MST-312 induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in APL cells through inhibition of telomerase activity and suppression of NF-κB pathway

Telomerase-targeted therapy for cancer has received great attention because telomerase is expressed in almost all cancer cells but is inactive in most normal somatic cells. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of telomerase inhibitor MST-312, a chemically modified derivative of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), on acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells. Our results showed that MST-312 exerted a dose-dependent short-term cytotoxic effect on APL cells, with G2/M cell cycle arrest. Moreover, MST-312 induced apoptosis of APL cells in caspase-mediated manner. Telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay revealed significant reduction in telomerase activity of APL cells following short-term exposure to MST-312. Interestingly, MST-312-induced telomerase inhibition was coupled with suppression of NF-κB activity as evidenced by inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation and its degradation and decreased NF-κB DNA binding activity. In addition, gene expression analysis showed downregulation of genes regulated by NF-κB, such as antiapoptotic (survivin, Bcl-2, Mcl-1), proliferative (c-Myc), and telomerase-related (hTERT) genes. Importantly, MST-312 did not show any apoptotic effect in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In conclusion, our data suggest that dual inhibition of telomerase activity and NF-κB pathway by MST-312 represents a novel treatment strategy for APL. © 2015, International Society of Oncology and BioMarkers (ISOBM)

Emergence of Bulk CsCl Structure in (CsCl)nCs+ Cluster Ions

The emergence of CsCl bulk structure in (CsCl)nCs+ cluster ions is investigated using a mixed quantum-mechanical/semiempirical theoretical approach. We find that rhombic dodecahedral fragments (with bulk CsCl symmetry) are more stable than rock-salt fragments after the completion of the fifth rhombic dodecahedral atomic shell. From this size (n=184) on, a new set of magic numbers should appear in the experimental mass spectra. We also propose another experimental test for this transition, which explicitely involves the electronic structure of the cluster. Finally, we perform more detailed calculations in the size range n=31--33, where recent experimental investigations have found indications of the presence of rhombic dodecahedral (CsCl)32Cs+ isomers in the cluster beams.Comment: LaTeX file. 6 pages and 4 pictures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

A Computationally Efficient Method for Calculation of Strand Eddy Current Losses in Electric Machines

In this paper, a fast finite element (FE)-based method for the calculation of eddy current losses in the stator windings of randomly wound electric machines with a focus on fractional slot concentrated winding (FSCW) permanent magnet (PM) machines will be presented. The method is particularly suitable for implementation in large-scale design optimization algorithms where a qualitative characterization of such losses at higher speeds is most beneficial for identification of the design solutions which exhibit the lowest overall losses including the ac losses in the stator windings. Unlike the common practice of assuming a constant slot fill factor, sf, for all the design variations, the maximum sf in the developed method is determined based on the individual slot structure/dimensions and strand wire specifications. Furthermore, in lieu of detailed modeling of the conductor strands in the initial FE model, which significantly adds to the complexity of the problem, an alternative rectangular coil modeling subject to a subsequent flux mapping technique for determination of the impinging flux on each individual strand is pursued. The research focus of the paper is placed on development of a computationally efficient technique for the ac winding loss derivation applicable in design-optimization, where both the electromagnetic and thermal machine behavior are accounted for. The analysis is supplemented with an investigation on the influence of the electrical loading on ac winging loss effects for a particular machine design, a subject which has received less attention in the literature. Experimental ac loss measurements on a 12-slot 10-pole stator assembly will be discussed to verify the existing trends in the simulation results

Integration of Vibro-Acoustography Imaging Modality with the Traditional Mammography

Vibro-acoustography (VA) is a new imaging modality that has been applied to both medical and industrial imaging. Integrating unique diagnostic information of VA with other medical imaging is one of our research interests. In this work, we establish correspondence between the VA images and traditional X-ray mammogram by adopting a flexible control-point selection technique for image registration. A modified second-order polynomial, which simply leads to a scale/rotation/translation invariant registration, was used. The results of registration were used to spatially transform the breast VA images to map with the X-ray mammography with a registration error of less than 1.65 mm. The fused image is defined as a linear integration of the VA and X-ray images. Moreover, a color-based fusion technique was employed to integrate the images for better visualization of structural information

Computationally Efficient Strand Eddy Current Loss Calculation in Electric Machines

A fast finite element (FE) based method for the calculation of eddy current losses in the stator windings of randomly wound electric machines is presented in this paper. The method is particularly suitable for implementation in large-scale design optimization algorithms where a qualitative characterization of such losses at higher speeds is most beneficial for identification of the design solutions that exhibit the lowest overall losses including the ac losses in the stator windings. Unlike the common practice of assuming a constant slot fill factor s f for all the design variations, the maximum s f in the developed method is determined based on the individual slot structure/dimensions and strand wire specifications. Furthermore, in lieu of detailed modeling of the conductor strands in the initial FE model, which significantly adds to the complexity of the problem, an alternative rectangular coil modeling subject to a subsequent flux mapping technique for determination of the impinging flux on each individual strand is pursued. Rather than pursuing the precise estimation of ac conductor losses, the research focus of this paper is placed on the development of a computationally efficient technique for the derivation of strand eddy current losses applicable in design optimization, especially where both the electromagnetic and thermal machine behavior are accounted for. A fractional-slot concentrated winding permanent magnet synchronous machine is used for the purpose of this study due to the higher slot leakage flux and slot opening fringing flux of such machines, which are the major contributors to strand eddy current losses in the windings. The analysis is supplemented with an investigation on the influence of the electrical loading on ac winding loss effects for this machine design, a subject that has received less attention in the literature. Experimental ac loss measurements on a 12-slot 10-pole stator assembly will be discussed to verify the existing trends in the simulation result

The GaAs solar cells with V-grooved emitters

Geometrically structured surfaces have become increasingly important to solar cell efficiency improvements and radiation tolerance. Gallium arsenide solar cells with a V-grooved front surface which demonstrate improved optical coupling and higher short-circuit current compared to planar cells were fabricated. GaAs homojunction cells were fabricated by organometallic chemical vapor deposition (OMCVD) on an n+ substrate. The V-grooves were formed on the surface with an anisotropic etch, and an n-type buffer and p-type emitter were grown by OMCVD, followed by ohmic contacts. Reflectivity measurements show significantly lower reflectance for the microgrooved cell compared to the planar structure. The short circuit current of the V-grooved solar cell is consistently higher than that of the planar controls

A V-grooved GaAs solar cell

V-grooved GaAs solar cells promise the benefits of improved optical coupling, higher short-circuit current, and increased tolerance to particle radiation compared to planar cells. A GaAs homojunction cell was fabricated by etching a V-groove pattern into an n epilayer (2.1 x 10 to the 17th power per cu cm) grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on an n+ substrate (2.8 x 10 to the 18th power per cu cm) and then depositing and MOCVD p epilayer (4.2 x 10 to the 18th power per cu cm). Reflectivity measurements on cells with and without an antireflective coating confirm the expected decrease in reluctance of the microgrooved cell compared to the planar structure. The short circuit current of the V-grooved solar cell was 13 percent higher than that of the planar control

Correlation between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance in pseudomonas aeruginosa: A meta-analysis

Biofilm formation is one of the important resistance mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study aimed to consider the correlation between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa through a systematic review and meta-analysis. This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) strategies. Scientific databases were searched by MeSH terms and keywords such as �Pseudomonas aeruginosa�, �biofilm formation�, �antibiotic resistance�, �prevalence� AND �Iran�, to obtain articles published from 1st January 2016 to 30th November 2019. Studies recording biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa recovered from clinical samples of Iranian patients were included. Data analysis was performed using CMA software. The combined biofilm formation rate was reported as 87.6 (95 CI: 80-92.5). The heterogeneity index among the selected articles was Q2=96.5, I2=85.5, and t=0.26 (p=0.16). The pooled occurrences of strong, moderate and weak biofilms were 47.7 (95 CI: 28.7-67.3), 30.2 (95 CI: 19.4-43.8), and 27.4 (95 CI: 8.8-59.8), respectively. The pooled prevalence of MDR P. aeruginosa strains was as follows: 62.5 (95 CI: 40-77.2). The highest combined rates of antibiotic resistance were against ceftriaxone and tobramycin with the rates of 79.2.9 (95 CI: 54.2-96.2) and 64.4 (95 CI: 36.3-92), respectively. Also, the lowermost antibiotic resistance rates were against colistin and polymyxin B, with the prevalence of 2.1 (95 CI: 0.2-18.1), and 3 (95 CI: 0.5-17.3), respectively. More than half of the studies included in the present review showed a significant correlation between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance pattern. © 2020, EDIMES Edizioni Medico Scientifiche. All rights reserved

Identification and Modeling of a Variable Amplitude Fatigue Experiment Apparatus with Damaged Beam Specimen

The useful remaining life of engineering structures under variable amplitude (VA) fatigue loading remains a major unresolved engineering problem. The existing proposed life prediction models are usually based on empirical approximation from experimental results (Fatemi, Yang Int J Fatigue 20(1):9–34, 1998, Santecchia et al. Adv Mater Sci Eng 2016:1–26, 2016). The variable fatigue experiment apparatus in this extended abstract was designed for simulating structural fatigue with a high testing frequency, variable R-ratio as well as modifiable experimental layout (Falco et al. J Vib Acoust 136(4):041001, 2014). In previous studies, the inherent nonlinearity of the testing rig was detected, the obtained parameters allow one to properly use this testing rig within its linear region. As damage accumulates, however, the corresponding dynamic characteristics of the specimen alter accordingly. Therefore, proper modeling considering the interaction between the inherent nonlinearity and the damage induced nonlinearity for both (1) opening crack and (2) breathing crack is necessary for future fatigue life estimation under complex fatigue loading. Here, nonlinear system identification of the lately modified variable amplitude fatigue experiment apparatus is presented based on a combination of first-principles and data-driven modeling techniques. Eventually, structure-damage interaction dynamics will be described to model the underlying fatigue evolution and structural dynamics interactions