miR-124- and let-7-Mediated Reprogram of Human Fibroblasts into SST Interneurons

Many neurological disorders stem from defects in or the loss of specific neurons. Dysfunction of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)­ergic interneurons may cause a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders such as epilepsy, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. Unlike other types of neurons, which can be generated relatively easily by direct reprogramming, it is difficult to generate GABAergic neurons by traditional methods. Neuronal transdifferentiation of fibroblasts mediated by nongenomic-integrated adenovirus has many advantages, but the efficiency is low, and there is a lack of studies using human cells as the initial materials. In this study, we explored the feasibility of the conversion of human fibroblasts into neurons through adenovirus-mediated gene expression and found that by introducing two microRNAs, miR-124 and let-7, together with several small chemical compounds, they can effectively generate GABAergic neuron-like cells from human neonatal fibroblasts without reverting to a progenitor cell stage. Most of these cells expressed neuronal markers and were all somatostatin (SST)-positive cells. Therefore, our study provides a relatively safe and efficient method to generate SST interneurons

miR-124- and let-7-Mediated Reprogram of Human Fibroblasts into SST Interneurons

Many neurological disorders stem from defects in or the loss of specific neurons. Dysfunction of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)­ergic interneurons may cause a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders such as epilepsy, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. Unlike other types of neurons, which can be generated relatively easily by direct reprogramming, it is difficult to generate GABAergic neurons by traditional methods. Neuronal transdifferentiation of fibroblasts mediated by nongenomic-integrated adenovirus has many advantages, but the efficiency is low, and there is a lack of studies using human cells as the initial materials. In this study, we explored the feasibility of the conversion of human fibroblasts into neurons through adenovirus-mediated gene expression and found that by introducing two microRNAs, miR-124 and let-7, together with several small chemical compounds, they can effectively generate GABAergic neuron-like cells from human neonatal fibroblasts without reverting to a progenitor cell stage. Most of these cells expressed neuronal markers and were all somatostatin (SST)-positive cells. Therefore, our study provides a relatively safe and efficient method to generate SST interneurons

Intraocular Pressure Changes during Accommodation in Progressing Myopes, Stable Myopes and Emmetropes - Fig 2

<p>Fig 2a showed the IOP values before (IOP1) and after (IOP2) 3 D accommodation stimulus was presented in subgroups (children progressing myopic group vs. adults progressing myopic group). Fig 2b showed the IOP changes (IOPD) in the 2 subgroups. IOP decreased in children progressing myopic group but increased in adults progressing myopic group after 3 D accommodation was induced. The difference between IOP changes was significant between the 2 groups (p = 0.008). Error bars in the figs represent standard error of the data.</p

The IOP of children and adults subgroups before and after accommodation.

<p>The IOP of children and adults progressing myopes before and after 3 D accommodative stimulus were presented. Independent t test were employed to determine the IOP difference of the 2 subgroups. We find there is a statistically significant difference between children and adults progressing myopes in IOP changes (p = 0.01).</p><p>The IOP of children and adults subgroups before and after accommodation.</p

The IOP of three groups before and after accommodation.

<p>The IOP of progressive myopes, stable myopes and emmetropes before and after 3 D accommodative stimulus were presented. One-way ANOVA and covariance analysis were employed to determine the between-group difference of IOPs. No statistically significant difference was detected between groups.</p><p>The IOP of three groups before and after accommodation.</p

Highly Sensitive and Stretchable MXene/CNTs/TPU Composite Strain Sensor with Bilayer Conductive Structure for Human Motion Detection

The universal application of wearable strain sensors in various situations for human-activity monitoring is considerably limited by the contradiction between high sensitivity and broad working range. There still remains a huge challenge to design sensors featuring simultaneous broad working range and high sensitivity. Herein, a typical bilayer-conductive structure Ti3C2Tx MXene/carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite film was developed by a simple and scalable vacuum filtration process utilizing a porous electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) mat as a skeleton. The MXene/CNTs/TPU strain sensor is composed of two parts: a brittle densely stacked MXene upper lamella and a flexible MXene/CNT-decorated fibrous network lower layer. Benefiting from the synergetic effect of the two parts along with hydrogen-bonding interactions between the porous TPU fiber mat and MXene sheets, the MXene/CNTs/TPU strain sensor possesses both a broad working range (up to 330%) and high sensitivity (maximum gauge factor of 2911) as well as superb long-term durability (2600 cycles under the strain of 50%). Finally, the sensor can be successfully employed for human movement monitoring, from tiny facial expressions, respiration, and pulse beat to large-scale finger and elbow bending, demonstrating a promising and attractive application for wearable devices and human–machine interaction

The IOP of three subgroups before and after accommodation.

<p>The IOP of low, moderate and high progressing myopes before and after 3 D accommodative stimulus were presented. One-way ANOVA and covariance analysis were employed to determine the between-subgroup difference of IOPs. No statistically significant difference was detected between subgroups.</p><p>The IOP of three subgroups before and after accommodation.</p

The demographic data of progressive myopes, stable myopes and emmetropes.

<p>This table showed the demographic data of progressing myopes, stable myopes and emmetropes.</p><p>The demographic data of progressive myopes, stable myopes and emmetropes.</p

The demographic data of low, moderate and high progressing myopes.

<p>This table showed the demographic data of low, moderate and high progressing myopes.</p><p>The demographic data of low, moderate and high progressing myopes.</p

Image_1_Comparison of dynamic visual acuity after implantation of toric bifocal or trifocal intraocular lens in age-related cataract patients: a randomized controlled trial.TIF

PurposeTo investigate the dynamic visual acuity (DVA) after implantation of toric bifocal or trifocal intraocular lens in age-related cataract patients.MethodsThis was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Of one hundred and twenty-four patients enrolled and randomized to receive unilateral phacoemulsification and toric trifocal (939 M/MP, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany) or toric bifocal (909 M, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany) intraocular lenses (IOL) implantation, ninety-nine patients completed the follow-up and were included in final analysis. Postoperatively, uncorrected and corrected distance (UDVA and CDVA), intermediate (UIVA and DCIVA) and near (UNVA and DCNVA) static visual acuity, manifest refraction and uncorrected and corrected distance DVA (UDDVA and CDDVA) at 20, 40 and 80 degrees per second (dps) were evaluated at one week, one month and three months.ResultsThree months postoperatively, the UDVA were 0.13 ± 0.11 and 0.14 ± 0.13 in the toric trifocal and bifocal IOL group, respectively. Significant better UIVA (trifocal, 0.17 ± 0.13 vs. bifocal, 0.23 ± 0.13, p = 0.037) and DCIVA (trifocal, 0.16 ± 0.11 vs. bifocal, 0.20 ± 0.12, p = 0.048) were observed in patients implanting toric trifocal than bifocal IOL at three months postoperatively. Patients implanted with toric bifocal IOL obtained better CDDVA at 80 dps (0.5607 ± 0.2032) than the trifocal group (0.6573 ± 0.2450, p = 0.039) at three months. Postoperative UDDVA and CDDVA at 20, 40 and 80 dps were significantly associated with age (p ConclusionToric trifocal IOL provides better static intermediate visual acuity, and toric bifocal IOL implantation provides better distance dynamic visual acuity at high speed.</p