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AIM: To explore the hotspots and frontiers of genetic research on pediatric cataracts. METHODS: Global publications from 2013 to 2022 related to genes in pediatric cataracts were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection, and were analyzed in terms of the publication counts, countries, journals, authors, keywords, cited references, subject categories, and the underlying hotspots and frontiers. RESULTS: Totally 699 publications were included in the final analysis. The predominant actors were identified, with China (n=240) and PLoS One (n=33) being the most productive country and journal respectively. The research hotspots extracted from keywords were crystallin gene mutations, pathogenicity evaluation, phenotypes of ocular and neurodevelopmental abnormalities, genes encoding membrane proteins, and diagnosis of multisystemic disorders. The co-cited articles formed 10 clusters of research topics, including FYCO1 (56 items), mutation screening (43 items), gap junction (29 items), the Warburg Micro syndrome (29 items), ephrin-A5 (28 items), novel mutation (24 items), eye development and function (22 items), cholestanol (7 items), OCRL (6 items), and pathogenicity prediction (3 items). The research frontiers were FYCO1, ephrin-A5, and cholestanol. Cell biology showed the strongest bridging effects among different disciplines in the field (betweenness centrality=0.44). CONCLUSION: With the progress in next-generation sequencing and multidisciplinary collaboration, genetic research on pediatric cataracts broadens the knowledge scope of the crystalline lens, as well as other organs and systems, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms of systemic diseases. Cell biology may integrate multidisciplinary content to address cutting-edge issues in the field.
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A hydroxyapatite whisker (w-HA) was synthesized via dissolution-precipitation by forming calcium-ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (Ca-EDTA) complexing. The hydroxyapatite whisker was formed with precipitation of Ca2+ along the c-axis due to the space inhibition of Ca-EDTA complex during refluxing. The op-w-HA (oligomeric poly(lactic acid) modified w-HA), p-w-HA (poly(L-lactide) modified w-HA) and pc-w-HA (poly(L-lactide) and cyclodextrin modified w-HA) were obtained via the surface modification of w-HA. The particle size, surface charge and biocompatibility of theses modified w-HA particles were successfully adjusted. Among these materials, pc-w-HA exhibited nearly no toxicity, better adhesion to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (5 times better than w-HA) and greater osteoinductivity among the obtained materials (40% of mineralized extracellular matrix higher than w-HA) due to better surface properties. Different kinds of powders (w-HA, p-w-HA and pc-w-HA) were blended with PLLA (poly(L-Lactide)) to form a composite material, respectively. The pc-w-HA/PLLA composite showed better mechanical properties (tensile strength of the pc-w-HA/PLLA composite was 22.3% higher than that of w-HA/PLLA), which could be attributed to mainly two factors including the structure preservation of w-HA bundles and pseudorotaxane linkage between PLA-cyclodextrin and PLLA. The MSCs adhesion of the pc-w-HA/PLLA composite was much better due to balanced hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity and surface roughness. This surface modification method could provide a new and effective strategy for the preparation of bioresorbable composite material with great bioactivity and mechanical property, which has great potential in the medical device industry.
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OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between serum ß2-microglobulin (B2M) levels and frailty in an elderly Chinese population. DESIGN: A population-based cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We used data on 1,663 elderly participants (aged 70-84 years) from the aging arm of the Rugao Longevity and Ageing study, a population-based observational two-arm cohort study conducted in Rugao, China. MEASUREMENTS: The serum B2M was measured with chemiluminescence immunoassay by a technician in the biochemistry laboratory of the Rugao People's Hospital. Information on the frailty index and phenotype was collected. RESULTS: The mean B2M levels and frailty index were 1.8 mg/L and 0.16, respectively; 188 (11.3%) participants were classified as frail (frailty phenotype). For a standard deviation increase in B2M, the adjusted odds ratio for frailty phenotype was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.39; P=0.009) and the standardized coefficient for frailty index was 0.07 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.11; P=0.004). Relative to the lowest quartile, the highest B2M quartile had a greater risk of prevalent frailty with adjusted odds ratios of 1.68 (95% CI: 1.04, 2.71; P=0.034) for frailty phenotype and 1.51 (95% CI: 1.01, 2.27; P=0.044) for frailty index (≥0.25). In addition, estimated glomerular filtration rate (based on B2M) or chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) was significantly associated with frailty phenotype and index. CONCLUSION: B2M was significantly associated with both frailty phenotype and index in elderly Chinese population. The findings underscore the promising kidney relevant biomarkers for identifying vulnerable elderly Chinese population.
