Targeting PSEN1 by lnc-CYP3A43-2/miR-29b-2-5p to Reduce β Amyloid Plaque Formation and Improve Cognition Function

Presenilin-1 (PSEN1) is a crucial subunit within the γ-secretase complex and regulates β-amyloid (Aβ) production. Accumulated evidence indicates that n-butylidenephthalide (BP) acts effectively to reduce Aβ levels in neuronal cells that are derived from trisomy 21 (Ts21) induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, the mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. This article aims to investigate the possible mechanisms through which BP ameliorates the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and verify the effectiveness of BP through animal experiments. Results from RNA microarray analysis showed that BP treatment in Ts21 iPSC-derived neuronal cells reduced long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) CYP3A43-2 levels and increased microRNA (miR)-29b-2-5p levels. Bioinformatics tool prediction analysis, biotin-labeled miR-29b-2-5p pull-down assay, and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed a direct negative regulatory effect for miRNA29b-2-5p on lnc-RNA-CYP3A43-2 and PSEN1. Moreover, BP administration improved short-term memory and significantly reduced Aβ accumulation in the hippocampus and cortex of 3xTg-AD mice but failed in miR-29b-2-5p mutant mice generated by CRISP/Cas9 technology. In addition, analysis of brain samples from patients with AD showed a decrease in microRNA-29b-2-5p expression in the frontal cortex region. Our results provide evidence that the LncCYP3A43-2/miR29-2-5p/PSEN1 network might be involved in the molecular mechanisms underlying BP-induced Aβ reduction.     

A histopathologic study of macular cysts and holes

Forty-four eyes from 39 patients with either lamellar macular holes (17 eyes), full-thickness macular holes (18 eyes), and/or macular cysts (9 eyes) were studied histopathologically. Lamellar and full-thickness holes were frequently found in eyes with a history of trauma or ocular surgery. Diabetes mellitus was the most common condition associated with macular cysts. Four lamellar holes and four full-thickness holes occurred in eyes with senile macular degeneration. Six lamellar holes, eight full-thickness holes, and one macular cyst developed on an idiopathic basis. Residual cystoid macular edema was the most prevalent accompanying pathologic feature. Cystoid macular edema was also noted in the opposite eye in seven cases of lamellar and full-thickness holes. A preretinal glial membrane, thought to be a secondary change, was found at or near the edges of the lamellar or full-thickness holes or over the macular cyst in the majority of cases. Wrinkling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) was present in five cases. Vitreous traction, with or without an operculum, was infrequently associated with these entities.     

Strange attractors in multipath propagation

The estimation of the correlation dimension of multipath propagation signals in an indoor environment, indicates the presence of a strange attractor of dimension between four and five, suggesting deterministic chaos. The authors stress that although the profiles they examined show saturation in all three experimental configurations, indicating that they would be able to describe their data with a set of at most five nonlinear differential equations, investigation in other propagation situations is needed. An example of the detection of the presence of strange attractors in radar clutter is presented     

Amorphous silicon device simulation by an adapted Gummel method

The operation of hydrogenated amorphous silicon devices depends crucially on the interplay between the dynamics of free and trapped carriers. This is due to a density of acceptor and donor states present in the mobility gap of amorphous materials. It is shown that Gummel's method used for the simulation of crystalline-material-based devices has to be modified to account for this interplay. The midgap density of states is identified as the parameter controlling the nature of the dynamics of the carriers and this is illustrated with two examples: the 1D Schottky diode and the 2D static induction transistor     

Sensitive assay for mycoplasma detection in mammalian cell culture

Mycoplasma contamination in mammalian cell cultures is often overlooked yet is a serious issue which can induce a myriad of cellular changes leading to false interpretation of experimental results. Here, we present a simple and sensitive assay to monitor mycoplasma contamination (mycosensor) based on degradation of the Gaussia luciferase reporter in the conditioned medium of cells. This assay proved to be more sensitive as compared to a commercially available bioluminescent assay in detecting mycoplasma contamination in seven different cell lines. The Gaussia luciferase mycosensor assay provides an easy tool to monitor mammalian cell contaminants in a high-throughput fashion.     

A Markov chain model to describe fluidization of particles with time-varying properties

A one-dimensional mathematical model of particulate solids thermal treatment in a fluidized bed based on the theory of Markov chains is proposed. A feature of the model takes into account the variation of particle properties that takes place during the fluidization. This variation occurs due to thermo-physical and chemical processes that take place during particulate solids treatment in the fluidized bed. These variations affect the particle settling velocity which is the main parameter that forms the bed expansion and local velocity of flow around the particles that strongly influences the thermo-physical and chemical processes in the bed. A generalized correlation for the drag force coefficient is proposed and tested for various materials. It was necessary to have more precise calculation of the particle settling velocity in the model. The model was developed to describe the drying process in the bed. A good correlation between computed and experimental data was achieved.     

Relationship of dietary intake to DDE residues in breast milk of nursing mothers in Beirut

Milk samples were collected from 32 nursing mothers living in the Beirut area, Lebanon. Dietary intakes of participating mothers were obtained from data of their diet histories, 24h dietary recalls and food frequency questionnaires. Milk samples were screened for the presence of organochlorine pesticide residues and DDE levels were estimated using gas chromatographic techniques. The relationship between consumption of various food groups and DDE content of milk was investigated. A positive correlation was found between the consumption of either/or high fat meat, tuna fish and DDE levels in milk. Consumption of poultry products showed a weak correlation with DDE content of milk, whereas consumption of vegetable oils showed a negative correlation.