Revealing Hidden Vibration Polariton Interactions by 2D IR Spectroscopy

We report the first experimental two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectra of novel molecular photonic excitations - vibrational-polaritons. The application of advanced 2D IR spectroscopy onto novel vibrational-polariton challenges and advances our understanding in both fields. From spectroscopy aspect, 2D IR spectra of polaritons differ drastically from free uncoupled molecules; from vibrational-polariton aspects, 2D IR uniquely resolves hybrid light-matter polariton excitations and unexpected dark states in a state-selective manner and revealed hidden interactions between them. Moreover, 2D IR signals highlight the role of vibrational anharmonicities in generating non-linear signals. To further advance our knowledge on 2D IR of vibrational polaritons, we develop a new quantum-mechanical model incorporating the effects of both nuclear and electrical anharmonicities on vibrational-polaritons and their 2D IR signals. This work reveals polariton physics that is difficult or impossible to probe with traditional linear spectroscopy and lays the foundation for investigating new non-linear optics and chemistry of molecular vibrational-polaritons

Chinese herbal medicine and prednisone increase proportion of splenic CD4+CD25-FOXP3+ cells and alleviate glomerular lesion in MRL/LPRmice

Objective: This study investigated the effects of Chinese herbal medicine and prednisone onCD4+FoxP3+ T cells (Tregs) and Th17 cells in the MRL/lpr mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus.Methods: MRL/lpr mice were treated with herbal medicine (yin-nourishing and heat-clearing therapy), prednisone, and a combination of both for 7 weeks. The proportions of CD4+CD25-FOXP3+ cells, CD4+CD25-FOXP3+ cells, and CD4+IL-17+ cells in splenic mononuclear cell suspension were determined by flow cytometry. Histological slices of kidneys were stained by H&E, PAS, and Masson’s method. Activity indexes (AI) of glomerular lesions were scored.Results: The result showed that both herbal medicine and prednisone significantly increased the proportion of CD4+CD25-FOXP3+ cells (P<0.05), but lowered the proportion of CD4+CD25-FOXP3+ cells (P<0.05) and CD4+IL-17+ cells (P<0.05) in MRL/lpr mice. Consequently, CD4+CD25-FOXP3+ cells became dominant CD4+ FoxP3+ cells after either treatment. AIl the glomerular lesions in both herbal medicine group and prednisone group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). AI was positively related with the proportion of CD4+IL-17+ cells (Spearman's rho= 0.4958, P＜0.05), but was negatively correlated with the proportions of CD4+Foxp3+ cells(Spearman's rho= -0.5934，P＜0.05) and CD4+CD25-FOXP3+ cells (Spearman's rho= -0.5914，P＜0.05).Conclusion: Both Chinese herbal medicine and prednisone significantly enhanced the proportion of CD4+CD25-FOXP3+ cells and reduced the proportion of Th17 cells in lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice. Increased proportion of CD4+CD25-FOXP3+ cells was correlated with less severe glomerular lesions, indicating that CD4+CD25-FOXP3+ cells might play a regulatory role in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.Keywords: Systemic lupus erythematosus; regulatory T cells; Herbal medicine; Prednison

New tools and methods for direct programmatic access to the dbSNP relational database

Genome-wide association studies often incorporate information from public biological databases in order to provide a biological reference for interpreting the results. The dbSNP database is an extensive source of information on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for many different organisms, including humans. We have developed free software that will download and install a local MySQL implementation of the dbSNP relational database for a specified organism. We have also designed a system for classifying dbSNP tables in terms of common tasks we wish to accomplish using the database. For each task we have designed a small set of custom tables that facilitate task-related queries and provide entity-relationship diagrams for each task composed from the relevant dbSNP tables. In order to expose these concepts and methods to a wider audience we have developed web tools for querying the database and browsing documentation on the tables and columns to clarify the relevant relational structure. All web tools and software are freely available to the public at http://cgsmd.isi.edu/dbsnpq. Resources such as these for programmatically querying biological databases are essential for viably integrating biological information into genetic association experiments on a genome-wide scale

Programmed death ligand-1 expression in adrenocortical carcinoma: an exploratory biomarker study

Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor in which prognostic factors are still not well established. Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in ACC and its association with clinico-pathological features and survival outcomes are unknown. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens were obtained from 28 patients with ACC. PD-L1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in both tumor cell membrane and tumor infiltrating mononuclear cells (TIMC). PD-L1 positivity on tumor cells was defined as ≥5% tumor cell membrane staining. TIMC were evaluated by IHC using a CD45 monoclonal antibody. For PD-L1 expression in TIMC, a combined score based on the extent of infiltrates and percentage of positive cells was developed. Any score greater that zero was considered PD-L1 positive. Baseline clinico-pathological characteristics and follow up data were retrospectively collected. Comparisons between PD-L1 expression and clinico-pathological features were evaluated using unpaired t-test and Fisher’s exact test. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to assess association between PD-L1 expression and 5-year overall survival (OS). Results: Among 28 patients with surgically treated ACC, 3 (10.7%) were considered PD-L1 positive on tumor cell membrane. On the other hand, PD-L1 expression in TIMC was performed in 27 specimens and PD-L1 positive staining was observed in 19 (70.4%) patients. PD-L1 positivity in either tumor cell membrane or TIMC was not significantly associated with higher stage at diagnosis, higher tumor grade, excessive hormone secretion, or OS. Conclusions: PD-L1 expression can exist in ACC in both tumor cell membrane and TIMC with no relationship to clinico-pathologic parameters or survival. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40425-015-0047-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

2019 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Trauma Surgery Technology in Giessen (Germany)

It is now for a second time that we can invite researchers to come to Giessen for an international exchange of the latest research and a discussion of ideas. This year again, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) is sponsoring the event. The main topic for 2019 is 'Vibration in antibacterial and oncological therapy'. Many effects of mechanical vibration on tissue have been discovered so far. Clinical applications relying on vibration exist for a variety of conditions. The intracellular processes, however, are still largely not understood. And reproducibility remains a matter of potential for improvement. DFG funds for the 3rd conference in 2020 have already been approved for a focus on multifunctional trauma surgery implants.Deutsche Forschungsgemeischaft (DFG), German

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

A Practical Guide to Adjust Micronutrient Biomarkers for Inflammation Using the BRINDA Method.

The Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) research group was formed over a decade ago to improve the interpretation of micronutrient biomarkers in settings with inflammation. The BRINDA inflammation adjustment method uses regression correction to adjust for the confounding effects of inflammation on select micronutrient biomarkers and has provided important insights to micronutrient research, policy, and programming. However, users may face challenges when applying the BRINDA inflammation adjustment methods to their own data due to varying guidance on the adjustment approach for different biomarkers and the need to develop statistical programming to conduct these analyses. This may result in lost opportunities to have results of micronutrient data readily available during critical decision-making periods. Our research objectives are to 1) provide an all-in-one summary of the BRINDA method in adjusting multiple micronutrient biomarkers for inflammation, 2) evaluate whether malaria as a binary variable should be included in the BRINDA inflammation adjustment method, and 3) present standardized and user-friendly BRINDA adjustment R package and SAS macro. This paper serves as a practical guidebook for the BRINDA inflammation adjustment approach and aids users to use the BRINDA R package and SAS to streamline their analyses

The Impact of Influencers on Cigar Promotions: A Content Analysis of Large Cigar and Swisher Sweets Videos on TikTok

Little is known about the content, promotions, and individuals in cigar-related videos on TikTok. TikTok videos with large cigar and Swisher Sweets-related hashtags between July 2016 and September 2020 were analyzed. Follower count was used to identify influencers. We compared content characteristics and demographics of featured individuals between cigar types, and by influencer status. We also examined the association between content characteristics and video engagement. Compared to large cigar videos, Swisher Sweets videos were more likely to feature arts and crafts with cigar packages, cannabis use, and flavored products. In addition, Swisher Sweets videos were also more likely to feature females, Black individuals, and younger individuals. Both Swisher Sweets and large cigar influencers posted more videos of cigar purchasing behaviors than non-influencers, which was associated with more video views. None of the videos disclosed sponsorship with #ad or #sponsored. Videos containing the use of cigar packages for arts and crafts, and flavored products highlight the importance of colorful packaging and flavors in the appeal of Swisher Sweets cigars, lending support for plain packaging requirements and the prohibition of flavors in cigar products to decrease the appeal of cigars. The presence and broad reach of cigar promotions on TikTok requires stricter enforcement of anti-tobacco promotion policies