Evaluation of ciliary body morphology and position of the implantable collamer lens in low-vault eyes using ultrasound biomicroscopy

PURPOSE

To investigate the ciliary body anatomy and position of the implantable collamer lens (ICL) in low-vault eyes and analyze factors related to insufficient vault.

SETTING

Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangzhou, China.

DESIGN

Retrospective case-control observational study.

METHODS

In this study, 73 eyes of 73 patients with an insufficient vault (<250 μm) were matched with 73 eyes with an ideal vault (250 to 750 μm). Ultrasound biomicroscopy was used to determine the ciliary body morphology and ICL position. The biometric parameters acquired by Scheimpflug tomography were compared. The correlation between the vault and these factors was analyzed, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method was used to screen the risk factors for low vault.

RESULTS

The low-vault group had a steeper corneal curvature, thicker lens thickness (LT), higher crystalline lens rise, and shorter axial length (AL) (all P < .005). The ciliary process length (CPL) and maximum ciliary body thickness (CBTmax) were significantly smaller, and the trabecular-ciliary angle (TCA), iris-ciliary angle (ICA), and ciliary sulcus width (CSW) were significantly greater in the low-vault eyes (all P < .005). The low-vault group had more ICL haptics below the ciliary process, and TCA, ICA, CPL, CBTmax, CSW, and haptic position were related to the postoperative vault (all P < .05). CPL, AL, and LT were identified as predictors of a low vault.

CONCLUSIONS

Malposition of ICL haptics behind the ciliary process is a risk factor for low vault. A shorter CPL, thicker LT, and shorter AL are significant risk factors for the postoperative low vault.

Therapy of replenishing and regulating for manic episode in bipolar disorder: study protocol for a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and recurrent disorder characterized by biphasic mood episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. It affects more than 1% of the global population and is a leading cause of disability in young people. Currently available treatments for BD are still fairly limited in terms of efficacy, with high rates of non-adherence, non-response, and undesirable side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and rich experience in stabilizing mania and improving quality of life. Aiming at rebalancing and in BD, therapy of replenishing and regulating (RYRY therapy) has been in clinical use for years in China. The present prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial is designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of RYRY therapy for bipolar mania and its possible mechanism from the point of regulating gut microbiota and anti-inflammation. A total of 60 eligible participants will be recruited from Beijing Anding Hospital. They will be randomized to either the study group or the control group in a ratio of 1∶1. Participants allocated to the study group will receive RYRY granule, while placebo granule will be applied in the control group. Participants in both groups will be prescribed conventional therapy for manic episode in BD. Four scheduled visits will be conducted over 4 weeks. Outcome measurements include Young Mania Rating Scale, TCM Symptom Pattern Rating Scale, Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale, levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α and the gut microbial community profile of stool samples. Safety outcomes and adverse events will also be recorded. In this study, we set a number of scientific and objective assessments to evaluate the efficacy of RYRY therapy and study into its possible mechanism, hopefully offering clinicians an alternative approach to BD.

Top-Emission ZnSeTe/ZnSe/ZnS-Based Blue Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes with Enhanced Chroma Efficiency

A high-performance quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) with heavy metal free (HMF) quantum dots (QDs) is urgently needed for its application in next-generation eco-friendly displays. However, the preparation of high-performance HMF QD materials and the corresponding electroluminescent devices remain challenges at present, especially for blue-emitting devices. In this work, by adjusting the Te/Se ratio of the ZnSeTe core, ZnSeTe/ZnSe/ZnS blue QDs with adjustable energy levels and emission peaks are demonstrated. These QDs are utilized to fabricate top-emitting QLEDs, yielding a peak current efficiency (CE) of 11.8 cd A^-1. To make it one step further to meet the requirement of the wide color gamut in displays, the devices' color coordinates and current efficiency are simultaneously optimized by adjusting their microcavity structure and electrical properties. Finally, the chroma efficiency (current efficiency/CIEy) of the blue devices is optimized to 72, which is 2.2 times that of the control device.

Openness to Innovation as a Driver of Knowledge Integration in High-Tech SMEs

This paper studies an original analytical framework to address the implementation dynamics of open innovation practices by discussing their impacts on SMEs' social capital and knowledge integration. A total of 358 High-Tech SMEs in the Democratic Republic of Congo participated in the survey. The collected data were statistically analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) in Smart PLS to verify the postulated hypothesis. The results reveal that open innovation practices promote knowledge integration, and social capital partially mediates open innovation and knowledge integration capability. The results further indicate that network competence moderates the practice of open innovation and social capital interactions with external knowledge sources. The theoretical implications of this study contribute to advance the discussion on the antecedent of social capital and knowledge integration in SMEs in developing countries and propose network competence as a moderator. The study also highlights the social capital nature of open innovation and reinforces the knowledge of scholars.

Forensic analysis of soman exposure using characteristic fragment ions from protein adducts

The verification of exposure to nerve agents is a serious challenge, especially in cases of soman (GD) poisoning. Protein adducts are reliable biomarkers, that provide forensic information and evidence during incidents of terrorism or sporadic poisoning. Mass spectrometry, coupled with a proteomics approach, was established for the forensic analysis of GD-based protein adducts. The fragmentation pathways of GD-based protein adducts were investigated for the first time using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Three abundant natural loss product ions, [M+2H-54]²⁺ (loss of two carbon cations), [M+2H-72]²⁺ (loss of tert-butyl and methyl moieties), and [M+2H-84]²⁺ (loss of the pinacolyl moieties), were observed in each of the GD-labeled adducts, and the product ions were independent of protein structure and exposure route. A unique mechanism for the formation of product ions involving GD-protein adducts is proposed here. These findings support the development of a simple and precise forensic analysis technique to rapidly verify GD poisoning using these three GD-related product ions.

[Occlusion design of edentulous implant prosthesis]

The occlusion design of dental implants is related to the growing popularity of dental implantology. This paper discusses the occlusion design of the edentulous implant prosthesis and the relationships between stress change and the alveolar bone and between the occlusal design and implantation complications. The horizontal relationship of condyle, the design of the canine-guided occlusion, and the similarities and differences between the dental implant and the natural teeth on biteforce response are mentioned.

[Application of periodontal microsurgery in the augmentation of attached gingiva around an implant]

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of periodontal microscopic surgery on the augmentation of attached gingiva and determined the clinical principle on how to use minimally invasive surgery to improve the surgery success rate.

METHODS

Twenty patients with insufficient attached gingiva around implants were selected. Periodontal microscopic surgery for free gingival graft was performed to increase the width of the attached gingiva around the implants. The survival state of the free gingiva was observed after surgery, and the width of the attached gingiva around the implants was recorded before and after surgery and 1 year after surgery. The shrinkage rate of the free gingival flap 1 year after surgery was analyzed to evaluate the stability of the flap.

RESULTS

The flaps of the 20 cases all survived. One year after the operation, the width of the attached gingiva was (3.05±0.44) mm, which increased compared with that of preoperation (2.56±0.31) mm
and decreased compared with that of postoperative day (2.13±0.28) mm. The shrinkage rate of the attached gingiva was 41.22%±5.04%.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of microscopic surgery on the augmentation surgery of attached gingiva can increase the success rate and improve the quality and quantity of attached gingiva around implants.

[The expression of transcription factors Snail and Slug in epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human lens epithelial cells induced by transforming growth factor-β2]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of transcription factors snail and slug in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human lens epithelial cells (HLEC) induced by transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2).

METHODS

Experimental research. HLEC were treated with different concentrations of TGF-β2 (1.0 and 10.0 μg/L) for different time. The morphological changes were observed under inverted microscope. The expression and cellular localization of snail and slug were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Expressions of snail, slug, E-Cadherin and α-SMA were further determined by Western blot analysis. Single factor analysis of variance, rank sum test and Pearson correlation were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Cultured HLEC were polygonal monolayer cells with tight intercellular adhesion closely and patchy distribution. After treatment of different doses of TGF-β2 for 24 h, HLEC became isolated, exhibited long spindle-like shape as fibroblastic phenotype. The immunofluorescence staining indicated that snail and slug were localized in the nuclei. The expressions of snail and slug appeared to be positive correlative to TGF-β2 dose (snail protein expression: 0.74±0.16, 1.13±0.03, 1.54±0.18 and slug protein expression: 1.96±0.02, 3.12±0.09, 4.07±0.12 in HLEC treated with 0.1, 1.0 and 10 μg/L TGF-β2 respectively) (χ(2)=9.62,P=0.022;F=241.10,P<0.01). In addition, the expression of α-SMA and E-Cadherin showed the similar form (α-SMA protein expression: 0.87±0.04, 1.42±0.11, 2.17±0.36 and E-Cadherin protein expression: 2.50±0.36, 1.65±0.32, 0.41±0.14 in HLEC treated with 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 μg/L TGF-β2 respectively) (χ(2)=9.97,P=0.019;F=19.99,P<0.01). All Pearson correlation coefficient were close to 1. The expression of snail and slug in HLEC were also increased with extending duration of TGF-β2 (1.0 μg/L). The expression levels of both proteins were modestly up-regulated at 8 hours, robustly increased at 24 h, reached peak at 48h and began to decline at 72 h (snail protein expression: 0.90±0.13, 1.43±0.14, 1.96±0.27, 1.57±0.16 and slug protein expression: 0.91±0.36, 1.24±0.16, 2.44±0.26, 1.43±0.16 in HLEC treated with 1.0 μg/L TGF-β2 for 8 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h respectively) (F=12.49,P=0.001;F=14.03,P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Transcription factors snail and slug might be time and dose-dependently involved in in-vitro TGF-β2-induced EMT of HLEC. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 285-290).

Glycan-related gene expression signatures in human metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks second in cancer mortality in China; recurrence and metastasis have been the cause of the high mortality. Glycans on the cell surface play a pivotal role in tumor metastasis. The global alteration in the structure and composition of N-glycans during HCC metastasis remains unknown. To understand glycan alterations of glycoproteins by correlating the glycosyltransferase expression profile with glycan structure, we systematically used glycan profiling tools: glycogene microarray analyses of 115 genes, including glycotransferases, glycosidases and nuclear sugar transporters and lectin chips to investigate the glycan-related gene expression signatures in the high metastatic potential HCC cell line, HCCLM3, in comparison to the HCC cell line, Hep3B, with low metastatic potential. Of the 115 genes, 18 genes were up-regulated in high metastatic potential HCCLM3 cells in comparison to Hep3B cells, while 11 genes were down-regulated. The differentially expressed genes, such as ST3GalI, FUT8, β3GalT5, MGAT3 and MGAT5, were mainly involved in the synthesis of N-glycan and glycolipids, particularly the sialyl Lewis antigen. The results of the glycogene microarray analysis were further validated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis and lectin-based analysis. The differentially expressed glycogenes identified in this study may provide new insights and represent novel factors for investigating the functional role of cell surface carbohydrate-mediated HCC metastasis.

Thermochemical properties and non-isothermal decomposition reaction kinetics of 3,4-dinitrofurazanfuroxan (DNTF)

The constant-volume combustion energy, DeltacU (DNTF, s, 298.15K) and kinetic behavior of the exothermic decomposition reaction of the title compound (DNTF) are determined by a precise rotating bomb calorimeter and DSC, respectively. Its standard enthalpy of combustion, DeltacHmtheta (DNTF, s, 298.15K), standard enthalpy of formation, DeltacHmtheta (DNTF, s, 298.15K) and kinetic parameters of the major exothermic decomposition reaction in a temperature-programmed mode [the apparent activation energy (Ea) and pre-exponential factor (A)] are calculated. The values of DeltacU (DNTF, s, 298.15K), DeltacHmtheta (DNTF, s, 298.15K), and DeltacHmtheta (DNTF, s, 298.15K) of DNTF are -9733.96 +/- 8.59 Jg(-1), -3018.29 +/- 2.68 kJ mol(-1), and 657.23 +/- 2.70 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The kinetic model function in integral form and the value of E(a) and A of the major exothermic decomposition reaction of DNTF are 1-(1-alpha)1/3, 177.03 kJ mol(-1) and 10(13.68)s(-1), respectively. The critical temperature of thermal explosion of DNTF is 240.6 degrees C.

Neurobehavioral study of prenatal exposure to hyperthermia combined with irradiation in mice

Thirty-two pregnant adult LACA mice were randomly assigned to one of five exposure groups: control, 38 degrees C, 42 degrees C, irradiation, and 42 degrees C + irradiation. Animals were exposed on gestation day 9 to either 38 degrees C waterbath for 5 min, 42 degrees C waterbath for 5 min, treatment with 0.5 Gy of 60Co gamma irradiation, or pretreatment at 42 degrees C waterbath for 5 min following by 0.5 Gy of 60CO gamma irradiation. On postnatal day 7, litters were reduced to a maximum of eight pups per litter, with equal members of male and female offspring whenever possible. A total of 216 pups were observed for the age of acquisition of four physiological landmarks (pinna detachment, incisor eruption, eye opening, testes descent), six developmental reflexes (surface righting, cliff avoidance, auditory startle, air righting, visual placing, hindlimb splaying), and examination of learning and memory function. These studies, at threshold exposure levels to hyperthermia and ionizing radiation, indicate there is no consistent significant additional postnatal effect when pregnant mice are exposed to both of these agents. These studies are important for our understanding of the relative long-range effects of prenatal exposure to hyperthermia and acute dose irradiation early in gestation on neurobehavioral teratogenesis.