Altered Functional Connectivity Strength in Distinct Brain Networks of Children With Early-Onset Schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is regarded as a brain network or connectome disorder that is associated with neurodevelopment. Children with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) provide an opportunity to evaluate the neuropathology of schizophrenia at a very early stage without potential confounding factors. But dysfunction in brain networks of schizophrenia is inconsistent. PURPOSE: To identify abnormal functional connectivity (FC) in EOS patients and relationships with clinical symptoms, we aimed to reveal neuroimaging phenotypes of EOS. STUDY TYPE: Prospective, cross-sectional. POPULATION: Twenty-six female/22 male patients (age:14.3 ± 3.45 years) with first-episode EOS, 27 female/22 male age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) (age:14.1 ± 4.32). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3-T, resting-state (rs) gradient-echo echo-planar imaging and three-dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo imaging. ASSESSMENT: Intelligence quotient (IQ) was measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale-Fourth edition for Children (WISC-IV). The clinical symptoms were evaluated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). FC strength (FCS) from rs functional MRI (rsfMRI) was used to investigate functional integrity of global brain regions. In addition, associations between regionally altered FCS and clinical symptoms in EOS patients were examined. STATISTICAL TESTS: Two-sample t-test controlling for sample size, diagnostic method, brain volume algorithm, and age of the subjects, Bonferroni correction, Pearson's correlation analysis. A P-value <0.05 with a minimum cluster size of 50 voxels was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Compared with HC, EOS patients had significantly lower total IQ scores (IQ:91.5 ± 16.1), increased FCS in the bilateral precuneus, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left thalamus, and left parahippocampus (paraHIP), and decreased FCS in the right cerebellum posterior lobe and right superior temporal gyrus. The PANSS total score of EOS patients (PANSS total score:74.30 ± 7.23) was found to be positively correlated to FCS in the left paraHIP (r = 0.45). DATA CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that disrupted FC of brain hubs illustrate multiple abnormalities in brain networks in EOS patients. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

Transition-Linker Containing Detergents for Membrane Protein Studies.

It is a pressing need, but still challenging to explore the structure and function of membrane proteins (MPs). One of the main obstacles is the limited availability of matched detergents for the handling of specific MPs. We describe herein the design of new detergents by incorporation of a transition linker between the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail. This design allows a gradual change of hydrophobicity between the outside and inside of micelles, in contrast to the abrupt switch in conventional detergents. Notably, many of these detergents assembled into micelles in while retaining low critical micelle concentrations. Meanwhile, thermal stabilizing evaluation identified superior detergents for representative MPs, including G protein-coupled receptors and a transporter protein. Among them, further improved the NMR study of MPs. We anticipate these that results will encourage future detergent expansion through new remodeling on the traditional detergent scaffold.

Two-Dimensional Detergent Expansion Strategy for Membrane Protein Studies.

Detergents are the most frequently applied reagents in membrane protein (MP) studies. The limited diversity of one-head-one-tailed traditional detergents, however, is far from sufficient for structurally distinct MPs. Expansion of detergent repertoire has a continuous momentum. In line with the speculation that detergent pre-assembly exerts superiority, herein we report for the first time cross-conjugation of two series of monomeric detergents for constructing a two-dimensional library of dimeric detergents. Optimum detergents stood out with unique preferences in the systematic evaluation of individual MPs. Furthermore, unprecedented hybrid detergents 14M8G and 14M9G enabled high-quality EM study of transporter MsbA and NMR study of G protein-coupled receptor A2A AR, respectively. Given the abundance of cross-coupling chemistries, comprehensive diversity could be readily covered that would facilitate the finding of new detergents for the manipulation of thorny MPs and innovation of the functional and structural study in future.

Ag/alginate nanofiber membrane for flexible electronic skin.

Flexible electronic skin has stimulated significant interest due to its widespread applications in the fields of human-machine interactivity, smart robots and health monitoring. As typical elements of electrical skin, the fabrication process of most pressure sensors combined nanomaterials and PDMS films are redundant, expensive and complicated, and their unknown biological toxicity could not be widely used in electronic skin. Hence, we report a novel, cost-effective and antibacterial approach to immobilizing silver nanoparticles into-electrospun Na-alginate nanofibers. Due to the unique role of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in Na-alginate, the silver nanopaticles with 30 nm size in diameter were uniformly distributed inside and outside the alginate nanofibers, which obtained pressure sensor shows stable response, including an ultralow detection limited (1 pa) and high durability (>1000 cycles). Notably, the pressure sensor fabricated by these Ag/alginate nanofibers could not only follow human respiration but also accurately distinguish words like 'Nano' and 'Perfect' spoke by a tester. Interestingly, the pixelated sensor arrays based on these Ag/alginate nanofibers could monitor distribution of objects and reflect their weight by measuring the different current values. Moreover, these Ag/alginate nanofibers exhibit great antibacterial activity, implying the great potential application in artificial electronic skin.

[Hereditary vitreous degeneration muddy: report of ten cases].

Hereditary vitreous degeneration muddy is rare in clinic. Here we report ten cases (thirteen eyes) of hereditary vitreous degeneration muddy from two families. All patients presented with vitreous opacity, and the textures appeared tough and tensile. Two cases had concurrent detachment of rhegmatogenous retina. HE staining showed red changeableness, and methyl violet staining appeared purple. All patients received vitrectomy with traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and got satisfactory efficacy.

The Relationship between Spatial Characteristics of Urban-Rural Settlements and Carbon Emissions in Guangdong Province.

As containers of human activities, both urban and rural built-up settlements play roles in the increment of regional GHG emissions. This study investigates the relationship between the spatial characteristics of different urban-rural settlements and carbon emissions in Guangdong province, China. After estimating the carbon emissions of 21 cities in Guangdong province from 2005 to 2020, this paper constructs a panel regression model based on the STIPRAT model to identify the impact of different types of urban-rural settlements on carbon emissions with controlling socioeconomic factors. The results show that the increase in high-density urban areas and low-density rural built-up areas have a significant positive correlation with carbon emissions. Moreover, the impact of rural built-up settlements is stronger than urban areas. In addition, our results indicate that carbon emission has little correlation with the spatial landscape pattern. This study highlights the importance of rural built-up settlements for understanding regional carbon emissions. Local governments should not only focus on the reduction of carbon emissions in the large urban agglomerations but also need to make a plan for the small and medium-sized towns that are dominated by industries.

Ugi Reaction Mediated Detergent Assembly for Membrane Protein Studies.

Despite the continuous efforts, the current repertoire of detergents is still far from sufficient for the biophysics studies of membrane proteins (MPs). Toward the rapid expansion of detergent diversity, we herein report a new strategy based on Ugi reaction mediated modular assembly. Structural varieties, including hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads, could be conveniently introduced from the multiple reaction components. New detergents then were comprehensively evaluated in the physical properties and preliminarily screened by the thermal stabilization for a transporter MsbA and a spectrum of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). For the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a class B GPCR, detergent M-23-M finally stood out in a second evaluation for the maintenance of homogeneity and was further illustrated its application in the improvement of NMR study. Besides the promising utility in the MP study, the current results exhibit intriguing structural-physical relationship that would allow the guidance in the tuning of detergent properties in the future.

Catalytically Cleavable Detergent for Membrane Protein Studies.

Throughout the in vitro studies of membrane proteins (MPs), proper detergents are essential for the preparation of stable aqueous samples. To date, universally applicable detergents have not yet been reported to accommodate the distinct requirements for the highly diversified MPs and at the different stages of MP manipulation. Detergent exchange often has to be performed. We report herein the catalytically cleavable detergents (CatCDs) that can be efficiently removed to facilitate a complete exchange. To this end, functional groups, like propargyl and allyl, are introduced as branched chains or built in the hydrophobic chain close to the hydrophilic head. The representative CatCDs can be used as usual detergents in the extraction and purification of MPs and later be removed upon the addition of catalytic palladium. Mediated by CatCD-1, reconstitution of a transporter protein MsbA into a series of detergents was achieved. The extension of these designs could facilitate the future optimization of other biophysics studies.

[Two techniques of posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation by a 4-point ciliary sulcus suture fixation technique combined with vitrectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the results of two techniques of posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation by a 4-point ciliary sulcus suture fixation combined with vitrectomy. METHODS: Lensectomy and vitrectomy combined with posterior chamber IOL implantation by a 4-point scleral fixation was performed in 23 cases with complicated ocular trauma, including 9 eyes had eyeball rupture, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal contusion and traumatic cataract; 6 eyes having eyeball rupture, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal contusion, intraocular foreign body and traumatic cataract; 8 eyes having ocular blunt trauma, vitreous hemorrhage, traumatic cataract and lens dislocation. Two techniques of IOL were randomly assigned: Alcon CZ70BD PMMA suspensory IOL was performed in 12 cases (Group I); Bausch & Lomb Akreos Adapt four-haptic hydrophilic acrylic foldable IOL was performed in 11 cases (Group II). After completed vitrectomy, removed intraocular foreign body and (or) cataract extracted, one-stage IOL implantation by 4-point scleral fixation was performed and the knots of fixation sutures were rotated and buried under the sclera for all patients. The IOL position was adjusted by suture for the best centration. RESULT: The mean follow-up time was (12.4 +/-1.7) months. The postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was improved in 11 cases (91.7%) of Group I; and BCVA was > or =0.5 in 3 patients(25.0 %). The postoperative BCVA was improved in 11 cases (100 %) of Group II; and BCVA was > or =0.5 in 4 eyes (36.4%). There was no IOL decentration or tilting in two groups. CONCLUSION: Lensectomy and vitrectomy combined with posterior chamber IOL implantation by a 4-point scleral fixation technique is a good method to treat complicated ocular trauma. Two techniques of posterior chamber IOL have both advantages and disadvantages, and can be used accordingly.

In situ accurate deposition of electrospun medical glue fibers on kidney with auxiliary electrode method for fast hemostasis.

An auxiliary electrode electrospinning method is proposed to deposit N-octyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NOCA) medical glue fibrous membrane on kidney for in-situ fast hemostasis. A metal electrode equipped to the spinning needle is used to confine the divergence angle of jet. Compared to the conventional electrospinning method, the fiber deposition area has reduced by 2.5 times, and it can achieve in-situ accurate deposition. Moreover, it reduces both the external dimension and over-reliance on electricity, which is superior to previous air-flow assisted electrospinning method. In addition, in situ accurate deposition of NOCA on the kidney exhibits fast hemostasis within 10 s, confirming that this auxiliary electrode method can be applied in outdoors for fast hemostasis. Further pathological studies indicate that this auxiliary electrode method can reduce the inflammatory response of tissues due to the better accurate deposition. This portable hand-held device with the auxiliary electrode method may have potential application in fast hemostasis for outdoors due to its accurate deposition and portability characteristics.

Electric- Field-Modified In Situ Precise Deposition of Electrospun Medical Glue Fibers on the Liver for Rapid Hemostasis.

Precise deposition of nanofibers is still an important issue in the applications of electrospinning (e-spinning), especially in rapid hemostasis of organs such as the liver, lung, and kidney. In this study, we propose an electric field-modified e-spinning technique with a metal cone attached to the spinning nozzle to realize controllable precise deposition of fibers. The deposition range of the e-spun fibers is tunable by changing the size of the metal cone, and the mechanism is attributed the focused electric field verified by theoretical simulations. This electric field-modified e-spinning method was further used to in situ precisely deposit medical glue N-octyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NOCA) fibers onto the resection site of rat liver to realize rapid hemostasis within 10 s. Postoperative pathological results indicate that less inflammatory response and tissue adhesion are observed in this electric field-modified e-spinning group compared with that of traditional airflow-assisted group. This technique combined with our designed handheld e-spinning device could be used in emergency medical treatment, clinics, field survival, and home care for its portability and precise deposition characteristics.

Electric Field-Assisted In Situ Precise Deposition of Electrospun γ-Fe2O3/Polyurethane Nanofibers for Magnetic Hyperthermia.

A facial electrospinning method of in situ precise fabricating magnetic fibrous membrane composed of polyurethane (PU) nanofibers decorated with superparamagnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with simultaneous heat generation in response to alternating magnetic field (AMF) is reported. In this method, a conical aluminum auxiliary electrode is used to regulate the electrostatic field and affect the process of electrospinning for the in situ rapid and precise deposition of electrospun γ-Fe2O3/PU fibers. The auxiliary conical electrode can extend the jet stabilization zone of the precursor solution four times longer than that of without auxiliary electrode, which can achieve the precise control of the fiber deposition area. Moreover, the electrospun composite fibrous membranes show a rapid temperature increase from room temperature to 43 °C in 70 s under the AMF, which exhibits faster heating rate and higher heating temperature compared to the samples fabricated without the assist of the auxiliary electrode. The present results demonstrate that the in situ precise electrospinning with the help of an auxiliary conical electrode has the potential as a manipulative method for preparing magnetic composite fibers as well as magnetic hyperthermia of cancer therapy.

c-Myc-activated long non-coding RNA H19 downregulates miR-107 and promotes cell cycle progression of non-small cell lung cancer.

To verify c-Myc can regulate the expression of lncRNA H19 directly in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and clarify the molecular mechanism on how lncRNA H19 promote the cell cycle progression of NSCLC. The mRNA levels of lncRNA H19 in NSCLC tissues and cells, the adjacent tissues and normal cells were determined by RT-PCR. The expression change of lncRNA H19 in NSCLC cells after transfection with pcDNA3.1-c-Myc or c-Myc-siRNA was determined by RT-PCR, respectively. Targeted role of c-Myc on the promoter of H19 was studied by luciferase reporter assay. Chromosome immune coprecipitation (ChIP) was used to confirm the relationship between c-Myc and H19. MiRNAs that have base-pairing with H19 was predicted by online software. The relationship between H19 and miR-107 was determined by disturbing and overexpressing the expression of H19. The influence of the changes of H19 and miR-107 on cell cycle progression was determined by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of lncRNA H19 in NSCLC tissues and cells were significantly higher than the adjacent tissues and normal cells, respectively. The expression of H19 increased or decreased accordingly with the overexpression and knockdown of c-Myc. The activity of the promoter of H19 was strengthened by c-Myc. While the expression of miR-107 increased or decreased with the overexpression and knockdown of H19, respectively. The number of cells in G2/M stage decreased significantly with the knockdown of H19 and miR-107 compared with the control group. Our study demonstrates that lncRNA H19, which is induced by c-Myc, is up-regulated in NSCLC. H19 influences the mitotic progression of NSCLC cell lines.

Rigid gas-permeable contact lens for visual rehabilitation in aphakia following trauma.

PURPOSE: The aim here was to study the safety and efficacy of fitting a rigid gas-permeable contact lens (RGP CL) for visual rehabilitation in patients with ocular trauma. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 17 aphakic eyes of patients (16 men and one woman) after surgery for ocular trauma. RGP CLs (including nine brown-tinted lenses) were fitted unilaterally for visual rehabilitation in these patients. The uncorrected vision, spectacle visual acuity and contact lens (CL) visual acuity were recorded. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were selected on the basis that they had undergone surgery following ocular trauma. All eyes fitted were aphakic (n = 17) and nine eyes were fitted with brown-tinted RGP lenses to compensate for traumatic aniridia. All eyes were fitted with RGP CL. A visual acuity of 6/20 or better was seen in seven eyes (41.2 per cent) with spectacle correction and in 15 eyes (88.2 per cent) with CL correction. A visual acuity of 6/12 or better was seen in four eyes (23.5 per cent) and 10 eyes (58.8 per cent), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A RGP CL is one of the methods available for treating refractive abnormalities in traumatic unilateral aphakia. The procedure is effective, safe and tolerable. RGP CLs can correct the vision of patients with irregular corneal astigmatism. The brown-tinted RGP CL can improve the symptoms of photophobia and the cosmetic appearance of brown eyes.