Rationale: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has provided an unbiased assessment of specific profiling of cell populations at the single-cell level. Conventional renal biopsy and bulk RNA-seq only average out the underlying differences, while the extent of chronic kidney transplant rejection (CKTR) and how it is shaped by cells and states in the kidney remain poorly characterized. Here, we analyzed cells from CKTR and matched healthy adult kidneys at single-cell resolution. Methods: High-quality transcriptomes were generated from three healthy human kidneys and two CKTR biopsies. Unsupervised clustering analysis of biopsy specimens was performed to identify fifteen distinct cell types, including major immune cells, renal cells and a few types of stromal cells. Single-sample gene set enrichment (ssGSEA) algorithm was utilized to explore functional differences between cell subpopulations and between CKTR and normal cells. Results: Natural killer T (NKT) cells formed five subclasses, representing CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), regulatory T cells (Tregs) and natural killer cells (NKs). Memory B cells were classified into two subtypes, representing reverse immune activation. Monocytes formed a classic CD14+ group and a nonclassical CD16+ group. We identified a novel subpopulation [myofibroblasts (MyoF)] in fibroblasts, which express collagen and extracellular matrix components. The CKTR group was characterized by increased numbers of immune cells and MyoF, leading to increased renal rejection and fibrosis. Conclusions: By assessing functional differences of subtype at single-cell resolution, we discovered different subtypes that correlated with distinct functions in CKTR. This resource provides deeper insights into CKTR biology that will be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of CKTR.

Citation: Li H, Wang Y, Dou R, et al. Intraocular pressure changes and relationship with corneal biomechanics after SMILE and FS-LASIK. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2016;57:4180-4186. DOI:10.1167/iovs.16-19615 PURPOSE. The purpose of this article was to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) changes and investigate the relationship with corneal biomechanics after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). METHODS.A total of 193 eyes of 193 patients who underwent SMILE and FS-LASIK procedures were included in this retrospective study. Data were collected preoperatively and postoperatively, including Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg), corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc), corneal hysteresis (CH), and corneal resistance factor (CRF) by ocular response analyzer, noncontact intraocular pressure (IOP NCT ) by noncontact tonometer, and Ehlers, Shah, Dresden, Kohlhaas, Orssengo/Pye by the Pentacam corrected system. Changes in both groups and differences between groups were evaluated. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to explore factors influencing IOP changes.RESULTS. In SMILE, the IOPg, IOPcc, IOP NCT , and Kohlhaas decreased significantly at 1 month postoperatively (P < 0.01), whereas with the Ehlers formula they significantly increased (P < 0.01). IOPs decreased at 3 and 6 months compared with all preoperative values except Ehlers values (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between 3 and 6 months (P > 0.05). In FS-LASIK, the IOPg, IOPcc, and IOP NCT decreased significantly at 1 month (P < 0.01), whereas in the Ehlers and Shah formulas they significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with preoperative values, the IOPs decreased at 3 and 6 months except in the Ehlers and Shah formulas (P < 0.01). Only IOPg and IOPcc differed between 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). The Ehlers and Shah formulas were closer to the preoperative IOP for both groups, with variation approximately 1 mm Hg at 6 months postoperatively. Preoperative IOP, postoperative corneal resistance factor, corneal hysteresis, and flat keratometry were enrolled into the regression equations.CONCLUSIONS. IOP underestimation after SMILE or FS-LASIK was related to corneal biomechanics as well as preoperative IOP and flat keratometry. IOP after SMILE seem to remain more stable. Accordingly, the Ehlers and Shah formulas were closer to the preoperative IOP. It may be useful to estimate future IOP with the best-fit models after surgery.

Although small-incision lenticule extraction shows promising outcomes for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism, intraoperative complications still inevitably occur. However, satisfactory visual outcomes may be achieved using appropriate management techniques.

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These findings indicate that ghrelin is a potent antifibrotic agent that may have therapeutic potential in patients with obstructive nephropathy.

A core–shell structured organic–inorganic hybrid, that is, a hyperbranched aromatic polyamide (HB-Pa)-coated calcium copper titanate nanowire (CCTO NW), was prepared through a two-step solvent-thermal method followed by in situ polymerization. The morphology and structure of CCTO NWs and HB-Pa-coated CCTO NWs (HB-Pa@CCTO NWs) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The high dielectric constant composites with notable mechanical properties were fabricated based on the epoxy resin (EP) matrix by using the core–shell structured HB-Pa@CCTO NWs as dielectric filler. At the same mass fraction, the composites filled with HB-Pa@CCTO NWs exhibited more excellent dielectric and mechanical properties than those filled only with synthesized CCTO NWs. At 40 wt % HB-Pa @CCTO NWs content, a relatively high dielectric constant (18) and a low dielectric loss (0.05) at 1 kHz were synchronously obtained. The simultaneous increases in dielectric and mechanical properties resulted from the strengthened interaction between the inorganic ceramic NWs and polymers, thereby resulting in the better dispersion of NWs in the EP matrix.

The specific etiology and pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP) remain elusive, and microbial dysbiosis may play an important role in OLP. We evaluated the saliva and tissue bacterial community of patients with OLP and identified the colonization of bacteria in OLP tissues. The saliva (n = 60) and tissue (n = 24) samples from OLP patients and the healthy controls were characterized by 16S rDNA gene sequencing and the bacterial signals in OLP tissues were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) targeting the bacterial 16S rDNA gene. Results indicate that the OLP tissue microbiome was different from the microbiota of OLP saliva. Compared with the healthy controls, Capnocytophaga and Gemella were higher in OLP saliva, while Escherichia-Shigella and Megasphaera were higher in OLP tissues, whereas seven taxa, including Carnobacteriaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, and Megasphaera, were enriched in both saliva and tissues of OLP patients. Furthermore, FISH found that the average optical density (AOD) of bacteria in the lamina propria of OLP tissues was higher than that of the healthy controls, and the AOD of bacteria in OLP epithelium and lamina propria was positively correlated. These data provide a different perspective for future investigation on the OLP microbiome.

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