High-temperature tensile strength of C/SiC composite under laser-induced high heating flux in an aerobic environment.

Based on the advantages of laser high brightness, a high-temperature mechanical property measuring device has been developed, which can measure the high-temperature strength of C/SiC composites under the condition of short-term high-temperature rise rate and solve the problem of over-oxidation of materials in conventional high-temperature mechanical properties experiments. The experimental results show that the maximum temperature rise rate is 260 â„ƒ/s at the initial heating stage, and the test time is controlled within 35 s. The tensile strength of the prepared C/SiC composites decreased first and then increased at high temperatures and laser-induced high temperatures. The experimental results are similar to those in the literature under the inert atmosphere. Oxidation has less of an effect on the mechanical characteristics of materials under conditions of rapid temperature rise. The system can be used to test the mechanical properties of composite materials at high temperatures and as a simulation platform for the thermal response of specific thermal protection systems subjected to a constant heat flux. This study can provide a new idea for testing ultra-high temperature mechanical properties of C/SiC materials and provide key technical support for the engineering application and high-temperature testing of C/SiC materials in high-temperature environments.

Cytokine Profiles and the Effect of Intravitreal Aflibercept Treatment on Experimental Choroidal Neovascularization.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to investigate the profiles of inflammatory cytokines and the macrophage polarization gene in a choroidal neovascularization (CNV) mouse model before and after intravitreal aflibercept treatment. METHODS: The CNV mouse model was conducted by laser photocoagulation. A total of 58 cytokines were measured by the multiplex mouse cytokine antibody array. The macrophage polarization genes were tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The relationship between the cytokines and the CNV lesion area was analyzed by correlation. RESULTS: MIP-1a on day 3 after laser photocoagulation, MCP-5 and Fas-L on day 7, and IL-15 and IL-7 on day 14 were significantly upregulated (p < 0.001, fold change >10.0). After the intravitreal aflibercept treatment, GM-CSF and MCP-1 on day 3 and TIMP-1 on days 7 and 14 were the most significantly upregulated cytokines (p < 0.001, fold change >10.0). MIP-1 on day 3, IL-13 and Fas-L on day 7, and Fas-L on day 14 were the most significantly downregulated cytokines after intravitreal aflibercept treatment (p < 0.001, fold change >5.0). M2 polarization and VEGFA genes were significantly increased in the CNV formation, whereas aflibercept suppressed M2 polarization and VEGFA genes. IL-7 was negatively related to the CNV lesion area on day 14 after intravitreal aflibercept treatment (r = -0.938, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The inflammatory cytokines and the M1/M2 macrophage genes significantly changed in the CNV mouse model. This result suggests that inflammatory cytokines and macrophages play a critical role in the physiopathology of CNV.

Predictors of visual recovery in patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion after treatment with Conbercept.

BACKGROUND: The use of Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to evaluate the predictors of visual acuity-recovery in patients treated with conbercept for macular edema (ME) secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) has rarely been seen. We collected 26 CRVO-ME patients with different OCT measures at 6 months follow-up to identify the factors that are most strongly correlated with the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) post-treatment in CRVO-ME patients treated with conbercept. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intravitreal conbercept injections for the treatment of CRVO-ME and to determine the major predictors of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) post-treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study methodology was used. Twenty-six eyes from 26 patients with CRVO-ME were enrolled in the study. After an initial intravitreal injection of conbercept (0.5 mg/0.05 ml), monthly injections for up to 6 months were given following a 1 + PRN (pro re nata) regimen. Data collected at monthly intervals included measurements of the logMAR BCVA, central subfield thickness (CST), macular volume (MV), photoreceptor layer thickness (PLT), outer nuclear layer thickness (ONLT), and the disrupted ellipsoid zone (DEZ). The correlation between BCVA, before and after injections, and each of CST, MV, PLT, ONLT, DEZ was analyzed. RESULTS: The logMAR BCVA in months 3 and 6 post-injection was significantly improved relative to the baseline. In this same period the CST, MV, PLT, ONLT and DEZ were also significantly improved relative to the baseline. There was a negative correlation between PLT and logMAR BCVA at months 3 and 6 after treatment (r = - 0.549, P < 0.001; r = - 0.087, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of conbercept is an effective treatment for CRVO-ME. With 6 months of follow-up, logMAR BCVA and CST, MV, PLT, ONLT, DEZ improved. PLT was negatively correlated with the visual function in CRVO-ME patients after conbercept treatment, which may be a predictor of vision recovery in patients with CRVO-ME.

LncRNA NEAT1 Sponges MiRNA-148a-3p to Suppress Choroidal Neovascularization and M2 macrophage polarization.

PURPOSE: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as essential regulators in many biological processes; however, little is known about the role of lncRNAs in choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of lncRNA NEAT1 in CNV formation, and assessed whether inhibition of lncRNA NEAT1 could suppress M2-type macrophage polarization and CNV. METHODS: The expression profiles of lncRNAs in a CNV mice model were accessed via microarray analysis. The role of lncRNA NEAT1 on macrophage polarization was assessed both in vitro and vivo. The interaction between lncRNA NEAT1, miR-148a-3p, and PTEN was assessed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Additionally, to evaluate the role of lncRNA NEAT1 on CNV development, eyes of mice in the mice CNV model were examined by Fluorescein Angiography (FA) and choroidal flatmounts on days 3 and 7 after intravitreal injection. RESULTS: The results revealed that 128 lncRNAs were significantly altered in the RPE-choroid-sclera complexes of CNV mice (P < 0.05, fold change > 2.0). Additionally, lncRNA NEAT1 increased in CNV formation and M2 macrophage polarization. LncRNA NEAT1 sponging miRNA-148a-3p targeting PTEN can modulate M2 macrophage polarization in mice CNV models as well as in bone marrow-derived macrophages cultured in vitro. Inhibition of lncRNA NEAT1 can suppress M2 macrophage both in vitro and vivo. Moreover, the intravitreal injection of a lncRNA NEAT1 Smart Silencer can inhibit CNV leakage and neovascularization. CONCLUSION: LncRNA NEAT1 via miRNA-148a-3p targeting PTEN plays a significant role in M2 macrophage polarization, while the inhibition of lncRNA NEAT1 can suppress choroidal neovascularization by inhibiting M2 macrophage polarization.

Analysis of Long Noncoding RNAs in Choroid Neovascularization.

Purpose: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the major pathological features of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Long noncoding RNAs play great roles in numerous biological processes. The purpose of the study was to investigate the expression profile and possible functions of the lncRNAs in CNV. Methods: In this study, the mice CNV model were conducted by laser photocoagulation. The expression profiles of lncRNAs were accessed by microarray analysis. Selected altered lncRNAs of mice CNV and wet AMD patients were validated by RT-PCR. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and lncRNA-mRNA coexpression network were conducted to reveal the biological functions. Results: The results revealed that 128 lncRNAs were significantly altered in RPE-choroid-sclera complexes of CNV mice (P < .05, fold change > 2.0). GO analysis revealed that the altered target genes of the selected lncRNAs most enriched in angiogenesis. KEGG pathway analysis demonstrated that altered target genes of lncRNAs most enriched in focal adhesion signaling pathway. H19 was significantly increased in the aqueous humor of wet AMD patients. Moreover, Inhibition of lncRNA H19 could suppresses M2 macrophage gene expression of laser-induced CNV mice. Conclusions: Our study identified differential expressions of lncRNAs in CNV, and lncRNA H19 might be novel potential target for the prevention and treatment of CNV.

Paired eye-control study of unilateral opaque bubble layer in femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis.

AIM: To investigate the predictive factors of the opaque bubble layer (OBL) compared to the fellow eye of same patients in FS200 femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). METHODS: This study consisted of 60 consecutive patients (120 eyes) with unilateral OBL during FS-LASIK. Eyes were divided into OBL (the OBL eyes) and OBL-free groups (the fellow eyes) based on the occurrence of OBL. The preoperative demographic data, refraction, keratometry, corneal astigmatism, pachymetry, intraocular pressure and intraoperative data including the outlet location of gas diffusing canal were collected. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to find the associated factors with OBL in the two groups by determining odds ratios (OR) and 95%CI. RESULTS: The preoperative demographic data, mean spherical errors, mean K value, suction time, intraocular pressure and central cornea thickness were not significantly different between the two groups. The outlet location of gas diffusing canal (P<0.01, OR 7.16, 95%CI 2.53-20.32) and the corneal astigmatism (P=0.013, OR 0.13, 95%CI 0.03-0.65) were significantly associated with the incidence of OBL by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Visual acuity, efficacy, and safety were comparable between the two groups two months after surgery except for a slightly lower predictability value for the hard OBL eyes. CONCLUSION: The reduction of the incidence of OBL is obvious when the outlet of gas diffusing canal located at the posterior border of the corneoscleral limbus. This is probably consequent to more effectiveness of gas diffusing canal. Corneal astigmatism is also an independent protective factor for OBL formation.

Photoelectrochemical determination of the activity of M.SssI methyltransferase, and a method for inhibitor screening.

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) method is described for the determination of the activity of M.SssI methyltransferase (MTase). The assay relies on enzyme-linkage reactions and a DNA intercalator Ru(bpy)2(dppz)2+ (where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, and dppz is dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) which both serves as a PEC signal. The PEC electrode was obtained by immobilizing 5'-amino modified DNA strands (containing the methylation recognition site 5'-CCGG-3') on a polyethylenimine (PEI) coated ITO/SnO2 electrode with glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agent. In the presence of MTase and S-adenosyl-L-methionine, the 5'-CCGG-3' sequence in the DNA on the electrode is methylated. This protects the DNA strands from the shear of the methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease HpaII. Consequently, more intact DNA strands remain on the surface of the electrode, providing more sites for Ru(bpy)2(dppz)2+ binding which in turn results in a high PEC response. The result demonstrates that the photocurrent increases linearly with the activity of MTase from 5 to 80 U·mL-1, and the limit of detection is 0.45 U·mL-1. The other MTases does not enhance the photocurrent, suggesting good selectivity of the assay. The method was also applied to rapid evaluate and screen the inhibitors of MTase. This strategy can be utilized to determinate the activity of other DNA MTases with specific DNA sequence. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of a photoelectrochemical assay based on enzyme-linkage reactions and a photo electrochemical probe combined with the oxalic acid involved cyclic amplification system for the determination of methyltransferase activity.

Thiol-Disulfide Exchange Reaction for Cellular Glutathione Detection with Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering.

Abnormal glutathione (GSH) levels are related to several diseases, including cancer. In this paper, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based on a 2-(pyridyldithio)ethylamine (PDEA)-modified AgNPs@Si wafer is proposed for intracellular GSH detection. PDEA plays multifunctional roles in the method, including the participation in the thiol-disulfide exchange reaction and the contribution of a great SERS signal reporter. With the addition of GSH, the disulfide bond of PDEA will be broken, releasing the pyridine ring in PDEA and resulting in a signal-off SERS response. The developed specific reaction-based SERS assay can detect GSH levels as low as 2.5 × 10-7 M. Subsequently, we employed this method to evaluate cellular GSH levels and found that the levels in cancer cells are higher than those in normal cells. The PDEA-modified AgNPs@Si-based SERS protocol demonstrates good selectivity and high sensitivity, as well as robustness, which is suitable to evaluate cellular GSH levels.

Ablation Behavior of Plasma-Sprayed La1-xSrxTiO3+δ Coating Irradiated by High-Intensity Continuous Laser.

Laser protection for optical components, particularly those in high-power laser systems, has been a major concern. La1-xSrxTiO3+δ with its good optical and thermal properties can be potentially applied as a high-temperature optical protective coating or high-reflectivity material for optical components. However, the high-power laser ablation behavior of plasma-sprayed La1-xSrxTiO3+δ (x = 0.1) coatings has rarely been investigated. Thus, in this study, laser irradiation experiments were performed to study the effect of high-intensity continuous laser on the ablation behavior of the La1-xSrxTiO3+δ coating. The results show that the La1-xSrxTiO3+δ coating undergoes three ablation stages during laser irradiation: coating oxidation, formation and growth of new structures (columnar and dendritic crystals), and mechanical failure. A finite-element simulation was also conducted to explore the mechanism of the ablation damage to the La1-xSrxTiO3+δ coating and provided a good understanding of the ablation behavior. The apparent ablation characteristics are attributed to the different temperature gradients determined by the reflectivity and thermal diffusivity of the La1-xSrxTiO3+δ coating material, which are critical factors for improving the antilaser ablation property. Now, the stainless steel substrate deposited by it can effectively work as a protective shield layer against ablation by laser irradiation.

Orbital solitary fibrous tumor: a clinicopathologic study of ten cases with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare spindle-cell benign neoplasm and located in orbit. The present research represents case reports of ten patients with orbital SFT. METHOD: Prognosis was assessed by clinic service and telephone interview. Clinical data were retrieved from the medical records. Immunohistochemistry for CD34, CD99, EMA, HMB-45, Bcl-2, GFAP, S-100, MBP, CK, and MIB-1 was performed. Distributions of time to progression and recurrence between different operative methods were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. FINDINGS: The ten patients included six men and four women (range: 19-75 years). The most common initial symptom was painless proptosis (n = 6). After the ten initial surgeries, with four requiring gross total resection (GRT) and six requiring subtotal resection (STR), an additional nine were required to remove recurrent tumors. Eighteen samples were obtained for pathological examination (the third sample for case 4 was not achieved). Cellular areas with partial hemangiopericytoma pattern were noted in four samples (4/18); scarce mitosis was noted in six samples (6/18). All SFTs (18/18) were positive for CD34, CD99 and vimentin, while all SFTs (18/18) were negative for EMA, CK, MBP, HBM-45 and GFAP. Bcl-2 was positive in 13/18 cases, while S-100 was negative in 14/18 cases. The MIB-1 labeling index varied from 1% to 3%. Follow-up was available for nine patients with a median of 88 months. All four patients who underwent GTR on initial operation did not recur; while the five patients who underwent STR recurred. The log-rank test showed that the incomplete surgical resection was significantly associated with recurrence (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Orbital SFT is a rare mesenchymal tumor and painless proptosis is the most common initial symptom. Immunohistochemistry should be used to differentiate SFT from other tumors. Orbital SFT usually has a non-aggressive histological characteristic, and has a good prognosis if GTR is performed. Postoperative regular and long-term follow-up remains mandatory to monitor recurrence.

[Clinical analysis of sarcoidosis of ocular adnexa].

OBJECTIVE: To study the diagnosis and treatment of 17 patients with sarcoidosis in ocular adnexa. METHODS: The clinical data of 17 cases with sarcoidosis in ocular adnexa treated during 1993 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent surgical treatment, and the diagnosis was proven histopathologically. RESULTS: Among the 17 cases, 4 were male, and 13 were female. The patients' age ranged from 15 to 70 years, with a mean of 46.9 years. The lesions were located at the orbit (8 cases), lacrimal grand (5 cases) and eyelids (4 cases). Fourteen cases complained of the presence of a local mass, 2 cases complained of exophthalmos and 1 swelling of eyelids. Concurrent systemic sarcoidosis was present in 7 cases. Three cases coincided with lung sarcoidosis, 3 cases with uveitis and 1 case with dermatopathy. Angiotensin converting enzyme analysis was performed in 6 cases; 4 of them were elevated. Computer tomography was performed in 12 cases; in 11 cases it presented as moderate density parenchymatous mass, and in the remaining one it presented as hypodensity cystic mass. B scan of 5 cases showed hypoechoic parenchymatous homogeneous mass. None of 14 cases relapsed after 1 to 15 years follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular adnexal sarcoidosis usually presents as local mass and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of orbital and ocular adnexal lesions. Excision of localized mass alone could achieve satisfactory outcomes for isolated lesions, while for diffuse or systematic lesions, corticosteroid treatment should be prescribed routinely.

[Orbital solitary fibrous tumor: a clinicopathologic analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To study clinicopathologic features, histologic characteristics, differential diagnosis and the treatment of orbital solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). METHODS: Clinical, radiographic and pathologic findings of 6 cases of SFT were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemistry were performed on selected samples. RESULTS: Four patients were males and 2 were females. Patients age ranged from 19- to 57-years-old. The location of the tumor was in the muscle cone (case 1 and case 5), medial (case 3), lateral (case 4), superior (case 2) and inferolateral (case 6) portion of the orbit, respectively. The presenting symptom was proptosis in 3 cases and was mass of subconjunctival or orbit margin in other 3 cases. Image examination: SFT appeared as a round (case 6 showed irregular) and well-circumscribed parenchymatous mass that could be homogenously enhanced by contrast. Histologically, SFT displayed as a mass of spindle cells in an irregular arrangement Sometime, tumor cells could be storiform or sarciniform. Mitotic figures were infrequent and usually there were 0 to 3 mitotic figures per 10 high-power fields. Hyalinization and staghornform blood vessels were frequently observed. SFT was immunoreactive for markers such as Vim, CD34 and CD99. Two cases were recurred. CONCLUSIONS: SFT is a rare orbital tumor and could be confused with other types of orbital tumors. This tumor can be diagnosed by pathological and immunocytochemical studies, these characteristics can be used to differentiate it from other types of orbital tumors.