Interrelationships between Cellular Density,Mosaic Patterning,and Dendritic Coverage of VGluT3 Amacrine Cells

Amacrine cells of the retina are conspicuously variable in their morphologies, their population demographics, and their ensuing functions. Vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGluT3) amacrine cells are a recently characterized type of amacrine cell exhibiting local dendritic autonomy. The present analysis has examined three features of this VGluT3 population, including their density, local distribution, and dendritic spread, to discern the extent to which these are interrelated, using male and female mice. We first demonstrate that Bax-mediated cell death transforms the mosaic of VGluT3 cells from a random distribution into a regular mosaic. We subsequently examine the relationship between cell density and mosaic regularity across recombinant inbred strains of mice, finding that, although both traits vary across the strains, they exhibit minimal covariation. Other genetic determinants must therefore contribute independently to final cell number and to mosaic order. Using a conditional KO approach, we further demonstrate that Bax acts via the bipolar cell population, rather than cell-intrinsically, to control VGluT3 cell number. Finally, we consider the relationship between the dendritic arbors of single VGluT3 cells and the distribution of their homotypic neighbors. Dendritic field area was found to be independent of Voronoi domain area, while dendritic coverage of single cells was not conserved, simply increasing with the size of the dendritic field. Bax-KO retinas exhibited a threefold increase in dendritic coverage. Each cell, however, contributed less dendrites at each depth within the plexus, intermingling their processes with those of neighboring cells to approximate a constant volumetric density, yielding a uniformity in process coverage across the population.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Different types of retinal neuron spread their processes across the surface of the retina to achieve a degree of dendritic coverage that is characteristic of each type. Many of these types achieve a constant coverage by varying their dendritic field area inversely with the local density of like-type neighbors. Here we report a population of retinal amacrine cells that do not develop dendritic arbors in relation to the spatial positioning of such homotypic neighbors; rather, this cell type modulates the extent of its dendritic branching when faced with a variable number of overlapping dendritic fields to approximate a uniformity in dendritic density across the retina.     

玻切二期术后低视力人群的护理策略

目的对玻切二期术后低视力人群采取特殊的护理策略,来平复病人的负面情绪,提高治疗满意度。方法对2019年11月6日至2020年11月6日在我院接受玻璃体切割二次手术的96名低视力患者进行特殊护理干预,然后进行回顾性分析。结果在结合实际病情分析采取的特殊护理策略干预下,病人术后情绪稳定,未出现不良投诉事件,满意度较高。结论对玻切二期术后低视力人群采取特殊的护理干预策略十分必要。     

Tissue tracking of segmental strain as a predictor of provoked dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

BackgroundLeft ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is commonly observed in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Some patients develop LVOTO provoked by physical exertion, and hence termed dynamic LVOTO (DLVOTO). However, its precise prevalence and mechanism are still unclear.AimTwo-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) seems to be helpful for the detection of early LV structural abnormalities. This study aimed to examine the possible role of segmental as well as global longitudinal strain in identifying DLVOTO non-HCM patients as detected by dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE).Methods and resultsTwo hundred and fifty patients without structural heart disease had undergone conventional transthoracic echocardiography, 2D STE, and DSE. All patients with non-ischemic evidence were divided into two groups according to the DSE results; DLVOTO (+) and DLVOTO (?).Among 250 patients, 50 patients (36%) had shown DLVOTO after DSE (15 males, 35 females; mean age 55±7years). They were compared with 90 non -LVOTO obstruction patients (43 males, 47 females; mean age 57±6years). Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of provoked DLVOTO during DSE were resting basal septal longitudinal strain BS-LS _average (p < 0.001), resting LA reservoir strain (p < 0.001), and systolic LVOT diameter (p = 0.03). Resting BS-LS _average with cut-off - 17.5% was recognized as a critical indicator of DLVOTO, with sensitivity 78%, and specificity 95% (better than systolic LVOT diameter of sensitivity 76%, and specificity 15% and resting LA reservoir strain which showed poor AUC at ROC curve 0.007).ConclusionWe demonstrate that provoked LVOTO during DSE in non HCM symptomatic patients is directly correlated to resting regional LS, where the increased BS-LS of ≥ ?17.5% was a key determinant of LVOT gradient provocation. Assessment of baseline BS-LS _average might be a bedside simple tool for detection of patients with DLVOTO not able to do DSE.     

Use of Three-Dimensional Printing Techniques in the Management of a Patient Suffering From Traumatic Loss of the Talus

Traumatic loss of the whole talus is extremely rare, and its possible treatment options are limited. Our experience of treatment of a 30-year-old male suffering from traumatic loss of the whole talus with the insertion of an anatomical antibiotic-loaded talus cement spacer using 3-dimensional printing techniques as an interim measure was reviewed and reported. A young motorcyclist was brought to the emergency department after a road traffic accident. He sustained multiple injuries including traumatic loss of his left talus. Despite repeated surgeries of debridement and insertion of external fixator to his injured ankle, the patient had residual problem of ankle instability, ankle infection, and absence of his involved talus. With the help of computerized 3-dimensional printing techniques, an anatomical talus cement spacer was produced in the operating room and inserted into the patient's ankle 7 weeks after the initial trauma. The external fixator was kept for another 3 weeks before removal. At 14 months after the insertion of cement spacer, the patient could walk independently without any pain for 15 minutes with the help of a crutch occasionally. However, the range of motion of his left ankle was limited to 15° in the flexion-extension arc and minimal subtalar motion. The infection of the left ankle was under control.     

Control the fate of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with dual‐enzymatically cross‐linked gelatin hydrogels for potential applications in nerve regeneration

Stem‐cell‐based therapy is a promising strategy to treat challenging neurological diseases, while its application is hindered primarily by the low viability and uncontrolled differentiation of stem cell. Hydrogel can be properly engineered to share similar characteristics with the target tissue, thus promoting cell viability and directing cell differentiation. In this study, we proposed a new dual‐enzymatically cross‐linked and injectable gelatin hydrogel for regulating survival, proliferation, and differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC‐MSCs) in a three‐dimensional matrix. This injectable gelatin hydrogel was formed by oxidative coupling of gelatin–hydroxyphenyl acid conjugates catalyzed by hydrogen horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and choline oxidase (ChOx). Modulus and H₂O₂ release can be well controlled by ChOx activity. Results from calcein‐AM/PI staining and Ki67 immunofluorescence tests demonstrated that the survival and proliferation behavior of hUC‐MSCs were highly enhanced in HRP_1UChOx_0.25U hydrogel with lower modulus and less H₂O₂ release compared with other groups. Attractively, the expression of neuron‐specific markers β‐III tubulin, neurofilament light chain (NFL), and synapsin‐1 was significantly increased in HRP_1UChOx_0.25U hydrogel as well. Additionally, in vitro hemolysis test and in vivo HE staining data highlighted the good biocompatibility. Undoubtedly, this injectable gelatin hydrogel's ability to control hUC‐MSCs' fate holds enormous potentials in nervous disorders' therapy and nerve regeneration.