Search

AIM: To analyse the curative effect and influencing factors of Nd:YAG laser lacrimal duct angioplasty combined with lacrimal duct stent implantation on the treatment of lacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: Totally 150 eyes of 150 patients with lacrimal duct obstruction admitted to our hospital from June 2017 to June 2019 were selected and treated with Nd:YAG laser lacrimal duct plasty combined with lacrimal duct stent placement. Follow-up 6mo after extubation, the patients were divided into effective group(135 cases, 135 eyes)and ineffective group(15 cases, 15 eyes)according to the clinical efficacy. General information, complications, causes of lacrimal duct blockage, postoperative lacrimal duct flushing frequency and clinical data such as the condition of bony lacrimal duct, analysis of related factors affecting the therapeutic effect.RESULTS: Follow-up 6mo after extubation, the effective rate and recurrence rate were 90.0%(135 eyes)and 1.3%(2 eyes)respectively. The course of the disease in the effective group was significantly shorter than that of the ineffective group, and the incidence of complications was significantly lower than in the ineffective group, the length of osseous lacrimal duct obstruction was significantly shorter than that of the ineffective group, the minimum diameter of the obstruction was significantly longer than that of the ineffective group, there was a significant difference in the frequency of tract flushing(all POR=4.600; 95%CI: 3.448-6.136), complications(OR=2.524; 95% CI: 1.481-4.302),the length of osseous lacrimal duct obstruction(OR=3.785; 95% CI: 1.844-7.770)and the minimum diameter of the obstruction(OR=2.330; 95% CI 1.464-3.708), as well as flushing frequency(OR=4.773; 95% CI: 2.227-10.231)were related factors affecting the therapeutic effect of Nd:YAG laser lacrimal duct plasty combined with lacrimal duct stent implantation.CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser lacrimal duct angioplasty combined with lacrimal duct stent implantation is effective in the treatment of lacrimal duct obstruction, with the lower incidence of complications and recurrence rate. The course of disease, complications, postoperative lacrimal passage irrigation frequency and the condition of bone lacrimal passage are all influencing factors, among which the effective rate can be improved by properly increasing the number of lacrimal duct expansion irrigation.

Abstract In this work, methylammonium lead triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite solar cells with efficiencies higher than 18% were achieved using a new nanocomposite hole transport layer (HTL) by doping poly(ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) with a mixed dopant of polyaniline (PANI) and graphene oxide (GO). A synergistic engineering between GO, PANI, and PEDOT:PSS was accomplished to introduce additional energy levels between perovskite and PEDOT:PSS and increase the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS. Kelvin probe force microscope results confirmed that adding GO to PEDOT:PSS/PANI composite significantly reduced the average surface potential. This increased the open circuit voltage (Voc) to 1.05 V for the GO/PEDOT:PSS/PANI nanocomposite perovskite solar cells from the pristine PEDOT:PSS (Voc = 0.95 V) and PEDOT:PSS/PANI (Voc = 0.99 V). In addition, adding PANI to the HTLs substantially enhanced short circuit current density (Jsc). This was supported by the current sensing‐atomic force microscopy (CS‐AFM) and conductivity measurements. The PANI doped films showed superior electrical conductivity compared with those without PANI as indicated by CS‐AFM results. PANI can fill the gaps between the microflakes of GO and give rise to more compact hole transport material (HTM) layer. This led to a higher Jsc after doping with PANI, which was consistent with the incident photon‐to‐current efficiency and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and AFM indicated the GO/PANI doped HTMs significantly improved the crystallinity, topography, and crystal size of the perovskite film grown on their surface. A higher efficiency of 18.12% for p‐i‐n perovskite solar cells has been obtained by adding the mixed dopant of GO, PANI, and PEDOT:PSS, demonstrating better stability than the pristine PEDOT:PSS cell.

AIM:To study the microscopic changes of visual pathology in ocular hypertension(OHT)patients using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)technology and three-dimensional optical coherence tomography(3D-OCT)technology. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with 52 eyes diagnosed as OHT in our hospital from January 2016 to October 2019 were included in the case group. Twenty-six healthy patients who were matched with age and gender in the same period were included in the control group. All eyes were examined for best corrected visual acuity, central corneal thickness(CCT), non-contact intraocular pressure, while all eyes were examined by optical disc 3D-OCT combined optic nerve, optic chiasma, optic tract, and optic radiation DTI. Compared the differences between the two groups. RESULTS: The CCT of the OHT group was thinner than that of the normal control group; the intraocular pressure was higher than that of the normal control group, and the difference was statistically significant(all PPP>0.05). The FA values of bilateral optic nerve and optic radiation decreased compared with the normal control group, and the difference was statistically significant(all PP>0.05). CONCLUSION: 3D-OCT can obtain the thickness of CP-RNFL and the parameters of optic disc, DTI can reconstruct the intracranial visual pathway and can detect the microscopic changes of optic nerve, optic chiasma, optic tract, and optic radiation at early stage. Combining 3D-OCT and DTI technology can effectively understand the microscopic changes of the visual pathway and provide new models for clinical research of ocular hypertension patients.

Abstract In this work, grain boundary (GB) potential barrier ( Δφ GB), dopant density (Pnet), and filled trap state density (PGB,trap) were manipulated at the nanoscale by exposing the fabricated perovskite films to various relative humidity (RH) environments. Spatial mapping of surface potential in the perovskite film revealed higher positive potential at GBs than inside the grains. The average Δφ GB, Pnet, and PGB,trap in the perovskite films decreased from 0% RH to 25% RH exposure, but increased when the RH increased to 35% RH and 45% RH. This clearly indicated that perovskite solar cells fabricated at 25% RH led to the lowest average GB potential, smallest dopant density, and least filled trap states density. This is consistent with the highest photovoltaic efficiency of 18.16% at 25% RH among the different relative humidities from 0% to 45% RH.

Background and Aim. We recently investigated whether Poria cocos water extract modulates ketamine-induced Rho signaling regulation and reverses ketamine-inhibited cell mobility and F-actin reconstruction in B35 and C6 cells. Various studies have mentioned that drugs of abuse induce changes in neuronal plasticity in the brain’s reward circuitry. Modulations in neuronal plasticity are closely related to Rho signaling regulation in cells. Rho signaling has also been implicated in the addictive behavior induced by chronic opiate or morphine administration. MK-801 could induce Rho signaling regulation to further modulate cell migration and actin reorganization in neuronal and glial cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of Poria cocos water extract on Rho signal regulation in MK-801-treated B35 and C6 cells. Methods. B35 neuronal cells and C6 glial cells were incubated with MK-801 for 7 days followed by MK-801, MK801 in combination with water extracts of P. cocos (PRP for P. cocos cum Radix Pini or WP for White Poria) treatment for an additional 7 days. Analysis of cell mobility, F-actin aggregation, and Rho signaling modulation was performed to clarify the roles of PRP or WP in MK-801-treated B35 and C6 cells. Results. MK-801 decreases B35 cell mobility, whereas the inhibited cell migration ability and F-actin aggregation in MK-801-treated B35 or C6 cells could be reversed by PRP or WP. The CDC42 expression in B35 or C6 cells would be reduced by MK-801 and restored by treating with PRP or WP. The RhoA expression was increased by MK-801 in both B35 and C6 cells but was differentially regulated by PRP or WP. In B35 cells, downregulation of PFN1, N-WASP, PAK1, and ARP2/3 induced by MK-801 can be reversely modulated by PRP or WP. PRP or WP reduced the increase in the p-MLC2 expression in B35 cells treated with MK-801. The reduction in ROCK1, PFN1, p-MLC2, and ARP2/3 expression in C6 cells induced by MK-801 was restored by PRP or WP. Reduced N-WASP and PAK1 expression was differentially regulated by PRP or WP in MK-801-treated C6 cells.

Objective. The glutamate system plays a major role in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders such as addiction, epilepsy, dementia, and psychosis. MK-801 (dizocilpine), an uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, could increase locomotor activity and stereotyped neurobehaviors mimicking schizophrenic-like features in the mouse model. The study would explore the neuropharmacological differences of risperidone and valproic acid on the MK-801-induced neurobehavioral changes. Methods. The subjects were male C57BL/6J mice obtained from the National Laboratory Animal Center. Drug effects were assessed using the open field with a video-tracking system and gaiting tests. After habitation, risperidone (0, 0.1 mg/kg) or valproic acid (0, 200 mg/kg) was injected and ran locomotion for 30 mins. Sequentially, mice were followed by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) with MK-801 (0, 0.2 mg/kg) and ran locomotion for 60 mins. Gaiting behaviors such as step angles, stride lengths, and stance widths were measured following the study drugs. Results. The results showed that risperidone and valproic acid alone could not alter the locomotor activities. Following the MK-801 injection, the travelled distance and speed in the entire open field dramatically increased. The dose 0.1 mg/kg of risperidone could totally inhibit the MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion compared with that of the saline-injected group (p

Multi-pass hot extrusion was used to prepare the Al2O3/AZ31 composite.The microstru-cture was characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and mechanical properties were tested by Vickers hardness tester and electron universal strength tester. The results show that Al2O3 particles are uniformly distributed in AZ31 magnesium matrix by multi-pass hot extrusion. The grain refining effect of Al2O3 particles on the matrix is enhanced, and the grain size of the composite decreases significantly with the increase of the pass. During the hot extrusion process, the dislocation density around the Al2O3 particles increases, and the high-density dislocation region facilitates the dynamic recrystallization nucleation, so that the grains of the Al2O3/AZ31 composite are significantly refined. The Al2O3 particles are gradually distributed into a long strip from the initial island distribution, then distributed in a linear pattern, and finally distributed uniformly in the form of particles in the AZ31 magnesium matrix. After fourth-pass hot extrusion, the mechanical properties of Al2O3/AZ31 composite are significantly improved, and hardness, tensile strength and yield strength are 89HV, 305MPa and 198MPa, respectively. The hardness, tensile strength and yield strength increase by 19.2%, 14.8%, and 14.1%, respectively, compared with the first-pass hot extrusion.

Cubic nanoparticles of CeO2 were partly covered on the tetrahedron surface of γ-Bi2O3 through a hydrothermal reaction and then a calcination process to construct a novel S-type γ-Bi2O3/CeO2 heterojunction. The optimized sample removed 96% of lomefloxacin and 81% of tetracycline. During the cycling test, the photocatalytic efficiency of lomefloxacin and tetracycline was maintained above 87% and 80%, respectively, for five consecutive cycles. According to XRD and Raman spectra characterization, the sample after cycling held a stable crystal structure. Holes, OH−˙, O2˙, and electrons participated in the degradation of lomefloxacin, while tetracycline was removed via the effect of the former three active substances. Based on theoretical calculation and experimental tests, the excellent photocatalytic activity of γ-Bi2O3/CeO2 came from the fast transfer of charge carriers along the S-type path. Moreover, the CB electrons of γ-Bi2O3 and VB holes of CeO2 were preserved to generate free radicals for antibiotic degradation. The colony numbers of Escherichia coli were 1.50 × 10−6 CFU mL−1 and 1.39 × 10−6 CFU mL−1 in solutions after the degradation of the two pollutants, which represents the non-toxicity of the final products. The γ-Bi2O3/CeO2 sample has a potential application for antibiotic removal from modern sewage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been widely identified in porcine testicular tissues and implicated as crucial regulators of proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation in porcine spermatogenesis related cells. However, the function roles of most of the miRNAs that have been identified in Sertoli cells are poorly understood. In the present study, six experiments were conducted to study the regulatory role of miR-10b in porcine immature Sertoli cells. In experiment 1, the results showed that the relative mRNA expression level of miR-10b in porcine testicular tissues decreased quadratically (P0.05) on porcine immature Sertoli cell apoptosis. In experiment 6, the co-transfection treatment results showed that miR-10b promoted (P

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in swine spermatogenesis via their regulations of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Recent studies indicated that miR-34c is indispensable in the late steps of spermatogenesis. However, whether miR-34c plays similar important roles in immature porcine Sertoli cells remain unknown. In the present study, we conducted two experiments using a completely randomised design to study the function roles of miR-34c. The results from experiment I demonstrated that the relative expression level of miR-34c in swine testicular tissues increased (P=0.0017) quadratically with increasing age, while the relative expression level of SMAD family member 7 (SMAD7) decreased (P=0.0009) with curve. Furthermore, miR-34c expression levels showed a significant negative correlation (P=0.013) with SMAD7 gene expression levels. The results from experiment II indicated that miR-34c directly targets the SMAD7 gene using a luciferase reporter assay, and suppresses (P

Background and Aim. MK801-induced psychotic symptoms and also the Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) expression and cell division control protein 42 (cdc42) mRNA modulation in the rat brain have been investigated. Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) have been reported to induce Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor (RhoGDI) pathway regulation related to cytoskeleton reorganization in neuronal cells. It will be necessary to clarify the effects of APDs on MK801-induced RhoGDI signaling regulation in neuronal cells. Methods. B35 neuronal cells were treated with MK801 for 7 days then treated with MK801 in combination with haloperidol or clozapine for a further 7 days. Cell migration, F-actin condensation, and RhoGDI signaling regulation were examined to investigate the regulatory effects of MK801, haloperidol, and clozapine in B35 neuronal cells. Results. MK801 reduced B35 cell migration, whereas both haloperidol and clozapine reversed the reduction in cell migration induced by MK801. Haloperidol and clozapine restored F-actin condensation after it was diminished by MK801 in B35 cell nuclei. MK801 increased the RhoGDI1 and RhoA expression, which was diminished by the addition of haloperidol and clozapine. MK801 reduced the CDC42 expression, which was restored by haloperidol and clozapine. MK801 reduced the Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), profilin1 (PFN1), and neuronal Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome protein (N-WASP) expression, which was further reduced by haloperidol and clozapine. MK801 also increased the phosphorylated myosin light chain 2 (p-MLC2), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), and c-jun expression, which was decreased by haloperidol and clozapine. p21 (RAC1-) activated kinase 1 (PAK1) expression was not affected by MK801.