Study of 27 Aqueous Humor Cytokines in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with or without Macular Edema

The aim of the present study was to compare the changes in the levels of 27 aqueous humor cytokines between diabetic patients with macular edema (ME) and diabetic patients without ME. Undiluted aqueous humor samples were obtained from 68 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients without ME and 56 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients with ME. The concentrations of 27 cytokines in the aqueous humor samples were measured using a multiplex bead immunoassay. Compared with diabetic patients without ME, diabetic patients with ME had significantly higher concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, and VEGF in the aqueous humor. However, the concentrations of IL-10 and IL-12 were significantly lower in the diabetic patients with ME. The aqueous humor levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, IP-10, and VEGF were closely correlated with retinal macular thickness, retinal macular volume and the severity of ME. In addition, the aqueous humor levels of IL-10 and IL-12 decreased with increasing the severity of ME. A variety of cytokines associated with inflammation and angiogenesis may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic macular edema, and both anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic agents should be included in the treatment of ME simultaneously

Electromechanical deformation and fracture of piezoelectric/ferroelectric materials

This review presents the progress and current status of the investigation on electromechanical deformation and fracture of piezoelectric/ferroelectric materials. An attempt is made to summarize a few fundamental aspects, which include electromechanical constitutive relations, piezoelectric micromechanics and electric fracture and fatigue, instead of describing all technological backgrounds, basic physics, experimental findings, and theoretical developments. A number of open questions and future prospective are presented. It is hoped that this review will encourage people to join the exploration of this important and interesting field.link_to_subscribed_fulltex