(INVITED) Energy transfer processes in Sr3Tb(PO4)3 eulytite-type materials singly doped with Nd3+ and Sm3+

In this study the optical spectroscopy, the excited state dynamics and in particular the energy transfer Tb3+→Ln3+ (Ln = Nd or Sm), have been investigated in detail in eulytite double phosphate hosts of the type Sr3Tb(PO4)3 doped with 1 mol% Ln3+. It has been found that for Ln=Nd and Sm, the energy transfer efficiency (ηT) is 0.76 and 0.73, respectively, thanks to the assistance of fast migration in the Tb3+ 5D4 level. The pathway responsible for the transfer of excitation has been unambiguously identified in the case of Sr3Tb0.99Nd0.01(PO4)3, whilst the situation is more complex for Sr3Tb0.99Sm0.01(PO4)3, due to high density of the final Sm3+ states that could be involved. The Tb3+→Nd3+ energy transfer has been tentatively attributed to the exchange interaction on the basis of the short transfer distance and multipolar selection rules

Biased Gene Fractionation and Dominant Gene Expression among the Subgenomes of Brassica rapa

Polyploidization, both ancient and recent, is frequent among plants. A “two-step theory" was proposed to explain the meso-triplication of the Brassica “A" genome: Brassica rapa. By accurately partitioning of this genome, we observed that genes in the less fractioned subgenome (LF) were dominantly expressed over the genes in more fractioned subgenomes (MFs: MF1 and MF2), while the genes in MF1 were slightly dominantly expressed over the genes in MF2. The results indicated that the dominantly expressed genes tended to be resistant against gene fractionation. By re-sequencing two B. rapa accessions: a vegetable turnip (VT117) and a Rapid Cycling line (L144), we found that genes in LF had less non-synonymous or frameshift mutations than genes in MFs; however mutation rates were not significantly different between MF1 and MF2. The differences in gene expression patterns and on-going gene death among the three subgenomes suggest that “two-step" genome triplication and differential subgenome methylation played important roles in the genome evolution of B. rapa

Characterization of cells from patient-derived fibrovascular membranes in proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Purpose Epiretinal fibrovascular membranes (FVMs) are a hallmark of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Surgical removal of FVMs is often indicated to treat tractional retinal detachment. This potentially informative pathological tissue is usually disposed of after surgery without further examination. We developed a method for isolating and characterizing cells derived from FVMs and correlated their expression of specific markers in culture with that in tissue. Methods: FVMs were obtained from 11 patients with PDR during diabetic vitrectomy surgery and were analyzed with electron microscopy (EM), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), immunohistochemistry, and/or digested with collagenase II for cell isolation and culture. Antibody arrays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to profile secreted angiogenesis-related proteins in cell culture supernatants. Results: EM analysis of the FVMs showed abnormal vessels composed of endothelial cells with large nuclei and plasma membrane infoldings, loosely attached perivascular cells, and stromal cells. The cellular constituents of the FVMs lacked major chromosomal aberrations as shown with CGH. Cells derived from FVMs (C-FVMs) could be isolated and maintained in culture. The C-FVMs retained the expression of markers of cell identity in primary culture, which define specific cell populations including CD31-positive, alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive (SMA), and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive (GFAP) cells. In primary culture, secretion of angiopoietin-1 and thrombospondin-1 was significantly decreased in culture conditions that resemble a diabetic environment in SMA-positive C-FVMs compared to human retinal pericytes derived from a non-diabetic donor. Conclusions: C-FVMs obtained from individuals with PDR can be isolated, cultured, and profiled in vitro and may constitute a unique resource for the discovery of cell signaling mechanisms underlying PDR that extends beyond current animal and cell culture models

An atlas of over 90.000 conserved noncoding sequences provides insight into crucifer regulatory regions

Despite the central importance of noncoding DNA to gene regulation and evolution, understanding of the extent of selection on plant noncoding DNA remains limited compared to that of other organisms. Here we report sequencing of genomes from three Brassicaceae species (Leavenworthia alabamica, Sisymbrium irio and Aethionema arabicum) and their joint analysis with six previously sequenced crucifer genomes. Conservation across orthologous bases suggests that at least 17% of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome is under selection, with nearly one-quarter of the sequence under selection lying outside of coding regions. Much of this sequence can be localized to approximately 90,000 conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs) that show evidence of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Population genomics analyses of two crucifer species, A. thaliana and Capsella grandiflora, confirm that most of the identified CNSs are evolving under medium to strong purifying selection. Overall, these CNSs highlight both similarities and several key differences between the regulatory DNA of plants and other species

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Synthesis and luminescence spectroscopy of inorganic materials doped with rare earth ions

Inorganic hosts doped with rare earth ions have always been in recent times a research hotspot because of their broad applications, such as: luminescent transparent ceramics, catalyst, optical temperature sensor and fluorescent anti-counterfeit materials, as well as white light emission diodes and so on. The energy transfer involving trivalent rare earth ions in these inorganic solids has been and still is a fundamental field in modern luminescence research, which plays an essential role in improving luminescence performance. The area of energy transfer has been intensively studied since the early 1960’s, and the contribution provided by Professor George Blasse has been crucial for the advancement of the understanding of energy transfer and migration processes involving luminescent ions. Particularly, Prof. Blasse studied in detail the migration of excitation energy in concentrated materials, especially based on Gd3+, Eu3+ and Tb3+. But it still attracts a lot of attention due to unanswered questions regarding the mechanisms at play, and the technological applications of this type of process. For this reason, several studies have been performed here. (a) Energy transfer processes of the types Tb3+ → Nd3+ and Tb3+ → Sm3+ have been studied at room temperature in eulytite double phosphate materials with stoichiometry Sr3Tb0.99Nd0.01(PO4)3 and Sr3Tb0.99Sm0.01(PO4)3. As already found for (Ba,Sr)3Tb1-xEux(PO4)3, the transfer of excitation from the Tb3+ to the dopant is assisted by very fast energy migration in the 5D4 subset of levels, and effectively occurs between nearest neighbor ions. It is for this reason that the transfer efficiency results to be compared to what observed in other hosts. (b) The stoichiometry Sr3Y1−x−yTbxTmy(PO4)3 have been studied to explore the energy transfer processes involving the Tb3+ and Tm3+ ions. It revealed that the Tb3+ → Tm3+ transfer of excitation could quench strongly the 5D4 level of Tb3+, and internal Tm3+ → Tm3+ cross relaxation processes would take place upon excitation in the emissive 5D4 (Tb3+) level. (c) A detailed study of doubly doped LaInO3: Bi3+/Tb3+ and LaInO3: Tb3+/Eu3+ and triply doped LaInO3: Bi3+/Tb3+/Eu3+ samples showed that the Bi3+ → Tb3+ energy transfer is dominated by electric dipole- electric dipole (EDD) mechanisms, and the largest energy transfer efficiency can be achieved through increasing the concentration of lanthanide ions (Tb3+ and Eu3+). The co-presence of blue, green, and red color light in the right ratio to obtain white light, is ensured by tuning the Bi3+ → Tb3+ and Tb3+ → Eu3+ energy transfer efficiencies. In turn, these efficiencies are strongly related to the relative amount of the three dopant ions and therefore to their interaction distances. (d) Fluoride materials have been broadly exploited as convenient hosts for rare earth dopant ions due to their high refractive index, low phonon energy (<350 cm-1) as well as excellent thermal stability. The energy transfer mechanisms Tb3+ → Eu3+ ions have been explored in samples NaBi1-x-yTbxEuyF4, and it has been found the energy transfer efficiency is easily influenced by the quenching groups on the surface of nanoparticles. Also, the superior temperature sensing performance for samples has been proposed. Therefore, the materials could be a promising candidate for determination of water content in organic solvents as well as optical thermometry. (e) Taking advantage of the outstanding merits belonging to CaAl2O4: Eu, Nd (CAO) persistent phosphors, such as long-lasting afterglow as well as unique luminescence spectra, it was adopted as excitation source to irritate Y3Al5O12: Ce phosphors. Based on this fact, one desired yellow emission persistent phosphor has been achieved by depositing these two kinds of phosphors as a polymer layer with a certain thickness. The process of radiative energy transfer from CAO to YAG has been indicated. The complicated energy transfer mechanisms system allows an endless exploration in the future. Even with the results obtained so far, an enormous contribution towards the improvement of luminescence intensity, the regulation of emission color, as well as the achievement of white light have been made. Anyway, energy transfer as a fascinating phenomenon in luminescent materials, is beneficial for various aspects in our life