Flight test results for microgravity active vibration isolation system on-board Chinese Space Station.

The Fluid Physics Research Rack (FPR) is a research platform employed on-board the Chinese Space Station for conducting microgravity fluid physics experiments. The research platform includes the Microgravity Active Vibration Isolation System (MAVIS) for isolating the FPR from disturbances arising from the space station itself. The MAVIS is a structural platform consisting of a stator and floater that are monitored and controlled with non-contact electromagnetic actuators, high-precision accelerometers, and displacement transducers. The stator is fixed to the FPR, while the floater serves as a vibration isolation platform supporting payloads, and is connected with the stator only with umbilicals that mainly comprise power and data cables. The controller was designed with a correction for the umbilical stiffness to minimize the effect of the umbilicals on the vibration isolation performance of the MAVIS. In-orbit test results of the FPR demonstrate that the MAVIS was able to achieve a microgravity level of 1-30 µg0 (where g0 = 9.80665 m ∙ s-2) in the frequency range of 0.01-125 Hz under the microgravity mode, and disturbances with a frequency greater than 2 Hz are attenuated by more than 10-fold. Under the vibration excitation mode, the MAVIS generated a minimum vibration acceleration of 0.4091 µg0 at a frequency of 0.00995 Hz and a maximum acceleration of 6253 µg0 at a frequency of 9.999 Hz. Therefore, the MAVIS provides a highly stable environment for conducting microgravity experiments, and promotes the development of microgravity fluid physics.

Positive interactions among Corynebacterium glutamicum and keystone bacteria producing SCFAs benefited T2D mice to rebuild gut eubiosis.

Accumulating evidences strongly support the correlations between the compositions of gut microbiome and therapeutic effects on Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Notably, gut microbes such as Akkermansia muciniphila are found able to regulate microecological balance and alleviate dysmetabolism of mice bearing T2D. In order to search out similarly functional bacteria, bacteriophage MS2 with a good specificity to bacteria carrying fertility (F) factor were used to treat T2D mice. Based on multi-omics analysis of microbiome and global metabolism of mice, we observed that gavage of bacteriophage MS2 and metformin led to a significant increase in the abundance of Corynebacterium glutamicum and A. muciniphila, respectively. Consequently, the gut microbiota were remodeled, leading to variations in metabolites and a substantial increase in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In which, the amount of acetate, propionate, and butyrate presented negative correlations to that of proinflammatory cytokines, which was beneficial to repairing the intestinal barriers and improving their functions. Moreover, main short fatty acid (SCFA) producers exhibited positive interactions, further facilitating the restoration of gut eubiosis. These findings revealed that C. glutamicum and its metabolites may be potential dietary supplements for the treatment of T2D. Moreover, our research contributes to a novel understanding of the underlying mechanism by which functional foods exert their anti-diabetic effects.

Serum IL-38 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin 38 (IL-38) is a new member of the IL-1 family, and it has anti-inflammatory activity. However, its role in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 40 T2DM patients and 42 healthy control subjects. The anthropometric and biochemical measurements were performed using an automatic biochemical analyser, high-performance liquid chromatography, and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Circulating IL-38 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Serum IL-38 levels in T2DM patients were significantly lower than those in controls. Correlation analysis showed that serum IL-38 was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure and interleukin 17 (IL-17). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that IL-38 may be a new biomarker of T2DM.

Abnormal linear dichroism transition in two-dimensional PdPS.

The linear dichroism (LD) conversion shows promising applications for polarized detectors, optical transition and light propagation. However, polarity reversal always occurs at a certain wavelength in LD materials, which can only distinguish two wavelength bands as wavelength-selective photodetectors. In this study, the multi-degree-of-freedom of optical anisotropy based on 2D PdPS flakes is carefully described, in which four critical switching wavelengths are observed. Remarkably, the quadruple LD conversion shows a significant wavelength-dependent behavior, allowing us to pinpoint five wavelength bands, 200-239 nm, 239-259 nm, 259-469 nm, 469-546 nm, and 546-700 nm, for a wavelength-selective approach to photodetectors. In addition, the polarized photoresponse under 532 nm was realized with an anisotropy factor of ∼1.51 and further illustrated the in-plane anisotropy. Raman spectroscopy of PdPS flakes also shows strong phonon anisotropy. The unique wavelength-selective property shows great potential for the miniaturization and integration of photodetectors.

Phage-based technologies for highly sensitive luminescent detection of foodborne pathogens and microbial toxins: A review.

Foodborne pathogens and microbial toxins are the main causes of foodborne illness. However, trace pathogens and toxins in foods are difficult to detect. Thus, techniques for their rapid and sensitive identification and quantification are urgently needed. Phages can specifically recognize and adhere to certain species of microbes or toxins due to molecular complementation between capsid proteins of phages and receptors on the host cell wall or toxins, and thus they have been successfully developed into a detection platform for pathogens and toxins. This review presents an update on phage-based luminescent detection technologies as well as their working principles and characteristics. Based on phage display techniques of temperate phages, reporter gene detection assays have been designed to sensitively detect trace pathogens by luminous intensity. By the host-specific lytic effects of virulent phages, enzyme-catalyzed chemiluminescent detection technologies for pathogens have been exploited. Notably, these phage-based luminescent detection technologies can discriminate viable versus dead microbes. Further, highly selective and sensitive immune-based assays have been developed to detect trace toxins qualitatively and quantitatively via antibody analogs displayed by phages, such as phage-ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and phage-IPCR (immuno-polymerase chain reaction). This literature research may lead to novel and innocuous phage-based rapid detection technologies to ensure food safety.

Proteome Characterization of Glaucoma Aqueous Humor.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The proteome characterization of glaucoma is not clearly understood. A total of 175 subjects, including 57 primary acute angle-closure glaucoma (PAACG), 50 primary chronic angle-closure glaucoma (PCACG), 35 neovascular glaucoma (NVG), and 33 cataract patients, were enrolled and comparison proteomic analysis was provided. The samples were randomly divided into discovery group or validation group, whose aqueous humor proteome was analyzed by data-independent acquisition or by parallel reaction monitoring. The common proteome features of three types of glaucoma were immune response, lipid metabolism, and cell death. Three proteins, VTN, SERPIND1, and CD14, showed significant upregulation in glaucoma and could discriminate glaucoma from cataract. Mutual differential proteomic analysis of PAACG, PCACG, and NVG showed different proteome characterization of the three types of glaucoma. NVG was characterized with activated angiogenesis. PAACG was characterized with activation of inflammation response. SERPIND1 was discovered to play vital role in glaucoma occurrences, which is associated with eye transparency decrease and glucose metabolism. This study would provide insights in understanding proteome characterization of glaucoma and benefit the clinical application of AH proteome.

Proteomic Study of Aqueous Humor and Its Application in the Treatment of Neovascular Glaucoma.

Aqueous humor (AH) proteins are involved in many physiological and pathological processes of the eye. The proteome analysis of AH is important to understand its physiological and pathophysiological functions. In the present study, AH samples obtained from 21 cataract volunteers were pooled together. After high-pH RPLC offline separation, the pooled sample was analyzed by LC-MS/MS to provide a comprehensive profile of AH proteome. The function analysis was provided by the GO and IPA annotation. In order to determine whether the AH proteome can reflect the pathophysiological changes of the disease, DIA technology was used to analyze the AH samples obtained from three neovascular glaucoma (NVG) patients (six samples) before and after drug treatment. The differential proteins were validated by PRM technology in an independent group (14 samples). In the AH proteome database, 802 proteins were identified, and 318 proteins were identified for the first time. Furthermore, 480 proteins were quantified based on the peak intensity-based semiquantification (iBAQ), which ranged by approximately 7 orders of magnitude. These proteins are primarily involved in immunity- and inflammation-related pathways. The differential AH proteomic analysis in NVG treatment revealed that the AH proteome can reflect the pathophysiological changes of drug treatment. Angiogenesis and thrombus coagulation progression are deeply involved in NVG treatment. The present experiment provided a comprehensive AH proteome analysis and expanded the profile of human AH proteome. The differential AH proteomic analysis of NVG treatment indicated that AH proteome can reflect the pathophysiological changes in drug intervention.

FoxM1 affects adhesive, migratory, and invasive abilities of human retinoblastoma Y-79 cells by targeting matrix metalloproteinase 2.

Forkhead box protein M1 (FoxM1) is an important transcription factor involved in various pathological processes including tumor metastasis. The changes of adhesive, migratory, and invasive abilities are considered as crucial events in tumor metastasis progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between FoxM1 and retinoblastoma (Rb) metastasis and to explore the detailed mechanism. Wound healing, cell adhesion, and invasion assays showed that FoxM1 overexpression induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in Y-79 cells and inhibited adhesion and subsequently promoted metastasis of Y-79 cells, while FoxM1 knockdown showed the opposite effects. A luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay provided evidence that FoxM1 promoted matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) transcription by directly binding to and promoting MMP2 promoter. MMP2 knockdown by siRNA transfection attenuated cell metastasis of Y-79 cells induced by FoxM1 overexpression. Furthermore, the FoxM1-binding site mapped between -1167 and -1161 bp of the MMP2 promoter was identified. Our results suggested that the FoxM1-MMP2 axis plays an important role in Rb metastasis, which may be a novel target for designing therapeutic regimen to control Rb metastasis.

Hydrogen sulfide serves as a biomarker in the anterior segment of patients with diabetic retinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to determine hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations of the aqueous humor from patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) to compare its levels in the anterior segments, also to investigate its effect on the retinal microvascular endothelial cells under high glucose condition. METHODS: AH samples were collected from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 11), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 12) and diabetic patients without DR as controls (n = 12). There were 5 patients with PDR received intraocular anti-VEGF injection (Lucentis). Cultured RF/6A cells were grouped into control group, mannitol group, high glucose group and NaHS co-administrated high glucose group. Concentrations of H2S were detected by chemical assay. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: A significantly higher H2S level was observed in AH samples of PDR patients among other groups. The H2S level of DR group was higher than that of control group. Decreased H2S levels in the AH of post-injected PDR patients were observed compared with their AH samples before the anti-VEGF injection. In cell culture, low concentration of NaHS can reverse high-glucose-induced apoptosis of RF/6A cells. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed increased H2S levels in the anterior segments of different DR patients. The anti-VEGF injection reduced the H2S level in AH from PDR patients. The study suggested that H2S may serve as a biomarker in the progression of PDR. On the other hand, the H2S donor exerted a protective effect on retinal vascular endothelial cells against high-glucose-induced apoptosis.

Identification of Potential Biomarkers for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Associated with Choroidal Detachment by Vitreous iTRAQ-Based Proteomic Profiling.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment (RRDCD) is a complicated and serious type of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). In this study, we identified differentially expressed proteins in the vitreous humors of RRDCD and RRD using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) combined with nano-liquid chromatography-electrospray ion trap-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS) and bioinformatic analysis. Our result shows that 103 differentially expressed proteins, including 54 up-regulated and 49 down-regulated proteins were identified in RRDCD. Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested that most of the differentially expressed proteins were extracellular．The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that proteins related to complement and coagulation cascades were significantly enriched. iTRAQ-based proteomic profiling reveals that complement and coagulation cascades and inflammation may play important roles in the pathogenesis of RRDCD. This study may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of RRDCD and offer potential opportunities for the diagnosis and treatment of RRDCD.

Choroidal Thickness and Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Numerous studies have detected choroidal thickness abnormalities and changes in open-angle glaucoma (OAG), as measured by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography technologies, but the results have not always been consistent. Therefore, a meta-analysis and systematic review was performed to evaluate the choroidal thickness in OAG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed on Medline, Embase, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, and Chinese databases including Wangfang and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure). Eligible articles were identified by reviewing the retrieved results. For continuous outcomes, we calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 12.0 software. RESULTS: Twenty-two case-control or cross-sectional studies were included in the present meta-analysis. The results of our study showed that there was no significant difference in subfoveal choroidal thickness between patients with OAG and controls (WMD=-7.94; 95% CI, -26.01 to 10.13; P=0.389). Similar findings were obtained for the average peripapillary choroidal thickness (WMD=-14.24; 95% CI, -30.20 to 1.73; P=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis found no significant difference in the choroidal thickness both under the fovea and around the optic nerve head between OAG patients and controls. On the basis of the anatomic features of blood supply in optic nerve head, it is plausible that the choroidal thickness is not an appropriate parameter to evaluate the damage of OAG, and choroidal thinning may not be an important component of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Metabolomic Analysis of Human Vitreous in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Associated With Choroidal Detachment.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to identify obvious different metabolites and metabolic pathways to elucidate the etiology of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment (RRDCD) so as to provide direction toward diagnosis and treatment of RRDCD. METHODS: We used a liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight/mass spectrometer (LC-Q-TOF/MS) to obtain the metabolome from the vitreous tissue of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and RRDCD. The metabolomes from 29 samples (14 from RRD patients and 15 from RRDCD patients) were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). A one-way analysis of variance with a Bonferroni correction was used to test significance. The Biofluid Metabolites Database and Human Metabolome Database were used to identify ions. RESULTS: The PLS-DA identified 265 (variable importance in the project >1) ions whose levels were significantly different in vitreous from patients with RRD and RRDCD. Among the 265 ions, 24 (23 observed in the positive mode and 1 observed in the negative mode) were identified by searching MS and MS/MS fragments in the Biofluid Metabolites Database and Human Metabolome Database. Metabolites found were associated with pathways related to proliferation, inflammatory reactions, and hemodynamic changes. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolites have been identified that were present in vitreous at significantly different levels between RRDCD and RRD. These metabolites are likely to be involved in the pathology of each disease and may potentially be used to diagnose and treat RRDCD and RRD.

Identification of inflammatory mediators in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment.

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression profile of intravitreous cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment (RRDCD) in comparison with patients with only rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: Twenty RRDCD patients and 30 RRD patients were included in this case-control study. A multiplex bead-based immunoassay was performed to determine the expression of a wide range of 29 inflammatory mediators in undiluted vitreous from the patients. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test for nonparametric values and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the patients with RRD, intravitreous inflammatory mediators, including migration inhibitor factor (MIF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), CCL4, CCL11, CCL17, CCL19, CCL22, CXCL9, CXCL8, soluble inter-cellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), transforming growth factor ß3 (TGF-ß3), and platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA), were upregulated in patients with RRDCD. After calibrating the factors duration of detachment, preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy grade, and presence or absence of macular hole, the PDGF-AA concentrations were not significantly different according to the multivariate logistic regression analysis. MIF and sICAM-1 markers were significantly different between the two groups and represented a forward stepwise logistic regression trend. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report to use multiplex bead analysis to investigate inflammatory mediators related to RRDCD. We proposed that the upregulated expression of these mediators may be involved in the inflammation process of RRDCD and that regulation of their expression may be potentially therapeutic by altering local inflammation.

Identification of chemokines and growth factors in proliferative diabetic retinopathy vitreous.

Associations were investigated between levels of chemokines and growth factors in the vitreous and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Enrolled were 58 patients (58 eyes) requiring pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), with PDR (n=32, none with traction retinal detachment) or not (non-PDR). In the latter, 16 had macular hole (MH) and 10 had epiretinal membrane (ERM). With a multiplex bead immunoassay, levels of 11 chemokines and growth factors were measured from the undiluted vitreous sample from each patient. In the non-PDR eyes, the levels of the 11 chemokines and growth factors tested were similar between patients with MH and those with ERM. However, the levels of all 11 were significantly higher in the PDR eyes relative to the non-PDR; CCL17, CCL19, and TGFß3 were markedly upregulated and have not been investigated in PDR previously. The significantly higher levels of CCL4 and CCL11 in PDR contradict the results of previous reports. Based on Spearman's nonparametric test, moderate-to-strong correlations were found between VEGF and other mediators. Our results indicate that these chemokines and growth factors could be candidates for research into targeted therapies applied either singly or in combination with anti-VEGF drugs for the treatment of PDR.