Liquid-Driven Microinjection System for Precise Fundus Injection.

Microinjection is usually applied to the treatment of some retinal disorders, such as retinal vein cannulation and displaced submacular hemorrhage. Currently, the microinjection procedure is usually performed by using the viscous fluid control of a standard vitrectomy system, which applies a fixed air pressure through foot pedal activation. The injection process with the fixed pressure is uncontrollable and lacks feedback, the high flow rate of the injected drug may cause damage to the fundus tissue. In this paper, a liquid-driven microinjection system with a flow sensor is designed and developed specifically for fundus injection. In addition, a PID sliding mode control (SMC) method is proposed to achieve precise injection in the injection system. The experimental results of fundus simulation injection demonstrate that the microinjection system meets the requirements of fundus injection and reduces the impact of the injection process on the fundus tissue.

[Role of NLRP3 inflammasome in prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment-related diseases and traditional Chinese medicine intervention: a review].

Alzheimer's disease(AD), vascular dementia(VD), and traumatic brain injury(TBI) are more common cognitive impairment diseases characterized by high disability and mortality rates, imposing a heavy burden on individuals and their families. Although AD, VD, and TBI have different specific mechanisms, their pathogenesis is closely related to the nucleotide-binding oligome-rization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3). The NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in neuroinflammatory responses, mediating microglial polarization, regulating the reduction of amyloid ß-protein(Aß) deposition, neurofibrillary tangles(NFTs) formation, autophagy regulation, and maintaining brain homeostasis, and synaptic stability, thereby contributing to the development of AD, VD, and TBI. Previous studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) can alleviate neuroinflammation, promote microglial polarization towards the M2 phenotype, reduce Aß deposition and NFTs formation, regulate autophagy, and maintain brain homeostasis by intervening in NLRP3 inflammasome, hence exerting a role in preventing and treating cognitive impairment-related diseases, reducing psychological and economic pressure on patients, and improving their quality of life. Therefore, this article elucidated the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in AD, VS, and TBI, and provided a detailed summary of the latest research results on TCM intervention in NLRP3 inflammasome for the prevention and treatment of these diseases, aiming to inherit the essence of TCM and provide references and foundations for clinical prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment-related diseases with TCM. Meanwhile, this also offers insights and directions for further research in TCM for the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment-related diseases.

Effects of temperature, dissolved oxygen, and their interaction on the growth performance and condition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The individual effects of temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), an important aquaculture species, are clearly established; however, little is known about the interactive effects of these parameters. In this study, the effects of temperature, DO, and their interaction on the growth, antioxidant status, digestive enzyme activity, serum biochemical parameters, and liver IGF-1 expression in rainbow trout were evaluated. Fish (initial weight, 109.98 ± 3.28 g) were reared in a recirculating system for 4 weeks and subjected to 6 treatments at three temperatures (13 °C, 17 °C, and 21 °C) and two DO contents (4.2 mg L-1 and 9.6 mg L-1). Physiological parameters were determined at the end of the trial. Specific growth rate and feed consumption were the highest at 17 °C and the lowest at 21 °C. Additionally, lysozyme, trypsin, lipase, and amylase activities, serum glucose and serum triglyceride contents, and IGF-1 expression decreased significantly at 21 °C and total serum protein and albumin contents were significantly higher at 21 °C than at 13 °C and 17 °C, indicating that high temperature impaired the immunity, digestion, and growth of rainbow trout. However, the adverse effects of high temperature can be alleviated by a high DO content, as evidenced by the smaller increments and decrements of these parameters under hyperoxic conditions than under hypoxic conditions. In response to high temperature stress, an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity led to the removal of oxygen free radicals under hyperoxic conditions; however, this increase was inhibited under hypoxia. Our results indicated that high temperatures have adverse effects on rainbow trout, and these harmful effects can be reduced by a high DO content.

A new Xilithus species from Hubei, China (Araneae, Phrurolithidae).

Background: The genus Xilithus Liu & Li, 2023 contains 22 species, three of which are known from Hubei Province, China: X.acerosus (Yao, Irfan & Peng, 2019), X.auritus (Fu, Zhang & Zhang, 2016) and X.xingdoushanensis (Yao, Irfan & Peng, 2019). New information: One new Xilithus species from Hubei, China is described: X.qizimeishanensis Liu & Hu sp. nov. Morphological description, digital photos and distribution map are provided.

Alzheimer DataLENS: An Open Data Analytics Portal for Alzheimer's Disease Research.

Background: Recent Alzheimer's disease (AD) discoveries are increasingly based on studies from a variety of omics technologies on large cohorts. Currently, there is no easily accessible resource for neuroscientists to browse, query, and visualize these complex datasets in a harmonized manner. Objective: Create an online portal of public omics datasets for AD research. Methods: We developed Alzheimer DataLENS, a web-based portal, using the R Shiny platform to query and visualize publicly available transcriptomics and genetics studies of AD on human cohorts. To ensure consistent representation of AD findings, all datasets were processed through a uniform bioinformatics pipeline. Results: Alzheimer DataLENS currently houses 2 single-nucleus RNA sequencing datasets, over 30 bulk RNA sequencing datasets from 19 brain regions and 3 cohorts, and 2 genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Available visualizations for single-nucleus data include bubble plots, heatmaps, and UMAP plots; for bulk expression data include box plots and heatmaps; for pathways include protein-protein interaction network plots; and for GWAS results include Manhattan plots. Alzheimer DataLENS also links to two other knowledge resources: the AD Progression Atlas and the Astrocyte Atlas. Conclusions: Alzheimer DataLENS is a valuable resource for investigators to quickly and systematically explore omics datasets and is freely accessible at https://alzdatalens.partners.org.

Preparation of an Inorganic All-Solid-State Electrochromic Device with Excellent Open-Circuit Memory.

Due to the spontaneous transport of small-sized cations and redox reactions under open circuit conditions, the currently reported coloring electrochromic devices (ECDs) may self-bleach easily. The resulting ECDs exhibit poor open-circuit memory, which limits their applications in static display advertisement. By constructing energy barriers to effectively control small-sized cation transport, the redox reaction could be suppressed, thereby inhibiting the self-bleaching of ECDs. In this study, phosphate glass is used as an electrolyte to construct high-energy barriers. Sodium ions in phosphate glass absorb external heat to cross energy barriers and become conductive charge carriers. In this case, the electrochromism of ECDs is allowed. On the contrary, after the absorbed heat energy is released, sodium ions are immediately trapped by oxygen ions in the PO4 unit, becoming frozen ions. At this point, the electrochromization of ECDs is prohibited. Based on the ionic conductive feature of phosphate glass, ECDs absorb heat and are colored by applying an electric field first. Then, ECDs release the thermal energy and the sodium ions transport in the electrolyte is blocked to cut off the self-bleaching pathway. The prepared inorganic all-solid-state ECDs maintained the colored state for several months using the method mentioned above, which solved the problem of the poor open-circuit memory of ECDs.

Patterns of deep fine root and water utilization amongst trees, shrubs and herbs in subtropical pine plantations with seasonal droughts.

Introduction: Seasonal droughts will become more severe and frequent under the context of global climate change, this would result in significant variations in the root distribution and water utilization patterns of plants. However, research on the determining factors of deep fine root and water utilization is limited. Methods: We measured the fine root biomass and water utilization of trees, shrubs and herbs, and soil properties, light transmission, and community structure parameters in subtropical pine plantations with seasonal droughts. Results and Discussion: We found that the proportion of deep fine roots (below 1 m depth) is only 0.2-5.1%, but that of deep soil water utilization can reach 20.9-38.6% during the dry season. Trees improve deep soil water capture capacity by enhancing their dominance in occupying deep soil volume, and enhance their deep resource foraging by increasing their branching capacity of absorptive roots. Shrubs and herbs showed different strategies for deep water competition: shrubs tend to exhibit a "conservative" strategy and tend to increase individual competitiveness, while herbs exhibited an "opportunistic" strategy and tend to increase variety and quantity to adapt to competitions. Conclusion: Our results improve our understanding of different deep fine root distribution and water use strategies between overstory trees and understory vegetations, and emphasize the importance of deep fine root in drought resistance as well as the roles of deep soil water utilization in shaping community assembly.

Ent-16ß,17-dihydroxy-kauran-19-oic acid (DKA), a kaurane diterpenoid from Sigesbeckia pubescens(Makino) Makino, inhibits the migration of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer.

Ent-kaurane diterpenoids were studied as a biologically active ingredient group of Sigesbeckia pubescens (Makino) Makino. Here, five known ent-kaurane diterpenoids were isolated and identified, named ent-16ß,17-dihydroxy-kauran-19-oic acid (1), ent-16ß,17-dihydroxy-kauran-19-oate (2), ent-18-acetoxy-17-hydroxykauran-19-oic acid (3), ent-16ß,17,18-trihydroxy-kauran-19 -oic acid (4), and ent-17-hydroxy-kauran-16ßH-19-oic acid (5). Their inhibitory effects of these compounds on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer migration were firstly tested in a chemotaxis invasion assay. Among them, compound 1 (DKA) showed superior inhibitory activities with IC50 value of 1.96 µM. Then, a wound healing assay and BALB/c nude mice were used for further studying the inhibitory activity of DKA on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer migration in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The wound healing assay showed that DKA (1, 5, and 25 µM) can significantly inhibit cell migration and the mouse model of lung metastasis showed that DKA (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) could strongly suppress the lung metastasis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Accumulation of ß-catenin by lithium chloride in porcine myoblast cultures accelerates cell differentiation.

The Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation and differentiation to determine cell fate during embryogenesis. Lithium chloride (LiCl) is known to activate canonical Wnt signaling by inhibiting glycogen synthetase kinase-3ß and consequently stabilizing free cytosolic ß-catenin. To understand the role of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in the regulation of porcine myoblast differentiation, we studied the effects of LiCl on cultured porcine myoblasts and ß-catenin expression. A supplementation of 25 mM LiCl induced myoblast differentiation into myotubes over 3 days of culture. By semi-quantitative RT-PCR analyses, levels of mRNA encoding MyoD, Myogenin, Myf5 and several Wnt-responsive genes in the cultured myoblast cells were significantly increased after LiCl treatment. Using Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis, we found that the protein levels of ß-catenin were consistently increased by LiCl. Meanwhile, phosphorylated GSK-3ß at Ser9 levels were also increased as an indicator of GSK-3ß inactivation. Additionally, the nuclear staining of endogenous ß-catenin was also significantly increased in porcine myoblasts 48 h after LiCl treatment. These results provided additional evidence that Wnt/ß-catenin is a significant pathway that regulates myogenic differentiation. An enhanced level of ß-catenin plays a positive role in porcine myoblast differentiation.

Effects of seawater acclimation at constant and diel cyclic temperatures on growth, osmoregulation and branchial phospholipid fatty acid composition in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

The study investigated the effects of seawater acclimation at constant and diel temperatures on the growth, osmoregulation, and branchial phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The fish (initial weight, 62.28 ± 0.41 g) were reared at a constant 13.0 °C (CT) or with a diel cycle of either 13.0 ± 1.0 °C (VT2) or 13.0 ± 2.0 °C (VT4) for 6 weeks, and subsequently subjected to seawater acclimation. Diel temperature variations (of up to 4 °C) did not affect the growth rate of rainbow trout maintained in freshwater, but alleviated the impairment on the growth after seawater challenge. Under all temperature conditions, rainbow trout were well prepared to seawater acclimation. The diel cyclic temperature resulted in fish with reduced fluctuations in plasma electrolyte levels, branchial Na+-K+ ATPase activity, and plasma osmolality. In freshwater, the sum of the monounsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher in the VT4 relative to CT and VT2 treatment. Conversely, the sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly lower in the VT4 fish. After seawater transfer, the branchial PLFA profiles of the fish significantly changed, but those in CT and VT2 did not recover afterwards (the degree of unsaturation was downregulated). The PLFA composition of fish in the VT4 treatment appeared to be steadier under seawater acclimation. This study suggests that a diel cyclic temperature (13.0 ± 2.0 °C) can alleviate the impairment of growth, enhance osmoregulation capability, and improve the stability of the branchial PLFA composition in rainbow trout after seawater acclimation.

Surveillance of Borrelia miyamotoi-carrying ticks and genomic analysis of isolates in Inner Mongolia, China.

BACKGROUND: Borrelia miyamotoi is a newly described relapsing fever spirochete transmitted by ixodid tick species. Little is known about the prevalence of B. miyamotoi infections in humans and ticks in Inner Mongolia, China. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of B. miyamotoi in Ixodes persulcatus ticks, and we aimed to isolateB. miyamotoi from I. persulcatus from four regions of Greater Khingan, Inner Mongolia, China. METHODS: From May to June each year during the period 2016-2019, host-seeking adult I. persulcatus ticks were collected from vegetation. Genomic DNA was prepared from half of each tick body for PCR template, and the remaining half was used to cultivate B. miyamotoi in BSK-M medium. We employed quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to detect Borrelia DNA in the ticks and to calculate the prevalence of B. miyamotoi and infections with other borreliae. For characterization of the isolated B. miyamotoi, we performed draft genome sequencing and multilocus sequencing analysis (MLSA). RESULTS: A total of 2656 adult I. persulcatus ticks were collected. The overall prevalence of relapsing fever (RF) borreliae in ticks was 5.0% (134/2656) and that of Lyme disease (LD) borreliae was 43.8% (1164/2656). Co-infection with RF and LD borreliae was observed in 63 ticks (2.4%). Ticks that were positive for RF borreliae by qPCR were subjected to glycerophosphodiester diester phosphodiesterase gene (glpQ) PCR amplification and sequencing, through which we identified the RF borrelia specimens as B. miyamotoi. Furthermore, the B. miyamotoi strain Hetao-1 was isolated from I. persulcatus, and a draft genome sequence was obtained from the isolate. Sequencing determined the strain Hetao-1 genome to be approximately 906.1 kbp in length (28.9% average GC content), and MLSA identified the strain as ST633, which has previously been reported in Japan and Mongolia. CONCLUSION: We detected B. miyamotoi from I. persulcatus ticks collected in Inner Mongolia, and successfully isolated a B. miyamotoi strain. To our knowledge, this is the first study to culture a B. miyamotoi isolate from China. The data on the prevalence of B. miyamotoi and other borreliae in I. persulcatus ticks will be fundamental for future epidemiological studies of B. miyamotoi disease in Inner Mongolia.

Roles of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in adipogenic differentiation potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway controls differentiation of various cells by regulating the expression of target genes. beta-Catenin plays a central role in Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of fate determination in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs), we investigated effects of Wnt3a and beta-catenin, two key members of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, in adipogenic differentiation of porcine AMSCs. We demonstrated that Wnt3a protein can inhibit the adipogenic differentiation of porcine AMSCs in vitro culture. By stabilization of cytoplasmic beta-catenin with continuous treatment by LiCl, the adipogenic differentiation of AMSCs was also suppressed and the osteogenesis was stimulated. In contrast, a loss of beta-catenin in AMSCs enhanced the adipogenic differentiation and rescued LiCl-induced anti-adipogenesis. In addition, the mutual activation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha (C/EBPalpha) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) were repressed in the presence of Wnt3a or LiCl, but increased in the gene silencing of beta-catenin. Taken together, our study indicated that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway inhibited the adipogenic differentiation potential and alter the cell fate from adipocytes to osteoblasts.

All-trans retinoic acid shifts rosiglitazone-induced adipogenic differentiation to osteogenic differentiation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

Rosiglitazone (RSG) is a potent drug used in the treatment of insulin resistance; however, it is associated with marked skeletal toxicity. RSG-induced osteoporosis may contribute to the promotion of adipogenic differentiation at the expense of osteogenic differentiation in bone marrow stromal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether RSG-induced bone toxicity can be reversed by combined treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). We examined different osteogenic markers in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) following treatment with RSG, ATRA, or RSG and ATRA in combination. We examined the effects of RSG and/or ATRA on ectopic bone formation, and dissected the possible molecular mechanisms underlying this process. We found that ATRA or RSG both induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the MEFs, and that the ATRA-induced ALP activity was enhanced by RSG and vice versa. However, only the combination of RSG and ATRA increased the expression of osteopontin and osteocalcin, promoted matrix mineralization, and induced ectopic ossification in MEFs. Mechanistically, we found that the osteogenic differentiation induced by the combination of RSG and ATRA may be mediated partly by suppressing RSG-induced adipogenic differentiation and activating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/Smad signaling. On the whole, our findings demonstrate that RSG in combination with ATRA promotes the commitment of MEFs to the osteoblast lineage. Thus, the combination of these two agents may prove to be a promising and novel therapeutic regimen for insulin resistance without skeletal toxicity. It may also be a better strategy with which to prevent RSG-induced osteoporosis.

Beta-catenin protein utilized by Tumour necrosis factor-alpha in porcine preadipocytes to suppress differentiation.

The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway alters adipocyte differentiation by inhibiting adipogenic gene expression. beta-catenin plays a central role in the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. In this study, we revealed that tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a potential negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation, inhibits porcine adipogenesis through activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. Under the optimal concentration of TNF-alpha, the intracellular beta-catenin protein was stabilized. Thus, the intracellular lipid accumulation of porcine preadipocyte was suppressed and the expression of important adipocyte marker genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha (C/EBPalpha), were inhibited. However, a loss of beta-catenin in porcine preadipocytes enhanced the adipogenic differentiation and attenuated TNF-alpha induced anti-adipogenesis. Taken together, this study indicated that TNF-alpha inhibits adipogenesis through stabilization of beta-catenin protein in porcine preadipocytes.