We designed and evaluated a fluoride-based high concentration erbium/ cerium co-doped fiber amplifier. It is suitable for Metropolitan Area Networks due to faster transient, flatter (unfiltered) gain, smaller footprin...We designed and evaluated a fluoride-based high concentration erbium/ cerium co-doped fiber amplifier. It is suitable for Metropolitan Area Networks due to faster transient, flatter (unfiltered) gain, smaller footprint and gain excursion than its silica-based counterpart.展开更多
The present study examined the temporal responses and the efficacy of 192Ir HDR endovascular irradiation for preventing smooth muscle cell proliferation of rabbit iliac arteries after PTA with a cutting balloon cathe...The present study examined the temporal responses and the efficacy of 192Ir HDR endovascular irradiation for preventing smooth muscle cell proliferation of rabbit iliac arteries after PTA with a cutting balloon catheter. Endovascular irradiation with 12 Gy was randomly performed on the one side of iliac arterial segment with the unirradiated side serving as a control. Animals were euthanatized 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 12 week(s) after angioplasty. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were carried out. Histopathology showed repair of the dissection by cellular accumulation and a striking reduction in the amount of neointimal hyperplasia in the irradiated arteries as compared with control vessels. A peak of PCNA positive ratio was in neointima of the control arterial segments at a week. 2 - 4 weeks after irradiation, the neointimal PCNA positive ratio was still significantly increased in the control arterial segments compared with the irradiated arterial segments. After 8 weeks, PCNA positive ratio was below 1 % in both irradiated arterial segments and the control. Our results showed that the 192Ir HDR afterloading irradiation with a dose of 12 Gy can be considered sufficient for inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia in angioplastized rabbit iliac arteries with cutting balloon catheter.展开更多
A patient-centered approach is used to build a therapeutic alliance between patients and the healthcare professionals in care process which should be supported by a good engagement of both parties. The study aimed to ...A patient-centered approach is used to build a therapeutic alliance between patients and the healthcare professionals in care process which should be supported by a good engagement of both parties. The study aimed to explore the gap between healthcare professionals and patients on patient engagement in hospital. It was a cross-sectional survey. 2774 doctors and nurses from Department of Medicine of public hospitals completed the self-administered questionnaire and 1042 patients discharged from corresponding wards completed the telephone interviews. Participants were interviewed using structural questionnaires. The Mann-Whitney test or Pearson’s chi-square test was used to analyze the agreement between health-care professionals and patients on the views and experiences of patient engagement. A difference was considered to be statistically significant when the p-value was <0.05. Although both groups valued the importance of patient engagement, there was a discrepancy on understanding, views and experiences. More healthcare professionals particularly in nursing were concerned about the possible negative impact of the engagement. The majority of healthcare professionals reported that they engaged well with patients, and perceived more difficulties than patients did. The findings highlighted the mutual understanding of patient engagement, involvement and challenges encountered by both groups in Department of Medicine, which was crucial in efforts to provide meaningful patient engagement in regards to jurisdictions, health system, specialty, discipline and background of patients. It provided insight that a collaborative strategy involving both healthcare professional and patients might be an alternative approach to improving patient engagement.展开更多
Superelastic shape memory alloys( SMAs) have the ability to recover their original shape after experiencing large strains. End-plate connection with using superelastic long shank SMA bolts is proposed in this paper. B...Superelastic shape memory alloys( SMAs) have the ability to recover their original shape after experiencing large strains. End-plate connection with using superelastic long shank SMA bolts is proposed in this paper. By using strong beam-weak bolt cluster design methodology and special configurations to strength beam ends,a superelastic hinge is expected to form in column flange. To validate the mechanical behavior of the proposed beam-to-column connection,both quasi-static tests and numerical analysis are conducted with cyclic transverse loads applied on the beam ends. The results indicate the connection deformations concentrate on the long shank SMA bolts upon loading and the bolt cluster rotates around the axis near beam flange. By using the super elastic effect,the SMA bolts recover most elongations and the connection recovers to its original shape after experiencing 0. 02 rad interstorey drift angle. The connection shows obvious self-centering properties.展开更多
Background:Human corneal stromal keratocytes propagated in culture media supplemented with human amnion extract(AME)can correct early corneal haze in an animal model.Clinical application of cultivated keratocytes is l...Background:Human corneal stromal keratocytes propagated in culture media supplemented with human amnion extract(AME)can correct early corneal haze in an animal model.Clinical application of cultivated keratocytes is limited by infectious disease screening before amnion products can be used in humans.It remains unclear if AME from cryopreserved versus fresh human amnion can support human keratocyte propagation,and which components of the extract promote keratocyte growth.Methods:Three placentas were collected for the preparation of fresh and cryopreserved amnion tissues followed by homogenization and protein extraction.AME protein profiles were studied using isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantitation(iTRAQ)proteomics.Enriched gene ontology(GO)terms and functional classes were identified.Primary human keratocytes from 4 donor corneas were cultured in media supplemented with fresh AME(F-AME)or cryopreserved AME(C-AME).Cell viability,proliferation and keratocyte marker expression were examined by confocal immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.Results:AME proteomics revealed 1385 proteins with similar expression levels(between 0.5-and 2-fold)between Fand C-AME,while 286 proteins were reduced(less than 0.5-fold)in C-AME.Enriched GO term and biological pathway analysis showed that those proteins with comparable expression between F-AME and C-AME were involved in cell metabolism,epithelial-mesenchymal transition,focal adhesion,cell-extracellular matrix interaction,cell stress regulation and complement cascades.Human corneal stromal keratocytes cultured with F-AME or C-AME showed similar morphology and viability,while cell proliferation was mildly suppressed with C-AME(P>0.05).Expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1(ALDH3A1)and CD34 was similar in both cultures.Conclusion:AME from cryopreserved amnion had limited influence on keratocyte culture.It is feasible to use protein extract from cryopreserved amnion to propagate human keratocytes for potential translational applications.展开更多
Purpose: To investigate changes in the production of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase type 1 (TIMP-1) by human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells following argon laser exposure.Methods: Human cultured ARPE19 ...Purpose: To investigate changes in the production of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase type 1 (TIMP-1) by human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells following argon laser exposure.Methods: Human cultured ARPE19 cells were exposed to argon green laser at four different energy levels ranging from 60mW to 360mW. After laser exposure, the culture media were sampled at 0, 24, 72 and 144 hours for TIMP-1 concentration produced by the RPE cells. The levels of TIMP-1 in the cells treated with different laser energy levels were compared with a control group not exposed to laser application.Immunocytochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was performed to detect any adverse effects on the RPE cells caused by laser exposure.Results: Immediately after laser exposure, the concentration of TIMP- 1 was not detectable. At 24 hours after laser exposure, the concentration of TIMP-1 increased significantly in RPE cells treated with 120mW and 240mW at 24 hours (P=0.006 and P=0.001respectively) compared with control cells. At 72 hours after treatment, RPE cells treated at 120mW, 240mW and 360mW demonstrated significantly increase in TIMP-1production compared with control (P=0.003, P ＜ 0.001 and P ＜ 0.001, respectively).No significant reduction in cell viability was observed following laser application as detected by PCNA expression.Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that early TIMP-1 production by RPE cells in cell cultures was enhanced following laser exposure.展开更多
文摘We designed and evaluated a fluoride-based high concentration erbium/ cerium co-doped fiber amplifier. It is suitable for Metropolitan Area Networks due to faster transient, flatter (unfiltered) gain, smaller footprint and gain excursion than its silica-based counterpart.
文摘The present study examined the temporal responses and the efficacy of 192Ir HDR endovascular irradiation for preventing smooth muscle cell proliferation of rabbit iliac arteries after PTA with a cutting balloon catheter. Endovascular irradiation with 12 Gy was randomly performed on the one side of iliac arterial segment with the unirradiated side serving as a control. Animals were euthanatized 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 12 week(s) after angioplasty. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were carried out. Histopathology showed repair of the dissection by cellular accumulation and a striking reduction in the amount of neointimal hyperplasia in the irradiated arteries as compared with control vessels. A peak of PCNA positive ratio was in neointima of the control arterial segments at a week. 2 - 4 weeks after irradiation, the neointimal PCNA positive ratio was still significantly increased in the control arterial segments compared with the irradiated arterial segments. After 8 weeks, PCNA positive ratio was below 1 % in both irradiated arterial segments and the control. Our results showed that the 192Ir HDR afterloading irradiation with a dose of 12 Gy can be considered sufficient for inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia in angioplastized rabbit iliac arteries with cutting balloon catheter.
文摘A patient-centered approach is used to build a therapeutic alliance between patients and the healthcare professionals in care process which should be supported by a good engagement of both parties. The study aimed to explore the gap between healthcare professionals and patients on patient engagement in hospital. It was a cross-sectional survey. 2774 doctors and nurses from Department of Medicine of public hospitals completed the self-administered questionnaire and 1042 patients discharged from corresponding wards completed the telephone interviews. Participants were interviewed using structural questionnaires. The Mann-Whitney test or Pearson’s chi-square test was used to analyze the agreement between health-care professionals and patients on the views and experiences of patient engagement. A difference was considered to be statistically significant when the p-value was <0.05. Although both groups valued the importance of patient engagement, there was a discrepancy on understanding, views and experiences. More healthcare professionals particularly in nursing were concerned about the possible negative impact of the engagement. The majority of healthcare professionals reported that they engaged well with patients, and perceived more difficulties than patients did. The findings highlighted the mutual understanding of patient engagement, involvement and challenges encountered by both groups in Department of Medicine, which was crucial in efforts to provide meaningful patient engagement in regards to jurisdictions, health system, specialty, discipline and background of patients. It provided insight that a collaborative strategy involving both healthcare professional and patients might be an alternative approach to improving patient engagement.
基金Sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.50808084)
文摘Superelastic shape memory alloys( SMAs) have the ability to recover their original shape after experiencing large strains. End-plate connection with using superelastic long shank SMA bolts is proposed in this paper. By using strong beam-weak bolt cluster design methodology and special configurations to strength beam ends,a superelastic hinge is expected to form in column flange. To validate the mechanical behavior of the proposed beam-to-column connection,both quasi-static tests and numerical analysis are conducted with cyclic transverse loads applied on the beam ends. The results indicate the connection deformations concentrate on the long shank SMA bolts upon loading and the bolt cluster rotates around the axis near beam flange. By using the super elastic effect,the SMA bolts recover most elongations and the connection recovers to its original shape after experiencing 0. 02 rad interstorey drift angle. The connection shows obvious self-centering properties.
基金Singapore National Eye Centre HREF 0618-2Singapore National Research Foundation under Clinician Scientist Award-Senior Investigator Category(JRNMRR163801)National Medical Research Council,Ministry of Health,Singapore.
文摘Background:Human corneal stromal keratocytes propagated in culture media supplemented with human amnion extract(AME)can correct early corneal haze in an animal model.Clinical application of cultivated keratocytes is limited by infectious disease screening before amnion products can be used in humans.It remains unclear if AME from cryopreserved versus fresh human amnion can support human keratocyte propagation,and which components of the extract promote keratocyte growth.Methods:Three placentas were collected for the preparation of fresh and cryopreserved amnion tissues followed by homogenization and protein extraction.AME protein profiles were studied using isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantitation(iTRAQ)proteomics.Enriched gene ontology(GO)terms and functional classes were identified.Primary human keratocytes from 4 donor corneas were cultured in media supplemented with fresh AME(F-AME)or cryopreserved AME(C-AME).Cell viability,proliferation and keratocyte marker expression were examined by confocal immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.Results:AME proteomics revealed 1385 proteins with similar expression levels(between 0.5-and 2-fold)between Fand C-AME,while 286 proteins were reduced(less than 0.5-fold)in C-AME.Enriched GO term and biological pathway analysis showed that those proteins with comparable expression between F-AME and C-AME were involved in cell metabolism,epithelial-mesenchymal transition,focal adhesion,cell-extracellular matrix interaction,cell stress regulation and complement cascades.Human corneal stromal keratocytes cultured with F-AME or C-AME showed similar morphology and viability,while cell proliferation was mildly suppressed with C-AME(P>0.05).Expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1(ALDH3A1)and CD34 was similar in both cultures.Conclusion:AME from cryopreserved amnion had limited influence on keratocyte culture.It is feasible to use protein extract from cryopreserved amnion to propagate human keratocytes for potential translational applications.
文摘Purpose: To investigate changes in the production of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase type 1 (TIMP-1) by human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells following argon laser exposure.Methods: Human cultured ARPE19 cells were exposed to argon green laser at four different energy levels ranging from 60mW to 360mW. After laser exposure, the culture media were sampled at 0, 24, 72 and 144 hours for TIMP-1 concentration produced by the RPE cells. The levels of TIMP-1 in the cells treated with different laser energy levels were compared with a control group not exposed to laser application.Immunocytochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was performed to detect any adverse effects on the RPE cells caused by laser exposure.Results: Immediately after laser exposure, the concentration of TIMP- 1 was not detectable. At 24 hours after laser exposure, the concentration of TIMP-1 increased significantly in RPE cells treated with 120mW and 240mW at 24 hours (P=0.006 and P=0.001respectively) compared with control cells. At 72 hours after treatment, RPE cells treated at 120mW, 240mW and 360mW demonstrated significantly increase in TIMP-1production compared with control (P=0.003, P ＜ 0.001 and P ＜ 0.001, respectively).No significant reduction in cell viability was observed following laser application as detected by PCNA expression.Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that early TIMP-1 production by RPE cells in cell cultures was enhanced following laser exposure.
