Generation of polarization-entangled photon pairs via concurrent spontaneous parametric downconversions in a single χ(2) nonlinear photonic crystal

We propose a scheme for generating polarization-entangled photon pairs using a χ((2)) nonlinear photonic crystal, which is designed for enabling two concurrent quasi-phase-matched spontaneous parametric downconversion processes. Beamlike photon pairs produced from each process are collinear but noncollinear with the pump. Moreover, the source we design works in a postselection-free way and applies to both degenerate and nondegenerate cases. Combining possible waveguide technologies, our scheme may provide an integrated polarization entanglement source.

Far-infrared polarimetry diagnostic for measurement of internal magnetic field dynamics and fluctuations in the C-MOD Tokamak (invited)

A laser-based (2.55 THz) mulitchord polarimeter is now operational on Alcator C-Mod and is used to make measurements of the internal magnetic field structure as well as plasma fluctuations. The polarimeter is designed to measure the Faraday effect for high-field (up to 8.3 T) and high-density (up to 5 × 10(20) m(-3)) ITER relevant plasma conditions. Initial 3 chord tests are consistent with magnetic equilibrium reconstructions and indicate no measurable contamination from the toroidal magnetic field due to the Cotton-Mouton effect or misalignment. Time response of <1 μs enables the measurement of fast equilibrium temporal dynamics as well as high-frequency fluctuations.

Differences in numbers of termicins expressed in two termite species affected by fungal contamination of their environments

Termicin is a defensin-like antimicrobial peptide of termites that has strong antifungal activity. Fifty-six different termicin mRNAs encoding 46 different peptides were amplified and identified from Odontotermes formosanus (Termitidae), a species that inhabits environments with a large variety of microbial fauna. In contrast, only 38 different termicin mRNAs encoding 21 different peptides were amplified and identified from Reticulitermes chinensis (Rhinotermitidae). All mRNAs were amplified by reverse transcript PCR, with primers designed from reported termicin mRNA sequences. All of these genes showed high intraspecific sequence identity and were found to be highly homologous with other reported termicin genes. These two termite species live in different environments; the latter encounters relatively fewer pathogens in its habitat. We conclude that differences in microenvironmental pressure can affect the number of termicin genes expressed in termite species.

Altered Aggrecan Synthesis and Collagen Expression Profiles in Chondrocytes from Patients with Kashin—Beck Disease and Osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES: To investigate cell morphology, aggrecan expression, and type I, II, III and X collagen expression in chondrocytes from adults with Kashin—Beck disease or osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Samples of knee articular cartilage were taken during surgery; cartilage samples obtained from fresh cadavers without arthritic disease were used as controls. Samples were digested with collagenase; isolated chondrocytes were cultured in monolayers. Aggrecan was detected by toluidine blue staining; collagen and aggrecan protein levels were evaluated by immuno cytochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Samples were obtained from six participants per group. Aggrecan and type II collagen levels in chondrocytes from patients were significantly lower than those from controls, but levels of type I, III and X collagen were enhanced in patients compared with controls. Production of type III and X collagen was higher in chondrocytes from patients with Kashin—Beck disease than in those from OA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical and morphological mechanisms underlying Kashin—Beck disease and OA include enhanced dedifferentiation and hypertrophy of chondrocytes, increased type I, III and X collagen levels, and suppressed type II collagen and aggrecan production compared with control samples.

Genetic analysis of NR4A2 gene in a large population of Han Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

NR4A2 gene is a transcription factor crucial for differentiation and survival of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons, and several variants have been eported to be associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) in the Caucasian population.

METHODS

To determine whether there is any association of NR4A2 mutation or variation with PD in the Han Chinese population, we performed a genetic analysis of all the exons and exon-intron boundaries in 689 PD patients and 672 controls from mainland China using direct sequencing analysis.

RESULTS

We identified four novel variants and two previously reported variants. Two novel variants (exon 2 c.-20 C>G and exon 3 c.711 C>A) were only found in PD. The others (exon 2 c.-35 A>G; exon 8 c.1615 G>A; intron 4 IVS4-16 G>T; and intron 6 IVS6 + 18 insG) were found in both PD and controls at different frequencies.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our results suggest that NR4A2 may be a susceptibility gene for PD in the Chinese population.

Molecular cloning and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of IGF2a genes in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

We studied whether two IGF2 transcripts in common carp are similar to those found in zebrafish. The full-length IGF2a cDNA contains a 5'-terminal untranslated region (UTR) of 105 bp, a 3'-terminal UTR of 1358 bp and an open reading frame of 612 bp, which encodes a 206-amino acid protein. A 6614-bp full-length IGF2a DNA molecule, including the 5'-flanking region, was isolated. Genomic DNA structure analysis revealed that the IGF2a gene contains four exons and three introns. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the proteins encoded by IGF2a genes in common carp have one signal peptide and one apparent transmembrane region. Bootstrapping was performed 1000 times to obtain support values for each branch. The common carp IGF2a were clustered in one group, while the outgroup (common carp IGF1) clustered in another group. We identified two new single nucleotide polymorphisms in intron 2 of the gene. One polymorphism, A/N, can be found only in the Huanghe carp. The other polymorphism, C/N, can be found in both male Huanghe carp × female Heilongjiang carp and male Huanghe carp × female Jian carp. The second polymorphism, C/N, is primarily transferred from the male and may be related to heterosis.

Hong-Ou-Mandel interference mediated by the magnetic plasmon waves in a three-dimensional optical metamaterial

We studied the quantum properties of magnetic plasmon waves in a three-dimensional coupled metamaterial. A Hong-Ou-Mandel dip of two-photon interference with a visibility of 86 ± 6.0% was explicitly observed, when the sample was inserted into one of the two arms of the interferometer. This meant that the quantum interference property survived in such a magnetic plasmon wave-mediated transmission process, thus testifying the magnetic plasmon waves owned a quantum nature. A full quantum model was utilized to describe our experimental results. The results showed that the metamaterials could not only steer the classical light but also the non-classical light and they might have potential application in the future quantum information.

Decreased NURR1 and PITX3 gene expression in Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The preferential degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta is the pathological hallmark in Parkinson's disease (PD). The transcription factors NURR1 and PITX3 have been shown to play a crucial role in the maturation and survival of mDA neurons, and both of them were potential susceptibility genes for PD.

METHODS

  To determine whether NURR1 and PITX3 gene expression are altered in Chinese patients with PD, we measured their gene expression in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in 255 patients with PD and 211 age- and gender-matched healthy controls by quantitative real-time PCR technique.

RESULTS

 We found that both NURR1 and PITX3 gene expression in PBL were significantly decreased in patients with PD as compared with controls (P < 0.0001). Lower levels of NURR1 and PITX3 gene expression were significantly associated with the increased risk for PD in male and older subjects, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

  Our results provide useful information that the NURR1 and PITX3 gene expression is decreased in the PBL of Chinese patients with PD, indicating their possible systemic involvement in PD.

Involvement of Kv1.3 and p38 MAPK signaling in HIV-1 glycoprotein 120-induced microglia neurotoxicity

Inflammatory responses mediated by activated microglia play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorders. Studies on identification of specific targets to control microglia activation and resultant neurotoxic activity are imperative. Increasing evidence indicate that voltage-gated K⁺ (K_v) channels are involved in the regulation of microglia functionality. In this study, we investigated K_v1.3 channels in the regulation of neurotoxic activity mediated by HIV-1 glycoprotein 120 (gp120)-stimulated rat microglia. Our results showed treatment of microglia with gp120 increased the expression levels of K_v1.3 mRNA and protein. In parallel, whole-cell patch-clamp studies revealed that gp120 enhanced microglia K_v1.3 current, which was blocked by margatoxin, a K_v1.3 blocker. The association of gp120 enhancement of K_v1.3 current with microglia neurotoxicity was demonstrated by experimental results that blocking microglia K_v1.3 attenuated gp120-associated microglia production of neurotoxins and neurotoxicity. Knockdown of K_v1.3 gene by transfection of microglia with K_v1.3-siRNA abrogated gp120-associated microglia neurotoxic activity. Further investigation unraveled an involvement of p38 MAPK in gp120 enhancement of microglia K_v1.3 expression and resultant neurotoxic activity. These results suggest not only a role K_v1.3 may have in gp120-associated microglia neurotoxic activity, but also a potential target for the development of therapeutic strategies.

Modulation of ascorbic acid-induced DNA cleavage by polyamide: cleavage manner, kinetics and mechanism

Manipulation of DNA presents a great interest in biotechnology and therapeutics. The molecules that damage DNA selectively offer new prospects for controlled manipulation of DNA. The conjugations of DNA-code reading molecules such as polyamides to reagents that induce DNA damages provide an approach to reach this goal. In this work, a new compound which contained polyamide and ascorbic acid conjugated by flexible linker (polyamide-Vc), was successfully synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as DNA cleavage agent, compared with that by using ascorbic acid molecule. The kinetics data showed that polyamide-Vc successfully promoted the cleavage of plasmid DNA, with k(max) of 0.314 h(-1) and K(d) of 0.105 mM. The evaluation of DNA linearization elicited that the activity of cleaving double-strand in the supercoiled pUC18 plasmid DNA by polyamide-Vc was enhanced remarkably, achieving n1/n2 ratio of 13.9 at 1.2 mM for 1 h. The introduction of polyamide to Vc could also partially weaken the inhibition of hydrogen radical to double-strand cleavage process because of its good binding activity to DNA. We anticipate that this work could provide a method for improving the efficiency of double-strand cleavage, especially to oxidative cleavage agents.