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Development of an osmotic-shock technique to remove human lens epithelial cells (LECs) as a preventive measure to address posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after pediatric cataract surgery.Department of Genetics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, England, and Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.Laboratory study.Various tissue preparations of human LECs (cultured on coverslips/collagen-coated membrane inserts, human lens capsule biopsies, and lens organ cultured PCO models) were subjected to a single or incremental hyperosmotic shock (NaCl, 350-4000 mOsm/L) in the presence of inhibitors of the NaHyperosmotic shock (400 mOsm/L) caused rapid cell shrinkage (5 minutes) in all the LEC models studied. In the absence of the NKCC inhibitor, the shrunk cells gradually returned to their original cell volume and architecture over time, while still exposed to the hyperosmotic shock. However, inhibition of the RVI process disabled the ability for restoration of cell volume leading to persistent cell shrinkage, subsequently resulting in cell detachment from the underlying support medium.Hyperosmotic shock in the presence of inhibitors of the RVI process was effective in rapidly detaching LECs from their basement membranes. This technique could potentially facilitate removal of residual LECs left on the lens capsule after cataract surgery, thus decreasing or eliminating the risk for aggressive cell proliferation and the development of PCO.

Magnetite (Fe3O4) is one of the most common accessory minerals in magmatic rocks, and it can accommodate a wide variety of major, minor and trace elements that can be measured by laser ablation ICP-MS. In this study, we investigate the chemical compositions of magnetite from four carbonatite complexes (Oka, Mushgai Khudag, Hongcheon and Bayan Obo). The minor elements (Mg, Ti, Al, Mn) in magnetite vary significantly both within and between different complexes. High field strength elements (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, U, Th) are generally depleted in magnetite from carbonatite complexes, whereas K, Rb, Cs, Ca and P are commonly below detection limits. V and Zn display significant variations from tens to thousands of ppm. Co, Ni and Ga are present in ppm or tens of ppm, whereas Cu, Sr, Y, Ba and Pb are characterized by sub-ppm levels. Mo and Ge are identified at the ppm level, whereas a consistent concentration of 2–5 ppm is observed for Ge. The determined chemical compositions of magnetite from carbonatite complexes are quite distinguishable compared to those formed in silicate and sulfide melts. This is clearly shown using multielement variation diagrams, and the distinct signatures of carbonatite-related magnetite include strong positive anomalies of Mn and Zn and negative anomalies of Cu, Co and Ga. The discriminant diagrams of Ti vs. Zr + Hf, Ti vs. Nb + Ta and Ni/Cr vs. Ti are applicable for distinguishing magmatic and hydrothermal magnetite in carbonatite-related environments. In addition, the discriminant diagram of Zn/Co vs. Cu/Mo and Cu vs. Zr + Hf can be used to distinguish carbonatite-related magnetite from magnetite that formed in other environments.

With the emergence and rapid development of nanotechnology, the nanoparticles hybridized with multicomponent lipids are more and more used in gene delivery. These vectors interact with the cell membrane before entering into the cell. Therefore, the nature of this interaction is important in investigating multicomponent liposome-nanoparticle (MLP) transport across the cell membrane. In this paper the transport of MLPs across the membranes of giant vesicles (GVs) in solvents is studied by using the self-consistent field theory (SCFT). Based on the analysis of the MLP permeating the GV membranes, a simple transport model is proposed. The effects of the difference in membrane morphology and the size of the nanoparticle on the endocytosis are discussed systematically. The role of energy barriers in quasi-equilibrium is also examined. The results indicate that the interaction between MLP and GV is a spontaneous process and the energy barrier needs overcoming to form metastable intermediates. The results provide theoretical reference for better understanding the transmembrane transport process of nanoparticles, and guidance for relevant experimental studies as well.

We study the Λ ( α ) CDM models with Λ ( α ) being a function of the time-varying fine structure constant α . We give a close look at the constraints on two specific Λ ( α ) CDM models with one and two model parameters, respectively, based on the cosmological observational measurements along with 313 data points for the time-varying α . We find that the model parameters are constrained to be around 1 0 − 4 , which are similar to the results discussed previously but more accurately.

Adults are more likely to suffer from chronic pain than minors, and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. SIRT1 an important age-related protein with function of lifespan extension; whether SIRT1 plays a role in the different pain vulnerability of adult and juvenile remains unclear. Here, we found that the expression level of SIRT1 in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) was related to the pain vulnerability. After nerve injury, the expression of SIRT1 in DRG was decreased in adult rodents whereas increased in juvenile rodents. Differential manipulation of SIRT1 abolished the different pain vulnerability between adult and juvenile rodents. Furthermore, SIRT1 interacted with ClC-3 channel and mediated ClC-3 membrane trafficking and Cl- current in DRG neurons. Differential manipulation of ClC-3 also abolished the difference in pain vulnerability between adult and juvenile rodents. The different anti-inflammatory ability determined the different change trends of SIRT1 and ClC-3 trafficking contributed to the different pain vulnerability in adult and juvenile rodents. In addition, the serum SIRT1 level was negatively correlated with the pain score in patients with chronic pain. These findings revealed the mechanism of the difference in pain vulnerability between adult and juvenile rodents and provided evidence for age-specific treatment of chronic pain.

We consider the Bose–Einstein condensation of parallel light in a two-dimensional nonlinear optical cavity, and study the propagation and conversion of the parallel light both in classical and quantum treatments. First, by combining the classical propagation equation of electric field and the Schrodinger equation of photons we derive a coupled wave equation which can be used to describe the conversion law of the parallel light in the condensate phase. It is found that in the condensate phase there exists a phase transition. Over the phase transition point, the fundamental wave can all be converted into the second harmonic. The interaction between the parallel light and the nonlinear medium is also investigated in the quantum framework. It is found that in the microcavity the traditional process of second harmonic generation can be explained as the coupling of two massive photons with each other to form a photon molecule. The conversion relation between photons and photon molecules is investigated. The results reveal the existence of a quantum phase transition in the ground state of the two-mode system, and it is consistent with the description using the classical-field method. Further investigation also shows that for the common condensate state the harmonic conversion rate is closely related to the order parameter or the initial imbalance of the system. The dependency relation between the harmonic conversion rate and the effective photon–photon interaction is also discussed.

A vortex is a common ratchet phenomenon in active systems. The spatial symmetry is usually broken by introducing asymmetric shapes or spontaneously by collective motion in the presence of hydrodynamic interactions or other alignment effects. Unexpectedly, we observe, by simulations, the formation of a vortex in the simplest model of a circular obstacle immersed in a bath of spherical self-propelled particles. No symmetry-breaking factors mentioned above are included in this model. The vortex forms only when the particle activity is high, i.e. large persistence. The obstacle size is also a key factor and the vortex only forms in a limited range of obstacle sizes. The sustainment of the vortex originates from the bias of the rotating particle cluster around the obstacle in accepting the incoming particles based on their propelling directions. Our results provide new understanding of and insights into the spontaneous symmetry-breaking and ratchet phenomena in active matter.

By using self-consistent field theory, the directed self-assembly of a diblock copolymer was studied with homopolymer-grafted particles. The four factors were investigated, such as the fraction of ...

We study the Bose–Einstein condensation of parallel light in a two-dimensional nonlinear optical cavity, where the massive photons are converted into photon molecules (p-molecules). We extend the classical-field method to provide a description of the two-component system, and we also derive a coupled density equation which can be used to describe the conversion relation between photons and p-molecules. Furthermore, we obtain the chemical potential of the system, and we also find that the system can transform from the mixed photon and p-molecule condensate phase into a pure p-molecule condensate phase. Additionally, we investigate the collective excitation of the system. We also discuss the problem how the spontaneous decay of an atom is influenced by both the phase transition and collective excitation of the coupling system.

BackgroundOn August 12, 2015, a hazardous chemical explosion occurred in the Tianjin Port of China. The explosions resulted in 165 deaths, 8 missing people, injuries to thousands of people. We present the responses of emergency medical services and hospitals to the explosions and summarize the lessons that can be learned.MethodsThis study was a retrospective analysis of the responses of emergency medical services and hospitals to the Tianjin explosions. Data on injuries, outcomes, and patient flow were obtained from the government and the hospitals.ResultsA total of 46 ambulances and 143 prehospital care professionals were dispatched to the scene, and 198 wounded were transferred to hospitals by ambulance. More than 4000 wounded casualties surged into hospitals, and 798 wounded were admitted. Both emergency medical services and hospitals were quick and successful in the early stage of the explosions. The strategy of 4 centralizations (4Cs) for medical services management in a mass casualty event was successfully applied.ConclusionsThe risk of accidental events has increased in recent years. We should take advantage of the lessons learned from the explosions and apply these in future disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 411–414)

Purpose.Abnormal protein deposits includingβ-amyloid, found in ageing Bruch’s membrane and brain, are susceptible to degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In ageing Bruch’s membrane, these MMPs become less effective due to polymerisation and aggregation reactions (constituting the MMP Pathway), a situation much advanced in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The likely presence of this MMP Pathway in brain with the potential to compromise the degradation ofβ-amyloid associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been investigated.Methods.Presence of high molecular weight MMP species (HMW1 and HMW2) together with the much larger aggregate termed LMMC was determined by standard zymographic techniques. Centrigugation and gel filtration techniques were used to separate and quantify the distribution between bound and free MMP species.Results.The MMP Pathway, initially identified in Bruch’s membrane, was also present in brain tissue. The various MMP species displayed bound-free equilibrium and in AD samples, the amount of bound HMW1 and pro-MMP9 species was significantly reduced (p<0.05). The abnormal operation of the MMP Pathway in AD served to reduce the degradation potential of the MMP system.Conclusion.The presence and abnormalities of the MMP Pathway in both brain and ocular tissues may therefore contribute to the anomalous deposits associated with AD and AMD.

In this paper, we remove the bounded total variation condition on the initial data and the restriction of the concentration of a fixed background charge being a constant in the paper “Relaxation of the Isothermal Euler–Poisson System to the Drift-Diffusion Equations,” (Quart. Appl. Math., 58 (2000), 511–521), and obtain the zero relaxation time limits to isothermal hydrodynamic model for semiconductor by using the varying viscosity method.

// Mian Xie 1, * , Xiao-jun Wu 2, 3, * , Jin-jun Zhang 4 , Chao-sheng He 5, * 1 China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China 2 State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China 3 Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China 4 Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China 5 Department of Internal Medicine, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangzhou, China * These authors have contributed equally to this work correspondence to: Mian Xie, e-mail: mianxie@gird.cn Keywords: lung cancer, IL13Rα2, TAZ, PI3K Received: May 15, 2014 Accepted: September 08, 2015 Published: September 21, 2015 ABSTRACT IL-13 receptor subunit alpha-2 (IL13Rα2) is associated with poor prognosis in some cancers. However, the role of IL13Rα2 in lung cancer remains unknown. We showed that IL13Rα2 overexpression was associated with late stages of disease progression and shorter disease-free survival (DFS) as well as overall survival (OS) in resected lung cancer patients. IL13Rα2 promoted the migration, invasion and anoikis resistance of lung cancer cells in vitro . Silencing of IL13Rα2 in lung cancer cells decreased invasion in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo . IL13Rα2 activated phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), Akt, and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). Inhibition of PI3K attenuated activation of TAZ and its downstream target genes by IL13Rα2. We suggest that inhibition of IL13Rα2 is a potential therapeutic approach in lung cancer.

We investigate the power spectra of the CMB temperature and matter density in the running vacuum model (RVM) with the time-dependent cosmological constant of $\Lambda = 3 \nu H^2 + \Lambda_0$, where $H$ is the Hubble parameter. In this model, dark energy decreases in time and decays to both matter and radiation. By using the Markov chain Monte Carlo method, we constrain the model parameter $\nu$ as well as the cosmological observables. Explicitly, we obtain $\nu \leq 1.54 \times 10^{-4}$ (68\% confidence level) in the RVM with the best-fit $\chi^2_{\mathrm{RVM}} = 13968.8$, which is slightly smaller than $\chi^2_{\Lambda \mathrm{CDM}} = 13969.8$ in the $\Lambda$CDM model of $\nu=0$., Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Chinese Physics C

Haze is an atmospheric phenomenon in which dry particulate pollutants obscure the sky. Haze has been associated with chronic diseases, but its relationship with acute diseases is less clear. We aimed to determine the association between haze and acute cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory diseases, in order to determine the influence of haze on human health. We compared the number of cases of acute cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory diseases in Beijing Emergency Center between 2006 and 2013, with haze data from Beijing Observatory. The relationship between the number of hazy days and the number of cases of the above types of diseases was analyzed using univariate analyses. Both the number of cases and the number of hazy days showed a rising trend. The average number of cases per day for all three diseases was higher on hazy days than on non-hazy days. There was a positive correlation between the number of hazy days and the number of cases, and this correlation showed a hysteretic quality. Haze has an influence on acute cardiovascular (CVDs), cerebrovascular (CBDs), and respiratory system (RSDs) diseases. Haze seems to have an additive effect, since the associations between haze and number of cases were stronger in the following month than in the preceding month. The increasing trend in the number of hazy days might worsen the problem of haze-related diseases.

As injector injects coiled tubing into well to a certain depth, the coiled tubing is unable to be injected continuously because of the increasing friction between the coiled tubing and the wellbore. With the core technology being an effective role in the Coanda Effect control switch, the Water Hammer Vibrator may extend the depth of the coiled tubing into the wellbore. Firstly, the paper verifies the effectiveness of the Coanda Effect control switch in Water Hammer Vibrator. Secondly, it optimizes the structure of the Coanda Effect control switch and improves the driving force of the piston of the water hammer vibrator without changing the injection flow rate, pressure and the other boundary conditions. Finally, it obtains varying patterns of the hydraulic cylinder pressure at both ends in the process of the Coanda feedback and trigger action by the experiment of the Coanda Effect control switch to measure pressure at both ends of hydraulic cylinder with the NI data acquisition unit. The results confirm the validity of the optimized Coanda Effect control switch in water hammer vibrator, so as to ensure the implementation and improvement in the water hammer effect of Water Hammer Vibrator.

In order to control and monitor downhole equipment, it is needed to inject cable into coiled tubing. Being directly against the drawback of the traditional injecting method, a new method of adding pressurized water has been put forward. By using Workbench software, this paper researched the regular pattern that water flow’s pressureaffects cable in coiled tubing after it has various deformations in both entrance and main part of coiled tubing, taking 25mm diameter coiled tubing with 3mm diameter cable as an example. It also simulated the effects of water flow toward cable in coiled tubing as well as how the different diverging distances of entrance for injection affects the speed of cable during injection, taking 50.8mm diameter coiled tubing with 5.6 mm diameter cable as an example. It determined the optimal position of cable entrance and provided the theoretic foundation for the possibility and practical manipulation of the new method for injecting cable into coiled tubing.

IntroductionThe implementation of first aid processes for patients with trauma in China faces significant challenges. These challenges include long response times of prehospital first aid services, lack of information exchange between prehospital first aid services and in-hospital emergency services, lack of a professional rescue team in the majority of hospitals, and lack of standardised training for prehospital and in-hospital emergency personnel. The purpose of the trial is to guide the establishment of an urban trauma treatment system in China, highlight the construction of a trauma treatment system tailored to the Chinese context and improve levels of medical treatment by selecting approximately 100 counties across China as pilots to establish a regional trauma treatment system.Methods and analysisA cluster-randomised controlled trial will be performed in 98 county-level research institutes. Included research institutes will be randomised into an experimental group and a control group. Patients in both experimental and control groups will receive basic treatments. A trauma treatment team will be established in the experimental group. The primary outcome measure is in-hospital mortality rate of patients. The secondary outcome measures include mortality rate of patients within 30 days after trauma attack and within 30 days after discharge, the time between arrival in the institution and receiving consultation, and the time from admission to the start of surgery. The effects of establishment of trauma treatment teams on the treatment of severe trauma will be evaluated in all counties.Ethics and disseminationThe procedures have been approved by The Medical Ethics Committee of Peking University People’s Hospital (No.2017PHB098-01) and conform to the Declaration of Helsinki. Data will be collected and analysed in accordance with participant privacy laws and regulations. Results will be disseminated through policy briefs, workshops, peer-reviewed publications and conferences.Trial registration numberNCT03363880; Pre-results.

A rapid multiplex-PCR method was established in order to detect three foodborne pathogenic bacteria including Salmonella typli，Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Listeria monocytogenes in aquatic products. Three pairs of oligonucleotide primers were designed for multiplex-PCR amplification according to gene coding invasion protein A of Salmonella typli，gene coding immune response of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and regulation histone gene of Listeria monocytogenes. The amplified fragment sizes of these three bacteria were 213 bp, 369 bp and 517bp, respectively．The specificity of the multiplex- PCR was high and the minimum detection limit reached 103 CFU/mL. The multiplex-PCR method was used to analyze three aquatic product samples compared with national standard methods, the coincidence rate of two methods reached 100%. The method developed in this study had high sensitivity and specificity, which could be applied for the rapid detection and molecular epidemiology survey of food-borne pathogenic bacteria in aquatic products．

One of the most treatable causes of lower back pain and associated sciatica is lumbar disc herniation (LDH), which is characterized by rupture of the hard outer wall (annulus fibrosis) in a lumbar intervertebral disc. In the current study, we aimed to: (1) develop and characterize a rat model of sciatica induced by LDH, while introducing a novel method of epidural catheterization; (2) use this model to evaluate the effect of osthole on pain due to LDH, and (3) gain insight into the mechanisms through which osthole affects sciatica induced by LDH. The results indicate that our newly developed rat model maintained mechanical allodynia for 28 days without reduction. Moreover, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were overexpressed in the associated inflammatory response, which is consistent with clinical manifestations of the disease. We then used this model to study the effect and mechanisms through which osthole affected pain due to LDH. Our study suggests that osthole is capable of reversing hyperalgesia due to LDH, potentially through modulation of activity of COX-2 and NOS, two important proteins for the exacerbation of pain due to LDH. Finally, a molecular modeling simulation showed that osthole has unique binding capabilities to both NOS and COX-2. As the model-induced mechanical hyperalgesia response was consistent, and the position of the catheter tip and the extension/spreading of the drug in the epidural space were reliable, this study developed an improved model to study remedies for sciatic pain. Moreover, our studies demonstrate that osthole may be a feasible treatment for the reduction of pain due to hyperalgesia.

Summary Background Osthole (Ost), a natural coumarin derivative, has been shown to inhibit many pro-inflammatory mediators and block voltage-gated Na+ channels. During inflammation, acidosis is an important pain inducer which activates nociceptors by gating depolarizing cationic channels, such as acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Ost on nucleus pulposus-evoked nociceptive responses and ASIC3 over-expression in the rat dorsal root ganglion, and to investigate the possible mechanism. Material/Methods Radicular pain was generated with application of nucleus pulposus (NP) to nerve root. Mechanical allodynia was evaluated using von Frey filaments with logarithmically incremental rigidity to calculate the 50% probability thresholds for mechanical paw withdrawal. ASIC3 protein expression in dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) was assessed with Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Membrane potential (MP) shift of DRG neurons induced by ASIC3-sensitive acid (pH6.5) was determined by DiBAC4 (3) fluorescence intensity (F.I.). Results The NP-evoked mechanical hyperalgesia model showed allodynia for 3 weeks, and ASIC3 expression was up-regulated in DRG neurons, reaching peak on Day 7. Epidural administration of Ost induced a remarkable and prolonged antinociceptive effect, accompanied by an inhibition of over-expressed ASIC3 protein and of abnormal shift of MP. Amiloride (Ami), an antagonist of ASIC3, strengthened the antinociceptive effect of Ost. Conclusions Up-regulation of ASIC3 expression may be associated with NP-evoked mechanical hyperalgesia. A single epidural injection of Ost decreased ASIC3 expression in DGR neurons and the pain in the NP-evoked mechanical hyperalgesia model. Osthole may be of great benefit for preventing chronic pain status often seen in lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

The effective control of the odor pollutants of benzene series (BTEX) is critical for cleaner production in the sewage sludge drying process. Based on the determination of BTEX emission and its contents in four types of sludge (dyeing, leather-tanning, paper mill and municipal), its release characteristics are investigated under drying conditions in the lab and their potential effects on exposed individuals are also evaluated. Results show that in the range of 50–300°C, the total BTEX release from the four types of sludge varies from 4.20 to 161.90 μg m−3, suggesting that the emission rate of BTEX is in control of the drying temperature. The emission rate accelerates significantly after drying temperature exceeds 150°C, whereas only 5.09% of the total emission is collected below 100°C. A significant positive correlation between BTEX emission and its total contents in sludge at different drying temperatures is observed. Therefore, BTEX content of sludge also determines its release. The sludge drying process under 150–300°C conditions would pose a benzene-related carcinogenic risk to exposed individuals, especially to females. Application of low-temperature drying techniques in sludge disposal is necessary to control BTEX emission and thereby reduces the carcinogenic risks.

The time-resolved spectrum of a lightning stepped leader in downward process has been obtained by using a slitless spectrograph. Neutral oxygen and nitrogen spectral lines in the near infrared region are observed in the spectra. The electron density of the lightning stepped leader was calculated by using the Stark broadening of the oxygen spectral lines at 777.4 and 844.6 nm. The evolution characteristic of the electron density with time and channel height of the lightning stepped leader was analysed. The results shown that the electron density of the lightning stepped leader was in the order of 1018 cm-3. The electron density decreased when the lightning stepped leader propagates downward to ground.

A modified dissection technique of donor eyes for investigating posterior capsule opacification (PCO) that preserves normal capsule and zonule architecture is described. The intact crystalline lens–zonule–ciliary body complex is dissected from the globe in one piece and pinned with 8 entomological pins through the ciliary body to a soft silicone ring with an internal diameter of 12.7 mm. The specimen is iridectomized and cataract extraction performed; the specimen is then placed in culture. The capsule is supported by the native zonules and suspended freely within culture medium. The entire capsular bag is visible, allowing observation of lens epithelial cell (LEC) growth. In 15 eyes of 13 donors, the mean time to LEC confluence was 10.4 days ± 1.4 [SD]. This technique builds on previous capsular bag models, providing a more physiological model for observation of PCO in vitro. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a sustained-release agent designed to reduce posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Setting Department of Ophthalmology, EENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China. Methods Free tranilast (T Free ) was incorporated into polylactic acid microspheres and then tested using a rabbit model of PCO. Twenty-nine rabbits were randomized into 5 groups treated with balanced saline solution (BSS control); T Free ; or 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg tranilast microspheres (T Micro ). Standard phacoemulsification cataract surgery, including manual aspiration of all visible soft lens matter, was performed in all groups. The selected test agent was then injected into the lens capsule. Postoperative clinical examinations were performed at 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90 days. Posterior capsule opacification was quantified using high-resolution computer image analysis at 1, 2, and 3 months. Histological examination was performed at 3 months. Results Eyes treated with T Micro had significantly less PCO than the eyes in the BSS and T Free groups. While the BSS control eyes had increased PCO over 3 months, eyes in the T Micro group had reduced PCO over time in a dose-dependent fashion. Histological examination showed reduced lens epithelial cell proliferation in the T Micro groups, with no manifest damage to the cornea, iris, or retina compared with the BSS controls. There was a transient increase in postoperative inflammation in all tranilast-treated groups compared with the BSS controls. Conclusion Sustained-release intracapsular tranilast reduced PCO in an experimental model of PCO, suggesting further investigation of its therapeutic potential is justified.

The starting characteristics of thermodynamic undersea vehicle systems are determined by the geometry, size and combustion area of solid propellants, which directly effect liquid propellant pipeline design. It is necessary to establish accurate burning models for solid propellants. Based on combustion models using powder rings and two different solid ignition grains, namely star-shaped ignition grains and stuffed ignition grains, a mathematic model of the ignition process of the propulsion system was built. With the help of Matlab, a series of calculations were made to determine the effects of different grains on ignition characteristics. The results show that stuffed ignition grain is best suited to be the ignition grain of a thermodynamic undersea vehicle system.

In this paper, the combination of FMIR-MoM with barycentric subdivision-based quadrature is utilized to analyze the Wideband RCS of the PEC objects. By using the FMIR-MoM, the electromagnetic properties over a wide frequency band can be quickly obtained. In this method, smaller frequency band division is not needed while it is required in the interpolation techniques. The memory requirement is comparable to the later ones. However, the special treatment is yet needed when dealing with the singularity term. The barycentric subdivision-based quadrature is applied in impedance fill-in, in which the singular integral can be avoided. Two numerical examples are included to test the accuracy.

To evaluate the current condition of urban road traffic injuries (RTIs) according to Beijing Emergency Medical Center (BEMC) from Jan. 1, 2004 to Dec. 31, 2010, analyze the social characteristics and explore the possible methods for prevention and improvement.Using data from the Beijing Emergency Medical Center, we collected 19 550 victims who were involved in RTIs in Beijing from Jan. 1, 2004 to Dec. 31, 2010. The personal information, time of the injury event, road user type and striking vehicle type, as well as the site and severity of injury, were analyzed using Excel 2007 and SPSS 17.0 software with ANOVA of variance and Chi-squared tests.The annual rate of RTIs was 120.0 per 100 000 people in Beijing, and the mortality rate was about 4.97 per 100 000 people. Male victims were more than female victims (11 737 persons vs. 7 618 persons).The mean age was (72.92 ± 5.67) years. Overall, RTIs in all the age groups happened in October commonly, and were inclined to daytime, especially at noon. But different age groups had their special hour distribution features of RTIs. Traffic collisions occurred most frequently in pedestrians and cyclists (7 588,38.81%;3 790,19.39%). Majorities of victims presented with head injuries and lower-limb injuries(8 343,42.68%; 6 828,34.93%). These collisions included car striking accidents (11 490, 58.77%). And most of the older adults were classified as medium in severity (11 718, 59.94%).The prevention and treatment of RTIs, should focus on targeted prevention solutions and standardized pre-hospital rescue, according to specific population, time interval and vehicle usage.

We propose a three-order-parameter model to study the phase separations in a diblock copolymer–diblock copolymer mixture. The cell dynamical simulations provide rich information about the phase evolution and structural formation, especially the appearance of onion-rings. The parametric dependence and physical reason for the domain growth of onion-rings are discussed.

Computer simulation is carried out for investigating the effect of nanoparticles on diblock copolymer morphology under cylindrical confinement. The phase diagrams of polymer nanocomposites with nanoparticle-block wetting strength and concentration of nanoparticles are obtained in different nanopores. In small diameter nanopore, there is almost no influence of nanoparticles on the diblock copolymer morphology because of the stronger confinement effect; in middle diameter nanopore, the system can self-assemble into various novel structures due to the interaction between confinement effect and nanoparticles effect; in large diameter nanopore, due to the stronger effect of nanoparticles, a disorder-order-disorder phase transition occurs with the wetting strength and concentration of nanoparticles increasing. This result can be useful in designing new nanocomposites with advanced electrical conductivity and/or mechanical strength.

We investigate the phase transition of a symmetric diblock copolymer induced by nanorods with different surface chemistry. The results demonstrate that the system occurs the phase transition from a disordered structure to ordered parallel lamellae and then to the tilted layered structure as the number of rods increases. The dynamic evolution of the domain size and the order parameter of the microstructure are also examined. Furthermore, the influence of rod property, rod-phase interaction, rod-rod interaction, rod length, and polymerization degree on the behavior of the polymer system is also investigated systematically. Moreover, longer amphiphilic nanorods tend to make the polymer system form the hexagonal structure. It transforms into a perpendicular lamellar structure as the polymerization degree increases. Our simulations provide an efficient method for determining how to obtain the ordered structure on the nanometer scales and design the functional materials with optical, electronic, and magnetic properties.

PURPOSE. We determined the presence and levels of gelatinase matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the optic nerve and surrounding rim region of the human fundus. METHODS. Samples of optic nerve, rim region, and Bruch’s membrane-choroid from macular and peripheral regions were isolated from 9 pairs of human donor eyes. The MMPs were extracted and separated by gelatin zymography. Individual gelatinase species were identified by their respective molecular weights and levels quantified by standard densitometric techniques. Ratios of active/latent MMPs were calculated as representative indicators of the degree of proteolytic activity at each of the locations examined. RESULTS. All of the gelatinase species normally found in Bruch’s membrane also were present in the optic nerve region. The presence of the high molecular weight MMP species (HMW1 and HMW2) was indicative of the age-related accumulation of polymerized MMPs 2 and 9. Level of activated MMPs was considerably raised in comparison with their latent forms at the optic nerve and surrounding region indicative of greater ongoing turnover of the matrix (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS. The components of the gelatinase pathway mediating matrix turnover in Bruch’s membrane also were present in the optic nerve region. The presence of high levels of active MMPs 2 and 9 in comparison with the latent forms in the optic nerve and rim area is indicative of a high rate of matrix remodeling in these regions. Enhanced matrix turnover within the optic nerve region may represent an important mechanism for maintaining the plasticity of the lamina cribrosa.

1. The effects of Ca2+, ATP and caffeine on the gating of lobster skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors (RyR) was investigated after reconstitution of the channels into planar phospholipid bilayers and by using [3H]-ryanodine binding studies. 2. The single channel studies reveal that the EC50 (60 microM) for activation of the lobster skeletal RyR by Ca2+ as the sole ligand is higher than for any other isoform of RyR studied. 3. Inactivation of the channel by Ca2+ (EC50 = 1 mM) occurs at concentrations slightly higher than those required to inactivate mammalian skeletal RyR (RyR1) but lower than those required to inactivate mammalian cardiac RyR (RyR2). 4. Lifetime analysis demonstrates that cytosolic Ca2+, as the sole activating ligand, cannot fully open the lobster skeletal RyR (maximum Po approximately 0.2). The mechanism for the increase in open probability (Po) is an increase in both the frequency and the duration of the open events. 5. ATP is a very effective activator of the lobster RyR and can almost fully open the channel in the presence of activating cytosolic [Ca2+]. In the presence of 700 microM Ca2+, 1 mM ATP increased Po to approximately 0.8. 6. Caffeine, often used as a tool to identify the presence of RyR channels, is relatively ineffective and cannot increase Po above the level that can be attained with Ca2+ alone. 7. The results reveal that caffeine increases Po by a different mechanism to that of cytosolic Ca2+ demonstrating that the mechanism for channel activation by caffeine is not 'sensitization' to cytosolic Ca2+. 8. By studying the mechanisms involved in the activation of the lobster RyR we have demonstrated that the channel responds in a unique manner to Ca2+ and to caffeine. The results strongly indicate that these ligand binding sites on the channel are different to those on mammalian isoforms of RyR.

Until recently, the investigation of membrane ion transport mechanisms and their relationship with cataract formation has mainly focused on sodium, potassium and calcium. The specific role of chloride in solute transport within the lens has been given little attention. Rather, chloride was considered as simply the counterion to sodium. The purpose of this review is to emphasize the importance of chloride and its involvement in the membrane ion transport systems within the lens. We summarize the general physiological and chemical properties of the chloride ion in the lens, with reference to the regional ion fluxes generated by its special anatomical and electrical structure. We also present our current knowledge of the principal ion transport mechanisms associated with chloride, with particular emphasis on Cl- channels, and discuss their possible physiological significance. Maintenance of a constant cell volume is an evolutionarily ancient homeostatic process and we present some important findings associated with volume regulatory mechanisms in the whole lens and in single lens cells. Finally, we review and discuss the link between cataract formation and chloride channel dysfunction.

Speciation can fundamentally affect on the stability and toxicity of heavy metals in sludge from wastewater treatment plants. This research investigated the speciation of heavy metals in sludge from both municipal and industrial sources, and metal speciation change as a result of drying process to reduce sludge volume. The changes in sludge properties including sludge moisture content, temperature, density, and electrical conductivity were also monitored to provide insights into the mechanisms causing the change in heavy metal speciation. The results show that the drying process generally stabilized Cr, Cu, Cd, and Pb in sludge by transforming acid-soluble, reducible, and oxidizable species into structurally stable forms. Such transformation and stabilization occurred regardless of the sludge source and type, and were primarily caused by the changes in sludge properties associated with decomposition of organic matter and sulfide. The results enhanced our understanding of the geochemical behavior of heavy metals in municipal sludge, and are useful for designing a treatment system for environment-friendly disposal of sludge.