Classification and transfer learning of sleep spindles based on convolutional neural networks.

Background: Sleep plays a critical role in human physiological and psychological health, and electroencephalography (EEG), an effective sleep-monitoring method, is of great importance in revealing sleep characteristics and aiding the diagnosis of sleep disorders. Sleep spindles, which are a typical phenomenon in EEG, hold importance in sleep science. Methods: This paper proposes a novel convolutional neural network (CNN) model to classify sleep spindles. Transfer learning is employed to apply the model trained on the sleep spindles of healthy subjects to those of subjects with insomnia for classification. To analyze the effect of transfer learning, we discuss the classification results of both partially and fully transferred convolutional layers. Results: The classification accuracy for the healthy and insomnia subjects' spindles were 93.68% and 92.77%, respectively. During transfer learning, when transferring all convolutional layers, the classification accuracy for the insomnia subjects' spindles was 91.41% and transferring only the first four convolutional layers achieved a classification result of 92.80%. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed CNN model can effectively classify sleep spindles. Furthermore, the features learned from the data of the normal subjects can be effectively applied to the data for subjects with insomnia, yielding desirable outcomes. Discussion: These outcomes underscore the efficacy of both the collected dataset and the proposed CNN model. The proposed model exhibits potential as a rapid and effective means to diagnose and treat sleep disorders, thereby improving the speed and quality of patient care.

A Wireless, High-Quality, Soft and Portable Wrist-Worn System for sEMG Signal Detection.

The study of wearable systems based on surface electromyography (sEMG) signals has attracted widespread attention and plays an important role in human-computer interaction, physiological state monitoring, and other fields. Traditional sEMG signal acquisition systems are primarily targeted at body parts that are not in line with daily wearing habits, such as the arms, legs, and face. In addition, some systems rely on wired connections, which impacts their flexibility and user-friendliness. This paper presents a novel wrist-worn system with four sEMG acquisition channels and a high common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) greater than 120 dB. The circuit has an overall gain of 2492 V/V and a bandwidth of 15~500 Hz. It is fabricated using flexible circuit technologies and is encapsulated in a soft skin-friendly silicone gel. The system acquires sEMG signals at a sampling rate of over 2000 Hz with a 16-bit resolution and transmits data to a smart device via low-power Bluetooth. Muscle fatigue detection and four-class gesture recognition experiments (accuracy greater than 95%) were conducted to validate its practicality. The system has potential applications in natural and intuitive human-computer interaction and physiological state monitoring.

Effect of miR-499-5p/SOX6 axis on atrial fibrosis in rats with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrosis is involved in the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). miR-499-5p is the most downregulated microRNA in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy hearts. Sry-related high-mobility-group box 6 (SOX6) is associated with apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and fibrosis. This study investigated the mechanism of miR-499-5p in ameliorating AF rats by regulating SOX6. AF rat models were established by injecting Ach-CaCl2 mixture, and the rats were treated with Lv-miR-499-5p/oe-SOX6/si-SOX6 before modeling. AF duration was recorded using electrocardiogram. miR-499-5p and SOX6 expression levels in the myocardium were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The binding of miR-499-5p and SOX6 was validated. The atrial fibrosis degree and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were assessed using the Masson and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining methods. Levels of SOX6, atrial fibrosis markers (collage I/α-SMA/TGFß1), cell cycle-related proteins (p21/CDC25/Cyclin B1), and cell senescence markers (SA-ß-gal/γ-H2AX) were measured using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. miR-499-5p was downregulated and SOX6 was upregulated in AF rats. miR-499-5p overexpression shortened the AF duration, alleviated atrial fibrosis, and decreased collage I/α-SMA/TGFß1. miR-499-5p targeted SOX6 to ameliorate atrial fibrosis. AF rats exhibited increased p21/CDC25/Cyclin B1/SA-ß-gal/γ-H2AX levels and raised cardiomyocyte apoptosis. SOX6 silencing downregulated p21 and alleviated cardiomyocyte cycle arrest, cell senescence, and apoptosis in AF rats. Shortly, miR-499-5p suppresses atrial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte senescence by targeting SOX6 and downregulating p21, thus mitigating AF in rats.

Optically modulated ionic conductivity in a hydrogel for emulating synaptic functions.

Ion-conductive hydrogels, with ions as signal carriers, have become promising candidates to construct functional ionotronics for sensing, actuating, and robotics engineering. However, rational modulation of ionic migration to mimic biological information processing, including learning and memory, remains challenging to be realized in hydrogel materials. Here, we develop a hybrid hydrogel with optically modulated ionic conductivity to emulate the functions of a biological synapse. Through a responsive supramolecular approach, optical stimuli can trigger the release of mobile ions for tuning the conductivity of the hydrogel, which is analogous to the modulation of synaptic plasticity. As a proof of concept, this hydrogel can be used as an information processing unit to perceive different optical stimuli and regulate the grasping motion of a robotic hand, performing logical motion feedback with "learning-experience" function. Our ionic hydrogel provides a valuable strategy toward developing bioinspired ionotronic systems and pushes forward the functional applications of hydrogel materials.

Reconfigurable Touch Panel Based on a Conductive Thixotropic Supramolecular Hydrogel.

Touch panels based on ionic conductive hydrogels perform excellent flexibility and biocompatibility, becoming promising candidates for the next-generation human-machine interface. However, these ionic hydrogels are usually composed of cross-linked polymeric networks that are difficult to be recycled or reconfigured, resulting in environmental issues. Herein, we designed a lithium ion-triggered gelation strategy to provide a conductive molecular hydrogel with thixotropy, which can be mechanically recycled or reconfigured at room temperature. In this hydrogel, lithium ions function as ionic bridges to construct supramolecular nanoassemblies and charge carriers to impart ionic conductivity. With polymer additives, the mechanical accommodability of the hydrogel was improved to meet the requirements of the daily use of touch panels. When this molecular hydrogel was fabricated into a surface capacitive touch panel, real-time sensing and reliable touch locating abilities were achieved. Remarkably, this touch panel can be reconfigured into 1D, 2D, and 3D device structures by a simple stirring-remolding method under ambient conditions. This work brings new insight into enriching the functionalities of hydrogel-based ionotronics with a supramolecular approach.

Synergistic Effect of Hydrogen and 5-Aza on Myogenic Differentiation through the p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Background and Objectives: This study aims to clarify the systems underlying regulation and regulatory roles of hydrogen combined with 5-Aza in the myogenic differentiation of adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs). Methods and Results: In this study, ADSCs acted as an in vitro myogenic differentiating mode. First, the Alamar blue Staining and mitochondrial tracer technique were used to verify whether hydrogen combined with 5-Aza could promote cell proliferation. In addition, this study assessed myogenic differentiating markers (e.g., Myogenin, Mhc and Myod protein expressions) based on the Western blotting assay, analysis on cellular morphological characteristics (e.g., Myotube number, length, diameter and maturation index), RT-PCR (Myod, Myogenin and Mhc mRNA expression) and Immunofluorescence analysis (Desmin, Myosin and ß-actin protein expression). Finally, to verify the mechanism of myogenic differentiation of hydrogen-bound 5-Aza, we performed bioinformatics analysis and Western blot to detect the expression of p-P38 protein. Hydrogen combined with 5-Aza significantly enhanced the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of ADSCs in vitro by increasing the number of single-cell mitochondria and upregulating the expression of myogenic biomarkers such as Myod, Mhc and myotube formation. The expressions of p-P38 was up-regulated by hydrogen combined with 5-Aza. The differentiating ability was suppressed when the cells were cultivated in combination with SB203580 (p38 MAPK signal pathway inhibitor). Conclusions: Hydrogen alleviates the cytotoxicity of 5-Aza and synergistically promotes the myogenic differentiation capacity of adipose stem cells via the p38 MAPK pathway. Thus, the mentioned results present insights into myogenic differentiation and are likely to generate one potential alternative strategy for skeletal muscle related diseases.

HDAC3 Impairs Cardiac Function in Chronic Heart Failure Rats via Mediating MicroRNA-26b-3p to Target High Mobility Group AT-Hook 2.

BACKGROUND: Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) has been studied in chronic heart failure (CHF), while the regulatory mechanism of HDAC3 on the development of CHF in regulating microRNA (miR)-26b-3p/high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) axis has not been extensively investigated. This study aimed to probe the effects of HDAC3, miR-26b-3p and HMGA2 on CHF. METHODS: CHF rat models were established using aortic coarctation. HDAC3, miR-26b-3p and HMGA2 levels in CHF rats were examined. Thereafter, the CHF rats were injected with relative oligonucleotides and plasmids of HDAC3, miR-26b-3p and HMGA2 to detect the cardiac function, inflammatory reaction, myocardial tissue pathological changes, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The binding relationship between miR-26b-3p and HMGA2 and the interaction between HDAC3 and miR-26b-3p were validated. RESULTS: HDAC3 and HMGA2 were elevated, while miR-26b-3p was decreased in CHF rats. The reduced HDAC3 or HMGA2 or enriched miR-26b-3p attenuated cardiac dysfunction, inflammatory reaction, myocardial tissue pathological changes and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in CHF rats, while the reduction of miR-26b-3p exerted the opposite effects. Furthermore, the inhibition of the miR-26b-3p or elevation of HMGA2 reversed the effect of reduced HDAC3 on mitigating CHF progression. Mechanically, miR-26b-3p targeted HMGA2 and HDAC3 bound to miR-26-3p. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of HDAC3 relieves cardiac function in CHF rats via mediating miR-26b-3p/HMGA2 axis. This study provides novel theory references and a distinct direction for the therapy strategies of CHF.

Safety and anterior chamber structure of evolution implantable Collamer lens implantation with short white-to-white corneal diameters.

Introduction: To evaluate the safety and anterior chamber structure of implantation of the Evolution (EVO) implantable Collamer lens (EVO-ICL) in patients with short white-to-white (WTW) corneal diameters. Materials and methods: The study population was divided into two groups: the experimental group (34 eyes of 34 patients) with WTW corneal diameters of ≤10.6 mm and the control group (59 eyes of 59 patients) with WTW corneal diameters of >10.6 mm. The outcome measures included uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, refractive power, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber angle, depth, volume, and vault. Results: The safety indices of the experimental and control groups were 1.17 ± 0.30 and 1.12 ± 0.14, respectively (P > 0.05); the effectiveness indices were 1.16 ± 0.31 and 1.07 ± 0.17, respectively (P > 0.05). The simulation curves of the expected and actual corrections in the experimental and control groups were y = 0.9876x - 0.0927 and y = 0.9799x + 0.0343, respectively. There were no significant differences between the IOPs and anterior chamber structures of the two groups (P > 0.05). The average vaults of the experimental and control groups were 395.76 ± 155.32 and 389.49 ± 135.01 µm, respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusion: EVO-ICL implantation in patients with short WTW corneal diameters (≤ 10.6 mm) was determined to be a safe, effective, and predictable method for correcting myopia. The changes in the anterior chamber structure were still within normal limits after the surgery, the IOP remained stable, and the ideal vault was achieved after the surgery.

One-year analysis of the refractive stability, axial elongation and related factors in a high myopia population after Implantable Collamer Lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the refractive stability, axial length (AL) changes and their related factors in a high myopia population after Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation. METHODS: This prospective study included 116 eyes of 116 patients divided into several groups based on the spherical equivalent refractive error (SE)-SE > - 6 D, - 12 ≤ SE < - 6 D and SE < - 12 D groups-and AL-AL < 28 mm and AL ≥ 28 mm groups. The uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity, refraction, AL and intraocular pressure were followed for 1 year. RESULTS: SE changed from - 11.53 ± 5.25 D preoperatively to - 0.33 ± 0.70 D at 1 week, and further changed to - 0.48 ± 0.77 D at 1 year after ICL implantation, with average progression being - 0.15 ± 0.37 D from 1 week to 1 year after surgery. AL changed from 27.95 ± 2.33 mm preoperatively to 27.98 ± 2.36 mm 1 year after surgery, with an average axial elongation of 0.03 ± 0.12 mm. The mean axial elongation rate was 0.05 mm/year in the SE < - 12 D group, being significantly faster than the other refractive groups (P < 0.05); it was 0.06 mm/year in the AL ≥ 28 mm group, being significantly faster than the AL < 28 mm group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with high myopia and long AL showed a continuous myopic progression and axial elongation at an adult age one year after ICL surgery, especially in those with myopia higher than - 12.00 D and AL longer than 28.00 mm.

miR-29b ameliorates atrial fibrosis in rats with atrial fibrillation by targeting TGFßRΙ and inhibiting the activation of Smad-2/3 pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of stroke with lifetime risks. microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with AF attenuation, yet the mechanism remains unknown. This study investigated the functional mechanism of miR-29b in atrial fibrosis in AF. METHODS: The AF rat model was established by a 7-day intravenous injection of Ach-CaCl2 mixture. AF rats were injected with adeno-associated virus (AAv)-miR-29b and TGFßRΙ overexpression plasmid. AF duration was recorded by electrocardiogram. Atrial fibrosis was observed by Masson staining. Expressions of COL1A1, COL3A1, TGFßRΙ, TGFßΙ, miR-29b and Smad-2/3 pathway-related proteins in atrial tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Binding sites of miR-29b and TGFßRΙ were predicted and their target relationship was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: miR-29b was poorly expressed and expressions of COL1A1, COL3A1, TGFßRΙ, and TGFß1 were increased in atrial tissues of AF rats. miR-29b overexpression alleviated atrial fibrosis, reduced expressions of COL1A1, COL3A1, and TGFß1, and shortened AF duration in AF rats. TGFßRΙ was highly expressed in atrial tissues of AF rats. miR-29b targeted TGFßRΙ. TGFßRΙ overexpression overcame the improving effect of miR-29b overexpression on AF. miR-29b overexpression decreased ratios of p-Smad-2/3 and Smad-2/3 and inhibited the Smad-2/3 pathway. CONCLUSION: miR-29b might mitigate atrial fibrosis in AF rats by targeting TGFßRΙ and inhibiting the Smad-2/3 pathway.

Safety of intraocular pressure measurement using air-puff tonometer after implantable collamer lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement using a noncontact tonometer in patients who have undergone implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation. SETTING: Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital. DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: 64 eyes of 33 patients (aged 28.4 ± 5.2 years) scheduled for ICL implantation were enrolled. The anterior segment parameters and vault were obtained using an anterior segment analyzer. A noncontact air-puff tonometer was used preoperatively and at 1 day and 1 week postoperatively to assess corneal biomechanical properties and IOP. The Corvis ST was used to evaluate the distance between the corneal endothelial layer and iris (E-Iris Dist) and the distance between the corneal endothelial layer and ICL (E-ICL Dist) when the cornea was deformed by the airflow. RESULTS: The mean anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), and anterior chamber angle (ACA) decreased significantly postoperatively (all P values <.001). The E-ICL Dist values measured 1 day and 1 week postoperatively were similar ( P = .107). However, a contact between the corneal endothelium and ICL was detected in 2 eyes when the cornea was deformed to the highest concavity. The 1-day postoperative vault, ACV, ACA, and preoperative stress-strain index contributed significantly ( P = .001, P = .023, P = .010, and P = .019, respectively) to determine the distance. The mean E-iris Dist values decreased significantly at 1 day and 1 week postoperatively ( P < .001). The 1-week postoperative vault and ACD contributed significantly ( P = .025 and P = .039, respectively) to determine the E-Iris Dist value. CONCLUSIONS: Excessively high vault, shallow ACD, narrow ACA, low ACV, and soft cornea are associated with a lower E-ICL distance and thus may be risk factors for a contact between the corneal endothelium and ICL during IOP measurement. Although there is no proof that the contact may cause any risks to the endothelium, noncontact air-puff tonometry should be avoided in eyes predicted by the study model to be at risk of this occurring. Contact IOP measurements using Goldmann applanation tonometers or dynamic contour tonometers may be alternate methods of IOP measurements in extreme cases.

Long-term Comparison of Vault and Complications of Implantable Collamer Lens with and without a Central Hole for High Myopia Correction: 5 Years.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term safety, efficacy, stability, vault, and complications of implantable collamer lens with (ICL V4c) and without (ICL V4) a central hole for correcting high myopia. METHODS: 78 eyes (40 patients) underwent ICL V4c implantation and 78 eyes (48 patients) underwent ICL V4 implantation were enrolled. They were followed up for 5 years of the uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity, spherical equivalent (SE), axial length, intraocular pressure, endothelial cell density and vault. RESUITS: The safety indices of the ICL V4c and V4 groups at 5 years were 1.25 ± 0.40 and 1.31 ± 0.40, respectively (P = .353). The efficacy indices were 0.90 ± 0.29 and 1.00 ± 0.44, respectively (P = .098). The preoperative, 1 month and 5 year postoperative logMAR UDVAs were respectively 1.54 ± 0.48, 0.11 ± 0.17, and 0.20 ± 0.26 in the V4c group and 1.56 ± 0.44, 0.14 ± 0.19, and 0.22 ± 0.26 in the V4 group (P = .703, 0.329, 0.585). The logMAR CDVAs were resepectively 0.13 ± 0.18, 0.02 ± 0.11, and 0.05 ± 0.16 in the V4c group and 0.18 ± 0.22, 0.05 ± 0.14, and 0.09 ± 0.21 in the V4 group (P = .128, 0.169, 0.229). The SE were resepectively -15.10 ± 4.32 D, -0.71 ± 1.31 D and -1.65 ± 1.30 D in the V4c group and -15.44 ± 3.51 D, -0.61 ± 1.12 D and -1.40 ± 1.30 D in the V4 group (P = .585, 0.637, 0.296). The mean vault reduced by 97.31 ± 136.61 µm in the V4c group and by 99.74 ± 245.83 µm in the V4 group. Three eyes (3.85%) with mid-periphery anterior subcapsular opacification in the V4c group and two (2.56%) with cataract, one (1.28%) with central anterior subcapsular opacification in the V4 group were observed. The CDVA of 20/40 was obtained in the two cataract eyes after phacoemulcification and intraocular lens implantation. CONCLUSION: Long-term ICL V4c and ICL V4 implantations are safe, effective, and stable for high myopia correction. ICL V4c can potentially reduce the risk of lens opacification and may be more tolerant to low vault than ICL V4.

Bilateral Differential Topography-A Novel Topographic Algorithm for Keratoconus and Ectatic Disease Screening.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish a novel bilateral differential topographic algorithm and assess its efficacy for screening of keratoconus and corneal ectasia before corneal refractive surgery. Methods: One hundred and sixty-one consecutive patients (115 men and 46 women, aged 22.8 ± 6.8 years) with keratoconus, including clinical keratoconus, subclinical keratoconus, forme fruste keratoconus (FFK), and corneal ectasia (KC group) and one hundred and seventy-four consecutive patients (97 men and 77 women, aged 25.1 ± 6.7 years) with ametropia (control group) visiting the Eye and ENT hospital of Fudan University from June 2018 to April 2021 were included. Bilateral differential keratometry, elevation, and pachymetry topographies were composed based on raw topographic data obtained by a Scheimpflug imaging anterior segment analyzer. Key bilateral differential characteristic parameters were calculated. SPSS 20 (SPSS Inc., IBM) was used for statistical analyses and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the diagnostic efficacies. Results: Mann-Whitney tests detected that the front keratometry, front elevation, corneal pachymetry, and back elevation maximal, mean, and standard deviation values within a 1.5-mm radius of the bilateral differential topography were all significantly higher in the KC group than in the control group (all p-values <0.001). The front keratometry mean (ΔFKmean) and standard deviation (ΔFKsd) and the front elevation standard deviation (ΔFEsd) and maximal (ΔFEmax) values within a 1.5-mm radius of the bilateral differential topography yielded the four highest accuracies (area under the ROC curve = 0.985, 0.985, 0.984, and 0.983, respectively) for discriminating KC cases (including FFK cases) from normal cases. Cut-off values of 0.75 diopters (D) for the ΔFKmean, 0.67 D for the ΔFKsd, 2.9 µm for the ΔFEsd, and 14.6 µm for the ΔFEmax had the highest sensitivities (95.7, 95.0, 96.9, and 95.0%, respectively) and specificities (96.0, 97.7, 94.8, and 95.4%, respectively). Conclusion: Bilateral differential topographic parameters may be efficient for the early detection of keratoconus and corneal ectasia secondary to corneal refractive surgery. This bilateral differential topographic algorithm may complement conventional diagnostic models by improving the sensitivity and specificity of screening for early keratoconus and ectasia before corneal refractive surgeries.

Five-year outcomes of EVO implantable collamer lens implantation for the correction of high myopia and super high myopia.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the long-term safety, efficacy, predictability, and stability of implantable collamer lens with a central hole (EVO ICL) implantation for correcting high myopia (HM) and super high myopia (SHM). METHODS: This prospective study evaluated 83 eyes of 46 patients who were divided into groups based on their spherical equivalent refractive error (SE): HM group (- 12 D ≤ SE < - 6 D) and SHM group (SE < - 12 D). They were followed up for 5 years after ICL implantation; assessments of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refractive error, axial length, intraocular pressure, corneal endothelial cell density, and vault were conducted, and a questionnaire was administered. RESUITS: At 5 years postoperatively, the safety indices of the HM and SHM groups were 1.03 ± 0.10 and 1.32 ± 0.39, and the efficacy indices were 0.83 ± 0.25 and 0.86 ± 0.32, respectively. In the HM group, 60.47% and 79.07% of the eyes were within ± 0.50 D and ± 1.00 D of the attempted correction, while it was achieved for 22.50% and 47.50% of the eyes in the SHM group, respectively. The SE of the HM group decreased from - 9.72 ± 1.41 D preoperatively to 0.04 ± 0.39 D 1 month postoperatively and - 0.67 ± 0.57 D 5 years postoperatively, while in the SHM group, it decreased from - 15.78 ± 3.06 D preoperatively to - 0.69 ± 0.97 D 1 month postoperatively and - 1.74 ± 1.19 D 5 years postoperatively. CONCLUSION: EVO ICL implantation is safe, effective, and predictable for correcting HM and SHM. CDVA improved more after surgery for SHM, but the growth of axial length still needs attention.

Effect of the Difference Between the White-to-White and Sulcus-to-Sulcus on Vault and the Related Factors After ICL Implantation.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the differences between the horizontal white-to-white (WTW) and horizontal sulcus-to-sulcus (STS) diameter measurements, their related factors, and their effects on vault after implantable Collamer lens (ICL) implantation. METHODS: This retrospective study included 429 eyes of 429 patients (145 men and 284 women with a mean age of 29.22 ± 8.06 years) who underwent ICL implantation. The choice of the ICL size depended on the WTW diameter and anterior chamber depth (ACD). The information of WTW diameter, STS diameters, ACD, and their relationships on vault were analyzed. RESULTS: Horizontal STS and WTW diameters were correlated (r = 0.71, P < 0.001). The mean difference between the STS and WTW diameters was -0.02 ± 0.33 (-1.36 to 1.11) mm. The average vaults of the △STS-WTW < -0.1 group, - 0.1 ≤ △STS-WTW ≤ 0.1 group, and △STS-WTW > 0.1 group were 558.36 ± 163.58 (250-1100) µm, 513.10 ± 121.42 (190-850) µm, and 469.01 ± 133.23 (120-750) µm, respectively. There were significant differences between these groups (P < 0.05). △STS-WTW was correlated with the horizontal STS diameter (r = 0.30, P < 0.001), the WTW diameter (r = -0.17, P = 0.001), and the ACD (r = 0.17, P < 0.001). When the WTW diameter was further away from 11.08 to 12.51 mm or the ACD was further away from 2.81 to 3.74 mm, the difference between the STS and WTW diameters was larger and the correlation between the STS and WTW diameters was weaker. CONCLUSIONS: The difference between the WTW and STS diameters was larger for cases with a WTW diameter or anterior chamber depth outside a certain range; this may be associated with an undesirable vault after ICL implantation. Special attention should be paid to these patients.

Identification of key pathways and hub genes in the myogenic differentiation of pluripotent stem cell: a bioinformatics and experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The regeneration of muscle cells from stem cells is an intricate process, and various genes are included in the process such as myoD, mf5, mf6, etc. The key genes and pathways in the differentiating stages are various. Therefore, the differential expression of key genes after 4 weeks of differentiation were investigated in our study. METHOD: Three published gene expression profiles, GSE131125, GSE148994, and GSE149055, about the comparisons of pluripotent stem cells to differentiated cells after 4 weeks were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained for further analysis such as protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and GSEA analysis. After hub genes and key pathways were obtained, we manipulated in vitro cell research for substantiation such as immunohistochemical staining and semi-quantitative analysis and quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: A total of 824 DEGs including 350 upregulated genes and 474 downregulated genes were identified in the three GSEs. Nineteen hub genes were identified from the PPI network. The GO and KEGG pathway analyses confirmed that myogenic differentiation at 4 weeks was strongly associated with pathway in cancer, PI3K pathway, actin cytoskeleton regulation and metabolic pathway, biosynthesis of antibodies, and cell cycle. GSEA analysis indicated the differentiated cells were enriched in muscle cell development and myogenesis. Meanwhile, the core genes in each pathway were identified from the GSEA analysis. The in vitro cell research revealed that actin cytoskeleton and myoD were upregulated after 4-week differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: The research revealed the potential hub genes and key pathways after 4-week differentiation of stem cells which contribute to further study about the molecular mechanism of myogenesis regeneration, paving a way for more accurate treatment for muscle dysfunction.

Conserved DNA sequences discovered from atrial fibrillation related genes.

Many genes change their transcription in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, which indicates the functional relationship of these genes with AF. Thus, identifying the over-represented motifs in the upstream region of these genes would shed light on the mechanism of this disease. We analyzed a set of microarray experiments, selected from genes whose expression was changed, and extracted their regulatory sequences from genome databases. In addition, we used a motif discovery algorithm to obtain frequent DNA motifs in these sequences. Representative motifs were selected and matched to known transcription factor binding sites by clustering analysis, and 3 putative motifs related to AF were finally identified.