The anterior chamber of the eye technology and its anatomical, optical, and immunological bases.

The anterior chamber of the eye (ACE) is distinct in its anatomy, optics, and immunology. This guarantees that the eye perceives visual information in the context of physiology even when encountering adverse incidents like inflammation. In addition, this endows the ACE with the special nursery bed iris enriched in vasculatures and nerves. The ACE constitutes a confined space enclosing an oxygen/nutrient-rich, immune-privileged, and less stressful milieu as well as an optically transparent medium. Therefore, aside from visual perception, the ACE unexpectedly serves as an excellent transplantation site for different body parts and a unique platform for noninvasive, longitudinal, and intravital microimaging of different grafts. On the basis of these merits, the ACE technology has evolved from the prototypical through the conventional to the advanced version. Studies using this technology as a versatile biomedical research platform have led to a diverse range of basic knowledge and in-depth understanding of a variety of cells, tissues, and organs as well as artificial biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and abiotic substances. Remarkably, the technology turns in vivo dynamic imaging of the morphological characteristics, organotypic features, developmental fates, and specific functions of intracameral grafts into reality under physiological and pathological conditions. Here we review the anatomical, optical, and immunological bases as well as technical details of the ACE technology. Moreover, we discuss major achievements obtained and potential prospective avenues for this technology.

Adipsin is an adipokine that improves ß cell function in diabetes.

A hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the development of pancreatic ß cell failure, which results in insulinopenia and hyperglycemia. We show that the adipokine adipsin has a beneficial role in maintaining ß cell function. Animals genetically lacking adipsin have glucose intolerance due to insulinopenia; isolated islets from these mice have reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Replenishment of adipsin to diabetic mice treated hyperglycemia by boosting insulin secretion. We identify C3a, a peptide generated by adipsin, as a potent insulin secretagogue and show that the C3a receptor is required for these beneficial effects of adipsin. C3a acts on islets by augmenting ATP levels, respiration, and cytosolic free Ca(2+). Finally, we demonstrate that T2DM patients with ß cell failure are deficient in adipsin. These findings indicate that the adipsin/C3a pathway connects adipocyte function to ß cell physiology, and manipulation of this molecular switch may serve as a therapy in T2DM.

Destabilization of ß Cell FIT2 by saturated fatty acids alter lipid droplet numbers and contribute to ER stress and diabetes.

SignificanceWith obesity on the rise, there is a growing appreciation for intracellular lipid droplet (LD) regulation. Here, we show how saturated fatty acids (SFAs) reduce fat storage-inducing transmembrane protein 2 (FIT2)-facilitated, pancreatic ß cell LD biogenesis, which in turn induces ß cell dysfunction and death, leading to diabetes. This mechanism involves direct acylation of FIT2 cysteine residues, which then marks the FIT2 protein for endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation. Loss of ß cell FIT2 and LDs reduces insulin secretion, increases intracellular ceramides, stimulates ER stress, and exacerbates diet-induced diabetes in mice. While palmitate and stearate degrade FIT2, unsaturated fatty acids such as palmitoleate and oleate do not, results of which extend to nutrition and diabetes.

Programmable DNA Scaffolds Enable Orthogonal Engineering of Cell Membrane-Based Nanovesicles for Therapeutic Development.

Cell membrane-based nanovesicles (CMNVs) play pivotal roles in biomolecular transportation in living organisms and appear as attractive bioinformed nanomaterials for theranostic applications. However, the current surface-engineering technologies are limited in flexibility and orthogonality, making it challenging to simultaneously display multiple different ligands on the CMNV surface in a precisely controlled manner. Here, we developed a DNA scaffold-programmed approach to orthogonally engineer CMNVs with versatile ligands. The designed DNA scaffolds can rapidly anchor onto the CMNV surface, and their unique sequences and hybridized properties enable independent control of the loading of multiple different types of biomolecules on the CMNVs. As a result, the orthogonal engineering of CMNVs with a renal targeted peptide and a therapeutic protein at controlled ratios demonstrated an enhanced renal targeting and repair potential in vivo. This study highlights that a DNA scaffold-programmed platform can provide a potent means for orthogonal and flexible surface engineering of CMNVs for diverse therapeutic purposes.

Sex-dependent intra-islet structural rearrangements affecting alpha-to-beta cell interactions lead to adaptive enhancements of Ca2+ dynamics in prediabetic beta cells.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Prediabetic pancreatic beta cells can adapt their function to maintain normoglycaemia for a limited period of time, after which diabetes mellitus will manifest upon beta cell exhaustion. Understanding sex-specific beta cell compensatory mechanisms and their failure in prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance) is crucial for early disease diagnosis and individualised treatment. Our aims were as follows: (1) to determine the key time points of the progression from beta cells' functional adaptations to their failure in vivo; and (2) to mechanistically explain in vivo sex-specific beta cell compensatory mechanisms and their failure in prediabetes. METHODS: Islets from male and female transgenic Ins1CreERT2-GCaMP3 mice were transplanted into the anterior chamber of the eye of 10- to 12-week-old sex-matched C57BL/6J mice. Recipient mice were fed either a control diet (CD) or western diet (WD) for a maximum of 4 months. Metabolic variables were evaluated monthly. Beta cell cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) dynamics were monitored in vivo longitudinally by image fluorescence of the GCaMP3 reporter islets. Global islet beta cell [Ca2+]i dynamics in line with single beta cell [Ca2+]i analysis were used for beta cell coordination studies. The glucagon receptor antagonist L-168,049 (4 mmol/l) was applied topically to the transplanted eyes to evaluate in vivo the effect of glucagon on beta cell [Ca2+]idynamics. Human islets from non-diabetic women and men were cultured for 24 h in either a control medium or high-fat/high-glucose medium in the presence or absence of the glucagon receptor antagonist L-168,049. [Ca2+]i dynamics of human islets were evaluated in vitro after 1 h exposure to Fura-10. RESULTS: Mice fed a WD for 1 month displayed increased beta cell [Ca2+]i dynamics linked to enhanced insulin secretion as a functional compensatory mechanism in prediabetes. Recruitment of inactive beta cells in WD-fed mice explained the improved beta cell function adaptation observed in vivo; this occurred in a sex-specific manner. Mechanistically, this was attributable to an intra-islet structural rearrangement involving alpha cells. These sex-dependent cytoarchitecture reorganisations, observed in both mice and humans, induced enhanced paracrine input from adjacent alpha cells, adjusting the glucose setpoint and amplifying the insulin secretion pathway. When WD feeding was prolonged, female mice maintained the adaptive mechanism due to their intrinsically high proportion of alpha cells. In males, [Ca2+]i dynamics progressively declined subsequent to glucose stimulation while insulin secretion continue to increase, suggesting uncoordinated beta cell function as an early sign of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We identified increased coordination of [Ca2+]i dynamics as a beta cell functional adaptation mechanisms in prediabetes. Importantly, we uncovered the mechanisms by which sex-dependent beta cell [Ca2+]i dynamics coordination is orchestrated by an intra-islet structure reorganisation increasing the paracrine input from alpha cells on beta cell function. Moreover, we identified reduced [Ca2+]i dynamics coordination in response to glucose as an early sign of diabetes preceding beta cell secretory dysfunction, with males being more vulnerable. Alterations in coordination capacity of [Ca2+]i dynamics may thus serve as an early marker for beta cell failure in prediabetes.

Linking extinction risk to the economic and nutritional value of sharks in small-scale fisheries.

To achieve sustainable shark fisheries, it is key to understand not only the biological drivers and environmental consequences of overfishing, but also the social and economic drivers of fisher behavior. The extinction risk of sharks is highest in coastal tropical waters, where small-scale fisheries are most prevalent. Small-scale fisheries provide a critical source of economic and nutritional security to coastal communities, and these fishers are among the most vulnerable social and economic groups. We used Kenya's and Zanzibar's small-scale shark fisheries, which are illustrative of the many data-poor, small-scale shark fisheries worldwide, as case studies to explore the relationship between extinction risk and the economic and nutritional value of sharks. To achieve this, we combined existing data on shark landings, extinction risk, and nutritional value with sales data at 16 key landing sites and information from interviews with 476 fishers. Shark fisheries were an important source of economic and nutritional security, valued at >US$4 million annually and providing enough nutrition for tens of thousands of people. Economically and nutritionally, catches were dominated by threatened species (72.7% and 64.6-89.7%, respectively). The most economically valuable species were large and slow to reproduce (e.g. mobulid rays, wedgefish, and bull, silky, and mako sharks) and therefore more likely to be threatened with extinction. Given the financial incentive and intensive fishing pressure, small-scale fisheries are undoubtedly major contributors to the decline of threatened coastal shark species. In the absence of effective fisheries management and enforcement, we argue that within small-scale fisheries the conditions exist for an economically incentivized feedback loop in which vulnerable fishers are driven to persistently overfish vulnerable and declining shark species. To protect these species from extinction, this feedback loop must be broken.

Conexión entre el riesgo de extinción y el valor nutricional de los tiburones en las pesquerías a pequeña escala Resumen Para lograr la sustentabilidad de las pesquerías de tiburones se deben entender los factores ecológicos y las consecuencias ambientales de la sobrepesca, así como los factores sociales y económicos del comportamiento del pescador. El riesgo de extinción de los tiburones es mucho mayor en las aguas tropicales costeras, en donde son más frecuentes las pesquerías a pequeña escala. Las pesquerías a pequeña escala, que además se encuentran entre los grupos con mayor vulnerabilidad social y económica, proporcionan una fuente importante de seguridad económica y nutricional para las comunidades costeras. Usamos las pesquerías de Kenia y Zanzíbar, las cuales representan muy bien a muchas de las pequeñas pesquerías de tiburones con deficiencia de datos, como estudios de caso para explorar la relación entre el riesgo de extinción y el valor económico y nutricional de los tiburones. Para lograr esto, combinamos los datos ya existentes de desembarques de tiburones, riesgo de extinción y valor nutricional con la información de ventas en 16 sitios clave de desembarque e información de las entrevistas a 476 pescadores. Las pesquerías de tiburones son una fuente importante de seguridad alimentaria y económica, valorada en más de US$4 millones anuales y que proporciona suficiente alimentación para miles de personas. En cuanto a la economía y la alimentación, las capturas estuvieron dominadas por especies amenazadas (72.7% y 64.6­89.7%, respectivamente). Las especies con mayor valor económico eran aquellas de gran tamaño y lenta reproducción, y, por lo tanto, con mayor probabilidad de estar en peligro de extinción. A causa del incentivo económico y la presión intensa de pesca, las pesquerías pequeñas sin duda son uno de los principales contribuyentes a la declinación de especies amenazadas de tiburones en las costas. Ya que no hay una aplicación ni un manejo efectivos de las pesquerías, argumentamos que en las pequeñas pesquerías existen las condiciones para un bucle de retroalimentación con incentivación económica en el que los pescadores vulnerables con frecuencia necesitan sobre pescar las especies de tiburones vulnerables y en declinación. Para proteger a estas especies de la extinción, este bucle de retroalimentación debe romperse.

Highly efficient CRISPR-mediated large DNA docking and multiplexed prime editing using a single baculovirus.

CRISPR-based precise gene-editing requires simultaneous delivery of multiple components into living cells, rapidly exceeding the cargo capacity of traditional viral vector systems. This challenge represents a major roadblock to genome engineering applications. Here we exploit the unmatched heterologous DNA cargo capacity of baculovirus to resolve this bottleneck in human cells. By encoding Cas9, sgRNA and Donor DNAs on a single, rapidly assembled baculoviral vector, we achieve with up to 30% efficacy whole-exon replacement in the intronic ß-actin (ACTB) locus, including site-specific docking of very large DNA payloads. We use our approach to rescue wild-type podocin expression in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) patient derived podocytes. We demonstrate single baculovirus vectored delivery of single and multiplexed prime-editing toolkits, achieving up to 100% cleavage-free DNA search-and-replace interventions without detectable indels. Taken together, we provide a versatile delivery platform for single base to multi-gene level genome interventions, addressing the currently unmet need for a powerful delivery system accommodating current and future CRISPR technologies without the burden of limited cargo capacity.

A microRNA checkpoint for Ca2+ signaling and overload in acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common digestive disease without specific treatment, and its pathogenesis features multiple deleterious amplification loops dependent on translation, triggered by cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) overload; however, the underlying mechanisms in Ca2+ overload of AP remains incompletely understood. Here we show that microRNA-26a (miR-26a) inhibits pancreatic acinar cell (PAC) store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) channel expression, Ca2+ overload, and AP. We find that major SOCE channels are post-transcriptionally induced in PACs during AP, whereas miR-26a expression is reduced in experimental and human AP and correlated with AP severity. Mechanistically, miR-26a simultaneously targets Trpc3 and Trpc6 SOCE channels and attenuates physiological oscillations and pathological elevations of [Ca2+]i in PACs. MiR-26a deficiency increases SOCE channel expression and [Ca2+]i overload, and significantly exacerbates AP. Conversely, global or PAC-specific overexpression of miR-26a in mice ameliorates pancreatic edema, neutrophil infiltration, acinar necrosis, and systemic inflammation, accompanied with remarkable improvements on pathological determinants related with [Ca2+]i overload. Moreover, pancreatic or systemic administration of an miR-26a mimic to mice significantly alleviates experimental AP. These findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism underlying AP pathogenesis, establish a critical role for miR-26a in Ca2+ signaling in the exocrine pancreas, and identify a potential target for the treatment of AP.

Inositol hexakisphosphate primes syndapin I/PACSIN 1 activation in endocytosis.

Endocytosis is controlled by a well-orchestrated molecular machinery, where the individual players as well as their precise interactions are not fully understood. We now show that syndapin I/PACSIN 1 is expressed in pancreatic ß cells and that its knockdown abrogates ß cell endocytosis leading to disturbed plasma membrane protein homeostasis, as exemplified by an elevated density of L-type Ca2+ channels. Intriguingly, inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) activates casein kinase 2 (CK2) that phosphorylates syndapin I/PACSIN 1, thereby promoting interactions between syndapin I/PACSIN 1 and neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) and driving ß cell endocytosis. Dominant-negative interference with endogenous syndapin I/PACSIN 1 protein complexes, by overexpression of the syndapin I/PACSIN 1 SH3 domain, decreases InsP6-stimulated endocytosis. InsP6 thus promotes syndapin I/PACSIN 1 priming by CK2-dependent phosphorylation, which endows the syndapin I/PACSIN 1 SH3 domain with the capability to interact with the endocytic machinery and thereby initiate endocytosis, as exemplified in ß cells.

Enhanced expression of ß cell CaV3.1 channels impairs insulin release and glucose homeostasis.

Voltage-gated calcium 3.1 (CaV3.1) channels are absent in healthy mouse ß cells and mediate minor T-type Ca2+ currents in healthy rat and human ß cells but become evident under diabetic conditions. Whether more active CaV3.1 channels affect insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis remains enigmatic. We addressed this question by enhancing de novo expression of ß cell CaV3.1 channels and exploring the consequent impacts on dynamic insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis as well as underlying molecular mechanisms with a series of in vitro and in vivo approaches. We now demonstrate that a recombinant adenovirus encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein-CaV3.1 subunit (Ad-EGFP-CaV3.1) efficiently transduced rat and human islets as well as dispersed islet cells. The resulting CaV3.1 channels conducted typical T-type Ca2+ currents, leading to an enhanced basal cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Ad-EGFP-CaV3.1-transduced islets released significantly less insulin under both the basal and first phases following glucose stimulation and could no longer normalize hyperglycemia in recipient rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin treatment. Furthermore, Ad-EGFP-CaV3.1 transduction reduced phosphorylated FoxO1 in the cytoplasm of INS-1E cells, elevated FoxO1 nuclear retention, and decreased syntaxin 1A, SNAP-25, and synaptotagmin III. These effects were prevented by inhibiting CaV3.1 channels or the Ca2+-dependent phosphatase calcineurin. Enhanced expression of ß cell CaV3.1 channels therefore impairs insulin release and glucose homeostasis by means of initial excessive Ca2+ influx, subsequent activation of calcineurin, consequent dephosphorylation and nuclear retention of FoxO1, and eventual FoxO1-mediated down-regulation of ß cell exocytotic proteins. The present work thus suggests an elevated expression of CaV3.1 channels plays a significant role in diabetes pathogenesis.

Adiponectin gene therapy prevents islet loss after transplantation.

Significant pancreatic islet dysfunction and loss shortly after transplantation to the liver limit the widespread implementation of this procedure in the clinic. Nonimmune factors such as reactive oxygen species and inflammation have been considered as the primary driving force for graft failure. The adipokine adiponectin plays potent roles against inflammation and oxidative stress. Previous studies have demonstrated that systemic administration of adiponectin significantly prevented islet loss and enhanced islet function at post-transplantation period. In vitro studies indicate that adiponectin protects islets from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury, oxidative stress as well as TNF-α-induced injury. By applying adenovirus mediated transfection, we now engineered islet cells to express exogenous adiponectin gene prior to islet transplantation. Adenovirus-mediated adiponectin transfer to a syngeneic suboptimal islet graft transplanted under kidney capsule markedly prevented inflammation, preserved islet graft mass and improved islet transplant outcomes. These results suggest that adenovirus-mediated adiponectin gene therapy would be a beneficial clinical engineering approach for islet preservation in islet transplantation.

IgGs from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and diabetes target CaVα2δ1 subunits impairing islet cell function and survival.

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) often show hallmarks of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the causal link between ALS and T2DM has remained a mystery. We now demonstrate that 60% of ALS patients with T2DM (ALS-T2DM) have sera that exaggerated K+-induced increases in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in mouse islet cells. The effect was attributed to the presence of pathogenic immunoglobulin Gs (IgGs) in ALS-T2DM sera. The pathogenic IgGs immunocaptured the voltage-dependent Ca2+ (CaV) channel subunit CaVα2δ1 in the plasma membrane enhancing CaV1 channel-mediated Ca2+ influx and [Ca2+]i, resulting in impaired mitochondrial function. Consequently, impairments in [Ca2+]i dynamics, insulin secretion, and cell viability occurred. These data reveal that patients with ALS-T2DM carry cytotoxic ALS-T2DM-IgG autoantibodies that serve as a causal link between ALS and T2DM by immunoattacking CaVα2δ1 subunits. Our findings may lay the foundation for a pharmacological treatment strategy for patients suffering from a combination of these diseases.

Drp1 Overexpression Decreases Insulin Content in Pancreatic MIN6 Cells.

Mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergetics are central to glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells. Previously, we demonstrated that a disturbance in glucose-invoked fission impairs insulin secretion by compromising glucose catabolism. Here, we investigated whether the overexpression of mitochondrial fission regulator Drp1 in MIN6 cells can improve or rescue insulin secretion. Although Drp1 overexpression slightly improves the triggering mechanism of insulin secretion of the Drp1-knockdown cells and has no adverse effects on mitochondrial metabolism in wildtype MIN6 cells, the constitutive presence of Drp1 unexpectedly impairs insulin content, which leads to a reduction in the absolute values of secreted insulin. Coherent with previous studies in Drp1-overexpressing muscle cells, we found that the upregulation of ER stress-related genes (BiP, Chop, and Hsp60) possibly impacts insulin production in MIN6 cells. Collectively, we confirm the important role of Drp1 for the energy-coupling of insulin secretion but unravel off-targets effects by Drp1 overexpression on insulin content that warrant caution when manipulating Drp1 in disease therapy.

Tissue-specific expression of insulin receptor isoforms in obesity/type 2 diabetes mouse models.

The two insulin receptor (IR) isoforms IR-A and IR-B are responsible for the pleiotropic actions of insulin and insulin-like growth factors. Consequently, changes in IR isoform expression and in the bioavailability of their ligands will impact on IR-mediated functions. Although alteration of IR isoform expression has been linked to insulin resistance, knowledge of IR isoform expression and mechanisms underlying tissue/cell-type-specific changes in metabolic disease are lacking. Using mouse models of obesity/diabetes and measuring the mRNA of the IR isoforms and mRNA/protein levels of total IR, we provide a data set of IR isoform expression pattern that documents changes in a tissue-dependent manner. Combining tissue fractionation and a new in situ mRNA hybridization technology to visualize the IR isoforms at cellular resolution, we explored the mechanism underlying the change in IR isoform expression in perigonadal adipose tissue, which is mainly caused by tissue remodelling, rather than by a shift in IR alternative splicing in a particular cell type, e.g. adipocytes.

Identification of MDM2, YTHDF2 and DDX21 as potential biomarkers and targets for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a multifactorial and polygenetic disease, although its exact etiology remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to identify key biomarkers and potential molecular mechanisms in the development of T2D. Human RNA-Seq datasets across different tissues (GSE18732, GSE41762, and GSE78721) were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between T2D and controls were identified using differential analysis. A total of 90 overlapping DEGs were identified, among which YTHDF2, DDX21, and MDM2 were considered as key genes due to their central positions in the PPI network and the same regulatory pattern in T2D. Logistic regression analysis showed that low expression of the key genes increased the risk of T2D. Enrichment analysis revealed that the key genes are involved in various important biological functions and signaling pathways including Notch, Fork head box O (FOXO), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis showed that all three key genes were down-regulated in pancreatic islets of both prediabetic and diabetic mouse models. Finally, the insulin-sensitizer, pioglitazone was used to treat db/db mice and immunofluorescence analysis showed that the expression of all three key genes was significantly down-regulated in db/db islets, an effect that was overcome by pioglitazone treatment. Together, these results suggest that the identified key genes could be involved in the development of T2D and serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this disease.

In vivo Ca2+ dynamics in single pancreatic ß cells.

The dynamics of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in pancreatic ß cells is central to our understanding of ß-cell physiology and pathology. In this context, there are numerous in vitro studies available but existing in vivo data are scarce. We now critically evaluate the anterior chamber of the eye as an in vivo, non-invasive, imaging site for measuring [Ca2+]i dynamics longitudinally in three dimensions and at single-cell resolution. By applying a fluorescently labeled glucose analogue 2-(N-(7-Nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)Amino)-2-Deoxyglucose in vivo, we followed how glucose almost simultaneously distributes to all cells within the islet volume, resulting in [Ca2+]i changes. We found that almost all ß cells in healthy mice responded to a glucose challenge, while in hyperinsulinemic, hyperglycemic mice about 80% of the ß cells could not be further stimulated from fasting basal conditions. This finding indicates that our imaging modality can resolve functional heterogeneity within the ß-cell population in terms of glucose responsiveness. Importantly, we demonstrate that glucose homeostasis is markedly affected using isoflurane compared to hypnorm/midazolam anesthetics, which has major implications for [Ca2+]i measurements. In summary, this setup offers a powerful tool to further investigate in vivo pancreatic ß-cell [Ca2+]i response patterns at single-cell resolution in health and disease.

Characterization and comparison of echolocation clicks of white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) off the Northumberland coast, UK.

Odontocetes produce ultrasonic clicks for navigation and foraging. These are commonly categorized as regular or buzz clicks based on the inter-click interval. Buzz clicks are linked to foraging behaviors and may be subdivided into slow buzz clicks for prey chase, and regular buzz clicks for prey capture. This study recorded these three click types produced by white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) off the Northumberland coast, UK. Acoustic parameters (including duration, centroid frequency, and root-mean-squared bandwidth) were calculated and compared across the three click types. The results showed that the regular clicks had shorter durations and higher frequencies than both the buzz click types. The regular buzz clicks had longer durations, lower frequencies, and narrower bandwidths than the slow buzz clicks. Additionally, regardless of click type, about 30% of the clicks had high-frequency (200-250 kHz) secondary peaks and >90% of the clicks displayed spectral peak and notch patterns between 20 and 80 kHz. These findings are useful for future quantitative assessment of the echolocation performance of white-beaked dolphins in the wild. The patterns of spectral peaks and notches identified may facilitate for acoustic identification of this species.

Intraocular Pressure Monitoring Following Islet Transplantation to the Anterior Chamber of the Eye.

Intraocular islet transplantation was investigated as a new procedure to treat diabetes. The development of this procedure requires close monitoring of the function of both eye and islet graft. We developed a soft, smart contact lens to monitor the intraocular pressure and applied this for noninvasive monitoring in association with the intraocular islet transplantation in diabetes. A strain sensor inside the lens can detect detailed changes in intraocular pressure by focusing the strain only in the desired, selective area of the contact lens. In addition, this smart contact lens can transmit the real-time value of the intraocular pressure wirelessly using an antenna. The wireless measurement of intraocular pressure that was obtained using this contact lens had a high correlation with the intraocular pressure measured by a rebound tonometer, thereby proving the good accuracy of the contact lens sensor. In the initial period, a slight elevation of intraocular pressure was observed, but the pressure returned to normal in the initial period after the transplantation. This type of monitoring will provide important information on potential changes in the intraocular pressure associated with the transplantation procedure, and it enables appropriate clinical safety steps to be taken, if needed.

Apolipoprotein CIII Reduction Protects White Adipose Tissues against Obesity-Induced Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Mice.

Apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) is proinflammatory and increases in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and insulin resistance. We have previously shown that reducing apoCIII improves insulin sensitivity in vivo by complex mechanisms involving liver and brown adipose tissue. In this study the focus was on subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) white adipose tissue (WAT). Mice were either given HFD for 14 weeks and directly from start also treated with antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) against apoCIII or given HFD for 10 weeks and HFD+ASO for an additional 14 weeks. Both groups had animals treated with inactive (Scr) ASO as controls and in parallel chow-fed mice were injected with saline. Preventing an increase or lowering apoCIII in the HFD-fed mice decreased adipocytes' size, reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines and increased expression of genes related to thermogenesis and beiging. Isolated adipocytes from both VAT and SAT from the ASO-treated mice had normal insulin-induced inhibition of lipolysis compared to cells from Scr-treated mice. In conclusion, the HFD-induced metabolic derangements in WATs can be prevented and reversed by lowering apoCIII.

Apolipoprotein CIII Is an Important Piece in the Type-1 Diabetes Jigsaw Puzzle.

It is well known that type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is increasing worldwide, but also the autoimmune form, type-1 diabetes (T1D), is affecting more people. The latest estimation from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is that 1.1 million children and adolescents below 20 years of age have T1D. At present, we have no primary, secondary or tertiary prevention or treatment available, although many efforts testing different strategies have been made. This review is based on the findings that apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) is increased in T1D and that in vitro studies revealed that healthy ß-cells exposed to apoCIII became apoptotic, together with the observation that humans with higher levels of the apolipoprotein, due to mutations in the gene, are more susceptible to developing T1D. We have summarized what is known about apoCIII in relation to inflammation and autoimmunity in in vitro and in vivo studies of T1D. The aim is to highlight the need for exploring this field as we still are only seeing the top of the iceberg.