Undersampled Fourier ptychography for reflective-based long range imaging.

Fourier ptychography (FP) can be a promising technique for long-range and high-resolution imaging. In this work, we explore reconstructions with undersampled data for meter-scale reflective based Fourier ptychographic imaging. To reconstruct with under-sampling captures, we propose a novel cost function for FP phase retrieval and design a new optimization algorithm based on gradient descent. To verify the proposed methods, we perform the high-fidelity reconstruction of the targets with sampling parameter less than one. Compared to the state-of-the-art alternative-projectionbased FP algorithm, the proposed one can achieve the same performance but with much less data.

Lensless computational imaging with a hybrid framework of holographic propagation and deep learning.

Lensless imaging has attracted attention as it avoids the bulky optical lens. Lensless holographic imaging is a type of a lensless imaging technique. Recently, deep learning has also shown tremendous potential in lensless holographic imaging. A labeled complex field including real and imaginary components of the samples is usually used as a training dataset. However, obtaining such a holographic dataset is challenging. In this Letter, we propose a lensless computational imaging technique with a hybrid framework of holographic propagation and deep learning. The proposed framework takes recorded holograms as input instead of complex fields, and compares the input and regenerated holograms. Compared to previous supervised learning schemes with a labeled complex field, our method does not require this supervision. Furthermore, we use the generative adversarial network to constrain the proposed framework and tackle the trivial solution. We demonstrate high-quality reconstruction with the proposed framework compared to previous deep learning methods.

Compressive ghost imaging through scattering media with deep learning.

Imaging through scattering media is challenging since the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the reflection can be heavily reduced by scatterers. Single-pixel detectors (SPD) with high sensitivities offer compelling advantages for sensing such weak signals. In this paper, we focus on the use of ghost imaging to resolve 2D spatial information using just an SPD. We prototype a polarimetric ghost imaging system that suppresses backscattering from volumetric media and leverages deep learning for fast reconstructions. In this work, we implement ghost imaging by projecting Hadamard patterns that are optimized for imaging through scattering media. We demonstrate good quality reconstructions in highly scattering conditions using a 1.6% sampling rate.

miR-20b-5p attenuates hypoxia-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes via the HIF-1α/NF-κB pathway.

Chronic hypoxia is a common inducer of end-stage cardiovascular disease. In cells under hypoxia, the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays a vital role in regulating downstream target genes. However, the mechanism of hypoxia in cardiomyocytes is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify novel downstream epigenetic targets of HIF-1α in cardiomyocytes under hypoxia. H9c2 cells were exposed to hypoxia condition, and quantitative real-time PCR analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of miR-20b-5p. The results indicated that the expression of miR-20b-5p was down-regulated in H9c2 cells under low oxygen condition. Meanwhile, HIF-1α overexpression further down-regulated the miR-20b-5p expression in H9c2 cells transfected with HIF-1α plasmids. In addition, Annexin-V-FITC/PI flow cytometry analysis suggested that overexpression of miR-20b-5p attenuated cell apoptosis under hypoxia condition in H9c2 cells. Western blot analysis showed that the hypoxia apparently increased Bax and cleaved-caspase-3, but decreased Bcl-2 expression in H9c2 cells, indicating that hypoxia-induced NF-κB signaling pathway activation is mediated by miR-20b-5p. Hypoxia-induced H9c2 cell apoptosis was reduced after HIF-1α knockdown as shown by the flow cytometry analysis. In conclusion, we identified that miR-20b-5p plays an important role in mediating cardiomyocytes apoptosis under hypoxia, which is mediated by the HIF-1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Wavefront-shaping-based pattern regeneration through the scattering medium.

Generating a specific pattern through a scattering medium is of utmost interest, but remains mostly restricted to weakly scattering or transparent samples. We present a wavefront-shaping-based approach to achieve a user-specified pattern through a strong scattering medium. We show that the virtual transmission matrices can be computed by convolving the transmission matrices with a virtual input wavefront. Interestingly, rather than a focused point, a pattern, which is the square of the modulus of the virtual input wavefront, can be regenerated after the scattering medium at different locations. As a proof of concept, we set up the experiments using a phase-only spatial light modulator and calibrate the transmission matrices of the scattering medium. We demonstrated that a user-specified pattern can be generated after the scattering medium using the virtual transmission matrices. Our method does not rely on the memory effect of the scattering medium and is effective for a strong scattering medium. Our work is expected to be applied in structured light illumination or coherent control.

ALKBH5 inhibits TNF-α-induced apoptosis of HUVECs through Bcl-2 pathway.

The dysfunction and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells are the initiating links in the formation of atherosclerosis. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an extremely extensive RNA methylation modification and its abnormality leads to the occurrence of various human diseases. In this study, we explored the effects of demethylase α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase ALKB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) on TNF-α-induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In TNF-α-treated HUVECs, the expression of ALKBH5 was significantly decreased. ALKBH5 overexpression promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis in TNF-α-treated HUVECs, suggesting that ALKBH5 had a protective effect on cell damage induced by TNF-α. Importantly, ALKBH5 promoted the expression of Bcl-2 in HUVECs. Bcl2 overexpression reduced the expression of Gadd45, Bax, and p21, which are transcriptionally activated by p53. But the expression of p53 has not been significantly affected, indicating that Bcl2 might regulate the apoptosis by inhibiting p53 downstream targets. In addition, ALKBH5 overexpression significantly increased the level of pri-miR-7 and decreased the level of miR-7. In conclusion, ALKBH5 attenuated the TNF-α-induced cell injury via promoting Bcl2 expression. Our research expands the understanding of the progression mechanism of atherosclerosis and provides a potential strategy for the protection of vascular endothelial injury.

Cardiovascular outcomes associated with Ultrathin bioresorbable polymer sirolimus eluting stents versus thin, durable polymer everolimus eluting stents following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis of published studies.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention with the new generation drug eluting stents (DES) is 1 among the revascularization procedures required to treat patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Since late stent thrombosis and silent myocardial infarction are highly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), an analysis comparing the newer generation DES in this specific subgroup of patients would be scientifically relevant.In this analysis, we aimed to systematically compare the cardiovascular outcomes observed with the ultrathin bioresorbable polymer sirolimus eluting stents (SES) versus thin, durable polymer everolimus eluting stents (EES) following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with T2DM. METHODS: Through online databases, relevant studies comparing ultrathin bioresorbable polymer SES versus the durable polymer EES were carefully searched. The cardiovascular outcomes were assessed during a follow-up time period of 1 year and more than 1 year (1-5 years) respectively. This meta-analysis was carried out by the latest version of the RevMan software. Following analysis, the results were represented by odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total number of 1967 patients with T2DM were included in this analysis. During a 1 year follow-up time period, target lesion failure (TLF) (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.34-1.02; P = .06, target vessel revascularization (TVR) (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.55-1.70; P = .91) and target lesion revascularization (TLR) (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.44-1.87; P = .79) were similarly observed with ultrathin bioresorbable polymer SES versus the thin, durable polymer EES in these patients with T2DM. Other cardiovascular outcomes including myocardial infarction (MI), major adverse cardiac events, all-cause mortality (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.37-1.40; P = .34), cardiac death and stent thrombosis (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.45-1.62; P = .63) were also similarly observed with these 2 types of new stents. During a follow-up time period above 1 year (1-5 years), still no significant difference was observed in TLF, TVR, TLR, major adverse cardiac events, MI, all-cause mortality, cardiac death and stent thrombosis (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.33-1.16; P = .14). CONCLUSIONS: The ultrathin bioresorbable polymer SES were similar to the durable polymer EES in these patients with T2DM. These 2 types of new generation stents were comparable in terms of cardiovascular outcomes. Hence, they might be recommended in patients with T2DM. Upcoming trials should be able to confirm this hypothesis.

Deltonin Ameliorates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Correlation with Modulation of Autophagy and Inflammation.

INTRODUCTION: Deltonin, an active component extracted from Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. WRIGHT, was widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicines. It has been shown to have anti-cancer functions such as colon cancer, breast cancer, and head and neck squamous carcinoma. Herein, we will investigate the role of deltonin in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injuries. METHODS: Ly294002 and anisomycin were used as inhibitors to monitor the effects of deltonin. Middle cerebral artery occlusion I/R model was constructed. Infarct volumes, neurological deficits and brain water contents were evaluated under different conditions. Rotarod test, ELISA, and Western blotting were carried to investigate the effects in vitro. RESULTS: We found that deltonin in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) rats greatly enhanced brain damages as well as neurological functions through up-regulating p-Akt and p-mTOR as well as inhibiting the expressions of LC3-II/LC3-I, Beclin-1, IL-1, TLR4, and p-p38. Deltonin exerted neuroprotection effect through relieving autophagy activity by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Deltonin suppressed inflammation reactions through modulation TLR4/p38/MAPK signaling as well. CONCLUSION: Overall, our data suggested that deltonin could suppress ischemic brain injury by regulating autophagy and inflammation during I/R. Deltonin can be a potential therapeutic method for patient with I/R.

Synthesis and antitumor activity evaluations of albumin-binding prodrugs of CC-1065 analog.

An albumin-binding prodrug of the extremely potent CC-1065 analog, (+)-FDI-CBI, has been synthesized. This analog, (+)-FDI-CBIM, formed an albumin conjugate when added to human albumin in vitro. A greater amount (>3-fold) of the prodrug can be administered to animals compared to the free drug. The prodrug had significantly improved antitumor efficacy compared to the free drug in animal models using syngeneic animal tumors and human ovarian xenografted tumor cells. Antitumor drug delivery by in situ formation of drug-albumin conjugate is a promising strategy to improve antitumor efficacy.

Extremely Low Density and Super-Compressible Graphene Cellular Materials.

Development of extremely low density graphene elastomer (GE) holds the potential to enable new properties that traditional cellular materials cannot offer, which are promising for a range of emerging applications, ranging from flexible electronics to multifunctional scaffolds. However, existing graphene foams with extremely low density are generally found to have very poor mechanical resilience. It is scientifically intriguing but remains unresolved whether and how the density limit of this class of cellular materials can be further pushed down while their mechanical resilience is being retained. In this work, a simple annealing strategy is developed to investigate the role of intersheet interactions in the formation of extreme-low-density of graphene-based cellular materials. It is discovered that the density limit of mechanically resilient cellular GEs can be further pushed down as low as 0.16 mg cm-3 through thermal annealing. The resultant extremely low density GEs reveal a range of unprecedented properties, including complete recovery from 98% compression in both of liquid and air, ultrahigh solvent adsorption capacity, ultrahigh pressure sensitivity, and light transmittance.

CC-1065 analogues bearing different DNA-binding subunits: synthesis, antitumor activity, and preliminary toxicity study.

CC-1065 analogues bearing different DNA-binding subunits were synthesized. A terminal C5-NO2 and -F moiety at the DNA-binding subunit increased the drug's potency and antitumor efficacy. A C5-OCH3 reduced the potency and antitumor efficacy. Compound (+/-)-7, bearing a trans double bond, had increased antitumor efficacy. A preliminary toxicity study indicated that terminal C5-OCH3 and -acetamido moieties at the DNA-binding subunit caused delayed death in mice.

Synthesis and evaluation of antibacterial activities of andrographolide analogues.

Andrographolide (Andro), the main active component of the herb Andrographis paniculata, has been used for many years to treat a variety of diseases including bacterial and viral infections. Andro was recently reported to act by inhibiting the bacterial quorum sensing system. We have synthesized several Andro analogues and investigated their antibacterial activity and mechanism of action. The new compounds were found to be much more potent than the parent Andro in inhibiting bacterial growth and quorum sensing system. Compounds 5 and 7 significantly reduced virulence factor production. Compound 7 completely inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) biofilm formation, and exhibited synergistic activity with conventional antibiotics. These findings suggest that compound 7 may be the basis for future drug development to combat the unmet needs of virulence factor production, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of CBI-bearing ester and carbamate prodrugs of CC-1065 analogue.

Prodrugs of a CBI-bearing CC-1065 analogue were synthesized. Antitumor activity of the compounds was evaluated against tumor cells in vitro and in mouse tumor models. Compounds 1 and 7, bearing methylpiperazine and DHA moieties, respectively, showed significant antitumor activity in both the L1210 leukemia and Lewis lung carcinoma mouse tumor models. For the carbamate prodrugs 1-4 and 6, there is a good correlation between the drug's potency both in vitro and in animal tumor models; however, there is no correlation between the prodrug's antitumor activity and the type of bonds linking the free drug. There are no significant differences between the antitumor activities of those that can or cannot be protonated at physiological pH. Compounds 6 and 7, each bearing a DHA moiety, did not show significantly improved antitumor activity compared to other prodrugs bearing DHA moieties, suggesting that DHA may not be used universally to significantly improve a drug's antitumor efficacy.