An integrated passive-flow microfluidic biosensor with organic photodiodes for ultra-sensitive pathogen detection in water

This work reports on integrated passive-flow optical microfluidic devices to detect waterborne pathogens in the field. Ring-shaped organic photodiodes were integrated to a capillary-induced flow microfluidic channel for monitoring chemiluminescent sandwich immunoassays enhanced by gold nanoparticles. The integrated device yielded a resolution of 4×10(4) cells/mL for the detection of Legionella pneumophila, which represented a 25-fold improvement over chemiluminescence detection devices employing no gold-nanoparticle enhancement. This work demonstrates the feasibility of a low-cost but highly sensitive lab-on-a-chip device amenable for point-of-use applications.

Viruses transfer the antiviral second messenger cGAMP between cells

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) detects cytosolic DNA during virus infection and induces an antiviral state. cGAS signals by synthesis of a second messenger, cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which activates stimulator of interferon genes (STING). We show that cGAMP is incorporated into viral particles, including lentivirus and herpesvirus virions, when these are produced in cGAS-expressing cells. Virions transferred cGAMP to newly infected cells and triggered a STING-dependent antiviral program. These effects were independent of exosomes and viral nucleic acids. Our results reveal a way by which a signal for innate immunity is transferred between cells, potentially accelerating and broadening antiviral responses. Moreover, infection of dendritic cells with cGAMP-loaded lentiviruses enhanced their activation. Loading viral vectors with cGAMP therefore holds promise for vaccine development.

KIR3DS1*0130109: a novel activating three-domain KIR identified using sequence-based typing

KIR3DS1*0130109 is similar to KIR3DS1*0130101 except for a A > G change in intron 4.

Detection of a novel KIR3DL1*0150210 allele by sequencing

KIR3DL1*0150210 has seven point mutations compared to the common Asian allele KIR3DL1*0150201.

The identification of a killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 3DL1*0150209 in an Asian population using molecular techniques

Full-length sequences of KIR3DL1*0150209 differ from those of KIR3DL1*0150201 with seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms.

Two-photon imaging of endogenous regulatory T cell dynamics and suppression of helper T cell priming mediated by CTLA-4 (IRC11P.441)

Despite the major role played by regulatory T cells (Tregs) in immune homeostasis, our knowledge on mechanisms involved is still incomplete. Using two-photon microscopy we characterize the behavior of endogenous Tregs under steady-state conditions, during inflammation, and during an antigen-specific T cell response in lymph nodes. Under steady-state conditions, endogenous Tregs maintain the highest average velocities of any cells in the lymph node and exist as two non-overlapping populations that explore the T-zone and the B cell follicle. In the T-zone, Tregs migrate more rapidly than conventional T cells (Tconv), extend longer processes, and interact with resident dendritic cells (DC) and Tconv. Under inflammatory conditions, Tregs engage migratory DCs near the lymph node capsule, occasionally form long-lived Treg-DC interactions. During antigen specific immune response, Tregs interact with antigen-induced DC:Tconv clusters, while continuing to form contacts with activated Tconv. We investigated the role of CD80/86-CTLA4 interactions during Tconv-Treg cell interactions. Blocking CTLA-4 reduces Treg-Tconv interaction times, increases the volume of DC:Tconv clusters, and enhances proliferation of antigen-specific Tconv in vivo. Furthermore, genetic deletion of CD80/CD86 on Tconv makes them less susceptible to inhibition by Tregs. Our results demonstrate a role for altered cellular choreography of Tregs through CTLA4-based interactions to limit helper T cell priming.

KIR3DS1*0130111: a novel KIR allele identified using molecular typing methods

KIR3DS1*0130111 differs from KIR3DS1*0130101 with two previously undescribed single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Coupling effect on thermal comfort in a typical cubicle-based office with personalized floor diffuser control

A typical office layout with cubicles, in which occupants have their own control of the micro-environment by adjusting supply air flow rate of the floor diffuser, is numerically investigated for the impact of the discrepancy in personal thermal sensation preference on thermal comfort. The comparison among different scenarios indicates that whether the local thermal comfort is significantly affected by the neighboring cubicle (coupling effect) depends on whether the doorway is closed or not whereas the "openness", of upper space has no influence on such coupling effect but observably on the thermal comfort. The effect of thermoregulation is also presented and compared with conventional constant heat flux assumption for the occupants.

Synthetic optimization of air turbine for dental handpieces

A synthetic optimization of Pelton air turbine in dental handpieces concerning the power output, compressed air consumption and rotation speed in the mean time is implemented by employing a standard design procedure and variable limitation from practical dentistry. The Pareto optimal solution sets acquired by using the Normalized Normal Constraint method are mainly comprised of two piecewise continuous parts. On the Pareto frontier, the supply air stagnation pressure stalls at the lower boundary of the design space, the rotation speed is a constant value within the recommended range from literature, the blade tip clearance insensitive to while the nozzle radius increases with power output and mass flow rate of compressed air to which the residual geometric dimensions are showing an opposite trend within their respective "pieces" compared to the nozzle radius.

The charge carrier localization in the cubic perovskite BaOsO3 revealed by an optical study

We present the optical conductivity spectra for the newly discovered cubic perovskite structure BaOsO3 at various temperatures. The compound exhibits metallic behaviour above 50 K, but becomes non-metallic below 50 K. However, below 550 cm(-1), neither the typical Drude response nor an energy gap is observed in optical conductivity spectra from 300 K to 10 K. A broad peak centred at about 550 cm(-1) is observed in the real part of optical conductivity σ1(ω). The structure could be well reproduced by the localization modified Drude model. The life time of the carrier, deduced from σ1(ω) in terms of the localization modified Drude model, decreases with T varying from 300 K to 100 K, then increases slightly at 10 K. The study indicates that the compound is at the boundary of metal-insulator transition.

Full length KIR3DS1*0130110 allele isolated by SBT

KIR3DS1*0130110 differs from KIR3DS1*0130101 with two nucleotide substitutions at positions 7322 (G > T) and 12617 (C > A), respectively.

Measurement of salivary cortisol by a chemiluminescent organic-based immunosensor

A highly sensitive chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) using a sensitive organic photodetector was developed to detect human cortisol, an important biomarker for stress-related diseases. The developed CLIA was performed onto gold-coated glass chips, on which anti-cortisol antibodies were immobilised and chemiluminescent horseradish peroxidase-luminol-peroxide reactions were generated. Using cortisol-spiked artificial saliva samples, the CLIA biosensor showed a linear range of detection between 0.1 ng/mL and 175 ng/mL and a detection limit of 80 pg/mL. The sensor response was highly specific to cortisol and did not vary significantly between assays. The results indicate the potential clinical application of the CLIA sensor. Furthermore, the simple layered structure of the organic photodetector may encourage the realisation of integrated optical biosensors for point-of-use measurement of salivary cortisol levels.

A novel KIR3DS1*0130107 allele isolated by sequencing from an Asian donor

This novel KIR3DS1 allele officially named as KIR3DS1*0130107 was isolated from DNA samples from Asia using high-resolution sequenced-based techniques. KIR3DS1*0130107 differs from the first member of the KIR3DS1*013 subgroup (KIR3DS1*0130101) by a single mutation at position 8922A>G (intron 5), just nine nucleotides away from the start of exon 6.

Detection of a novel killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor allele - KIR3DL1*0150207 - in Asian individuals

KIR3DL1*0150207 differs from KIR3DL1*0150201 at five nucleotide positions in introns 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

The KIR3DS1*0130105 allele identified using high-resolution sequence-based typing

KIR3DS1*0130105 allele differs from KIR3DS1*0130101 with a single mutation at position 6739G>T of intron 5.

Description of a novel KIR3DL1*0050104 allele identified using sequence-based techniques

KIR3DL1*0050104 allele differs from KIR3DL1*0050101 at nucleotide positions 6709C>T (intron 5) and 11365A>G (intron 6).

Identification of KIR3DL1*0200101 by long-range sequence-based techniques

The new KIR3DL1*0200101 differs from KIR3DL1*01502 with 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in two exons and seven introns.

Identification of the KIR3DL1*0050105 allele by sequence-based techniques

KIR3DL1*0050105 differs from KIR3DL1*0050101 with two nucleotide substitutions at 6709(C > T) and 13398 (G > A) in introns 5 and 7, respectively.

A novel KIR3DL1*0070104 allele found in individuals from Asia

KIR3DL1*0070104 differs from KIR3DL1*0070101 at position 13889 (T > G) in the 3'UTR region of KIR3DL1/S1 locus.