Fine-tuning bromide AIE probes for Hg2+ detection in mitochondria with wash-free staining

Mercury ions (Hg2+) primarily target mitochondria in the cells. Therefore, the development of novel probes that specifically target mitochondria in the presence of Hg2+ is of immense importance. Most previously reported probes that utilize the softness of S, Te, O, and/or N atoms for Hg2+ binding often face problems such as fluorescence quenching and off-target signals. In this study, bromide-hydrocarbon pyridinium salts were designed to target the mitochondria and chelate Hg2+ via Hg-Br coordination bonds. As a prototype, four aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorogens, namely TPP-Br, TPP-Cl, R1, and R2, with a similar D-π-A structure but slight differences in their halogen substituents, were designed. Among them, only TPP-Br achieved the highly selective and sensitive detection of Hg2+ by triggering its AIE properties, resulting in remarkable emission enhancement (80-fold), colorimetry, and the Tyndall effect. TPP-Br exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity to Hg2+ with a detection limit of 0.35 μM, rapid response time (<10 s), and large Stokes shift of 185 nm. Their interaction modes were studied using a combination of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescent lifetime decay, and theoretical calculations. TPP-Br exhibited a low emission background in cells, whereas in the presence of Hg2+, mitochondria were lit up with wash-free staining. This study provides a powerful tool for accurately diagnosing mercury poisoning-related diseases in mitochondria.

Association of Objective and Self-Reported Sleep Duration With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality: A Community-Based Study

Background Previous studies found an association between self-reported sleep duration and mortality. This study aimed to compare the effects of objective and self-reported sleep duration on all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Methods and Results A total of 2341 men and 2686 women (aged 63.9±11.1 years) were selected from the SHHS (Sleep Heart Health Study). Objective sleep duration was acquired using in-home polysomnography records, and self-reported sleep duration on weekdays and weekends was based on a sleep habits questionnaire. The sleep duration was categorized as ≤4 hours, 4 to 5 hours, 5 to 6 hours, 6 to 7 hours, 7 to 8 hours, and >8 hours. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the association of objective and self-reported sleep duration with all-cause and CVD mortality. During a mean follow-up period of 11 years, 1172 (23.3%) participants died, including 359 (7.1%) deaths from CVD. All-cause and CVD mortality rates decreased gradually with increasing objective sleep duration. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, the greatest association for all-cause and CVD mortality was with an objective sleep duration of 5 hours or shorter. In addition, we found a J-shaped association of self-reported sleep duration on both weekdays and weekends with all-cause and CVD mortality. Self-reported short (≤4 hours) and long (>8 hours) sleep duration on weekdays and weekends were associated with an increased risk of all-cause and CVD mortality compared with 7 to 8 hours sleep duration. Furthermore, a weak correlation was observed between objective and self-reported sleep duration. Conclusions This study showed that both objective and self-reported sleep duration were associated with all-cause and CVD mortality, but with different characteristics. Registration URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00005275; Unique identifier: NCT00005275.

Characterizing serum amino acids in schizophrenic patients: Correlations with gut microbes

Amino acid abnormalities have been suggested to be a key pathophysiological mechanism in schizophrenia (SZ). Recently, gut microbes were found to be critically involved in mental and metabolic diseases. However, the relationship between serum amino acid levels and gut microbes in SZ is rarely studied. Here, we analyzed serum amino acid levels in 76 untreated SZ patients and 79 healthy controls (HC). Serum levels of 10 amino acids were significantly altered in patients with SZ. We further classified the cut-off values for serum arginine, leucine, glutamine, and methionine levels to distinguish SZ patients from controls. These classifiers were shown to be effective in another validation cohort (49 SZ and 48 HC). The correlation between serum amino acids and clinical symptoms and cognitive functions was also analyzed. Arginine, leucine, glutamine, and methionine levels were significantly correlated with clinical symptoms and cognitive impairments in SZ patients. By metagenome shotgun sequencing of fecal samples, we found that patients with SZ with a low level of serum amino acids have higher richness and evenness of the gut microbiota. At the genus level, the abundances of Mitsuokella and Oscillibacter are significantly abnormal. At the mOTU level, 15 mOTUs in the low-level SZ group were significantly different from the HC group. In addition, Mitsuokella multacida was correlated with glutamine and methionine, respectively. Our research revealed that alterations in serum amino acid levels are critically related to changes in gut microbiota composition in SZ patients. These findings may shed light on new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of SZ.

Sleep Efficiency May Predict Depression in a Large Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of objective sleep characteristics on the incidence of depression.

METHODS

The participants of our study (1,595 men and 1,780 women with 63.1 ± 10.7 years) were selected from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) datasets. Depression was defined as the first occurrence between SHHS visit 1 and visit 2. Objective sleep characteristics, including sleep efficiency (SE), wake after sleep onset (WASO), sleep fragmentation index (SFI) and arousal index (ArI), were monitored by polysomnography. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between sleep characteristics and depression.

RESULTS

A total of 248 patients with depression (7.3%) were observed between SHHS visits 1 and 2. After adjusting for covariates, SE (odds ratio [OR], 0.891; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.811-0.978; P = 0.016) and WASO (OR, 1.021; 95% CI 1.002-1.039; P = 0.026) were associated with the incidence of depression. Moreover, the relationship between SE and depression was more pronounced in men (OR, 0.820; 95% CI 0.711-0.946; P = 0.007) than in women (OR, 0.950; 95% CI 0.838-1.078; P = 0.429) in subgroup analysis (P _interaction < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SE and WASO may be markers for the incidence of depression. The association between SE and depression was intensified in men.

Circ_NCKAP1 promotes skin basal cell carcinoma progression by sponging the miR-148b-5p/HSP90 axis

OBJECTIVE

Skin basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant skin tumor. Recent studies demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in tumorigenesis and may represent potential therapeutic targets. The aim of the present study was to explore the expression profiles of circRNAs and their role in skin BCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three pairs of skin BCC tissues and adjacent tissues were used to perform a circRNA microarray for screening of circRNA expression profiles. Circ_NCKAP1 was selected as a target circRNA by RT-qPCR verification and bioinformatics analysis. The effect of circ_NCKAP1 knockdown on cell proliferation and apoptosis was assessed using CCK8 and Annexin V-FITC/PI assays, and its regulation over the miR-148b-5p/HSP90 axis was assessed by dual-luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

Circ_NCKAP1 was found to be significantly upregulated in skin BCC tissues (p<0.05). In vitro loss-of-function assays demonstrated that circ_NCKAP1 knockdown markedly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis (p<0.05). Moreover, Dual-Luciferase reporter assay identified that circ_NCKAP1 could bind to miR-148b-5p directly, and HSP90 was targeted by miR-148b-5p.

CONCLUSIONS

Circ_NCKAP1 can promote skin BCC progression by sponging the miR-148b-5p/HSP90 axis, and circ_NCKAP1 may be a potential target for skin BCC therapy.

The analysis of the effects of Liuwei Dihuang decoction on aging-related metabolites and metabolic pathways in naturally aging mice by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadruple time-of-light mass spectrometry

Liuwei Dihuang decoction (LWDH) has been used to treat age-related diseases in Asia for thousands of years. Its effect is significant, but the mechanism is not entirely understood. The development and maturity of metabonomics technology have created a new way to understand its effects. In this study, 20-month-old naturally aging mice were used as the research subjects. Mice were randomly divided into the young group, elderly group, vitamin E group, and LWDH group, with 10 mice in each group. The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique analyzed the changes in plasma metabolism of these mice. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to study metabolic markers and metabolic pathways. Compared with the elderly group, the organ index and weightbearing swimming time of the LWDH and vitamin E groups increased (P ≤ 0.01). The results show that LWDH can benignly regulate the expression level of 11 aging-associated metabolites in aged mice and alleviate the aging state of mice. These metabolites mainly affect the metabolism of glutathione, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, pyrimidine, selenium, pentose phosphate, arginine, and proline.

Effectiveness of supplementary irrigant agitation with the Finisher GF Brush on the debridement of oval root canals instrumented with the Gentlefile or nickel titanium rotary instruments

AIM

To examine the efficacy of a novel supplementary irrigant agitating brush (Finisher GF Brush, MedicNRG, Kibbutz Afikim, Israel) on the debridement of root canals prepared with a novel stainless steel rotary instrumentation system (Gentlefile; MedicNRG), or nickel titanium rotary instruments in oval root canals.

METHODOLOGY

Mandibular premolars (n = 72) were selected and divided randomly into three experimental groups (n = 24) after microCT scanning: group 1, canal preparation to rotary NiTi size 20, .04 taper (R20); group 2, rotary NiTi to size 25, .04 taper (R25) and group 3, Gentlefile size 23, .04 taper (GF). Specimens were subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup A, syringe-and-needle irrigation (SNI); subgroup B, Finisher GF Brush (GB). Ten untreated canals served as controls. Specimens were processed for histological evaluation, and the remaining pulp tissue (RPT) was measured. Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (P = 0.05).

RESULTS

All experimental groups had significantly less RPT than the control (P < 0.05). Group 3B (GF-GB) had significantly less RPT than groups 1B (R20-GB) and 2B (R25-GF; P < 0.05). When irrigated with SNI, there was no significant difference in the RPT between the three groups (P > 0.05). When instrumented with R20, there was no significant difference between SNI and GF (P < 0.05) whilst GB had significantly less RPT than SNI for R25 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementary irrigant agitation with the Finisher GF Brush improved the debridement of canals prepared with Gentlefile and size 25, .04 taper rotary NiTi. Root canal debridement did not significantly differ between the instruments when syringe irrigation was used.

Endoscopic ultrasound in diagnosis of esophageal tuberculosis: 10-year experience at a tertiary care center

Definite diagnosis of esophageal tuberculosis (ET) requires isolation of tubercle bacilli, which is challenging in clinical practice. Difficulty in differentiating ET from other esophageal diseases may well result in a delay in diagnosis. The literature on utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in diagnosis of ET is insufficient. This study aims to evaluate the role of EUS morphology combined with EUS-guided tissue acquisition in the diagnosis of ET. Data of the 35 patients diagnosed with ET from January 2006 to October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. After miniprobe and linear echoendoscopic visualization, either linear EUS-guided deep biopsy or EUS-guided fine needle aspiration was performed for tissue acquisition. Histocytopathological results showing caseous necrosis or acid fast bacilli (AFB) or epithelioid granuloma were considered diagnostic. Esophageal wall thickening or mass formation with disruption of the adventitia due to infiltration by adjacent mediastinal lymphadenopathy was typically observed under EUS. Tissue acquisition revealed epithelioid granuloma in 33 patients, caseous necrosis in 13, a positive AFB stain in 14, and nonspecific chronic inflammation in 2. Of the 35 patients, 33 (94.3%) with both characteristic EUS morphology and diagnostic histocytopathology were considered to have an EUS established diagnosis. The remaining two with only nonspecific chronic inflammation received empirical antitubercular chemotherapy based solely on EUS morphology. The two-year follow-up confirmed diagnosis of ET in all patients. While the final diagnosis of ET was based upon two-year follow-up of treatment response to antitubercular medication in addition to caseous necrosis/granuloma/positive-AFB stain revealed by EUS-guided tissue acquisition, an EUS-established diagnosis of ET and medical treatment with long-term follow-up is rational and practical compared with surgery or untreated follow-up.

Dimedone Derivative {2-[(4-Hydroxy-phenylamino)- methylene]-5,5-dimethyl-cyclohexane-1,3-dione} Plays an Important Role in Breast Cancer Treatment

Purpose: To investigate the effect of 2-[(4-hydroxy-phenylamino)-methylene]-5,5-dimethyl-cyclohex (HPDH) on mammary carcinogenesis induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in female Sprague Dawley rats.Methods: Among three groups of rats (50 each) used in the study, the control group was fed standard diet alone, ibuprofen group received standard diet containing 1200 mg/kg ibuprofen while HPDH group was administered standard diet containing 1200 mg/kg HPDH. The treatment was for 10 days for all the groups. All the animals received 20 mg of DMBA intragastrically by gavage. Clinical parameters for the rats were recorded weekly. Micrometer caliper was used to measure the diameter of all the tumors at the end of the experiment and tumor volume calculated. Histological evaluation was performed using  hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the level of HPDH and ibuprofen in the serum of the animals.Results: The data revealed a significant decrease in the number of rats with mammary tumor, number of tumors/rat and tumor volume by 54, 72 and 75 %, respectively, in HPDH group compared to control group. The ibuprofen- treated rats also showed significant decrease in the number of rats with tumor, number of tumors/rat and tumor volume by 43, 55, and 59 %, respectively. Treatment of rats with HPDH increased the latency period of tumor induction significantly (p < 0.005). Median detection period (50 % of tumors) was 92, 83 and 56 days, respectively, in HPDH, ibuprofen and control groups, respectively, after DMBA induction.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that HPDH possesses strong chemopreventive activity against mammary carcinogenesis.Keywords: Carcinogenesis, Mammary tumor, Median detection period, Tumor, Latency period, Chemopreventive activity, Ibuprofen

Impact of ontogenetic changes in branchial morphology on gill function in Arapaima gigas

Soon after hatching, the osteoglossid fish Arapaima gigas undergoes a rapid transition from a water breather to an obligate air breather. This is followed by a gradual disappearance of gill lamellae, which leaves smooth filaments with a reduced branchial diffusion capacity due to loss of surface area, and a fourfold increase in diffusion distance. This study evaluated the effects these changes have on gill function by examining two size classes of fish that differ in gill morphology. In comparison to smaller fish (approximately 67.5 g), which still have lamellae, larger fish (approximately 724.2 g) without lamellae took up a slightly greater percentage of O2 across the gills (30.1% vs. 23.9%), which indicates that the morphological changes do not place limitations on O2 uptake in larger fish. Both size groups excreted similar percentages of CO2 across the gills (85%-90%). However, larger fish had higher blood PCO2 (26.51.9 vs. 16.51.5 mmHg) and HCO3(-) (40.2 +/- 2.9 vs. 33.6 +/- 4.5 mmol L(-1)) concentrations and lower blood pH (7.58 +/- 0.01 vs. 7.70 +/- 0.04) than did smaller fish, despite having lower mass-specific metabolisms, suggesting a possible diffusion limitation for CO2 excretion in larger fish. With regard to ion regulation, rates of diffusive Na+ loss were about 3.5 times higher in larger fish than they were in smaller fish, despite the lowered branchial diffusion capacity, and rates of Na+ uptake were higher by about the same amount despite 40% lower activity of branchial Na+/K+-ATPase. Kinetic analysis of Na uptake revealed an extremely low-affinity (K(m) = 587.9 +/- 169.5 micromol L(-1)), low-capacity (J(max) = 265.7 +/- 56.8 nmol g(-1) h(-1)) transport system. These data may reflect a general reduction in the role of the gills in ion balance. Renal Na+/K+-ATPase activity was 5-10 times higher than Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the gills, and urine: plasma ratios for Na+ and Cl(-) were very low (0.001-0.005) relative to that of other fish, which suggested an increased role for dietary salt intake and renal salt retention and which was representative of a more "terrestrial" mode of ion regulation. Such de-emphasis of branchial ion regulation confers greatly reduced sensitivity of diffusive ion loss to low water pH. Ammonia excretion also appeared to be impacted by gill changes. Rates of ammonia excretion in larger fish were one third less than that in smaller fish, despite larger fish having blood ammonia concentrations that were twice as high.

Comparison of the molecular classification with FIGO stage and histological grade on endometrial cancer

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

To classify endometrial cancers based on gene expression profiling, and to compare the prognostic value of the classification systems based on gene expression, grade, and stage.

METHODS

cDNA microarray was carried out in 32 endometrioid endometrial cancers. Differentially expressed genes were identified among tumor tissues of different grades and stages. The classification and prognosis comparison analysis was performed between histological grades, FIGO stages and gene expression profiles.

RESULTS

Class comparison analysis between different grade and stage endometrial cancer revealed 33 genes that are differentially expressed in tumors of different grades, ten in those of different stages, and 104 in a combined classification of grades and stages (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The cDNA microarray technique is a feasible way to generate gene expression profiles of endometrial cancer. Classification based on gene expression patterns may be more accurate than histological grade and FIGO stage classification in predicting the prognosis of tumors.

Limited extracellular but complete intracellular acid-base regulation during short-term environmental hypercapnia in the armoured catfish, Liposarcus pardalis

Environmental hypercapnia induces a respiratory acidosis that is usually compensated within 24-96 h in freshwater fish. Water ionic composition has a large influence on both the rate and degree of pH recovery during hypercapnia. Waters of the Amazon are characteristically dilute in ions, which may have consequences for acid-base regulation during environmental hypercapnia in endemic fishes. The armoured catfish Liposarcus pardalis, from the Amazon, was exposed to a water P(CO(2)) of 7, 14 or 42 mmHg in soft water (in micromol l(-1): Na(+), 15, Cl(-), 16, K(+), 9, Ca(2+), 9, Mg(2+), 2). Blood pH fell within 2 h from a normocapnic value of 7.90+/-0.03 to 7.56+/-0.04, 7.34+/-0.05 and 6.99+/-0.02, respectively. Only minor extracellular pH (pH(e)) recovery was observed in the subsequent 24-96 h. Despite the pronounced extracellular acidosis, intracellular pH (pH(i)) of the heart, liver and white muscle was tightly regulated within 6 h (the earliest time at which these parameters were measured) via a rapid accumulation of intracellular HCO(3)(-). While most fish regulate pH(i) during exposure to environmental hypercapnia, the time course for this is usually similar to that for pH(e) regulation. The degree of extracellular acidosis tolerated by L. pardalis, and the ability to regulate pH(i) in the face of an extracellular acidosis, are the greatest reported to date in a teleost fish. The preferential regulation of pH(i) in the face of a largely uncompensated extracellular acidosis in L. pardalis is rare among vertebrates, and it is not known whether this is associated with the ability to air-breathe and tolerate aerial exposure, or living in water dilute in counter ions, or with other environmental or evolutionary selective pressures. The ubiquity of this strategy among Amazonian fishes and the mechanisms employed by L. pardalis are clearly worthy of further study.

Relationship between hyperventilation and intracranial pressure in patients with severe head injury

With high fatality rate and disability rate, the pathophysiologic changes of severe head injury are complicated. But the method of lowering intracranial pressure (ICP) through artificial hyperventilation is called in question recently. To understand the related changes of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in artery (PaCO(2)) and the ICP at the acute period of severe head injury, a total of 64 patients with severe head injury were monitored and analyzed on the 3rd day after injury.

Separation of titanium dioxide from photocatalytically treated water by cross-flow microfiltration

This study focuses on the separation of titanium dioxide from water by cross-flow microfiltration (CMF) within wastewater treatment by photocatalysis using slurry reactor systems. The systematic studies have shown that the separation performance of TiO2 particles is strongly affected by cross-flow velocity, transmembrane pressure, feed concentration, pH of the suspension and ionic strength. An extreme sensitivity to pH and electrolyte concentration indicates the importance of interfacial effects in solid-liquid separation of TiO2 particles. Under optimal conditions, permeate fluxes of up to 1250 l m-2 h-1, approaching those of pure water, could be obtained with a polypropylene membrane which is not sensitive to abrasion. The obtained results makes TiO2 separation by cross-flow microfiltration attractive in solar-catalytic detoxification.

Solar detoxification of wastewater in a novel aerated cascade photoreactor (ACP)

A newly developed aerated cascade photoreactor (ACP), based on a non-concentrating suspension photoreactor, combines the advantages of a cascade with the increased mass-transfer and the use of oxygen from air as an oxidizing agent in a bubble column. Systematic studies of the limiting hydrodynamic conditions in the ACP and the solid/liquid-separation of the photocatalyst from the treated wastewater have shown that the ACP is technically and commercially attractive. The ACP outperforms the thin-film fixed-bed reactor (TFFBR) with respect to a 3-13 times higher degradation efficiency for the model compound dichloroacetic acid (DCA). The treatment of two biologically pretreated real wastewaters, one from a textile factory and one from car-washing, have been successfully carried out under artificial light and sunlight.

Comparison of suspended and fixed photocatalytic reactor systems

Photocatalysis is a promising technology for the purification of pretreated wastewaters in sun-rich countries if an economically applicable reactor system is available. Within this project the catalyst separation as an essential process step of suspended reactor systems was investigated. For the separation of suspended catalyst a sedimentation basin with and without lamella and a membrane filtration were investigated. The sedimentation was found to be very sensitive to the kind of the ion background of wastewater, the pH, the TiO2 influent concentration as well as the hydrodynamics in the clarifier. Under optimized conditions effluent concentrations of less than 5 mg SS/L and a clear water without turbidity could be reached with a specific flow rate of up to 0.7 m3/m2/h. The best performance for P25 was achieved with a TiO2 influent concentration of 5 g/L. Membrane filtration was the only method to guarantee a complete retention of the TiO2 as well as a rejection of microorganisms and high molecular compounds. With cross-flow velocities of 3 m/s and a transmembrane pressure of 100 kPa flux rates up to 1,200 L/m2/h were achieved. A flow-film-reactor (FFR) was operated with the model compound DCA under identical conditions with fixed and suspended TiO2. Whereas the fixed system has the advantage that no separation step is necessary and a simple construction can be used, suspended systems offer a three times higher reaction velocity for a catalyst concentration of 10 g/L, but are also characterized by higher investment costs.

Modelling induced currents in biological cells exposed to low-frequency magnetic fields

Interactions of low-frequency magnetic fields with biological systems have been a subject of intense scientific inquiry and public concern. Most research has been done at powerline frequencies of 50 Hz or 60 Hz. One of the key questions related to interactions of low-frequency magnetic fields with biological systems is which parameters of the exposure field are responsible for observed effects. Knowledge of the induced electric field and current in various experimental in vitro systems is important for this purpose. The 3D impedance method is used in this research to model spatial patterns of induced electric fields and current in two preparations of cells. A cell monolayer with a random distribution of cells and a confluent monolayer of cells with gap junctions are considered; because of the limitations of the computational method, biological cells are represented by cubes rather than more realistic shapes (e.g. spheres). The random model indicates that for higher cell densities the pattern of the induced current flow has a limited dependence on the size and shape of the container in which the cells are placed, it depends mostly on the actual cell placement. Gap junctions, not surprisingly, are shown to increase the current density, but only if their resistance is sufficiently low. The highest current density occurs in the gaps.

Induced electric currents in models of man and rodents from 60 Hz magnetic fields

Induced electric currents in models of man, rat and mouse from 60 Hz magnetic fields are computed using the impedance method. The models all have realistic shapes, and in the case of rodents, a homogeneous average tissue conductivity is assumed. The model of man is analyzed for two cases, a homogeneous average tissue conductivity and a heterogeneous model, both consisting of 1.3 cm cubical tissue cells whose conductivities are representative of the tissue within the cube. The results for various models and species, as well as different orientations of the magnetic field, are compared. The data presented are useful as the first step in dosimetry for 60 Hz magnetic fields, and for interspecies scaling of biological interactions related to the tissue induced electric currents.

Early diagnosis of typhoid fever using monoclonal antibody

In our study, a reverse passive hemagglutination assay (RPHA) method was established using monoclonal antibody-IgM to detect the Salmonella typhi O9 antigen. This method has the advantages of sensitivity, specificity, rapidity, and simplicity, and helps make an early diagnosis of typhoid fever using only small amounts of blood.