Establishment of a blue light damage model of human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro

To establish a blue-light damage model of human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Fourth-generation human RPE cells were randomly divided into two groups. In group A, cells were exposed to blue light (2000 ± 500 lux) for 0 (control), 3, 6, 9, and 12 h, and cell culture was stopped after 12 h. In group B, cells were exposed to blue light at the same intensity and time periods, but cell culture was stopped after 24 h. TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to determine the most suitable illuminating time with apoptotic index. Flow cytometry was used to determine apoptotic ratio of RPEs. In group A, the apoptotic index of cells that received 6, 9 and 12 h of blue light was higher than that of control. The apoptotic index of cells receiving 9 and 12 h was higher than that of 6 h (P = 0.000). In group B, the apoptotic index and RPE cell apoptosis ratio of cells exposed to 6, 9 and 12 h of blue light were higher than that of 3 h (P = 0.000); and cells receiving 9 and 12 h had higher values than that of 6 h. This study demonstrated that the best conditions to establish a blue light damage model of human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro are 2000 ± 500 lux light intensity for 6 h, with 24 h of cell culture post-exposure.

Management of hip fractures in older people in Beijing: a retrospective audit and comparison with evidence-based guidelines and practice in the UK

Despite the high burden of hip fracture in China, there is limited information on its management. This study investigated the management of hip fractures in a Beijing tertiary hospital and compared practice with that in 180 hospitals in the UK. The findings show a significant gap exists between the countries.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine if the management of older people with hip fractures in a Beijing tertiary hospital is comparable with the UK best practice guidelines for hip fracture management and the UK National Hip Fracture Database 2012, obtained from 180 hospitals.

METHODS

A retrospective audit was undertaken in a large tertiary care hospital in Beijing. Data were compared with the National Hip Fracture Database 2012 collected in 180 hospitals in the UK on the proportion of patients managed according to the UK Blue Book standards.

RESULTS

Sixty-six percent of patients were admitted to an orthopaedic ward within 24 h of fracture, while 100 % of patients in the UK were admitted to an orthopaedic ward within 24 h of arrival to an accident and emergency department. Only 8 % of patients received surgery within 48 h of admission compared with 83 % in the UK; 10 % received no surgery compared with 2.5 % in the UK; and 27 % received orthogeriatrician assessment compared with 70 % in the UK. New pressure ulcers developed in 2 % of patients compared with 3.7 % of those in the UK; whereas, 0.3 % of patients were assessed for osteoporosis treatment and 3.8 % received falls assessment, and comparable figures for the UK were 94 and 92 %, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant gaps exist in hip fracture management in the Beijing hospital compared with the best practice achieved in 180 UK hospitals, highlighting the need to implement and evaluate proactive strategies to increase the uptake of best practice hip fracture care in China.

Measurements of Elliptic and Triangular Flow in High-Multiplicity 3He+Au Collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV

We present the first measurement of elliptic (v(2)) and triangular (v(3)) flow in high-multiplicity (3)He+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200  GeV. Two-particle correlations, where the particles have a large separation in pseudorapidity, are compared in (3)He+Au and in p+p collisions and indicate that collective effects dominate the second and third Fourier components for the correlations observed in the (3)He+Au system. The collective behavior is quantified in terms of elliptic v(2) and triangular v(3) anisotropy coefficients measured with respect to their corresponding event planes. The v(2) values are comparable to those previously measured in d+Au collisions at the same nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy. Comparisons with various theoretical predictions are made, including to models where the hot spots created by the impact of the three (3)He nucleons on the Au nucleus expand hydrodynamically to generate the triangular flow. The agreement of these models with data may indicate the formation of low-viscosity quark-gluon plasma even in these small collision systems.

Nrf2-ARE signals mediated the anti-oxidative action of electroacupuncture in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are early events associated with dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies indicated that electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation is effective in protecting dopaminergic neurons from degeneration in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD. In this study, we further characterized the effect of EA on MPTP-induced oxidative responses in the mouse dopamine system. We found that subacute administration of MPTP enhanced lipid and protein oxidation and reduced expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase and catalase) in the striatum. MPTP also reduced expression of an antioxidant transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), and Nrf2-regulated antioxidant enzymes (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase-1 and heme oxygenase-1) in the striatum and/or midbrain. Using human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPAP) as a reporter of Nrf2-regulated gene expression in hPAP transgenic mice, we found that MPTP suppressed hPAP expression in the striatum and midbrain. Application of EA at an effective frequency (100 Hz) was sufficient to reverse these changes induced by MPTP. In addition, EA reduced microglia activation and astrogliosis in the striatum and midbrain, increased tyrosine hydroxylase levels in the striatum, and improved vertical movement in MPTP mice. These results provide further evidence supporting that EA produces a series of anti-oxidative effects that effectively counteract with the oxidative stress in the nigrostriatal dopamine system induced by MPTP in a mouse model of PD.

Characterization of Craniocervical Artery Dissection by Simultaneous MR Noncontrast Angiography and Intraplaque Hemorrhage Imaging at 3T

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Craniocervical artery dissection is the most common cause of ischemic stroke identified in young adults. For the diagnosis of craniocervical artery dissection, multisequence MR imaging is recommended but is time-consuming. Recently, investigators proposed a simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage imaging technique allowing simultaneous noncontrast MRA and vessel wall imaging in a single scan. This study sought to investigate the feasibility of 3D simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage MR imaging in the characterization of craniocervical artery dissection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four symptomatic patients (mean age, 45.0 ± 16.1 years; 21 men) with suspected craniocervical artery dissection were recruited. The 3D simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage 3D TOF MRA and black-blood imaging sequences were performed on a 3T MR imaging scanner. The agreement between simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage imaging and multisequence MR imaging in evaluating arterial dissection was determined.

RESULTS

Dissection was found to involve 1 artery in 22 patients and 2 arteries in 2 patients. The intramural hematoma and luminal occlusion were detected in 19 (79.2%) and 11 (45.8%) patients, respectively. In measuring stenosis, the Cohen κ value between 3D TOF MRA and simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage imaging was 0.82 (P < .001). All intramural hematomas on multisequence imaging were successfully identified by simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

3D simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage imaging showed excellent agreement with multisequence MR imaging in evaluating luminal stenosis and intramural hematoma in patients with craniocervical artery dissection. The simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage imaging saved nearly 50% of scanning time compared with multisequence MR imaging. Our findings suggest that 3D simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage imaging might be an alternative, time-efficient diagnostic tool for craniocervical artery dissection.

Large-scale two-dimensional MoS₂ photodetectors by magnetron sputtering

We report on the demonstration of photodetectors based on large scale two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) transition metal dichalcogenides. Excellent film uniformity and precise control of the MoS2 thickness down to a monolayer (~0.75nm) were achieved by magnetron sputtering synthesis approach. In particular, the photodetectors integrated with five MoS2 monolayers exhibit a high photoresponsivity of 1.8 A/W, an external quantum efficiency exceeding 260%, and a photodetectivity of ~5 x 10(8) Jones for a wavelength of 850 nm, surpassing the performance of mechanically exfoliated based photodetectors.

Measurement of Long-Range Angular Correlation and Quadrupole Anisotropy of Pions and (Anti)Protons in Central d+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We present azimuthal angular correlations between charged hadrons and energy deposited in calorimeter towers in central d+Au and minimum bias p+p collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV. The charged hadron is measured at midrapidity |η|<0.35, and the energy is measured at large rapidity (-3.7<η<-3.1, Au-going direction). An enhanced near-side angular correlation across |Δη|>2.75 is observed in d+Au collisions. Using the event plane method applied to the Au-going energy distribution, we extract the anisotropy strength v_{2} for inclusive charged hadrons at midrapidity up to p_{T}=4.5 GeV/c. We also present the measurement of v_{2} for identified π^{±} and (anti)protons in central d+Au collisions, and observe a mass-ordering pattern similar to that seen in heavy-ion collisions. These results are compared with viscous hydrodynamic calculations and measurements from p+Pb at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV. The magnitude of the mass ordering in d+Au is found to be smaller than that in p+Pb collisions, which may indicate smaller radial flow in lower energy d+Au collisions.

Mutation of the rice ASL2 gene encoding plastid ribosomal protein L21 causes chloroplast developmental defects and seedling death

The plastid ribosome proteins (PRPs) play important roles in plastid protein biosynthesis, chloroplast differentiation and early chloroplast development. However, the specialised functions of individual protein components of the chloroplast ribosome in rice (Oryza sativa) remain unresolved. In this paper, we identified a novel rice PRP mutant named asl2 (Albino seedling lethality 2) exhibiting an albino, seedling death phenotype. In asl2 mutants, the alteration of leaf colour was associated with chlorophyll (Chl) content and abnormal chloroplast development. Through map-based cloning and complementation, the mutated ASL2 gene was isolated and found to encode the chloroplast 50S ribosome protein L21 (RPL21c), a component of the chloroplast ribosome large subunit, which was localised in chloroplasts. ASL2 was expressed at a higher level in the plumule and leaves, implying its tissue-specific expression. Additionally, the expression of ASL2 was regulated by light. The transcript levels of the majority of genes for Chl biosynthesis, photosynthesis and chloroplast development were strongly affected in asl2 mutants. Collectively, the absence of functional ASL2 caused chloroplast developmental defects and seedling death. This report establishes the important role of RPL21c in chloroplast development in rice.

Adiponectin and visfatin may serve as diagnosis markers for metabolic syndrome in Uygur population

OBJECTIVES

This study is to determine if two adipocytokines, adiponectin and visfatin, can be used as diagnosis markers for metabolic syndrome (MS) in Uygur population.

METHODS

Sixty-two MS patients and 41 control individuals with normal body weights were enrolled in this study. Abdominal subcutaneous and omental adipose tissues were collected for determination of biochemical indices. The adipokines serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Blood were collected from the MS patients and the control individuals and extracted proteins and RNAs subjected to western blot analysis and real-time PCR to determine adiponectin and visfatin expression, respectively.

RESULTS

ELISA indicated that the serum adiponectin in the MS group was decreased (0.59 ± 0.21 versus 0.49 ± 0.18) in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). But the serum visfatin in the MS group were increased (1.07 ± 0.41 versus 1.25 ± 0.32) when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The western blot revealed decreased adiponectin and increased visfatin expression in the MS patients when compared with the normal controls. Further real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the adiponectin and visfatin expression are altered via a transcriptional mechanism.

CONCLUSIONS

Adiponectin and visfatin might be used as diagnosis markers of MS in Uygur population.

Promoter hypomethylation and increased maspin expression in preeclamptic placentas in a Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

Preeclampsia is thought to begin with shallow trophoblast invasion and inadequate spiral artery remodeling. Maspin, a tumor-suppressor gene, plays a regulatory role in trophoblast invasion and motility. The tissue-specific methylation of the maspin promoter can regulate maspin gene expression in various cancers. We sought to detect maspin gene expression and assess the degrees of methylation of maspin promoter regions in preeclamptic placentas in the Han Chinese population and to investigate the potential role of maspin in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

METHODS

We conducted RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blotting to characterize maspin gene expression and protein levels in the placentas from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Finally, using methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing PCR, we detected the degrees of methylation of the promoter regions of maspin in each of the two studied groups.

RESULTS

Maspin expression was increased at the mRNA and protein levels in the preeclamptic placentas compared to the control group. Maspin immunohistochemical staining revealed positive staining in the syncytio-cytotrophoblast layers and more diffuse staining in the preeclamptic group. The mean methylation level of the analyzed promoter region was significantly hypomethylated in the preeclamptic placentas compared to the control placentas, pointing to a negative relationship between maspin promoter methylation and gene expression.

DISCUSSION

Hypomethylation of the maspin promoter results in increased expression of maspin in preeclamptic placentas, which suggests a negative relationship between maspin methylation and maspin expression in this Han Chinese population. Thus, maspin is likely involved in the etiology of preeclampsia.

Cold-nuclear-matter effects on heavy-quark production at forward and backward rapidity in d + Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV

The PHENIX experiment has measured open heavy-flavor production via semileptonic decay over the transverse momentum range 1 < p(T) < 6  GeV/c at forward and backward rapidity (1.4 < |y| < 2.0) in d+Au and p + p collisions at √sNN = 200  GeV. In central d+Au collisions, relative to the yield in p + p collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, a suppression is observed at forward rapidity (in the d-going direction) and an enhancement at backward rapidity (in the Au-going direction). Predictions using nuclear-modified-parton-distribution functions, even with additional nuclear-p(T) broadening, cannot simultaneously reproduce the data at both rapidity ranges, which implies that these models are incomplete and suggests the possible importance of final-state interactions in the asymmetric d + Au collision system. These results can be used to probe cold-nuclear-matter effects, which may significantly affect heavy-quark production, in addition to helping constrain the magnitude of charmonia-breakup effects in nuclear matter.

Adenovirus36 infection expresses cellular APMI and Visfatin genes in overweight Uygur individuals

Objective

This study is to determine if Adenovirus type 36 (Ad36) infection is related to macrophage infiltration in the obese group and non-obese group and the related molecular mechanisms.

Methods

Ninety obesity patients and 95 non-obesity Uygur individuals were enrolled in this study. CD68 levels in abdominal subcutaneous and omental adipose tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The cytokine expression levels of adiponectin (APMI) and visfatin in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Infection of 3T3-L1 cells with Ad36 was performed. Real-time PCR was performed to determine expression levels of APMI and Visfatin genes in the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes infected with Ad36.

Results

In the obese individuals infected with Ad36, the expression levels of adiponectin and visfatin in serum was elevated. For the individuals infected with Ad36, the macrophage infiltration (as indicated by CD68 level) in the obese group was also significantly higher than that in the non-obese group (P < 0.05) in both abdominal subcutaneous and omental adipose tissues. The real-time PCR results indicated that APMI mRNA levels and Visfatin mRNA levels in Ad36 infected cells were significantly increased.

Conclusions

Ad36 infection may be a factor related with macrophage infiltration in adipose tissues of the obese patients. The APMI and Visfatin genes may be involved in the mechanism underlying the effect of Ad36 infection on the obese patients.

Virtual Slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1849614638119816