Quantitative Measurements of the Ciliary Body in Eyes With Acute Primary-Angle Closure

PURPOSE. To compare the structural differences of the ciliary body in patients with acute primary-angle closure (APAC) and normal subjects. METHODS. Forty-four patients with APAC in one eye and 25 eyes from 25 age-matched normal subjects were consecutively recruited. A-scan ultrasound and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) measurements were performed. Ciliary body parameters including maximum ciliary body thickness (CBTmax), ciliary body thickness at point of the scleral spur (CBT0) and 1000 lm from the scleral spur (CBT1000), anterior placement of ciliary body (APCB), and trabecular-ciliary process angle (TCA), as well as biometric measurements, were measured. RESULTS. Average CBTmax was 0.894 6 0.114, 0.967 6 0.110, and 1.053 6 0.103 mm in eyes with APAC, their fellow eyes, and normal eyes, respectively. Average CBT1000 was 0.616 6 0.111, 0.631 6 0.088, and 0.842 6 0.118 mm, respectively. Average TCA was 48.10 6 13.268, 50.60 6 9.088, and 87.11 6 20.718, respectively. CBTmax and CBT0 were thinner in eyes with APAC compared with their fellow eyes (P ¼ 0.002, P < 0.001). In addition, CBTmax, CBT1000, and TCA were smaller whereas APCB was larger in the fellow eyes of APAC patients compared with normal eyes (P ¼ 0.002, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001). The anterior chamber depth (ACD) was smaller whereas lens thickness (LT) was larger in eyes with APAC compared with their fellow eyes (P < 0.001, P ¼ 0.036). Smaller ACD and axial length and larger LT and lens vault were found in the fellow eyes of APAC patients compared with normal eyes (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P ¼ 0.015, P ¼ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS. Ciliary bodies were thinner and more anteriorly rotated in eyes with APAC as well as in their fellow eyes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between ciliary body parameters and mechanism of APAC

Hybrid-system approach to fault-tolerant quantum communication

We present a layered hybrid-system approach to quantum communication that involves the distribution of a topological cluster state throughout a quantum network. Photon loss and other errors are suppressed by optical multiplexing and entanglement purification. The scheme is scalable to large distances, achieving an end-to-end rate of 1 kHz with around 50 qubits per node. We suggest a potentially suitable implementation of an individual node composed of erbium spins (single atom or ensemble) coupled via flux qubits to a microwave resonator, allowing for deterministic local gates, stable quantum memories, and emission of photons in the telecom regime

Unveiling the operation mechanism of layered perovskite solar cells

Layered perovskites have been shown to improve the stability of perovskite solar cells while its operation mechanism remains unclear. Here we investigate the process for the conversion of light to electrical current in high performance layered perovskite solar cells by examining its real morphology. The layered perovskite films in this study are found to be a mixture of layered and three dimensional (3D)-like phases with phase separations at micrometer and nanometer scale in both vertical and lateral directions. This phase separation is explained by the surface initiated crystallization process and the competition of the crystallization between 3D-like and layered perovskites. We further propose that the working mechanisms of the layered perovskite solar cells involve energy transfer from layered to 3D-like perovskite network. The impact of morphology on efficiency and stability of the hot-cast layered perovskite solar cells are also discussed to provide guidelines for the future improvement

Self-targeting, zwitterionic micellar dispersants enhance antibiotic killing of infectious biofilms:An intravital imaging study in mice

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) hold infectious biofilms together and limit antimicrobial penetration and clinical infection control. Here, we present zwitterionic micelles as a previously unexplored, synthetic self-targeting dispersant. First, a pH-responsive poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(quaternary-amino-ester) was synthesized and self-assembled with poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) to form zwitterionic, mixed-shell polymeric micelles (ZW-MSPMs). In the acidic environment of staphylococcal biofilms, ZW-MSPMs became positively charged because of conversion of the zwitterionic poly(quaternary-amino-ester) to a cationic lactone ring. This allowed ZW-MSPMs to self-target, penetrate, and accumulate in staphylococcal biofilms in vitro. In vivo biofilm targeting by ZW-MSPMs was confirmed for staphylococcal biofilms grown underneath an implanted abdominal imaging window through direct imaging in living mice. ZW-MSPMs interacted strongly with important EPS components such as eDNA and protein to disperse biofilm and enhance ciprofloxacin efficacy toward remaining biofilm, both in vitro and in vivo. Zwitterionic micellar dispersants may aid infection control and enhance efficacy of existing antibiotics against remaining biofilm

Nasal administration of interleukin-33 induces airways angiogenesis and expression of multiple angiogenic factors in a murine asthma surrogate

The T‐helper cell type 2‐promoting cytokine interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) has been implicated in asthma pathogenesis. Angiogenesis is a feature of airways remodelling in asthma. We hypothesized that IL‐33 induces airways angiogenesis and expression of angiogenic factors in an established murine surrogate of asthma. In the present study, BALB/c mice were subjected to serial intranasal challenge with IL‐33 alone for up to 70 days. In parallel, ovalbumin (OVA) ‐sensitized mice were subjected to serial intranasal challenge with OVA or normal saline to serve as positive and negative controls, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis of expression of von Willebrand factor and erythroblast transformation‐specific‐related gene, both blood vessel markers, and angiogenic factors angiogenin, insulin‐like growth factor‐1, endothelin‐1, epidermal growth factor and amphiregulin was performed in lung sections ex vivo. An established in‐house assay was used to test whether IL‐33 was able to induce microvessel formation by human vascular endothelial cells. Results showed that serial intranasal challenge of mice with IL‐33 or OVA resulted in proliferation of peribronchial von Willebrand factor‐positive blood vessels to a degree closely related to the total expression of the angiogenic factors amphiregulin, angiogenin, endothelin‐1, epidermal growth factor and insulin‐like growth factor‐1. IL‐33 also induced microvessel formation by human endothelial cells in a concentration‐dependent fashion in vitro. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that IL‐33 has the capacity to induce angiogenesis at least partly by increasing local expression of multiple angiogenic factors in an allergen‐independent murine asthma surrogate, and consequently that IL‐33 or its receptor is a potential novel molecular target for asthma therapy

Mkk4 is a negative regulator of the transforming growth factor beta 1 signaling associated with atrial remodeling and arrhythmogenesis with age.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF), often associated with structural, fibrotic change in cardiac tissues involving regulatory signaling mediators, becomes increasingly common with age. In the present study, we explored the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (Mkk4), a critical component of the stress-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase family, in age-associated AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We developed a novel mouse model with a selective inactivation of atrial cardiomyocyte Mkk4 (Mkk4(ACKO)). We characterized and compared electrophysiological, histological, and molecular features of young (3- to 4-month), adult (6-month), and old (1-year) Mkk4(ACKO) mice with age-matched control littermates (Mkk4(F/F)). Aging Mkk4(ACKO) mice were more susceptible to atrial tachyarrhythmias than the corresponding Mkk4(F/F) mice, showing characteristic slow and dispersed atrial conduction, for which modeling studies demonstrated potential arrhythmic effects. These differences paralleled increased interstitial fibrosis, upregulated transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) signaling and dysregulation of matrix metalloproteinases in Mkk4(ACKO), compared to Mkk4(F/F), atria. Mkk4 inactivation increased the sensitivity of cultured cardiomyocytes to angiotensin II-induced activation of TGF-β1 signaling. This, in turn, enhanced expression of profibrotic molecules in cultured cardiac fibroblasts, suggesting cross-talk between these two cell types in profibrotic signaling. Finally, human atrial tissues in AF showed a Mkk4 downregulation associated with increased production of profibrotic molecules, compared to findings in tissue from control subjects in sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: These findings together demonstrate, for the first time, that Mkk4 is a negative regulator of the TGF-β1 signaling associated with atrial remodeling and arrhythmogenesis with age, establishing Mkk4 as a new potential therapeutic target for treating AF

A genetic variation map for chicken with 2.8 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms

We describe a genetic variation map for the chicken genome containing 2.8 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs). This map is based on a comparison of the sequences of three domestic chicken breeds ( a broiler, a layer and a Chinese silkie) with that of their wild ancestor, red jungle fowl. Subsequent experiments indicate that at least 90% of the variant sites are true SNPs, and at least 70% are common SNPs that segregate in many domestic breeds. Mean nucleotide diversity is about five SNPs per kilobase for almost every possible comparison between red jungle fowl and domestic lines, between two different domestic lines, and within domestic lines - in contrast to the notion that domestic animals are highly inbred relative to their wild ancestors. In fact, most of the SNPs originated before domestication, and there is little evidence of selective sweeps for adaptive alleles on length scales greater than 100 kilobases

Minimally invasive stereotactic puncture and thrombolysis therapy improves long-term outcome after acute intracerebral hemorrhage

The purpose of this study was to judge the clinical value of minimally invasive stereotactic puncture and thrombolysis therapy (MISPTT) for acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A randomized control clinical trial was undertaken. According to the enrollment criteria, 122 acute ICH cases were analyzed, of which 64 cases received MISPTT (MISPTT group, MG) and 58 cases received conventional craniotomy (CC group, CG). The Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores, postoperative complications (PC), and rebleeding incidences were compared. Moreover, 1 year postoperation, the long-term outcomes of patients with regard to hematoma volume (HV) <50 mL and HV ≥50 mL were judged, respectively, by the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), Barthel index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and case fatality (CF). MG patients showed obvious amelioration in GCS score compared with that of CG patients. The total incidence of PC in MG decreased compared with that of CG. The incidences of rebleeding in MG and CG were 9.4 and 17.2%, respectively (P = 0.243). There were no obvious differences between the CFs of MG and CG (17.2 and 25.9%, respectively, P = 0.199). The GOS, BI, and mRS representing long-term outcome for both HV <50 mL and HV ≥50 mL in MG were ameliorated significantly greater than that in CG patients (all P < 0.05). These data suggest that there are advantages with MISPTT not only in trauma and safety, but the MISPTT group had fewer complications and a trend toward improved short-term and long-term outcomes

Serum Starvation Induced Cell Cycle Synchronization Facilitates Human Somatic Cells Reprogramming

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a valuable model for regenerative medicine and human disease research. To date, however, the reprogramming efficiency of human adult cells is still low. Recent studies have revealed that cell cycle is a key parameter driving epigenetic reprogramming to pluripotency. As is well known, retroviruses such as the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) require cell division to integrate into the host genome and replicate, whereas the target primary cells for reprogramming are a mixture of several cell types with different cell cycle rhythms. Whether cell cycle synchronization has potential effect on retrovirus induced reprogramming has not been detailed. In this study, utilizing transient serum starvation induced synchronization, we demonstrated that starvation generated a reversible cell cycle arrest and synchronously progressed through G2/M phase after release, substantially improving retroviral infection efficiency. Interestingly, synchronized human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and adipose stem cells (ASC) exhibited more homogenous epithelial morphology than normal FBS control after infection, and the expression of epithelial markers such as E-cadherin and Epcam were strongly activated. Futhermore, synchronization treatment ultimately improved Nanog positive clones, achieved a 15–20 fold increase. These results suggested that cell cycle synchronization promotes the mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) and facilitates retrovirus mediated reprogramming. Our study, utilization of serum starvation rather than additional chemicals, provide a new insight into cell cycle regulation and induced reprogramming of human cells