Continuous-wave and SESAM mode-locked operation of a Yb:YSr3(PO4)3 laser.

We report on the continuous-wave (CW) and, for what we believe to be the first time, passively mode-locked (ML) laser operation of an Yb3+-doped YSr3(PO4)3 crystal. Utilizing a 976-nm spatially single-mode, fiber-coupled laser diode as pump source, the Yb:YSr3(PO4)3 laser delivers a maximum CW output power of 333 mW at 1045.8 nm with an optical efficiency of 55.7% and a slope efficiency of 60.9%. Employing a quartz-based Lyot filter, an impressive wavelength tuning range of 97 nm at the zero level was achieved in the CW regime, spanning from 1007 nm to 1104 nm. In the ML regime, incorporating a commercially available semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) to initiate and maintain soliton-like pulse shaping, the Yb:YSr3(PO4)3 laser generated pulses as short as 61 fs at 1062.7 nm, with an average output power of 38 mW at a repetition rate of ∼66.7 MHz.

Growth, spectroscopy and SESAM mode-locking of a "mixed" Yb:Ca(Gd,Y)AlO4 disordered crystal.

We present the growth, spectroscopy, continuous-wave (CW) and passively mode-locked (ML) operation of a novel "mixed" tetragonal calcium rare-earth aluminate crystal, Yb3+:Ca(Gd,Y)AlO4. The absorption, stimulated-emission, and gain cross-sections are derived for π and σ polarizations. The laser performance of a c-cut Yb:Ca(Gd,Y)AlO4 crystal is studied using a spatially single-mode, 976-nm fiber-coupled laser diode as a pump source. A maximum output power of 347 mW is obtained in the CW regime with a slope efficiency of 48.9%. The emission wavelength is continuously tunable across 90 nm (1010 - 1100 nm) using a quartz-based Lyot filter. With a commercial SEmiconductor Saturable Absorber Mirror to initiate and maintain ML operation, soliton pulses as short as 35 fs are generated at 1059.8 nm with an average output power of 51 mW at ∼65.95 MHz. The average output power can be scaled to 105 mW for slightly longer pulses of 42 fs at 1063.5 nm.

A Bioinformatics Study of Differentially Expressed Genes in Microarrays of Dorsal Root Ganglia from Rat Models of Neuropathic Pain.

BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain is a significant complication of nerve injury. This study aimed to conduct bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in microarrays of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) from rat models of neuropathic pain, based on 4 GEO datasets: GSE15041, GSE38038, GSE2884, and GSE24982. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrieved the 4 microarray datasets, which were generated using DRG samples collected in the early and late stages after spinal nerve ligation in rats. The common DEGs (co-DEGs) were identified and then subjected to Gene Ontology, pathway enrichment, and Protein-protein interaction network analyses. Drugs targeting the identified hub genes were analyzed using the Drug Gene Interaction Database. RESULTS We identified 75 early-stage co-DEGs, which were enriched in chromosome segregation and protein catabolic processes, cytosol and extracellular exosome components, and ATP binding function and metabolic pathways. We identified 29 late-stage co-DEGs, which were enriched in protein tetramerization and drug responses, extracellular and membrane raft components, and protein homodimerization and binding functions and calcium signaling pathways. We also identified several hub genes, including Snap25 (synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa), Vamp2 (vesicle associated membrane protein 2), and Sf3b1 (splicing factor 3b subunit 1), the first 2 of which can be targeted by botulinum toxin derivatives. SNAP25 plays a role in synaptogenesis and the exocytotic release of neurotransmitters, and VAMP2 participates in neurotransmitter release at a step between docking and fusion. CONCLUSIONS The present study reveals new mechanisms of neuropathic pain and provides key genes, including SNAP25 and VAMP2, for future studies.

The Secreted Protein MoHrip1 Is Necessary for the Virulence of Magnaporthe oryzae.

Secreted effectors from Magnaporthe oryzae play critical roles in the interaction with rice to facilitate fungal infection and disease development. M. oryzae-secreted protein MoHrip1 can improve plant defense as an elicitor in vitro, however, its biological function in fungal infection is not clear. In this study, we found that the expression of mohrip1 was significantly induced in the stages of fungal penetration and colonization. Although dispensable for the growth and conidiation, MoHrip1 was necessary for the full virulence of M. oryzae. Deletion of mohrip1 remarkably compromised fungal virulence on rice seedlings and even on rice leaves with wounds. Rice sheath inoculation assay further demonstrated the defects of mohrip1-deleted mutants on penetration and proliferation in rice cells. Additionally, compared with WT and complementation strain, the inoculation of mohrip1-deleted mutants induced a higher expression of specific defense related genes and a higher production of specific defensive compounds in rice leaves. These data collectively indicated that MoHrip1 is necessary for fungal penetration and invasive expansion, and further full virulence of rice blast fungus.

Effects of NRF1 on steroidogenesis and apoptosis in goat luteinized granulosa cells.

During goat follicular development, abnormal expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) in granulosa cells may drive follicular atresia with unknown regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of NRF1 on steroidogenesis and cell apoptosis by overexpressing or silencing it in goat luteinized granulosa cells (LGCs). Results showed that knockdown of NRF1 expression significantly inhibited the expression of STAR and CYP19A1, which are involved in sex steroid hormones synthesis, and led to lower estrogen levels. Knockdown of NRF1 resulted in an increased percentage of apoptosis, probably due to the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, accompanied by upregulating mRNA and protein levels of apoptosis-related markers BAX, caspase 3 and caspase 9. These data indicate that NRF1 might be related with steroidogenesis and cell apoptosis. Furthermore, NRF1 silence reduced mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) transcription activity, mtDNA copy number and ATP level. Simultaneously, knockdown of NRF1 suppressed the transcription and translation levels of SOD, GPx and CAT, decreased glutathione level and increased 8-OHdG level. However, the overexpression of NRF1 in LGCs or gain of TFAM in NRF1 silenced LGCs increased the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial function and biogenesis, and elevated the antioxidant stress system and steroids synthesis. Taken together, aberrant expression of NRF1 could induce mitochondrial dysfunction and disturb the cellular redox balance, which lead to disturbance of steroid hormone synthesis, and trigger LGC apoptosis through the mitochondria-dependent pathway. These findings will be helpful for understanding the role of NRF1 in goat ovarian follicular development and atresia.

Effect of PGC-1α overexpression or silencing on mitochondrial apoptosis of goat luteinized granulosa cells.

During goat follicular development, abnormal expression of peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) in granulosa cells (GCs) may contribute to follicular atresia with unknown regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we investigate the effect of ectopic expression or interference of PGC-1α on cell apoptosis of goat first passage granulosa cells (FGCs) in vitro. The results indicate that PGC-1α silencing by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in goat FGCs significantly reduced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number (P < 0.05), changed mitochondria ultrastructure, and induced cell apoptosis (P < 0.05). The transcription and translation levels of the apoptosis-related genes BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX), caspase 3, and caspase 9 were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05, respectively). Moreover, the ratio of BAX/B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) was reduced (P < 0.05), and the release of cytochrome c (cyt c) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05, respectively) in PGC-1α interference goat FGCs. Furthermore, the expression of anti-oxidative related genes superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) was down-regulated (P < 0.05, respectively) and the activity of glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) was inhibited (P < 0.05). While enforced expression of PGC-1α increased the levels of genes involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function and biogenesis, and enhanced the anti-oxidative and anti-apoptosis capacity. Taken together, our results reveal that lack of PGC-1α may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and disrupt the cellular redox balance, thus resulting in goat GCs apoptosis through the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway.

[Ejaculatory duct dilation combined with seminal vesicle clysis for refractory hematospermia: A report of 32 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ejaculatory duct dilation combined with seminal vesicle clysis in the treatment of refractory hematospermia. METHODS: Using ureteroscopy, we treated 32 patients with refractory hematospermia by transurethral dilation of the ejaculatory duct combined with clysis of the seminal vesicle with diluent gentamicin. RESULTS: The operation was successfully accomplished in 31 cases, with the mean operation time of 32 (26－47) minutes. The patients were followed up for 6－39 (mean 23.6) months. No complications, such as urinary incontinence and retrograde ejaculation, were found after operation. Hematospermia completely disappeared in 27 cases, was relieved in 1, and recurred in 3 after 3 months postoperatively. Those with erectile dysfunction or mental anxiety symptoms showed significantly decreased scores of IIEF-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). CONCLUSIONS: Ejaculatory duct dilation combined with seminal vesicle clysis under the ureteroscope, with its the advantages of high effectiveness and safety, minimal invasiveness, few complications, and easy operation, deserves general clinical application in the treatment of refractory hematospermia.

Combined Experimental and Computational Study of Pyren-2,7-diyl-Bridged Diruthenium Complexes with Various Terminal Ligands.

Cyclometalated diruthenium complexes 1(PF6)2-5(PF6)2 bridged by 1,3,6,8-tetra(pyrid-2-yl)-pyrene have been prepared, with the terminal ligand bis(N-methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine (1(PF6)2), 4'-di-(p-methoxyphenyl)amino-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (2(PF6)2), 4'-p-methoxyphenyl-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (3(PF6)2), 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (4(PF6)2), and trimethyl-4,4',4″-tricarboxylate-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (5(PF6)2). The single-crystal X-ray structure of 4(PF6)2 is presented. These complexes show two stepwise anodic redox pairs, and the potentials progressively increase from 1(PF6)2 to 5(PF6)2. Complexes 1(PF6)2-4(PF6)2 have comparable electrochemical potential splitting of 200-210 mV, while complex 5(PF6)2 has a splitting of 170 mV. Upon one-electron oxidation by chemical oxidation or electrolysis, the resulting mixed-valent complexes 1(3+)-5(3+) display broad and intense absorptions between 1000 and 3000 nm. Complexes 1(3+) and 2(3+) show the presence of a higher-energy shoulder band in addition to the main near-infrared absorption band. This shoulder band is less distinguished for 3(3+)-5(3+). Three-state theory has been used to explain this difference. The one-electron oxidized forms, 1(3+)-5(3+), exhibit rhombic EPR signals at 77 K with the isotropic g values in the range of 2.18-2.24. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) computations have been performed on 1(2+)-5(2+) to characterize their electronic structures and rationalize the absorption spectra in a wide energy range. DFT computations on 1(3+)-5(3+) show that both ruthenium ions and the bridging ligand have comparable spin densities. TDDFT computations on 1(3+) and 4(3+) have been performed to complement the experimental results.

Metal chelation-assisted amine-amine electronic coupling through the 4,4'-positions of 2,2'-bipyridine.

A redox-active diamine ligand, 4,4'-bis(di-p-anisylamino)-2,2'-bipyridine (NNbpy), has been prepared. Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies suggest that little electronic coupling is present between two amine groups in NNbpy. After chelation with Ru(bpy)2 (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine), the resulting complex displays two N(•+/0) processes at +1.02 and +1.16 V versus Ag/AgCl. In the mixed-valent state, rich near-infrared absorptions have been observed, which are believed to consist of multiple metal-to-ligand charge transfer and intervalence charge transfer transitions in the low-energy region. These results suggest that the amine-amine electronic coupling has been enhanced by chelation with Ru(bpy)2. In contrast, no efficient electronic coupling can be realized by chelation with Ir(ppy)2 (ppy is 2'-phenylpyridine) or Re(CO)3Cl. A ruthenium ion-mediated electron transfer mechanism, instead of through-space coupling, has been proposed to explain this phenomenon. For the purpose of comparison, a monoamine-substituted bpy ligand and corresponding Ru(bpy)2 complex have been synthesized and studied. In addition, EPR, DFT, and TDDFT studies have been performed to complement the experimental results.

Determination of energy and protein requirement for maintenance and growth and evaluation for the effects of gender upon nutrient requirement in Dorper × Hu Crossbred Lambs.

This study aimed to determine energy and protein requirement of Dorper × Hu crossbred lambs and further to evaluate the effect of gender upon nutrient requirement parameters. Forty-two female lambs (18.60 ± 1.57 kg) and 42 male lambs (18.30 ± 1.28 kg) were used. In comparative slaughter trial, 30 of animals from each gender group were randomly selected and assigned to ad libitum (AL), low restriction (LR) and high restriction (HR) group, and then were slaughtered when lambs under AL treatment reached target BW of 20, 28, and 35 kg, to determine body energy and nitrogen retained. In digestibility trial, remaining 12 female (18.01 ± 1.66 kg) and 12 male lambs (18.43 ± 1.17 kg) were randomly assigned to three feeding treatments in accordance with the design of comparative slaughter trial, to evaluate dietary energetic values at different feed intake levels. The combined data indicated that metabolizable energy (ME) requirement for maintenance (MEm; 400.61 ± 20.31 vs. 427.24 ± 18.70 kJ kg(-1) of shrunk BW(0.75); SBW(0.75)), partial efficiency of ME utilization for maintenance (k m; 0.64 ± 0.02 vs. 0.65 ± 0.03), partial efficiency of ME utilization for growth (k g ; 0.42 ± 0.03 vs. 0.44 ± 0.02), and net protein (NP) requirement for maintenance (NPm; 1.83 ± 0.17 vs. 1.99 ± 0.28 g kg(-1) of SBW(0.75)) did not differ (P > 0.05) due to gender; although not statistically different, the mean value of Net energy (NE) requirement for maintenance (NEm) for male lambs (260.62 ± 13.21 kJ kg(-1) of SBW(0.75)) were 5 % greater than that (274.16 ± 11.99 kJ kg(-1) of SBW(0.75)) of female lambs. Additionally, rams have greater amounts of NP requirement for growth (NPg, 15.94 to 44.32 g d(-1)) than those of ewes (13.07 to 32.95 g d(-1)) at the similar condition of BW and ADG. In conclusion, we suggested that our results of energy and protein requirement for growth ranged between the NRC recommendation for early and later maturating growing sheep, and the effect of gender upon energy requirement parameters was similar in tendency but was less evidently than those frequently recommended previously.

Strongly coupled cyclometalated ruthenium-triarylamine hybrids: tuning electrochemical properties, intervalence charge transfer, and spin distribution by substituent effects.

Nine cyclometalated ruthenium complexes with a redox-active diphenylamine unit in the para position to the RuC bond were prepared. MeO, Me, and Cl substituents on the diphenylamine unit and three types of auxiliary ligands-bis(N-methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine (Mebip), 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (tpy), and trimethyl-4,4',4''-tricarboxylate-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (Me3 tctpy)--were used to vary the electronic properties of these complexes. The derivative with an MeO-substituted amine unit and Me3 tctpy ligand was studied by single-crystal X-ray analysis. All complexes display two well-separated redox waves in the potential region of +0.1 to +1.0 V versus Ag/AgCl, and the potential splitting ranges from 360 to 510 mV. Spectroelectrochemical measurements show that these complexes display electrochromism at low potentials and intense near-infrared (NIR) absorptions. In the one-electron oxidized form, the complex with the Cl-substituted amine unit and Mebip ligand shows a moderate ligand-to-metal charge transfer at 800 nm. The other eight complexes show asymmetric, narrow, and intense intervalence charge-transfer transitions in the NIR region, which are independent of the polarity of the solvent. The Mebip-containing complexes display rhombic or broad isotropic EPR signals, whereas the other seven complexes show relatively narrow isotropic EPR signals. In addition, DFT and time-dependent DFT studies were performed to gain insights into the spin distributions and NIR absorptions.

Oligotriarylamines with a pyrene core: a multicenter strategy for enhancing radical cation and dication stability and tuning spin distribution.

Monoamine 1, diamines 2-4, triamine 5, and tetraamine 6 have been synthesized by substituting dianisylamino groups at the 1-, 3-, 6-, and/or 8-positions of pyrene. Diamines 2-4 differ in the positions of the amine substituents. No pyrene-pyrene interactions are evident in the single-crystal packing of 3, 4, and 6. With increasing numbers of amine substituents, the first oxidation potential decreases progressively from the mono- to the tetraamine. These compounds show intense charge-transfer (CT) emission in CH2 Cl2 at around 530 nm with quantum yields of 48-68 %. Upon stepwise oxidation by electrolysis or chemical oxidation, these compounds were transformed into radical cations 1(⋅+) -6(⋅+) and dications 2(2+) -6(2+) , which feature strong visible and near-infrared absorptions. Time-dependent density functional theory studies suggested the presence of localized transitions from the pyrene radical cation and aminium radical cation, intervalence CT, and CT between the pyrene and amine moieties. Spectroscopic studies indicated that these radical cations and dications have good stability. Triamine 5 and tetraamine 6 formed efficient CT complexes with tetracyanoquinodimethane in solution. The results of EPR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations suggested that the dications 2(2+) -4(2+) have a triplet ground state, whereas 5(2+) and 6(2+) have a singlet ground state. The dication of 1,3-disubstituted diamine 4 exhibits a strong EPR signal.

Near-infrared electrochromism in electropolymerized metallopolymeric films of a phen-1,4-diyl-bridged diruthenium complex.

A phen-1,4-diyl-bridged tris-bidentate diruthenium complex 3(PF6)2, [Ru2(dpb)(vbpy)4](PF6)2, has been designed and prepared, where dpb is 1,4-di(pyrid-2-yl)benzene and vbpy is 5-vinyl-2,2'-bipyridine. Upon reductive electropolymerization, metallopolymeric thin films of this complex have been deposited on platinum and ITO glass electrode surfaces. These films display two well-separated redox couples at +0.16 and +0.60 V versus Ag/AgCl. In the mixed-valent state, these films display intense intervalence charge transfer absorptions around 1300 nm. The electrochromic behavior at this wavelength has been examined by spectroelectrochemical measurements and double-potential-step chronoamperometry. A highest optical contrast ratio of 41% at 1300 nm with a coloration efficiency of 200 cm(2)/C has been achieved. The electrochromic behavior is highly dependent on the surface coverage. The highest contrast ratio was obtained with a film of 6.0 × 10(-9) mol/cm(2). In addition, a monoruthenium complex 2(PF6), [Ru(dpb)(vbpy)2](PF6), has been prepared and electropolymerized for a comparison study.

Distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in soil around three typical industrial sites in Beijing, China.

We investigated three locations in Beijing, China, containing different industrial plants that may cause pollution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The highest soil concentration of 1,000 pg g(-1) (dry wt) was found in the chemical plant. The concentrations of ΣPCBs tended to decrease with distance from each of the investigated sites. The principal component analysis demonstrated that there were not substantial differences in PCB homologue patterns among these industrial sites. Tri-CBs and tetra-CBs were the dominant congeners. Based on the data obtained in this investigation, further study of the emission of PCBs from these industrial sites in Beijing is warranted.

USP7 as an emerging therapeutic target: A key regulator of protein homeostasis.

Maintaining protein balance within a cell is essential for proper cellular function, and disruptions in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which is responsible for degrading and recycling unnecessary or damaged proteins, can lead to various diseases. Deubiquitinating enzymes play a vital role in regulating protein homeostasis by removing ubiquitin chains from substrate proteins, thereby controlling important cellular processes, such as apoptosis and DNA repair. Among these enzymes, ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) is of particular interest. USP7 is a cysteine protease consisting of a TRAF region, catalytic region, and C-terminal ubiquitin-like (UBL) region, and it interacts with tumor suppressors, transcription factors, and other key proteins involved in cell cycle regulation and epigenetic control. Moreover, USP7 has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases, including cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative conditions, and viral infections. Overall, characterizing the functions of USP7 is crucial for understanding the pathophysiology of diverse diseases and devising innovative therapeutic strategies. This article reviews the structure and function of USP7 and its complexes, its association with diseases, and its known inhibitors and thus represents a valuable resource for advancing USP7 inhibitor development and promoting potential future treatment options for a wide range of diseases.

Comprehensive analyses of solute carrier family members identify SLC12A2 as a novel therapy target for colorectal cancer.

As the largest transporter family impacting on tumor genesis and development, the prognostic value of solute carrier (SLC) members has not been elucidated in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to identify a prognostic signature from the SLC members and comprehensively analyze their roles in CRC. Firstly, we downloaded transcriptome data and clinical information of CRC samples from GEO (GSE39582) and TCGA as training and testing dataset, respectively. We extracted the expression matrix of SLC genes and established a prognostic model by univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Afterwards, the low-risk and high-risk group were identified. Then, the differences of prognosis traits, transcriptome features, clinical characteristics, immune infiltration and drug sensitivity between the two groups were explored. Furthermore, molecular subtyping was also implemented by non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). Finally, we studied the expression of the screened SLC genes in CRC tumor tissues and normal tissues as well as investigated the role of SLC12A2 by loss of function and gain of function. As a result, we developed a prognostic risk model based on the screened 6-SLC genes (SLC39A8, SLC2A3, SLC39A13, SLC35B1, SLC4A3, SLC12A2). Both in the training and testing sets, CRC patients in the high-risk group had the poorer prognosis and were in the more advanced pathological stage. What's more, the high-risk group were enriched with CRC progression signatures and immune infiltration. Two groups showed different drug sensitivity. On the other hand, two distinct subclasses (C1 and C2) were identified based on the 6 SLC genes. CRC patients in the high-risk group and C1 subtype had a worse prognosis. Furthermore, we found and validated that SLC12A2 was steadily upregulated in CRC. A loss-of-function study showed that knockdown of SLC12A2 expression restrained proliferation and stemness of CRC cells while a gain-of-function study showed the contrary results. Hence, we provided a 6-SLC gene signature for prognosis prediction of CRC patients. At the same time, we identified that SLC12A2 could promote tumor progression in CRC, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target.

A combined experimental and computational study of linear ruthenium(II) coordination oligomers with end-capping organic redox sites: insight into the light absorption and charge delocalization.

Two series of linear ruthenium coordination oligomers, [(Ntpy)Ru(n)(tppz)(n-1)(tpy)](2n+) (mono-Ntpy series, n = 1-3) and [(Ntpy)2Ru(n)(tppz)(n-1)](2n+) (bis-Ntpy series, n = 1-3) have been prepared, where Ntpy is the capping ligand 4'-di-p-anisylamino-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, tppz is tetra-2-pyridylpyrazine, and tpy is 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine. The electrochemical measurements evidence oxidation events from both the amine segments and the metal centers and reduction waves from tppz and the capping ligands. Both series complexes display much enhanced light absorption with respect to model complexes without terminal amine units. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed on both series and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations have been performed on the bis-Ntpy-series compounds (n = 1-4) to characterize their electronic structures and excited states and predict the electronic properties of long-chain polymers. Upon one-electron oxidation, the mono-Ntpy-series monoruthenium and diruthenium complexes display N(+)-localized transitions and metal-to-nitrogen charge-transfer (MNCT) transitions in the near-infrared (NIR) region. DFT and TD-DFT computations on the one-electron-oxidized forms of the mono-Ntpy-series compounds (n = 1-4) provide insight into the nature of the MNCT transitions and the degree of charge delocalization.

Clinical outcomes of discectomy in octogenarian patients with lumbar disc herniation.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective clinical study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of surgery for lumbar disc herniation in octogenarian patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lumbar disc protrusion in the very elderly becomes more common with the aging of the general population, but few patients undergo surgical treatment because the chronological age of 80 years or more has long been considered a contraindication to elective spine surgery. Thus, there is little information about acute and long-term outcomes of lumbar discectomy in octogenarians, and the influence of age on outcome after surgery still remains controversial. METHODS: Sixty-four octogenarian patients with lumbar disc herniation underwent unilateral laminectomy and discectomy between January 2004 and June 2010. Operative time (OT), intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL), length of hospital stay (LOS), and complication rate (CR) were used to assess the safety of surgery. The visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the North American Spine Society Outcome Questionnaire were used to evaluate clinical effectiveness. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the very elderly and the middle-aged group in LOS (P<0.001) but not in OT, EBL, and CR (all P>0.05). The preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up VAS and ODI scores were not significantly different between the 2 groups (each P>0.05). However, the VAS and ODI scores significantly improved after surgery and at final follow-up compared with those before surgery (all P<0.001). Satisfaction with outcome was expressed by 57 (89.1%) of 64 very elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: Discectomy through hemilaminectomy is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment procedure in octogenarian patients with lumbar disc herniation. Disc resection in octogenarian patients usually gives good or excellent results. Careful examination of the surgical indications and attentive perioperative management should be considered for this patient population.

[Comparative analysis for the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with different lengths and surface modifications in A549 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cytotoxicity and DNA strand breakage induced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different lengths and different surface modifications in human alveolar type II cells (A549 cells). METHODS: Two different lengths (5-15 µm, 350-700 nm) of MWCNTs and three different kinds of surface modified MWCNTs (COOH-MWCNTs, NH2-MWCNTs, and Tau-MWCNTs) were used in the experiments. The short MWCNTs were used as pristine MWCNTs to compare with the 3 surface modified MWCNTs. The cytotoxicity was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay at the concentrations of 2, 8, and 32 mg/L at hours 12, 24, 36, and 48 respectively. Single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay was performed to evaluate DNA strand breakage in A549 cells after 24 h treatment of 8 mg/L of each tested material. RESULTS: Long multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Long-MWCNTs) and short multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Short-MWCNTs) showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity within the exposure time 12-48 h. Especially, Long-MWCNTs showed greater cytotoxicity than Short-MWCNTs from 24 to 48 h at the same concentration. The relative cell viability of the 3 surface modified MWCNTs was higher than that of the pristine MWCNTs at h 12 at the concentration of 32 mg/L [COOH-MWCNTs (86.55±1.80)%, NH2-MWCNTs (84.67±1.32)%, Tau-MWCNTs (80.15±3.53)% and Pristine-MWCNTs (71.44±5.58)%], at h 24 at the concentration of 8 mg/L [COOH-MWCNTs (96.74±1.00)%, NH2-MWCNTs (96.74±3.35)%, Tau-MWCNTs (106.39±3.83)% and Pristine-MWCNTs (91.02±2.53)%], at h 24 at the concentration of 32 mg/L [COOH-MWCNTs (80.88±2.67)%, NH2-MWCNTs (82.90±3.25)%, Tau-MWCNTs (82.55±3.32)% and Pristine-MWCNTs (76.08±4.27)%] and at h 36 at the concentration of 8 mg/L [COOH-MWCNTs (96.87±1.05)%, NH2-MWCNTs (96.66±4.76)%, Tau-MWCNTs (100.23± 2.84)% and Pristine-MWCNTs (89.61±3.78)%], and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the Pristine-MWCNTs, the relative cell viability of the 3 surface modified MWCNTs didn't demonstrate a statistically significant difference (P>0.05) at other observation time and exposure concentrations. The DNA strand breakage of the 3 surface modified MWCNTs: the Olive tail moment of COOH-MWCNTs was 1.56±0.22, the Olive tail moment of NH2-MWCNTs 2.25±1.62 and the Olive tail moment of Tau-MWCNTs 2.23±0.94; the tail DNA% of COOH-MWCNTs was (3.96± 0.60)%, the tail DNA% of NH2-MWCNTs (6.16±4.68)% and the tail DNA% of Tau-MWCNTs (6.05±2.31)%, which were lower than that of the pristine MWCNTs (P<0.05), whose Olive tail moment was 3.00±0.64 and tail DNA% (8.23±2.27)%. Moreover, the COOH-MWCNTs induced the lowest DNA damage among the three modified MWCNTs. CONCLUSION: Long-MWCNTs compared with Short-MWCNTs demonstrated a greater cytotoxicity and lower DNA strand breakage damage. The surface modifications of MWCNTs can reduce the cytotoxicity and DNA strand breakage in A549 cells.

Identification of hub genes for glaucoma: a study based on bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification.

AIM: To explore hub genes for glaucoma based on bioinformatics analysis and an experimental model verification. METHODS: In the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, the GSE25812 and GSE26299 datasets were selected to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by the GEO2R tool. Through bioinformatics analysis, 9 hub genes were identified. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to verify whether the hub gene can distinguish glaucoma from normal eyes. The mouse model of glaucoma was constructed, and the real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay was performed to detect the expression levels of hub genes in glaucoma. RESULTS: There were 128 overlapping DEGs in the GSE25812 and GSE26299 datasets, mainly involved in intracellular signalling, cell adhesion molecules and the Ras signalling pathway. A total of 9 hub genes were screened out, including GNAL, BGN, ETS2, FCGP4, MAPK10, MMP15, STAT1, TSPAN8, and VCAM1. The area under the curve (AUC) values of 9 hub genes were greater than 0.8. The PC1 axle could provide a 70.5% interpretation rate to distinguish glaucoma from normal eyes. In the ocular tissues of glaucoma in the mice model, the expression of BGN, ETS2, FCGR4, STAT1, TSPAN8, and VCAM1 was increased, while the expression of GNAL, MAPK10, and MMP15 was decreased. CONCLUSION: Nine hub genes in glaucoma are identified, which may provide new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for glaucoma.