To evaluate the visual outcomes of vitrectomy for lamellar macular hole (LMH) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) foveoschisis and to investigate the prognostic factor for postoperative visual acuity.
We ...retrospectively reviewed 15 LMH and 17 ERM foveoschisis eyes that had undergone a standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy with (12 eyes) or without (20 eyes) cataract surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at postoperative three months and the final visit were compared to the preoperative measurements. We investigated the relationship between BCVA at the final visit and baseline parameters (age, preoperative BCVA, the presence of epiretinal proliferation EP and ellipsoid zone EZ disruption). The best explanatory variables for the final BCVA were investigated using the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) model selection.
The mean age was 67.2 years. The mean follow-up duration was 30.7 months. Fifteen of 32 examined eyes were diagnosed as LMH and 17 eyes as ERM foveoschisis. Twelve eyes in LMH had EP and 13 eyes showed the disruption of EZ integrity. In total, BCVA significantly improved at 3 months postoperatively (p = 0.0013). A significant improvement was observed in ERM foveoschisis (p = 0.0085) but not in LMH group (p = 0.071). Comparing the BCVA between the baseline and the final visit, significant improvements were observed in total, ERM foveoschisis and LMH group (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p = 0.026, respectively). The optimal model for BCVA at the final visit included preoperative BCVA and the presence of EZ disruption (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively).
Our results suggested that the final BCVA was dependent on preoperative BCVA and the presence of EZ disruption. Surgical indications might be warranted for LMHs with EZ disruption.
•MFI membranes were minutely examined by adsorption-branch permporometry.•For the first time, micropore defects could be directly verified by SEM.•The micropore defects were most likely open grain ...boundaries.•The permporometry results correlated well with permeation and separation data.•The results were also supported by nitrogen adsorption data for powders.
In the present work, two ultra-thin MFI membranes, prepared using hydroxide and fluoride ions as mineralizing agents, respectively, were carefully examined by permporometry. The amount of micropore defects, as determined by permporometry, differed significantly between the two different membranes. For the first time, it was demonstrated that the micropore defects determined by permporometry were most likely open grain boundaries. The results were verified by direct observation of the open grain boundaries by a state-of-the-art XHR-scanning electron microscopy instrument. In addition, the permporometry data were also consistent with permeation data using 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (TMB) as a probe molecule, separation data using an equimolar mixture of n-hexane and TMB, and nitrogen adsorption data.
Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions globally. It encompasses both motor and non-motor symptoms, with a notable impact on patients’ quality ...of life. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive tool that is increasingly utilized to investigate neural mechanisms in PD, identify early diagnostic markers, and assess therapeutic responses. Methods The data were sourced from the Science Citation Index Expanded within the Web of Science Core Collection database, focusing on publications related to EEG research in PD from 2004 to 2023. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted using CiteSpace and VOSviewer software. The analysis began with an evaluation of the selected publications, identifying leading countries, institutions, authors, and journals, as well as co-cited references, to summarize the current state of EEG research in PD. Keywords are employed to identify research topics that are currently of interest in this field through the analysis of high-frequency keyword co-occurrence and cluster analysis. Finally, burst keywords were identified to uncover emerging trends and research frontiers in the field, highlighting shifts in interest and identifying future research directions. Results A total of 1,559 publications on EEG research in PD were identified. The United States, Germany, and England have made notable contributions to the field. The University of London is the leading institution in terms of publication output, with the University of California closely following. The most prolific authors are Brown P, Fuhr P, and Stam C In terms of total citations and per-article citations, Stam C has the highest number of citations, while Brown P has the highest H-index. In terms of the total number of publications, Clinical Neurophysiology is the leading journal, while Brain is the most highly cited. The most frequently cited articles pertain to software toolboxes for EEG analysis, neural oscillations, and PD pathophysiology. Through analyzing the keywords, four research hotspots were identified: research on the neural oscillations and connectivity, research on the innovations in EEG Analysis, impact of therapies on EEG, and research on cognitive and emotional assessments. Conclusion This bibliometric analysis demonstrates a growing global interest in EEG research in PD. The investigation of neural oscillations and connectivity remains a primary focus of research. The application of machine learning, deep learning, and task analysis techniques offers promising avenues for future research in EEG and PD, suggesting the potential for advancements in this field. This study offers valuable insights into the major research trends, influential contributors, and evolving themes in this field, providing a roadmap for future exploration.
Tensile tests of seven bias angles with a 15° increment with respect to the warp direction are conducted on a typical coated bi-axial warp knitted fabric (BWKF). By utilizing the Digital Image ...Correlation technique, the experimental results are processed, and detailed responses of strain contours and Poisson’s ratios are determined for some specific strain levels, and an extraordinary M-shaped relationship between Poisson’s ratio and bias angle is revealed. Then, the tested Poisson’s ratios are compared with corresponding theoretical predictions from the original theory for ordinary anisotropic materials, discrepancies and their possible causes are analyzed. Finally, the original theory used for Poisson’s ratio predication of ordinary anisotropic materials is modified for application to the BWKFs by considering the unique local valley at 45° caused by structural differences and possible yarn movements. The modified theoretical equation could exhibit the M-shaped relationship between Poisson’s ratio and bias angle, and is validated due to the high similarity between the predictions and experimental results. This investigation could provide some new insights into the orientation-dependence, Poisson’s effect and complex deformation mechanism of BWKFs.
BackgroundPreoperative radiation therapy (preRT) is a fundamental aspect of neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer (RC), but the response to this treatment remains unsatisfactory. The combination of ...radiation therapy (RT) and immunotherapy (iRT) presents a promising approach to cancer treatment, though the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. The gut microbiota may influence the response to RT and immunotherapy. Therefore, we aimed to identify the metabolism of gut microbiota to reverse radioresistance and enhance the efficacy of iRT.MethodsFecal and serum samples were prospectively collected from patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who had undergone pre-RT treatment. Candidate gut microbiome-derived metabolites linked with radiosensitization were screened using 16s rRNA gene sequencing and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass coupled with mass spectrometry. In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to assess the radiosensitizing effects of the metabolites including the syngeneic CT26 tumor model and HCT116 xenograft tumor model, transcriptomics and immunofluorescence. The CT26 abscopal effect modeling was employed to evaluate the combined effects of metabolites on iRT.ResultsWe initially discovered the gut microbiota-associated metabolite, methylglyoxal (MG), which accurately predicts the response to preRT (Area Under Curve (AUC) value of 0.856) among patients with LARC. Subsequently, we observed that MG amplifies the RT response in RC by stimulating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reducing hypoxia in the tumor in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, our study demonstrated that MG amplifies the RT-induced activation of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes pathway by elevating DNA double-strand breaks. Moreover, it facilitates immunogenic cell death generated by ROS-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress, consequently leading to an increase in CD8+ T and natural killer cells infiltrated in the tumor immune microenvironment. Lastly, we discovered that the combination of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD1) therapy produced long-lasting complete responses in all irradiated tumor sites and half of the non-irradiated ones.ConclusionsOur research indicates that MG shows promise as a radiosensitizer and immunomodulator for RC. Furthermore, we propose that combining MG with iRT has great potential for clinical practice.
Singular source terms in sub-diffusion equations may lead to the unboundedness of solutions, which will bring a severe reduction of convergence order of existing time-stepping schemes. In this work, ...we propose two efficient time-stepping schemes for solving sub-diffusion equations with a class of source terms mildly singular in time. One discretization is based on the Grünwald-Letnikov and backward Euler methods. First-order error estimate with respect to time is rigorously established for singular source terms and nonsmooth initial data. The other scheme derived from the second-order backward differentiation formula (BDF) is proved to possess second-order accuracy in time. Further, piecewise linear finite element and lumped mass finite element discretizations in space are applied and analyzed rigorously. Numerical investigations confirm our theoretical results.
In this paper, the stoichiometric mechanism of gas phase oxidation process of gasoline hydrocarbons was studied through using theoretical stoichiometry. The reason of the phenomenon of cold flame and ...negative temperature coefficient in the reaction of hydrocarbon molecules before the flame was explained from the molecular level. During the gas phase oxidation process, the alkoxy radical RO· reacts with hydroxyl ·OH to form a relatively stable intermediate such as aldehyde (or ketone) and H
2
O molecules, and the free radical chain reaction process.The temperature of the reaction process is very low, while the release of a large number of heat, the formation of aldehydes (or ketones) from the excited state back to the ground state when the emission of about 400nm wavelength of light blue fluorescence.
Diverse biological microstructures that result in advanced optical effects have been systematically investigated. However, the mechanisms of polarization-sensitive color have not been fully ...understood. Here, we report a combined architecture comprising upper deep grating and bottom multilayer in butterfly iridescent scales that leads to polarization-sensitive color related with scale azimuth. The polarization process is unraveled through detailed investigations on the green scales in butterfly Ornithoptera priamus poseidonand the orange scales in butterfly Ornithoptera croesus lydius. The bright green and orange scales result from the interaction between the transmitted 0th order diffraction of upper grating and the 1st order interference of the bottom multilayer. Combining experimental results with calculation, we clarify the structural origin and the mechanism of the polarization conversion. Tapered grating achieves form-birefringence rotating polarized light and the multilayer selectively reflects the incident light dominating the reflection color. The height of the grating, which determines the phase difference of the two decomposed polarized lights, is essential to polarization conversion. To our knowledge, it is the first study to provide a structural prototype comprising deep grating and multilayer for achieving polarization-sensitive color. These findings show significant promise in biosensing, anticounterfeiting and optical-material design.
Body area network has attracted extensive attention for its applications in athletics, medical, diagnosis, and rehabilitation training in the next generation personalized health care solutions. Here, ...a contact‐separation direct current triboelectric nanogenerators (CSDC‐TENGs) based self‐powered wireless body area network (SWBAN) is reported that enables multi‐joint movements monitoring for human motion. The CSDC‐TENG is designed as a flexible active sensor with an internal contact switch, and the flexible substrate makes the TENG‐sensor stick onto skin easily. Due to the internal switch, the CSDC‐TENG could generate a DC current, a large instantaneous output voltage exceeds 700 V, and an instantaneous power can reach 1.076 W, which is more than 23 000 times higher than that of the traditional contact‐separation mode TENG in same size and materials without the switch. By coupling with flexible coil, the fixed high‐frequency radio signals can be modulated and emitted clearly ranging from 6 to 16 MHz, which can be wirelessly received and demodulated through a reader. Moreover, the SWBAN is demonstrated in a real time monitoring system for joints motion. This work has realized the wearable TENG for self‐powered wireless real‐time monitoring of body movements driven by low‐frequency human daily activities, which may promote a tremendous development of intelligent healthcare, wireless sensing system and body area network.
A contact‐separation direct current triboelectric nanogenerators (CSDC‐TENGs) based self‐powered wireless body area network that enables multi‐joint movements monitoring for human motion. CSDC‐TENG with the internal contact switch can generate DC current without electricity loss. RF signals with the fixed frequency ranging from 6 to 16 MHz can be modulated and transmitted by the coupled emitter composed of CSDC‐TENG and flexible coil.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is the causative agent of porcine epidemic diarrhea, causing substantial economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. However, the development of PEDV ...vaccine is hampered by its low propagation titer in vitro, due to difficulty in adapting to the cells and complex culture conditions, even in the presence of trypsin. Furthermore, the frequent variation, recombination, and evolution of PEDV resulted in reemergence and vaccination failure. In this study, we established the Vero/TMPRSS2 and Vero/MSPL cell lines, constitutively expressing type II transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2 and MSPL, in order to increase the stability and titer of PEDV culture and isolation in vitro. Our study revealed that the Vero/TMPRSS2, especially Vero/MSPL cell lines, can effectively facilitate the titer and multicycle replication of cell-adapted PEDV in the absence of exogenous trypsin, by cleaving and activating PEDV S protein. Furthermore, our results also highlighted that Vero/TMPRSS2 and Vero/MSPL cells can significantly enhance the isolation of PEDV from the clinical tissue samples as well as promote viral infection and replication by cell-cell fusion. The successful construction of the Vero/TMPRSS2 and Vero/MSPL cell lines provides a useful approach for the isolation and propagation of PEDV, simplification of virus culture, and large-scale production of industrial vaccine, and the cell lines are also an important system to research PEDV S protein cleaved by host protease.
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