Super-resolution microscopy and its applications in neuroscience

Optical microscopy promises researchers to see most tiny substances directly. However, the resolution of conventional microscopy is restricted by the diffraction limit. This makes it a challenge to observe subcellular processes happened in nanoscale. The development of super-resolution microscopy provides a solution to this challenge. Here, we briefly review several commonly used super-resolution techniques, explicating their basic principles and applications in biological science, especially in neuroscience. In addition, characteristics and limitations of each technique are compared to provide a guidance for biologists to choose the most suitable tool

Effect of different interventions on the treatment of high-risk human papillomavirus infection: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BackgroundPersistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) can lead to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer. At present, there is no medication that specifically targets HR-HPV infection.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions in promoting HR-HPV regression using a MeSH meta-analysis method.MethodsA search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting different interventions for the treatment of HR-HPV infection included PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library from the inception of the databases to March 8, 2023. Two researchers independently screened the articles, extracted data, and evaluated the quality. The literature that met the inclusion criteria was selected, the quality and risk of bias of the included studies were assessed according to the Cochrane 5.1 manual, and NMA was performed using Stata 16.0. The area under the cumulative ranking probability graph (SUCRA) represented the probability that each treatment would be the best intervention.ResultsNine studies involving 961 patients and 7 treatment options were included in the analysis. The results of the network meta-analysis indicated the following rank order in terms of promoting HR-HPV conversion: Anti-HPV biological dressing > vaginal gel > imiquimod > REBACIN® > interferon > probiotics > observation/placebo > Polyphenon E.ConclusionAnti-HPV biological dressing treatment was found to be significantly effective in promoting HR-HPV conversion. However, further validation of the findings is necessary due to the limited number and quality of studies included in the analysis.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023413917

Effects of the Calcium-Activated Chloride Channel Inhibitors T16Ainh-A01 and CaCCinh-A01 on Cardiac Fibroblast Function

Background/Aims: Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) regulate numerous physiological processes including cell proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix secretion. T16Ainh-A01 and CaCCinh-A01 are selective inhibitors of CaCCs. But it is unknown whether these two compounds have functional effects on cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Methods: Primary CFs were obtained by enzymatic dissociation of cardiomyocytes from neonatal rat hearts. Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and Cl- ([Cl-]i) were measured using the fluorescent calcium indicators (Fluo-4 AM) and N-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-methoxyquinolinium bromide respectively. The expression of anoctamin-1 (ANO1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was detected by quantitative RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and western blotting. A hydroxyproline assay was used to examine collagen secretion. Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and cell migration were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays, respectively. Results: ANO1 was preferentially expressed on the nuclear membrane and partially within intracellular compartments around the nucleus. T16Ainh-A01 and CaCCinh-A01 displayed different inhibitory effects on [Cl-]i in CFs. T16Ainh-A01 considerably decreased [Cl-]i in the nucleus, whereas CaCCinh-A01 reduced [Cl-]i in intracellular compartments around the nucleus, and both inhibitors exhibited a minimal effect on [Ca2+]i in CFs. ANO1 and α-SMA expression levels were significantly repressed by CaCCinh-A01. T16Ainh-A01 showed a marked inhibitory effect on the mRNA levels of ANO1 and α-SMA, but had a negligible effect on ANO1 at the protein level. T16Ainh-A01 and CaCCinh-A01 led to the significant repression of cell proliferation, cell migration, and collagen secretion in CFs. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that T16Ainh-A01 and CaCCinh-A01 have the potential to inhibit the proliferation and collagen secretion of CFs and may serve as novel anti-fibrotic therapeutic drugs in the future

Investigating a Global Collapsing Hub-Filament Cloud G326.611+0.811

We present the dynamics study toward the G326.611+0.811 (G326) hub-filament-system (HFS) cloud using the new APEX observations of both $^{13}$CO and C$^{18}$O (J = 2-1). The G326 HFS cloud constitutes a central hub and at least four hub-composing filaments that are divided into a major branch of filaments (F1, and F2) and a side branch (F3-F5). The cloud holds ongoing high-mass star formation as characterised by three massive dense clumps (i.e., 370-1100 $M_{\odot}$ and 0.14-0.16 g cm$^{-2}$ for C1-C3) with the high clump-averaged mass infalling rates ($>10^{-3}$ $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$) within in the major filament branch, and the associated point sources bright at 70 $\mu$m typical of young protostars. Along the five filaments, the velocity gradients are found in both $^{13}$CO and C$^{18}$O (J = 2-1) emission, suggesting that the filament-aligned gravitational collapse toward the central hub (i.e., C2) is being at work for high-mass star formation therein. Moreover, a periodic velocity oscillation along the major filament branch is revealed in both $^{13}$CO and C$^{18}$O (J = 2-1) emission with a characteristic wavelength of $\sim$3.5 pc and an amplitude of $\sim$0.31-0.38 km s$^{-1}$. We suggest that this pattern of velocity oscillation in G326 could arise from the clump-forming gas motions induced by gravitational instability. Taking into account the prevalent velocity gradients, the fragmentation of the major branch of filaments, and the ongoing collapse of the three massive dense clumps, it is indicative that G326 is a HFS undergoing global collapse.Comment: 21 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables, Accepted for publication in Ap

Who is the main caregiver of the mother during the doing-the-month : is there an association with postpartum depression?

Background: To examine the relationship between the main caregiver during the “doing-the-month” (a traditional Chinese practice which a mother is confined at home for 1 month after giving birth) and the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) in postnatal women. Methods: Participants were postnatal women stayed in hospital and women who attended the hospital for postpartum examination, at 14–60 days after delivery from November 1, 2013 to December 30, 2013. Postpartum depression status was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the associations between the main caregiver during “doing-the-month” and the risk of PPD in postnatal women. Results: One thousand three hundred twenty-five postnatal women with a mean (SD) age of 28 (4.58) years were included in the analyses. The median score (IQR) of PPD was 6.0 (2, 10) and the prevalence of PPD was 27%. Of these postnatal women, 44.5% were cared by their mother-in-law in the first month after delivery, 36.3% cared by own mother, 11.1% by “yuesao” or “maternity matron” and 8.1% by other relatives. No association was found between the main caregivers and the risk of PPD after multiple adjustments. Conclusions: Although no association between the main caregivers and the risk of PPD during doing-the-month was identified, considering the increasing prevalence of PPD in Chinese women, and the contradictions between traditional culture and latest scientific evidence for some of the doing-the-month practices, public health interventions aim to increase the awareness of PPD among caregivers and family members are warranted