Impaired distal renal potassium handling in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Diabetes is closely associated with K+ disturbances during disease progression and treatment. However, it remains unclear whether K+ imbalance occurs in diabetes with normal kidney function. In this study, we examined the effects of dietary K+ intake on systemic K+ balance and renal K+ handling in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. The control and STZ mice were fed low or high K+ diet for 7 days to investigate the role of dietary K+ intake in renal K+ excretion and K+ homeostasis and to explore the underlying mechanism by evaluating K+ secretion-related transport proteins in distal nephrons. K+-deficient diet caused excessive urinary K+ loss, decreased daily K+ balance, and led to severe hypokalemia in STZ mice compared with control mice. In contrast, STZ mice showed an increased daily K+ balance and elevated plasma K+ level under K+-loading conditions. Dysregulation of the NaCl cotransporter (NCC), epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), and renal outer medullary K+ channel (ROMK) was observed in diabetic mice fed either low or high K+ diet. Moreover, amiloride treatment reduced urinary K+ excretion and corrected hypokalemia in K+-restricted STZ mice. On the other hand, inhibition of SGLT2 by dapagliflozin promoted urinary K+ excretion and normalized plasma K+ levels in K+-supplemented STZ mice, at least partly by increasing ENaC activity. We conclude that STZ mice exhibited abnormal K+ balance and impaired renal K+ handling under either low or high K+ diet, which could be primarily attributed to the dysfunction of ENaC-dependent renal K+ excretion pathway, despite the possible role of NCC.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Neither low dietary K+ intake nor high dietary K+ intake effectively modulates renal K+ excretion and K+ homeostasis in STZ mice, which is closely related to the abnormality of ENaC expression and activity. SGLT2 inhibitor increases urinary K+ excretion and reduces plasma K+ level in STZ mice under high dietary K+ intake, an effect that may be partly due to the upregulation of ENaC activity.

Advancements of MOFs in the Field of Propane Oxidative Dehydrogenation for Propylene Production.

Compared to the currently widely used propane dehydrogenation process for propylene production, propane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODHP) offers the advantage of no thermodynamic limitations and lower energy consumption. However, a major challenge in ODHP is the occurrence of undesired over-oxidation reactions of propylene, which reduce selectivity and hinder industrialization. MOFs possess a large number of metal sites that can serve as catalytic centers, which facilitates the easier access of reactants to the catalytic centers for reaction. Additionally, their flexible framework structure allows for easier adjustment of their pores compared to metal oxides and molecular sieves, which is advantageous for the diffusion of products within the framework. This property reduces the likelihood of prolonged contact between the generated propylene and the catalytic centers, thus minimizing the possibility of over-oxidation. The research on MOF catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP) mainly focuses on the catalytic properties of MOFs with cobalt oxygen sites and boron oxygen sites. The advantages of cobalt oxygen site MOFs include significantly reduced energy consumption, enabling catalytic reactions at temperatures of 230 °C and below, while boron oxygen site MOFs exhibit high conversion rates and selectivity, albeit requiring higher temperatures. The explicit structure of MOFs facilitates the mechanistic study of these sites, enabling further optimization of catalysts. This paper provides an overview of the recent progress in utilizing MOFs as catalysts for ODHP and explores how they promote progress in ODHP catalysis. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of MOFs in the field of ODHP reactions are discussed.

Molecular Insight into the Binding Property and Mechanism of Sulfamethoxazole to Extracellular Proteins of Anammox Sludge.

Antibiotics are widely found in nitrogen-containing wastewater, which may affect the operation stability of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox)-based biological treatment systems. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) of anammox sludge play a pivotal role in combining with antibiotics; however, the exact role and how the structure of the leading component of EPSs (i.e., extracellular proteins) changes under antibiotic stress remain to be elucidated. Here, the interaction between sulfamethoxazole and the extracellular proteins of anammox sludge was investigated via multiple spectra and molecular simulation. Results showed that sulfamethoxazole statically quenched the fluorescent components of EPSs, and the quenching constant of the aromatic proteins was the largest, with a value of 1.73 × 104 M-1. The overall binding was an enthalpy-driven process, with ΔH = -75.15 kJ mol-1, ΔS = -0.175 kJ mol-1 K-1, and ΔG = -21.10 kJ mol-1 at 35 °C. The O-P-O and C═O groups responded first under the disturbance of sulfamethoxazole. Excessive sulfamethoxazole (20 mg L-1) would decrease the ratio of α-helix/(ß-sheet + random coil) of extracellular proteins, resulting in a loose structure. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation revealed that extracellular proteins would provide abundant sites to bind with sulfamethoxazole, through hydrogen bond and Pi-Akyl hydrophobic interaction forces. Once sulfamethoxazole penetrates into the cell surface and combines with the transmembrane ammonium transport domain, it may inhibit the NH4+ transport. Our findings enhance the understanding on the interaction of extracellular proteins and sulfamethoxazole, which may be valuable for deciphering the response property of anammox sludge under the antibiotic stress.

AmotP130 regulates Rho GTPase and decreases breast cancer cell mobility.

Angiomotin (Amot) is a newly discovered, multifunctional protein that is involved in cell migration and angiogenesis. However, the role of its isoform, AmotP130, in the regulation of cytoskeleton and metastasis of breast cancer, is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of AmotP130 in the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and the changes of morphology in breast cancer cells through the Rho pathway that influences the invasion and migration of cells. The results suggested that AmotP130 suppressed the invasion ability through remodelling the cytoskeleton of breast cancer cells, including the actin fibre organization and focal adhesion protein turnover. Global transcriptome changes in breast cancer cells following knockdown of AmotP130 identified pathways related with the cytoskeleton and cell motility that involved the Rho GTPase family. From database analyses, changes in the Rho GTPase family of proteins were identified as possible prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer. We have been suggested that AmotP130 suppressed the invasion ability through remodelling of the cytoskeleton of breast cancer cells, involving regulation of the Rho pathway. The cytoskeleton-related pathway components may provide novel, clinically therapeutic targets for breast cancer treatment.

Submassive hepatic necrosis distinguishes HBV-associated acute on chronic liver failure from cirrhotic patients with acute decompensation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Distinguishing between acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) and decompensated liver cirrhosis is difficult due to a lack of pathological evidence. METHODS: A prospective single-center study investigated 174 patients undergoing liver transplantation due to acute decompensation of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated liver cirrhosis. Two groups were distinguished by the presence or absence of submassive hepatic necrosis (SMHN, defined as necrosis of 15-90% of the entire liver on explant). Core clinical features of ACLF were compared between these groups. Disease severity scoring systems were applied to describe liver function and organ failure. Serum cytokine profile assays, gene expression microarrays and immunohistochemical analyzes were used to study systemic and local inflammatory responses. RESULTS: SMHN was identified in 69 of 174 patients proven to have cirrhosis by histological means. Characteristic features of SMHN were extensive necrosis along terminal hepatic veins and spanning multiple adjacent cirrhotic nodules accompanied by various degrees of liver progenitor cell-derived regeneration, cholestasis, and ductular bilirubinostasis. Patients with SMHN presented with more severely impaired hepatic function, a higher prevalence of multiple organ failure (as indicated by higher CLIF-SOFA and SOFA scores) and a shorter interval between acute decompensation and liver transplantation than those without SMHN (p<0.01 for all parameters). Further analyzes based on serum cytokine profile assays, gene expression microarrays and immunohistochemical analyzes revealed higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with SMHN. CONCLUSIONS: SMHN is a critical histological feature of HBV-associated ACLF. Identification of a characteristic pathological feature strongly supports that ACLF is a separate entity in end-stage liver disease.

[Effects of oral antiviral agents on long-term outcomes of treatment-naive patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis: a retrospective cohort study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) treatment and to assess the long-term outcomes, including survival, liver function improvement and virologic response, in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: Patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores more than or equal to 7, who had been treated with either lamivudine or other agents, but who were free of co-infection with other hepatitis virus were enrolled between January 2005 and December 2009. The study participants were subgrouped according to the antiviral drugs received or model for endstage liver disease (MELD) score for comparative analyses.Additionally, the 19 patients who were treated with NA for more than 5 years were investigated for changes in biochemical and virological indices, before and after the antiviral treatment. RESULTS: A total of 166 patients (125 males; 89 e-negative) and 52 untreated healthy patients (as control) were analyzed.The cohort of patients receiving antiviral therapy had significantly better 5-year actuarial survival than the untreated patients (74.1% vs.34.9%, P less than 0.001). For patients with MELD score more than or equal to 18, actuarial survival was not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.073). CONCLUSION: Antiviral therapy significantly increases survival and improves the clinical long-term outcome of patients with HBV-induced decompensated cirrhosis.Antiviral treatment should be initiated at an early stage to maximize benefit in the improvement of clinical status.

3-Aryl-4-acyloxyethoxyfuran-2(5H)-ones as inhibitors of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase: synthesis, molecular docking and antibacterial evaluation.

Thirty-eight 3-aryl-4-acyloxyethoxyfuran-2(5H)-ones were designed, prepared and tested for antibacterial activities. Some of them showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive organism, Gram-negative organism and fungus. Out of these compounds, 4-(2-(3-chlorophenylformyloxy)ethoxy)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)furan-2(5H)-one (d40) showed the widest spectrum of activity with MIC50 of 2.0µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, 4.3µg/mL against Escherichia coli, 1.5µg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 1.2µg/mL against Candida albicans. Our data disclosed that MIC50 values against whole cell bacteria are positive correlation with MIC50 values against tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. Meanwhile, molecular docking of d40 into S. aureus tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase active site was also performed, and the inhibitor tightly fitting the active site might be an important reason why it has high antimicrobial activity.

Z-scheme MnO2/Mn3O4 heterojunctions with efficient peroxymonosulfate activation for organic pollutant removal.

The exploration of efficient heterogeneous catalysts for persistent organic pollutant removal is extremely attractive. In the present work, MnO2/Mn3O4 photo-Fenton catalysts were designed by a facile hydrothermal route to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under visible light irradiation for organic pollutant degradation. The optimized MnO2/Mn3O4 heterojunction shows excellent Rhodamine B (RhB) removal efficiency, whose apparent kinetic constant is 11.9 and 5.36 times as high as the MnO2 and Mn3O4. Meanwhile, there is a neglectable attenuation in catalytic performance after 5 recycling runs. Based on the active species trapping experiments, the non-radical process contributes more than the radical process during RhB degradation. Moreover, factors including the dosage of PMS, initial RhB concentration, initial pH, the presence of various anions, different organic pollutants, and water sources are investigated. Systematical characterizations reveal that the enlarged specific surface areas and the efficient charge separation aroused from the Z-scheme mechanism are attributed to the enhanced photo-Fenton performance. The present work contributes to the construction of the Mn-based photo-Fenton catalyst with efficient PMS activation capacity for environmental remediation.

Activation of Kir4.1/Kir5.1 contributes to the cyclosporin A-induced stimulation of the renal NaCl cotransporter and hyperkalemic hypertension.

AIM: Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a widely used immunosuppressive drug that causes hypertension and hyperkalemia. Moreover, CsA-induced stimulation of the thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter (NCC) in the kidney has been shown to be responsible for the development of hyperkalemic hypertension. In this study, we tested whether CsA induces the activation of NCC by stimulating the basolateral Kir4.1/Kir5.1 channel in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT). METHODS: Electrophysiology, immunoblotting, metabolic cages, and radio-telemetry methods were used to examine the effects of CsA on Kir4.1/Kir5.1 activity in the DCT, NCC function, and blood pressure in wild-type (WT) and kidney-specific Kir4.1 knockout (KS-Kir4.1 KO) mice. RESULTS: The single-channel patch clamp experiment demonstrated that CsA stimulated the basolateral 40 pS K+ channel in the DCT. Whole-cell recording showed that short-term CsA administration (2 h) not only increased DCT K+ currents but also shifted the K+ current (IK ) reversal potential to the negative range (hyperpolarization). Furthermore, CsA administration increased phosphorylated NCC (pNCC) levels and inhibited renal Na+ and K+ excretions in WT mice but not in KS-Kir4.1 KO mice, suggesting that Kir4.1 is required to mediate CsA effects on NCC function. Finally, long-term CsA infusion (14 days) increased blood pressure, plasma K+ concentration, and total NCC or pNCC abundance in WT mice, but these effects were blunted in KS-Kir4.1 KO mice. CONCLUSION: We conclude that CsA stimulates basolateral K+ channel activity in the DCT and that Kir4.1 is essential for CsA-induced NCC activation and hyperkalemic hypertension.

Kir4.1 deletion prevents salt-sensitive hypertension in early streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice via Na + -Cl - cotransporter in the distal convoluted tubule.

OBJECTIVES: Functional impairment of renal sodium handling and blood pressure (BP) homeostasis is an early characteristic manifestation of type 1 diabetes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS: Metabolic cages, radio-telemetry, immunoblotting, and electrophysiology were utilized to examine effects of high salt (8% NaCl, HS) intake on Na + /K + balance, BP, Na + -Cl - cotransporter (NCC) function, and basolateral K + channel activity in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) under diabetic conditions. RESULTS: Improper Na + balance, hypernatremia, and a mild but significant increase in BP were found in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice in response to HS intake for 7 days. Compared to the vehicle, STZ mice showed increased Kir4.1 expression and activity in the DCT, a more negative membrane potential, higher NCC abundance, and enhanced hydrochlorothiazide-induced natriuretic effect. However, HS had no significant effect on basolateral Kir4.1 expression/activity and DCT membrane potential, or NCC activity under diabetic conditions, despite a downregulation in phosphorylated NCC abundance. In contrast, HS significantly downregulated the expression of Na + -H + exchanger 3 (NHE3) and cleaved epithelial sodium channel-γ in STZ mice, despite an increase in NHE3 abundance after STZ treatment. Kir4.1 deletion largely abolished STZ-induced upregulation of NCC expression and prevented BP elevation during HS intake. Interestingly, HS causes severe hypokalemia in STZ-treated kidney-specific Kir4.1 knockout (Ks-Kir4.1 KO) mice and lead to death within a few days, which could be attributed to a higher circulating aldosterone level. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that Kir4.1 is required for upregulating NCC activity and may be essential for developing salt-sensitive hypertension in early STZ-induced diabetes.

Surgical treatment of interstitial pregnancy without cornual resection: A case report.

RATIONALE: Interstitial pregnancy (IP) is a rare but extremely life-threatening form of ectopic pregnancy. The traditional surgical treatment for this anomaly is the resection of uterine cornua or fallopian tubes, which often damages their structural integrity, thereby compromising the reproductive potential for women who wish to preserve fertility. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 33-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with suspected ectopic pregnancy, following a 4-weeks history of positive pregnancy tests after uterine evacuation. The patient was hemodynamically stable on arrival. Ultrasound revealed an empty uterus with an eccentric gestational sac located at the fundus and surrounded by a thin myometrium, indicative of a suspected interstitial pregnancy. DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTION: After failed attempt at medical management with a single dose of intramuscular methotrexate, the patient was arranged for hysteroscopy-assisted laparoscopy. In surgery, the uterine cavity appeared empty, and a 2 × 2 cm bulge with increased vascularity at the right uterine courna was identified upon examination. The gestational sac was aspirated through the vagina from the right ostium of the uterine tube using a suction curette pointing at the right ostium. Sutures were not needed afterward, and the myometrial anatomy was left undisrupted. The diagnosis of IP was confirmed by the postoperative histological report. OUTCOMES: Perioperative blood loss was approximately 10 ml and the operative time was 40 minutes. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and was discharged after 3 days. Subsequent follow-ups showed a significant reduction in the patient serum beta hCG to 48IU/L within 5 days postoperation, and a negative result after 7 days. LESSONS: This novel surgical technique is an alternative minimally-invasive approach for selected early diagnosed and hemodynamically stable IP patients. The technique represents a safe, quick, and simple approach combining the benefits of laparoscopy, such as allowing for immediate conversion of cornuectomy when uterus ruptures, and the benefits of suction curettage, such as shorter operative time and minimal blood loss. We believe patients with interstitial pregnancy who still have fertility wishes would benefit from this surgical technique to a larger extent in the future.

RU-Net: An improved U-Net placenta segmentation network based on ResNet.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, with the increase of late puerperium, cesarean section and induced abortion, the incidence of placenta accreta has been on the rise. It has become one of the common clinical diseases in obstetrics and gynecology. In clinical practice, accurate segmentation of placental tissue is the basis for identifying placental accreta and assessing the degree of accreta. By analyzing the placenta and its surrounding tissues and organs, it is expected to realize automatic computer segmentation of placental adhesion, implantation, and penetration and help clinicians in prenatal planning and preparation. METHODOLOGY: We propose an improved U-Net framework: RU-Net. The direct mapping structure of ResNet was added to the original contraction path and expansion path of U-Net. The feature information of the image was restored to a greater extent through the residual structure to improve the segmentation accuracy of the image. RESULTS: Through testing on the collected placenta dataset, it is found that our proposed RU-Net network achieves 0.9547 and 1.32% on the Dice coefficient and RVD index, respectively. We also compared with the segmentation frameworks of other papers, and the comparison results show that our RU-Net network has better performance and can accurately segment the placenta. CONCLUSION: Our proposed RU-Net network addresses issues such as network degradation of the original U-Net network. Good segmentation results have been achieved on the placenta dataset, which will be of great significance for pregnant women's prenatal planning and preparation in the future.

Breast MRI Segmentation and Ki-67 High- and Low-Expression Prediction Algorithm Based on Deep Learning.

Results: The DSC, PPV, and sensitivity of our combined model are 0.94, 0.93, and 0.94, respectively, with better segmentation performance. And we compare with the segmentation frameworks of other papers and find that our combined model can make accurate segmentation of breast tumors. Conclusion: Our method can adapt to the variability of breast tumors and segment breast tumors accurately and efficiently. In the future, it can be widely used in clinical practice, so as to help the clinic better formulate a reasonable diagnosis and treatment plan for breast cancer patients.

Cardiac MRI segmentation of the atria based on UU-NET.

Background and objective: In today's society, people's work pressure, coupled with irregular diet, lack of exercise and other bad lifestyle, resulting in frequent cardiovascular diseases. Medical imaging has made great progress in modern society, among which the role of MRI in cardiovascular field is self-evident. Based on this research background, how to process cardiac MRI quickly and accurately by computer has been extensively discussed. By comparing and analyzing several traditional image segmentation and deep learning image segmentation, this paper proposes the left and right atria segmentation algorithm of cardiac MRI based on UU-NET network. Methods: In this paper, an atrial segmentation algorithm for cardiac MRI images in UU-NET network is proposed. Firstly, U-shaped upper and lower sampling modules are constructed by using residual theory, which are used as encoders and decoders of the model. Then, the modules are interconnected to form multiple paths from input to output to increase the information transmission capacity of the model. Results: The segmentation method based on UU-NET network has achieved good results proposed in this paper, compared with the current mainstream image segmentation algorithm results have been improved to a certain extent. Through the analysis of the experimental results, the image segmentation algorithm based on UU-NET network on the data set, its performance in the verification set and online set is higher than other grid models. The DSC in the verification set is 96.7%, and the DSC in the online set is 96.7%, which is nearly one percentage point higher than the deconvolution neural network model. The hausdorff distance (HD) is 1.2 mm. Compared with other deep learning models, it is significantly improved (about 3 mm error is reduced), and the time is 0.4 min. Conclusion: The segmentation algorithm based on UU-NET improves the segmentation accuracy obviously compared with other segmentation models. Our technique will be able to help diagnose and treat cardiac complications.

Alteration of gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced obese mice using carnosic acid from rosemary.

Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) is widely used as a food ingredient. Rosemary extract (containing 40% carnosic acid) exhibited potent antiobesity activity. However, the relationship between carnosic acid (CA) and changes in the gut microbiota of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice has not been fully investigated. C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet, an HFD, or an HFD containing 0.1% or 0.2% CA for 10 weeks. CA exhibited promising antiobesity effects and caused marked alterations in the gut microbiota of HFD-induced obese mice. CA caused the prevalence of probiotics and functional bacteria, including Akkermansia muciniphila, Muribaculaceae unclassified, and Clostridium innocuum group, and inhibited diabetes-sensitive bacteria, including Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was regulated by CA in a dose-dependent manner, decreasing it from 13.22% to 2.42%. Additionally, CA reduced bile acid-metabolizing bacteria, such as Bilophila, Clostridium, Lactobacillus, and Leuconostoc. The results of the linear discriminant analysis and effect size analysis indicated that CA attenuated the microbial changes caused by HFD. The high CA (HCA) group (HFD containing 0.2% CA) exhibited a greater abundance of Verrucomicrobiae (including Akkermansia muciniphila, genus Akkermansia, family Akkermansiaceae, and order Verrucomicrobiales), Eubacterium, and Erysipelatoclostridium, and the low CA (LCA) group (HFD containing 0.1% CA) exhibited a greater abundance of Eisenbergiella, Intestinimonas, and Ruminococcaceae. Our results demonstrate that the antiobesity effects of CA might be strongly related to its prebiotic effects.

Advances in the Extraction, Purification and Detection of the Natural Product 1-Deoxynojirimycin.

1-Deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ), a polyhydroxylated alkaloid, is a highly selective and potent glycosidase inhibitor that has garnered great interest as a tool to study cellular recognition and as a potential therapeutic agent. The development of analytical methods for the quantification polyhydroxylated alkaloids in natural products requires a multifaceted approach. Many publications over the past five decades have described analytical methods for this compound. However, recently more advanced techniques have come to prominence for sample extraction, purification, detection, and identification. This review provides an updated, extensive overview of the available methods for the extraction, purification, identification or detection of 1-DNJ. The review highlights different strategies for the design of 1-DNJ detection methods, which we analyzed in light of recent detection data. Finally, we conclude with perspectives on possible strategies for increasing the efficiency of identification and quantification of 1-DNJ in the future.

Automatic Grading System for Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis Using Deep Learning Artificial Intelligence Software.

Purposes: To describe the development and validation of an artificial intelligence-based, deep learning algorithm (DeepDR) for the detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in retinal fundus photographs. Methods: Five hundred fundus images, which had detailed labelling of DR lesions, were transmitted to be analysed, including localization of the optic disk and macular, vessel segmentation, detection of lesions, and grading of DR. The multi-level iterative method of convolutional neural network and the strategy of enhanced learning were used to improve the accuracy of the system (DeepDR) for grading DR. Three public data sets were used to further train the software. The final grading results were tested based on the fundus images provided by the hospitals. Results: For 6788 fundus images (both macular and disc centred) of two Hospital Eye Center, the detection of microaneurysm, haemorrhage and hard exudates had an accuracy of 99.7%, 98.4% and 98.1%, respectively. The current algorithm accuracy was 0.96. Another 20,000 fundus images from community screening were selected, and 7593 photos of poor quality were excluded according to quality standards. Accuracy for accurate staging of fundus photos: accuracy was 0.9179. The sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) were 80.58%, 95.77% and 0.9327, respectively. Conclusions: This artificial intelligence-based DeepDR can be used with high accuracy for the detection of DR in retinal images. This technology offers the potential to increase the efficiency and accessibility of DR screening programs.

Determination of the response characteristics of anaerobic ammonium oxidation bioreactor disturbed by temperature change with the spectral fingerprint.

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) bacteria are sensitive and susceptible to operating condition fluctuations that can lead to the instability of a bioreactor. Through multivariate spectral analysis, the dynamic changes of intracellular and extracellular metabolites of anammox sludge under the declined temperature stress were characterized. It was found that effluent fluorescence components were positively related to the bacterial activity, and the response of the protein-like substances to the temperature change was more sensitive than that of humic substances. Under the transient disturbance during temperature change from 35 to 15 °C, anammox system tended to considerably excrete extracellular polymeric substances to resist the low temperature inhibition. However, the long-term exposure of the sludge at 10 °C resulted in the considerably inhibition of sludge activity, granular disintegration and heterotrophic denitrification bacteria increase. The two-dimensional correlation analysis further revealed that the humic acid in extracellular polymeric substances was preferentially responded to the temperature change than protein. Anammox bacteria tended to increase the intracellular protein and electron transfer-related reactive substance excretion to counteract the low temperature inhibition. Herein, both the intra- and extra-cellular response characteristics of anammox sludge to temperature variation were successfully resolved via the combined spectra. This work provides a comprehensive understanding on the mechanism of anammox sludge to temperature variation and may be valuable for the development of bioreactor monitoring techniques.

The thickness and volume of the choroid, outer retinal layers and retinal pigment epithelium layer changes in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

AIM: To evaluate the thickness and volume changes of the choroidal, outer retinal layers (ORL) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and correlate them with visual acuity. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective observational case series. Consecutive DR patients were recruited for color fundus photography and OCT assessment. The RPE, ORL and choroidal thickness were measured. The correlation with the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was also investigated. RESULTS: The study included 128 eyes, comprising 45 eyes of 25 diabetic macular edema (DME) patients, 34 eyes of 20 DR without DME (non-DME) patients, and 49 eyes of 25 age-matched normal individuals. The choroidal thickness in DR patients were decreased statistically significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05). The mean macular ORL thickness in DME (73.02±15.34 µm) and non-DME groups (76.35±7.32 µm) were decreased statistically significantly compared with the control group (80.20±5.85 µm; P=0.006, P=0.013, respectively). In both the non-DME and DME groups, the RPE thickness were decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05), except in the macular and central ring. The BCVA were significant interactions with the total inner retinal volume and macular RPE thickness in the DME group (r=0.115, P<0.001, r=-0.013, P=0.017, respectively). CONCLUSION: The choroid, ORL and RPE thickness are significantly decreased in DR patients compared with controls in different segments.

Alpha gene upregulates TFEB expression in renal cell carcinoma with t(6;11) translocation, which promotes cell canceration.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with t(6;11) translocation has been characterized by the fusion of the Alpha gene with the TFEB gene. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain greatly uncharacterized and effective targeted therapy has yet to be identified. In this study, we examined the role of the Alpha gene in this tumor entity and the function of the fusion gene Alpha-TFEB product in vitro and in vivo. Our results revealed that the luciferase activity of Alpha1, Alpha2, Alpha3, Alpha4 and Alpha5 significantly increased compared with that of the pGL3-Basic group (P<0.01). The luciferase activity also increased significantly in the Alpha1, Alpha2 and Alpha5 groups compared with that of the normal TFEB gene group (P<0.01). In addition, the luciferase activity of Alpha5 was the strongest located in the 643-693 base sequence. The stable transfection of Alpha-TFEB into HK-2 and CaKi-2 cells promoted the expression of Alpha-TFEB mRNA and TFEB protein. Furthermore, the overexpression of TFEB increased cell proliferation and enhanced the cell invasive ability, and decreased cell apoptosis in the Alpha-TFEB stably transfected cells in vitro. In vivo experiments revealed that the overexpression of TFEB promoted tumorigenicity in nude mice, which was consistent with our in vitro results. On the whole, these data indicate that the overexpression of TFEB confers a potent oncogenic signal and may thus be a novel therapeutic target in RCC with t(6;11) translocation.