Age-dependent effects of metformin on human oligodendrocyte lineage cell ensheathment capacity

Metformin restores the myelination potential of aged rat A2B5+ oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and may enhance recovery in children with post-radiation brain injury. Human late progenitor cells (O4+A2B5+) have a superior capacity to ensheath nanofibres compared to mature oligodendrocytes, with cells from paediatric sources exceeding adults. In this study, we assessed the effects of metformin on ensheathment capacity of human adult and paediatric progenitors and mature oligodendrocytes and related differences to transcriptional changes. A2B5+ progenitors and mature cells, derived from surgical tissues by immune-magnetic separation, were assessed for ensheathment capacity in nanofibre plates over 2 weeks. Metformin (10 µM every other day) was added to selected cultures. RNA was extracted from treated and control cultures after 2 days. For all ages, ensheathment by progenitors exceeded mature oligodendrocytes. Metformin enhanced ensheathment by adult donor cells but reduced ensheathment by paediatric cells. Metformin marginally increased cell death in paediatric progenitors. Metformin-induced changes in gene expression are distinct for each cell type. Adult progenitors showed up-regulation of pathways involved in the process of outgrowth and promoting lipid biosynthesis. Paediatric progenitors showed a relatively greater proportion of down- versus up-regulated pathways, these involved cell morphology, development and synaptic transmission. Metformin-induced AMP-activated protein kinase activation in all cell types; AMP-activated protein kinase inhibitor BML-275 reduced functional metformin effects only with adult cells. Our results indicate age and differentiation stage-related differences in human oligodendroglia lineage cells in response to metformin. Clinical trials for demyelinating conditions will indicate how these differences translate in vivo.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of non-mild outcomes in patients with Omicron variant COVID-19 in Shanghai, China

INTRODUCTION

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant rapidly appeared in Shanghai, China in early March 2022. Although a few studies have analyzed the risk factors of the severe type, identifying risk factors for non-mild COVID-19 outcomes (general/severe/critical type) which occur with radiographic evidence of pneumonia is lacking.

METHODOLOGY

The COVID-19 patients admitted to a district-level designated hospital from April 26 to May 21 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The clinical manifestations and laboratory examinations were analyzed. Logistic regression was employed to evaluate risk factors for non-mild outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 311 patients, 196 (63.0%) were mild and 115 (37.0%) were non-mild. Among them, 215 cases (69.1%) were unvaccinated. Male, ≥ 60 years age, and chronic kidney disease were risk factors of progressing to non-mild. Patients with more than two comorbidities were more likely to become non-mild, whereas two/booster doses vaccinated patients had a lower risk of developing to non-mild. The median negative conversion days (NCDs) were 12 days. Non-mild, > 2 comorbidities, delayed admission (> 3 days), and Paxlovid (Pfizer, Freiburg, Germany) treatment significantly lengthened the NCDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results call for special concern for full and booster vaccination of the elderly, which will effectively protect from progression of COVID-19 to non-mild state. In the meantime, symptomatic COVID-19 patients should be treated as soon as possible.

HMGB2 Deficiency Mitigates Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by Suppressing Ang-II-Caused Ferroptosis and Inflammation via NF-κβ Pathway

Background

Ferroptosis is a new form of cell death, which is closely related to the occurrence of many diseases. Our work focused on the mechanism by which HMGB2 regulate ferroptosis and inflammation in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods

Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot were utilized to assess HMGB2 levels. CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays were utilized to measure cell viability and apoptosis. We detected reactive oxygen species generation, Fe2+ level, and ferroptosis-related protein levels in Ang-II-treated VSMCs, which were typical characteristics of ferroptosis. Finally, the mice model of AAA was established to verify the function of HMGB2 in vivo.

Results

Increased HMGB2 level was observed in Ang-II-treated VSMCs and Ang-II-induced mice model. HMGB2 depletion accelerated viability and impeded apoptosis in Ang-II-irritatived VSMCs. Moreover, HMGB2 deficiency neutralized the increase of ROS in VSMCs caused by Ang-II. HMGB2 silencing considerably weakened Ang-II-caused VSMC ferroptosis, as revealed by the decrease of Fe2+ level and ACSL4 and COX2 levels and the increase in GPX4 and FTH1 levels. Furthermore, the mitigation effects of shHMGB2 on Ang-II-induced VSMC damage could be counteracted by erastin, a ferroptosis agonist. Mechanically, HMGB2 depletion inactivated the NF-κβ signaling in Ang-II-treated VSMCs.

Conclusions

Our work demonstrated that inhibition of HMGB2-regulated ferroptosis and inflammation to protect against AAA via NF-κβ signaling, suggesting that HMGB2 may be a potent therapeutic agent for AAA.

Role of N6-methyladenosine methylation in glioma: recent insights and future directions

Glioma is the most pervasive intracranial tumor in the central nervous system (CNS), with glioblastoma (GBM) being the most malignant type having a highly heterogeneous cancer cell population. There is a significantly high mortality rate in GBM patients. Molecular biomarkers related to GBM malignancy may have prognostic values in predicting survival outcomes and therapeutic responses, especially in patients with high-grade gliomas. In particular, N6-methyladenine (m6A) mRNA modification is the most abundant form of post-transcriptional RNA modification in mammals and is involved in regulating mRNA translation and degradation. Cumulative findings indicate that m6A methylation plays a crucial part in neurogenesis and glioma pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize recent advances regarding the functional significance of m6A modification and its regulatory factors in glioma occurrence and progression. Significant advancement of m6A methylation-associated regulators as potential therapeutic targets is also discussed.

Frontoparietal network homogeneity as a biomarker for mania and remitted bipolar disorder and a predictor of early treatment response in bipolar mania patient

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have revealed the frontoparietal network (FPN) plays a key role in the imaging pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD). However, network homogeneity (NH) in the FPN among bipolar mania (BipM), remitted bipolar disorder (rBD), and healthy controls (HCs) remains unknown. The present study aimed to explore whether NH within the FPN can be used as an imaging biomarker to differentiate BipM from rBD and to predict treatment efficacy for patients with BipM.

METHODS

Sixty-six patients with BD (38 BipM and 28 rBD) and 60 HCs participated in resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological tests. Independent component analysis and NH analysis were applied to analyze the imaging data.

RESULTS

Relative to HCs, BipM patients displayed increased NH in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and rBD patients displayed increased NH in the right inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Compared to rBD patients, BipM patients displayed reduced NH in the right IPL. Furthermore, support vector machine results exhibited that NH values in the right IPL could distinguish BipM patients from rBD patients with 69.70 %, 57.89 %, and 91.67 % for accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, respectively, and support vector regression results exhibited a significant association between predicted and actual symptomatic improvement based on the reduction ratio of the Young` Mania Rating Scale total scores (r = 0.466, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated distinct NH values in the FPN could serve as a valuable neuroimaging biomarker capable of differentiating patients with BipM and rBD, and NH values of the left MFG as a potential predictor of early treatment response in patients with BipM.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and psoriasis comorbidity with significantly alleviated in symptoms after secukinumab: case report

BACKGROUND

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disease that involves damage to the peripheral nervous system. The course of the disease can progress for more than 8 weeks, with frequent incidences of relapse-remission courses. This article reported a rare combination of CIDP with fluctuating symptoms, recurrence-remission, and comorbidity with psoriasis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 29-year-old male patient with repeated limb weakness and numbness was admitted to the hospital several times in the past six months. He had a history of psoriasis for 6 years, and the medications (clobetasol propionate ointment and calcipotriol ointment) treated for psoriasis were discontinued 1 year ago. During the hospitalization, repeated intravenous injections of human immunoglobulin G (IVIg), immunoadsorption, and secukinumab were performed. Nerve electrophysiology tests, ganglioside autoantibody spectrum tests, and clinical MRC muscle strength scores were performed on a regular basis to confirm the diagnosis of CIDP. The patient was regularly followed up.

RESULTS

After repeated rounds of human IVIg and immunoadsorption, the patient's MRC score was increased by ≥ 6 points. The first ganglioside autoantibody spectrum test showed anti-GQ1b IgG ( +) and anti-GM1 IgM ( +) antibodies, and all were negative after re-examination. Finally, the patient was treated with the IL-17A inhibitor secukinumab for psoriasis. During 7 months of follow-up, the CIDP and psoriasis symptoms are relatively stable.

CONCLUSION

Combination of IVIg and immunoadsorption was highly effective in treating CIDP complicated with psoriasis. The clinical manifestations of CIDP are diverse. When relapse-remission occurs in the course of the disease, it is necessary to clarify whether it is combined with other autoimmune diseases and should control the autoimmune diseases as soon as possible.

'Multiple and short-range' cross-linking of dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose contributes to regulating the physicochemical property of collagen fibril

Collagen fibril hydrogel (CH), with controllable micro-structure, sufficient modifying sites and excellent biocompatibility, has received widely attention in the regulation of biomacromolecules. Herein, dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC) in different -CHO contents and molecular weights demonstrated two types of cross-linking behaviors to CH, 'limited and long-range' or 'multiple and short range' cross-linking, corresponding to -CHO content ranged from 0 to  53 % and 53- 90 %, respectively. In regard of structure, non-destroying effect of DCMC on collagen was supported by FT-IR and XRD analysis. CH cross-linked by DCMC (CH-DC) showed declining porosity and aggregating fibrils as -CHO content of DCMC rising. In regard of physicochemical properties, DCMC with >53 % -CHO strengthened the hydrophilicity, thermal stability and degradation resistance of CH-DC. Also, there was 110 % growth on gel strength, 86 Pa enhancements on storage modulus, and 4.6 times decrease on the swelling ratio of CH-DC. Results indicated that DCMC with 79 % -CHO remarkably improved the physicochemical properties of CH via developing sufficient Schiff-base bonds with collagen fibril in a short distance. This study distinguished two patterns of DCMC cross-linking from physicochemical view. In other words, DCMC is potential to meet the requirement of protein-based materials with different expectations by adjusting its -CHO content and molecular weight.

Ring finger sensory latency difference in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Objective

To explore the sensitivity of median and ulnar nerve sensory latency differences in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) at different severities.

Methods

CTS patients were divided into three groups based on disease severity (mild, moderate, and severe). Distal latency of sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) for the median and ulnar nerves was recorded. The sensitivity of SNAP distal latency to CTS and its correlation with CTS severity were analyzed.

Results

Significant differences were found in the median nerve sensory action potential distal latency (MSDL) and in the median and ulnar sensory latency difference to ring finger (MUD) but not in the ulnar nerve sensory action potential distal latency (USDL) between CTS and control. The sensitivity and specificity were 92.2 and 99.4% with an MSDL cutoff value of 2.40 ms, respectively, and were both 100% with a MUD cutoff value of 0.33 ms. There was no significant difference in USDL among the CTS and control groups. Significant differences were found in MSDL and MUD among the CTS severities and between mild and moderate CTS, but not between mild and severe CTS or between moderate and severe CTS. Correlations with CTS severity were observed for MSDL and MUD but not for USDL.

Conclusion

The ulnar nerve of the CTS patients was not damaged. A smaller MSDL reflected median nerve damage, which can be used for the early diagnosis of CTS. MUD correlated with CTS severity with a higher sensitivity than MSDL, which can provide therapeutic insight without pain to patients.

Effect of Arylmethylene Substitutions on Molecular Structure, Optoelectronic Properties and Photovoltaic Performance of Dithienocyclopentafluorene-Based Small-Molecule Acceptors

Two dithienocyclopentafluorene-based small-molecule acceptors (SMAs) were developed that feature methylene-functionalized conjugated side chains, to study the effect of arylmethylene substitution and its number on structure, optoelectronic properties and device performance. Results showed that two SMAs have better absorption properties and planarity, lower bandgaps and higher LUMOs compared with the control SMA without conjugated side chains. The synthesized SMAs were tested in polymer solar cells for examples of their applicability. This work argues that the introduction of methylene-functionalized conjugated side chains has great potential in tuning molecular structure, optoelectronic properties, device physics and photovoltaic performance of SMAs.

Overexpressed lncRNA ROR Promotes the Biological Characteristics of ox-LDL-Induced HUVECs via the let-7b-5p/HOXA1 Axis in Atherosclerosis

The long non-coding RNA regulator of reprogramming (lncRNA ROR) is involved in atherosclerosis (AS), but the specific mechanism remains unclear. The expressions of lncRNA ROR, let-7b-5p, Homeobox A1 (HOXA1), and apoptosis-associated proteins in the serum of AS patients and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The relationships of lncRNA ROR, let-7b-5p, and HOXA1 were analyzed by Pearson's correlation test. The viability and the migration of HUVECs were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays. The predicted target gene and the potential binding sites were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. lncRNA ROR was highly expressed in AS, which promoted the cell viability and migration of HUVECs, while lncRNA ROR silencing produced the opposite results. The expression of let-7b-5p, which bound to lncRNA ROR, was downregulated in AS, indicating that the two genes were negatively correlated. Besides this, let-7b-5p reversed the effects of upregulated lncRNA ROR expression on let-7b-5p expression, cell viability, and migration as well as the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins of ox-LDL-treated HUVECs. HOXA1 was targeted by let-7b-5p and upregulated in AS, with its expression being negatively correlated with let-7b-5p but positively correlated with lncRNA ROR. In ox-LDL-treated HUVECs, overexpressed HOXA1 reversed the effects of let-7b-5p, and HOXA1 silencing reversed the effects of lncRNA ROR. In AS, lncRNA ROR promoted the biological characteristics of oxidation of low-density lipoprotein-induced HUVECs via the let-7b-5p/HOXA1 axis.

Cationic Polyelectrolytes with Alkylsulfonate Counterions as a Cathode Interface Layer for High-Performance Polymer Solar Cells

Three cationic polyelectrolytes polyethyleneimine ethoxylate (PEIE)-1,4-butanediol dimethylsulfonate (MSB), PEIE-1,4-butanediol diethylsulfonate (ESB), and PEIE-1,4-butanediol dibenzylsulfonate (BSB), containing methylsulfonate, ethylsulfonate, and benzylsulfonate, respectively, were prepared for cathode interface layers (CILs) via a one-step reaction with 1,4-butanediol dialkylsulfonate and PEIE as the reactants. The results indicate that PEIE-MSB and PEIE-ESB with smaller counterions possess more efficient electron extraction, higher electron mobilities, and better photovoltaic performance than PEIE-BSB with larger counterions. The PTB7-Th:PC₇₁BM-based single junction bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs) with PEIE-ESB as the CIL showed power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 10.44 and 9.23% under the thickness conditions of 8 and 30 nm, respectively. The PM6:Y6-based PSCs displayed a high PCE of 15.69%. The study provides not only new high-performance CILs but also a new strategy to construct light-soaking-free PSCs via tuning alkylsulfonate counterions.

Efficacy and safety of duloxetine in osteoarthritis or chronic low back pain: a Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of duloxetine in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or chronic low back pain (CLBP).

METHODS

Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Included RCTs compared the efficacy and safety of duloxetine vs placebo in the treatment of OA or CLBP. Weighted mean difference (WMD) were calculated for continuous outcomes while risk ratio (RR) were calculated for dichotomous outcomes.

RESULTS

Nine RCTs were included in our meta-analysis. Duloxetine had significant improvement over placebo in Brief Pain Inventory 24-h average pain [WMD: -0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI):-0.80, -0.53], weekly mean of the 24-h average pain (WMD: -0.65; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.52), Patient's Global Impression of Improvement (WMD: -0.41; 95% CI: -0.49, -0.32), Clinical Global Impression of Severity (WMD: -0.32; 95% CI: -0.38, -0.25), European Quality of Life Questionnaire-5 Dimension (WMD: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.07). In addition, duloxetine is associated with more treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (RR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.33) and discontinuations for adverse events (AEs) (RR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.81, 2.94). However, there was no statistically significant difference in serious AEs between duloxetine and placebo.

CONCLUSION

Duloxetine had modest to moderate effects on pain relief, function improvement, mood regulation and improvement in quality of life with mild AEs in the treatment of OA or CLBP. Future RCTs should focus on comparing duloxetine with other oral drugs and assessing the long-term safety of duloxetine.

Screening Gene Mutations in Chinese Patients With Benign Essential Blepharospasm

Objective: This study aimed to screen gene mutations in Chinese patients with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) to understand its etiology.

Methods: Twenty BEB patients diagnosed by clinical manifestations between April 2015 and October 2015 were enrolled. All the cases were investigated by questionnaires about general conditions, social behavioral factors, environmental factors, psychological factors, genetic factors, and previous diseases. In each patient, a total of 151 genes related to movement disorders were analyzed by second-generation sequencing.

Results: Two patients had a family history of BEB, and they had SYNE1 and Cdkn1A-interacting zinc finger protein 1 (CIZ1) mutation, respectively. We found the SYNE1 mutation in seven patients, the CIZ1 mutation in two patients, the CACNA1A mutation in two patients, the LRRK2 mutation in two patients, and the FUS mutation in two patients. The C10orf2, TPP1, SLC1A3, PNKD, EIF4G1, SETX, PRRT2, SPTBN2, and TTBK2 mutations were found in only one patient, respectively, while not any mutation in the 151 genes were found in two patients. Some patients had mutations in two genes.

Conclusion: Genetic factors, especially SYNE1 and CIZ1 mutations, contribute to the etiology of BEB.

Improved photovoltaic properties of PM6-based terpolymer donors containing benzothiadiazole with a siloxane-terminated side chain

A new series of PM6-based terpolymers (PM10Si, PM20Si, and PM30Si) were designed and synthesized, and their photovoltaic properties based on the inverted deviced and the two-step sequential deposition (SD) were studied.

Nonhalogenated-Solvent-Processed Efficient Polymer Solar Cells Enabled by Medium-Band-Gap A-π-D-π-A Small-Molecule Acceptors Based on a 6,12-Dihydro-diindolo[1,2-b:10,20-e]pyrazine Unit

In this contribution, a series of A-π-D-π-A small molecules (SMs), IPY-T-IC, IPY-T-ICCl, and IPY-T-ICF, containing the central donor unit (D) of 6,12-dihydro-diindolo[1,2-b:10,20-e]pyrazine (IPY), the π-conjugated bridge of thiophene, and the end-accepting group (A) of 3-(dic yanomethylidene)indol-1-one, 5,6-dichloro-3-(dicyanomethylidene)indol-1-one, or 5,6-difluoro-3-(dicyanomethylene)indol-1-one, were developed, characterized, and employed as the acceptor materials for polymer solar cells (PSCs). Influences of the different end-accepting groups on thermal properties, spectral absorption, energy levels, photovoltaic performance, and film morphology of these small-molecule acceptors (SMAs) were investigated in detail. These SMAs exhibit an excellent thermal stability and strong crystallization. The absorption spectra of these SMs mainly locate the wavelength between 400 and 700 nm, associated with the optical band gaps in the range of 1.75-1.90 eV. Compared with nonhalogenated IPY-T-IC, the halogenated SMAs IPY-T-ICCl and IPY-T-ICF present better absorption abilities, wider absorption region, and downshifted highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels. With regard to the complementary spectral absorption and matched HOMO/LUMO levels, PTB7-Th as a low-band gap polymer was chosen to be an electron donor to pair with these SMAs for fabricating bulk-heterojuntion PSCs. Under optimized conditions, among these SMAs, the PTB7-Th:IPY-T-IC-based PSC processed from a halogenated solvent system (chlorobenzene + 1-chloronaphthalene) delivers the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.32%, mainly because of more complementary spectral absorption, upper-lying LUMO level, higher and balanced carrier mobility, more efficiently suppressed trap-assisted recombination, better charge collection property, and blend morphology. Encouragingly, an improved PCE of up to 7.68% is achieved when the IPY-T-IC-based solar cell was processed from a nonhalogenated solvent system (o-xylene + 2-methylnaphthalene). In view of the large band gap of these IPY-based SMAs, the PCE of over 7.5% is notable and attractive for the related community. Our study argues that the IPY moiety is a potential electron-donating building moiety to develop medium-band-gap high-performance A-π-D-π-A SMAs for nonhalogenated-solvent-processed photovoltaic devices.

β-Arrestin 2 protects against neurological function defects in HSV-1-induced encephalitis mice

The pathogenesis of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) needs to be fully explored. β-Arrestin 2 (Arrb2) is highly expressed in brain tissues and plays a key role in the regulation of systemic immune reactions by modulating various signaling pathways. However, the expression of Arrb2 in microglial cells and its influence on HSE prognosis is still undefined. We explore the pathophysiological effect of Arrb2 in the brain using experimental HSE mice. The expression of Arrb2 in microglia was decreased significantly 48 hours following HSV-1 infection. Arrb2 overexpression transgenic (TG) mice had a significantly lower mortality and survival rate was improved by 40% compared to wild-type mice. Arrb2 suppressed the generation of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-4 expression. Arrb2 also inhibited the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB in microglial cells. Arrb2 TG mice attenuated the blood-brain barrier breakdown and relieved cerebral edema, meanwhile, Arrb2 improved mice neurological function compared with wild-type mice. Overall, Arrb2 favored microglia of the M2 phenotype, attenuated brain proinflammatory responses, protected the blood vessel wall integrity, reduced HSV-1-induced neurological impairment, and improved the survival rate in HSE mice.

Zinc Deficiency and Long-Term Outcome in Cases After Isolated Intestinal Transplantation in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

The small intestine is the primary site for absorption of dietary zinc. Intestinal transplant recipients are at high risk for zinc deficiency because of the long process of posttransplant adaptation. We initiated an intestinal transplant program in Taiwan in 2007. In this study, we aimed to retrospectively investigate the incidence of zinc deficiency in recipients after intestinal transplantation.

METHODS

Twenty-one isolated intestinal transplants were performed in 20 patients with 1 retransplantation. The level of serum zinc was monitored periodically, and zinc supplements were administered when zinc level was below 700 ng/mL. Twelve patients with graft above 1-year survival and with available related data were enrolled for the analysis of zinc deficiency. The levels of serum zinc were tracked, and the protocol of zinc supplementation is discussed herein.

RESULTS

The survival rates of 20 transplant recipients for 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 85%, 75%, and 65%, respectively. In the 12 grafts that survived longer than 1 year, we found that zinc deficiency was highest during the third (41.7%) to sixth (50%) month after transplantation. Sustained supplementation of zinc was required for over 70% of patients throughout the 3-year period to maintain their zinc level around the lower normal limit.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of isolated small bowel transplantation is promising. Periodical monitoring and sufficient dosing of zinc supplements should be considered into the posttransplant protocol to prevent zinc deficiency after intestinal transplantation.

Transcription factor 7 like 2 promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination

Transcription factor 7 like 2 (TCF7L2, also termed TCF4), is a Wnt effector induced transiently in the oligodendroglial lineage. The current well accepted hypothesis is that TCF7L2 inhibits oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination through canonical Wnt/β‑catenin signaling. However, recent studies indicated that TCF7L2 activity is required during oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination. In order to clarify this, in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence and western blot analysis using in vivo TCF7L2 conditional knockout mice, were performed and it was found that TCF7L2 promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation during myelin formation and remyelination. Furthermore, it was established that TCF7L2 does not affect oligodendrocyte precursor cells during remyelination. These data are of important clinical significance to develop novel therapeutic targets to overcome multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases.

Study on Permeability of Porous Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

In recent years, porous materials are gaining in popularity for engineering applications, due to their special characteristics, such as low density, large specific surface area, and excellent permeability. In this study, powder processing technique was used to prepare ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene UHMWPE porous materials. Sintering temperature was obtained by combining differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and tensile tests. The surface morphology of sintering necks and tensile fracture were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, single factor tests and orthogonal experiments were conducted to optimize three main processing parameters for a better permeability. It is found that the proper sintering temperature range would be from 143 to 153.1°C. According to the significance of influence, processing factors come in the sequence of the particle size, the compaction strength and the sintering temperature. Porous materials were successfully prepared, under the optimized parameters as the particle size >250 μm, the compaction strength of 2.5 MPa and the sintering temperature of 152°C.

Purkinje Cell Degeneration and Motor Coordination Deficits in a New Mouse Model of Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay

Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is an early-onset neurodegenerative disorder. In 2007, a novel locus, SAX2, which is located on chromosome 17p13 and contains 3 genes, ankyrin repeat and FYVE domain-containing 1 (ANKFY1), β-arrestin 2 (ARRB2) and kinesin family member 1C (KIF1C), was linked to ARSACS. We generated Ankfy1 heterozygous (Ankfy1/+) mice to establish an animal model and examine the pathophysiological basis of ARSACS. The transgenic mice displayed an abnormal gait with progressive motor and cerebellar nerve dysfunction that was highly reminiscent of ARSACS. These clinical features were accompanied by an early-onset and progressive loss of Purkinje cells, followed by gliosis. Additionally, the loss of Ankfy1 function resulted in an abnormal expression of neurotrophic factors (NTFs) in the Ankfy1/+ mouse cerebellum. Moreover, Purkinje cells cultured from neonatal Ankfy1/+ mice exhibited a shorter dendritic length and decreased numbers of dendritic spines. Importantly, cerebellar Purkinje cells from Ankfy1/+ mice and cells transfected with a lentiviral Ankfy1 shRNA underwent apoptosis. We propose that transgenic Ankfy1/+ mice are a useful model for studying the pathogenesis of ARSACS and for exploring the molecular mechanisms involved in this neurodegenerative disease.

Organic-Inorganic Copper(II)-Based Material: A Low-Toxic, Highly Stable Light Absorber for Photovoltaic Application

Lead halide perovskite solar cells have recently emerged as a very promising photovoltaic technology due to their excellent power conversion efficiencies; however, the toxicity of lead and the poor stability of perovskite materials remain two main challenges that need to be addressed. Here, for the first time, we report a lead-free, highly stable C₆H₄NH₂CuBr₂I compound. The C₆H₄NH₂CuBr₂I films exhibit extraordinary hydrophobic behavior with a contact angle of ∼90°, and their X-ray diffraction patterns remain unchanged even after 4 h of water immersion. UV/vis absorption spectrum shows that C₆H₄NH₂CuBr₂I compound has an excellent optical absorption over the entire visible spectrum. We applied this copper-based light absorber in printable mesoscopic solar cell for the initial trial and achieved a power conversion efficiency of ∼0.5%. Our study represents an alternative pathway to develop low-toxic and highly stable organic-inorganic hybrid materials for photovoltaic application.

Development of Spiro[cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b']dithiophene-4,9'-fluorene]-Based A-π-D-π-A Small Molecules with Different Acceptor Units for Efficient Organic Solar Cells

Three acceptor-π-donor-π-acceptor (A-π-D-π-A) small molecules (STFYT, STFRDN, and STFRCN) with spiro[cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b']dithiophene-4,9'-fluorene] (STF) as the central donor unit, terthiophene as the π-conjugated bridge, indenedione, 3-ethylrhodanine, or 2-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)rhodanine as the acceptor unit are designed, synthesized, and characterized as electron donor materials in solution-processing organic solar cells (OSCs). The effects of the spiro STF-based central core and different acceptors on the molecular configuration, absorption properties, electronic energy levels, carrier transport properties, the morphology of active layers, and photovoltaic properties are investigated in detail. The three molecules exhibit desirable physicochemical features: wide absorption bands (300-850 nm) and high molar absorption coefficients (4.82 × 10⁴ to 7.56 × 10⁴ M^-1 cm^-1) and relatively low HOMO levels (-5.15 to -5.38 eV). Density functional theory calculations reveal that the spiro STF central core benefits to reduce the steric hindrance effect between the central donor block and terthiophene bridge and suppress excessive intermolecular aggregations. The optimized OSCs based on these molecules deliver power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 6.68%, 3.30%, and 4.33% for STFYT, STFRDN, and STFRCN, respectively. The higher PCE of STFYT-based OSCs should be ascribed to its better absorption ability, higher and balanced hole and electron mobilities, and superior active layer morphology as compared to the other two compounds. So far, this is the first example of developing the A-π-D-π-A type small molecules with a spiro central donor core for high-performance OSC applications. Meanwhile, these results demonstrate that using spiro central block to construct A-π-D-π-A molecule is an alternative and effective strategy for achieving high-performance small molecule donor materials.

Clinical Research Informatics for Big Data and Precision Medicine

OBJECTIVES

To reflect on the notable events and significant developments in Clinical Research Informatics (CRI) in the year of 2015 and discuss near-term trends impacting CRI.

METHODS

We selected key publications that highlight not only important recent advances in CRI but also notable events likely to have significant impact on CRI activities over the next few years or longer, and consulted the discussions in relevant scientific communities and an online living textbook for modern clinical trials. We also related the new concepts with old problems to improve the continuity of CRI research.

RESULTS

The highlights in CRI in 2015 include the growing adoption of electronic health records (EHR), the rapid development of regional, national, and global clinical data research networks for using EHR data to integrate scalable clinical research with clinical care and generate robust medical evidence. Data quality, integration, and fusion, data access by researchers, study transparency, results reproducibility, and infrastructure sustainability are persistent challenges.

CONCLUSION

The advances in Big Data Analytics and Internet technologies together with the engagement of citizens in sciences are shaping the global clinical research enterprise, which is getting more open and increasingly stakeholder-centered, where stakeholders include patients, clinicians, researchers, and sponsors.

UBE2S, a novel substrate of Akt1, associates with Ku70 and regulates DNA repair and glioblastoma multiforme resistance to chemotherapy

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain cancer in adults. However, the molecular events underlying carcinogenesis and their interplay remain elusive. Here, we report that the stability of Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2S (UBE2S) is regulated by the PTEN/Akt pathway and that its degradation depends on the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Mechanistically, Akt1 physically interacted with and phosphorylated UBE2S at Thr 152, enhancing its stability by inhibiting proteasomal degradation. Additionally, accumulated UBE2S was found to be associated with the components of the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) complex and participated in the NHEJ-mediated DNA repair process. The association of Ku70 with UBE2S was enhanced, and the complex was recruited to double-stranded break (DSB) sites in response to etoposide treatment. Furthermore, knockdown of UBE2S expression inhibited NHEJ-mediated DSB repair and rendered glioblastoma cells more sensitive to chemotherapy. Overall, our findings provide a novel drug target that may serve as the rationale for the development of a new therapeutic approach.

Clinical and electrophysiological evaluation of neutral wrist nocturnal splinting in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

[Purpose] To prospectively assess the effectiveness of neutral wrist nocturnal splinting in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by using clinical scores and nerve conduction studies (NCS). [Subjects and Methods] Forty-one patients enrolled in the study were clinically evaluated by a symptom severity scale (SSS) and functional status scale (FSS), and were electrophysiologically evaluated by conventional NCS; distal motor latency (DML), sensory conduction velocity (SCV), and difference in sensory latency between the median and ulnar nerves (ΔDSL) were measured. Subjects were treated with wrist splinting. Patients who showed no improvement in symptoms were treated with other conservative treatments, the remaining patients continued to wear splints. SSS, FSS, and NCS were evaluated after splinting as well. [Results] The follow-up was completed in 20 patients (31 wrists) with splinting. SSS and FSS decreased, the DML shortened and ΔDSL decreased significantly after splinting for 3.03 ± 1.16 months. There were significant correlations between SSS and DML, SCV of wrist digit 2, and SCV of wrist digit 4. No correlations were found between SSS and ΔDSL, and FSS and the parameters of NCS. [Conclusion] Neutral wrist nocturnal splinting is effective in at least short term for CTS patients. There is a weak correlation between clinical scores and NCS, which suggests that both approaches should be used to effectively assess the therapeutic effect of CTS treatment.

Ankfy1 is dispensable for neural stem/precursor cell development

There are few studies on the membrane protein Ankfy1. We have found Ankfy1 is specifically expressed in neural stem/precursor cells during early development in mice (murine). To further explore Ankfy1 function in neural development, we developed a gene knockout mouse with a mixed Balb/C and C57/BL6 genetic background. Using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization, neural defects were absent in mixed genetic Ankfy1 null mice during development and in adults up to 2 months old. However, Ankfy1 gene knockout mice with a pure genetic background were found to be lethal in the C57/BL6 inbred mice embryos, even after seven generations of backcrossing. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed homozygotes were unattainable as early as embryonic day 11.5. We conclude that Ankfy1 protein is dispensable in neural stem/precursor cells, but could be critical for early embryonic murine development, depending on the genetic background.

Mechanisms mediating renal sympathetic nerve activation in obesity-related hypertension

Excessive renal sympathetic nerve activation may be one of the mechanisms underlying obesity-related hypertension. Impaired baroreflex sensitivity, adipokine disorders-such as leptin, adiponectin, and resistin-activation of the renin-angiotensin system, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and renal sodium retention present in obesity increase renal sympathetic nerve activity, thus contributing to the development of hypertension. Renal sympathetic denervation reduces both renal sympathetic activity and blood pressure in patients with obesity-related hypertension.

Cholecalciferol or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol neither prevents nor treats adenomas in a rat model of familial colon cancer

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies in humans have shown associations between greater sunlight exposure, higher serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D3] concentrations, and reduced colon cancer risk. However, results from a limited number of vitamin D supplementation trials in humans have not shown a protective effect.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine whether adding to the diet increasing amounts of either 25(OH)D3, the stable metabolite measured in serum and associated with cancer risk, or cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), the compound commonly used for supplementation in humans, could reduce emergent adenomas (chemoprevention) or decrease the growth of existing adenomas (treatment) in the colons of vitamin D-sufficient rats carrying a truncation mutation of adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc), a model of early intestinal cancer.

METHODS

Apc(Pirc/+) rats were supplemented with either vitamin D3 over a range of 4 doses [6-1500 μg/(kg body weight · d)] or with 25(OH)D3 over a range of 6 doses [60-4500 μg/(kg body weight · d)] beginning after weaning. Rats underwent colonoscopy every other week to assess effects on adenoma number and size. At termination (140 d of age), the number of tumors in the small intestine and colon and the size of tumors in the colon were determined, and serum calcium and 25(OH)D3 measurements were obtained.

RESULTS

At lower doses (those that did not affect body weight), neither of the vitamin D compounds reduced the number of existing or emergent colonic tumors (P-trend > 0.24). By contrast, supplementation at higher doses (those that caused a suppression in body weight gain) with either 25(OH)D3 or vitamin D3 caused a dose-dependent increase in colonic tumor number in both males and females (P-trend < 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

No evidence for protection against colon tumor development was seen with lower dose supplementation with either cholecalciferol or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. Thus, the association between sunlight exposure and the incidence of colon cancer may involve factors other than vitamin D concentrations. Alternative hypotheses warrant investigation. Furthermore, this study provides preliminary evidence for the need for caution regarding vitamin D supplementation of humans at higher doses, especially in individuals with sufficient serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations.

Determination of trace amount of formaldehyde base on a bromate-Malachite Green system

A novel catalytic kinetic spectrophotometric method for determination of trace amount of formaldehyde (FA) has been established, based on catalytic effect of trace amount of FA on the oxidation of Malachite Green (MG) by potassium bromate in presence of sulfuric acid medium, and was reported for the first time. The method was monitored by measuring the decrease in absorbance of MG at 617 nm and allowed a precise determination of FA in the range of 0.003-0.08 μg mL(-1), with a limit of detection down to 1 ng mL(-1). The relative standard deviation of 10 replicate measurements was 1.63%. The method developed was approved to be sensitive, selective and accurate, and adopted to determinate free FA in samples directly with good accuracy and reproducibility.

Synthesis, characterization, and field-effect transistor properties of tetrathienoanthracene-based copolymers using a two-dimensional π-conjugation extension strategy: a potential building block for high-mobility polymer semiconductors

Novel polymer semiconductors with 2D π-extended tetrathienoanthracene units for field-effect transistor applications, exhibiting a high mobility of 0.15 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹.

Adaptive semantic tag mining from heterogeneous clinical research texts

OBJECTIVES

To develop an adaptive approach to mine frequent semantic tags (FSTs) from heterogeneous clinical research texts.

METHODS

We develop a "plug-n-play" framework that integrates replaceable unsupervised kernel algorithms with formatting, functional, and utility wrappers for FST mining. Temporal information identification and semantic equivalence detection were two example functional wrappers. We first compared this approach's recall and efficiency for mining FSTs from ClinicalTrials.gov to that of a recently published tag-mining algorithm. Then we assessed this approach's adaptability to two other types of clinical research texts: clinical data requests and clinical trial protocols, by comparing the prevalence trends of FSTs across three texts.

RESULTS

Our approach increased the average recall and speed by 12.8% and 47.02% respectively upon the baseline when mining FSTs from ClinicalTrials.gov, and maintained an overlap in relevant FSTs with the base- line ranging between 76.9% and 100% for varying FST frequency thresholds. The FSTs saturated when the data size reached 200 documents. Consistent trends in the prevalence of FST were observed across the three texts as the data size or frequency threshold changed.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper contributes an adaptive tag-mining framework that is scalable and adaptable without sacrificing its recall. This component-based architectural design can be potentially generalizable to improve the adaptability of other clinical text mining methods.

Decreased number of interstitial cells of Cajal play an important role in the declined intestinal transit during cholesterol gallstone formation in guinea pigs fed on high cholesterol diet

To study the changes of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and expression of c-kt and scf mRNA in terminal ileum tissue during cholesterol gallstone formation in guinea pigs fed on high cholesterol diet, forty guinea pigs were divided into the gallstone group and the control group. The animals in the gallstone group were fed on a high cholesterol diet (HCD), while those in the control group fed on a standard diet (StD). The guinea pigs were sacrificed at the 8th week. The expression of c-kit and scf in terminal ileum were determined by RT-PCR and the morphological characteristics and number of ICCs were observed and calculated by using immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR showed that, compared with the control group, the c-kit and scf mRNA expression levels in the gallstone group were significantly declined. In the animal assay, the decreased number of ICCs was present obviously in the gallstone group. We concluded from the study that decreased number of ICCs, decreased expression of c-kit and scf in terminal ileum are present in guinea pigs fed on high cholesterol diet. The c-kit/scf pathway inhibition might be involved in the decline of intestinal transit function during cholesterol gallstone formation.

A distribution-based method for assessing the differences between clinical trial target populations and patient populations in electronic health records

OBJECTIVE

To improve the transparency of clinical trial generalizability and to illustrate the method using Type 2 diabetes as an example.

METHODS

Our data included 1,761 diabetes clinical trials and the electronic health records (EHR) of 26,120 patients with Type 2 diabetes who visited Columbia University Medical Center of New-York Presbyterian Hospital. The two populations were compared using the Generalizability Index for Study Traits (GIST) on the earliest diagnosis age and the mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values.

RESULTS

Greater than 70% of Type 2 diabetes studies allow patients with HbA1c measures between 7 and 10.5, but less than 40% of studies allow HbA1c<7 and fewer than 45% of studies allow HbA1c>10.5. In the real-world population, only 38% of patients had HbA1c between 7 and 10.5, with 12% having values above the range and 52% having HbA1c<7. The GIST for HbA1c was 0.51. Most studies adopted broad age value ranges, with the most common restrictions excluding patients >80 or <18 years. Most of the real-world population fell within this range, but 2% of patients were <18 at time of first diagnosis and 8% were >80. The GIST for age was 0.75.

CONCLUSIONS

We contribute a scalable method to profile and compare aggregated clinical trial target populations with EHR patient populations. We demonstrate that Type 2 diabetes studies are more generalizable with regard to age than they are with regard to HbA1c. We found that the generalizability of age increased from Phase 1 to Phase 3 while the generalizability of HbA1c decreased during those same phases. This method can generalize to other medical conditions and other continuous or binary variables. We envision the potential use of EHR data for examining the generalizability of clinical trials and for defining population-representative clinical trial eligibility criteria.

The catalytic kinetic method for the determination of trace formaldehyde (FA) base on a bromate-eosin Y system

A new simple and highly sensitive catalytic kinetic method for the determination of trace amount of FA in food sample has been established. The method was based on the catalytic effect of FA on the oxidation of eosin Y by potassium bromate in present of phosphoric acid. The reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the decrease in absorbance of eosin Y at 518 nm. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the developed method allowed the determination of FA in the range of 0.03-0.6 μg mL(-1) with a good precision, and the limit of detection was down to 0.00988 μg mL(-1). The relative standard deviation of five replicate measurements for the determination of FA in concentration 0.12 μg mL(-1) was 1.8%. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of FA in food directly and satisfactory results were obtained.