Analysis of intraocular lens decentration and tilt after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery using swept-source anterior optical coherence tomography.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the magnitude of intraocular lens (IOL) decentration and tilt following conventional and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) using swept-source anterior optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we enrolled patients who underwent conventional cataract surgery or FLACS with the implantation of hydrophobic 1-piece monofocal IOL. The magnitude of IOL decentration and tilt were measured using SS-OCT. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, spherical equivalent, axial length, contrast sensitivity, and satisfaction questionnaire were evaluated before and one-month post-surgery. Additionally, postoperative internal cylinder measurements were obtained using a wavefront aberrometer. Correlation factors between each parameter and IOL decentration or tilt were analyzed. Results: This study included 100 eyes from 100 patients. Mean IOL decentration and tilt were 0.21 ± 0.13 mm and 5.01 ± 1.49°, respectively. Conventional cataract surgery (versus FLACS, P = 0.001) and male sex (versus female, P = 0.047) were significantly correlated with higher postoperative decentration. Preoperative lens diameter (P < 0.001), preoperative lens tilt (P = 0.007), and preoperative intraocular pressure (P = 0.027) were correlated with higher postoperative tilt. Fifty eyes that underwent FLACS demonstrated mean postoperative decentration of 0.21 ± 0.13 mm and tilt of 4.64 ± 1.48°. Compared with the conventional surgery group, the FLACS group significantly differed in postoperative decentration (0.30 ± 0.12 mm, P < 0.001) but not in tilt (5.03 ± 1.35°, P = 0.173). Postoperative visual acuity did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients who underwent FLACS demonstrated better IOL decentration and tilt than those who underwent conventional cataract surgery one-month post-surgery. However, differences in IOL decentration and tilt did not affect postoperative visual acuity.

Theoretical efficiency limit of diffractive input couplers in augmented reality waveguides.

Considerable efforts have been devoted to augmented reality (AR) displays to enable the immersive user experience in the wearable glasses form factor. Transparent waveguide combiners offer a compact solution to guide light from the microdisplay to the front of eyes while maintaining the see-through optical path to view the real world simultaneously. To deliver a realistic virtual image with low power consumption, the waveguide combiners need to have high efficiency and good image quality. One important limiting factor for the efficiency of diffractive waveguide combiners is the out-coupling problem in the input couplers, where the guided light interacts with the input gratings again and get partially out-coupled. In this study, we introduce a theoretical model to deterministically find the upper bound of the input efficiency of a uniform input grating, constrained only by Lorentz reciprocity and energy conservation. Our model considers the polarization management at the input coupler and can work for arbitrary input polarization state ensemble. Our model also provides the corresponding characteristics of the input coupler, such as the grating diffraction efficiencies and the Jones matrix of the polarization management components, to achieve the optimal input efficiency. Equipped with this theoretical model, we investigate how the upper bound of input efficiency varies with geometric parameters including the waveguide thickness, the projector pupil size, and the projector pupil relief distance. Our study shines light on the fundamental efficiency limit of input couplers in diffractive waveguide combiners and highlights the benefits of polarization control in improving the input efficiency.

Progressive Changes in the Anterior Segment and Their Impact on the Anterior Chamber Angle in Primary Angle Closure Disease.

PURPOSE: To investigate longitudinal changes in the anterior segment (AS) using serial optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and determine the impact of these changes on the anterior chamber angle (ACA) in eyes with primary angle closure disease (PACD) treated with laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study. METHODS: This study included 103 patients with PACD who underwent LPI and were followed up by a mean 6.7 ± 1.7 AS-OCT examinations for a mean 6.5 ± 2.9 years. Temporal changes in AS-OCT parameters, including anterior chamber depth (ACD), angle opening distance (AOD750), angle recess area (ARA750), iris thickness (IT750), lens vault (LV), and pupil diameter (PD), were analyzed by multivariate linear mixed effects models (LMEMs). RESULTS: Multivariate LMEMs showed that decrease in AOD750 was not significant (-1.59 µm/y, P = .222); however, ARA750 decreased over time (-2.3 × 103 µm2/y, P = .033) and SSA showed marginal significance (-0.20°/y, P = .098), and LV increased significantly (11.6 µm/y, P < .001) after LPI. Mean LV change was negatively associated with AOD750, ARA750, and SSA, whereas PD was negatively associated with ARA750 (P < .001 each). PD decreased with aging (-13.7 µm/y, P = .036), accompanied by thinning of IT750 (-1.7 µm/y, P = .063). CONCLUSIONS: LV tends to increase with aging, which contributes to the shallowing of the anterior chamber and narrowing of ACA in PACD eyes treated with LPI. In the meantime, pupillary constriction and subsequent peripheral iris thinning associated with aging could possibly offset the effect of ACA narrowing.

RPL27 contributes to colorectal cancer proliferation and stemness via PLK1 signaling.

Although expression of ribosomal protein L27 (RPL27) is upregulated in clinical colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue, to the best of our knowledge, the oncogenic role of RPL27 has not yet been defined. The present study aimed to investigate whether targeting RPL27 could alter CRC progression and determine whether RPL27 gains an extra­ribosomal function during CRC development. Human CRC cell lines HCT116 and HT29 were transfected with RPL27­specific small interfering RNA and proliferation was assessed in vitro and in vivo using proliferation assays, fluorescence­activated cell sorting (FACS) and a xenograft mouse model. Furthermore, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analysis and western blotting were conducted to explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for RPL27 silencing­induced CRC phenotypical changes. Inhibiting RPL27 expression suppressed CRC cell proliferation and cell cycle progression and induced apoptotic cell death. Targeting RPL27 significantly inhibited growth of human CRC xenografts in nude mice. Notably, polo­like kinase 1 (PLK1), which serves an important role in mitotic cell cycle progression and stemness, was downregulated in both HCT116 and HT29 cells following RPL27 silencing. RPL27 silencing reduced the levels of PLK1 protein and G2/M­associated regulators such as phosphorylated cell division cycle 25C, CDK1 and cyclin B1. Silencing of RPL27 reduced the migration and invasion abilities and sphere­forming capacity of the parental CRC cell population. In terms of phenotypical changes in cancer stem cells (CSCs), RPL27 silencing suppressed the sphere­forming capacity of the isolated CD133+ CSC population, which was accompanied by decreased CD133 and PLK1 levels. Taken together, these findings indicated that RPL27 contributed to the promotion of CRC proliferation and stemness via PLK1 signaling and RPL27 may be a useful target in a next­generation therapeutic strategy for both primary CRC treatment and metastasis prevention.

Clinical Characteristics of TZAP (ZBTB48) in Hepatocellular Carcinomas from Tissue, Cell Line, and TCGA.

Background and Objectives: ZBTB48 is a telomere-related protein that has been renamed telomeric zinc finger-associated protein (TZAP). It favorably binds to elongated telomeres to regulate their appropriate length. However, TZAP expression has not been investigated in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Materials and Methods: The clinical significance of TZAP expression in 72 HCC was investigated. Additionally, its findings were supported by open big data and cancer cell lines. Results: TZAP expression level was not associated with the clinical parameters of HCC. TZAP expression induced a poorer survival result (overall survival, p = 0.020; disease-free survival, p = 0.012). TCGA data showed TZAP expression was more frequently found in HCCs with hepatitis C infection (p = 0.023). However, TCGA data revealed that TZAP expression did not predict HCC prognosis. In a cell line study, TZAP inhibition via siRNA suppressed PLC/PRF/5 cell growth; however, cell viability was increased in HepG2 cells. Conclusions: We presented the clinical and prognostic values of TZAP expression in HCC tissues and cancer cell lines. Additionally, the TCGA results also revealed a significant role for TZAP expression. TZAP expression may involve HCC progression and its prognosis.

Loss of phospholipase Cγ1 suppresses hepatocellular carcinogenesis through blockade of STAT3-mediated cancer development.

Phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCγ1) plays an oncogenic role in several cancers, alongside its usual physiological roles. Despite studies aimed at identifying the effect of PLCγ1 on tumors, the pathogenic role of PLCγ1 in the tumorigenesis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. To investigate the function of PLCγ1 in HCC, we generated hepatocyte-specific PLCγ1 conditional knockout (PLCγ1f/f ; Alb-Cre) mice and induced HCC with diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Here, we identified that hepatocyte-specific PLCγ1 deletion effectively prevented DEN-induced HCC in mice. PLCγ1f/f ; Alb-Cre mice showed reduced tumor burden and tumor progression, as well as a decreased incidence of HCC and less marked proliferative and inflammatory responses. We also showed that oncogenic phenotypes such as repressed apoptosis, and promoted proliferation, cell cycle progression and migration, were induced by PLCγ1. In terms of molecular mechanism, PLCγ1 regulated the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. Moreover, PLCγ1 expression is elevated in human HCC and correlates with a poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Our results suggest that PLCγ1 promotes the pathogenic progression of HCC, and PLCγ1/STAT3 axis was identified as a potential therapeutic target pathway for HCC.

Investigation of Prognostic Factors for Intense Pulsed Light Treatment with a Vascular Filter in Patients with Moderate or Severe Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

We aimed to investigate the prognostic factors for, and treatment efficacy of, intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment with a vascular filter in patients with moderate or severe meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). In this retrospective observational study, 58 moderate or severe MGD patients who underwent IPL treatment with a vascular filter were enrolled. IPL treatment was administered to the upper and lower eyelids four times at two-week intervals. At baseline, and four weeks after IPL, we evaluated the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression levels, tear break-up times (TBUT), ocular surface staining scores, lid margin telangiectasias, and meibomian gland characteristics. The subjective symptoms and adverse effects were reviewed and recorded. Regression analyses were performed to explore the prognostic factors affecting clinical outcomes. IPL treatment using a vascular filter led to improvements in the TBUT, ocular surface staining score, meibomian gland grade, meibum quality and consistency, lid margin telangiectasia, and symptom score (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, the positivity rate (90.2% to 70.6%, p = 0.013) and expression levels (1.92 ± 1.18 to 1.24 ± 1.18, p < 0.001) of tear MMP-9 improved after the IPL treatment. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, a young age (odds ratio = 0.867, p = 0.007) and a toothpaste-like consistency in the upper lid (odds ratio = 8.449, p = 0.046) were associated with improvements in the meibomian gland grade. No adverse effects were detected. IPL with a vascular filter is a safe and effective treatment for moderate and severe MGD. Age and the meibum consistency in the upper lid are important prognostic factors.

RPL17 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Proliferation and Stemness through ERK and NEK2/ß-catenin Signaling Pathways.

Aims: Ribosomal protein L17 (RPL17), a 60S subunit component, is up-regulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its oncogenic role in CRC progression remains unexplored. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of RPL17 targeting on CRC in vitro and in vivo and whether RPL17 gained an extra-ribosomal function during CRC development. Methods: RPL17-specific siRNAs complexed with cationic lipids were transfected to CRC cells to silence target gene expression and then real-time RT-PCR and western blotting were applied to observe the change of expression or activity of genes or proteins of interest. Cell proliferation assay, clonogenic assay and cell cycle analysis were used to determine the in vitro effects of RPL17siRNAs on CRC cell growth, and a subcutaneous xenograft assay was applied to test the effect of RPL17siRNAs on in vivo tumor growth. RNA sequencing and western blotting were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Sphere-forming assay, invasion assay and migration assay were used to evaluate the effects of RPL17siRNAs on CRC stemness. Results: siRNA-mediated inhibition of RPL17 expression suppressed CRC cell growth and long-term colony formation by inducing apoptotic cell death. Similarly, targeting RPL17 effectively suppressed tumor formation in a mouse xenograft model. RNA sequencing of RPL17-silenced CRC cells revealed the same directional regulation of 159 (93 down- and 66 up-regulated) genes. Notably, NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2), which functionally cooperates with extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and plays a pivotal role in mitotic progression and stemness maintenance, was down-regulated. RPL17 silencing reduced NEK2, ß-catenin, and p-ERK protein levels. These molecular alterations reflected the reduction in sphere-forming capacity, expression of stem cell marker genes, migration, and invasion. Reversely, RPL17 overexpression increased the ability of long-term colony formation, migration, and invasion. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that RPL17 promotes CRC proliferation and stemness via the ERK and NEK2/ß-catenin signaling axis, and targeting RPL17 could be the next molecular strategy for both primary CRC treatment and prevention of secondary tumor formation.

Vitrectomy and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in Elderly Patients With Vitreoretinal Diseases: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Purpose: To determine the all-cause and cause-specific mortality in elderly patients with vitreoretinal diseases based on vitrectomy status. Methods: Elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) diagnosed with vitreoretinal diseases between 2003 and 2012 using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Senior cohort (2002-2015) were included in this nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study. The exposure of interest was vitrectomy, and information on mortality from patient inclusion until December 2015 was obtained. Cox regression modeling was used to assess the association between vitrectomy and mortality. An additional subgroup analysis was performed to investigate the effects of the underlying retinal disease characteristics and comorbidities on mortality. Results: The study cohort included 152,283 patients (3,313 and 148,970 in the vitrectomy and non-vitrectomy groups, respectively). The adjusted model showed vitrectomy was associated with a decreased risk of pulmonary-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR), 0.51; P < 0.001]; however, no association was observed for all-cause mortality (HR, 0.93; P = 0.325). Vitrectomy was associated with increased mortality risk (all-cause: HR, 1.26; P < 0.001 and vascular causes: HR, 1.41; P = 0.003) among patients with retinal vascular diseases and decreased mortality risk (all-cause: HR, 0.64; P < 0.001 and pulmonary causes: HR, 0.35; P = 0.011) among patients with macular diseases. There were significant interactions between age and vitrectomy with respect to all-cause mortality among patients with either vitreoretinal disease. Conclusions: In elderly patients with retinal diseases, the vitrectomy group showed the lower mortality from pulmonary causes with no association for all-cause mortality.

Towards compact and snapshot channeled Mueller matrix imaging.

A polarization transformation can be fully described by a 4 × 4 matrix, known as the Mueller matrix. To fully image an object's polarization response, one needs to compute the Mueller matrix at each pixel of the image. Standard divison-of-time Mueller matrix imaging, because of its sequential nature, is ill-suited to applications requiring immediate and real-time imaging and is also bulky owing to multiple moving parts. In this work, we propose a new method for compact, snapshot Mueller matrix imaging, based on structured polarization illumination, and division-of-focal plane imaging, which can, in a single-shot, fully capture the Mueller matrix information of a band-limited signal.

Effect of intense pulsed light using acne filter on eyelid margin telangiectasia in moderate-to-severe meibomian gland dysfunction.

Evaluate the improvement in clinical signs and symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) treated with intense pulsed light (IPL) using an acne filter. A retrospective chart review of 70 eyes of 35 patients with moderate-to-severe MGD treated with IPL using the acne filter was performed. IPL treatment was administered using the acne filter four times at 2- to 3-week intervals to upper and lower eyelids. We evaluated tear break-up time (TBUT), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, Sjögren's International Clinical Collaborative Alliance (SICCA) staining score, and Oxford staining grade. We performed Schirmer's test I without topical anesthesia, slit-lamp microscopic examination of lid margin and meibomian gland, and patient's symptom score assessment and evaluated the incidence of adverse effects in the ocular and periocular areas at baseline and 30 days after the final treatment. Significant improvements (P < 0.001) were observed in TBUT, SICCA staining score, Oxford staining grade, quality of meibum, consistency of meibum, lid margin telangiectasia, MGD grade, and patient's symptom scores after acne filter IPL treatment. Furthermore, the positivity (100 to 71.43%, P = 0.002) and level (2.43 ± 0.98 to 1.14 ± 0.78, P < 0.001) of MMP-9 significantly decreased after treatment. However, there was no significant improvement in Schirmer's test I (P = 0.224). No systemic or regional adverse effects were observed in any patient. IPL treatment using the acne filter is an effective and safe therapeutic modality for treating moderate-to-severe MGD, especially for lid margin telangiectasia and MMP-9.

Compensator design for polarization state management in waveguide displays based on polarization volume gratings.

In this work, we focus on the polarization state management in optical devices using optical elements based on circular polarization. As an example, we point out the issue in a waveguide display using circular polarization optical elements as input/output couplers, where the polarization state of the light can change as it propagates in the waveguide due to total internal reflection (TIR). This has a negative effect on the waveguide output coupler efficiency, image uniformity, and the polarization multiplexing capability. To address this problem, we discussed two different methods to compensate the polarization state change. With the compensator applied to correct the polarization state change in the waveguide, the optical elements based on circular polarization can be used with their advantages as input/output couplers for waveguide displays.

Silencing CDCA8 Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth and Stemness via Restoration of ATF3 Tumor Suppressor and Inactivation of AKT/ß-Catenin Signaling.

Big data analysis has revealed the upregulation of cell division cycle associated 8 (CDCA8) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its poorer survival outcome. However, the functions of CDCA8 during HCC development remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate in vitro that CDCA8 silencing inhibits HCC cell growth and long-term colony formation and migration through the accumulation of the G2/M phase cell population. Conversely, CDCA8 overexpression increases the ability to undergo long-term colony formation and migration. RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis revealed that CDCA8 knockdown led to the same directional regulation in 50 genes (25 down- and 25 upregulated). It was affirmed based on protein levels that CDCA8 silencing downregulates the levels of cyclin B1 and p-cdc2 and explains how it could induce G2/M arrest. The same condition increased the protein levels of tumor-suppressive ATF3 and GADD34 and inactivated AKT/ß-catenin signaling, which plays an important role in cell growth and stemness, reflecting a reduction in sphere-forming capacity. Importantly, it was demonstrated that the extent of CDCA8 expression is much greater in CD133+ cancer stem cells than in CD133- cancer cells, and that CDCA8 knockdown decreases levels of CD133, p-Akt and ß-catenin and increases levels of ATF3 and GADD34 in the CD133+ cancer stem cell (CSC) population. These molecular changes led to the inhibition of cell growth and sphere formation in the CD133+ cell population. Targeting CDCA8 also effectively suppressed tumor growth in a murine xenograft model, showing consistent molecular alterations in tumors injected with CDCA8siRNA. Taken together, these findings indicate that silencing CDCA8 suppresses HCC growth and stemness via restoring the ATF3 tumor suppressor and inactivating oncogenic AKT/ß-catenin signaling, and that targeting CDCA8 may be the next molecular strategy for both primary HCC treatment and the prevention of metastasis or recurrence.

Targeting CALM2 Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth and Metastasis by Suppressing E2F5-mediated Cell Cycle Progression.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to reveal the novel roles of calmodulin 2 (CALM2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of knockdown of CALM2 expression by siRNA were investigated using various experimental approaches in both cellular and molecular levels. RESULTS: Silencing of CALM2 inhibited HCC cell proliferation and colony formation through induction of apoptosis. At the molecular level, CALM2-specific knockdown led to the common dysregulation of 154 genes in HCC cells. Notably, E2F transcription factor 5 (E2F5), which is functionally associated with migration, invasion and proliferation, was generally down-regulated. These functional associations were confirmed in HCC clinical samples. Reflecting the molecular changes, CALM2 knockdown reduced the migration and invasion abilities of HCC cells and abrogated the potency of tumor formation in vivo. CONCLUSION: Targeting CALM2 may be a molecular strategy for both primary HCC treatment and prevention of metastasis or recurrence.

Clinicopathological Characteristics of TZAP Expression in Colorectal Cancers.

PURPOSE: The zinc finger protein, ZBTB48, is a telomere-associated protein. It was renamed as telomeric zinc finger-associated protein (TZAP) binding to elongated telomeres. However, its expression level was not measured in cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed TZAP mRNA levels in 60 colorectal cancers (CRC) and its correlation with telomere length and TERT was studied. RESULTS: TZAP mRNA in CRC was higher statistically than that in paired non-cancerous tissues (p = 0.033). Higher TZAP was found in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-positive CRCs (>5 ng/mL) (p = 0.012). Shorter telomere was found in CRCs with high TZAP expression than that with low TZAP expression (p = 0.010). According to quantitative correlation analysis, TZAP has a correlation with age (r = -0.349, p = 0.007), TERT (r = 0.279, p = 0.041) and telomere length (r = -0.305, p = 0.021). TZAP expression did not harbor prognostic value in CRC. Inhibition of TZAP expression by siRNA suppresses cell growth in HT29 cells; however, it resulted in increased cell viability in HCT116 cells. TZAP inhibition induces a decrease in mRNA levels of TERT in both HT29 and HCT116 cells. TCGA data analysis showed higher expression of TZAP showed poorer overall survival in colon cancer (p = 0.001); however, it did not have a significance in rectal cancer (p = 0.951). CONCLUSION: We suggested that TZAP may be a possible biomarker for CRC.

Diffractive multifocal intraocular lens implantation in patients with monofocal intraocular lens in the contralateral eye.

AIM: To evaluate clinical outcomes of unilateral implantation of a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) in patients with contralateral monofocal IOL. METHODS: Twenty-two patients who already had implantation of a monofocal IOL in unilateral eye underwent implantation of a diffractive multifocal IOL in contralateral eye were enrolled. After 1, 6, and 12mo, uncorrected and distant corrected distant visual acuity (UCDVA and DCDVA), uncorrected and distant corrected intermediate-visual acuity (UCIVA and DCIVA), uncorrected and distant corrected near visual acuity (UCNVA and DCNVA), and contrast sensitivity were obtained. Halo/glare symptoms, spectacle dependence, and patient satisfaction were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 67.86±7.25y and the average interval between two IOL implantations was 645.82±878.44d. At 1mo, binocular UCDVA was lower than 0.20 logMAR in 76% of patients (mean 0.12±0.13 logMAR), which increased to 90% by 6 and 12mo. The binocular UCDVA was significantly better than the monocular results (P<0.05) at 1, 6, and 12mo. Additionally, UCNVA was lower than 0.40 logMAR in 82% of patients, increasing to 90% by 6 and 12mo. Mean UCNVA in the multifocal IOL implanted eye was statistically significantly better than that in the monofocal IOL implanted eye (P<0.05) at 1, 6, and 12mo. About 5% of patients at 1 and 6mo, reported "severe glare or halo". Patient satisfaction rates were 95% and 91% at 6 and 12mo, respectively. CONCLUSION: Unilateral implantation of multifocal IOL in patients with a contralateral, monofocal IOL implantation results in high patient satisfaction rate, with low severe glare or halo rate during follow-up. It can represent a good option for patients who have previously had a monofocal IOL implantation regardless of two year interval duration between two IOL implantations.

Antiadhesive Properties of Oil-Infused Gels against the Universal Adhesiveness of Polydopamine.

Polydopamine (PDA) is well-known as the first material-independent adhesive, which firmly attaches to various substances, even hydrophobic materials, through strong coordinative interactions between the phenolic hydroxyl groups of PDA and the substances. In contrast, oil-infused materials such as self-lubricating gels (SLUGs) exhibit excellent antiadhesive properties against viscous liquids, ice/snow, (bio)fouling, and so on. In this study, we simply questioned: "What will happen when these two materials with contrary nature meet"? To answer this, we formed a PDA layer on a SLUG surface that exhibits thermoresponsive syneretic properties (release of liquid from the gel matrix to the outer surface) and investigated its interfacial behavior. The oil layer caused by syneresis from the SLUGs at -20 °C was found to show resistance to adhesion of universally adhesive PDA.

Phenol-Derived Carbon Sealant Inspired by a Coalification Process.

Recently, emerging functions utilizing phenolic molecules, such as surface functionalizing agents or bioadhesives, have attracted significant interest. However, the most important role of phenolic compounds is to produce carbonized plant matter called "coal", which is widely used as an energy source in nearly all countries. Coalification is a long-term, high-temperature process in which phenols are converted into conducting carbonized matter. This study focuses on mimicking coalification processes to create conducting sealants from non-conducting phenolic compounds by heat treatment. We demonstrate that a phenolic adhesive, tri-hydroxybenzene (known as pyrogallol), and polyethylenimine mixture initially acts as an adhesive sealant that can be converted to a conducting carbon sealing material. The conductivity of the phenolic sealant is about 850 Ω-1 cm-1 , which is an approximately two-fold enhancement of the performance of carbon matter. Applications of the biomimetic adhesives described herein include conducting defect sealants in carbon nanomaterials and conducting binders for metal/carbon or ceramic/carbon composites.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor CG200745 ameliorates high-fat diet-induced hypertension via inhibition of angiotensin II production.

Obesity is growing rapidly worldwide due to consumption of westernized diet and lack of exercise. Obesity is one of the major risk factors of hypertension. The novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor CG200745 was originally developed to treat various cancers. Previous studies showed that CG200745 attenuated hypertension through inhibition of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate-induced hypertensive rat. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of CG200745 in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hypertension. Nine-week old C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HFD for 17 weeks. Each group of mice was treated with vehicle or CG200745 by intraperitoneal injection for 9 days. HFD group showed higher body weight, blood pressure (BP), HDAC activities, angiotensinogen and renin expressions in kidney, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) expression in the lung, serum angiotensin II (Ang II) concentration, and myosin light chain20 (MLC20) phosphorylation in mesenteric artery compared with ND group. CG200745 lowered BP, HDAC activity, renin and angiotensinogen in the kidney, ACE in the lung, serum Ang II level, and phosphorylation of MLC20 in HFD group. In conclusion, CG200745 ameliorated HFD-induced hypertension through inhibition of HDAC/Ang II/vascular contraction axis. Our results offer CG200745 as a novel therapeutic option for HFD-induced hypertension.