Immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies against oxidized cardiolipin but not native cardiolipin are novel biomarkers in haemodialysis patients, associated negatively with mortality

The risk of premature death is high in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Antibodies against cardiolipin (anti-CL) are thrombogenic in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CL is easily oxidized (Ox) and plays a role in apoptosis. In this work we studied immunoglobulin (Ig)M anti-CL and anti-OxCL in HD-patients. We conducted an observational study with a prospective follow-up examining the relationship between anti-CL, anti-OxCL and mortality risk in a well-characterized cohort of 221 prevalent HD patients [56% men, median age 66 (interquartile range 51-74) years, vintage time 29 (15-58) months] with a mean follow-up period of 41 (20-48 months). According to the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, anti-OxCL [area under the curve (AUC) 0·62, P < 0·01], but not anti-CL (AUC 0·52, P = 0·2), is associated with mortality. In crude and adjusted Cox analysis, every log increase in anti-OxCL inversely predicted all-cause [adjusted hazard ratios (HR) 0·62 (0·43-0·89)] and CVD-related [adjusted HR 0·56 (0·32-0·98)] mortality. Patients with anti-OxCL levels below median also had increased all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality. Although anti-OxCL and anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) were related positively to each other (ρ = 0·57, P < 0·01), patients with one or two of these autoantibody levels below the median were associated with an incrementally increased death risk. Anti-OxCL were co-factor β2-GPI-independent; anti-CL from patients with anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome were β2-GPI-dependent, while sera from HD-patients less so. Sera from healthy donors was not β2-GPI-dependent. Anti-OxCL IgM is β2-glycoprotein 1 (GPI)-independent and a novel biomarker; low levels are associated with death among HD patients (and high levels with decreased risk). Combination with anti-PC increases this association. Putative therapeutic implications warrant further investigation.

Inhibition of hepatic fibrosis with artificial microRNA using ultrasound and cationic liposome-bearing microbubbles

We sought to investigate the antifibrotic effects of an artificial microRNA (miRNA) targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) using the ultrasound-targeted cationic liposome-bearing microbubble destruction gene delivery system. Cationic liposomes were conjugated with microbubbles using a biotin-avidin system. Plasmids carrying the most effective artificial miRNA sequences were delivered by ultrasound-targeted cationic liposome-bearing microbubble destruction gene delivery system to rats with hepatic fibrosis. The results show that this method of gene delivery effectively transported the plasmids to the rat liver. The artificial miRNA reduced hepatic fibrosis pathological alterations as well as the protein and mRNA expressions of CTGF and transforming growth factor β1. Furthermore, the CTGF gene silencing decreased the levels of type I collagen and α-smooth muscle actin (P<0.01). These data suggest that delivery of an artificial miRNA targeted against CTGF using ultrasound-targeted cationic liposome-bearing microbubble destruction may be an efficacious therapeutic method to ameliorate hepatic fibrosis.

Realization of high performance silicon nanowire based solar cells with large size

We report the realization of high performance silicon nanowire (SiNW) based solar cells with a conversion efficiency of 17.11% and a large size of 125 × 125 mm(2). The key factor for success lies in an efficient approach of dielectric passivation to greatly enhance the electrical properties while keeping the advantage of excellent light trapping of the SiNW structure. The suppression of carrier recombination has been demonstrated through the combination of the SiO2/SiNx stack, which exhibits a good passivation effect on heavily doped SiNWs via reducing both the Shockley-Read-Hall recombination and near surface Auger recombination. We have examined in detail the effects of different passivations and SiNW lengths on the effective minority carrier lifetime, reflectance and carrier recombination characteristics, as well as cell performance. The proposed passivation techniques can be easily adapted to conventional industrial manufacturing processes, providing a potential prospect of SiNW based solar cells in mass production.

Energy transfer between laser filaments in liquid methanol

We demonstrate energy exchange between two filament-forming femtosecond laser beams in liquid methanol. Our results are consistent with those of previous works documenting coupling between filaments in air; in addition, we identify an unreported phenomenon in which the direction of energy exchange oscillates at increments in the relative pulse delay equal to an optical period (2.6 fs). Energy transfer from one filament to another may be used in remote sensing and spectroscopic applications utilizing femtosecond laser filaments in water and air.

Safety and efficacy of intravitreal injection of recombinant erythropoietin for protection of photoreceptor cells in a rat model of retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To elucidate the safety and efficacy of exogenous erythropoietin (EPO) for the protection of photoreceptor cells in a rat model of retinal detachment (RD).

METHODS

Recombinant rat EPO (400 ng) was injected into the vitreous cavity of normal rats to observe the eye manifestations. Retinal function was assessed by flash electroretinograms. Histopathological examination of retinal tissue was performed at 14 days and 2 months after injection, respectively. To investigate the inhibitory effect of EPO on photoreceptor cell apoptosis in RD rats, 100, 200, or 400 ng EPO was injected into the vitreous cavity immediately after RD model establishment. Apoptosis of photoreceptor cells was determined at 3 days after injection. Caspase-3 activation was measured by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence, respectively, and the level of Bcl-X(L) expression was analyzed by western blot.

RESULTS

Intravitreal injection of EPO 400 ng into normal rats had no significant impact on retinal function, morphology, or structure. Apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells apparently increased after RD and was significantly reduced following EPO treatment. The thickness of the outer nuclear layer in the RD + 400 ng group was significantly thicker than that in other experimental RD groups both at 14 days and at 2 months after RD (P < 0.05). Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses showed decreased caspase-3 activation and increased Bcl-X(L) expression following EPO treatment.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal injection of EPO 400 ng is safe, and EPO may suppress caspase-3 activation and enhance Bcl-X(L) expression, resulting in inhibition of apoptosis and protection of photoreceptor cells.

Pulse-shaper-assisted phase control of a coherent broadband spectrum of Raman sidebands

We report pulse-shaper-assisted phase control of a broad spectrum, aiming to synthesize nonsinusoidal waveforms. We first generate multiple-order coherent Raman sidebands by focusing two laser beams into a piece of diamond. Then we combine five sidebands into a single beam by using a prism. Our setup allows for both coarse, manual phase adjustments and fine tuning of the spectral phases. A flat spectral phase across these five frequency-separated sub-bands is achieved, which implies generation of two to three optical-cycle pulses.

Lung cancer cell migration is regulated via repressing growth factor PTN/RPTP β/ζ signaling by menin

Menin encoded by the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) gene is associated with chromatin and the nuclear matrix and exerts multiple biological functions including regulation of cell proliferation and adhesion. Men1 mutations increase the likelihood of lung cancer development in mice. Menin expression is reduced in certain human non-small cell lung cancer cells, and reduction of menin is closely correlated with increased lung cancer metastasis to lymph nodes. However, it is poorly understood whether menin affects migration of lung cancer cells. In this study, we show that menin-regulated A549 lung cancer cell migration, which was mediated by growth factor pleiotrophin (PTN) and its cell surface receptor, protein tyrosine phosphatase beta/zeta (RPTP β/ζ). Ectopic menin expression significantly repressed PTN transcription, but indirectly inhibited RPTP β/ζ expression through repressing PTN expression. Further studies revealed that menin-regulated cell migration through PTN/RPTP β/ζ, in conjunction with integrin α_vβ₃, focal adhesion kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the molecular basis for menin/PTN-mediated regulation of A549 lung cancer cell migration.

3D maps localize caudate nucleus atrophy in 400 Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, and healthy elderly subjects

MRI research examining structural brain atrophy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) generally focuses on medial temporal and cortical structures, but amyloid and tau deposits also accumulate in the caudate. Here we mapped the 3D profile of caudate atrophy using a surface mapping approach in subjects with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to identify potential clinical and pathological correlates. 3D surface models of the caudate were automatically extracted from 400 baseline MRI scans (100 AD, 200 MCI, 100 healthy elderly). Compared to controls, caudate volumes were lower in MCI (2.64% left, 4.43% right) and AD (4.74% left, 8.47% right). Caudate atrophy was associated with age, sum-of-boxes and global Clinical Dementia Ratings, Delayed Logical Memory scores, MMSE decline 1 year later, and body mass index. Reduced right (but not left) volume was associated with MCI-to-AD conversion and CSF tau levels. Normal caudate asymmetry (with the right 3.9% larger than left) was lost in AD, suggesting preferential right caudate atrophy. Automated caudate maps may complement other MRI-derived measures of disease burden in AD.

Suppression of lung adenocarcinoma through menin and polycomb gene-mediated repression of growth factor pleiotrophin

Menin upregulates transcription of cell-cycle inhibitors to suppress endocrine tumors, but it is poorly understood how menin suppresses non-endocrine tumors such as lung cancer. Here, we show that menin inhibits proliferation of human lung cancer cells and growth of lung cancer in mice. The menin-mediated tumor suppression requires repression of growth factor pleiotrophin (PTN), which binds to its cell surface receptor, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) that is activated in certain lung adenocarcinomas. Menin represses PTN transcription and PTN-induced proliferation of human lung cancer cells, and menin expression is substantially reduced in primary human lung adenocarcinomas. Notably, menin binds the PTN locus and enhances Polycomb gene Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-mediated histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27m3), a negative mark for gene transcription but does not affect histone H3K4 methylation that is usually upregulated by menin in endocrine cells. Together, our findings indicate that menin suppresses lung cancer partly through increasing Polycomb gene-mediated H3K27 methylation and repressing PTN transcription, unraveling a novel, epigenetically regulated PTN-ALK signaling pathway in suppressing lung cancer.