A computer-generated supercoiled model of the pUC19 plasmid

DNA models have become a powerful tool in the simulation of radiation-induced molecular damage. Here, a computer code was developed which calculates the coordinates of individual atoms in supercoiled plasmid DNA. In this prototype study, the known base-pair sequence of the pUC19 plasmid has been utilized. The model was built in a three-step process. Firstly, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed to shape a segment chain skeleton. Checks on elastic energy, distance and unknotting were applied. The temperature was considered in two different ways: (1) it was kept constant at 293 K and (2) it was gradually reduced from 350 K to less than 10 K. Secondly, a special smoothing procedure was introduced here to remove the edges from the segment chain without changing the total curve length while avoiding the production of overshooting arcs. Finally, the base pair sequence was placed along the smoothed segment chain and the positions of all the atoms were calculated. As a first result, a few examples of the supercoiled plasmid models will be presented, demonstrating the strong influence of appropriate control of the system temperature

Stability and structure of 5-telluro-2'-deoxyuridine and 5-telluro-2'-deoxyuridine-3',5'-biphosphate cations

The stability and structure of 5-telluro-2 '-deoxyuridine and 5-telluro-2 '-deoxyuridine-3 ',5 '-biphosphate cations was investigated by density functional theory calculations. With regard to a conceivable Coulomb explosion within the DNA strand after the decay of DNA-incorporated I-125 or I-123, the phosphate groups in 5-telluro-2 '-deoxyuridine-3 ',5 '-biphosphate have a strongly stabilizing effect on the DNA component. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Novel markers in pediatric-type follicular lymphoma

The aim of this study was to review the histopathological, phenotypic, and molecular characteristics of pediatric-type follicular lymphoma (PTFL) and to assess the diagnostic value of novel immunohistochemical markers in distinguishing PTFL from follicular hyperplasia (FH). A total of 13 nodal PTFLs were investigated using immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and PCR and were compared with a further 20 reactive lymph nodes showing FH. Morphologically, PTFL cases exhibited a follicular growth pattern with irregular lymphoid follicles in which the germinal centers were composed of numerous blastoid cells showing a starry-sky appearance. Immunohistochemistry highlighted preserved CD10 (13/13) and BCL6 (13/13) staining, CD20 (13/13) positivity, a K light chain predominance (7/13), and partial BCL2 expression in 6/13 cases (using antibodies 124, E17, and SP66). The germinal center (GC)–associated markers stathmin and LLT-1 were positive in most of the cases (12/13 and 12/13, respectively). Interestingly, FOXP-1 was uniformly positive in PTFL (12/13 cases) in contrast to reactive GCs in FH, where only a few isolated positive cells were observed. FISH revealed no evidence of BCL2, BCL6, or MYC rearrangements in the examined cases. By PCR, clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangements were detected in 100% of the tested PTFL cases. Our study confirmed the unique morphological and immunophenotypic features of PTFL and suggests that FOXP-1 can represent a novel useful diagnostic marker in the differential diagnosis between PTFL and FH

Graphene-based modulation-doped superlattice structures

The electronic transport properties of graphene-based superlattice structures are investigated. A graphene-based modulation-doped superlattice structure geometry is proposed and consist of periodically arranged alternate layers: InAs/graphene/GaAs/graphene/GaSb. Undoped graphene/GaAs/graphene structure displays relatively high conductance and enhanced mobilities at elevated temperatures unlike modulation-doped superlattice structure more steady and less sensitive to temperature and robust electrical tunable control on the screening length scale. Thermionic current density exhibits enhanced behaviour due to presence of metallic (graphene) mono-layers in superlattice structure. The proposed superlattice structure might become of great use for new types of wide-band energy gap quantum devices.Comment: 5 figure

Localized surface plasmon modes in a system of two interacting metallic cylinders

We study an optical response of a system of two parallel close metallic cylinders having nanoscale dimensions. Surface plasmon excitation in the gap between the cylinders are specifically analyzed. In particular, resonance frequencies and field enhancement were investigated as functions of geometrical characteristics of the system and Ohmic losses in the metal. The results of numerical simulations were systematically compared with the analytical theory, obtained in the quasi-static limit. The analytical method was generalized in order to take into account the retardation effects. We also present the physical qualitative picture of the plasmon modes, which is validated by numerical simulations and analytical theory

Approach to diagnosis and pathological examination in bronchial Dieulafoy disease: a case series

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are limited series concerning Dieulafoy disease of the bronchus. We describe the clinical presentation of a series of 7 patients diagnosed with Dieulafoy disease of the bronchus and provide information about the pathological diagnosis approach.</p> <p>Patients and methods</p> <p>A retrospective review of patients who underwent surgery for massive and unexplained recurrent hemoptysis in a referral center during a 11-year period.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven heavy smoker (49 pack years) patients (5 males) mean aged 54 years experienced a massive hemoptysis (350–1000 ml) unrelated to a known lung disease and frequently recurrent. Bronchial contrast extravasation was observed in 3 patients, combining both CT scan and bronchial arteriography. Efficacy of bronchial artery embolization was achieved in 40% of cases before surgery. Pathological examination demonstrated a minute defect in 3 cases and a large and dysplasic superficial bronchial artery in the submucosa in all cases.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Dieulafoy disease should be suspected in patients with massive and unexplained episodes of recurrent hemoptysis, in order to avoid hazardous endoscopic biopsies and to alert the pathologist if surgery is performed.</p

Eye movements and brain oscillations to symbolic safety signs with different comprehensibility

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate eye movements and brain oscillations to symbolic safety signs with different comprehensibility. Methods: Forty-two young adults participated in this study, and ten traffic symbols consisting of easy-to-comprehend and hard-to-comprehend signs were used as stimuli. During the sign comprehension test, real-time eye movements and spontaneous brain activity [electroencephalogram (EEG) data] were simultaneously recorded. Results: The comprehensibility level of symbolic traffic signs significantly affects eye movements and EEG spectral power. The harder to comprehend the sign is, the slower the blink rate, the larger the pupil diameter, and the longer the time to first fixation. Noticeable differences on EEG spectral power between easy-to-comprehend and hard-to-comprehend signs are observed in the prefrontal and visual cortex of the human brain. Conclusions: Sign comprehensibility has significant effects on real-time nonintrusive eye movements and brain oscillations. These findings demonstrate the potential to integrate physiological measures from eye movements and brain oscillations with existing evaluation methods in assessing the comprehensibility of symbolic safety signs.open