An Amphibious Fully-Soft Centimeter-Scale Miniature Crawling Robot Powered by Electrohydraulic Fluid Kinetic Energy.

Miniature locomotion robots with the ability to navigate confined environments show great promise for a wide range of tasks, including search and rescue operations. Soft miniature locomotion robots, as a burgeoning field, have attracted significant research interest due to their exceptional terrain adaptability and safety features. Here, a fully-soft centimeter-scale miniature crawling robot directly powered by fluid kinetic energy generated by an electrohydraulic actuator is introduced. Through optimization of the operating voltage and design parameters, the average crawling velocity of the robot is dramatically enhanced, reaching 16 mm s-1. The optimized robot weighs 6.3 g and measures 5 cm in length, 5 cm in width, and 6 mm in height. By combining two robots in parallel, the robot can achieve a turning rate of ≈3° s-1. Additionally, by reconfiguring the distribution of electrodes in the electrohydraulic actuator, the robot can achieve 2 degrees-of-freedom translational motion, improving its maneuverability in narrow spaces. Finally, the use of a soft water-proof skin is demonstrated for underwater locomotion and actuation. In comparison with other soft miniature crawling robots, this robot with full softness can achieve relatively high crawling velocity as well as increased robustness and recovery.

Direct coating of gold nanolayers to enhance the oxidation resistance of copper nanowire flexible transparent conductive films.

Copper nanowire-based transparent conductive films have garnered extensive attention owing to their cost-effectiveness and comparable electrical properties. However, the inherent instability of copper nanowires (Cu NWs) has curtailed their extensive utility and applicability. Herein, we present durable Cu@Au NW/PET films exhibiting elevated photoelectric attributes and remarkable flexibility. After preparing Cu NWs, the purification operation allows the purity of the Cu NWs to reach about 98%. Subsequently, Cu@Au NWs/PET flexible transparent conductive films (FTCFs) were prepared through vacuum filtration of Cu NWs and direct treatment with chloroauric acid. The resulting Cu@Au NW-based FTCFs exhibit impressive attributes including a low sheet resistance of 30 ohms per square and a high optical transmittance of 90%, resulting in an exceptional figure of merit (FOM) of 99. Remarkably, the Cu@Au NWs/PET film showed remarkable flexibility, retaining its properties after 10 000 cycles of continuous bending. Stability assessments further affirm the sheet resistance of the Cu@Au NW FTCFs remains nearly unchanged over 75 days at ambient temperature. The strategic integration of a gold nanolayer, serving as a protective coating on the Cu NWs, yields substantial enhancements in both electrical conductivity and overall stability within the Cu NW FTCF architecture. Furthermore, the obtained Cu@Au NW films exhibit rapid heating capabilities, reaching a temperature of 67 °C within 30 seconds at 3.5 V and subsequently returning to room temperature at the same rate. In summary, the introduction of a Au protective layer can effectively enhance the oxidation resistance of Cu NWs, which has great application potential in FTCFs in the field of film heaters.

Bile acids and their receptors: Potential therapeutic targets in inflammatory bowel disease.

Chronic and recurrent inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract caused by a complex interplay between genetics and intestinal dysbiosis are called inflammatory bowel disease. As a result of the interaction between the liver and the gut microbiota, bile acids are an atypical class of steroids produced in mammals and traditionally known for their function in food absorption. With the development of genomics and metabolomics, more and more data suggest that the pathophysiological mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease are regulated by bile acids and their receptors. Bile acids operate as signalling molecules by activating a variety of bile acid receptors that impact intestinal flora, epithelial barrier function, and intestinal immunology. Inflammatory bowel disease can be treated in new ways by using these potential molecules. This paper mainly discusses the increasing function of bile acids and their receptors in inflammatory bowel disease and their prospective therapeutic applications. In addition, we explore bile acid metabolism and the interaction of bile acids and the gut microbiota.

Modular Soft Robot with Origami Skin for Versatile Applications.

Recent advances in soft robotics demonstrate the requirement of modular actuation to enable the rapid replacement of actuators for maintenance and functionality extension. There remain challenges to designing soft actuators capable of different motions with a consistent appearance for simplifying fabrication and modular connection. Origami structures reshaping along with their unique creases became a powerful tool to provide compact constraint layers for soft pneumatic actuators. Inspired by Waterbomb and Kresling origami, this article presents three types of vacuum-driven soft actuators with a cubic shape and different origami skins, featuring contraction, bending, and twisting-contraction combined motions, respectively. In addition, these modular actuators with diversified motion patterns can be directly fabricated by molding silicone shell and constraint layers together. Actuators with different geometrical parameters are characterized to optimize the structure and maximize output properties after establishing a theoretical model to predict the deformation. Owing to the shape consistency, our actuators can be further modularized to achieve modular actuation via mortise and tenon-based structures, promoting the possibility and efficiency of module connection for versatile tasks. Eventually, several types of modular soft robots are created to achieve fragile object manipulation and locomotion in various environments to show their potential applications.

Electrostatic Adhesion Clutch with Superhigh Force Density Achieved by MXene-Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride-Trifluoroethylene-Chlorotrifluoroethylene) Composites.

Electrostatic adhesion (EA) clutches are widely applied in robots, wearable devices, and virtual reality, due to their compliance, lightweight, ultrathin profile, and low power consumption. Higher force density has been constantly perpetuated in the past decades since EA was initially proposed. In this study, by composing terpolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE)] and two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx nanosheets (MXene), nanocomposite films with high dielectric constant (δr' > 2300) and low loss tangent are achieved. The force representative index δr'Ebd2 (the relative dielectric constant times the square of breakdown electric field) is enhanced by 5.91 times due to the charge accumulation at matrix-filler interfaces. Superhigh shear stress (85.61 N cm-2) is generated, 408% higher than the previous maximum value. One of the EA clutches fabricated in this study is only 160 µm thin and 0.4 g heavy. Owing to the low current (<1 µA), the power consumption is <60 mW/cm2. It can hold a 2.5 kg weight by only 0.32 cm2 area and support an adult (45 kg) (Clinical Trial Registration number: 20210090). With this technology, a dexterous robotic hand is displayed to grasp and release a ball, showing extensive applications of this technique.

Porous-Structure-Promoted Tribo-Induced High-Performance Self-Powered Tactile Sensor toward Remote Human-Machine Interaction.

Self-powered tactile sensor with versatile functions plays a significant role in the development of an intelligent human-machine interaction (HMI) system. Herein, a hybrid self-powered porous-structured tactile sensor (SPTS) is proposed by monolithically integrating a porous triboelectrification-induced electroluminescence (TIEL) component and a single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator with the high charge generation in the bulk volume. At a low pressure of 10 kPa, TIEL intensity can be significantly improved by three times, which is superior to that in previous reports, with enhanced triboelectricity. Based on the enhancement brought by the porous structure and optimized parameters, the SPTS achieves significant sensing performance in both optical and electrical modes. To demonstrate the potential of practical applications, a programmable optical and electrical dual-mode HMI system is established based on SPTS to remotely control an intelligent vehicle and operate a computer game through identifying finger touch trajectories. This work not only contributes a new economical-effective methodology toward a high-performance tribo-induced self-powered tactile sensor but also facilitates the remote control of HMI with dual-mode functionality, which has broad potential applications in the fields of intelligent robots, augmented reality, flexible wearable electronics, and smart home.

Different Isocaloric Meals and Adiposity Modify Energy Expenditure and Clinical and Metabolomic Biomarkers During Resting and Exercise States in a Randomized Crossover Acute Trial of Normal-Weight and Overweight/Obese Men.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the integrative effects of diet, BMI, and exercise on postprandial changes in energy and circulating metabolic profiles. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the collective effects of 3 isocaloric meals high in carbohydrate (74.2% energy), fat (64.6% energy), or protein (39.5% energy) on energy expenditure and clinical and metabolomic biomarkers under resting and exercise conditions in normal-weight and overweight/obese men. METHODS: This crossover controlled acute trial included 20 normal-weight (BMI, 18.5 to <24 kg/m2) and 20 overweight/obese (BMI ≥24 kg/m2) men aged 18-45 years. Each of 3 test meals was provided for 2 continuous days: a resting day without exercise, followed by an exercise day with a bicycling exercise of 50% maximal oxygen consumption (postprandial 90-120 minutes). Energy expenditure (exploratory outcome of primary interest) was measured using indirect calorimetry. Fasting and postprandial 2-hour serum clinical and metabolomic biomarkers (secondary interest) were measured. Mixed models were used to examine the effects of meal, time, and/or BMI category. RESULTS: On the resting day, no significant between-meal differences were detected for energy expenditure. However, high-carbohydrate and high-fat meals induced the highest postprandial 2-hour increase in glucose (0.34 ± 0.15 mmol/L) and triglyceride (0.95 ± 0.09 mmol/L), respectively, while the high-protein meal reduced glucose (-0.48 ± 0.08 mmol/L) and total cholesterol (-0.01 ± 0.03 mmol/L; all Pmeal values < 0.001). On the exercise day, a high-carbohydrate meal significantly promoted the carbohydrate oxidation rate but suppressed the fat oxidation rate (Pmeal < 0.05), while its postprandial glucose response was attenuated by bicycling (-0.31 ± 0.03 mmol/L; Pexercise < 0.001). We identified 69 metabolites as key features in discriminating between the 3 meals, and overweight/obese men had more varieties of metabolites than normal-weight men. CONCLUSIONS: Three isocaloric meals induced unique postprandial changes in clinical and metabolomic biomarkers, while exercise prevented the hyperglycemia induced by a high-carbohydrate meal. Overweight/obese men were more responsive to the meal challenges than normal-weight men. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03231618.

Different Isocaloric Meals and Adiposity Modify Energy Expenditure and Clinical and Metabolomic Biomarkers During Resting and Exercise States in a Randomized Crossover Acute Trial of Normal-Weight and Overweight/Obese Men.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the integrative effects of diet, BMI, and exercise on postprandial changes in energy and circulating metabolic profiles. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the collective effects of 3 isocaloric meals high in carbohydrate (74.2% energy), fat (64.6% energy), or protein (39.5% energy) on energy expenditure and clinical and metabolomic biomarkers under resting and exercise conditions in normal-weight and overweight/obese men. METHODS: This crossover controlled acute trial included 20 normal-weight (BMI, 18.5 to <24 kg/m2) and 20 overweight/obese (BMI ≥24 kg/m2) men aged 18-45 years. Each of 3 test meals was provided for 2 continuous days: a resting day without exercise, followed by an exercise day with a bicycling exercise of 50% maximal oxygen consumption (postprandial 90-120 minutes). Energy expenditure (exploratory outcome of primary interest) was measured using indirect calorimetry. Fasting and postprandial 2-hour serum clinical and metabolomic biomarkers (secondary interest) were measured. Mixed models were used to examine the effects of meal, time, and/or BMI category. RESULTS: On the resting day, no significant between-meal differences were detected for energy expenditure. However, high-carbohydrate and high-fat meals induced the highest postprandial 2-hour increase in glucose (0.34 ± 0.15 mmol/L) and triglyceride (0.95 ± 0.09 mmol/L), respectively, while the high-protein meal reduced glucose (-0.48 ± 0.08 mmol/L) and total cholesterol (-0.01 ± 0.03 mmol/L; all Pmeal values < 0.001). On the exercise day, a high-carbohydrate meal significantly promoted the carbohydrate oxidation rate but suppressed the fat oxidation rate (Pmeal < 0.05), while its postprandial glucose response was attenuated by bicycling (-0.31 ± 0.03 mmol/L; Pexercise < 0.001). We identified 69 metabolites as key features in discriminating between the 3 meals, and overweight/obese men had more varieties of metabolites than normal-weight men. CONCLUSIONS: Three isocaloric meals induced unique postprandial changes in clinical and metabolomic biomarkers, while exercise prevented the hyperglycemia induced by a high-carbohydrate meal. Overweight/obese men were more responsive to the meal challenges than normal-weight men. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03231618.

Containment Problem for Multiagent Systems With Nonconvex Velocity Constraints.

In this paper, the containment problem with nonconvex velocity constraints is studied for second-order discrete-time multiagent systems. A distributed projection-based algorithm is proposed for all followers to be gathered in the convex area formed by multiple stationary leaders. It is revealed that the algorithm can solve the velocity-constrained containment problem with communication delays and switching networks provided that each follower has at least a directed path from some leaders to itself in the union of graphs. The main analysis approaches include model transformation techniques, Lyapunov function, and convexity analysis. A simulation example is also included to elucidate the obtained result.

Associations of Amino Acid and Acylcarnitine Profiles With Incident Hyperuricemia in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about how metabolic perturbations are linked to hyperuricemia in the general population. Therefore we aimed to examine metabolomics profiles in relation to uric acid change and incident hyperuricemia. METHODS: This study included 1,621 community-dwelling Chinese participants ages 50-70 years without hyperuricemia at baseline, with a mean duration of follow-up of 6 years. A total of 56 metabolites (22 amino acids and 34 acylcarnitines) at baseline were quantified by gas or liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Annual change in uric acid was calculated, and incident hyperuricemia was defined as plasma uric acid >420 µmoles/liter in men and >360 µmoles/liter in women. RESULTS: The mean ± SD annual change in uric acid was 9.6 ± 12.1 µmoles/liter and the incidence of hyperuricemia was 23.1% (375 of 1,621). After adjustment for conventional risk factors, 9 metabolites (cysteine, glutamine, phenylalanine, threonine, and long-chain acylcarnitines C14:1OH, C18, C18:2, C20, and C20:4) were significantly associated with uric acid change (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.05) and with incident hyperuricemia (relative risks ranged from 1.14 to 1.21 per SD increment of metabolites; P < 0.05). A network analysis showed significant associations between the module containing long-chain acylcarnitines and incident hyperuricemia. Moreover, levels of these 9 metabolites were specifically correlated with intake of foods, including red and processed meat or soy products. CONCLUSION: Plasma cysteine, glutamine, phenylalanine, threonine, and long-chain acylcarnitines are positively associated with incident hyperuricemia. The levels of these metabolites may be partially driven by intakes of meat and soy products that are associated with hyperuricemia.

Containment Control for Discrete-Time Multiagent Systems With Communication Delays and Switching Topologies.

This paper studies a containment problem with communication delays and switching topologies. A nonlinear projection containment control algorithm for followers with single-integrator discrete-time dynamics is proposed. The main approach is to use the convexity of the convex hull spanned by multiple stationary leaders to show the nonincreasing monotonicity of the largest distance from the agents to the convex hull. It is shown that the nonlinear projection containment control algorithm is robust to arbitrarily bounded communication delays as long as each follower jointly has a path from some leaders to itself. Finally, a numerical example is implemented to show the obtained theoretical results.

Cholecalciferol Supplementation Promotes Bone Turnover in Chinese Adults with Vitamin D Deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Bone turnover markers (BTMs) are proposed as alternative indicators for bone mineral density in diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. However, little is known about the effects of vitamin D supplementation on BTMs in nonwhite populations. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the responses in BTMs after vitamin D supplementation in Asians. METHODS: In this secondary data analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 448 Chinese adults [mean ± SD age: 31.9 ± 8.0 y; mean ± SD body mass index (kg/m2): 22.1 ± 2.6; 69% were women] with vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] <50 nmol/L) received 2000 IU/d cholecalciferol or placebo for 20 wk. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and markers of bone formation and resorption were measured at weeks 0 and 20. Intention-to-treat analysis was applied, and between-group differences were compared by general linear models with adjustments. RESULTS: Cholecalciferol supplementation increased the serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) concentration (+1.7 ± 1.9 µg/L) significantly more than placebo (+1.1 ± 1.7 µg/L; P = 0.004), but not circulating concentrations of procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), ß-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ß-CTX), or tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP5b) (P ≥ 0.53). Notably, a pooled analysis indicated that changes in serum 25(OH)D were positively associated with changes in serum BALP, PINP, and TRAP5b (r = 0.07-0.16, P ≤ 0.02), but inversely with changes in PTH (r = -0.15, P < 0.001). Among cholecalciferol-treated participants, individuals who achieved serum 25(OH)D ≥75 nmol/L had greater increases in serum ß-CTX (224% compared with 146%; P = 0.02) and TRAP5b (22.2% compared with 9.1%; P = 0.007), but smaller decreases in serum calcium (-1.3% compared with -1.9%; P = 0.005) and calcium-phosphorus product (-2.6% compared with -3.3%; P = 0.02) compared with those with serum 25(OH)D <75 nmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Daily supplementation with 2000 IU cholecalciferol for 20 wk may promote bone formation in Chinese adults with vitamin D deficiency. More studies are needed to elucidate the potential clinical implications of BTMs.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01998763.

Treatment of corneal epithelial ingrowth after LASlK / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

? AlM: To analyze the reason of corneal epithelial implantation and ingrowth after laser in situ keratomileusis ( LASlK ) , and summarize the treatment experiences. ?METHODS: The clinical data of postoperative corneal epithelial ingrowth on 18 cases (30 eyes) from 1 256 cases (2 256 eyes) after LASlK were retrospectively analyzed in our hospital from January 2008 to December 2012. After the treatment of all eyes, patients’ general visual quality scores before and after treatment were analyzed. ?RESULTS:There were 18 cases ( 30 eyes ) with corneal epithelial implantation and ingrowth after LASlK, and the incidence rate was 1. 3%. ln the 18 cases (30 eyes), there were 12 eyes corneal flap epithelial ingrowth caused by postoperative trauma, 12 eyes caused by multiple corneal flap flush, 2 eyes caused by intraoperative irregular corneal flap, and nothing special for 4 eyes. The classification of corneal epithelial ingrowth of 30 eyes:grade I, 11 cases (18 eyes);gradeII, 4 cases (8 eyes);grade Ⅲ, 3 cases ( 4 eyes ) . Grade I-II were treated with TobraDex eye drops and intraocular pressure lowering drug. Grade Ⅲ firstly were treated by drugs, otherwise by surgery if it didn’t improve. After treatment, 8 cases (13 eyes) epithelial ingrowth disappeared from 11 cases ( 18 eyes ) , 3 cases ( 5 eyes ) implanted epithelial tumor shrank in grade l;epithelial implantation of 2 cases (4 eyes) in grade II disappeared, implantation degree of 2 cases (4 eyes) reduced to grade I;2 cases (2 eyes) in grade Ⅲ had 0. 5 ~ 1mm wide flap edge shallow gray ribbon 1 mm inside the limbus, visual acuity was 0. 8 ~1. 2, 1 case ( 2 eyes ) treated with curettage corneal epithelial implantation and endophytic epithelium hadn’t relapsed in the follow-up. After the treatment, 18 cases of corneal epithelial ingrowth got lower visual quality scores than those before therapy (Hc=10. 511, P ?CONCLUSlON: Operation standardized, postoperative early detection and aggressive treatment are important for prevention and treatment of complications after LASlK.

[Insulin-like growth factor-1-mediated paracrine pro-proliferative effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on injured L02 hepatocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on injured hepatocytes mediated by paracrine mechanisms and to investigate the potential molecular mechanism of this action. METHODS: A contact-independent model of aberrant hepatic microenvironment was established by co-culturing BM-MSCs with D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-injured human L02 hepatic cells using a transwell assay platform. Secreted levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the co-culture supernatant. Expression of the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) was assessed by Western blot. The effect of exogenous IGF-1 on proliferation of D-GalN-injured L02 cells was examined by MTT assay. RESULTS: Upon co-culture, BM-MSCs promoted proliferation of D-GalN-injured L02 cells in a contact-independent manner (absorbance values of at 24 h: 0.36+/-0.08, 48 h: 0.52+/-0.06, and 96 h: 0.68+/-0.06; vs. uninjured cells t = 2.493, 3.116, and 2.285, respectively; all P less than 0.05). Robust expression of IGF-1 was identified in the supernatants of co-cultures and was demonstrated to have been secreted mainly from BM-MSCs under the influence of D-GalN-injured L02 cells. Constitutive expression of IGF-1R was found in the D-GalN-injured L02 cells and blocking of IGF-1R by a neutralizing antibody significantly inhibited the paracrine pro-proliferative effect of co-cultured BM-MSCs at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h (t = 2.909, 2.328, and 2.560, respectively; all P less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: BM-MSC-derived IGF-1 plays an important role in the paracrine pro-proliferative effect on D-GalN-injured L02 hepatocytes by engaging with the constitutively expressed IGF-1R on L02 cells.

LMWH inhibits anterior chamber inflammation after extra capsular lens extraction through down regulation of bFGF content in aqueous humor.

AIM: To observe the changes of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) content in anterior chamber before and after extra capsular lens extraction for investigating the mechanism of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) inhibiting anterior chamber inflammation. METHODS: Eighty-four rabbits were randomly divided into control and experimental group, 42 rabbits in each group. Extra capsular lens extraction was done on unilateral eye in each rabbit. LMWH was perfused into anterior chamber by the concentration of 50U/mL at the end of operation in experimental group. The degrees of corneal edema, aqueous flare and fibrin were evaluated with slit lamp microscope on postoperative day 1, 3, 6, 15, 30, 45 and 60, respectively. Six eyes of each group were at each time point. Contents of bFGF in aqueous humor were determined by ELISA after animals were killed. Another six eyes were used for determining the base line level of bFGF in aqueous humor. RESULTS: The degrees of corneal edema, aqueous flare and fibrin in experimental group were significantly lighter than those in control group (P<0.01) on postoperative day 1, 3 and 6, respectively. No difference was showed between the two groups at other point time. Contents of bFGF in aqueous humor increased at the same time. bFGF content reached peak on postoperative day 1 in experimental group, while on postoperative day 6 in control group. Contents of bFGF in the two groups declined slowly after reaching peak. The bFGF content in control group were significantly higher than that in experimental group 1-30 days after surgery (P<0.05). No significant differences were shown between the two groups on postoperative day 45 and 60, respectively. CONCLUSION: Perfusion with LMWH by the concentration of 50U/mL can significantly reduce anterior chamber inflammation after extra capsular lens extraction in rabbits, which may be related to down regulation of bFGF content in aqueous humor.

[Comparative research of the efficacy of the gatifloxacin and levofloxacin for bacterial conjunctivitis in human eyes].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the different efficacy and safety to the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis between the fluoroquinolone antibiotics gatifloxacin and levofloxacin. METHODS: A multi-centre, random, double-blind and control trial was performed in six centers including Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Henan Eye Institute, Eye Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical College, the First Affiliated Hospital Of Nanjing Medical University, Xijing Hospital Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between August 2006 and October 2007. The levofloxacin was set as the efficient control. Two hundred and thirty-five patients (235 eyes) that diagnosed as bacterial conjunctivitis were randomly divided into two groups by the method of randomized blocks, the test group (gatifloxacin) had 118 eyes and the control (levofloxacin) group had 117 eyes. The drug delivery into conjunctival sac was performed at a 7-day period (two drops per time, eight times per day at the first two days and two drops per time, four times per day at the following 5 days). All participants were given the conjunctival sac germ culture and drug sensitive test before and after the study. The combination score of signs and symptoms and evaluation of safety were conducted at the pre-delivery day, the (4 ± 1) and (7 ± 1) delivery day. The statistic analysis was conducted by CMH χ(2) test, Pearson χ(2) test and Fisher's exact probabilities test. RESULTS: The efficacy of the two groups was 94.0% (110/117 eyes) in gatifloxacin group and 93.8% (106/113 eyes) in levofloxacin group with no significant difference (χ(2) = 0.052, P = 0.8201). There was also no difference in the bacteria clearance between the two groups [gatifloxacin versus levofloxacin, 94.1% (80/85 eyes) versus 92.5% (74/80 eyes), P = 0.3470]. The decrease of combination score of signs and symptoms at the (4 ± 1) delivery day was 4.436 ± 2.310 in the gatifloxacin group and 3.814 ± 1.962 in the levofloxacin group, the difference of which was significant (F = 7.280, P = 0.0075). This trend was also proved at the (7 ± 1) delivery day (gatifloxacin versus levofloxacin, 7.487 ± 2.821 versus 6.912 ± 2.911, F = 4.060, P = 0.0452). The visual acuity and the tolerance after local application of the eye drops between the two groups had no difference (the visual acuity F = 1.04, P = 0.3080; the tolerance after local admission χ(2) = 0.1372, P = 0.7111). According to the result of the germ culture, the major pathogenic bacteria were Gram-positive bacteria (totally 20 kinds of Gram-positive bacteria and 8 kinds of Gram-negative bacteria). The MIC and drug resistance of gatifloxacin to the Gram-positive bacteria was lower than that of the levofloxacin (Staphylococcus Epidermidis, Staphylococcus Aureus, coagulase negative Staphylococcus, α-hemolytic Streptococcus). CONCLUSIONS: The gatifloxacin eye drop has a good therapeutic effect to the bacterial conjunctivitis. It can effectively clear the pathogen with fast and strong effect. Moreover, it has a low MIC in vitro, advance a prospect in drug resistance, safety and ocular tolerance.

Predicting the binding affinity of epitope-peptides with HLA-A*0201 by encoding atom-pair non-covalent interaction information between receptor and ligands.

A structure-based method was used to characterize the non-covalent interactions of HLA-A*0201 with its peptide ligands. In this procedure, protein and peptide atoms were classified into 16 types in terms of their chemical property and local environment, and a 16 x 16 matrix was then defined to describe the interaction mode of 256 atom-pairs between the receptor and ligand in a complex structure. Three biologically related chemical forces as electrostatic, van der Waals, and hydrophobic potentials were separately calculated for each element of the matrix to yield 768 structural descriptors encoding the detailed information about the non-covalent interactions involved in protein-peptide binding. We employed this method to perform quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study of a data panel consisting of 419 non-apeptides with known binding affinities to HLA-A*0201 protein. Several QSAR models were constructed using partial least square regression (PLS) coupled with or without genetic algorithm (GA)-variable selection, and these models were validated rigorously and investigated systematically by using external test set and one-way analysis of variance. Results show that diverse properties have significant contributions to the HLA-A*0201-peptide binding. Particularly, the hydrophobicity and electrostatic property at the anchor residues of peptides confer a significant specificity and stability for the bound complexes.

A novel linkage to generalized vitiligo on 4q13-q21 identified in a genomewide linkage analysis of Chinese families.

Generalized vitiligo is a common, autoimmune, familial-clustering depigmentary disorder of the skin and hair that results from selective destruction of melanocytes. Generalized vitiligo is likely a heterogeneous disease, with five susceptibility loci reported so far--on chromosomes 1p31, 6p21, 7q, 8p, and 17p13--in white populations. To investigate vitiligo susceptibility loci in the Chinese population, we performed a genomewide linkage analysis in 57 multiplex Chinese families, each with at least two affected siblings, and we identified interesting linkage evidence on 1p36, 4q13-q21, 6p21-p22, 6q24-q25, 14q12-q13, and 22q12. Subsequently, to extract more linkage information, we investigated our initial genomewide linkage findings in a follow-up analysis of 49 new families and additional markers. Our initial genomewide linkage analysis and our subsequent follow-up analysis have identified a novel linkage to vitiligo on 4q13-q21, with highly significant linkage evidence (a nonparametic LOD score of 4.62 [P=.000003] and a heterogeneity LOD score of 4.01, under a recessive inheritance model), suggesting that 4q13-q21 likely harbors a major susceptibility locus for vitiligo in the Chinese population. We observed a minimal overlap between the linkage results of our current genomewide analysis in the Chinese population and the results of previous analyses in white populations, and we thus hypothesize that, as a polygenic disorder, vitiligo may be associated with great genetic heterogeneity and a substantial difference in its genetic basis between ethnic populations.

[The role of specific ROCK inhibitor in the prevention of experimental PVR in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Y27632, a specific inhibitor of p160 Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK), on experimental rabbit PVR. METHODS: Cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelial cells were used in the experiments. The effects of Y27632 on RPE alpha-SMA (smooth muscle actin) stress fiber formation were studied by immuno-fluorescent staining. An in vitro type I collagen gel contraction assay and MTT assay were used to detect the effect of Y27632 on RPE cell contractile force and proliferation. Cultured 6 th passage rabbit RPE cells were injected intravitreally to induce the PVR model and then followed injection of 50 micromol/L of Y27632. The presence of tractional retinal detachment (TRD) was assessed to evaluate the effect of this agent in vivo. Electroretinography and histological studies were performed after intravitreal injection of Y27632 into untreated eyes to evaluate toxicity. RESULTS: The results showed that Y27632 disrupted SMA stress fiber formation in the cultured RPE cells and impaired contractile force generated by RPE cells (t = 16.212, P < 0.01). Development of TRD was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) with 50 micromol/L of Y27632. No obvious histological or retinal functional damage was found in the Y27632-treated group. CONCLUSION: p160 ROCK specific inhibitor Y27632 decreased contractile force generated by RPE cells and attenuated PVR without significant side effect in rabbit. This reagent could be potential therapeutically method in the treatment of PVR.

Characteristics of genetic epidemiology and genetic models for vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo occurs with a frequency of 0.1% to 2% in various populations and is classified into several subtypes by its clinical presentation. Although genetic factors are thought to be involved in the cause of vitiligo, the genetic models for different phenotypes of vitiligo are unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to explore potential genetic models for different phenotypes of vitiligo and analyze genetic epidemiologic characteristics of vitiligo in a Chinese population. METHODS: Information from 2247 patients and members in their families was collected using a uniform questionnaire. Patients' clinical characteristics and their family history were analyzed using software. A complex segregation analysis was conducted to propose potential genetic models for vitiligo. RESULTS: Different subtypes of vitiligo had different ages of disease onset. In relatives of patients with vitiligo, the risk of developing vitiligo increased with increasing relatedness to the patients with vitiligo. A polygenic additive model was the best model for focal vitiligo, vitiligo vulgaris, acrofacial vitiligo, and segmental vitiligo with approximately 50% heritability in each. For universal vitiligo, the best model was an environmental model. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that different phenotypes of vitiligo had different pathogeneses and genetic backgrounds. Onset of vitiligo is possibly affected by both genetic backgrounds and common environmental factors.