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Summary Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be differentiated into well-structured retinal organoids. In this protocol, we successfully established 3D retinae from patient-derived hiPSCs and built the retinitis pigmentosa model in vitro. Moreover, mutation in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene was corrected by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, which rescued the structure and function of the 3D retinae. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Deng et al. (2018)., Graphical abstract, Highlights • Patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were established. • The RPGR mutation was corrected by CRISPR/Cas9 in hiPSCs. • hiPSCs were differentiated into 3D retinal organoids., Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be differentiated into well-structured retinal organoids. In this protocol, we successfully established 3D retinae from patient-derived hiPSCs and built the retinitis pigmentosa model in vitro. Moreover, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated correction of the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator mutation rescued the structure and function of the 3D retinae.

To characterize a glycosyltransferase (UGT74AN3) from Catharanthus roseus and investigate its specificity toward cardiotonic steroids and phenolic compounds. UGT74AN3, a novel permissive GT from C. roseus, displayed average high conversion rate (> 90%) toward eight structurally different cardiotonic steroids. Among them, resibufogenin, digitoxigenin, and uzarigenin gave 100% yield. Based on LC–MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR analysis, structure elucidation of eight glycosides was consistent with 3-O-β-d-glucosides. We further confirmed UGT74AN3 was permissive enough to glycosylate curcumin, resveratrol, and phloretin. The cDNA sequence of UGT74AN3 contained an ORF of 1,425 nucleotides encoding 474 amino acids. UGT74AN3 performed the maximum catalytic activity at 40 °C, pH 8.0, and was divalent cation-independent. Km values of UGT74AN3 toward resibufogenin, digitoxigenin, and uzarigenin were 7.0 µM, 12.3 µM, and 17.4 µM, respectively. UGT74AN3, a glycosyltransferase from a noncardenolide-producing plant, displayed catalytic efficiency toward cardiotonic steroids and phenolic compounds, which would make it feasible for glycosylation of bioactive molecules.

In this paper, nanocrystalline diamond with the average grain size of 50nm was prepared under different sintering pressure, temperature and sintering time. The microstructure of the sample was analyzed by SEM, EDS and XRD, and the mechanical properties tested by micro-hardness tester and wear ratio instrument. The results show that the sample sintered under the optimum conditions of oil pressure 87MPa, heating power 4000W and sintering time 120s possessed hardness of 706.41HV and wear ratio of 3280. It indicated that high performance n-PCD sintered from nanodiamond and silicon system can be formed hardly with diamond to diamond bonding but can be formed with diamond to silicon carbide bonding. The poor mechanical properties of the samples were due to the surface adsorption groups and surface graphitization of nanodiamond during high pressure sintering.

Cell replacement therapy is a promising treatment for irreversible retinal cell death in diverse diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Stargardt's disease, retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and glaucoma. These diseases are all characterized by the degeneration of one or two retinal cell types that cannot regenerate spontaneously in humans. Aberrant retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells can be observed through optical coherence tomography (OCT) in AMD patients. In RP patients, the morphological and functional abnormalities of RPE and photoreceptor layers are caused by a genetic abnormality. Stargardt's disease or juvenile macular degeneration, which is characterized by the loss of the RPE and photoreceptors in the macular area, causes central vision loss at an early age. Loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) can be observed in patients with glaucoma. Once the retinal cell degeneration is triggered, no treatments can reverse it. Transplantation-based approaches have been proposed as a universal therapy to target patients with various concomitant diseases. Both the replacement of dead cells and neuroprotection are strategies used to rescue visual function in animal models of retinal degeneration. Diverse retinal cell types derived from pluripotent stem cells, including RPE cells, photoreceptors, RGCs and even retinal organoids with a layered structure, provide unlimited cell sources for transplantation. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multifunctional and protect degenerating retinal cells. The aim of this review is to summarize current findings from preclinical and clinical studies. We begin with a brief introduction to retinal degenerative diseases and cell death in diverse diseases, followed by methods for retinal cell generation. Preclinical and clinical studies are discussed, and future concerns about efficacy, safety and immunorejection are also addressed.

Purpose Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that excessive immunoreaction plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of dry AMD. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) can be activated by double-stranded (ds)RNA in retinal pigment epithelia and trigger an innate immunity-mediated inflammatory response. However, its role in photoreceptor cells, the effectors of AMD geographic atrophy, remains unclear. Methods The expression of TLR3 was examined in mouse retina and in a murine photoreceptor cell line (661W). Retinal structure, function, and cell death in the polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C)-treated retina were investigated by optical coherence tomography, electroretinography (ERG), and immunostaining. Cytokine and chemokine expression as well as cell death were measured in poly I:C-exposed 661W cells and explant retinas. By comparing the RNA sequencing (seq) data of 661W cells and murine retina, we comprehensively investigated the contribution of photoreceptor in poly I:C-induced retinal immune response. Results Toll-like receptor 3 was highly expressed in the inner segment of the photoreceptor and in 661W cells. We found poly I:C induced significant retinal structural damages and impairment of ERG responses. Focal ERG demonstrated that injected and parainjected zones were functionally damaged by poly I:C. In addition, poly I:C acted on cultured photoreceptor cells directly and evoked an inflammatory response that exhibited similarities with the immune response in mouse retina. Moreover, TLR3 activation initiated cell death in murine photoreceptor cells in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, poly I:C initiated immune response in explant retinas. Conclusions We deciphered the TLR3-mediated inflammatory response in photoreceptor cells. Our findings suggested TLR3-mediated inflammatory response in photoreceptor cells may play an important role in dry AMD, offering new insights of potential treatments targeting photoreceptor immunity.

In many medical studies, the prevalence of interval censored data is increasing due to periodic monitoring of the progression status of a disease. In nonparametric regression model, when the response variable is subjected to interval-censoring, the regression function could not be estimated by traditional methods directly. With the censored data, we construct a new response variable which has the same conditional expectation as the original one. Based on the new variable, we get a nearest neighbor estimator of the regression function. It is established that the estimator has strong consistency and asymptotic normality. The relevant simulation reports are given.

Objectives Infantile nystagmus (IN) is a genetically heterogeneous condition characterised by involuntary rhythmic oscillations of the eyes accompanied by different degrees of vision impairment. Two genes have been identified as mainly causing IN: FRMD7 and GPR143 . The aim of our study was to identify the genetic basis of both sporadic IN and X-linked IN. Design Prospective analysis. Patients Twenty Chinese patients, including 15 sporadic IN cases and 5 from X-linked IN families, were recruited and underwent molecular genetic analysis. We first performed PCR-based DNA sequencing of the entire coding region and the splice junctions of the FRMD7 and GPR143 genes in participants. Mutational analysis and co-segregation confirmation were then performed. Setting All clinical examinations and genetic experiments were performed in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Results Two mutations in the FRMD7 gene, including one novel nonsense mutation (c.1090C>T, p.Q364X) and one reported missense mutation (c.781C>G, p.R261G), were identified in two of the five (40%) X-linked IN families. However, none of putative mutations were identified in FRMD7 or GPR143 in any of the sporadic cases. Conclusions The results suggest that mutations in FRMD7 appeared to be the major genetic cause of X-linked IN, but not of sporadic IN. Our findings provide further insights into FRMD7 mutations, which could be helpful for future genetic diagnosis and genetic counselling of Chinese patients with nystagmus.

The self-assembly behaviour of a novel cationic porphyrin-anthraquione (Por-AQ) hybrid ([AQATMPyP]I3) on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) was studied at room temperature in air by scanning tunneling microscopy(STM). According to theoretical calculation, it is testified that [AQATMPyP]I3 molecule mainly exists in the closed structure. The STM results reveal the presence of large-scale domains of ordered adlayer of this hybrid compound on HOPG. The STM images show a structure constituted by parallel rows. The width of each row is approximately 2.5nm.

Summary Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an irreversible, inherited retinopathy in which early-onset nyctalopia is observed. Despite the genetic heterogeneity of RP, RPGR mutations are the most common causes of this disease. Here, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from three RP patients with different frameshift mutations in the RPGR gene, which were then differentiated into retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and well-structured retinal organoids possessing electrophysiological properties. We observed significant defects in photoreceptor in terms of morphology, localization, transcriptional profiling, and electrophysiological activity. Furthermore, shorted cilium was found in patient iPSCs, RPE cells, and three-dimensional retinal organoids. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated correction of RPGR mutation rescued photoreceptor structure and electrophysiological property, reversed the observed ciliopathy, and restored gene expression to a level in accordance with that in the control using transcriptome-based analysis. This study recapitulated the pathogenesis of RPGR using patient-specific organoids and achieved targeted gene therapy of RPGR mutations in a dish as proof-of-concept evidence., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • HiPSC-derived 3D retinae with outer segments and electrophysiological properties • RPGR mutation results in diseased photoreceptor in patient iPSC-derived 3D retinae • Mutation correction rescues defects in photoreceptor morphology and electrophysiology • Ciliogenesis defects appear in RPGR patient-specific iPSCs, iPSC-RPE, and 3D retinae, Jin and colleagues demonstrate that patient-specific iPSC-derived 3D retinae can recapitulate disease progress of retinitis pigmentosa through presenting defects in photoreceptor morphology, gene profile, and electrophysiology, as well as the defective ciliogenesis in iPSCs, iPSC-RPE, and 3D retinae. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene correction can rescue not only photoreceptor structure and electrophysiological property but also observed ciliopathy.

A facile synthetic pathway to miktoarm star copolymers with multiple arms has been developed by combining reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) arm-first technique and aldehyde–aminooxy “click” coupling reaction. Star polystyrene (PS) with aldehyde functionalized core was initially prepared by RAFT arm-first technique via crosslinking of the preformed linear macro-RAFT agents using a newly designed aldehyde-containing divinyl compound 6,6′-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy))bis(3-vinylbenzaldehyde) (EVBA). It was then used as a multifunctional coupling agent for the subsequent formation of the second generation poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) arms via the click coupling reaction between its aldehyde groups and aminooxy-terminated PEGs. The possible formation of PS-PEG miktoarm star copolymer with Janus-like segregated structure in cyclohexanone was also investigated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3323–3330, 2010

Thermal aggregation and gelation of kidney bean protein isolate (KPI) at pH 2.0 and varying ionic strengths (0–300 mM) were investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and turbidity and dynamic oscillatory measurements. DLS and AFM analyses showed that the extent of thermal aggregation at pH 2.0, or contour length of the worm-like and fine-stranded aggregates, progressively increased with increasing ionic strength. Turbidity and dynamic rheological analyses indicated that, the turbidity and mechanical moduli of the formed gels also increased with the increase in both ionic strength and protein concentration ( c ). The c dependence of the elastic modulus G ′ could be well described using both fractal and percolation models, though in the case of fractal model applied, two distinct scaling regimes were observed. These results suggest that at pH 2.0, the thermal aggregation and gelation behaviors of the proteins in KPI could be remarkably affected by a change in electrostatic repulsion, and homogenous fine-stranded gels formed at ionic strengths in the 0–300 mM range.

We dissolved 1-iodo-4-nitrobenzene in various solvents, including ethanol, benzene, toluene and dimethylacetamide, and prepared solution with different concentration from 10-2 M to 10-5 M. Epitaxial Au(111) film and graphite were used as substrates. Scanning tunneling microscope (STM) was used to observe structures of 1-iodo-4-nitrobenzene molecules on those substrates. Experimentally, we found that 1-iodo-4-nitrobenzene molecules constructed nanowires on graphite surface at room temperature in air. The mechanism of formation of nanowire is briefly discussed in this paper.

An ionic molecular glass based on a dendronized monoammonium salt has been facilely synthesized and utilized as an interfacial electron-injection layer in a light-emitting diode (LED). The characterization of a yellow-green LED that involves an Al cathode and a thin layer of the new compound spin cast from a methanol solution has shown device performances comparable to those obtained with a Ba/Al cathode. Photovoltaic measurements under white light irradiation reveal that a thin layer of the new compound can significantly increase the built-in potential and thus facilitate electron injection from an Al cathode. Furthermore, it is interesting to observe that the new ionic salt could undergo reorganization on the emissive conjugated polymer layer, which leads to the formation of nearly uniform nanoaggregates.