Hybrid quantum-well system for wavelength-channel selection

We consider a hybrid quantum-well structure consisting of regions whose properties alternate between active Raman gain and electromagnetically induced transparency. We present both analytical and numerical results that indicate a large light beam defection using spatially inhomogeneous pump and control lasers. We show well-isolated on-chip wavelength selection or channeling capabilities without light field attenuation or distortion, demonstrating the advantages of the system for possible important applications in integrated circuits for optical telecommunications.

Dynamic detection of non-protein-bound strychnine and brucine in rabbit muscle and synovial fluid after topical application of total Strychnos alkaloid patches

Semen Strychni, a known toxic drug in Chinese pharmacopoeia, is notable for its therapeutic effects on local muscle and joint pain. However, oral administration can be risky. Topically administered drugs accumulate in the topical muscles and knee joints without any major increase in plasma levels; only non-protein-bound drugs in the biological fluids of target tissues are effective for therapeutic effects. A sensitive and rapid ultra performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) method coupled with a microdialysis technique was developed to determine the non-protein-bound strychnine (Str) and brucine (Bru) in rabbit muscle and synovial fluid microdialysate. The UPLC separation was carried out using a 1.7μm BEH C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol: water (29.5:70.5, v/v) with 0.1% formic acid and 20 mM ammonium acetate in water. The method was validated at concentrations ranging from 0.58 ng/ml to 467.20 ng/ml for Str and from 0.42 ng/ml to 422.40 ng/ml for Bru. Intra-day and inter-day accuracy ranged from 99.1% to 103.2% for Str and from 95.8% to 108.8% for Bru with intra-day and inter-day precision within 9.7%. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine non-protein-bound Str and Bru, and the analysates concentration remained stable in rabbit muscle and synovial fluid after topical application of total Strychnos alkaloid patches, which indicated that total Strychnos alkaloid patches could substitute for the traditional oral administration of Semen Strychni.

Gαq gene promoter polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis in the Han Chinese population are not associated

Mice that lose Gαq from their immune system can spontaneously develop inflammatory arthritis. Gαq expression in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is significantly decreased in comparison to that in healthy individuals, and reduced Gαq expression is closely correlated with RA disease activity. These indicate that Gαq plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of RA. To address whether single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of the Gαq gene (GNAQ) influenced Gαq expression in RA patients and was a genetic risk factor for RA, we sequenced the promoter region of GNAQ in a Han Chinese population. A common dinucleotide polymorphism at position -695/-694, an exchange of 2 adjacent nucleotides (GC>TT), was revealed in 118 RA patients and 101 healthy adults. The proportions of genotypes observed for -695/-694 in the RA group were GC/GC (65.25%), GC/TT (33.05%), and TT/TT (1.70%), and those in the control group were GC/GC (62.38%), GC/TT (33.66%), and TT/TT (3.96%). No significant difference in the allele and genotype frequencies between RA patients and healthy controls for dinucleotide polymorphism was found in the Han Chinese population, neither in the whole data set nor in stratified subsets, i.e., rheumatoid factors, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, and Gαq expression status (P > 0.05). We conclude that the GNAQ promoter polymorphism is not a genetic risk factor for RA in the Han Chinese population, and that decreased Gαq expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes of RA might potentially be due to other causes.

Light-wave mixing and scattering with quantum gases

We present a semiclassical theoretical framework on light-wave mixing and scattering with single-component quantum gases. We show that these optical processes originating from elementary excitations with dominant collective atomic recoil motion are stimulated Raman or hyper-Raman in nature. In the forward direction the wave-mixing process, which is the most efficient process in normal gases, is strongly reduced by the condensate structure factor even though the Bogoliubov dispersion relation automatically compensates the optical-wave phase mismatch. In the backward direction, however, the free-particle-like condensate structure factor and Bogoliubov dispersion result in highly efficient light-wave mixing and collective atomic recoil motion that are enhanced by a stimulated hyper-Raman gain and a very narrow two-photon motional state resonance.

A novel mouse model for genetic variation in 10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase exhibits disturbed purine synthesis with impacts on pregnancy and embryonic development

Genetic variants in one-carbon folate metabolism have been identified as risk factors for disease because they may impair the production or use of one-carbon folates required for nucleotide synthesis and methylation. p.R653Q (1958G>A) is a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 10-formyltetrahydrofolate (formylTHF) synthetase domain of the trifunctional enzyme MTHFD1; this domain produces the formylTHF which is required for the de novo synthesis of purines. Approximately 20% of Caucasians are homozygous for the Q allele. MTHFD1 p.R653Q has been proposed as a risk factor for neural tube defects (NTDs), congenital heart defects (CHDs) and pregnancy losses. We have generated a novel mouse model in which the MTHFD1 synthetase activity is inactivated without affecting protein expression or the other activities of this enzyme. Complete loss of synthetase activity (Mthfd1S(-/-)) is incompatible with life; embryos die shortly after 10.5 days gestation, and are developmentally delayed or abnormal. The proportion of 10-formylTHF in the plasma and liver of Mthfd1S(+/-) mice is reduced (P < 0.05), and de novo purine synthesis is impaired in Mthfd1S(+/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs, P < 0.005). Female Mthfd1S(+/-) mice had decreased neutrophil counts (P < 0.05) during pregnancy and increased incidence of developmental defects in embryos (P = 0.052). These findings suggest that synthetase deficiency may lead to pregnancy complications through decreased purine synthesis and reduced cellular proliferation. Additional investigation of the impact of synthetase polymorphisms on human pregnancy is warranted.

Highly efficient counter-propagation-beams narrow-band ultraviolet frequency conversion in a quantum gas

We show that highly efficient ultraviolet frequency up conversion can be established in a single-component quantum gas in the counter-propagating weak pump beam geometry where no frequency up conversion can occur in a normal gas. We also show that all light-wave mixing and scattering processes in quantum gases originating from elementary excitations characterized by efficient collective atomic recoil motion are stimulated Raman/hyper-Raman in nature.

Fast, optically controlled Kerr phase shifter for digital signal processing

We demonstrate an optically controlled Kerr phase shifter using a room-temperature 85Rb vapor operating in a Raman gain scheme. Phase shifts from zero to π relative to an unshifted reference wave are observed, and gated operations are demonstrated. We further demonstrate the versatile digital manipulation of encoded signal light with an encoded phase-control light field using an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Generalizations of this scheme should be capable of full manipulation of a digitized signal field at high speed, opening the door to future applications.

Fast, all-optical, zero to π continuously controllable Kerr phase gate

We demonstrate a fast Kerr phase gate in a room-temperature (85)Rb vapor using a Raman gain method where the probe wave travels "superluminally". Continuously variable, zero to π radian nonlinear Kerr phase shifts of the probe wave relative to a reference wave have been observed at 333 K. We show rapid manipulation of digitally encoded probe waves using a digitally encoded phase-control light field, demonstrating the capability of the system in information science and telecommunication applications.

[Expression and clinical significance of p53 protein , estrogen and progesterone receptors in non-small cell lung cancer]

BACKGROUND

To investigate the relationships between expression of tumor suppressor gene p53 protein , estrogen receptor (ER) , progesterone receptor (PR) and clinicopathology and prognosis in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) .

METHODS

Expression of p53 protein , ER and PR in 147 NSCLC specimen was detected by SP immunohistochemistry method.

RESULTS

Overall , 61. 2 %(90/ 147) tumor tissues had positive p53 staining. The positive rate of p53 expression in squamous cell carcinoma , adenocarcinoma , adenosquamous carcinoma and large cell carcinoma was 63. 5 %(40/ 63) , 57. 6 %(38/ 66) , 66. 7 %(10/ 14) , and 50 %(2/ 4) respectively. The overexpression of p53 protein was associated with the prognosis of patients with adenocarcinoma , the positive rate of p53 expression of patients who survived for less than 3 years was 75 % , which was significantly higher than 44. 7 % of patients who survived for more than 3 years ( P < 0. 025) . For ER and PR , the overall positive rate was 49. 7 %(73/ 147) and 76. 9 %(113/ 147) respectively. The positive rate of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that of squamous cell carcinoma ( P < 0. 005) . Besides , expression area of ER and PR was often in the nucleus for squamous cell carcinoma and in the cytoplasma for adenocarcinoma ( P < 0. 005) . The 3-year survival rate in patients with cytoplasma-staining for PR was significantly higher than that with nucleus-staining ( P < 0. 025) .

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that overexpression of p53 in adenocarcinoma could be used as a prognostic factor for the patients. Detection of ER and PR may have a definite value in differentiating squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma. The prognosis is poor for PCR-positive patients with nucleus-staining.

Tumourigenic characteristics of embryonal carcinoma cells as a model for studying tumour progression of human embryonic stem cells

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to compare tumourigenic characteristics of human embryonic stem cells (HESCs) and embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs) to identify a robust and simple model for studying certain aspects of cell transformation and tumourigenesis, in tumour progression of HESCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SSEA-3 positive ECCs (NTERA-2) cells were identified and compared to HESCs (ch HES-20) in terms of pluripotency and differentiation capacity, growth characteristics, gene expression profiles and signalling pathways.

RESULTS

Our results showed that NTERA-2 cells shared similarities in expression markers of pluripotency to ch HES-20 cells. However, NTERA-2 cells also expressed some markers of differentiation and had a tendency to differentiate towards ectodermal endpoints. We identified NTERA-2 cells with higher S-phase fraction in cell cycle distribution, anti-apoptosis markers and robust self-renewal ability, compared to ch HES-20 cells. Microarray analysis and real-time PCR results showed that some oncogenes were up-regulated and tumour-suppression genes were down-regulated, whereas pluripotency-related genes were up-regulated and differentiation-related genes were down-regulated, and that Wnt and Notch signalling pathways were activated during progression from ES cells to EC cells.

CONCLUSION

Tumourigenic characteristics of ECCs may provide a valuable insight into possible tumour progression of HESCs.

Evaluation of the prognosis of fulminant viral hepatitis in late pregnancy by the MELD scoring system

The purpose of this paper was to analyze the prognosis of women with fulminant viral hepatitis in late pregnancy (FVHILP) by the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scoring system. A retrospective study involving patients admitted to two tertiary hospitals between January 1, 1994 and June 30, 2011 was undertaken. The relations between MELD scores and change of MELD score over time (ΔMELD) and prognosis during hospitalization were analyzed. Among the 54 patients with FVHILP, the MELD scores on admission were significantly higher in the non-survival group than those in the survival group (p < 0.05). Among the 26 FVHILP patients who underwent cesarean section, the MELD scores before and after cesarean section were both significantly higher in the non-survival group (p < 0.05). The ΔMELD scores (before operation and three days after operation) significantly increased in the non-survival group (p < 0.05). The concordance (c-statistic) values were all greater than 0.8. The MELD scoring system shows excellent short-term predictive value for the prognosis of FVHILP.

Analysis of differentially expressed proteins involved in hand, foot and mouth disease and normal sera

We implemented 2-D DIGE technology on proteins prepared from serum obtained from children with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and controls, to study the differentially expressed proteins in control and HFMD serum samples. Proteins found to be differentially expressed were identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/ time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) analysis. We identified 30 proteins from mild HFMD samples and 39 proteins from severe HFMD samples, compared with the normal controls. 25 proteins among them (14 up-regulated and 11 down-regulated proteins) are found in both HFMD groups. Classification analysis and protein-protein interaction map showed that they associate with multiple functional groups, including transporter activity and atalytic activity. These findings build up a comprehensive profile of the HFMD proteome and provide a useful basis for further analysis of the pathogenic mechanism and the regulatory network of HFMD.

A novel mosquito feeding system for routine blood-feeding of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

A novel mosquito feeding system for routine blood-feeding of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus was developed and evaluated. The system consisted of a collagen membrane casing filled with specific pathogen free (SPF) mini-pig blood, which is warmed by a simple in-house designed heating device. Blood feeding rate, fecundity, survival rate and hatchability of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus colonies maintained by the feeding system were compared with those raised by conventional guinea pig feeding method. Aedes aegypti, displayed a significant difference in the feeding rate when offered blood meal using the membrane feeding (85.3%) and the guinea pig feeding (96.2%) methods (P=0.012). Though the feeding rate was reduced, the level was acceptable for maintenance of laboratory colonies. There was no significant difference in the fecundity (P=0.556), survival rate (P=0.715), and hatchability (P=0.932) between the two methods. For Ae. albopictus, the two feeding methods yielded no significant difference for the three parameters (fecundity, survival rate and hatchability=0.887, 0.580 and 0.564, respectively). Hence, we conclude that this simple collagen based membrane blood feeding system can be used for routine colonization of laboratory strains of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus.

Cloning, molecular characterization and heterologous expression of a glutathione S-transferase gene in rice

OsGSTL2 is one of three tandem-arranged glutathione S-transferase, lambda class genes in chromosome 3 of rice (Oryza sativa L.). It includes 9 introns and 10 exons, and encodes a protein of 244 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 27.37 kDa. The predicted three-dimensional structure of OsGSTL2 showed a typical glutathione S-transferase fold. Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis, OsGSTL2 transcript was detected in the roots and leaves of seedling stage and tillering stage, and the roots, leaves and panicles of heading stage from rice plants, and the expression level of OsGSTL2 mRNA in rice roots show significant change under chlorsulfuron stress. The OsGSTL2 gene was cloned into pYTV vector and was transformed into yeast strain PEP4. Western blot analysis showed the exogenous OsGSTL2 was expressed in transformed yeast. GST activity of crude extracts of yeast showed the OsGSTL2 transgenic yeast had higher levels of GST activities than control yeasts. These findings suggested that the OsGSTL2 is a glutathione S-transferase and has potential use in detoxification.

Minocycline treatment for HIV-associated cognitive impairment: results from a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a study of minocycline to assess its safety, tolerability, and efficacy for the treatment of HIV-associated cognitive impairment.

METHODS

HIV-1-infected individuals with progressive neurocognitive decline were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of minocycline. Participants were randomized to receive minocycline 100 mg or matching placebo orally every 12 hours. The primary efficacy measure was change in a neuropsychological test composite z score (NPZ-8) from baseline to week 24. Measures of safety included the frequency of adverse events and changes over time in laboratory tests. After 50% of participants completed the double-blind phase, an interim analysis of futility for the primary outcome measure was performed, and our Data and Safety Monitoring Board recommended early study termination.

RESULTS

A total of 107 HIV-1-infected individuals with cognitive impairment were enrolled. The minocycline group did not show improvement in the primary outcome measure (NPZ-8) (mean 24-week change = 0.12) compared to placebo (mean 24-week change = 0.17) (95% confidence interval = [-0.26, 0.39], p = 0.70). There were few severe adverse events or laboratory abnormalities in either treatment group.

CONCLUSION

Minocycline was safe and well-tolerated in individuals with HIV-associated cognitive impairment, but cognitive improvement was not observed. Classification of evidence. This interventional study provides Class II evidence for the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of minocycline for the treatment of HIV-associated cognitive impairment.

Antitumor effect of sFlt-1 gene therapy system mediated by Bifidobacterium Infantis on Lewis lung cancer in mice

Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor (sFlt-1) is a soluble form of extramembrane part of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) that has antitumor effects. Bifidobacterium Infantis is a kind of non-pathogenic and anaerobic bacteria that may have specific targeting property of hypoxic environment inside of solid tumors. The aim of this study was to construct Bifidobacterium Infantis-mediated sFlt-1 gene transferring system and investigate its antitumor effect on Lewis lung cancer (LLC) in mice. Our results demonstrated that the Bifidobacterium Infantis-mediated sFlt-1 gene transferring system was constructed successfully and the system could express sFlt-1 at the levels of gene and protein. This system could not only significantly inhibit growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by VEGF in vitro, but also inhibit the tumor growth and prolong survival time of LLC C57BL/6 mice safely. These data suggest that Bifidobacterium Infantis-mediated sFlt-1 gene transferring system presents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer.

Observation of collective atomic recoil motion in a degenerate fermion gas

We demonstrate collective atomic recoil motion with a dilute, ultracold, degenerate fermion gas in a single spin state. By utilizing an adiabatically decompressed magnetic trap with an aspect ratio different from that of the initial trap, a momentum-squeezed fermion cloud is achieved. With a single pump pulse of the proper polarization, we observe, for the first time, multiple wave-mixing processes that result in distinct collective atomic recoil motion modes in a degenerate fermion cloud. Contrary to the case with Bose condensates, no pump-laser detuning asymmetry is present.