Entry pathways of herpes simplex virus type 1 into human keratinocytes are dynamin- and cholesterol-dependent

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can enter cells via endocytic pathways or direct fusion at the plasma membrane depending on the cell line and receptor(s). Most studies into virus entry have used cultured fibroblasts but since keratinocytes represent the primary entry site for HSV-1 infection in its human host, we initiated studies to characterize the entry pathway of HSV-1 into human keratinocytes. Electron microscopy studies visualized free capsids in the cytoplasm and enveloped virus particles in vesicles suggesting viral uptake both by direct fusion at the plasma membrane and by endocytic vesicles. The ratio of the two entry modes differed in primary human keratinocytes and in the keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Inhibitor studies further support a role for endocytosis during HSV-1 entry. Infection was inhibited by the cholesterol-sequestering drug methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, which demonstrates the requirement for host cholesterol during virus entry. Since the dynamin-specific inhibitor dynasore and overexpression of a dominant-negative dynamin mutant blocked infection, we conclude that the entry pathways into keratinocytes are dynamin-mediated. Electron microscopy studies confirmed that virus uptake is completely blocked when the GTPase activity of dynamin is inhibited. Ex vivo infection of murine epidermis that was treated with dynasore further supports the essential role of dynamin during entry into the epithelium. Thus, we conclude that HSV-1 can enter human keratinocytes by alternative entry pathways that require dynamin and host cholesterol

Growth, micro-structuring, spectroscopy, and optical gain in as-deposited Al2O3:ErAl_2O_3:Er waveguides

Deposition and micro-structuring of $Al_2O_3:Er$ layers with low background losses (0.11 dB/cm) and lifetimes up to 7 ms have been optimized for active devices. Net gain of 0.7 dB/cm at 1533 nm has been measured.\ud \u

Room temperature sol-gel fabrication and functionalization for sensor applications

The structure and physical properties of a thin titania sol-gel layer prepared on silicon and silica surfaces were examined. Spectroscopic (FTIR, UV-VIS spectroscopy), refractive index (ellipsometry) and microscopic (light microscopy and SEM/EDS) tools were used to examine both chemical uniformity and physical uniformity of the sol-gel glass layers. The conditions for the fabrication of uniform layers were established, and room temperature dopant incorporation was examined. The absorption bands of porphyrin-containing titania sol-gel layers were characterized. By addition of a metal salt to the titania layer, it was possible to metallate the free-base porphyrin within and change the UV-VIS absorbance of the porphyrin, the basis of metal detection using porphyrins. The metalloporphyrins were detected by localized laser ablation inductive coupled mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS), indicating fairly uniform distribution of metals across the titania surface. © 2012 The Author(s)

Short-term outcomes after distal pancreatectomy: Laparotomy vs. laparoscopy - A single-center series.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was introduced 15 years ago, but it is still not widely used. The aim of the study was to compare the postoperative complications and length of stay between open and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. A search of our institutional pancreas database was performed. All consecutive distal pancreatectomy patients from 2000 to 2015 were identified. Demographics, peri- and postoperative outcomes were reviewed. Postoperative complications were graded using Clavien classification. Standard statistical analyses were performed. One hundred and five patients underwent distal pancreatectomy (45 women, 60 men, median age of 63 years). Seventy-nine cases were performed open and 26 by laparoscopy (conversion rate from laparoscopy to laparotomy: 7/26). Characteristics of both groups were similar. The tumor proportion was similar in both groups (56/79 and 23/26, p = 0.114). Overall complication rate was 41/79 (52%) in the open group and 9/26 (36%) in the laparoscopy group (p = 0.175). Two patients died during hospital stay in the open group compared to 0 in the laparoscopy group (p = 1). The fistula rates were comparable (17/79 and 5/26, p = 1). Median length of stay was shorter for the laparoscopy group (8 vs. 12 days, p < 0.001), as well as the median intermediate care stay (1 vs. 3 days, p = 0.004). Short-term outcomes after open and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy regarding postoperative complications and mortality were similar, but length of stay was significantly shorter for the laparoscopic approach. Hence, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy should be offered to all suitable patients

An algebraic Birkhoff decomposition for the continuous renormalization group

This paper aims at presenting the first steps towards a formulation of the Exact Renormalization Group Equation in the Hopf algebra setting of Connes and Kreimer. It mostly deals with some algebraic preliminaries allowing to formulate perturbative renormalization within the theory of differential equations. The relation between renormalization, formulated as a change of boundary condition for a differential equation, and an algebraic Birkhoff decomposition for rooted trees is explicited

End-colostomy diverticulitis with parastomal phlegmon: A case report.

Acute colonic diverticulitis is a well-known surgical emergency, which occurs in about 10 percent of patients known for diverticulosis. The case of a 77-year-old woman is reported, with past history of abdominoperineal resection with end-colostomy for low rectal adenocarcinoma, and who developed an acute colonic diverticulitis in a subcutaneous portion of colostomy with parastomal phlegmon. Initial computed tomography imaging demonstrated a significant submucosal parietal edema with local fat tissues infiltration in regard of 3 diverticula. A two-step treatment was decided: first a nonoperative treatment was initiated with 2 weeks antibiotics administration, followed by, 6 weeks after, a segmental resection of the terminal portion of the colon with redo of a new colostomy by direct open approach. Patient was discharged on the second postoperative day without complications. Follow-up at 2 weeks revealed centimetric dehiscence of the stoma, which was managed conservatively until sixth postoperative week by stomatherapists. Treatment of acute diverticulitis with parastomal phlegmon in a patient with end-colostomy could primary be nonoperative. Delayed surgical treatment with segmental colonic resection was proposed to avoid recurrence and potential associated complications

Bias reduction in traceroute sampling: towards a more accurate map of the Internet

Traceroute sampling is an important technique in exploring the internet router graph and the autonomous system graph. Although it is one of the primary techniques used in calculating statistics about the internet, it can introduce bias that corrupts these estimates. This paper reports on a theoretical and experimental investigation of a new technique to reduce the bias of traceroute sampling when estimating the degree distribution. We develop a new estimator for the degree of a node in a traceroute-sampled graph; validate the estimator theoretically in Erdos-Renyi graphs and, through computer experiments, for a wider range of graphs; and apply it to produce a new picture of the degree distribution of the autonomous system graph.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure

Active commuting is associated with a lower risk of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in Chilean adults

Background: There is limited evidence on how active commuting is associated with health benefits in developing countries. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the associations between active commuting and markers of adiposity and cardiometabolic risk in the Chilean adult population. Methods: In total, 5157 participants from the Chilean National Health Survey 2009–10 were included in this cross-sectional study. Active commuting was measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ v2). Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured and used to define obesity and central obesity. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome were determined using WHO and updated ATPIII-NCEP criteria, respectively. Results: The main finding of this study is that a 30 min increase in active commuting is associated with lower odds for BMI > 25.0 kg m−2 (0.93 [95% CI: 0.88–0.98, P = 0.010]). Similarly, the odds for central obesity was 0.87 [0.82–0.92, P < 0.0001]. Similar associations were found for T2D (0.81 [0.75–0.88], P < 0.0001) and metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.86 [0.80–0.92], P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our findings show that active commuting is associated with lower adiposity and a healthier metabolic profile including lower risk for obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome

Theory for the photon statistics of random lasers

A theory for the photon statistics of a random laser is presented. Noise is described by Langevin operators, where both fluctuations of the electromagnetic field and of the medium are included. The theory is valid for all lasers with small outcoupling when the laser cavity is large compared to the wavelength of the radiation. The theory is applied to a chaotic laser cavity with a small opening. It is known that a large number of modes can be above threshold simultaneously in such a cavity. It is shown the amount of fluctuations is increased compared to the Poissonian value by an amount that depends on that number