNA level was significantly upregulated,peaking on day 3 and increasing again on day 21 after injury.The expression of nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)showed a similar trend that began earlier than that of IL-1βexpression.Ozurdex suppressed the expression of IL-1β,NLRP3,and phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB).The average IOP after treatment was within normal limits.CONCLUSION:The present study demonstrates chronic and fluctuating inflammation in a traumatic PVR rabbit model over 6wk.Ozurdex treatment significantly inhibites inflammatory cytokines expression and Müller cell gliosis,and thus alleviates PVR severity.This study highlights the important role of IL-1β,and Ozurdex inhibites inflammation presumably via the NF-κB/NLRP3/IL-1βinflammatory axis.In summary,Ozurdex provides a potential therapeutic option for traumatic PVR.

Intravitreal anti-VEGF agents, oral glucocorticoids, and laser photocoagulation combination therapy for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: preliminary report

AIM： To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined anti-vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） agents, oral glucocorticoid, and laser photocoagulation therapy for macular edema （ME） secondary to retinal vein occlusion （RVO）. METHODS： This study included 16 eyes of 16 patients with RVO-associated ME. Patients were initially treated with oral prednisone and an intravitreal anti-VEGF agent. Two weeks later, patients underwent standard laser photocoagulation. Best-corrected visual acuity （BCVA）, central retinal thickness （CRT）, and retinal vessel oxygenation were examined over 12mo. RESULTS： Patients received 1.43＋0.81 anti-VEGF injections. Mean baseline and 12-month IogMAR BCVA were 0.96±0.51 （20/178） and 0.31±0.88 （20/40）, respectively, in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion （CRVO） （P〈0.00）, and 1.02±0.45 （201209） and 0.60±0.49 （20/80）, respectively, in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion （BRVO） （P〈0.00）. At 12mo, CRT had significantly decreased in eyes with CRVO （P〈0.00） and BRVO （P〈0.00）. Venous oxygen saturation had significantly increased in eyes with CRVO （P〈0.00） and BRVO （P〈0.00）. No examined parameters were significantly different between the 2 RVO groups. No serious adverse effects occurred. CONCLUSION： Anti-VEGF, glucocorticoid, and photocoagulation combination therapy improves visual outcome, prolongs therapeutic effect, and reduces the number of intravitreal injections in eyes with RVO- associated ME.

Acupuncture for ischemic stroke:cerebellar activation may be a central mechanism following Deqi

The needling sensation of Deqi during acupuncture is a key factor of influencing acupuncture outcome.Recent studies have mainly focused on the brain function effects of Deqi in a physiological state.Functional magnetic resonance imaging（f MRI）on the effects of acupuncture at Waiguan（SJ5）in pathological and physiological states is controversial.In this study,12 patients with ischemic stroke received acupuncture at Waiguan（SJ5）and simultaneously underwent f MRI scanning of the brain,with imaging data of the activated areas obtained.Based on the patient＇s sensation,imaging data were allocated to either the Deqi group or non-Deqi group.In the Deqi group,the activated/deactivated areas were the left superior temporal gyrus（BA39）/right anterior lobe of the cerebellum and left thalamus.In the non-Deqi group,the activated areas included the medial frontal gyrus of the right frontal lobe（BA11）,right limbic lobe（BA30,35）,and left frontal lobe（BA47）,while the only deactivated area was the right parietal lobe（BA40）.Compared with the non-Deqi group,the Deqi group exhibited marked activation of the right anterior lobe of the cerebellum and right limbic lobe（BA30）.These findings confirm that the clinical effect of Deqi during acupuncture is based on brain functional changes.Cerebellar activation may be one of the central mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

CO_2激光联合等离子射频消融术对早期声门型喉癌相关细胞因子水平的影响

目的观察二氧化碳CO_2激光联合等离子射频消融术(PRA)治疗早期声门型喉癌患者前后血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、一氧化氮NO及肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)水平变化和疗效。方法选取早期声门型喉癌患者298例作为研究对象,随机分为观察组与对照组,每组149例。对照组患者接受传统喉裂开术;观察组患者接受CO_2激光联合PRA。采用酶联免疫吸附法测定血清VEGF及TNF-α,硝酸还原酶法测定NO。分别收集两组患者术后恢复情况和1年后并发症发生情况。结果两组患者术前VEGF、NO及TNF-α水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);而术后VEGF、NO及TNF-α水平比较,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。观察组手术时间、住院时间低于对照组(P <0.05),黏膜恢复情况较对照组好;观察组并发症发生率低于对照组(P <0.05)。结论 CO_2激光联合PRA治疗早期声门型喉癌能有效减少手术创伤,改善患者预后,降低患者血清VEGF、NO及TNF-α水平。

天麻钩藤饮抗大鼠视网膜神经节细胞凋亡机制的实验研究

目的:从蛋白分子水平分析天麻钩藤饮抗大鼠视神经夹伤模型视网膜神经节细胞凋亡的机制。方法:将所有大鼠36只随机分为天麻钩藤饮低剂量组(0.6g/mL,n=6)、中剂量组(1.2g/mL,n=6)、高剂量组(2.4g/mL,n=6)、正常对照组(n=6)、阴性对照组(n=6)和银杏叶片阳性对照组(1.2mg/mL,n=6)共6组,再将30只SPF级雄性Wistar大鼠(除正常对照组外其余五组)制备成视神经夹伤模型。检测N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸2B(Nmethyl-D-aspartic acid receptor 2B,NMDA2B)受体蛋白平均灰度值和β-淀粉样蛋白(amyloidβ-protein,Aβ)平均灰度值。结果:天麻钩藤饮低、中、高剂量组NMDA2B受体蛋白平均灰度值较阴性对照组明显减少(P<0.001),并与阳性对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.320),正常对照组与阴性对照组具有显著性差异(P<0.001)。天麻钩藤饮中、高剂量组β-淀粉样蛋白平均灰度值较阴性对照组明显减少(P=0.086、0.001);低浓度组较阴性对照组减少,但差异无统计学意义(P=0.614);其中高剂量组和阳性对照组之间比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.376);正常对照组与阴性对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。结论:天麻钩藤饮可以通过下调NMDA2B受体蛋白的表达和控制β-淀粉样蛋白的沉积来减少视网膜神经节细胞的损伤和凋亡,并以此机制对视网膜神经节细胞起到一定的保护作用。

NVG患者房水和血清中VEGF-A和PDGF及PEDF的临床意义

目的:检测新生血管性青光眼(NVG)患者房水和血清中血管内皮生长因子-A(VEGF-A)、血小板源性生长因子(PDGF)、色素上皮衍生因子(PEDF)的含量,并分析其意义。方法:前瞻性临床研究。采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测2015-12/2016-12在西京医院眼科住院的NVG患者23例及年龄相关性白内障患者23例房水及血清中VEGF-A、PDGF、PEDF的含量并定量分析。结果:NVG患者房水中VEGF-A、PDGF的含量分别为1130.56±69.32、221.95±56.08ng/L,均显著高于年龄相关性白内障患者组(226.45±37.46、36.25±7.12ng/L)(均P<0.01);NVG患者房水中PEDF的含量为195.69±42.00ng/L,低于年龄相关性白内障患者组(497.89±12.52ng/L)(P<0.01);NVG组血清中VEGF-A、PDGF及PEDF的含量分别为226.45±37.46、29.57±6.31及13.24±1.76ng/L,均与年龄相关性白内障患者组(219±34.89、28.28±7.24、12.96±2.08ng/L)无差异(均P>0.05)。NVG患者房水中VEGF-A和PDGF含量呈正相关(r=0.502,P=0.015),而VEGF-A与PEDF含量呈负相关(r=-0.480,P=0.020)。结论:NVG患者房水中VEGF-A、PDGF的含量显著升高,而PEDF的含量显著降低,且VEGF-A的含量与PDGF含量呈正相关、与PEDF含量呈负相关。联合使用VEGF-A、PDGF抑制剂及PEDF可能为NVG治疗提供新的思路。

Failure analysis of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets based on the extended GTN damage model

Based on the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman （GTN） model and Hill＇s quadratic anisotropic yield criterion, a combined experimental-numerical study on fracture initiation in the process of thermal stamping of Mg alloy AZ31 sheets was carried out. The aim is to predict the formability of thermal stamping of the Mg alloy sheets at different temperatures. The presented theoretical framework was implemented into a VUMAT subroutine for ABAQUS/EXPLICIT. Internal damage evolution due to void growth and coalescence developed at different temperatures in the Mg alloy sheets was observed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. Moreover, the thermal effects on the void growth, coalescence, and fracture behavior of the Mg alloy sheets were analyzed by the extended GTN model and forming limit diagrams （FLD）. Parameters employed in the GTN model were determined from tensile tests and numerical iterative computation. The distribution of major and minor principal strains in the specimens was determined from the numerical results. Therefore, the corresponding forming limit diagrams at different stress levels and temperatures were drawn. The comparison between the predicted forming limits and the experimental data shows a good agreement.

Molecular Biological Mechanisms of Yuan Zhi Powder in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: an Analysis Based on Network Pharmacology

Objective To predict the main active ingredients,potential targets and molecular mechanisms of Yuan Zhi powder in treatment of dementia by using network pharmacology.Methods A database of chemical constituents of Yuan Zhi powder was constructed by using databases and literatures.Potential targets were predicted by reverse molecular docking,and then a component-target network was constructed.The target network of Alzheimer's disease(AD)was mapped and analyzed to obtain the“active ingredient-AD target”network.The key targets were screened through network analysis.Finally,the rationality of the prediction was analyzed by comparing with the target reported in the literatures.Results There were180chemical constituents acting on the AD target,and the targets included three key targets(cyclooxygenase-2,muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1,and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2)and an important target(acetylcholine esterase).Alzheimer's disease may be treated by regulating the activity of acetylcholine receptors and the binding toβ-amyloid protein,and its biological process may be concentrated in the acetylcholine receptor signal pathway,negative regulation of synaptic transmission and so on.Conclusion The fact that Yuan Zhi powder can treat AD is consistent with the characteristics of multi-components-multitargets-multiple pathways of traditional Chinese medicine.The important targets obtained from network analysis have a large proportion in literature research,so network analysis have some rationality.

Three-dimensional multi-phase-field simulation of eutectoid alloy based on OpenCL parallel

Seeking high-performance computing methods to solve the problem of a large amount of calculation,low calculation efficiency,and small simulation scale on the traditional single central processing unit (CPU) platform is of great value to the simulation study of micro-structure.In this study,based on the three-dimensional multi-phase-field model of KKSO coupling phase-field and solute field,the open computing language (OpenCL) + graphics processing unit (GPU) heterogeneous parallel computing technology is used to simulate the eutectoid growth of Fe-C alloy and the end growth process of pearlite under pure diffusion.The effects of initial supercooling and different diffusion coefficients on the growth morphology of lamellar pearlite were investigated.The results show that ferrite and cementite are perpendicular to the front of the solid-solid interface and are coupled and coordinated to grow,and there is no leading phase under the initial supercooling degree of 20 K.With the continuous increase of the initial supercooling degree (19 K-22 K),the morphology changes of the eutectoid layer are as follows:cementite stops growing → slice amplitude increases → regular symmetric growth → oblique growth → layer merge.With the increase of the diffusion coefficient from 3×10^(-13) m^(2)·s^(-1) to 15×10^(-13) m^(2)·s^(-1),the growth rate of the microstructure of the lamellar pearlite increases linearly,and there is no obvious change in the frontal appearance of the pearlite.

Serum Soluble Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 1 as a Potential Biomarker of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

Background and Aims:The results of basic research implicate the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)family as a potential target of hepatopulmonary syndrome(HPS).However,the negative results of anti-angiogenetic therapy in clinical studies have highlighted the need for markers for HPS.Therefore,we aimed to determine whether VEGF family members and their receptors can be potential biomarkers for HPS through clinical and experimental studies.Methods:Clinically,patients with chronic liver disease from two medical centers were enrolled and examined for HPS.Patients were divided into HPS,intrapulmonary vascular dilation[positive contrast-enhanced echocardiography(CEE)and normal oxygenation]and CEE-negative groups.Baseline information and perioperative clinical data were compared between HPS and non-HPS patients.Serum levels of VEGF family members and their receptors were measured.In parallel,HPS rats were established by common bile duct ligation.Liver,lung and serum samples were collected for the evaluation of pathophysiologic changes,as well as the expression levels of the above factors.Results:In HPS rats,all VEGF family members and their receptors underwent significant changes;however,only soluble VEGFR1(sFlt-1)and the sFlt-1/placental growth factor(PLGF)ratio were changed in almost the same manner as those in HPS patients.Furthermore,through feature selection and internal and external validation,sFlt-1 and the sFlt-1/PLGF ratio were identified as the most important variables to distinguish HPS from non-HPS patients.Conclusions:Our results from animal and human studies indicate that sFlt-1 and the sFlt-1/PLGF ratio in serum are potential markers for HPS.

A nanoporous nitrogen-doped graphene for high performance lithium sulfur batteries

A nanoporous N-doped reduced graphene oxide（p-N-rGO） was prepared through carbothermal reaction between graphene oxide and ammonium-containing oxometalates as sulfur host for Li-S batteries.The p-N-rGO sheets have abundant nanopores with diameters of 10-40 nm and the nitrogen content is 2.65 at%.When used as sulfur cathode,the obtained p-N-rGO/S composite has a high reversible capacity of 1110mAhg^-1 at 1C rate and stable cycling performance with 781.8 mAhg-1 retained after 110 cycles,much better than those of the rGO/S composite.The enhanced electrochemical performance is ascribed to the rational combination of nanopores and N-doping,which provide efficient contact and wetting with the electrolyte,accommodate volume expansion and immobilize polysulfides during cycling.

What took you so long?Peptide-receptor kinase signaling mediates reproductive isolation in plants

The peptide-receptor kinase-based intercellular signaling becomes an important molecular base for various aspects of plant life activities[1],particularly exemplified in the extensive molecular interactions in the journey of pollen tube growth in pistil of flowering plants[2].Researches in the past two decades demonstrated that peptide-receptor kinase signaling complexes mediat epollen tube promotion,guidance and reception,as well as selfincompatibility and gamete fusion.A recent exciting discovery published on Science by Zhong et al.expands the biological functions of peptide-receptor kinase signaling to facilitating formation of a new plant species[3].

A new species of the genus Micropeplus Latreille(Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Micropeplinae) from China

A new species of the genus Micropeplus Latreille is described under the name of M. songi sp. nov. Color photos of habitus, head, pronotum, elytra, wing, metastemum, the 3rd to 7th tergites of abdomen, the 8th stemite, and aedeagus are provided. This species was found on fungi from Mt. Wahui in Jiulong County, Sichuan, China.

New insights on(V_(10)O_(28))^(6-)-based electrode materials for energy storage:a brief review

Progress in humanity has intensified the demand for efficient and renewable energy storage,which warrants the development of advanced rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),sodium-ion batteries(SIBs),zinc-ion batteries(ZIBs),and lithium-sulfur batteries(Li-S batteries).Nevertheless,these batteries still suffer from certain limitations,such as the insufficient capacity and inferior stability in their electrode materials.Therefore,developing a feasible electrode material for Li/Na/Zn ion storage represents a critical challenge.Recently,polyoxovanadates(POVs)materials,particularly decavanadate anion(V_(10)O_(28))^(6-)clusters,have attracted considerate attention as promising battery electrodes,due to their rich multi-electron redox process,high structural stability,simple preparation process,and abundant ligand environment.In this review,we provide an overview of the research progress of(V_(10)O_(28))^(6-)-based materials in various metal-ion battery systems,including LIBs,SIBs,ZIBs,and Li-S batteries.We also discuss the underlying challenges associated with this type of materials,and we provide alternative strategies to overcome these issues.This review aims to facilitate the research and development of the nextgeneration(V_(10)O_(28))^(6-)-based battery materials.

非偏振光诱导含聚二甲基硅氧烷的偶氮苯液晶嵌段共聚物薄膜微相分离结构的垂直取向

通过原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)合成了聚二甲基硅氧烷-嵌段-聚(11-(4-(4'-氰基偶氮苯)苯氧基)十一烷基丙烯酸酯)(PDMS-b-PAz)的二嵌段共聚物,其中PDMS的体积分数是27%.利用原子力显微镜和掠入射小角X射线散射等表征手段研究了不同厚度的薄膜分别在热退火和非偏振光取向后的组装形貌.结果显示:热退火时,当膜厚较低时,形成的是面内无序排列的柱状结构;而当膜厚增加到319 nm时,形成的是面内排列与垂直于基底排列共存的杂化结构,即使当膜厚增加至406 nm时,这种杂化结构仍然保持.而采用非偏振光取向时,即使对于厚度仅为55 nm的薄膜就能获得垂直于基底排列的微相分离结构,且当膜厚增加至406 nm时,这种结构仍然得到保持.这是首次利用非偏振光诱导含PDMS的嵌段共聚物薄膜取向得到PDMS纳米柱垂直于基底的排列,这一取向方法将有助于推动含PDMS的嵌段共聚物薄膜在纳米模板等领域中的应用.

A Simple and Quick Screening Method for Intrapulmonary Vascular Dilation in Cirrhotic Patients Based on Machine Learning

Background and Aims:Screening for hepatopulmonary syndrome in cirrhotic patients is limited due to the need to perform contrast enhanced echocardiography(CEE)and arterial blood gas(ABG)analysis.We aimed to develop a simple and quick method to screen for the presence of intrapulmonary vascular dilation(IPVD)using noninvasive and easily available variables with machine learning(ML)algorithms.Methods:Cirrhotic patients were enrolled from our hospital.All eligible patients underwent CEE,ABG analysis and physical examination.We developed a twostep model based on three ML algorithms,namely,adaptive boosting(termed AdaBoost),gradient boosting decision tree(termed GBDT)and eXtreme gradient boosting(termed Xgboost).Noninvasive variables were input in the first step(the NI model),and for the second step(the NIBG model),a combination of noninvasive variables and ABG results were used.Model performance was determined by the area under the curve of receiver operating characteristics(AUCROCs),precision,recall,F1-score and accuracy.Results:A total of 193 cirrhotic patients were ultimately analyzed.The AUCROCs of the NI and NIBG models were 0.850(0.738–0.962)and 0.867(0.760–0.973),respectively,and both had an accuracy of 87.2%.For both negative and positive cases,the recall values of the NI and NIBG models were both 0.867(0.760–0.973)and 0.875(0.771–0.979),respectively,and the precisions were 0.813(0.690–0.935)and 0.913(0.825–1.000),respectively.Conclusions:We developed a two-step model based on ML using noninvasive variables and ABG results to screen for the presence of IPVD in cirrhotic patients.This model may partly solve the problem of limited access to CEE and ABG by a large numbers of cirrhotic patients.