Tunable fiber Bragg grating based on responsive photonic crystals

A tunable fiber Bragg grating (FBG) was developed by using stress-responsive colloidal crystals. In addition, the FBGs with the function of dynamically filtering multiple wavelengths were also demonstrated by incorporating multiple colloidal crystal segments into the fibers.

A voxel-based morphometry study of anosmic patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to compare volume change in grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in a group of subjects with anosmia and a healthy control group. We tried to find a regular pattern of atrophy within and between GM and WM and to determine whether any particular areas are more sensitive to olfactory injury.

METHODS

There were 19 anosmic patients and 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects. We acquired MR images on a 3-T scanner and performed voxel-based morphometry using the VBM8 toolbox and SPM8 in a MATLAB® (MathWorks®, Natick, MA) environment.

RESULTS

Patients with anosmia showed a significant decrease in GM volume, mainly in the anterior cingulate cortex, middle temporal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, anterior insular cortex and cerebellum. In addition, we observed volume decreases in smaller areas such as the piriform cortex, the inferior temporal gyrus, the precuneus and the subcallosal gyrus. All WM areas with atrophy were near those GM areas that experienced volume loss. There was more volume atrophy in GM areas corresponding to WM areas with more volume loss. Atrophy increased with disease duration.

CONCLUSION

There is simultaneous atrophy in GM and WM, and the degree of atrophy is greater with longer disease duration. Different GM and WM areas have different sensitivities to olfactory injury.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This study examines the atrophy pattern in and between GM and WM-a subject that has not been widely researched previously.

Necro-inflammatory response of pancreatic acinar cells in the pathogenesis of acute alcoholic pancreatitis

The role of pancreatic acinar cells in initiating necro-inflammatory responses during the early onset of alcoholic acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been fully evaluated. We investigated the ability of acinar cells to generate pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, including inflammasome-associated IL-18/caspase-1, and evaluated acinar cell necrosis in an animal model of AP and human samples. Rats were fed either an ethanol-containing or control diet for 14 weeks and killed 3 or 24 h after a single lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Inflammasome components and necro-inflammation were evaluated in acinar cells by immunofluorescence (IF), histology, and biochemical approaches. Alcohol exposure enhanced acinar cell-specific production of TNFα, IL-6, MCP-1 and IL-10, as early as 3 h after LPS, whereas IL-18 and caspase-1 were evident 24 h later. Alcohol enhanced LPS-induced TNFα expression, whereas blockade of LPS signaling diminished TNFα production in vitro, indicating that the response of pancreatic acinar cells to LPS is similar to that of immune cells. Similar results were observed from acinar cells in samples from patients with acute/recurrent pancreatitis. Although morphologic examination of sub-clinical AP showed no visible signs of necrosis, early loss of pancreatic HMGB1 and increased systemic levels of HMGB1 and LDH were observed, indicating that this strong systemic inflammatory response is associated with little pancreatic necrosis. These results suggest that TLR-4-positive acinar cells respond to LPS by activating the inflammasome and producing pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators during the development of mild, sub-clinical AP, and that these effects are exacerbated by alcohol injury.

Tailoring colloidal photonic crystals with wide viewing angles

Photonic crystal materials are developed from colloidal crystal fibers or beads. As the fibers have cylindrical symmetry, the fiber-composed PhCs show anisotropic angle independence. By contrast, the bead-composed PhCs display angle-independent structural colors because of the spherical symmetry of their bead elements.

Photonic crystal beads from gravity-driven microfluidics

This Letter reports a simple method for the mass production of 3D colloidal photonic crystal beads (PCBs) by using a gravity-driven microfluidic device and online droplet drying method. Compared to traditional methods, the droplet templates of the PCBs are generated by using the ultrastable gravity as the driving force for the microfluidics, thus the PCBs are formed with minimal polydispersity. Moreover, drying of the droplet templates is integrated into the production process, and the nanoparticles in the droplets self-assemble online. Overall, this process results in PCBs with good morphology, low polydispersity, brilliant structural colors, and narrow stop bands. PCBs could be bulk generated by this process for many practical applications, such as multiplex-encoded assays and the construction of novel optical materials.

RKIP inhibits the malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells

Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) is first identified as an interacting partner of Raf-1. RKIP expression is low or absent in several established cell lines derived from metastatic breast cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma cells. However, the functional role of RKIP in gastric cancer remains unclear. In this study, we employed human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 as a model to reconstitute RKIP expression in gastric cancer cells. The growth curve and soft agar assay showed that RKIP inhibited the growth and clonogenicity of SGC7901 cells. Flow cytometry analysis showed that RKIP inhibited the cell cycle progression and induced the apoptosis of SGC7901 cells. Wound healing and transwell invasion assay showed that RKIP inhibited the migration and invasion of SGC7901 cells. Furthermore, we observed that RKIP inhibited the growth of SMGC7901 cells in xenografts in nude mice. Taken together, our in vitro and in vivo data demonstrate that RKIP modulates the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and tumorigenicity of SGC7901 cells. These results reveal the tumor suppressor role of RKIP in gastric cancer and suggest that RKIP may be new therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Host susceptibility of citrus cultivars to Queensland fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Citrus crops are considered to be relatively poor hosts for Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), as for other tephritid species. Australian citrus growers and crop consultants have reported observable differences in susceptibility of different citrus cultivars under commercial growing conditions. In this study we conducted laboratory tests and field surveys to determine susceptibility to B. tryoni of six citrus cultivars [(Eureka lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck); Navel and Valencia oranges (C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck); and Imperial, Ellendale, and Murcott mandarins (C. reticulata Blanco). The host susceptibility of these citrus cultivars was quantified by a Host Susceptibility Index, which is defined as the number of adult flies produced per gram of fruit infested at a calculated rate of one egg per gram of fruit. The HSI was ranked as Murcott (0.083) > Imperial (0.052) > Navel (0.026) - Ellendale (0.020) > Valencia (0.008) > Eureka (yellow) (0.002) > Eureka (green) (0). Results of the laboratory study were in agreement with the level of field infestation in the four citrus cultivars (Eureka lemon, Imperial, Ellendale, and Murcott mandarins) that were surveyed from commercial orchards under baiting treatments against fruit flies in the Central Burnett district of Queensland. Field surveys of citrus hosts from the habitats not subject to fruit fly management showed that the numbers of fruit flies produced per gram of fruit were much lower, compared with the more susceptible noncitrus hosts, such as guava (Psidium guajava L.), cherry guava (P. littorale Raddi), mulberry (Morus nigra L.), loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.), and pear (Pyrus communis L.). Therefore, the major citrus crops commercially cultivated in Australia have a relatively low susceptibility to B. tryoni, with Eureka lemons being a particularly poor host for this tephritid fruit fly.

Safety evaluation of daidzein in laying hens: part II. Effects on calcium-related metabolism

Daidzein, an estrogen-like product, has become increasingly popular as a dietary supplement, particularly for postpeak-estrus animals seeking a safe natural alternative to play a role of estrogen. However, there is little available safety data of it for raisers and consumers. A subchronic laying hensafety study has been conducted to examine if the high-dose daidzein could affect calcium-related metabolism (eggshell quality and bone mineralization). Seven hundred and sixty-eight 56-week-old Hyline Brown were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 8 replicates of 24 birds each (192 laying hensper group) and 3weeks later fed diets supplemented with 0(control), 10, 50 and 100mg of daidzein/kg for 12week. Eggshell thickness, eggshell percentage, eggshell strength, eggshell Ca concentration was increased linearly with increasing dietary daidzein supplementation (P=0.001, P=0.007, P=0.002 and P=0.000, respectively). Serum Ca increased linearly with increasing dietarydaidzein supplementation (P=0.042), and serum P showed a significant quadratic response to dietarydaidzein supplementation (P=0.036). Bone ash and bone Ca were significantly influenced by dietarydaidzein supplementation (P<0.05). These findings indicate that daidzein hold no observed adverse effect on calcium metabolism, but also a safe and effective food additive for calcium metabolism in animals and humans.

Abstract P5-10-06: A functional role for miR-150 in breast cancer

Background: During mammary gland development, massive coordinated changes in protein expression govern the progression through pregnancy to lactation and involution. These dramatic changes are likely regulated in part at the translational level by changes in microRNAs (miRNAs). We profiled miRNA expression in mammary epithelial cells (MECs) isolated from mice at pregnancy day 14 (P14) or lactation day 2 (L2) and found that miR-150 is the most significantly downregulated miRNA between pregnancy and lactation. Interestingly, miR-150 was recently discovered to be decreased in mouse mammary tumors compared to normal mammary tissue in numerous transgenic models. However, a causal role for miR-150 has yet to be studied in human breast cancer and little is known about its functional role and relevant targets in the normal breast or breast cancer.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that miR-150 may be a tumor suppressor whose loss in breast cancer cells is an important event that allows for expression of multiple pro-tumorigenic genes.

Methods: miR-150 levels in human breast cancers were evaluated in specimens of both ER+ and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) as compared to adjacent, non-involved normal breast epithelium by in situ hybridization. miR-150 levels were also measured by qRT-PCR in cell lines representative of multiple breast cancer subtypes. We stably restored miR-150 in TNBC cell lines by lentiviral infection and evaluated its effects on clonogenicity, growth in 3D culture, migration/invasion, and tumorigenicity. Expression of predicted miR-150 targets was assessed by immunoblot. Crossing of miR-150fl/fl mice with BLG-Cre or MMTV/NIC transgenic mice will be utilized to determine the effects of MEC-specific loss of this miRNA on mammary tumorigenesis.

Results: In clinical samples, in situ hybridization reveals that miR-150 levels are lower in both ER+ and TNBC tumor specimens compared to adjacent normal epithelium, with triple-negative tumors having the lowest expression. All breast cancer cell lines tested also have low miR-150 expression as compared to normal mammary epithelial tissue, with TNBC cell lines expressing the lowest levels. Exogenous expression of miR-150 in breast cancer cell lines caused a dramatic decrease in migration and invasion in vitro, and we are testing predicted miR-150 targets for their role in this phenotype. Experiments with transgenic models will determine if loss of miR-150 in mammary epithelial cells in the MMTV/NIC mouse model results in decreased latency or increased tumor formation and metastasis, or if miR-150 loss during pregnancy results in alterations in lactation, hyperplasia, or tumor formation.

Conclusions: TNBC specimens and cell lines have the lowest expression of miR-150, though decreased miR-150 expression compared to normal mammary epithelium is a common feature of breast cancers regardless of subtype. miR-150 expression dramatically inhibits breast cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro, and ongoing experiments will determine the relevant target genes.

Supported by Susan G. Komen Grant KG090415 and NIH NICHD P01 PAR-10-245 (Project 3) to JKR

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-10-06.

Metformin induces apoptosis of lung cancer cells through activating JNK/p38 MAPK pathway and GADD153

There are epidemiological and experimental evidences that metformin, an insulin-sensitizer agent widely used for diabetes treatment, has inhibitory effects on the growth of various human cancers. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for its anti-neoplastic activity has not been yet clarified and the effect of metformin on human lung cancer remains unknown. In this study we revealed for the first time that metformin treatment led to increased apoptosis in human lung cancer cell lines A549 and NCI-H1299 and significantly inhibited the cells proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which was further demonstrated by the data obtained from A549 tumor xenografts in nude mice. We also found that metformin treatment can activate AMP-activated protein kinase, JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway and caspases, as well as upregulate the expression of growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene 153 (GADD153). Either blockade of JNK/p38 MAPK pathway or knockdown of GADD153 gene abrogated the apoptosis-inducing effect of metformin. Taken together, our data suggest that metformin inhibits the growth of lung cancer cells and induces apoptosis through activating JNK/p38 MAPK pathway and GADD153.

Gab2 regulates the migratory behaviors and E-cadherin expression via activation of the PI3K pathway in ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer, the most deadly gynecologic malignancy, is often diagnosed late and at the advanced stage when the cancer cells have already migrated and invaded into other tissues and organs. Better understanding of the mechanism of metastasis in ovarian cancer cells is essential to the design of effective therapy. In this study, we investigated the function of scaffolding adaptor protein Gab2 in ovarian cancer cells. Gab2 is found to be overexpressed in a subset of ovarian tumors and cancer cell lines. Gab2 expression mainly regulates the migratory behaviors of ovarian cancer cells. Overexpression of Gab2 promotes the migration and invasion, and down-regulates E-cadherin expression in ovarian cancer cells with low-Gab2 expression. Conversely, knockdown of Gab2 expression inhibits the migration and invasion, and promotes E-cadherin expression in ovarian cancer cells with high-Gab2 expression. By expressing Gab2 wild type and Gab2 mutants that are defective in activation the PI3K and Shp2-Erk pathways, we find that Gab2 inhibits E-cadherin expression and enhances the expression of Zeb1, a transcription factor involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cell migration and invasion through the activation of the PI3K pathway. Knockdown of Zeb1 expression blocks Gab2-induced suppression of E-cadherin expression and increase in cell invasion. LY294002 and GDC-0941, inhibitors of PI3K, or Rapamycin, an inhibitor of PI3K downstream target mTOR, can reverse the effects of Gab2 on migration and invasion. Overall, our studies reveal that Gab2 overexpression, via activation of the PI3K-Zeb1 pathway, promotes characteristics of EMT in ovarian cancer cells.

Organic Solution Deposition of Copper Seed Layers onto Barrier Metals

Spontaneous deposition of copper seed layers from metal bearing organic based solutions onto sputter deposited titanium, titanium nitride, and tantalum diffusion barrier thin films has been demonstrated. Based on electrochemically driven cementation exchange reactions, the process was used to produce adherent, selectively deposited copper metal particulate films on blanket and patterned barrier metal thin films on silicon substrates. The organic solution deposited copper films were capable of acting as seed layers for subsequent electrolytic and electroless copper deposition processes using standard plating baths. Electroless and electrolytic copper films from 0.1µm to 1.0µm thick were produced on a variety of samples on which the organic solution copper acted as the initial catalytic seed layer. The feasibility of using organic solution deposited palladium as a seed layer followed by electroless copper deposition has also been demonstrated. In addition, experiments conducted on patterned barrier metal samples with exposed areas of dielectric such as polyimide indicated that no organic solution copper or palladium deposition occurred on the insulating materials.

Influence of the Interfacial Properties on the Microstructural Development and Properties of Silicon Nitride Ceramics

The influence of the sintering additive system on the grain growth anisotropy of silicon nitride has been studied in the two supersaturated oxynitride glass systems M-Si-Al-O-N (where M = Yb, Gd, Nd, La, and Y) and M-Si-Mg-O-N (where M = Lu, Sm, La, Sc and Y). The glasses contained a low volume fraction of grains and offer the possibility to study grain growth without impingement. Both systems show an increase of the aspect ratio with an increasing cation radius of the rare earth elements. The aspect ratios for the Sc- and Y-based glasses are higher than expected from the ionic radius.

Analytical transmission electron microscopy of the bulk glass and grain boundary film between flocculated particles reveals a difference in chemical composition. The larger rare earth cations are enriched in the film and the smaller ones are depleted compared to the bulk composition. The enrichment of the larger cations can be considered as an adsorption layer which reduces the growth rate of the prism planes. Glass systems with smaller cations (Yb, Gd) reveal a pronounced growth of the prism planes and sialon is formed in the outer region of the grains. The interfacial strength which determines the fracture toughness increases with a decreasing cation radius, but the effect is mainly attributed to the sialon formation rather than by the cation itself.