Introduction Aging is the accumulation of multidimensional deterioration of process- ing of biological, psychological, and social changes with expansion over time (Bowen and Atwood, 2004; Grady, 2012). Aging-related...Introduction Aging is the accumulation of multidimensional deterioration of process- ing of biological, psychological, and social changes with expansion over time (Bowen and Atwood, 2004; Grady, 2012). Aging-related changes are typically accompanied by decline in cognitive function, urinary control, sensory-motor function, and gait ability (Bradley et al., 1991; Bowen and Atwood, 2004; Hedden and Gabrieli, 2004; Grady, 2012; Moran et al., 2012). In addition, a number of studies have suggested changes in brain structure with normal aging, such as decrease in cortical thickness or increase in ventricular width (Blatter et al., 1995; Tang et al., 1997; Uylings and de Brabander, 2002; Preul et al., 2006; Apostolova et al., 2012). In particular, ventricular enlargement has been suggested as a structural biomarker for normal aging and progression of some illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease (Blatter et al., 1995; Tang et al.,展开更多
AIM: To study the dynamic character of aberration between the cornea and the ocular with aging, and to evaluate the symmetry of the aberrations between right and left eye in order to supply the data for clinic to do t...AIM: To study the dynamic character of aberration between the cornea and the ocular with aging, and to evaluate the symmetry of the aberrations between right and left eye in order to supply the data for clinic to do the refractive surgery reasonably. METHODS: This is a comparative case series study. 82 normal cases (164 eyes) including 37 females (74 eyes) and 45 males (90 eyes) were recruited through the routine examinations,Topolyzer and wavefront analysis. The average age was 25.9 +/- 5.0 years old (range 18 to 49 years old), and the mean spherical equivalent (SE) is -3.82 +/- 2.21D (range -1.00 to -6.00D). The changes of aberrations regarding age, the relationship between anterior corneal and total aberrations were analyzed,as well as the symmetry between right and left eyes by using Zernike terms. RESULTS: The Z (3) (1), RMS3 of corneal aberrations, Z (3) (1), Z (4) (0) RMS3 and RMS4 of ocular aberrations had a positive correlation with age. The zernike terms both in corneal and whole eye were significantly correlated between right and left eyes. CONCLUSION: The corneal horizontal coma, ocular horizontal coma and ocular spherical aberrations become to increase at the age of more than 40 years old. The dynamic change of aberration with aging, balance between corneal and ocular, and the symmetric character between left eye and right eye should be designed carefully in the treatment nomogram before the refractive surgery.展开更多
β-myosin heavy chain mutations are the most frequently identified basis for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A transgenic mouse model (αMHC403) has been extensively used to study various mechanistic aspects of...β-myosin heavy chain mutations are the most frequently identified basis for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A transgenic mouse model (αMHC403) has been extensively used to study various mechanistic aspects of HCM. There is general skepticism whether mouse and human disease features are similar. Herein we compare morphologie and functional characteristics, and disease evolu- tion, in a transgenic mouse and a single family with a MHC mutation. Ten male αWHC403 transgenic mice (at -5 weeks, -12 weeks, and -24 weeks) and 10 HCM patients from the same family with a β-myosin heavy chain mutation were enrolled. Morphometric, conventional echocardiographic, tissue Doppler and strain analytic characteristics of transgenic mice and HCM patients were assessed. Ten male transgenic mice (αMHC403) were examined at ages -5 weeks, -12 weeks, and -24 Weeks. In the transgenic mice, aging was associated with a significant increase in septal (0.59±0.06 vs. 0.64±-0.05 vs. 0.69±0.11 mm, P〈0.01) and anterior wall thickness (0.58±0.1 vs. 0.62±0.07 vs. 0.80-1-0.16 mm, P〈0.001), which was coincident with a significant decrease in circumferential strain (-22%=1=4% vs. -20%-4-3% vs. -19%-4-3%, P=0.03), global longitudinal strain (-19%-4-3% vs. -17%-4-2% vs. -16%±3%, P=0.001) and E/A ratio (1.9±0.3 vs. 1.7-4-0.3 vs. 1.4-4-0.3, P=0.01). The HCM patients were classified into 1st generation (n=6; mean age 534-6 years), and 2nd generation (n=4; mean age 32+8 years). Septal thickness (2.2±0.9 vs. 1.4±0.1 cm, P〈0.05), left atrial (LA) volume (62±16 vs. 41±5 mL, P=0.03), E/A ratio (0.77±0.21 vs. 1.1±0.1, P=0.01), E/e' ratio (25±10 vs. 12±2, P=0.03), global left ventricular (LV) strain (-14%±3% vs. -20%±3%, P=0.01) and global LV early diastolic strain rate (0.76±0.17 s1 vs. 1.3±0.2 s-1, P=0.01) were significantly worse in the older generation. In β-myosin heavy chain muta- tions, transgenic mice and humans have similar progression in morphologic and functional abnormali- ties. The αMHC4±3 transgenic mouse model closely recapitulates human disease.展开更多
The current study revealed that increased synthesis and secretion of collagen types I and III play major roles in arterial wall remodeling, aneurysm formation, and atherosclerotic cap stability. The aim is to investig...The current study revealed that increased synthesis and secretion of collagen types I and III play major roles in arterial wall remodeling, aneurysm formation, and atherosclerotic cap stability. The aim is to investigate the age-related changes of the procollagen alpha polypeptide gene mRNA and protein expression in the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in rats, as well as the possible underlying mechanisms. We tested in vitro culture of VSMC from the thoracoabdominal aorta in neonate and 9-month-old healthy male Wistar rats;procollagen alpha polypeptide mRNA and procollagen alpha polypeptide protein expression were detected, using RT-PCR, VG staining, Western blot and ELISA methods. Semi-quantitative analysis displayed that, in the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the type I collagen α polypeptide chain mRNA increased in the adult group, but not significantly (<em>P</em> = 0.05). Further, there was no significant difference between the two groups of type III collagen α polypeptide chain mRNA (<em>P</em> > 0.05). Both the type I and type III procollagen alpha polypeptide protein expression were increased significantly in the older group as compared with the young group (<em>P</em> < 0.05). This phenomenon mainly lies in the fact that the regulatory pathway on age-related changes of procollagen alpha polypeptides may be one of the molecular mechanisms in vascular remodeling during aging.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the regulation of the aberrant expression of collagen typeⅣalpha 1 chain(COL4A1)in the development of age-related cataract(ARC).METHODS:Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT...AIM:To evaluate the regulation of the aberrant expression of collagen typeⅣalpha 1 chain(COL4A1)in the development of age-related cataract(ARC).METHODS:Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and Western blot analysis were employed to evaluate the expression of COL4A1 in ARC patients and healthy controls.The proliferation,apoptosis,cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of human lens epithelial cell(HLE-B3)were further analyzed under the condition of COL4A1 gene silence.Alteration of gene expression at mRNA level after knockdown COL4A1 were also evaluated by qRT-PCR on HLE-B3 cells.RESULTS:The aberrant expression of COL4A1 was identified a clinically associated with the ARC.Silencing of COL4A1 promoted the apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of HLE-B3 by blocking the cell cycle.Moreover,COL4A1 gene silence didn’t affect the cytoskeleton of HLE-B3 but down-regulated the Collagen typeⅣAlpha 2 Chain(COL4A2),paired box 6(PAX6),procollagen-lysine 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenases 1(PLOD1)and procollagenlysine 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenases 2(PLOD2)expression levels in HLE-B3 cells.Silencing the COL4A1 gene induced EMT of the HLE-B3 cells by promoting the transforming growth factor beta(TGF-β)expression.CONCLUSION:Silencing of COL4A1 induces S-phase arrest,also inhibits the proliferation and enhance HLE-B3 apoptosis and EMT,and down-regulates the expression of COL4A2,PAX6,PLOD1 and PLOD2.Thus,the expression alteration of COL4A1 may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ARC.展开更多
Females of the solitary parasitoid Diadromus collaris (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) lay eggs in the pupae of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and the venom is synchronously injected into ...Females of the solitary parasitoid Diadromus collaris (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) lay eggs in the pupae of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and the venom is synchronously injected into hosts. The venom apparatus consists of two glandular tubules terminating in a common reservoir, A ductule connects the reservoir with the sting apparatus, by which the reservoir content enters the latter. Secretory units line the two glandular tubules. All secretory cells belong to dermal gland type Ⅲ. Dermal gland cells in glandular tubules are more abundant and developed than those in the reservoir. There are extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum and electrondense vesicles, and the microvilli are well developed. By the cuticle-lined central funnel secretion products of secretory units reach the reservoir. Moreover, the secretory apparatus undergoes age-related changes. The secretory units in the venom gland are better developed and more vigorous 7 days after eclosion than those 1 day after eclosion; autolytic processes occur 15 days after eclosion, and the tissue of the reservoir is more prostrate 15 day after eclosion than those 1 day after eclosion. The ovipostion peak of this parasitoid, about 3-7 days after eclosion, corresponds with the period when the venom gland is highly developed in the life span of the wasp.展开更多
Extreme snowfall events over the Tibetan Plateau(TP)cause considerable damage to local society and natural ecosystems.In this study,the authors investigate the projected changes in such events over the TP and its surr...Extreme snowfall events over the Tibetan Plateau(TP)cause considerable damage to local society and natural ecosystems.In this study,the authors investigate the projected changes in such events over the TP and its surrounding areas based on an ensemble of a set of 21st century climate change projections using a regional climate model,RegCM4.The model is driven by five CMIP5 global climate models at a grid spacing of 25 km,under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 pathways.Four modified ETCCDI extreme indices-namely,SNOWTOT,S1mm,S10mm,and Sx5day-are employed to characterize the extreme snowfall events.RegCM4 generally reproduces the spatial distribution of the indices over the region,although with a tendency of overestimation.For the projected changes,a general decrease in SNOWTOT is found over most of the TP,with greater magnitude and better cross-simulation agreement over the eastern part.All the simulations project an overall decrease in S1mm,ranging from a 25%decrease in the west and to a 50%decrease in the east of the TP.Both S10mm and Sx5day are projected to decrease over the eastern part and increase over the central and western parts of the TP.Notably,S10mm shows a marked increase(more than double)with high cross-simulation agreement over the central TP.Significant increases in all four indices are found over the Tarim and Qaidam basins,and northwestern China north of the TP.The projected changes show topographic dependence over the TP in the latitudinal direction,and tend to decrease/increase in low-/high-altitude areas.展开更多
Gross primary productivity(GPP)of vegetation is an important constituent of the terrestrial carbon sinks and is significantly influenced by drought.Understanding the impact of droughts on different types of vegetation...Gross primary productivity(GPP)of vegetation is an important constituent of the terrestrial carbon sinks and is significantly influenced by drought.Understanding the impact of droughts on different types of vegetation GPP provides insight into the spatiotemporal variation of terrestrial carbon sinks,aiding efforts to mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change.In this study,we utilized the precipitation and temperature data from the Climatic Research Unit,the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index(SPEI),the standardized precipitation index(SPI),and the simulated vegetation GPP using the eddy covariance-light use efficiency(EC-LUE)model to analyze the spatiotemporal change of GPP and its response to different drought indices in the Mongolian Plateau during 1982-2018.The main findings indicated that vegetation GPP decreased in 50.53% of the plateau,mainly in its northern and northeastern parts,while it increased in the remaining 49.47%area.Specifically,meadow steppe(78.92%)and deciduous forest(79.46%)witnessed a significant decrease in vegetation GPP,while alpine steppe(75.08%),cropland(76.27%),and sandy vegetation(87.88%)recovered well.Warming aridification areas accounted for 71.39% of the affected areas,while 28.53% of the areas underwent severe aridification,mainly located in the south and central regions.Notably,the warming aridification areas of desert steppe(92.68%)and sandy vegetation(90.24%)were significant.Climate warming was found to amplify the sensitivity of coniferous forest,deciduous forest,meadow steppe,and alpine steppe GPP to drought.Additionally,the drought sensitivity of vegetation GPP in the Mongolian Plateau gradually decreased as altitude increased.The cumulative effect of drought on vegetation GPP persisted for 3.00-8.00 months.The findings of this study will improve the understanding of how drought influences vegetation in arid and semi-arid areas.展开更多
Age-related macular degeneration,a multifactorial inflammatory degenerative retinal disease,ranks as the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.Strikingly,there is a scarcity of curative therapies,especially for th...Age-related macular degeneration,a multifactorial inflammatory degenerative retinal disease,ranks as the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.Strikingly,there is a scarcity of curative therapies,especially for the atrophic advanced form of age-related macular degeneration,likely due to the lack of models able to fully recapitulate the native structure of the outer blood retinal barrier,the prime to rget tissue of age-related macular degeneration.Standard in vitro systems rely on 2D monocultures unable to adequately reproduce the structure and function of the outer blood retinal barrier,integrated by the dynamic interaction of the retinal pigment epithelium,the Bruch's membrane,and the underlying choriocapillaris.The Bruch's membrane provides structu ral and mechanical support and regulates the molecular trafficking in the outer blood retinal barrier,and therefo re adequate Bruch's membrane-mimics are key for the development of physiologically relevant models of the outer blood retinal barrie r.In the last years,advances in the field of biomaterial engineering have provided novel approaches to mimic the Bruch's membrane from a variety of materials.This review provides a discussion of the integrated properties and function of outer blood retinal barrier components in healt hy and age-related macular degeneration status to understand the requirements to adequately fabricate Bruch's membrane biomimetic systems.Then,we discuss novel materials and techniques to fabricate Bruch's membrane-like scaffolds for age-related macular degeneration in vitro modeling,discussing their advantages and challenges with a special focus on the potential of Bruch's membrane-like mimics based on decellularized tissue.展开更多
Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)ranks third among the most common causes of blindness.As the most conventional and direct method for identifying AMD,color fundus photography has become prominent owing to its cons...Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)ranks third among the most common causes of blindness.As the most conventional and direct method for identifying AMD,color fundus photography has become prominent owing to its consistency,ease of use,and good quality in extensive clinical practice.In this study,a convolutional neural network(CSPDarknet53)was combined with a transformer to construct a new hybrid model,HCSP-Net.This hybrid model was employed to tri-classify color fundus photography into the normal macula(NM),dry macular degeneration(DMD),and wet macular degeneration(WMD)based on clinical classification manifestations,thus identifying and resolving AMD as early as possible with color fundus photography.To further enhance the performance of this model,grouped convolution was introduced in this study without significantly increasing the number of parameters.HCSP-Net was validated using an independent test set.The average precision of HCSPNet in the diagnosis of AMD was 99.2%,the recall rate was 98.2%,the F1-Score was 98.7%,the PPV(positive predictive value)was 99.2%,and the NPV(negative predictive value)was 99.6%.Moreover,a knowledge distillation approach was also adopted to develop a lightweight student network(SCSP-Net).The experimental results revealed a noteworthy enhancement in the accuracy of SCSP-Net,rising from 94%to 97%,while remarkably reducing the parameter count to a quarter of HCSP-Net.This attribute positions SCSP-Net as a highly suitable candidate for the deployment of resource-constrained devices,which may provide ophthalmologists with an efficient tool for diagnosing AMD.展开更多
Retinal degenerative diseases were a large group of diseases characterized by the primary death of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs).Recent studies had shown an interaction between autophagy and nucleotide-binding oligomer...Retinal degenerative diseases were a large group of diseases characterized by the primary death of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs).Recent studies had shown an interaction between autophagy and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3(NLRP3)inflammasomes,which may affect RGCs in retinal degenerative diseases.The NLRP3 inflammasome was a protein complex that,upon activation,produces caspase-1,mediating the apoptosis of retinal cells and promoting the occurrence and development of retinal degenerative diseases.Upregulated autophagy could inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation,while inhibited autophagy can promote NLRP3 inflammasome activation,which leaded to the accelerated emergence of drusen and lipofuscin deposition under the neurosensory retina.The activated NLRP3 inflammasome could further inhibit autophagy,thus forming a vicious cycle that accelerated the damage and death of RGCs.This review discussed the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy and its effects on RGCs in age-related macular degeneration,providing a new perspective and direction for the treatment of retinal diseases.展开更多
Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is a complicated disease that causes irreversible visual impairment.Increasing evidences pointed retinal pigment epithelia(RPE)cells as the decisive cell involved in the progress o...Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is a complicated disease that causes irreversible visual impairment.Increasing evidences pointed retinal pigment epithelia(RPE)cells as the decisive cell involved in the progress of AMD,and the function of anti-oxidant capacity of PRE plays a fundamental physiological role.Nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2(Nrf2)is a significant transcription factor in the cellular anti-oxidant system as it regulates the expression of multiple anti-oxidative genes.Its functions of protecting RPE cells against oxidative stress(OS)and ensuing physiological changes,including inflammation,mitochondrial damage and autophagy dysregulation,have already been elucidated.Understanding the roles of upstream regulators of Nrf2 could provide further insight to the OS-mediated AMD pathogenesis.For the first time,this review summarized the reported upstream regulators of Nrf2 in AMD pathogenesis,including proteins and miRNAs,and their underlying molecular mechanisms,which may help to find potential targets via regulating the Nrf2 pathway in the future research and further discuss the existing Nrf2 regulators proved to be beneficial in preventing AMD.展开更多
The retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)is fundamental to sustaining retinal homeostasis.RPE abnormality leads to visual defects and blindness,including age-related macular degeneration(AMD).Although breakthroughs have bee...The retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)is fundamental to sustaining retinal homeostasis.RPE abnormality leads to visual defects and blindness,including age-related macular degeneration(AMD).Although breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of neovascular AMD,effective intervention for atrophic AMD is largely absent.The adequate knowledge of RPE pathology is hindered by a lack of the patients'RPE datasets,especially at the single-cell resolution.In the current study,we delved into a large-scale single-cell resource of AMD donors,in which RPE cells were occupied in a substantial proportion.Bulk RNA-seq datasets of atrophic AMD were integrated to extract molecular characteristics of RPE in the pathogenesis of atrophic AMD.Both in vivo and in vitro models revealed that carboxypeptidase X,M14 family member 2(CPXM2),was specifically expressed in the RPE cells of atrophic AMD,which might be induced by oxidative stress and involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of RPE cells.Additionally,silencing of CPXM2 inhibited the mesenchymal phenotype of RPE cells in an oxidative stress cell model.Thus,our results demonstrated that CPXM2 played a crucial role in regulating atrophic AMD and might serve as a potential therapeutic target for atrophic AMD.展开更多
Climate change is the phrase used to describe long-term changes in temperatures and weather patterns. Changes in the atmosphere and their interactions with diverse geologic, chemical, biological, and geographic variab...Climate change is the phrase used to describe long-term changes in temperatures and weather patterns. Changes in the atmosphere and their interactions with diverse geologic, chemical, biological, and geographic variables are the main contributors to this cyclical adjustment of the Earth’s climate. Such changes may be induced purposefully, because of burning fossil fuels, clearing forests, and raising animals, or they may be natural, brought on by significant volcanic eruptions or variations in the sun’s activity. By significantly increasing the amount of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere, this heightens the greenhouse effect and contributes to global warming. This work includes several additional theoretical and practical explanations of sustainable development. The theoretical work encompasses hundreds of researches that identify requirements for how development routes might satisfy sustainable development (SD) criteria using economic theory, complex systems approach, ecological science, and other techniques. The agreements made by the Parties in various nations across the world will consider a wide range of perspectives about what would be considered undesirable effects on the environment, the climate system, sustainability, economic growth, or food production.展开更多
BACKGROUND The importance of age on the development of ocular conditions has been reported by numerous studies.Diabetes may have different associations with different stages of ocular conditions,and the duration of di...BACKGROUND The importance of age on the development of ocular conditions has been reported by numerous studies.Diabetes may have different associations with different stages of ocular conditions,and the duration of diabetes may affect the development of diabetic eye disease.While there is a dose-response relationship between the age at diagnosis of diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality,whether the age at diagnosis of diabetes is associated with incident ocular conditions remains to be explored.It is unclear which types of diabetes are more predictive of ocular conditions.AIM To examine associations between the age of diabetes diagnosis and the incidence of cataract,glaucoma,age-related macular degeneration(AMD),and vision acuity.METHODS Our analysis was using the UK Biobank.The cohort included 8709 diabetic participants and 17418 controls for ocular condition analysis,and 6689 diabetic participants and 13378 controls for vision analysis.Ocular diseases were identified using inpatient records until January 2021.Vision acuity was assessed using a chart.RESULTS During a median follow-up of 11.0 years,3874,665,and 616 new cases of cataract,glaucoma,and AMD,respectively,were identified.A stronger association between diabetes and incident ocular conditions was observed where diabetes was diagnosed at a younger age.Individuals with type 2 diabetes(T2D)diagnosed at<45 years[HR(95%CI):2.71(1.49-4.93)],45-49 years[2.57(1.17-5.65)],50-54 years[1.85(1.13-3.04)],or 50-59 years of age[1.53(1.00-2.34)]had a higher risk of AMD independent of glycated haemoglobin.T2D diagnosed<45 years[HR(95%CI):2.18(1.71-2.79)],45-49 years[1.54(1.19-2.01)],50-54 years[1.60(1.31-1.96)],or 55-59 years of age[1.21(1.02-1.43)]was associated with an increased cataract risk.T2D diagnosed<45 years of age only was associated with an increased risk of glaucoma[HR(95%CI):1.76(1.00-3.12)].HRs(95%CIs)for AMD,cataract,and glaucoma associated with type 1 diabetes(T1D)were 4.12(1.99-8.53),2.95(2.17-4.02),and 2.40(1.09-5.31),respectively.In multivariable-adjusted analysis,individuals with T2D diagnosed<45 years of age[β95%CI:0.025(0.009,0.040)]had a larger increase in LogMAR.Theβ(95%CI)for LogMAR associated with T1D was 0.044(0.014,0.073).CONCLUSION The younger age at the diagnosis of diabetes is associated with a larger relative risk of incident ocular diseases and greater vision loss.展开更多
AIM:To assess the causal link between 211 gut microbiota(GM)taxa and dry age-related macular degeneration(dAMD)risk.METHODS:Mendelian randomization using instrumental factors taken from a genome-wide association study...AIM:To assess the causal link between 211 gut microbiota(GM)taxa and dry age-related macular degeneration(dAMD)risk.METHODS:Mendelian randomization using instrumental factors taken from a genome-wide association study(GWAS)were used.Inverse variance weighted(IVW)analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed on the FinnGen project,which included 5095 cases and 222590 controls.RESULTS:The IVW analysis showed substantial genusand family-level relationships between GM taxa and dAMD risk.Specifically,the family Peptococcaceae(P=0.03),genus Bilophila(P=3.91×10^(-3)),genus Faecalibacterium(P=6.55×10^(-3)),and genus Roseburia(P=0.04)were linked to a higher risk of developing dAMD,while the genus Candidatus Soleaferrea(P=7.75×10^(-4)),genus Desulfovibrio(P=0.04)and genus Eubacterium ventriosum group(P=0.04)exhibited a protective effect against dAMD.No significant causal relationships were observed at higher taxonomic levels.Additionally,in the reverse IVW analysis,no meaningful causal effects of the 7 GM taxa.CONCLUSION:These findings give support for the gutretina axis participation in dAMD and shed light on putative underlying processes.Investigations on the connection between GM and dAMD have not yet revealed the underlying mechanism.展开更多
The heart weights, ventricular wall thickness and valve circumferences were measured in 507 autopsy specimens of normal hearts from persons aged from 10 to 90 years. The heart weights increased with age and were great...The heart weights, ventricular wall thickness and valve circumferences were measured in 507 autopsy specimens of normal hearts from persons aged from 10 to 90 years. The heart weights increased with age and were greater in the males than in the females, except from the 6th to 8th decades where they were reversed. The body weight was the best predictor of heart weight. The ventricular wall thickness in males did not differ significantly from that in females. The values of the indexed left ventricular wall thickness (i.e. values divided by BSA) in the females exceeded those in the males from the 6th to 9th decades. The mean valve circumference was greater in the males but it was significant (P<0.05) only for the tricuspid valves at the 9th decade of life. The pulmonary valve circumferences were greater than the aortic for all decades and the ratio of the aortic to pulmonary valve circumference remained constant. In the clinical evaluation of the specimens of Chinese hearts, the absence of the aged-related dilatation of the aorta described in Caucasian hearts should be duly taken into account.展开更多
Central Asia consists of the former Soviet Republics,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyz Republic,Tajikistan,Turkmenistan,and Uzbekistan.The region’s climate is continental,mostly semi-arid to arid.Agriculture is a significant part of...Central Asia consists of the former Soviet Republics,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyz Republic,Tajikistan,Turkmenistan,and Uzbekistan.The region’s climate is continental,mostly semi-arid to arid.Agriculture is a significant part of the region’s economy.By its nature of intensive water use,agriculture is extremely vulnerable to climate change.Population growth and irrigation development have significantly increased the demand for water in the region.Major climate change issues include melting glaciers and a shrinking snowpack,which are the foundation of the region’s water resources,and a changing precipitation regime.Most glaciers are located in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan,leading to transboundary water resource issues.Summer already has extremely high temperatures.Analyses indicate that Central Asia has been warming and precipitation might be increasing.The warming is expected to increase,but its spatial and temporal distribution depends upon specific global scenarios.Projections of future precipitation show significant uncertainties in type,amount,and distribution.Regional Hydroclimate Projects(RHPs)are an approach to studying these issues.Initial steps to develop an RHP began in 2021 with a widely distributed online survey about these climate issues.It was followed up with an online workshop and then,in 2023,an in-person workshop,held in Tashkent,Uzbekistan.Priorities for the Global Energy and Water Exchanges(GEWEX)project for the region include both observations and modeling,as well as development of better and additional precipitation observations,all of which are topics for the next workshop.A well-designed RHP should lead to reductions in critical climate uncertainties in policy-relevant timeframes that can influence decisions on necessary investments in climate adaptation.展开更多
The present study has been carried out on a total of 50 available plant species to assess their dust-capturing capacity and biochemical performances in and around open cast granite mine areas of Jhansi district and Bu...The present study has been carried out on a total of 50 available plant species to assess their dust-capturing capacity and biochemical performances in and around open cast granite mine areas of Jhansi district and Bundelkhand University campus treated as control site. Plant species existing under a polluted environment for a long time may be considered as potentially resistant species and recommended for green belt design in mining areas, especially to cope with dust pollution. Results showed the pollution level, especially of mining-originated dust particles holding capacity of leaves and effects of different biochemical parameters (Total Chlorophyll, Protein and Carotenoid) of existing plant species both from mining areas as well as from Bundelkhand University campus. Based on their performances, Tectona grandis L., Ficus hispida L., Calotropis procera Aiton., Butea monosperma Lam. and Ficus benghalensis L., etc. are highly tolerant species while Ficus infectoria L., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Ipomoea purpurea L., Allianthus excelsa Roxb. and Bauhinia variegata L. are intermediate tolerant species. T. grandis had shown the highest dust-holding capacity (2.566 ± 0.0004 mg/cm2) whereas Albizia procera (0.018 ± 0.0002 mg/cm2) was found to be the lowest dust-holding capacity. Our findings also showed that the T. grandis and F. hispida have significant dust deposition with minimal effect of dust on their leaf chlorophyll (17.447 ± 0.019 mg/g and 14.703 ± 0.201 mg/g), protein (0.699 ± 0.001 mg/g and 0.604 ± 0.002 mg/g) and carotenoid (0.372 ± 0.003 mg/g and 0.354 ± 0.003 mg/g) content respectively among all selected plant species. Therefore, in the present investigation, plant species with high tolerance to high dust-holding capacity on their leaf surfaces are preferable for green corridors as open cast granite mines and their adjacent areas.展开更多
In many songbird species,birdsong features phonological syntax,meaning that the units within their vocal se-quences are ordered in a non-random way that adheres to a rule.While such syntactical patterns have been rich...In many songbird species,birdsong features phonological syntax,meaning that the units within their vocal se-quences are ordered in a non-random way that adheres to a rule.While such syntactical patterns have been richly described in many species,comparatively little is known about how those patterns contribute to song achieving its important functions.For each of song’s main functions,territorial defense and mate attraction,evidence of a role for syntax is limited.One species for which syntax has been thoroughly described is the Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus),which presents song types from their repertoires in a semi-predictable order and,in doing so,rapidly cycle up and down the frequency spectrum.The objective of the present study was to explore the importance of song syntax in the Hermit Thrush through a within-subject examination of how measures of syntax,such as the predictability of song type order within song sequences,shift over the breeding season.We hypothesized that,if such syntactical characteristics are important to breeding behaviour,they would be most prominent at the start of the breeding season when activity associated with territory establishment and mate attraction is most intense.Analysis revealed that,as predicted,the rigidness of song type ordering within se-quences was highest at the start of the season and declined thereafter.That song type sequences were most predictable at the vitally important early part of the breeding season fit our hypothesis that this aspect of song syntax is important to song’s functions related to territory establishment and/or mate attraction.Future work will clarify whether that role relates to one of song’s two main functions or serves song transmission in some broader way.展开更多
基金supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, No. 2012R1A1B4003477
文摘Introduction Aging is the accumulation of multidimensional deterioration of process- ing of biological, psychological, and social changes with expansion over time (Bowen and Atwood, 2004; Grady, 2012). Aging-related changes are typically accompanied by decline in cognitive function, urinary control, sensory-motor function, and gait ability (Bradley et al., 1991; Bowen and Atwood, 2004; Hedden and Gabrieli, 2004; Grady, 2012; Moran et al., 2012). In addition, a number of studies have suggested changes in brain structure with normal aging, such as decrease in cortical thickness or increase in ventricular width (Blatter et al., 1995; Tang et al., 1997; Uylings and de Brabander, 2002; Preul et al., 2006; Apostolova et al., 2012). In particular, ventricular enlargement has been suggested as a structural biomarker for normal aging and progression of some illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease (Blatter et al., 1995; Tang et al.,
文摘AIM: To study the dynamic character of aberration between the cornea and the ocular with aging, and to evaluate the symmetry of the aberrations between right and left eye in order to supply the data for clinic to do the refractive surgery reasonably. METHODS: This is a comparative case series study. 82 normal cases (164 eyes) including 37 females (74 eyes) and 45 males (90 eyes) were recruited through the routine examinations,Topolyzer and wavefront analysis. The average age was 25.9 +/- 5.0 years old (range 18 to 49 years old), and the mean spherical equivalent (SE) is -3.82 +/- 2.21D (range -1.00 to -6.00D). The changes of aberrations regarding age, the relationship between anterior corneal and total aberrations were analyzed,as well as the symmetry between right and left eyes by using Zernike terms. RESULTS: The Z (3) (1), RMS3 of corneal aberrations, Z (3) (1), Z (4) (0) RMS3 and RMS4 of ocular aberrations had a positive correlation with age. The zernike terms both in corneal and whole eye were significantly correlated between right and left eyes. CONCLUSION: The corneal horizontal coma, ocular horizontal coma and ocular spherical aberrations become to increase at the age of more than 40 years old. The dynamic change of aberration with aging, balance between corneal and ocular, and the symmetric character between left eye and right eye should be designed carefully in the treatment nomogram before the refractive surgery.
文摘β-myosin heavy chain mutations are the most frequently identified basis for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A transgenic mouse model (αMHC403) has been extensively used to study various mechanistic aspects of HCM. There is general skepticism whether mouse and human disease features are similar. Herein we compare morphologie and functional characteristics, and disease evolu- tion, in a transgenic mouse and a single family with a MHC mutation. Ten male αWHC403 transgenic mice (at -5 weeks, -12 weeks, and -24 weeks) and 10 HCM patients from the same family with a β-myosin heavy chain mutation were enrolled. Morphometric, conventional echocardiographic, tissue Doppler and strain analytic characteristics of transgenic mice and HCM patients were assessed. Ten male transgenic mice (αMHC403) were examined at ages -5 weeks, -12 weeks, and -24 Weeks. In the transgenic mice, aging was associated with a significant increase in septal (0.59±0.06 vs. 0.64±-0.05 vs. 0.69±0.11 mm, P〈0.01) and anterior wall thickness (0.58±0.1 vs. 0.62±0.07 vs. 0.80-1-0.16 mm, P〈0.001), which was coincident with a significant decrease in circumferential strain (-22%=1=4% vs. -20%-4-3% vs. -19%-4-3%, P=0.03), global longitudinal strain (-19%-4-3% vs. -17%-4-2% vs. -16%±3%, P=0.001) and E/A ratio (1.9±0.3 vs. 1.7-4-0.3 vs. 1.4-4-0.3, P=0.01). The HCM patients were classified into 1st generation (n=6; mean age 534-6 years), and 2nd generation (n=4; mean age 32+8 years). Septal thickness (2.2±0.9 vs. 1.4±0.1 cm, P〈0.05), left atrial (LA) volume (62±16 vs. 41±5 mL, P=0.03), E/A ratio (0.77±0.21 vs. 1.1±0.1, P=0.01), E/e' ratio (25±10 vs. 12±2, P=0.03), global left ventricular (LV) strain (-14%±3% vs. -20%±3%, P=0.01) and global LV early diastolic strain rate (0.76±0.17 s1 vs. 1.3±0.2 s-1, P=0.01) were significantly worse in the older generation. In β-myosin heavy chain muta- tions, transgenic mice and humans have similar progression in morphologic and functional abnormali- ties. The αMHC4±3 transgenic mouse model closely recapitulates human disease.
文摘The current study revealed that increased synthesis and secretion of collagen types I and III play major roles in arterial wall remodeling, aneurysm formation, and atherosclerotic cap stability. The aim is to investigate the age-related changes of the procollagen alpha polypeptide gene mRNA and protein expression in the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in rats, as well as the possible underlying mechanisms. We tested in vitro culture of VSMC from the thoracoabdominal aorta in neonate and 9-month-old healthy male Wistar rats;procollagen alpha polypeptide mRNA and procollagen alpha polypeptide protein expression were detected, using RT-PCR, VG staining, Western blot and ELISA methods. Semi-quantitative analysis displayed that, in the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the type I collagen α polypeptide chain mRNA increased in the adult group, but not significantly (<em>P</em> = 0.05). Further, there was no significant difference between the two groups of type III collagen α polypeptide chain mRNA (<em>P</em> > 0.05). Both the type I and type III procollagen alpha polypeptide protein expression were increased significantly in the older group as compared with the young group (<em>P</em> < 0.05). This phenomenon mainly lies in the fact that the regulatory pathway on age-related changes of procollagen alpha polypeptides may be one of the molecular mechanisms in vascular remodeling during aging.
基金Supported by Supporting Fund Project of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology Agency Project(No.2022SF-502)Special Scientific Research Program of Education Department of Shaanxi Provincial Government(No.21JK0891)+1 种基金Young Talent Lifting Project of Xi’an Science and Technology Association(No.095920221365)Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College students of Xi’an Medical University(No.121521113)。
文摘AIM:To evaluate the regulation of the aberrant expression of collagen typeⅣalpha 1 chain(COL4A1)in the development of age-related cataract(ARC).METHODS:Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and Western blot analysis were employed to evaluate the expression of COL4A1 in ARC patients and healthy controls.The proliferation,apoptosis,cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of human lens epithelial cell(HLE-B3)were further analyzed under the condition of COL4A1 gene silence.Alteration of gene expression at mRNA level after knockdown COL4A1 were also evaluated by qRT-PCR on HLE-B3 cells.RESULTS:The aberrant expression of COL4A1 was identified a clinically associated with the ARC.Silencing of COL4A1 promoted the apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of HLE-B3 by blocking the cell cycle.Moreover,COL4A1 gene silence didn’t affect the cytoskeleton of HLE-B3 but down-regulated the Collagen typeⅣAlpha 2 Chain(COL4A2),paired box 6(PAX6),procollagen-lysine 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenases 1(PLOD1)and procollagenlysine 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenases 2(PLOD2)expression levels in HLE-B3 cells.Silencing the COL4A1 gene induced EMT of the HLE-B3 cells by promoting the transforming growth factor beta(TGF-β)expression.CONCLUSION:Silencing of COL4A1 induces S-phase arrest,also inhibits the proliferation and enhance HLE-B3 apoptosis and EMT,and down-regulates the expression of COL4A2,PAX6,PLOD1 and PLOD2.Thus,the expression alteration of COL4A1 may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ARC.
基金We are grateful to Professor Hong Jian and Mrs Yuexian Fang (Zhejiang University, Hangzhou) for their help with transmission electron microscopy. Funding for this study was provided jointly by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC number: 30370959) and Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-04- 0521).
文摘Females of the solitary parasitoid Diadromus collaris (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) lay eggs in the pupae of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and the venom is synchronously injected into hosts. The venom apparatus consists of two glandular tubules terminating in a common reservoir, A ductule connects the reservoir with the sting apparatus, by which the reservoir content enters the latter. Secretory units line the two glandular tubules. All secretory cells belong to dermal gland type Ⅲ. Dermal gland cells in glandular tubules are more abundant and developed than those in the reservoir. There are extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum and electrondense vesicles, and the microvilli are well developed. By the cuticle-lined central funnel secretion products of secretory units reach the reservoir. Moreover, the secretory apparatus undergoes age-related changes. The secretory units in the venom gland are better developed and more vigorous 7 days after eclosion than those 1 day after eclosion; autolytic processes occur 15 days after eclosion, and the tissue of the reservoir is more prostrate 15 day after eclosion than those 1 day after eclosion. The ovipostion peak of this parasitoid, about 3-7 days after eclosion, corresponds with the period when the venom gland is highly developed in the life span of the wasp.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences[grant number XDA2006040102]the National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant number 42175037].
文摘Extreme snowfall events over the Tibetan Plateau(TP)cause considerable damage to local society and natural ecosystems.In this study,the authors investigate the projected changes in such events over the TP and its surrounding areas based on an ensemble of a set of 21st century climate change projections using a regional climate model,RegCM4.The model is driven by five CMIP5 global climate models at a grid spacing of 25 km,under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 pathways.Four modified ETCCDI extreme indices-namely,SNOWTOT,S1mm,S10mm,and Sx5day-are employed to characterize the extreme snowfall events.RegCM4 generally reproduces the spatial distribution of the indices over the region,although with a tendency of overestimation.For the projected changes,a general decrease in SNOWTOT is found over most of the TP,with greater magnitude and better cross-simulation agreement over the eastern part.All the simulations project an overall decrease in S1mm,ranging from a 25%decrease in the west and to a 50%decrease in the east of the TP.Both S10mm and Sx5day are projected to decrease over the eastern part and increase over the central and western parts of the TP.Notably,S10mm shows a marked increase(more than double)with high cross-simulation agreement over the central TP.Significant increases in all four indices are found over the Tarim and Qaidam basins,and northwestern China north of the TP.The projected changes show topographic dependence over the TP in the latitudinal direction,and tend to decrease/increase in low-/high-altitude areas.
基金jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42361024,42101030,42261079,and 41961058)the Talent Project of Science and Technology in Inner Mongolia of China(NJYT22027 and NJYT23019)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Inner Mongolia Normal University,China(2022JBBJ014 and 2022JBQN093)。
文摘Gross primary productivity(GPP)of vegetation is an important constituent of the terrestrial carbon sinks and is significantly influenced by drought.Understanding the impact of droughts on different types of vegetation GPP provides insight into the spatiotemporal variation of terrestrial carbon sinks,aiding efforts to mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change.In this study,we utilized the precipitation and temperature data from the Climatic Research Unit,the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index(SPEI),the standardized precipitation index(SPI),and the simulated vegetation GPP using the eddy covariance-light use efficiency(EC-LUE)model to analyze the spatiotemporal change of GPP and its response to different drought indices in the Mongolian Plateau during 1982-2018.The main findings indicated that vegetation GPP decreased in 50.53% of the plateau,mainly in its northern and northeastern parts,while it increased in the remaining 49.47%area.Specifically,meadow steppe(78.92%)and deciduous forest(79.46%)witnessed a significant decrease in vegetation GPP,while alpine steppe(75.08%),cropland(76.27%),and sandy vegetation(87.88%)recovered well.Warming aridification areas accounted for 71.39% of the affected areas,while 28.53% of the areas underwent severe aridification,mainly located in the south and central regions.Notably,the warming aridification areas of desert steppe(92.68%)and sandy vegetation(90.24%)were significant.Climate warming was found to amplify the sensitivity of coniferous forest,deciduous forest,meadow steppe,and alpine steppe GPP to drought.Additionally,the drought sensitivity of vegetation GPP in the Mongolian Plateau gradually decreased as altitude increased.The cumulative effect of drought on vegetation GPP persisted for 3.00-8.00 months.The findings of this study will improve the understanding of how drought influences vegetation in arid and semi-arid areas.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain,"Instituto de Salud CarlosⅢ","Fon do de Investigacion Sanitaria" (PI19/00265)funds FEDER"Una manera de hacer Europa" (to BM)。
文摘Age-related macular degeneration,a multifactorial inflammatory degenerative retinal disease,ranks as the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.Strikingly,there is a scarcity of curative therapies,especially for the atrophic advanced form of age-related macular degeneration,likely due to the lack of models able to fully recapitulate the native structure of the outer blood retinal barrier,the prime to rget tissue of age-related macular degeneration.Standard in vitro systems rely on 2D monocultures unable to adequately reproduce the structure and function of the outer blood retinal barrier,integrated by the dynamic interaction of the retinal pigment epithelium,the Bruch's membrane,and the underlying choriocapillaris.The Bruch's membrane provides structu ral and mechanical support and regulates the molecular trafficking in the outer blood retinal barrier,and therefo re adequate Bruch's membrane-mimics are key for the development of physiologically relevant models of the outer blood retinal barrie r.In the last years,advances in the field of biomaterial engineering have provided novel approaches to mimic the Bruch's membrane from a variety of materials.This review provides a discussion of the integrated properties and function of outer blood retinal barrier components in healt hy and age-related macular degeneration status to understand the requirements to adequately fabricate Bruch's membrane biomimetic systems.Then,we discuss novel materials and techniques to fabricate Bruch's membrane-like scaffolds for age-related macular degeneration in vitro modeling,discussing their advantages and challenges with a special focus on the potential of Bruch's membrane-like mimics based on decellularized tissue.
基金Shenzhen Fund for Guangdong Provincial High-Level Clinical Key Specialties(SZGSP014)Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen(SZSM202311012)Shenzhen Science and Technology Planning Project(KCXFZ20211020163813019).
文摘Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)ranks third among the most common causes of blindness.As the most conventional and direct method for identifying AMD,color fundus photography has become prominent owing to its consistency,ease of use,and good quality in extensive clinical practice.In this study,a convolutional neural network(CSPDarknet53)was combined with a transformer to construct a new hybrid model,HCSP-Net.This hybrid model was employed to tri-classify color fundus photography into the normal macula(NM),dry macular degeneration(DMD),and wet macular degeneration(WMD)based on clinical classification manifestations,thus identifying and resolving AMD as early as possible with color fundus photography.To further enhance the performance of this model,grouped convolution was introduced in this study without significantly increasing the number of parameters.HCSP-Net was validated using an independent test set.The average precision of HCSPNet in the diagnosis of AMD was 99.2%,the recall rate was 98.2%,the F1-Score was 98.7%,the PPV(positive predictive value)was 99.2%,and the NPV(negative predictive value)was 99.6%.Moreover,a knowledge distillation approach was also adopted to develop a lightweight student network(SCSP-Net).The experimental results revealed a noteworthy enhancement in the accuracy of SCSP-Net,rising from 94%to 97%,while remarkably reducing the parameter count to a quarter of HCSP-Net.This attribute positions SCSP-Net as a highly suitable candidate for the deployment of resource-constrained devices,which may provide ophthalmologists with an efficient tool for diagnosing AMD.
基金Supported by the Project of Sichuan Medical Association (No.S22058)National Key R&D Project (No.2018YFC1106103).
文摘Retinal degenerative diseases were a large group of diseases characterized by the primary death of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs).Recent studies had shown an interaction between autophagy and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3(NLRP3)inflammasomes,which may affect RGCs in retinal degenerative diseases.The NLRP3 inflammasome was a protein complex that,upon activation,produces caspase-1,mediating the apoptosis of retinal cells and promoting the occurrence and development of retinal degenerative diseases.Upregulated autophagy could inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation,while inhibited autophagy can promote NLRP3 inflammasome activation,which leaded to the accelerated emergence of drusen and lipofuscin deposition under the neurosensory retina.The activated NLRP3 inflammasome could further inhibit autophagy,thus forming a vicious cycle that accelerated the damage and death of RGCs.This review discussed the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy and its effects on RGCs in age-related macular degeneration,providing a new perspective and direction for the treatment of retinal diseases.
基金Supported by Capital Medical University Scientific Research Grant for Undergraduate Students(No.XSKY2023026).
文摘Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is a complicated disease that causes irreversible visual impairment.Increasing evidences pointed retinal pigment epithelia(RPE)cells as the decisive cell involved in the progress of AMD,and the function of anti-oxidant capacity of PRE plays a fundamental physiological role.Nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2(Nrf2)is a significant transcription factor in the cellular anti-oxidant system as it regulates the expression of multiple anti-oxidative genes.Its functions of protecting RPE cells against oxidative stress(OS)and ensuing physiological changes,including inflammation,mitochondrial damage and autophagy dysregulation,have already been elucidated.Understanding the roles of upstream regulators of Nrf2 could provide further insight to the OS-mediated AMD pathogenesis.For the first time,this review summarized the reported upstream regulators of Nrf2 in AMD pathogenesis,including proteins and miRNAs,and their underlying molecular mechanisms,which may help to find potential targets via regulating the Nrf2 pathway in the future research and further discuss the existing Nrf2 regulators proved to be beneficial in preventing AMD.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.81970821 and 82271100 to Q.L.).
文摘The retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)is fundamental to sustaining retinal homeostasis.RPE abnormality leads to visual defects and blindness,including age-related macular degeneration(AMD).Although breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of neovascular AMD,effective intervention for atrophic AMD is largely absent.The adequate knowledge of RPE pathology is hindered by a lack of the patients'RPE datasets,especially at the single-cell resolution.In the current study,we delved into a large-scale single-cell resource of AMD donors,in which RPE cells were occupied in a substantial proportion.Bulk RNA-seq datasets of atrophic AMD were integrated to extract molecular characteristics of RPE in the pathogenesis of atrophic AMD.Both in vivo and in vitro models revealed that carboxypeptidase X,M14 family member 2(CPXM2),was specifically expressed in the RPE cells of atrophic AMD,which might be induced by oxidative stress and involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of RPE cells.Additionally,silencing of CPXM2 inhibited the mesenchymal phenotype of RPE cells in an oxidative stress cell model.Thus,our results demonstrated that CPXM2 played a crucial role in regulating atrophic AMD and might serve as a potential therapeutic target for atrophic AMD.
文摘Climate change is the phrase used to describe long-term changes in temperatures and weather patterns. Changes in the atmosphere and their interactions with diverse geologic, chemical, biological, and geographic variables are the main contributors to this cyclical adjustment of the Earth’s climate. Such changes may be induced purposefully, because of burning fossil fuels, clearing forests, and raising animals, or they may be natural, brought on by significant volcanic eruptions or variations in the sun’s activity. By significantly increasing the amount of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere, this heightens the greenhouse effect and contributes to global warming. This work includes several additional theoretical and practical explanations of sustainable development. The theoretical work encompasses hundreds of researches that identify requirements for how development routes might satisfy sustainable development (SD) criteria using economic theory, complex systems approach, ecological science, and other techniques. The agreements made by the Parties in various nations across the world will consider a wide range of perspectives about what would be considered undesirable effects on the environment, the climate system, sustainability, economic growth, or food production.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.32200545The GDPH Supporting Fund for Talent Program,No.KJ012020633 and KJ012019530Science and Technology Research Project of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine,No.YN2022GK04。
文摘BACKGROUND The importance of age on the development of ocular conditions has been reported by numerous studies.Diabetes may have different associations with different stages of ocular conditions,and the duration of diabetes may affect the development of diabetic eye disease.While there is a dose-response relationship between the age at diagnosis of diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality,whether the age at diagnosis of diabetes is associated with incident ocular conditions remains to be explored.It is unclear which types of diabetes are more predictive of ocular conditions.AIM To examine associations between the age of diabetes diagnosis and the incidence of cataract,glaucoma,age-related macular degeneration(AMD),and vision acuity.METHODS Our analysis was using the UK Biobank.The cohort included 8709 diabetic participants and 17418 controls for ocular condition analysis,and 6689 diabetic participants and 13378 controls for vision analysis.Ocular diseases were identified using inpatient records until January 2021.Vision acuity was assessed using a chart.RESULTS During a median follow-up of 11.0 years,3874,665,and 616 new cases of cataract,glaucoma,and AMD,respectively,were identified.A stronger association between diabetes and incident ocular conditions was observed where diabetes was diagnosed at a younger age.Individuals with type 2 diabetes(T2D)diagnosed at<45 years[HR(95%CI):2.71(1.49-4.93)],45-49 years[2.57(1.17-5.65)],50-54 years[1.85(1.13-3.04)],or 50-59 years of age[1.53(1.00-2.34)]had a higher risk of AMD independent of glycated haemoglobin.T2D diagnosed<45 years[HR(95%CI):2.18(1.71-2.79)],45-49 years[1.54(1.19-2.01)],50-54 years[1.60(1.31-1.96)],or 55-59 years of age[1.21(1.02-1.43)]was associated with an increased cataract risk.T2D diagnosed<45 years of age only was associated with an increased risk of glaucoma[HR(95%CI):1.76(1.00-3.12)].HRs(95%CIs)for AMD,cataract,and glaucoma associated with type 1 diabetes(T1D)were 4.12(1.99-8.53),2.95(2.17-4.02),and 2.40(1.09-5.31),respectively.In multivariable-adjusted analysis,individuals with T2D diagnosed<45 years of age[β95%CI:0.025(0.009,0.040)]had a larger increase in LogMAR.Theβ(95%CI)for LogMAR associated with T1D was 0.044(0.014,0.073).CONCLUSION The younger age at the diagnosis of diabetes is associated with a larger relative risk of incident ocular diseases and greater vision loss.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(No.2024JJ6609)the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF(No.GZC20233180).
文摘AIM:To assess the causal link between 211 gut microbiota(GM)taxa and dry age-related macular degeneration(dAMD)risk.METHODS:Mendelian randomization using instrumental factors taken from a genome-wide association study(GWAS)were used.Inverse variance weighted(IVW)analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed on the FinnGen project,which included 5095 cases and 222590 controls.RESULTS:The IVW analysis showed substantial genusand family-level relationships between GM taxa and dAMD risk.Specifically,the family Peptococcaceae(P=0.03),genus Bilophila(P=3.91×10^(-3)),genus Faecalibacterium(P=6.55×10^(-3)),and genus Roseburia(P=0.04)were linked to a higher risk of developing dAMD,while the genus Candidatus Soleaferrea(P=7.75×10^(-4)),genus Desulfovibrio(P=0.04)and genus Eubacterium ventriosum group(P=0.04)exhibited a protective effect against dAMD.No significant causal relationships were observed at higher taxonomic levels.Additionally,in the reverse IVW analysis,no meaningful causal effects of the 7 GM taxa.CONCLUSION:These findings give support for the gutretina axis participation in dAMD and shed light on putative underlying processes.Investigations on the connection between GM and dAMD have not yet revealed the underlying mechanism.
文摘The heart weights, ventricular wall thickness and valve circumferences were measured in 507 autopsy specimens of normal hearts from persons aged from 10 to 90 years. The heart weights increased with age and were greater in the males than in the females, except from the 6th to 8th decades where they were reversed. The body weight was the best predictor of heart weight. The ventricular wall thickness in males did not differ significantly from that in females. The values of the indexed left ventricular wall thickness (i.e. values divided by BSA) in the females exceeded those in the males from the 6th to 9th decades. The mean valve circumference was greater in the males but it was significant (P<0.05) only for the tricuspid valves at the 9th decade of life. The pulmonary valve circumferences were greater than the aortic for all decades and the ratio of the aortic to pulmonary valve circumference remained constant. In the clinical evaluation of the specimens of Chinese hearts, the absence of the aged-related dilatation of the aorta described in Caucasian hearts should be duly taken into account.
基金The National Research University Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers of Uzbekistan hosted and provided financial support for the in-person workshop in May of 2023
文摘Central Asia consists of the former Soviet Republics,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyz Republic,Tajikistan,Turkmenistan,and Uzbekistan.The region’s climate is continental,mostly semi-arid to arid.Agriculture is a significant part of the region’s economy.By its nature of intensive water use,agriculture is extremely vulnerable to climate change.Population growth and irrigation development have significantly increased the demand for water in the region.Major climate change issues include melting glaciers and a shrinking snowpack,which are the foundation of the region’s water resources,and a changing precipitation regime.Most glaciers are located in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan,leading to transboundary water resource issues.Summer already has extremely high temperatures.Analyses indicate that Central Asia has been warming and precipitation might be increasing.The warming is expected to increase,but its spatial and temporal distribution depends upon specific global scenarios.Projections of future precipitation show significant uncertainties in type,amount,and distribution.Regional Hydroclimate Projects(RHPs)are an approach to studying these issues.Initial steps to develop an RHP began in 2021 with a widely distributed online survey about these climate issues.It was followed up with an online workshop and then,in 2023,an in-person workshop,held in Tashkent,Uzbekistan.Priorities for the Global Energy and Water Exchanges(GEWEX)project for the region include both observations and modeling,as well as development of better and additional precipitation observations,all of which are topics for the next workshop.A well-designed RHP should lead to reductions in critical climate uncertainties in policy-relevant timeframes that can influence decisions on necessary investments in climate adaptation.
文摘The present study has been carried out on a total of 50 available plant species to assess their dust-capturing capacity and biochemical performances in and around open cast granite mine areas of Jhansi district and Bundelkhand University campus treated as control site. Plant species existing under a polluted environment for a long time may be considered as potentially resistant species and recommended for green belt design in mining areas, especially to cope with dust pollution. Results showed the pollution level, especially of mining-originated dust particles holding capacity of leaves and effects of different biochemical parameters (Total Chlorophyll, Protein and Carotenoid) of existing plant species both from mining areas as well as from Bundelkhand University campus. Based on their performances, Tectona grandis L., Ficus hispida L., Calotropis procera Aiton., Butea monosperma Lam. and Ficus benghalensis L., etc. are highly tolerant species while Ficus infectoria L., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Ipomoea purpurea L., Allianthus excelsa Roxb. and Bauhinia variegata L. are intermediate tolerant species. T. grandis had shown the highest dust-holding capacity (2.566 ± 0.0004 mg/cm2) whereas Albizia procera (0.018 ± 0.0002 mg/cm2) was found to be the lowest dust-holding capacity. Our findings also showed that the T. grandis and F. hispida have significant dust deposition with minimal effect of dust on their leaf chlorophyll (17.447 ± 0.019 mg/g and 14.703 ± 0.201 mg/g), protein (0.699 ± 0.001 mg/g and 0.604 ± 0.002 mg/g) and carotenoid (0.372 ± 0.003 mg/g and 0.354 ± 0.003 mg/g) content respectively among all selected plant species. Therefore, in the present investigation, plant species with high tolerance to high dust-holding capacity on their leaf surfaces are preferable for green corridors as open cast granite mines and their adjacent areas.
基金partly funded by an NSERC Discovery Grant received by LS Phillmorea UNB University Research Fund grant received by SP Roach
文摘In many songbird species,birdsong features phonological syntax,meaning that the units within their vocal se-quences are ordered in a non-random way that adheres to a rule.While such syntactical patterns have been richly described in many species,comparatively little is known about how those patterns contribute to song achieving its important functions.For each of song’s main functions,territorial defense and mate attraction,evidence of a role for syntax is limited.One species for which syntax has been thoroughly described is the Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus),which presents song types from their repertoires in a semi-predictable order and,in doing so,rapidly cycle up and down the frequency spectrum.The objective of the present study was to explore the importance of song syntax in the Hermit Thrush through a within-subject examination of how measures of syntax,such as the predictability of song type order within song sequences,shift over the breeding season.We hypothesized that,if such syntactical characteristics are important to breeding behaviour,they would be most prominent at the start of the breeding season when activity associated with territory establishment and mate attraction is most intense.Analysis revealed that,as predicted,the rigidness of song type ordering within se-quences was highest at the start of the season and declined thereafter.That song type sequences were most predictable at the vitally important early part of the breeding season fit our hypothesis that this aspect of song syntax is important to song’s functions related to territory establishment and/or mate attraction.Future work will clarify whether that role relates to one of song’s two main functions or serves song transmission in some broader way.