Measurement of neutrino and antineutrino oscillations using beam and atmospheric data in MINOS

We report measurements of oscillation parameters from ν(μ) and ν(μ) disappearance using beam and atmospheric data from MINOS. The data comprise exposures of 10.71×10(20) protons on target in the ν(μ)-dominated beam, 3.36×10(20) protons on target in the ν(μ)-enhanced beam, and 37.88 kton yr of atmospheric neutrinos. Assuming identical ν and ν oscillation parameters, we measure |Δm2| = (2.41(-0.10)(+0.09))×10(-3)  eV2 and sin2(2θ) = 0.950(-0.036)(+0.035). Allowing independent ν and ν oscillations, we measure antineutrino parameters of |Δm2| = (2.50(-0.25)(+0.23))×10(-3)  eV2 and sin2(2θ) = 0.97(-0.08)(+0.03), with minimal change to the neutrino parameters.

Electron neutrino and antineutrino appearance in the full MINOS data sample

We report on ν(e) and ν(e) appearance in ν(μ) and ν(μ) beams using the full MINOS data sample. The comparison of these ν(e) and ν(e) appearance data at a 735 km baseline with θ13 measurements by reactor experiments probes δ, the θ23 octant degeneracy, and the mass hierarchy. This analysis is the first use of this technique and includes the first accelerator long-baseline search for ν(μ) → ν(e). Our data disfavor 31% (5%) of the three-parameter space defined by δ, the octant of the θ23, and the mass hierarchy at the 68% (90%) C.L. We measure a value of 2sin(2)(2θ13)sin(2)(θ23) that is consistent with reactor experiments.

Multiple target-specific molecular imaging agents detect liver cancer in a preclinical model

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Noninvasive diagnosis is difficult and the disease heterogeneity reduces the accuracy of pathological assays. Improvement in diagnostic imaging of specific molecular disease markers has provided hope for accurate and early noninvasive detection of liver cancer. However, all current imaging technologies, including ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging, are not specific targets for detection of liver cancer. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of injecting a cocktail of specific molecular imaging agents to noninvasively image liver cancer. The target-specific cocktail contained agents for imaging the neovasculature (RGD peptide), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and glucose transport (¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose [¹⁸F-FDG]). Imaging studies were performed in liver cancer cells and xenograft models. The distribution of MMP at the intracellular level was imaged by confocal microscopy. RGD, MMP, and ¹⁸F-FDG were imaged on tumor-bearing mice using PET, CT, X-ray, and multi-wavelength optical imaging modalities. Image data demonstrated that each agent bound to a specific disease target component. The same liver cancer xenograft contained multiple disease markers. Those disease markers were heterogenetically distributed in the same tumor nodule. The molecular imaging agents had different distributions in the whole body and inside the tumor nodule. All target-specific agents yielded high tumor-to-background ratios after injection. In conclusion, target-specific molecular imaging agents can be used to study liver cancer in vitro and in vivo. Noninvasive multimodal/multi-target-specific molecular imaging agents could provide tools to simultaneously study multiple liver cancer components.

siRNA silencing of gene expression in trabecular meshwork: RhoA siRNA reduces IOP in mice

Few reports described efficient transfection in the trabecular meshwork (TM) in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of cy3-labeled siRNAs after giving injection into the anterior chamber (AC) and explored the use of RhoA siRNA (siRhoA) to modulate intraocular pressure (IOP) through downregulation of RhoA gene and protein expression. Cy3-labeled siRNAs were injected into the AC to investigate the distribution. In addition, siRhoA was applied to normal and DEX-induced elevated IOP mice. The RhoA gene was detected at 1d post-injection (PI) using real-time RT-PCR. Proteins were examined using immunofluorescence staining at 1, 2, and 3 day PI. IOP was measured pre- and post-injection using a TONOPEN. Toxicity was preliminarily assessed using clinical observation and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The study demonstrated that cy3-labeled siRNAs accumulated in mouse TM in a dose-dependent manner, with a peak at 24h PI. There was no visible siRNA fluorescence in the corneal endothelium, and little in the iris. siRhoA caused large decreases in RhoA mRNA and protein expression in mouse TM (p < 0.01). In normal mice, injections of siRhoA induced decreases in IOP, by 2d, with recovery to baseline by 3d PI. For DEX-treated animals, IOP significantly decreased from 2d to 5d PI (p < 0.05). There was no obvious toxicity after the siRhoA application. These results suggest that (1) siRNA injection into the AC leads to transient gene transfection in TM; (2) inhibiting RhoA expression in TM with siRNA is effective in suppressing elevated IOP in mice, suggesting that siRhoA is a potential pharmaceutical intervention for glaucoma.

Calreticulin as a hydrophilic chimeric molecular adjuvant enhances IgG responses to the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus

Fragment 450-650 of the spike (S) protein (S450-650) of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) contains epitopes capable of being recognized by convalescent sera of SARS patients. Vaccination of mice with recombinant S450-650 (rS450-650) can induce Abs against SARS-CoV, although the titer is relatively low. In the present study, a fusion protein linking a fragment (residues 39-272) of murine calreticulin (CRT) to S450-650 in a prokaryotic expression system was created. Compared with target antigen alone, the recombinant fusion product (rS450-650-CRT) has much improved hydrophilicity and immunogenicity. The S450-650-specific IgG Abs of BALB/c mice subcutaneously immunized with rS450-650-CRT were in substantially higher titer (approximately fivefold more). Furthermore, the fusion protein, but not rS450-650 alone, was able to elicit S450-650-specific IgG responses in T cell deficient nude mice. Given that rCRT/39-272 can drive the maturation of bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells, directly activate macrophages and B cells, and also elicit helper T cell responses in vivo, we propose that fragment 39-272 of CRT is an effective molecular adjuvant capable of enhancing target Ag-specific humoral responses in both a T cell-dependent and independent manner. Fusion protein rS450-650-CRT is a potential candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV infection.

Modulation of cellular immunity by antibodies against calreticulin

Although caltreticulin (CRT) is mainly a residential ER protein, it is also expressed on the membrane surface of various types of cells exhibiting multiple functions. We report here that intraperitoneal administration of a soluble recombinant CRT fragment (rCRT/39-272) led to a substantial decrease in delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses in BALB/c mice and EAE in C57BL/6 mice. In the recall response against keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in vitro, draining lymph node cells from the rCRT/39-272-treated mice produced less IFN-γ but more IL-4 as compared with the cells from the control group. The immunomodulating effect of intraperitoneally administered rCRT/39-272 was attributed to anti-CRT Abs thereby induced, because, in passive transfer experiments, the CRT-specific antiserum could suppress DTH in BALB/c mice. B-cell-deficient μMT mice were not susceptible to rCRT/39-272-mediated DTH suppression. Furthermore, CRT appears on the surface of murine T cells soon after activation and remains detectable (at relatively low level) by flow cytometry for approximately 5 days in vitro. Anti-CRT Abs were able to inhibit AKT phosphorylation, proliferation, and cytokine production by activated murine T cells. We propose that cell surface CRT could play a role in the function of effector T cells and may be considered a target for immunological manipulation.

Identification of Wnt pathway, uPA, PAI-1, MT1-MMP, S100A4 and CXCR4 associated with enhanced metastasis of human large cell lung cancer by DNA microarray

AIM

The aim of this paper was to investigate the differentially expressed genes in large cell lung cancer cell lines with different metastatic potential, and to screen out new candidate genes related to metastasis of lung cancer.

METHODS

The total RNAs of low and high metastatic large cell lung cancer cell lines (NL9980 and L9981) were extracted and processed, then hybridized to Affymetrix HG U133 Plus 2.0 array. The hybridization signals were scanned and compared to find out the differentially expressed genes. Chosen genes were verified by Western Blot. Bioinformatics were used to analyze the functions and related pathways of the genes.

RESULTS

There were 933 differentially expressed genes between NL9980 and L9981 cell lines. In the high metastatic cell line L9981, 672 genes were up-regulated and 260 genes were down-regulated compared with the low metastatic cell line NL9980. The differentially expressed genes were mainly associated with binding, catalytic activity, signal transducer activity and transporter activity, and mainly involved in pathways including, pathways in cancer, focal adhesion, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, ECM-receptor interaction.

CONCLUSION

Differentially expressed genes with the functions including binding, catalytic activity, signal transducer activity and transporter activity may promote metastasis of lung cancer cells through complicated networks including Wnt pathway and metastasis-related genes such as uPA, PAI-1, MT1-MMP, S100A4 and CXCR4.

Improved measurement of muon antineutrino disappearance in MINOS

We report an improved measurement of ν(μ) disappearance over a distance of 735 km using the MINOS detectors and the Fermilab Main Injector neutrino beam in a ν(μ)-enhanced configuration. From a total exposure of 2.95×10(20) protons on target, of which 42% have not been previously analyzed, we make the most precise measurement of Δm2=[2.62(-0.28)(+0.31)(stat)±0.09(syst)]×10(-3)  eV2 and constrain the ν(μ) mixing angle sin2(2θ)>0.75 (90% C.L.). These values are in agreement with Δm2 and sin2(2θ) measured for ν(μ), removing the tension reported in [P. Adamson et al. (MINOS), Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 021801 (2011).].

MTSS1, a novel target of DNA methyltransferase 3B, functions as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma

DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) mediates gene silencing via epigenetic mechanisms during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. We aimed to identify novel targets of DNMT3B and their potential regulatory mechanisms in HCC. Metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1) was one of the DNMT3B targets and selected for further study. DNMT3B overexpression was detected in 81.25% of clinical HCC specimens and was negatively associated with MTSS1 in HCC cells and clinical samples. The underlying mechanism by which DNMT3B silences MTSS1 was studied using a combination of methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bisulfite genome sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR and luciferase reporter assays. We found that the MTSS1 promoter region was sparsely methylated, and the methylation inhibitors failed to abolish DNMT3B-mediated MTSS1 silencing. DNMT3B protein bound directly to the 5'-flanking region (-865/-645) of the MTSS1 gene to inhibit its transcription. The functional role of MTSS1 was investigated using in vitro and in vivo tumorigenicity assays. As a result, MTSS1 exerted tumor suppressor effects and arrested cells in the G2/M phase, but not the G1/S phase of the cell cycle when it was depleted or overexpressed in HCC cells. Taken together, MTSS1, a novel target of DNMT3B, is repressed by DNMT3B via a DNA methylation-independent mechanism. MTSS1 was further characterized as a novel tumor suppressor gene in HCC. These findings highlight how DNMT3B regulates MTSS1, and such data may be useful for the development of new treatment options for HCC.

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.

Recent developments of peptidomimetic HIV-1 protease inhibitors

HIV protease plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle by processing the viral Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins into structural and functional proteins essential for viral maturation. Inhibition of HIV-1 protease leads to the production of noninfectious virus particles and hence is an important therapeutic target for antiviral therapy in AIDS patients. Among many strategies to combat this disease, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) in combination with reverse transcriptase inhibitors and fusion inhibitor continues to be the first line treatment for control of HIV infection. However, the rapid emergence of drug-resistant HIV-1 strains and the appearance of cross-resistance are severely limiting the long-term treatment options. Thus, numerous efforts have been made in the design and synthesis of novel protease inhibitors with broad-spectrum activity against multidrug-resistant HIV-1 variants by medicinal chemists. This review will focus on the substrate-based drug design of novel peptidomimetic PIs in recent years since 2006.

Point-of-care oral-based diagnostics

Many of the target molecules that reside in blood are also present in oral fluids, albeit at lower concentrations. Oral fluids are, however, relatively easy and safe to collect without the need for specialized equipment and training. Thus, oral fluids provide convenient samples for medical diagnostics. Recent advances in lab-on-a-chip technologies have made minute, fully integrated diagnostic systems practical for an assortment of point-of-care tests. Such systems can perform either immunoassays or molecular diagnostics outside centralized laboratories within time periods ranging from minutes to an hour. The article briefly reviews recent advances in devices for point-of-care testing with a focus on work that has been carried out by the authors as part of a NIH program.

Improved search for Muon-neutrino to electron-neutrino oscillations in MINOS

We report the results of a search for ν(e) appearance in a ν(μ) beam in the MINOS long-baseline neutrino experiment. With an improved analysis and an increased exposure of 8.2 × 10(20) protons on the NuMI target at Fermilab, we find that 2 sin(2) (θ(23))sin(2)(2θ(13))<0.12(0.20) at 90% confidence level for δ = 0 and the normal (inverted) neutrino mass hierarchy, with a best-fit of 2sin(2) (θ(23))sin(2)(2θ(13)) = 0.041(-0.031)(+0.047) (0.079(-0.053) (+0.071)). The θ(13) = 0 hypothesis is disfavored by the MINOS data at the 89% confidence level.

Histone modifications and methyl-CpG-binding domain protein levels at the TNFSF7 (CD70) promoter in SLE CD4+ T cells

Abstract: In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), T lymphocytes overexpress CD70 ( TNFSF7 gene), leading to the synthesis of autoreactive IgGs. CD70 upregulation in SLE CD4+ T cells is associated with hypomethylation of TNFSF7 promoter. In this study, we explored histone modifications in the TNFSF7 promoter region in SLE CD4+ T cells, and characterized the effects of a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (5-azaC) and a histone deacetylase inhibitor (TSA) on CD70 expression. We found that CD70 mRNA was significantly increased in active lupus CD4+ T cells, and in control cells treated with 5-azaC, TSA, or both. Histone H3 acetylation and dimethylated H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me2) levels were significantly elevated in patients with lupus, and both factors correlated positively with disease activity. MeCP2 protein levels within the TNFSF7 promoter decreased in patients with active lupus. Treatment of CD4+ T cells with 5-azaC alone significantly raised H3K4 dimethyl levels at the TNFSF7 locus. TSA treatment significantly increased H3 and H4 acetylation levels, as well as levels of H3K4 dimethylation at the TNFSF7 locus. Treatment with 5-azaC plus TSA enhanced H3 acetylation levels. These findings indicate that aberrant histone modifications within the TNFSF7 promoter may contribute to the development of lupus by increasing CD70 expression in CD4+ T cells.

Tracking intracavernously injected adipose-derived stem cells to bone marrow

Intracavernous (IC) injection of stem cells (SCs) has been shown to improve erectile function in various erectile dysfunction (ED) animal models. However, the tissue distribution of the injected cells remains unknown. In this study we tracked IC injected adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in various tissues. Rat paratesticular fat was processed for ADSC isolation and culture. The animals were then subject to cavernous nerve (CN) crush injury or sham operation, followed by IC injection of one million autologous or allogeneic ADSCs that were labeled with 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU). Another group of rats received IC injection of EdU-labeled allogeneic penile smooth muscle cells (PSMCs). At 2 and 7 days post-injection, penises and femoral bone marrow were processed for histological analyses. Whole femoral bone marrows were also analyzed for EdU-positive cells by flow cytometry. The results show that ADSCs exited the penis within days of IC injection and migrated preferentially to bone marrow. Allogenicity did not affect ADSC's bone marrow appearance either at 2 or 7 days, while CN injury reduced the number of ADSCs in bone marrow significantly at 7 but not 2 days. The significance of these results in relation to SC therapy for ED is discussed.

First direct observation of muon antineutrino disappearance

This Letter reports the first direct observation of muon antineutrino disappearance. The MINOS experiment has taken data with an accelerator beam optimized for ν(μ) production, accumulating an exposure of 1.71 × 10²⁰ protons on target. In the Far Detector, 97 charged current ν(μ) events are observed. The no-oscillation hypothesis predicts 156 events and is excluded at 6.3σ. The best fit to oscillation yields |Δm²| = [3.36(-0.40)(+0.46)(stat) ± 0.06(syst)] × 10⁻³ eV², sin²(2θ) = 0.86(-0.12)(+0.11)(stat) ± 0.01(syst). The MINOS ν(μ) and ν(μ) measurements are consistent at the 2.0% confidence level, assuming identical underlying oscillation parameters.

Active to sterile neutrino mixing limits from neutral-current interactions in MINOS

Results are reported from a search for active to sterile neutrino oscillations in the MINOS long-baseline experiment, based on the observation of neutral-current neutrino interactions, from an exposure to the NuMI neutrino beam of 7.07×10(20) protons on target. A total of 802 neutral-current event candidates is observed in the Far Detector, compared to an expected number of 754 ± 28(stat) ± 37(syst) for oscillations among three active flavors. The fraction f(s) of disappearing ν(μ) that may transition to ν(s) is found to be less than 22% at the 90% C.L.

Measurement of the neutrino mass splitting and flavor mixing by MINOS

Measurements of neutrino oscillations using the disappearance of muon neutrinos from the Fermilab NuMI neutrino beam as observed by the two MINOS detectors are reported. New analysis methods have been applied to an enlarged data sample from an exposure of 7.25×10(20) protons on target. A fit to neutrino oscillations yields values of |Δm(2)|=(2.32(-0.08)(+0.12))×10(-3) eV(2) for the atmospheric mass splitting and sin(2)(2θ)>0.90 (90% C.L.) for the mixing angle. Pure neutrino decay and quantum decoherence hypotheses are excluded at 7 and 9 standard deviations, respectively.

Results from a low-energy analysis of the CDMS II germanium data

We report results from a reanalysis of data from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. Data taken between October 2006 and September 2008 using eight germanium detectors are reanalyzed with a lowered, 2 keV recoil-energy threshold, to give increased sensitivity to interactions from weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with masses below ∼10  GeV/c(2). This analysis provides stronger constraints than previous CDMS II results for WIMP masses below 9  GeV/c(2) and excludes parameter space associated with possible low-mass WIMP signals from the DAMA/LIBRA and CoGeNT experiments.