Does Including Facebook Training Improve the Effectiveness of Computerized Cognitive Training? A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether implementing a Facebook training program improves the effectiveness of computerized cognitive training (CCT) in older adults.

DESIGN

Randomized, controlled, double single-blind trial with parallel groups.

SETTING

Community centers.

SUBJECTS

Eighty-six adults between 60 and 90 years old.

INTERVENTIONS

Nine face-to-face 60-min sessions of CCT with VIRTRAEL for all participants. The experimental group received an additional 30 min of Facebook training per session.

MAIN MEASURES

Attention (d2 Test of Attention); learning and verbal memory (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised); working memory (Letter-Number Sequencing test), semantic and abstract reasoning (Similarities and Matrix Reasoning tests); and planning (Key Search test).

RESULTS

There was a significant Group*Time interaction in the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised-Trial 3, Letter-Number sequencing, and Matrix tests. Between groups, post-hoc analyses showed a difference in Matrix reasoning (p < .001; d  =  0.893) at post-intervention in favor of the experimental group. Significant main effects of time were found in the CCT group between baseline and 3-month follow-up for Concentration (F  =  26.431, p ≤ .001), Letters and Numbers (F  =  30.549, p ≤ .001), Learning (F  =  38.678, p ≤ .001), Similarities (F  =  69.885, p ≤ .001), Matrix (F  =  90.342, p ≤ .001), and Key Search (F  =  7.904, p  =  .006) tests.

CONCLUSIONS

The utilization of CCT with VIRTRAEL, a freely accessible tool with broad applicability, resulted in enhanced attention, verbal learning, working memory, abstract and semantic reasoning, and planning among older adults. These improvements were sustained for at least three months post-training. Additional training in Facebook did not enhance the effectiveness of CCT.

The role of molecular chaperone CCT/TRiC in translation elongation: A literature review

Protein synthesis from mRNA is an energy-intensive and strictly controlled biological process. Translation elongation is a well-coordinated and multifactorial step in translation that ensures the accurate and efficient addition of amino acids to a growing nascent-peptide chain encoded in the sequence of messenger RNA (mRNA). Which undergoes dynamic regulation due to cellular state and environmental determinants. An expanding body of research points to translational elongation as a crucial process that controls the translation of an mRNA through multiple feedback mechanisms. Molecular chaperones are key players in protein homeostasis to keep the balance between protein synthesis, folding, assembly, and degradation. Chaperonin-containing tailless complex polypeptide 1 (CCT) or tailless complex polypeptide 1 ring complex (TRiC) is an essential eukaryotic molecular chaperone that plays an essential role in assisting cellular protein folding and suppressing protein aggregation. In this review, we give an overview of the factors that influence translation elongation, focusing on different functions of molecular chaperones in translation elongation, including how they affect translation rates and post-translational modifications. We also provide an understanding of the mechanisms by which the molecular chaperone CCT plays multiple roles in the elongation phase of eukaryotic protein synthesis.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae survival against heat stress entails a communication between CCT and cell wall integrity pathway

The chaperonin TRiC/CCT is cytosolic cylindrical complex of 16 subunits encoded by eight essential genes CCT1-8. It contributes to folding 10% of cellular polypeptides in yeast. The strain carrying substitution point mutation G412E in the equatorial domain of Cct7p resulted in the improper folding of substrates. In this study, the Cct7p mutant exhibited sensitivity to non-optimal growth temperatures and cell wall stressors. Heat shock is known to disrupt cell wall and protein stability in budding yeast. Mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated cell wall integrity pathway gets activated to compensate the perturbed cell wall. Overexpression of the PKC1 and SLT2 genes of MAPK signaling pathway in mutant rescued the growth and cell division defects. Additionally, the genes of the CWI pathway such as SED1, GFA1, PIR1, and RIM21 are down-regulated. The Cct7p mutant strain (G412E) is unable to withstand the heat stress due to the underlying defects in protein folding and cell wall maintenance. Taken together, our results strongly indicate the interaction between CCT and cell wall integrity pathway.

Visualizing the chaperone-mediated folding trajectory of the G protein β5 β-propeller

The Chaperonin Containing Tailless polypeptide 1 (CCT) complex is an essential protein folding machine with a diverse clientele of substrates, including many proteins with β-propeller domains. Here, we determine the structures of human CCT in complex with its accessory co-chaperone, phosducin-like protein 1 (PhLP1), in the process of folding Gβ5, a component of Regulator of G protein Signaling (RGS) complexes. Cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) and image processing reveal an ensemble of distinct snapshots that represent the folding trajectory of Gβ5 from an unfolded molten globule to a fully folded β-propeller. These structures reveal the mechanism by which CCT directs Gβ5 folding through initiating specific intermolecular contacts that facilitate the sequential folding of individual β sheets until the propeller closes into its native structure. This work directly visualizes chaperone-mediated protein folding and establishes that CCT orchestrates folding by stabilizing intermediates through interactions with surface residues that permit the hydrophobic core to coalesce into its folded state.

Health Economic Evaluation of Cognitive Control Training for Depression: Key Considerations

Depression is a serious and burdensome psychiatric illness that contributes heavily to health expenditures. These costs are partly related to the observation that depression is often not limited to a single episode but can recur or follow a chronic pathway. In terms of risk factors, it is acknowledged that cognitive impairments play a crucial role in vulnerability to depression. Within this context, cognitive control training (CCT) has shown its effectiveness in reducing the risk for recurrence of depression. CCT is low cost intensive and can be provided as a web-based intervention, which makes it easy to disseminate. Despite increasing interest in the field, studies examining the cost-effectiveness of CCT in the context of depression are largely missing. Health economic evaluation (HEE) allows to inform decision makers with evidence-based insights about how to spend limited available (financial) resources in the most efficient way. HEE studies constitute a crucial step in the implementation of a new intervention in clinical practice. Approaching preventive measures for depression such as CCT from an HEE perspective is informative to health policy, fostering optimal use of health expenditures. The aim of this paper was to inform and guide researchers during the phase of designing HEE studies in the context of CCT for depression. A clear view of CCT's cost-effectiveness is paramount for its clinical implementation.

Chaperonin CCT controls extracellular vesicle production and cell metabolism through kinesin dynamics

Cell proteostasis includes gene transcription, protein translation, folding of de novo proteins, post-translational modifications, secretion, degradation and recycling. By profiling the proteome of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from T cells, we have found the chaperonin complex CCT, involved in the correct folding of particular proteins. By limiting CCT cell-content by siRNA, cells undergo altered lipid composition and metabolic rewiring towards a lipid-dependent metabolism, with increased activity of peroxisomes and mitochondria. This is due to dysregulation of the dynamics of interorganelle contacts between lipid droplets, mitochondria, peroxisomes and the endolysosomal system. This process accelerates the biogenesis of multivesicular bodies leading to higher EV production through the dynamic regulation of microtubule-based kinesin motors. These findings connect proteostasis with lipid metabolism through an unexpected role of CCT.

A chaperonin containing T-complex polypeptide-1 facilitates the formation of the PbWoxT1-PbPTB3 ribonucleoprotein complex for long-distance RNA trafficking in Pyrus betulaefolia

Numerous plant endogenous mRNAs move via phloem and thus affect the growth and development of long-distant organs. mRNAs are transported with RNA-binding proteins forming a ribonucleoprotein complex. However, it remains elusive how such RNP complex assembles and facilitates mRNA trafficking. Protease digestion and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to investigate the RNP assembly function of the complete Chaperonin Containing T-complex Polypeptide-1. In situ hybridization, hairy root transformation, microprojectile bombardment, and grafting experiments demonstrate the role of CCT complex in the transport of a PbWoxT1-PbPTB3 RNP complex in Pyrus betulaefolia. PbCCT5 silenced caused defective movement of GFP-PbPTB3 and GFP-PbWoxT1 from hairy roots to new leaves via the phloem. PbCCT5 is shown to interact with PbPTB3. PbCCT complex enhanced PbPTB3 stabilization and permitted assembly of PbWoxT1 and PbPTB3 into an RNP complex. Furthermore, silencing of individual CCT subunits inhibited the intercellular movement of GFP-PbPTB3 and long-distance trafficking of PbWoxT1 and PbPTB3 in grafted plants. Taken together, the CCT complex assembles PbPTB3 and PbWoxT1 into an RNP complex in the phloem in order to facilitate the long-distance trafficking of PbWoxT1 in P. betulaefolia. This study therefore provides important insights into the mechanism of RNP complex formation and transport.

Controlling the Thermal Stability of a Bainitic Structure by Alloy Design and Isothermal Heat Treatment

The aim of this work was to develop a novel bainitic steel that will be specifically dedicated to achieving a high degree of refinement (nano- or submicron scale) along with increased thermal stability of the structure at elevated temperatures. The material was characterized by improved in-use properties, expressed as the thermal stability of the structure, compared to nanocrystalline bainitic steels with a limited fraction of carbide precipitations. Assumed criteria for the expected low martensite start temperature, bainitic hardenability level, and thermal stability are specified. The steel design process and complete characteristics of the novel steel including continuous cooling transformation and time-temperature-transformation diagrams based on dilatometry are presented. Moreover, the influence of bainite transformation temperature on the degree of structure refinement and dimensions of austenite blocks was also determined. It was assessed whether, in medium-carbon steels, it is possible to achieve a nanoscale bainitic structure. Finally, the effectiveness of the applied strategy for enhancing thermal stability at elevated temperatures was analyzed.

Aggregating Different Scales of Attention on Feature Variants for Tomato Leaf Disease Diagnosis from Image Data: A Transformer Driven Study

Tomato leaf diseases can incur significant financial damage by having adverse impacts on crops and, consequently, they are a major concern for tomato growers all over the world. The diseases may come in a variety of forms, caused by environmental stress and various pathogens. An automated approach to detect leaf disease from images would assist farmers to take effective control measures quickly and affordably. Therefore, the proposed study aims to analyze the effects of transformer-based approaches that aggregate different scales of attention on variants of features for the classification of tomato leaf diseases from image data. Four state-of-the-art transformer-based models, namely, External Attention Transformer (EANet), Multi-Axis Vision Transformer (MaxViT), Compact Convolutional Transformers (CCT), and Pyramid Vision Transformer (PVT), are trained and tested on a multiclass tomato disease dataset. The result analysis showcases that MaxViT comfortably outperforms the other three transformer models with 97% overall accuracy, as opposed to the 89% accuracy achieved by EANet, 91% by CCT, and 93% by PVT. MaxViT also achieves a smoother learning curve compared to the other transformers. Afterwards, we further verified the legitimacy of the results on another relatively smaller dataset. Overall, the exhaustive empirical analysis presented in the paper proves that the MaxViT architecture is the most effective transformer model to classify tomato leaf disease, providing the availability of powerful hardware to incorporate the model.

Contemporary cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) training: Serial surveys of the international CCT community by the Fellow and Resident Leaders of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) Committee (FiRST) and SCCT Future Leaders Program (FLP)

BACKGROUND

As cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) practice evolves, the demand for specialists continues to increase. However, CCT training remains variable globally with limited contemporaneous data to understand this heterogeneity. We sought to understand the role of CCT globally and the training available to underpin its use.

METHODS

We performed two consecutive surveys of cardiology and radiology physicians, two years apart, utilizing the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) website, weblinks, social media platforms, and meeting handouts to maximize our response rate. We compared United States (US)-based vs. international responses to understand global similarities and differences in practice and training in the surveys.

RESULTS

235 respondents (37% trainees and 63% educators/non-trainees) initiated the first survey with 174 (74%) completing the core survey, with 205 providing their work location (114 US and 91 international). Eighty-four percent (92/110) of educator respondents stated a need for increased training opportunities to meet growing demand. Dedicated training fellowships are heterogenous, with limited access to structural heart imaging training, despite structural scanning being performed within institutions. The lack of a standardized curriculum was identified as the main obstacle to effective CCT learning, particularly in the US, with web-based learning platforms being the most popular option for improving access to CCT training. 148 trainees initiated the second survey with 107 (72%) completing the core components (51% North America, 49% international). Only 68% said they would be able to meet their required CCT education needs via their training program. Obstacles in obtaining CCT training again included a lack of a developed curriculum (51%), a lack of dedicated training time (35%), and a lack of local faculty expertise (31%). There was regional variability in access to CCT training, and, in contrast to the first survey, most (89%) felt 1:1 live review of cases with trained/expert reader was most useful for improving CCT training alongside formal curriculum/live lectures (72%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need to expand dedicated CCT training globally to meet the demand for complex CCT practice. Access to CCT education (didactic and 1:1 case-based teaching from expert faculty), implementation of recently published global training curricula, and increased teaching resources (web-based) as an adjunct to existing experiential learning opportunities, are all deemed necessary to address current educational shortfalls.

Comparison of Ocular Biomery in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Non-glaucoma in South West Nigeria

Background

Glaucoma is a public health problem in Nigeria. The number of individuals affected by glaucoma in Nigeria is much higher than the individuals known to have the disease. Ocular parameters such as intraocular pressure, central cornea thickness, axial length and refractive error have all been documented as risk factors of glaucoma especially among Caucasians and African Americans, with little documentation in Africa where there's an alarming rate of blindness.

Aim and Objectives

To compare central cornea thickness (CCT), intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length (AL) and refractive state in participants with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and non-glaucoma in South-West Nigeria.

Materials and Methods

This hospital-based case-control study was carried out among 184 newly diagnosed POAG and non-glaucoma adult participants attending the outpatient clinic of Eleta eye institute. The CCT, IOP, AL and refractive state were measured in each participant. Test of significance between proportions in categorical variables were assessed using chi square test (χ2) in both groups. The means were compared using independent t-test while correlation between parameters were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

The mean age of the POAG participants was 57.16 + 13.3 years and the mean age of the non-glaucoma participants was 54.15 + 13.4 years. The mean IOP in the POAG group was 30.2 + 8.9mmHg while non- glaucoma group was 14.2 + 2.6mmHg (P < 0.001), other ocular parameters were not significantly different in both groups. In the POAG group, decreased spherical equivalent refractive error (i.e increasing myopia) was significantly associated with increased axial length (r= -0.252, P = 0.01), but not significant in the non- glaucoma group. However, in the non-glaucoma group, central cornea thickness increased with increasing intraocular pressure (r= 0.305, P = 0.003), which was not significant in the glaucoma group.

Conclusion

Patients with POAG had much higher IOP and thus, IOP remains a significant risk factor in its development. There was a significant relationship between refractive state and axial length in the POAG group while a significant relationship was identified between central cornea thickness and intraocular pressure in the non- glaucoma group.

Prostatic Urethral Lift for Obstructive Median Lobes: Consistent Results Across Controlled Trial and Real-World Settings

Introduction: The evidence for prostatic urethral lift (PUL), in treating lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with obstructive median lobes (OMLs), has grown. In this study, we present the first detailed comparison of outcomes between OML patients treated with PUL in controlled and real-world settings to relevant comparators (subjects treated with transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP] and sham in randomized controlled trials [RCTs]) to demonstrate similar symptom, safety, and patient experience outcomes. Materials and Methods: Symptom and safety outcomes and patient satisfaction were compared through 12 months among controlled PUL studies: BPH6 RCT (35 men randomized to TURP); L.I.F.T. pivotal RCT in subjects with lateral lobe obstruction (66 subjects randomized to sham) and MedLift, an U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) extension of the L.I.F.T. trial (45 men with OML). Symptom improvement, catheterization, and adverse event rates were compared between MedLift subjects and OML patients (n = 187) from the large real-world retrospective (RWR) study of PUL filtered on baseline characteristics to approximate the MedLift population. Results: Posttreatment, International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) improvement for MedLift subjects was 170% greater compared with sham at 3 months with significantly better quality of life (QoL), Qmax, and benign prostatic hyperplasia impact index (BPHII). Compared with TURP, MedLift IPSS and QoL improved significantly better at 1 and 3 months and with superior ejaculatory function scores at all time points after PUL. IPSS, QoL, postvoid residual (PVR), and Qmax outcomes were equivalent between MedLift and RWR OML groups at 3, 6, and 12 months. RWR OML patients did not experience higher rates of overall adverse events compared with MedLift. Conclusion: Controlled and real-world outcomes confirm PUL is a safe and effective treatment for BPH patients with and without OML.

Multimodality imaging of a cardiac paraganglioma: A case report

Cardiac paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare extra-adrenal tumors that arise from chromaffin cells of the sympathetic ganglia. PGLs are often diagnosed incidentally, in the absence of symptoms, or with symptoms related to cardiovascular dysfunction. Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can be used to accurately determine the lesion morphology and position as well as providing detailed tissue characterization. A multimodal imaging approach, not yet standardized, could be useful either in diagnosis and monitoring or in treatment planning. In the case reported here, CCT and CMR were performed to define lesion anatomy, and a reconstruction was generated using cinematic rendering (CR) to characterize the PGL angioarchitecture.

Can mHealth campaigns improve CCT outcomes? Experimental evidence from sms-nudges in Indonesia

Employing a clustered RCT this paper examines the short-term impact of a 12-month mHealth BCC campaign on health practices & outcomes among CCT beneficiaries in Indonesia. Our analysis reveals that the intervention led to substantial improvements in maternal health behavior (postnatal care, child vaccinations, hygiene practices) & outcomes (anemia rates). Adopting a heterogeneous treatment effect framework, we further show that improvements in maternal hygiene practices and anemia rates are closely linked to health knowledge gained by mothers through the sms campaign. In contrast, we provide suggestive evidence that improvements in other health indicators are more likely to be related to the reminder and nudge components of the intervention.

Understanding the Flame Retardant Mechanism of Intumescent Flame Retardant on Improving the Fire Safety of Rigid Polyurethane Foam

Combinations of multiple inorganic fillers have emerged as viable synergistic agents for boosting the flame retardancy of intumescent flame retardant (IFR) polymer materials. However, few studies on the effect of multiple inorganic fillers on the flame retardant behavior of rigid polyurethane (RPU) foam have been carried out. In this paper, a flame retardant combination of aluminum hydroxide (ATH) and traditional flame retardants ammonium polyphosphate (APP), pentaerythritol (PER), melamine cyanurate (MC), calcium carbonate (CC), and expandable graphite (EG) was incorporated into RPU foam to investigate the synergistic effects of the combination of multiple IFR materials on the thermal stability and fire resistance of RPU foam. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that 8 parts per hundred polyols by weight (php) filler concentrations were compatible with RPU foam and yielded an increased amount of char residue compared to the rest of the RPU samples. The flame retardancy of multiple fillers on intumescent flame retardant RPU foam was also investigated using cone calorimeter (CCTs) and limiting oxygen index (LOI) tests, which showed that RPU/IFR1 (APP/PER/MC/EG/CC/ATH) had the best flame retardant performance, with a low peak heat release rate (PHRR) of 82.12 kW/m², total heat release rate (THR) of 15.15 MJ/m², and high LOI value of 36%. Furthermore, char residue analysis revealed that the use of multiple fillers contributed to the generation of more intact and homogeneous char after combustion, which led to reduced decomposition of the RPU foam and hindered heat transfer between the gas and condensed phases.

Comparison of changes in endothelial cell count and central corneal thickness after phacoemulsification and small-incision cataract surgery: A prospective observational study at a tertiary care center of eastern Uttar Pradesh

Purpose

Morphological stability and functional integrity of corneal endothelium are necessary to maintain long-term corneal transparency. When the number of endothelial cells drops below 450-800 cells/mm², corneal edema, irreversible loss of corneal transparency, and decreased vision occur. There is concern regarding manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) being more harmful to the endothelium in comparison to phacoemulsification. Our study aims to determine which technique maintains the corneal parameters closest to the normal physiological state.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted over a period of 15 months on 100 eyes, out of which 43 patients underwent phacoemulsification surgery and 57 underwent MSICS. TOPCON SP-1P, Version 1.41, 50-60 Hz frequency, noncontact specular microscope with pachymeter was used to measure endothelial cell count (ECC) and central corneal thickness (CCT) on four occasions: 1 day prior to surgery and on day 1, 3^rd week, and 6^th week after surgery.

Results

In total, 100 eyes of 100 subjects were studied with no dropout during the study period. The age range was 40-70 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the preoperative mean ECC and mean CCT in phacoemulsification and SICS groups. A statistically significant difference was observed in the postoperative mean ECC (P < 0.01) and mean CCT (P < 0.001) on day 1 and 3^rd week between the phacoemulsification and SICS groups, respectively. The mean endothelial cell loss at 6 weeks was less with SICS but comparable with phacoemulsification.

Conclusion

SICS is significantly faster, less expensive, less technology dependent, can deal with all types of cataracts, is relatively safe, and is more appropriate for advanced cataracts.

TadGAN-Based Daily Color Temperature Cycle Generation Corresponding to Irregular Changes of Natural Light

This study to develop lighting is advanced for reproducing natural light color temperature beneficial to humans. Methods were introduced to provide daily color temperature cycles through formulas based on the measured natural light characteristics or real-time reproduction of natural light color temperature linking sensors. Analysis results for the measured natural light showed that irregular color temperature cycles were observed for more than 90% of the year due to the influence of regional weather and atmospheric conditions. Regular color temperature cycles were observed only on some clear days. The color temperature cycle dramatically affects the health of the occupants. However, since irregular color temperatures are difficult to predict and cannot easily generate cycles, only the color temperatures of some clear days are currently used, and the actual color temperature of natural light cannot be reproduced. There is little research on deriving real-time periodic characteristics and lighting services targeting irregular color temperatures of natural light. Therefore, this paper proposes a TadGAN (Time Series Anomaly Detection Using Generative Adversarial Networks)-based daily color temperature cycle generation method that responds to irregular changes in the natural light color temperature. A TadGAN model for generating the natural light color temperature cycle was built, and learning was performed based on the dataset extracted through the measured natural light characteristic Database. After that, the generator of TadGAN was repeatedly applied to generate a color temperature cycle close to the change of natural light. In the performance test of the proposed method, it was possible to generate periodic characteristics of the irregular natural light color temperature distribution.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the CCT Gene Family in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) Response to Diurnal Rhythm and Abiotic Stress

The CCT gene family plays important roles in diurnal rhythm and abiotic stress response, affecting crop growth and development, and thus yield. However, little information is available on the CCT family in foxtail millet (Setaria italica). In the present study, we identified 37 putative SiCCT genes from the foxtail millet genome. A phylogenetic tree was constructed from the predicted full-length SiCCT amino acid sequences, together with CCT proteins from rice and Arabidopsis as representatives of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, respectively. Based on the conserved structure and phylogenetic relationships, 13, 5, and 19 SiCCT proteins were classified in the COL, PRR, and CMF subfamilies, respectively. The gene structure and protein conserved motifs analysis exhibited highly similar compositions within the same subfamily. Whole-genome duplication analysis indicated that segmental duplication events played an important role in the expansion of the CCT gene family in foxtail millet. Analysis of transcriptome data showed that 16 SiCCT genes had significant diurnal rhythm oscillations. Under abiotic stress and exogenous hormonal treatment, the expression of many CMF subfamily genes was significantly changed. Especially after drought treatment, the expression of CMF subfamily genes except SiCCT32 was significantly up-regulated. This work provides valuable information for further study of the molecular mechanism of diurnal rhythm regulation, abiotic stress responses, and the identification of candidate genes for foxtail millet molecular breeding.

Comfort Analysis of Hafnium (Hf) Doped ZnO Coated Self-Cleaning Glazing for Energy-Efficient Fenestration Application

To attain a comfortable building interior, building windows play a crucial role. Because of the transparent nature of the window, it allows heat loss and gain and daylight. Thus, they are one of the most crucial parts of the building envelope that have a significant contribution to the overall building energy consumption. The presence of dust particles on a window can change the entering light spectrum and creates viewing issues. Thus, self-cleaning glazing is now one of the most interesting research topics. However, aside from the self-cleaning properties, there are other properties that are nominated as glazing factors and are imperative for considering self-cleaning glazing materials. In this work, for the first time, Hf-doped ZnO was investigated as self-cleaning glazing and its glazing factors were evaluated. These outcomes show that the various percentages of ZnO doping with Hf improved the glazing factors, making it a suitable glazing candidate for the cold-dominated climate.

Realizing Single Chip White Light InGaN LED via Dual-Wavelength Multiple Quantum Wells

Dual-wavelength multiple quantum wells (MQWs) have great potential in realizing high quality illumination, monolithic micro light-emitting diode (LED) displays and other related fields. Here, we demonstrate a single chip white light indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LED via the manipulation of the dual-wavelength MQWs. The MQWs contain four pairs of blue light-emitting MQWs and one pair of green light-emitting QW. The fabricated LED chips with nickel/gold (Ni/Au) as the current spreading layer emit white light with the injection current changing from 0.5 mA to 80 mA. The chromaticity coordinates of (0.3152, 0.329) closing to the white light location in the Commission International de I’Eclairage (CIE) 1931 chromaticity diagram are obtained under a 1 mA current injection with a color rendering index (CRI) Ra of 60 and correlated color temperature (CCT) of 6246 K. This strategy provides a promising route to realize high quality white light in a single chip, which will significantly simplify the production process of incumbent white light LEDs and promote the progress of high-quality illumination.

Assessment of the Retinal Vessels in Keratoconus: An OCT Angiography Study

This study investigated vascular density and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in patients with keratoconus (KC). Participants with KC and healthy controls were included and underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), keratometry, anterior segment OCT, and macular OCT-A examinations. Of the 70 subjects (mean age 42.9 ± 15.31 years), 79 KC and 47 healthy eyes were included. Significant reductions in the KC group were recorded for the FAZ area, with a mean (±SD) of 0.19 ± 0.12 vs. 0.25 ± 0.09 mm2 p < 0.001. Central vascular density in KC patients was lower compared with the controls: 6.78 ± 4.74 vs. 8.44 ± 3.33 mm−1 p = 0.049; the inner density was also decreased in the study group (13.64 ± 5.13 vs. 16.54 ± 2.89 mm−1, p = 0.002), along with the outer density (14.71 ± 4.12 vs. 16.88 ± 2.42 mm−1, p = 0.004) and full density (14.25 ± 4.30 vs. 16.57 ± 2.48) p = 0.003. Furthermore, BCVA was positively correlated with central vascular density (R = 0.42 p = 0.004, total R = 0.40, p = 0.006) and inner density (R = 0.44, p = 0.002) in patients with KC but not in controls. Additionally, we found a correlation between K2 and inner vascular density (R = −0.30, p = 0.043) and central epithelium thickness and outer density (R = 0.03, p = 0.046). KC patients had lower macular vascular density and a smaller FAZ than healthy participants. The BCVA in KC patients was correlated with the vascular density.

Anticarin-β shows a promising anti-osteosarcoma effect by specifically inhibiting CCT4 to impair proteostasis

Unlike healthy, non-transformed cells, the proteostasis network of cancer cells is taxed to produce proteins involved in tumor development. Cancer cells have a higher dependency on molecular chaperones to maintain proteostasis. The chaperonin T-complex protein ring complex (TRiC) contains eight paralogous subunits (CCT1-8), and assists the folding of as many as 10% of cytosolic proteome. TRiC is essential for the progression of some cancers, but the roles of TRiC subunits in osteosarcoma remain to be explored. Here, we show that CCT4/TRiC is significantly correlated in human osteosarcoma, and plays a critical role in osteosarcoma cell survival. We identify a compound anticarin-β that can specifically bind to and inhibit CCT4. Anticarin-β shows higher selectivity in cancer cells than in normal cells. Mechanistically, anticarin-β potently impedes CCT4-mediated STAT3 maturation. Anticarin-β displays remarkable antitumor efficacy in orthotopic and patient-derived xenograft models of osteosarcoma. Collectively, our data uncover a key role of CCT4 in osteosarcoma, and propose a promising treatment strategy for osteosarcoma by disrupting CCT4 and proteostasis.

Austenite Decomposition of a Lean Medium Mn Steel Suitable for Quenching and Partitioning Process: Comparison of CCT and DCCT Diagram and Their Microstructural Changes

The present work deals with the dilatometric study of a hot-rolled 0.2C3Mn1.5Si lean medium Mn steel, mainly suitable for the quenching and partitioning (Q&P) heat treatment in both hot-rolled or cold-rolled condition, subjected to a variation of austenitization temperature. These investigations were performed in a temperature range of 800-1200 °C. In this context, the martensite transformation start temperature (Ms) was determined as a function of austenitization temperature and in turn obtained prior austenite grain size (PAGS). The results show rise in prior austenite grain size due to increasing austenitization temperature, resulting in elevated Ms temperatures. Measured dilatation curves were confronted with the metallographic analysis by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The present paper also focuses on the construction of a continuous cooling transformation (CCT) and deformation continuous cooling transformation (DCCT) diagram of the investigated lean medium Mn steel in a range of cooling rates from 100 to 0.01 °C/s and their subsequent comparison. By comparing these two diagrams, we observed an overall shift of the DCCT diagram to shorter times compared to the CCT diagram, which represents an earlier formation of phase transformations with respect to the individual cooling rates. Moreover, the determination of individual phase fractions in the CCT and DCCT mode revealed that the growth stage of ferrite and bainite is decelerated by deformation, especially for intermediate cooling rates. Microstructural changes corresponding to cooling were also observed using SEM to provide more detailed investigation of the structure and present phases identification as a function of cooling rate. Moreover, the volume fractions obtained from the saturation magnetization method (SMM) are compared with data from X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The discussion of the data suggests that magnetization measurements lead to more reliable results and a more sensitive detection of the retained austenite than XRD measurements. In that regard, the volume fraction of retained austenite increased with a decrease of cooling rate as a result of larger volume fraction of ferrite and bainite. The hardness of the samples subjected to the deformation was slightly higher compared to non-deformed samples. The reason for this was an evident grain refinement after deformation.

Identifying Candidate Protein Markers of Acute Kidney Injury in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

One-quarter of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) experience acute kidney injury (AKI)—an abrupt reduction or loss of kidney function associated with increased long-term mortality. There is a critical need to identify early and real-time markers of AKI in ADHF; however, to date, no protein biomarkers have exhibited sufficient diagnostic or prognostic performance for widespread clinical uptake. We aimed to identify novel protein biomarkers of AKI associated with ADHF by quantifying changes in protein abundance in the kidneys that occur during ADHF development and recovery in an ovine model. Relative quantitative protein profiling was performed using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra–mass spectrometry (SWATH–MS) in kidney cortices from control sheep (n = 5), sheep with established rapid-pacing-induced ADHF (n = 8), and sheep after ~4 weeks recovery from ADHF (n = 7). Of the 790 proteins quantified, we identified 17 candidate kidney injury markers in ADHF, 1 potential kidney marker of ADHF recovery, and 2 potential markers of long-term renal impairment (differential abundance between groups of 1.2–2.6-fold, adjusted p < 0.05). Among these 20 candidate protein markers of kidney injury were 6 candidates supported by existing evidence and 14 novel candidates not previously implicated in AKI. Proteins of differential abundance were enriched in pro-inflammatory signalling pathways: glycoprotein VI (activated during ADHF development; adjusted p < 0.01) and acute phase response (repressed during recovery from ADHF; adjusted p < 0.01). New biomarkers for the early detection of AKI in ADHF may help us to evaluate effective treatment strategies to prevent mortality and improve outcomes for patients.

Applicability of Reddish-Orange Light Emitting Samarium (III) Complexes for Biomedical and Multifunctional Optoelectronic Devices

Six crimson samarium (III) complexes based on β-ketone carboxylic acid and ancillary ligands were synthesized by adopting the grinding technique. All synthesized complexes were investigated via elemental analysis, infrared, UV-Vis, NMR, TG/DTG and photoluminescence studies. Optical properties of these photostimulated samarium (III) complexes exhibit reddish-orange luminescence due to ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_7/2 electronic transition at 606 nm of samarium (III) ions. Further, energy bandgap, color purity, CIE color coordinates, CCT and quantum yield of all complexes were determined accurately. Replacement of water molecules by ancillary ligands enriched these complexes (S2-S6) with decay time, quantum yield, luminescence, energy bandgap and biological properties than parent complex (S1). Interestingly, these efficient properties of complexes may find their applications in optoelectronics and lighting systems. In addition to these, the antioxidant and antimicrobial assays were also investigated to explore the applications in biological assays.

Novel Binding Partners for CCT and PhLP1 Suggest a Common Folding Mechanism for WD40 Proteins with a 7-Bladed Beta-Propeller Structure

This study investigates whether selected WD40 proteins with a 7-bladed β-propeller structure, similar to that of the β subunit of the G protein heterotrimer, interact with the cytosolic chaperonin CCT and its known binding partner, PhLP1. Previous studies have shown that CCT is required for the folding of the Gβ subunit and other WD40 proteins. The role of PhLP1 in the folding of Gβ has also been established, but it is unknown if PhLP1 assists in the folding of other Gβ-like proteins. The binding of three Gβ-like proteins, TBL2, MLST8 and CDC20, to CCT and PhLP1, was demonstrated in this study. Co-immunoprecipitation assays identified one novel binding partner for CCT and three new interactors for PhLP1. All three of the studied proteins interact with CCT and PhLP1, suggesting that these proteins may have a folding machinery in common with that of Gβ and that the well-established Gβ folding mechanism may have significantly broader biological implications than previously thought. These findings contribute to continuous efforts to determine common traits and unique differences in the folding mechanism of the WD40 β-propeller protein family, and the role PhLP1 has in this process.

START - introducing a novel assessment of consultant readiness in Paediatrics: the entry not the exit

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) developed a new end-of-training assessment held for the first time in 2012, known as START, the Specialty Trainee Assessment of Readiness for Tenure as a consultant. It is a novel, formative, multi-scenario, OSCE-style, out-of-workplace assessment using unseen scenarios with generic, external assessors undertaken in the trainees' penultimate training year. This paper describes the introduction and structure of this formative assessment. While many other colleges have summative exit exams the inception of this assessment was designed to be formative, providing feedback on consultant-readiness skills, and not a high-stakes hurdle towards the end of training, It was developed from the College's examinations question-setting group and following two pilots in 2009 and 2010, the assessment evolved and the first live diet was held in November 2012.

Hue discrimination in jewellery appraisers exceeds normal performance

PURPOSE

The FM-100 Hue test is used for vocational purposes where hue discrimination is of the upmost importance, such as in jewellery appraisals where small errors in hue discrimination can lead to significant differences in gemstone valuation. The purpose of this study was to determine if the cone contrast test (CCT) could predict performance on the FM-100 Hue, providing a potential alternative test for screening of jewellery appraisers.

METHODS

Members of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA; n = 18, ages 34 to 76 years) requiring colour vision certification with the FM-100 Hue were invited to participate in a study to assess performance on the Ishihara test, FM-100 Hue, Lanthony Desaturated D-15 and the CCT. The FM-100 Hue test was administered to award or renew NAJA certification, while the CCT was included as a possible alternative certification test.

RESULTS

Average CCT M and S cone scores were predictive of FM-100 Hue total error score (TES: F_1,16  = 7.77, p < 0.02; r²  = 0.33). The regression equation indicates that a CCT score of <60 is 3SD below the mean TES in our cohort of jewellery appraisers. Seventeen of 18 jewellery appraisers had FM-100 Hue TES scores significantly below the lower limit for age-matched normal values, indicating exceptional performance (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate the CCT may be an effective substitute for the FM-100 Hue to provide certification of jewellery appraisers, but the small sample size warrants additional comparative validation to support sole utilisation of the CCT. It is of interest that this sample of jewellery appraisers showed lower (i.e., better) than normal TES scores despite mitigating senescence factors. It is conceivable that the enhanced jewellery appraisers' hue discrimination reflects perceptual learning, wherein reward-based repetition on specific tasks can improve performance, even in adulthood beyond critical periods.

CCTδ colocalizes with actin and β-tubulin: Insight into its involvement in the cytoskeleton formation of the intracellular parasite Nosema bombycis

The chaperonin-containing t-complex polypeptide 1 (CCT) is a molecular chaperone protein that is widely present in eukaryotic cytoplasm and can assist in the folding of newly synthesized proteins. The CCT complex consists of eight completely different subunits, among which the δ subunit plays an extremely important role in the folding and assembly of cytoskeleton proteins as an individual or complex with other subunits. In this study, we identified the CCTδ in the microsporidian Nosema bombycis (NbCCTδ) for the first time. The NbCCTδ gene contains a complete ORF of 1497 bp in length that encodes a 498 amino acid polypeptide. NbCCTδ is expressed throughout the entire lifecycle of N. bombycis and rather higher in early stage of proliferation. Indirect immunofluorescence results showed that NbCCTδ was colocalized with actin and β-tubulin during the proliferative and sporogonic phases of N. bombycis. RNA interference down-regulated the expression of the NbCCTδ gene. These results imply that NbCCTδ may participate in cytoskeleton formation and proliferation of N. bombycis.

Chaperonins in cancer: Expression, function, and migration in extracellular vesicles

The chaperonins CCT and Hsp60 are molecular chaperones, members of the chaperone system (CS). Chaperones are cytoprotective but if abnormal in quantity or quality they may cause diseases, the chaperonopathies. Here, recent advances in the understanding of CCT and Hsp60 in cancerology are briefly discussed, focusing on breast and brain cancers. CCT subunits, particularly CCT2, were increased in breast cancer cells and this correlated with tumor progression. Experimental induction of CCT2 increase was accompanied by an increase of CCT3, 4, and 5, providing another evidence for the interconnection between the members of the CS and the difficulties expected while manipulating one member with therapeutic purposes. Another in silico study demonstrated a direct correlation between the increase in the tumor tissue of the mRNA levels of all CCT subunits, except CCTB6, with bad prognosis. Studies with glioblastomas demonstrated an increase in the CCT subunits in the tumor tissue and in extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from them. Expression levels of CCT1, 2, 6A, and 7 were the most increased and markers of bad prognosis, particularly CCT6A. A method for measuring Hsp60 and related miRNA in exosomes from blood of patients with glioblastomas or other brain tumors was discussed, and the results indicate that the triad Hsp60-related miRNAs-exosomes has potential regarding diagnosis and patient monitoring. All these data provide a strong foundation for future studies on the role played by chaperonins in carcinogenesis and for fully developing their theranostics applications along with exosomes.

Folding for the Immune Synapse: CCT Chaperonin and the Cytoskeleton

Lymphocytes rearrange their shape, membrane receptors and organelles during cognate contacts with antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Activation of T cells by APCs through pMHC-TCR/CD3 interaction (peptide-major histocompatibility complex-T cell receptor/CD3 complexes) involves different steps that lead to the reorganization of the cytoskeleton and organelles and, eventually, activation of nuclear factors allowing transcription and ultimately, replication and cell division. Both the positioning of the lymphocyte centrosome in close proximity to the APC and the nucleation of a dense microtubule network beneath the plasma membrane from the centrosome support the T cell's intracellular polarity. Signaling from the TCR is facilitated by this traffic, which constitutes an important pathway for regulation of T cell activation. The coordinated enrichment upon T cell stimulation of the chaperonin CCT (chaperonin-containing tailless complex polypeptide 1; also termed TRiC) and tubulins at the centrosome area support polarized tubulin polymerization and T cell activation. The proteasome is also enriched in the centrosome of activated T cells, providing a mechanism to balance local protein synthesis and degradation. CCT assists the folding of proteins coming from de novo synthesis, therefore favoring mRNA translation. The functional role of this chaperonin in regulating cytoskeletal composition and dynamics at the immune synapse is discussed.

Cardiac computed tomography in the contemporary evaluation of infective endocarditis

Increasing data have accumulated on the role of Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) in infective endocarditis (IE) with high accuracy for large vegetations, perivalvular complications and for exclusion of coronary artery disease to avoid invasive angiography. CCT can further help to clarify the etiology of infective prosthetic valve dysfunction (e.g. malposition, abscess, leak, vegetation or mass). Structural interventions have increased the relevance of CCT in valvular heart disease and have amplified its use. CCT may be ideally integrated into a multimodality approach that incorporates a central role of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with 18-FDG PET and/or cardiac magnetic resonance in individually selected cases, guided by the Heart Team. The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in renewed attention to CCT as a safe alternative or adjunct to TEE in selected patients. This review article provides a comprehensive, contemporary review on CCT in IE to include scan optimization, characteristics of common IE findings on CCT, published data on the diagnostic accuracy of CCT, multimodality imaging comparison, limitations and future technical advancements.

Structural determinants for NF-Y subunit organization and NF-Y/DNA association in plants

NF-Y transcription factor comprises three subunits: NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC. NF-YB and NF-YC dimerize through their histone fold domain (HFD), which can bind DNA in a non-sequence-specific fashion while serving as a scaffold for NF-YA trimerization. Upon trimerization, NF-YA specifically recognizes the CCAAT box sequence on promoters and enhancers. In plants, each NF-Y subunit is encoded by several genes giving rise to hundreds of potential heterotrimeric combinations. In addition, plant NF-YBs and NF-YCs interact with other protein partners to recognize a plethora of genomic motifs, as the CCT protein family that binds CORE sites. The NF-Y subunit organization and its DNA-binding properties, together with the NF-Y HFD capacity to adapt different protein modules, represent plant-specific features that play a key role in development, growth and reproduction. Despite their relevance, these features are still poorly understood at the molecular level. Here, we present the structures of Arabidopsis and rice NF-YB/NF-YC dimers, and of an Arabidopsis NF-Y trimer in complex with the FT CCAAT box, together with biochemical data on NF-Y mutants. The dimeric structures identify the key residues for NF-Y HFD stabilization. The NF-Y/DNA structure and the mutation experiments shed light on HFD trimerization interface properties and the NF-YA sequence appetite for the bases flanking the CCAAT motif. These data explain the logic of plant NF-Y gene expansion: the trimerization adaptability and the flexible DNA-binding rules serve the scopes of accommodating the large number of NF-YAs, CCTs and possibly other NF-Y HFD binding partners and a diverse audience of genomic motifs.

Evaluating the effectiveness of incentives to improve HIV prevention outcomes for young females in Eswatini: Sitakhela Likusasa impact evaluation protocol and baseline results

Background

Eswatini continues to have the highest prevalence of HIV in the world, and one of the highest HIV incidences among adult populations (aged 15–49). This analysis reports on both key elements of study design/protocol and baseline results from an impact evaluation of an intervention incentivizing (i) initiation, enrolment, attendance or completion of some form of education, and (ii) lower risk sexual behaviour.

Methods

The impact evaluation employs a two by two factorial design in which participants are enrolled in either the incentive for education arm (‘education treatment arm’ providing a conditional cash incentive) or the control arm (‘education control arm’). In each of these arms, 50% of participants were randomized to also be eligible for selection – three times a year – to participate in a conditional raffle conditional on testing negative for curable STIs (syphilis and Trichomonas vaginalis).

Results

Baseline recruitment and screening occurred in 2016 when a total of 6055 individuals were screened of which 4863 participated in the baseline survey, and 4819 individuals were randomized into one of the study arms. The baseline prevalence of HIV, Trichomonas vaginalis, and syphilis among adolescent girls and young women 8.20% (397/4840), 3.31% (150/4533) and 0.17% (8/4830) respectively.

Conclusions

An educational cash incentive and raffle incentive impact evaluation that addresses adolescent girls and young women who are in-education and out-of-education has the potential to reduce HIV risk in adolescent girls and young women in Eswatini.

Trial registration

Name of the registry: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry.

Trial registration number: PACTR201811609257043.

Date of registration: May 11, 2018 ‘Retrospectively registered’.

URL of trial registry record: https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=4685

Chronic retinal injury induced by white LED light with different correlated color temperatures as determined by microarray analyses of genome-wide expression patterns in mice

Widely used white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) currently deliver higher levels of blue light than conventional domestic light sources. The high intensity of the blue component is the main source of concern regarding possible health risks of LED to chronic light toxicity to the retina. Therefore, we analyzed retinal injury and genome-wide changes in gene expression induced by white LED light with different correlated color temperatures (CCTs) in a mouse model. Balb/c mice (10 weeks old) were exposed to LED light with CCTs of 2954, 5624, and 7378 K, at different illuminance levels (250, 500, 1000, and 3000 lx) and for different exposure times (7, 14, and 28 days). Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that exposure to 7378 K light at 250 lx for 28 days resulted in a significant reduction of outer nuclear layer (ONL) nuclei, whereas 2954 K light at <3000 lx led to only a mild reduction in the number of ONL nuclei. In addition, 5624 and 7378 K light at 3000 lx resulted in a significant increase in TUNEL-positive apoptotic nuclei, which was not found at an illuminance of 1000 lx. Genome-wide expression analyses showed that, compared to a control group, there were 121 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 458 downregulated DEGs found in the 7378 K group, and 59 upregulated and only 4 downregulated DEGs in the 2954 K group. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses showed that the DEGs were involved in 341 GO terms and 16 related pathways for the 7378 K group and in 12 GO terms and 7 related pathways for the 2954 K group. Signal pathways related to ubiquitin potentially played an important role in light-induced retinal degeneration. Furthermore, retinal immunohistochemistry (IHC) indicated downregulation of ubiquitin and autophagy function caused by 7378 K light. Taken together, these results indicate that retinal injury in the mice induced by white LED light occurred in a CCT-dependent manner, and that light with a higher CCT was more likely to reduce ONL nuclei; however, the apoptosis pathway may not be the only mechanism involved. Based on genome-wide expression analyses and retinal IHC, the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis signal pathway may have participated in the induction retinal degeneration.

Genome-Wide Identification, Expression Analysis and Functional Study of CCT Gene Family in Medicago truncatula

The control of flowering time has an important impact on biomass and the environmental adaption of legumes. The CCT (CO, COL and TOC1) gene family was elucidated to participate in the molecular regulation of flowering in plants. We identified 36 CCT genes in the M. truncatula genome and they were classified into three distinct subfamilies, PRR (7), COL (11) and CMF (18). Synteny and phylogenetic analyses revealed that CCT genes occurred before the differentiation of monocot and dicot, and CCT orthologous genes might have diversified among plants. The diverse spatial-temporal expression profiles indicated that MtCCT genes could be key regulators in flowering time, as well as in the development of seeds and nodules in M. truncatula. Notably, 22 MtCCT genes with typical circadian rhythmic variations suggested their different responses to light. The response to various hormones of MtCCT genes demonstrated that they participate in plant growth and development via varied hormones dependent pathways. Moreover, six MtCCT genes were dramatically induced by salinity and dehydration treatments, illustrating their vital roles in the prevention of abiotic injury. Collectively, our study provides valuable information for the in-depth investigation of the molecular mechanism of flowering time in M. truncatula, and it also provides candidate genes for alfalfa molecular breeding with ideal flowering time.

Measurement of central corneal thickness using Orbscan 3, Pentacam HR and ultrasound pachymetry in normal eyes

PURPOSE

To assess the agreement between Orbscan 3, Pentacam HR and ultrasound pachymetry (Palm Scan AP 2000) in measuring central corneal thickness.

METHODS

Prospective observational cross-sectional study of ninety-two eyes of 48 patients with normal corneas was conducted. Central corneal thickness was measured via Pentacam HR, Orbscan 3 and ultrasound pachymetry. Bland-Altman analysis was used to demonstrate agreement between various methods.

RESULTS

Ninety-two eyes of 46 subjects were enrolled. The mean age was 29.67 years (18-59). The average measurements of central corneal thickness were 545.73 ± 29.35 μm, 549.34 ± 29.14 μm and 545.78 ± 31.48 μm for the Pentacam HR, Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry, respectively. The three devices measurements are closely correlated, with Pearson correlation coefficient ranging from 0.868 to 0.929. The 95 % limits of agreement were 25.2 to - 18 μm between Orbscan and Pentacam central corneal thickness, 25.2 to - 25.7 μm between Pentacam and pachymetry central corneal thickness and 34.4 to - 27.2 μm between Orbscan and pachymetry central corneal thickness.

CONCLUSION

In spite of advancement of Orbscan 3, still there are wide agreement limits between CCT measurements obtained via Orbscan 3, Pentacam HR and ultrasound pachymetry; thus, interchangeable use in clinical practice is not recommended.

The Molecular Chaperone CCT/TRiC: An Essential Component of Proteostasis and a Potential Modulator of Protein Aggregation

Chaperonin containing tailless complex polypeptide 1 (CCT) or tailless complex polypeptide 1 ring complex (TRiC) is an essential eukaryotic molecular chaperone. It is a multi-subunit oligomer of two rings of eight individual protein subunits. When assembled, each of the eight CCT subunits occupies a specific position within each chaperonin ring. Thus a geometrically defined binding interface is formed from the divergent sequences within the CCT subunit substrate binding domains. CCT is required for the folding of the abundant cytoskeletal proteins actin and tubulin, which in turn form assemblies of microfilaments and microtubules. CCT is also involved in the folding of some additional protein substrates and some CCT subunits have been shown to have functions when monomeric. Since observations were made in worms over a decade ago using an RNAi screen, which connected CCT subunits to the aggregation of polyglutamine tracts, a role for CCT as a potential modulator of protein aggregation has started to emerge. Here there will be a focus on how mechanistically CCT may be able to achieve this and if this potential function of CCT provides any insights and directions for developing future treatments for protein aggregation driven neurodegenerative diseases generally, many of which are associated with aging.

Engineered transient and stable overexpression of translation factors eIF3i and eIF3c in CHOK1 and HEK293 cells gives enhanced cell growth associated with increased c-Myc expression and increased recombinant protein synthesis

There is a desire to engineer mammalian host cell lines to improve cell growth/biomass accumulation and recombinant biopharmaceutical protein production in industrially relevant cell lines such as the CHOK1 and HEK293 cell lines. The over-expression of individual subunits of the eukaryotic translation factor eIF3 in mammalian cells has previously been shown to result in oncogenic properties being imparted on cells, including increased cell proliferation and growth and enhanced global protein synthesis rates. Here we report on the engineering of CHOK1 and HEK cells to over-express the eIF3i and eIF3c subunits of the eIF3 complex and the resultant impact on cell growth and a reporter of exogenous recombinant protein production. Transient over-expression of eIF3i in HEK293 and CHOK1 cells resulted in a modest increase in total eIF3i amounts (maximum 40% increase above control) and an approximate 10% increase in global protein synthesis rates in CHOK1 cells. Stable over-expression of eIF3i in CHOK1 cells was not achievable, most likely due to the already high levels of eIF3i in CHO cells compared to HEK293 cells, but was achieved in HEK293 cells. HEK293 cells engineered to over-express eIF3i had faster growth that was associated with increased c-Myc expression, achieved higher cell biomass and gave enhanced yields of a reporter of recombinant protein production. Whilst CHOK1 cells could not be engineered to over-express eIF3i directly, they could be engineered to over-express eIF3c, which resulted in a subsequent increase in eIF3i amounts and c-Myc expression. The CHOK1 eIF3c engineered cells grew to higher cell numbers and had enhanced cap- and IRES-dependent recombinant protein synthesis. Collectively these data show that engineering of subunits of the eIF3 complex can enhance cell growth and recombinant protein synthesis in mammalian cells in a cell specific manner that has implications for the engineering or selection of fast growing or high producing cells for production of recombinant proteins.

•

We have engineered the overexpression of eIF3i and eIF3c in CHOK1 and HEK293 cells.

•

HEK293 cells overexpressing eIF3i had faster growth and increased c-Myc expression.

•

Direct stable overexpression of eIF3i in CHOK1 cells was not achievable.

•

Overexpression of eIF3c in CHOK1 cells resulted in an increase in eIF3i.

•

eIF3c overexpressing CHOK1 cells had enhanced recombinant protein synthesis.

The Ideal Cardiac Mapping System

Cardiac mapping has witnessed significant and unprecedented progress over more than a century. At present, several mapping/imaging technologies are commercially available, alone or in combination. This article briefly discusses the advantages and limitations (disadvantages) of each technique.

Molecular mechanisms in chaperonopathies: clues to understanding the histopathological abnormalities and developing novel therapies

Molecular chaperones, many of which are heat shock proteins (Hsps), are components of the chaperoning system and when defective can cause disease, the chaperonopathies. Chaperone-gene variants cause genetic chaperonopathies, whereas in the acquired chaperonopathies the genes are normal, but their protein products are not, due to aberrant post-transcriptional mechanisms, e.g. post-translational modifications (PTMs). Since the chaperoning system is widespread in the body, chaperonopathies affect various tissues and organs, making these diseases of interest to a wide range of medical specialties. Genetic chaperonopathies are uncommon but the acquired ones are frequent, encompassing various types of cancer, and inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. The clinical picture of chaperonopathies is known. Much less is known on the impact that pathogenic mutations and PTMs have on the properties and functions of chaperone molecules. Elucidation of these molecular alterations is necessary for understanding the mechanisms underpinning the tissue and organ abnormalities occurring in patients. To illustrate this issue, we discuss structural-functional alterations caused by mutation in the chaperones CCT5 and HSPA9, and PTM effects on Hsp60. The data provide insights into what may happen when CCT5 and HSPA9 malfunction in patients, e.g. accumulation of cytotoxic protein aggregates with tissue destruction; or for Hsp60 with aberrant PTM, degradation and/or secretion of the chaperonin with mitochondrial damage. These and other possibilities are now open for investigation. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Usage of Vertical Fisheye-Images to Quantify Urban Light Pollution on Small Scales and the Impact of LED Conversion

The aim of this work was to develop an easy and quick technique for characterizing various lighting situations, that is, single lamps or illuminated signs and to quantify impacts on small scales like streets, buildings and near areas. The method uses a DSLR-camera equipped with fisheye-lens and the software Sky Quality Camera, both commonly used as part of night sky imagery in the light pollution community, to obtain information about luminance and correlated colour temperature. As a difference to its usual build-up, observed light emitting sources were captured by pointing the camera towards analysed objects, that is, images were taken via vertical plane imaging with very short exposure times under one second. Results have proven that this technique provides a practical way to quantify the lighting efficacy in a certain place or area, as a quantitative analysis of the direct emission towards the observer and the illumination on surroundings, that is, street surfaces, sidewalks and buildings, was performed. When conducting lamp conversions, the method can be used to characterize the gradient of change and could be a useful tool for municipalities to find the optimal lighting solution. The paper shows examples of different lighting situations like single lamps of different types, also containing various luminaires, illuminated billboards or buildings and impacts of the lighting transition to LEDs in the city of Eisenstadt, Austria. The horizontal fisheye method is interdisciplinary applicable, for example, being suitable for lighting management, to sustainability and energy saving purposes.

Co-expression of CCT subunits hints at TRiC assembly

The eukaryotic cytosolic chaperonin, t-complex polypeptide 1 (TCP-1) ring complex or TRiC, is responsible for folding a tenth of the proteins in the cell. TRiC is a double-ringed barrel with each ring composed of eight different CCT (chaperonin containing TCP-1) subunits. In order for the subunits to assemble together into mature TRiC, which is believed to contain one and only one of each of these subunits per ring, they must be translated from different chromosomes, correctly folded and assembled. When expressed alone in Escherichia coli, the subunits CCT4 and CCT5, interestingly, form TRiC-like homo-oligomeric rings. To explore potential subunit-subunit interactions, we co-expressed these homo-oligomerizing CCT4 and CCT5 subunits or the archaeal chaperonin Mm-Cpn (Methanococcus maripaludis chaperonin) with CCT1-8, one at a time. We found that CCT5 shifted all of the CCT subunits, with the exception of CCT6, into double-barrel TRiC-like complexes, while CCT4 only interacted with CCT5 and CCT8 to form chaperonin rings. We hypothesize that these specific interactions may be due to the formation of hetero-oligomers in E. coli, although more work is needed for validation. We also observed the interaction of CCT5 and Mm-Cpn with smaller fragments of the CCT subunits, confirming their intrinsic chaperone activity. Based on this hetero-oligomer data, we propose that TRiC assembly relies on subunit exchange with some stable homo-oligomers, possibly CCT5, as base assembly units. Eventually, analysis of CCT arrangement in various tissues and at different developmental times is anticipated to provide additional insight on TRiC assembly and CCT subunit composition.

Myelin Pathology: Involvement of Molecular Chaperones and the Promise of Chaperonotherapy

The process of axon myelination involves various proteins including molecular chaperones. Myelin alteration is a common feature in neurological diseases due to structural and functional abnormalities of one or more myelin proteins. Genetic proteinopathies may occur either in the presence of a normal chaperoning system, which is unable to assist the defective myelin protein in its folding and migration, or due to mutations in chaperone genes, leading to functional defects in assisting myelin maturation/migration. The latter are a subgroup of genetic chaperonopathies causing demyelination. In this brief review, we describe some paradigmatic examples pertaining to the chaperonins Hsp60 (HSPD1, or HSP60, or Cpn60) and CCT (chaperonin-containing TCP-1). Our aim is to make scientists and physicians aware of the possibility and advantages of classifying patients depending on the presence or absence of a chaperonopathy. In turn, this subclassification will allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies (chaperonotherapy) by using molecular chaperones as agents or targets for treatment.

Establishment of diagnostic reference levels in cardiac computed tomography

The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in Jordan. Volume computed tomography dose index (CTDI_vol) and dose–length product (DLP) were collected from 228 CCTs performed at seven Jordanian hospitals specialized in cardiac CT. DRLs for cardiac CT were defined at the 75th percentile of CTDI_vol and DLP. CTDI_vol and DLP were collected from 30 successive cardiac CT in each center except for one center (18 scans). The 75th percentile of the CTDI_vol and the DLP of the centers calculated from mixed retrospective and prospective gated modes were 47.74 milligray (mGy) and 1035 mGy/cm, respectively. This study demonstrated wide dose variations among the surveyed hospitals for cardiac CT scans; there was a 5.1‐fold difference between the highest and lowest median DLP with a range of 223.2–1146.7 mGy/cm. Differences were associated with variations in the mAs and kVp. This study confirmed large variability in CTDI_vol and DLP for cardiac CT scans; variation was associated with acquisition protocols and highlights the need for dose optimization. DRLs are proposed for CCT; there remains substantial potential for optimization of cardiac CT examinations for adults in Jordan.

Active-fluidics-based torsional phacoemulsification in diabetic eyes: A prospective interventional study

Purpose:

To compare the outcomes of active-fluidics based torsional phacoemulsification in diabetics and nondiabetics using a balanced tip.

Methods:

Two hundred and forty-eight patients undergoing senile cataract surgery using torsional phacoemulsification on an active-fluidics-based platform from December 2016 to August 2017 were included in this prospective, nonrandomized, interventional cohort study; of the 248 patients, 54 were controlled diabetics and 194 were nondiabetics. Intraoperative parameters such as cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), total ultrasound time, torsion usage time, torsion amplitude, aspiration time, and fluid usage were documented and compared. Endothelial cell loss (ECL) and central corneal thickness (CCT) were evaluated at 1 month postoperatively.

Results:

Diabetics and nondiabetics did not differ in CDE, total ultrasound time, torsion amplitude, aspiration time, fluid usage, endothelial cell count, and CCT. ECL on Day 1 (10.2 ± 8.0%) and Day 30 (11.05 ± 8.3%) were significantly higher in diabetics (P = 0.025 and P = 0.045, respectively). There was an increase in CCT on Day 1 (P = 0.018), which settled by Day 30. Grade 4 cataracts in diabetics had significantly higher CCT at Day 1 (P = 0.032) and Day 30 (P = 0.007). In the diabetic subgroup, Grades 3 and 4 cataracts required lower CDE (P < 0.001) and Grade 4 cataracts showed higher ECL than others till 1 month of follow-up (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Intraoperative and postoperative parameters after torsional phacoemulsification are comparable in diabetics and nondiabetics. Endothelial changes and pachymetry may be related to the grade of cataract in diabetics.

In Vivo Function of the Chaperonin TRiC in α-Actin Folding during Sarcomere Assembly

The TCP-1 ring complex (TRiC) is a multi-subunit group II chaperonin that assists nascent or misfolded proteins to attain their native conformation in an ATP-dependent manner. Functional studies in yeast have suggested that TRiC is an essential and generalized component of the protein-folding machinery of eukaryotic cells. However, TRiC's involvement in specific cellular processes within multicellular organisms is largely unknown because little validation of TRiC function exists in animals. Our in vivo analysis reveals a surprisingly specific role of TRiC in the biogenesis of skeletal muscle α-actin during sarcomere assembly in myofibers. TRiC acts at the sarcomere's Z-disk, where it is required for efficient assembly of actin thin filaments. Binding of ATP specifically by the TRiC subunit Cct5 is required for efficient actin folding in vivo. Furthermore, mutant α-actin isoforms that result in nemaline myopathy in patients obtain their pathogenic conformation via this function of TRiC.

Educational Value of Surgical Multidisciplinary Team Meetings for Learning Non-Technical Skills - A Pilot Survey of Trainees From Two UK Deaneries

OBJECTIVE

This prospective survey study aimed to identify trainee surgeons' views on the educational potential of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings for learning non-technical skills and relevant issues around using MDT meetings as an educational instrument.

DESIGN

An online survey questionnaire containing eight closed and three open-ended questions; was developed based on established educational theories. Responses were anonymous.

SETTING

This survey study was designed as professional project for masters in medical education degree at Warwick University. The study received ethical approval from the Biomedical Science Research and Ethics Committee of Warwick University.

PARTICIPANTS

Trainee surgeons and non-trainee junior surgical doctors within two regions (Health Education Kent Surrey and Sussex, Health Education Wessex) in the UK were invited through an email to take the survey with the help of regional heads of surgery and coordinators.

RESULTS

Twenty eight (28) out of 420 invitees completed the survey. High internal consistency was observed for questionnaire (Cronbach's α = 0.924). 71.42% (20/28) respondents attended MDT at least once a week. 75.9% of participants indicated the importance of attendance to MDT meetings with any level of involvement; passive attendance considered the least important (5/28, 17.9%, p=0.005). Trainees felt included in the team by attendance to MDT meetings (Median score 5, p=0.027). MDT meetings were considered important for learning all domains of non-technical skills for surgeons taxonomy (cumulative mean score 2.4, p=001). Respondents considered MDT as a valuable tool for learning non-technical skills for surgeons on Miller's pyramid for learning (Cumulative mean 5.6, p=0.025). Free text answers indicated agreement to the learning opportunity provided by MDT meetings. Consistent suggestions of increasing trainee participation were obtained.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate consistently positive views from trainees about the educational value of MDT meeting in general and for non-technical skills. Trainee participation, in the form of case-preparation, presentation, and discussion are recommended by respondents.

The Chaperonin TRiC/CCT Associates with Prefoldin through a Conserved Electrostatic Interface Essential for Cellular Proteostasis

Maintaining proteostasis in eukaryotic protein folding involves cooperation of distinct chaperone systems. To understand how the essential ring-shaped chaperonin TRiC/CCT cooperates with the chaperone prefoldin/GIMc (PFD), we integrate cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM), crosslinking-mass-spectrometry and biochemical and cellular approaches to elucidate the structural and functional interplay between TRiC/CCT and PFD. We find these hetero-oligomeric chaperones associate in a defined architecture, through a conserved interface of electrostatic contacts that serves as a pivot point for a TRiC-PFD conformational cycle. PFD alternates between an open "latched" conformation and a closed "engaged" conformation that aligns the PFD-TRiC substrate binding chambers. PFD can act after TRiC bound its substrates to enhance the rate and yield of the folding reaction, suppressing non-productive reaction cycles. Disrupting the TRiC-PFD interaction in vivo is strongly deleterious, leading to accumulation of amyloid aggregates. The supra-chaperone assembly formed by PFD and TRiC is essential to prevent toxic conformations and ensure effective cellular proteostasis.

Structural and functional insights into TRiC chaperonin from a psychrophilic yeast, Glaciozyma antarctica

Studies on TCP1-1 ring complex (TRiC) chaperonin have shown its indispensable role in folding cytosolic proteins in eukaryotes. In a psychrophilic organism, extreme cold temperature creates a low-energy environment that potentially causes protein denaturation with loss of activity. We hypothesized that TRiC may undergo evolution in terms of its structural molecular adaptation in order to facilitate protein folding in low-energy environment. To test this hypothesis, we isolated G. antarctica TRiC (GaTRiC) and found that the expression of GaTRiC mRNA in G. antarctica was consistently expressed at all temperatures indicating their importance in cell regulation. Moreover, we showed GaTRiC has the ability of a chaperonin whereby denatured luciferase can be folded to the functional stage in its presence. Structurally, three categories of residue substitutions were found in α, β, and δ subunits: (i) bulky/polar side chains to alanine or valine, (ii) charged residues to alanine, and (iii) isoleucine to valine that would be expected to increase intramolecular flexibility within the GaTRiC. The residue substitutions observed in the built structures possibly affect the hydrophobic, hydrogen bonds, and ionic and aromatic interactions which lead to an increase in structural flexibility. Our structural and functional analysis explains some possible structural features which may contribute to cold adaptation of the psychrophilic TRiC folding chamber.