Validation of an 8-item Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS-8) for people with schizophrenia in China.

BACKGROUND: The 24-item Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS) is the most widely-used and well-validated tool for measuring recovery for people with mental illness. The current study aims to assess the reliability and validity of an 8-item short form of RAS (RAS-8) among a Chinese sample of people living with schizophrenia. METHODS: A sample of 400 people living with schizophrenia were recruited for scale validation. Internal consistency was tested by calculating Cronbach's α. Test-retest reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the total score and weighted kappa for each item. Factor structure was tested with confirmatory factor analysis, and concurrent validity was examined by investigating the correlation of the RAS-8 with patient symptoms, disability, depression, anxiety, patient functioning, quality of life and general health. RESULTS: The RAS-8 full scale and subscales showed good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.87 to 0.92. ICC of 0.99 and weighted kappa ranged from 0.62 to 0.88, which generally indicates good test-retest reliability. The findings supported an a priori two-factor structure, χ2/df = 2.93, CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.035. Concurrent validity of the RAS-8 was further supported by its significant negative correlations with patient symptoms (r = -0.24, p < 0.01), disability (r = -0.30, p < 0.01), depression (r = -0.16, p < 0.05), and anxiety (r = -0.14, p < 0.05), and its significant positive relationships with patient functioning (r = 0.26, p < 0.01), quality of life (r = 0.39, p < 0.01) and general health (r = 0.34, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the reliability and validity of an 8-item short-form RAS for people living with schizophrenia in Chinese communities. The validation of the RAS-8 allows for its use as an alternative for the full RAS as a rapid assessment tool in clinical and research settings. The findings are discussed for their implications for application and validation with other populations and in other countries.

Static Magnetic Field (2-4 T) Improves Bone Microstructure and Mechanical Properties by Coordinating Osteoblast/Osteoclast Differentiation in Mice.

Static magnetic field (SMF), with constant magnetic field strength and direction, has a long history of basic and clinical research in bone biology. Numerous studies demonstrate that exposure to moderate SMF (1 mT-1 T) can increase bone mass and bone density. However, few studies pay attention to the effects of high SMF (>1 T) on the skeletal system. To investigate the physiological effects of high SMF on bone, mice were exposed to 2-4 T SMF for 28 days. Bone microstructure and mechanical properties were examined. The activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts involved in bone remodeling was evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Compared with the unexposed group, 2-4 T significantly improved the femoral microstructure and tibial mechanical properties. For bone remodeling in vivo, the number of osteoblasts and bone formation was increased, and the osteoclastic number was decreased by 2-4 T. Moreover, the expression of marker proteins in the femur and concentrations of biochemical indicators in serum involved in bone formation were elevated and bone resorption was reduced under 2-4 T SMF. In vitro, osteoblast differentiation was promoted, and the osteoclastic formation and bone resorption ability were inhibited by 2 T SMF. Overall, these results demonstrate that 2-4 T SMF improved bone microarchitecture and strength by stimulating bone formation and restraining bone resorption, and imply that high SMF might become a potential biophysical treatment modality for bone diseases with abnormal bone remodeling. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Protective Effects of Moderate Intensity Static Magnetic Fields on Diabetic Mice.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of moderate-intensity static magnetic field (SMF) on diabetic mice. We studied the effects of SMF on blood glucose of normal mice by starch tolerance and glucose tolerance tests. Then, we evaluated the effects of SMF on blood glucose of diabetic mice by establishing alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic mice and high-fat diet + streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic mice. The results showed that different magnetic field intensities and blank control did not affect the blood glucose of normal mice. After starch and glucose administration, different magnetic fields could improve the glucose tolerance of normal mice, and this was obvious in the 600 mT group. In the experiment of type 1 diabetic mice induced by alloxan, the results showed that different magnetic field intensities could improve the starch tolerance of mice, and that in the 400 mT group was obvious. In the experiment of type 2 diabetic mice induced by a high-fat diet + STZ, the 400 mT group could reduce food intake and water consumption in the later period. The 600 mT group could improve the starch tolerance of mice. The 400 and 600 mT groups could reduce fasting blood glucose. At the same time, total cholesterol and triglyceride decreased in different magnetic field intensities, and the 600 mT group could significantly increase the serum insulin content of mice. In summary, the results of this study suggest that SMF has a protective role in diabetic mice. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Safety of exposure to high static magnetic fields (2 T-12 T): a study on mice.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the biological effects of high static magnetic field (HiSMF, 2-12 Tesla [T]) exposure on mice in a stable and effective breeding environment in the chamber of a superconducting magnet. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were bred in the geomagnetic field and HiSMF with different magnetic field strengths (2-4 T, 6-8 T, and 10-12 T) for 28 days. The body weight, blood indices, organ coefficients, and histomorphology of major organs were analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed that the HiSMF had no significant effect on the body weight, organ coefficients, or histomorphology of major organs in mice. The HiSMF had no effect on most routine blood and biochemical indices, but the value of the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) was increased in the 2-4 T group compared with that of the other groups, and the uric acid level (UA) was decreased in the three HiSMF groups compared with that of the control group. CONCLUSION: The C57BL/6 mice were not affected when they were exposed to different HiSMF environments for 28 days. KEY POINTS: • No physiological problems were observed in mice with long-term whole-body exposure to HiSMF.

Electromagnetic fields regulate iron metabolism in living organisms: A review of effects and mechanism.

The emergence, evolution, and spread of life on Earth have all occurred in the geomagnetic field, and its extensive biological effects on living organisms have been documented. The charged characteristics of metal ions in biological fluids determine that they are affected by electromagnetic field forces, thus affecting life activities. Iron metabolism, as one of the important metal metabolic pathways, keeps iron absorption and excretion in a relatively balanced state, and this process is precisely and completely controlled. It is worth paying attention to how the iron metabolism process of living organisms is changed when exposed to electromagnetic fields. In this paper, the processes of iron absorption, storage and excretion in animals (mammals, fish, arthropods), plants and microorganisms exposed to electromagnetic field were summarized in detail as far as possible, in order to discover the regulation of iron metabolism by electromagnetic field. Studies and data on the effects of electromagnetic field exposure on iron metabolism in organisms show that exposure profiles vary widely across species and cell lines. This process involves a variety of factors, and the complexity of the results is not only related to the magnetic flux density/operating frequency/exposure time and the heterogeneity of the observed object. A systematic review of the biological regulation of iron metabolism by electromagnetic field exposure will not only contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of its biological effects and mechanism, but also is necessary to improve human awareness of the health related risks of electromagnetic field exposure.

Influence of Lens Thickness on Accuracy of Kane, Hill-RBF 3.0, Barrett Universal II, Emmetropia Verifying Optical, and Pearl-DGS Formulas in Eyes with Nonhigh Myopia and High Myopia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of lens thickness (LT) on accuracy of Kane, Hill-RBF 3.0 Barrett Universal II (BUII), Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO), and Pearl-DGS formulas in eyes with different axial lengths (AL). METHODS: The prospective cohort study was conducted at Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University. Patients who had uneventful cataract surgery between March 2021 and July 2023 were recruited. Manifest refraction was conducted two-month post-surgery. Eyes were divided into 4 groups based on AL: short (<22mm), medium (22-24.5 mm), medium long (24.5-26mm) and very long (≥26mm). In each AL group, eyes were then divided into 3 subgroups based on the LT measured with IOLmaster700: thin (<4.5 mm), medium (4.5-5.0 mm), and thick (≥ 5 mm). The influence of LT on accuracy of Kane, Hill-RBF 3.0, BUII, EVO, and Pearl-DGS formulas were investigated in each AL group. RESULTS: A total of 327 eyes from 327 patients were analyzed, with 64, 102, 73 and 88 eyes in each AL group, respectively. In eyes with AL < 24.5 mm, myopic PE was significantly associated with greater LT using all the 5 formulas (all p < 0.05). Backward stepwise multivariate regression analyses revealed that LT was an important influencing factor for PE in all 5 formulas, particularly in eyes with AL <24.5 mm. In eyes with AL <24.5 mm and LT > 5.0 mm, PE of all 5 formulas calculated with the optional parameter LT were more myopic than those calculated without LT. CONCLUSIONS: Thicker LT was associated with more myopic PE among eyes with AL <24.5 mm when using all 5 formulas. Further optimization of current formulas is necessary, especially for eyes with short AL and thick LT.

Recent advances of nanoparticles on bone tissue engineering and bone cells.

With the development of biotechnology, biomaterials have been rapidly developed and shown great potential in bone regeneration therapy and bone tissue engineering. Nanoparticles have attracted the attention of researches and have applied in various fields especially in the biomedical field as the special physicochemical properties. Nanoparticles were found to regulate bone remodeling depending on their size, shape, composition, and charge. Therefore, in-depth research was necessary to provide the basic support to select the most suitable nanoparticles for bone relate diseases treatment. This article reviews the current development of nanoparticles in bone tissue engineering, focusing on drug delivery, gene delivery, and cell labeling. In addition, the research progress on the interaction of nanoparticles with bone cells, focusing on osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and the underlying mechanism were also reviewed. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions are discussed. Thus, detailed study of nanoparticles may reveal new therapeutic strategies to improve the effectiveness of bone regeneration therapy or other bone diseases.

Ultra-high static magnetic fields altered the embryonic division and development in Caenorhabditis elegans via multipolar spindles.

INTRODUCTION: Ultra-high static magnetic fields (SMFs) have unique advantages in improving medical and academic research. However, the research on the early embryo exposure of ultra-high SMFs is minimal, extensive exploration is indispensable in living organisms. OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed to study the effects of ultra-high SMFs on the early embryonic division and development of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). METHODS: Early adult parents containing fertilized eggs in vivo were exposed to SMFs at intensities ranging from 4 T to 27 T. The number of mitotic cells in the reproductive glands of the P0 worms, early embryonic cell spindle localization, embryo hatching and the reproductive as well as developmental indicators of F1 and F2 nematodes were examined as endpoints. RESULTS: Our results indicated that ultra-high SMFs has no obvious effect on the germ cell cycle, while 14 T and 27 T SMFs significantly increased the proportion of multi-polar spindle formation in early embryonic cells, and reduced the developmental rate and lifespan of C. elegans exposed at the embryonic stage. Spindle abnormalities of early embryonic cells, as well as the down-regulation of genes related to asymmetric embryonic division and the abnormal expression of the non-muscle myosin NMY-2 in the division grooves played a critical role in the slowing down of embryonic development induced by ultra-high SMFs. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided novel information and a new sight for evaluating the biosafety assessment by exposure to ultra-high SMFs at the early embryonic stage in vivo.

Research progress on the effects and mechanisms of magnetic field on neurodegenerative diseases.

With the progress of modern science and technology, magnetic therapy technology develops rapidly, and many types of magnetic therapy methods continue to emerge, making magnetic therapy one of the main techniques of physiotherapy. With the continuous development of magnetic field research and clinical applications, magnetic therapy, as a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy technology, has attracted much attention due to its potential in the treatment of motor dysfunction, cognitive impairment and speech disorders in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. However, the role of magnetic fields in the prognosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and their mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In this paper, the therapeutic effect and neuroprotective mechanism of the magnetic field on neurodegenerative diseases are reviewed, and the new magnetic therapy techniques are also summarized. Although the neuroprotective mechanism of magnetic field cannot be fully elaborated, it is helpful to promote the application of magnetic field in neurodegenerative diseases and provide a new theoretical basis for the related magnetic field research in the later period.

Morphologic features of iris in highly myopic eyes based on a novel swept-source optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the morphologic features of iris in the highly myopic (HM) eyes using a novel swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, 100 eyes of 100 patients scheduled to have cataract surgery were included, categorized into the control (22 mm< AL < 24.5 mm) and HM (AL ≥ 26 mm) groups. Iris volume (IV), area of anterior iris surface (IS), area of posterior IS, and average iris thickness (IT), as well as anterior chamber volume (ACV) and trabecular-iris space at 500 µm (TISA 500) were evaluated using SS-OCT. The associated factors with morphologic features of iris were also investigated. RESULTS: The HM group showed significantly larger IV and area of anterior and posterior IS than the control group (all P < 0.001), while no difference was identified in IT between the groups. Similar trend in IV was seen in the superior and nasal segments, and area of anterior and posterior IS showed similar trends in all segments except the temporal segment. The IV, area of anterior and posterior IS were all positively correlated with AL (all P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression revealed that a larger IV was associated with greater ACV. Both larger areas of anterior IS and posterior IS were associated with male, longer AL, greater ACV, and smaller TISA 500. CONCLUSIONS: The HM eyes showed larger IV and area of IS than the control eyes, indicating a coronal expansion of the iris with AL. Iris morphology correlated with anterior chamber angle configuration.

Correction of Asymmetric Bowtie Corneal Astigmatism with a Toric Intraocular Lens: Outcomes and Accuracy of Measurement Modes.

The outcomes of toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in correcting asymmetric bowtie corneal astigmatism remain uncertain. The accurate measurement of corneal astigmatism is essential for surgical planning. In this prospective cohort study, patients with asymmetric or symmetric bowtie corneal astigmatism who underwent toric IOL implantation were recruited. Preoperative corneal astigmatism was measured with an IOLMaster and Pentacam (including the simulated keratometry (SimK), total corneal refractive power (TCRP), and wavefront aberration (WFA) modes). At 3 months after surgery, the refractive outcomes and residual astigmatic refractive errors were compared with patients with symmetric bowtie astigmatism. The prediction errors (the differences between the calculated actual corneal astigmatism and the measured corneal astigmatism) were compared among the different measurement modes in the asymmetric group. There were no differences in residual astigmatism between the asymmetric and symmetric groups. However, the mean absolute residual astigmatic refractive error was greater in the asymmetric group than in the symmetric group (0.72 ± 0.42 D vs. 0.53 ± 0.24 D, p = 0.043). In the asymmetric group, the mean absolute prediction errors for the IOLMaster, SimK, TCRP and WFA modes were 0.53 ± 0.40, 0.56 ± 0.47, 0.68 ± 0.52, and 0.43 ± 0.40 D, respectively. The Pentacam WFA mode was the most accurate mode (p < 0.05). The absolute prediction error of the WFA mode was positively correlated with the total corneal irregular astigmatism higher-order aberrations and coma (r = 0.416 and r = 0.473, respectively; both p < 0.05). Our study suggests toric IOL implantation effectively corrected asymmetric bowtie corneal astigmatism. The Pentacam WFA mode may be the most accurate measurement mode, although its accuracy decreased as asymmetry increased.

Magneto-mechanical stimulation modulates osteocyte fate via the ECM-integrin-CSK axis and wnt pathway.

Osteocytes are the mechano-sensors of bones. Large gradient high-static magnetic fields (LG-HMFs) produce stable, high-precision, and non-attenuation mechanical forces. We discovered that magnetic forces opposite to gravity inhibited MLO-Y4 osteocyte proliferation and viability by inducing structural damage and apoptosis. In contrast, magnetic force loading in the same direction as that of gravity promoted the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of MLO-Y4 osteocytes. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis after magnetic force stimulation indicated that the ECM-integrin-CSK axis responded most significantly to mechanical signals. Wisp2 was the most significant DEG between the 12 T upward and downward groups, showing the highest correlation with the Wnt pathway according to the STRING protein interaction database. Explaining the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which mechanical stimuli influence bone remodeling is currently the focus of osteocyte-related research. Our findings provide insights into the effects of LG-HMFs on bone cells, which have further implications in clinical practice.

Visual and patient-reported outcomes of a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens in highly myopic eyes: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the visual and patient-reported outcomes of a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: Patients with planned cataract removal by phacoemulsification and implantation of a trifocal IOL (AT LISA tri 839MP) were enrolled in the prospective, multicenter cohort study. Patients were allocated into three groups according to their axial length (AL): control group, AL < 26 mm; high myopia group, AL 26-28 mm; extreme myopia group, AL ≥ 28 mm. At 3 months post-surgery, data for 456 eyes of 456 patients were collected, including visual acuity, defocus curve, contrast sensitivity (CS), visual quality, spectacle independence, and overall satisfaction. RESULTS: After surgery, the uncorrected distance visual acuity improved from 0.59 ± 0.41 to 0.06 ± 0.12 logMAR (P < 0.001). In all three groups, about 60% of eyes achieved uncorrected near and intermediate visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better, but significantly fewer eyes in the extreme myopia group achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better (P < 0.05). Defocus curves revealed that the visual acuity was significantly worse in the extreme myopia group than others at 0.00, - 0.50, and - 2.00 diopters (P < 0.05). CS did not differ between the control and high myopia groups but was significantly lower in the extreme myopia group at 3 cycles per degree. The extreme myopia group also had greater higher-order aberrations and coma, lower modulation transfer functions and VF-14 scores, more glare and halos, worse spectacle independence at far distance, and consequently lower patient satisfaction than others (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In eyes with a high degree of myopia (AL < 28 mm), trifocal IOLs have been shown to provide similar visual outcomes to those in non-myopic eyes. However, in extremely myopic eyes, acceptable results may be obtained with trifocal IOLs, but a reduced level of uncorrected distance vision is expected.

Ultra-high static magnetic field induces a change in the spectrum but not frequency of DNA spontaneous mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Biological effects of magnetic fields have been extensively studied in plants, microorganisms and animals, and applications of magnetic fields in regulation of plant growth and phytoprotection is a promising field in sustainable agriculture. However, the effect of magnetic fields especially ultra-high static magnetic field (UHSMF) on genomic stability is largely unclear. Here, we investigated the mutagenicity of 24.5, 30.5 and 33.0 T UHSMFs with the gradient of 150, 95 and 0 T/m, respectively, via whole genome sequencing. Our results showed that 1 h exposure of Arabidopsis dried seeds to UHSMFs has no significant effect on the average rate of DNA mutations including single nucleotide variations and InDels (insertions and deletions) in comparison with the control, but 33.0 T and 24.5 T treatments lead to a significant change in the rate of nucleotide transitions and InDels longer than 3 bp, respectively, suggesting that both strength and gradient of UHSMF impact molecular spectrum of DNA mutations. We also found that the decreased transition rate in UHSMF groups is correlated with the upstream flanking sequences of G and C mutation sites. Furthermore, the germination rate of seeds exposed to 24.5 T SMF with -150 T/m gradient showed a significant decrease at 24 hours after sowing. Overall, our data lay a basis for precisely assessing the potential risk of UHSMF on DNA stability, and for elucidating molecular mechanism underlying gradient SMF-regulated biological processes in the future.

A static magnetic field enhances the repair of osteoarthritic cartilage by promoting the migration of stem cells and chondrogenesis.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of static magnetic field (SMF) and its regulatory mechanism in the repair of osteoarthritic cartilage. Methods: Fourteen-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham operation group and the osteoarthritis (OA) groups with and without SMF application. SMF was applied at 200 â€‹mT for two consecutive weeks. Changes in knee cartilage were examined by histomorphometry, and the chondrogenesis and migration of endogenous stem cells were assessed. The expression of SRY-related protein 9 (SOX9), Collagen type II (COL2), matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP13), stromal cell-derived factor 1/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (SDF-1/CXCR4), Piezo1 and other genes was evaluated, and the mechanism of SMF's action was tested using the CXCR4 inhibitor, AMD3100, and Piezo1 siRNA. Results: SMF significantly decreased the OARSI scores after induction of OA. SMF was beneficial to chondrogenesis by elevating SOX9. In the OA mouse model, an increase in MMP13 with a decrease in COL2 led to the destruction of the cartilage extracellular matrix, which was suppressed by SMF. SMF promoted the migration of cartilage-derived stem/progenitor cells and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). It increased SDF-1 and CXCR4, while the CXCR4 inhibitor significantly suppressed the beneficial effects of SMF. The application of Piezo1 siRNA inhibited the SMF-induced increase of CXCR4. Conclusion: SMF enhanced chondrogenesis and improved cartilage extracellular matrices. It activated the Piezo1-mediated SDF-1/CXCR4 regulatory axis and promoted the migration of endogenous stem cells. Collectively, it attenuated the pathological progression of cartilage destruction in OA mice. The Translational potential of this article: The findings in this study provided convincing evidence that SMF could enhance cartilage repair and improve OA symptoms, suggesting that SMF could have clinical value in the treatment of OA.

The polyamidoamine-mediated inhibition of bcl-2 by small hairpin RNA to induce apoptosis in human lens epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) can be induced with the polyamidoamine (PAMAM)-mediated inhibition of bcl-2 (b-cell lymphoma 2) by small hairpin RNA (shRNA). METHODS: HLECs (SRA01/04) were transfected with the fifth generation of PAMAM (PAMAM G5) by bcl-2 shRNA. At 24, 48, and 72 h after transfection, the transfection rate was measured by flow cytometry. The transfection rates mediated by PAMAM and liposome were compared. The bcl-2 mRNA level was detected by real-time PCR. Whole cell protein was extracted and the bcl-2 protein level was detected by western blotting. The percentage of HLECs undergoing apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The nuclear morphology of HLECs was observed by staining with Hoechst 33258. The expression of cytochrome c and the activity of cleaved caspase-3 were analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS: At 24, 48, and 72 h after transfection, the rate of transfection of bcl-2 shRNA mediated by PAMAM was higher than in the liposome-mediated group (p<0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of bcl-2 were greatly downregulated. The percentage of HLECs undergoing apoptosis was greatly improved. Hoechst staining showed that bcl-2 shRNA transfected cells had a lower growth status with nuclear fragmentation. The expression of cytochrome c and the activity of cleaved caspase-3 was greatly improved (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PAMAM-mediated bcl-2 shRNA can downregulate the expression of bcl-2 and induce the apoptosis of HLECs by engaging the mitochondrial pathway, including catalytic activation of the caspases.

Proteomic analysis of SRA01/04 transfected with wild-type and mutant HSF4b identified from a Chinese congenital cataract family.

PURPOSE: Congenital cataracts account for about 10% of cases of childhood blindness. Heat shock transcription factor 4 (HSF4) is related with human autosomal dominant lamellar and Marner cataracts; a T→C transition at nucleotide 348 was found in a large Chinese cataract family. The aim of this study was to analyze the unique role of HSF4b and the mutation of HSF4b. METHODS: The isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ), coupled with the two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (2D LC-MS/MS) technique, was used to identify and quantify differential proteomes in human lens epithelial cell lines SRA 01/04 expressing wild-type and mutant HSF4b. RESULTS: A total of 104 unique proteins were identified from the human lens epithelial cell lines SRA 01/04. Apart from the proteins due to the effect of the pcDNA3.1 vector, the wild-type and mutant HSF4b led to 23 differentially expressed proteins, of which four were histone proteins and three were ribosomal proteins. The T→C transition at nucleotide 348 in HSF4b led to 18 differentially expressed proteins in SRA 01/04, among which serpin H1 precursor, heat shock protein beta-1, and stress-70 protein belong to heat shock protein families. The up- or down-regulated proteins were functionally analyzed using Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) to interpret the interaction network and predominant canonical pathways involved in these differentially expressed proteins. CONCLUSIONS: A multitude of differentially expressed proteins was found to be associated with HSF4b and a T→C transition at nucleotide 348 in HSF4b. The proteins interacted directly or indirectly with each other, and they may provide clues as to how HSF4b modulates protein expression in the lens epithelial cells of SRA 01/04. Although further investigation is required, the results may provide some new clues to the transcriptional mechanism of HSF4b and cataract formation.

Static Magnetic Field Inhibits Growth of Escherichia coli Colonies via Restriction of Carbon Source Utilization.

Magnetobiological effects on growth and virulence have been widely reported in Escherichia coli (E. coli). However, published results are quite varied and sometimes conflicting because the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, we reported that the application of 250 mT static magnetic field (SMF) significantly reduces the diameter of E. coli colony-forming units (CFUs) but has no impact on the number of CFUs. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the inhibitory effect of SMF is attributed to differentially expressed genes (DEGs) primarily involved in carbon source utilization. Consistently, the addition of glycolate or glyoxylate to the culture media successfully restores the bacterial phenotype in SMF, and knockout mutants lacking glycolate oxidase are no longer sensitive to SMF. These results suggest that SMF treatment results in a decrease in glycolate oxidase activity. In addition, metabolomic assay showed that long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) accumulate while phosphatidylglycerol and middle-chain fatty acids decrease in the SMF-treated bacteria, suggesting that SMF inhibits LCFA degradation. Based on the published evidence together with ours derived from this study, we propose a model showing that free radicals generated by LCFA degradation are the primary target of SMF action, which triggers the bacterial oxidative stress response and ultimately leads to growth inhibition.

Static Magnetic Fields Reduce Oxidative Stress to Improve Wound Healing and Alleviate Diabetic Complications.

Although some studies have shown that some static magnetic fields (SMFs) can promote wound healing in diabetic mice, it is not clear whether the other diabetes complications, such as liver disease and diabetic nephropathy, can also be alleviated. Here, we constructed two simple magnetic plates using neodymium permanent magnets to examine the comprehensive effects of moderate SMFs on genetically obese leptin receptor-deficient db/db diabetic mice. We found that although the blood glucose was not obviously reduced by these two SMF settings, both of the glycated serum protein (GSP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly decreased (Cohen's d = 2.57-3.04). Moreover, the wound healing, liver lipid accumulation, and renal defects were all significantly improved by SMF treatment (Cohen's d = 0.91-2.05). Wound tissue examination showed obvious nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) level decrease (Cohen's d = 2.49-5.40) and Ki-67 level increase (Cohen's d = 2.30-3.40), indicating decreased oxidative stress and increased cell proliferation. In vitro cellular studies with fibroblast NIH3T3 cells showed that SMFs could reduce high glucose-induced NRF2 nucleus translocation (Cohen's d = 0.87-1.15) and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation (Cohen's d = 0.92), indicating decreased oxidative stress. Consequently, high glucose-induced impairments in cell vitality, proliferation, and migration were all improved by SMF treatment. Therefore, our results demonstrate that these simple SMF devices could effectively reduce oxidative stress in diabetic mice and may provide a cost-effective physical therapy strategy to alleviate multiple diabetic complications in the future.

Modulation of Sleep Architecture by Whole-Body Static Magnetic Exposure: A Study Based on EEG-Based Automatic Sleep Staging.

A steady increase in sleep problems has been observed along with the development of society. Overnight exposure to a static magnetic field has been found to improve sleep quality; however, such studies were mainly based on subjective evaluation. Thus, the presented data cannot be used to infer sleep architecture in detail. In this study, the subjects slept on a magneto-static mattress for four nights, and self-reported scales and electroencephalogram (EEG) were used to determine the effect of static magnetic field exposure (SMFE) on sleep. Machine learning operators, i.e., decision tree and supporting vector machine, were trained and optimized with the open access sleep EEG dataset to automatically discriminate the individual sleep stages, determined experimentally. SMEF was found to decrease light sleep duration (N2%) by 3.51%, and sleep onset latency (SOL) by 15.83%, while it increased deep sleep duration (N3%) by 8.43%, compared with the sham SMFE group. Further, the overall sleep efficiency (SE) was also enhanced by SMFE. It is the first study, to the best of our knowledge, where the change in sleep architecture was explored by SMFE. Our findings will be useful in developing a non-invasive sleep-facilitating instrument.