Unambiguous identification of the second 2+ state in 12C and the structure of the Hoyle state

The second J(π)=2+ state of 12C, predicted over 50 years ago as an excitation of the Hoyle state, has been unambiguously identified using the 12C(γ,α0)(8)Be reaction. The alpha particles produced by the photodisintegration of 12C were detected using an optical time projection chamber. Data were collected at beam energies between 9.1 and 10.7 MeV using the intense nearly monoenergetic gamma-ray beams at the HIγS facility. The measured angular distributions determine the cross section and the E1-E2 relative phases as a function of energy leading to an unambiguous identification of the second 2+ state in 12C at 10.03(11) MeV, with a total width of 800(130) keV and a ground state gamma-decay width of 60(10) meV; B(E2:2(2)+→0(1)+)=0.73(13)e(2)  fm(4) [or 0.45(8) W.u.]. The Hoyle state and its rotational 2+ state that are more extended than the ground state of 12C presents a challenge and constraints for models attempting to reveal the nature of three alpha-particle states in 12C. Specifically, it challenges the ab initio lattice effective field theory calculations that predict similar rms radii for the ground state and the Hoyle state.

Study on performance of magnetic fluorescent nanoparticles as gene carrier and location in pig kidney cells

We evaluated the performance of green fluorescent magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) as gene carrier and location in pig kidney cells. When the mass ratio of NPs to green fluorescent protein plasmid DNA reached 1:16 or above, DNA molecules can be combined completely with NPs, which indicates that the NPs have good ability to bind negative DNA. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments were carried out to investigate the binding mechanism between NPs and DNA. AFM images show that individual DNA strands come off of larger pieces of netlike agglomerations and several spherical nanoparticles are attached to each individual DNA strand and interact with each other. The pig kidney cells were labelled with membrane-specific red fluorescent dye 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate and nucleus-specific blue fluorescent dye 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride. We found that green fluorescent nanoparticles can past the cell membrane and spread throughout the interior of the cell. The NPs seem to locate more frequently in the cytoplasm than in the nucleus.

Tubular stomach or whole stomach for esophagectomy through cervico-thoraco-abdominal approach: a comparative clinical study on anastomotic leakage

BACKGROUND

Esophagectomy through cervico-thoraco-abdominal approach is a useful surgical technique in treating patients with esophageal cancer. However, the cervical reconstruction is also known to have a high rate of anastomotic leakage, as well as anastomotic stricture, intrathoracic stomach syndrome, reflux esophagitis and other complications, thereby influencing postoperative recovery and quality of life.

AIMS

The objective of this study was to investigate whether tubular stomach is superior to whole stomach in reducing anastomotic leakage for esophageal reconstruction through the cervico-thoraco-abdominal (3-field) approach.

METHODS

A total of 850 patients undergoing the 3-field esophagectomy were retrospectively included in this study and divided into a tubular stomach reconstruction group (Group A, n=453) and a whole stomach reconstruction group (Group B, n=397). All patients underwent esophagectomy through right thorax, left cervical part, abdominal triple incisions and done in esophageal reconstruction by hand-sewn two-layer anastomosis.

RESULTS

Results revealed that in comparison with whole stomach, esophageal reconstruction with tubular stomach had a lower incidence of anastomotic leakage (5.5 vs. 9.3%, P<0.05), less manifestation of intrathoracic syndrome (3.3 vs. 9.8%, P<0.001) and less occurence of reflux esophagitis (5.1 vs. 11.1%, P<0.01). However, for the incidence of anastomotic stricture, there was no significant difference between the two groups (9.3 vs. 9.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

This observation study suggests that for esophageal cancer patients undergoing the 3-field esophagectomy tubular stomach is better than whole stomach for esophageal reconstruction as reflected by a reduced postoperative anastomotic leakage, intrathoracic syndrome and reflux esophagitis.

The characteristics of Th1/Th2 cytokine receptors on monocytes in untreated patients of long term nonprogressor or chronic HIV infection

Monocytes/macrophages play crucial roles in immunity to microorganisms and are one of the important targets for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The phenotypes and function of monocytes in HIV-infected patients were poorly determined. We herein detected the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokine receptors on monocyte subsets in the untreated HIV-infected patients of either long term nonprogressor (LTNP) or chronic infection (CHI). CD14(+)CD16(-) monocytes were significantly increased and CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes were reduced in patients of LTNP or CHI compared with healthy control. IL-6R expression on CD14(+)CD16(-) monocytes were decreased in patients of LTNP or CHI, whereas IL-4R and IL-10R expression on both CD14(+)CD16(-) and CD14(+)CD16(+) monocyte subsets were increased in patients with LTNP or CHI, as determined by flow cytometry and real time PCR assays. The decreased IL-6R expression and enhanced IL-4R and IL-10R expression were also observed on CD4(+) T cells of these patients, indicating that these changes in monocytes are not cell-specific. CD14(+)CD16(-) monocytes of HIV-infected patients produced less TNF-α and IL-1β but identical levels of IL-6, and IL-12 as the control after IFN-γ/LPS stimulation. However, in the presence of IL-4 or IL10, CD14(+)CD16(-) monocytes of HIV-infected patients produced more TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12 or Il-1β after IFN-γ/LPS stimulation than the healthy control, supporting the impaired IL-4R and IL-10R signal pathways in patients with LTNP and CHI. Therefore, our present study offered the basic information for the Th1/Th2 cytokine receptor expression and function on monocyte subsets in untreated HIV-infected individuals.

Pseudo-single-bunch with adjustable frequency: a new operation mode for synchrotron light sources

We present the concept and results of pseudo-single-bunch (PSB) operation--a new operational mode at the advanced light source--that can greatly expand the capabilities of synchrotron light sources to carry out dynamics and time-of-flight experiments. In PSB operation, a single electron bunch is displaced transversely from the other electron bunches using a short-pulse, high-repetition-rate kicker magnet. Experiments that require light emitted only from a single bunch can stop the light emitted from the other bunches using a collimator. Other beam lines will only see a small reduction in flux due to the displaced bunch. As a result, PSB eliminates the need to schedule multibunch and timing experiments during different running periods. Furthermore, the time spacing of PSB pulses can be adjusted from milliseconds to microseconds with a novel "kick-and-cancel" scheme, which can significantly alleviate complications of using high-power choppers and substantially reduce the rate of sample damage.

Activated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is associated with insulin resistance by upregulating pentose and pentosidine in diet-induced obesity of rats

Recent studies have shown that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the rate-limiting enzyme for the pentose phosphate pathway, was involved in insulin resistance via reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, while the roles of pentose were not examined. In the present study, the association of G6PD, pentose, and pentosidine with insulin resistance was investigated in diet-induced obesity of rats. Male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet for 6 weeks to generate obesity-prone (OP, n=14) and obesity-resistant (OR, n=14) rats. The levels of G6PD, pentose, and pentosidine, and oxidative stress were analyzed in serum and tissues. The OP rats, compared to the OR and control rats, had a significant increase in body weight (16.2% and 12.8%), serum triglyceride (43.4% and 12.3), and free fatty acids (49.5% and 23.6%), and developed marked insulin resistance. G6PD activities were increased in the pancreas and liver with upregulated pentose levels in serum, pancreas, and liver of OP rats. Pentosidine levels were increased only under the condition of high pentose levels and oxidative stress status in serum and pancreas of OP rats. G6PD activities in pancreas and liver, pentose levels in serum, pancreas, and liver, and pentosidine levels in serum and pancreas were positively correlated with homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance. Our results suggest that the upregulation of G6PD causes an increase in the accumulation of pentose and pentosidine, which might be associated with insulin resistance in the condition of obesity.

Assessing the potential of candidate DNA barcodes for identifying non-flowering seed plants

In plants, matK and rbcL have been selected as core barcodes by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) Plant Working Group (PWG), and ITS/ITS2 and psbA-trnH were suggested as supplementary loci. Yet, research on DNA barcoding of non-flowering seed plants has been less extensive, and the evaluation of DNA barcodes in this division has been limited thus far. Here, we evaluated seven markers (psbA-trnH, matK, rbcL, rpoB, rpoC1, ITS and ITS2) from non-flowering seed plants. The usefulness of each region was assessed using four criteria: the success rate of PCR amplification, the differential intra- and inter-specific divergences, the DNA barcoding gap and the ability to discriminate species. Among the seven loci tested, ITS2 produced the best results in the barcoding of non-flowering seed plants. In addition, we compared the abilities of the five most-recommended markers (psbA-trnH, matK, rbcL, ITS and ITS2) to identify additional species using a large database of gymnosperms from GenBank. ITS2 remained effective for species identification in a wide range of non-flowering seed plants: for the 1531 samples from 608 species of 80 diverse genera, ITS2 correctly authenticated 66% of them at the species level. In conclusion, the ITS2 region can serve as a useful barcode to discriminate non-flowering seed plants, and this study will contribute valuable information for the barcoding of plant species.

Polysaccharide-K (PSK) in cancer--old story, new possibilities?

Polysaccharide-K (PSK, Krestin) is one of the most commonly used medicinal mushroom extracts with a long history as an additive in cancer therapy in Asia, especially in Japan. PSK has a documented anti-tumor activity both in vitro and in vitro, in various types of cancers, including colorectal, gastric, breast, liver, pancreatic, and lung cancer. Despite PSK having been studied for about 40 years as an immune modulator and biological response modifier, the mechanisms of action by PSK have not yet been clearly and completely elucidated. This review aims to provide an up-to-date account for the effects of PSK in cancer with the hope of thereby providing an increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PSK and also its potential as an additive in modern cancer therapy.

The onion skin-like organization of the septum arises from multiple embryonic origins to form multiple adult neuronal fates

In the past several decades, tremendous progress has been achieved through developmental studies of the central nervous system structures such as the cerebral cortex. The septum, which receives reciprocal connections from a variety of brain structures, contains diverse projection neurons but few interneurons. However, the mechanisms underlying its development remain poorly understood. Here we show that the septum is organized into an onion skin-like structure composed of five groups of neurons. These neurons are parvalbumin, choline acetyltransferase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, calretinin and calbindin immunoreactive. Using the BrdU birth-dating method, we found that these five groups of neurons in the septum are grossly generated following an outside-in pattern. Interestingly, the distinct molecular identities of these neuronal subtypes correspond to their heterogeneous subpallial origins. Using three specific transgenic mouse lines and focal in utero electroporation of Cre-reporter plasmid, we showed that septal neurons originate from not only local progenitor regions but also neighboring progenitor regions including the medial ganglionic eminence and preoptic area. Thus, the neuronal diversity of the septum is achieved through both temporal and spatial control. Our results also suggest that multiple neuronal subtypes arrive to the septum through both radial and tangential migration. Based on these findings, we proposed a novel developmental model involving multiple spatial-temporal origins of septal neurons. This study presents new perspectives for comprehensively exploring septal functions in brain circuits.

Zoledronate and pamidronate depress neutrophil functions and survival in mice

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) has been identified as a severe complication of patients previously treated with i.v. bisphosphonates. It has been noted that necrotic bone from BRONJ sites display signs of bacterial infection suggesting that an immune defect may play a role in the pathophysiology of BRONJ. Here, we have examined the effect of two potent bisphosphonates, zoledronate and pamidronate, on neutrophil function, differentiation and survival.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The effect of bisphosphonates on chemotaxis, NADPH oxidase activity and neutrophil survival were assessed in vitro using bone marrow-derived primary neutrophils or in vitro differentiated haematopoetic progenitors from mice. The same parameters and the number of circulating neutrophils were quantified in neutrophils isolated from mice treated in vivo with zoledronate. In vivo recruitment of neutrophils was assessed by sodium periodate-induced peritonitis.

KEY RESULTS

Zoledronate and pamidronate inhibited in vitro neutrophil chemotaxis and NADPH oxidase activity in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo recruitment of neutrophils was also suppressed. Zoledronate did not affect in vitro differentiation of neutrophils but shortened their life span in a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-dependent manner. fMLP-induced activation of RhoA activity was decreased by zoledronate treatment.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our results show that bisphosphonate exposure leads to impaired neutrophil chemotaxis, neutrophil NADPH oxidase activity and reduced circulating neutrophil counts. This work suggests that bisphosphonates have the potential to depress the innate immune system for a prolonged time, possibly contributing to the pathogenesis of BRONJ.

Neurotrophic effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for erectile dysfunction in diabetic rats

It has been demonstrated that intracavernous injection of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) had beneficial effects on improving erectile function in type-1 diabetic rats. This study was designed to investigate the neurotrophic effect of BM-MSCs for type-1 diabetic rats. Streptozocin-induced type-1 diabetic rats were randomly divided into three groups: diabetic group, BM-MSCs-treated group and BM-MSCs-conditioned medium-treated group. At the 3d, 1 and 2w time points after BM-MSCs injection, three randomly selected rats in MSCs group were sacrificed and penile samples were harvested to detect BM-MSCs in penile tissue. Four weeks after intracavernous injection of BM-MSCs or BM-MSCs-conditioned medium, intracavernous pressure (ICP) was assessed to evaluate the erectile function. Immunohistochemistry was used to track labelled BM-MSCs in penile tissue and to detect neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and neurofilament (NF) positive fibres in penile dorsal nerve. Enzyme lined immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in BM-MSCs-conditioned medium. BM- MSCs secreted detectable levels of VEGF, BDNF and NGF. Intracavernous injection of BM-MSCs improved erectile function in diabetic rats. The functional improvement was accompanied by promoted nNOS and NF positive nerve fibres within penile dorsal nerve in type-1 diabetic rats. Histological data revealed a time-dependent decrease in the number of BM-MSCs in the corpus cavernosum following injection. Furthermore, the beneficial effect of BM-MSCs was partially repeated by BM-MSCs-conditioned medium. Intracavernous injection of BM-MSCs is effective in improving nerve regeneration in diabetic rats. Paracrine effects of BM-MSCs are probably involved in the improvement.