Aldosterone induces cardiotrophin-1 expression in HL-1 adult cardiomyocytes

Aldosterone (ALDO) may induce cardiac hypertrophy by nonhemodynamic mechanisms that are not completely defined. Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a cytokine that exerts hypertrophic actions on isolated cardiomyocytes and promotes cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. We investigated whether ALDO induces CT-1 expression in HL-1 cardiomyocytes aiming at the possibility that the cytokine is involved in ALDO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. mRNA and protein expression were quantified by RT-PCR and Western blot. Cardiomyocyte area, as an index of hypertrophy, was assayed by image analysis in phalloidin-stained HL-1 cells. ALDO addition to adult HL-1 cardiomyocytes increased (P<0.01) CT-1 mRNA and protein expression in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect was abrogated by actinomycin D, the mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor antagonists spironolactone and RU486, respectively, and the p38 MAPK blocker SB203580. CT-1 signaling pathway blockade with specific antibodies against the cytokine and its two receptor subunits avoided (P<0.01) alpha-sarcomeric actin and c-fos protein overexpression as well as cell size increase induced by ALDO in HL-1 cells. In vivo, a single ALDO injection acutely increased (P<0.01) the myocardial expression of CT-1 in C57BJ6 wild-type mice but not CT-1-null mice. The bolus of the mineralocorticoid increased (P<0.01) ANP and c-fos mRNA expression in the myocardium of wild-type mice, whereas no changes were observed in CT-1-null mice. In summary, ALDO induces CT-1 expression in adult HL-1 cardiomyocytes via genomic and nongenomic mechanisms. CT-1 up-regulation could have relevance in the direct hypertrophic effects of ALDO in cardiomyocytes

Broadband and efficient plasmonic control in the near-infrared and visible via strong interference of surface plasmon polaritons

This paper was published in Optics Letters and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OL.38.004453 Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.Copyright © 2013 Optical Society of AmericaBroadband and tunable control of surface plasmon polaritons in the near-infrared and visible spectrum is demonstrated theoretically and numerically with a pair of phased nanoslits. We establish, with simulations supported by a coupled wave model, that by dividing the incident power equally between two input channels, the maximum plasmon intensity deliverable to either side of the nanoslit pair is twice that for an isolated slit. For a broadband source, a compact device with nanoslit separation of the order of a tenth of the wavelength is shown to steer nearly all the generated plasmons to one side for the same phase delay, thereby achieving a broadband unidirectional plasmon launcher. The reported effect can be applied to the design of ultra-broadband and efficient tunable plasmonic devices.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Patterns of impact resulting from a 'sit less, move more' web-based program in sedentary office employees.

PURPOSE: Encouraging office workers to 'sit less and move more' encompasses two public health priorities. However, there is little evidence on the effectiveness of workplace interventions for reducing sitting, even less about the longer term effects of such interventions and still less on dual-focused interventions. This study assessed the short and mid-term impacts of a workplace web-based intervention (Walk@WorkSpain, W@WS; 2010-11) on self-reported sitting time, step counts and physical risk factors (waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure) for chronic disease. METHODS: Employees at six Spanish university campuses (n=264; 42±10 years; 171 female) were randomly assigned by worksite and campus to an Intervention (used W@WS; n=129; 87 female) or a Comparison group (maintained normal behavior; n=135; 84 female). This phased, 19-week program aimed to decrease occupational sitting time through increased incidental movement and short walks. A linear mixed model assessed changes in outcome measures between the baseline, ramping (8 weeks), maintenance (11 weeks) and follow-up (two months) phases for Intervention versus Comparison groups. RESULTS: A significant 2 (group) × 2 (program phases) interaction was found for self-reported occupational sitting (F[3]=7.97, p=0.046), daily step counts (F[3]=15.68, p=0.0013) and waist circumference (F[3]=11.67, p=0.0086). The Intervention group decreased minutes of daily occupational sitting while also increasing step counts from baseline (446±126; 8,862±2,475) through ramping (+425±120; 9,345±2,435), maintenance (+422±123; 9,638±3,131) and follow-up (+414±129; 9,786±3,205). In the Comparison group, compared to baseline (404±106), sitting time remained unchanged through ramping and maintenance, but decreased at follow-up (-388±120), while step counts diminished across all phases. The Intervention group significantly reduced waist circumference by 2.1cms from baseline to follow-up while the Comparison group reduced waist circumference by 1.3cms over the same period. CONCLUSIONS: W@WS is a feasible and effective evidence-based intervention that can be successfully deployed with sedentary employees to elicit sustained changes on "sitting less and moving more"

Multiple extraordinary optical transmission peaks from evanescent coupling in perforated metal plates surrounded by dielectrics

© 2010 Optical Society of America. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibitedWe study numerically and theoretically the optical transmission of nanostructured gold films embedded in dielectric claddings. We show how multiple transmission peaks appear as the claddings thickness increases. These transmission peaks come not only from surface plasmon polariton excitations but also from the excitation of Fabry-Perot modes sustained at the claddings, coupled through the metal, as long as a periodic pattern is milled in the metal film. We propose that this structure could be used as an ultracompact all-optical switch by surrounding the metal film with Kerr nonlinear dielectric layers. (C) 2010 Optical Society of AmericaWe thank the FCT (Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia) for funding of this research through the projects SFRH/BD/8278/2002 and PTDC/FIS/68419/2006.Ortuño Molinero, R.; García Meca, C.; Rodríguez Fortuño, FJ.; Martí Sendra, J.; Martínez Abietar, AJ. (2010). Multiple extraordinary optical transmission peaks from evanescent coupling in perforated metal plates surrounded by dielectrics. Optics Express. 18(8):7893-7898. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.18.007893S78937898188Dragila, R., Luther-Davies, B., & Vukovic, S. (1985). High Transparency of Classically Opaque Metallic Films. Physical Review Letters, 55(10), 1117-1120. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.55.1117Ebbesen, T. W., Lezec, H. J., Ghaemi, H. F., Thio, T., & Wolff, P. A. (1998). Extraordinary optical transmission through sub-wavelength hole arrays. Nature, 391(6668), 667-669. doi:10.1038/35570Koerkamp, K. J. K., Enoch, S., Segerink, F. B., van Hulst, N. F., & Kuipers, L. (2004). Strong Influence of Hole Shape on Extraordinary Transmission through Periodic Arrays of Subwavelength Holes. Physical Review Letters, 92(18). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.92.183901Takakura, Y. (2001). Optical Resonance in a Narrow Slit in a Thick Metallic Screen. Physical Review Letters, 86(24), 5601-5603. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.86.5601Zhou, L., Wen, W., Chan, C. T., & Sheng, P. (2005). Electromagnetic-Wave Tunneling Through Negative-Permittivity Media with High Magnetic Fields. Physical Review Letters, 94(24). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.94.243905Lomakin, V., & Michielssen, E. (2005). Enhanced transmission through metallic plates perforated by arrays of subwavelength holes and sandwiched between dielectric slabs. Physical Review B, 71(23). doi:10.1103/physrevb.71.235117Rakić, A. D., Djurišić, A. B., Elazar, J. M., & Majewski, M. L. (1998). Optical properties of metallic films for vertical-cavity optoelectronic devices. Applied Optics, 37(22), 5271. doi:10.1364/ao.37.005271Genet, C., & Ebbesen, T. W. (2007). Light in tiny holes. Nature, 445(7123), 39-46. doi:10.1038/nature05350Ghaemi, H. F., Thio, T., Grupp, D. E., Ebbesen, T. W., & Lezec, H. J. (1998). Surface plasmons enhance optical transmission through subwavelength holes. Physical Review B, 58(11), 6779-6782. doi:10.1103/physrevb.58.6779Martínez, A., & Martí, J. (2005). Negative refraction in two-dimensional photonic crystals: Role of lattice orientation and interface termination. Physical Review B, 71(23). doi:10.1103/physrevb.71.235115Ruan, Z., & Qiu, M. (2006). Enhanced Transmission through Periodic Arrays of Subwavelength Holes: The Role of Localized Waveguide Resonances. Physical Review Letters, 96(23). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.96.233901Economou, E. N. (1969). Surface Plasmons in Thin Films. Physical Review, 182(2), 539-554. doi:10.1103/physrev.182.539Esembeson, B., Scimeca, M. L., Michinobu, T., Diederich, F., & Biaggio, I. (2008). A High-Optical Quality Supramolecular Assembly for Third-Order Integrated Nonlinear Optics. Advanced Materials, 20(23), 4584-4587. doi:10.1002/adma.200801552Spano, R., Daldosso, N., Cazzanelli, M., Ferraioli, L., Tartara, L., Yu, J., … Pavesi, L. (2009). Bound electronic and free carrier nonlinearities in Silicon nanocrystals at 1550nm. Optics Express, 17(5), 3941. doi:10.1364/oe.17.003941Dani, K. M., Ku, Z., Upadhya, P. C., Prasankumar, R. P., Brueck, S. R. J., & Taylor, A. J. (2009). Subpicosecond Optical Switching with a Negative Index Metamaterial. Nano Letters, 9(10), 3565-3569. doi:10.1021/nl901764

ANAIS status report

We report the status of the ANAIS (Annual modulation with NAI Scintillators) experiment focusing on the developments towards the improvement of the background level of our detectors and the reduction of the energy threshold

Factors that influence bile fluid microbiology in cholecystectomized patients

Introducción y objetivo: Las vías biliares son normalmente estériles, aunque puede existir cultivo positivo hasta en el 4.2% de las personas sanas. Existen ciertas circunstancias que lo favorecen, como pueden ser las litiasis o la manipulación de la vía biliar. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los factores que influyen en la presencia de bacteriobilia, así como su implicación en la práctica clínica. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo de los cultivos de bilis obtenidos de los pacientes colecistectomizados en nuestro centro desde 2013 a 2015. Resultados: Se recogieron un total de 196 pacientes (42.3% mujeres y 57.7% hombres) a los que se había realizado colecistectomía tanto abierta como laparoscópica tomando muestra del líquido biliar. Se analizaron las características clínicas, epidemiológicas y analíticas de los pacientes, así como la indicación quirúrgica (cirugía urgente o programada). Respecto a la microbiología, en el 47% los cultivos de bilis recogidos fueron positivos: 56.5% con un microorganismo, 25% con dos y 18.5% con tres o más. También se incluyeron los antibióticos empleados tanto para tratamiento como para profilaxis. Conclusión: El análisis de la microbiología de la bilis no debería realizarse de forma sistemática, ya que solamente en casos en los que se demuestren los factores de riesgo estudiados su resultado puede llegar a ser relevante. En estos mismos casos también resulta imprescindible para establecer un tratamiento antibiótico adecuado tanto en lo referente al espectro como a la duración del mismo, con el fin de evitar complicaciones y el aumento de resistencias.Introduction and aim: Normally, the bile ducts are sterile, but up to 4.2% of healthy persons can present with positive cultures. Certain circumstances favor that situation, such as gallstones or biliary tree manipulation. The aim of the present study was to determine the factors that influence the presence of bacteriobilia, as well as its implications for clinical practice. Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted on bile cultures from patients that underwent cholecystectomy at our hospital center within the time frame of 2013 to 2015. Results: The study included 196 patients (42.3% women and 57.7% men) that underwent either open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy and in whom bile fluid samples were taken. The clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory test characteristics of the patients were analyzed, as well as the surgical indication (urgent surgery or programmed surgery). With respect to microbiology, 47% of the bile cultures were positive: 56.5% presented with one microorganism, 25% with two, and 18.5% with three or more. Conclusion: Microbiologic bile analysis should not be systematically performed, given that its result is relevant only in cases that present with demonstrated risk factors. However, in those cases, said analysis is essential to establish adequate antibiotic treatment, in relation to activity spectrum and duration, to prevent complications and an increase in microbial resistance

Chirality of nanophotonic waveguide with embedded quantum emitter for unidirectional spin transfer

Scalable quantum technologies may be achieved by faithful conversion between matter qubits and photonic qubits in integrated circuit geometries. Within this context, quantum dots possess well-defined spin states (matter qubits), which couple efficiently to photons. By embedding them in nanophotonic waveguides, they provide a promising platform for quantum technology implementations. In this paper, we demonstrate that the naturally occurring electromagnetic field chirality that arises in nanobeam waveguides leads to unidirectional photon emission from quantum dot spin states, with resultant in-plane transfer of matter-qubit information. The chiral behaviour occurs despite the non-chiral geometry and material of the waveguides. Using dot registration techniques, we achieve a quantum emitter deterministically positioned at a chiral point and realize spin-path conversion by design. We further show that the chiral phenomena are much more tolerant to dot position than in standard photonic crystal waveguides, exhibit spin-path readout up to 95±5% and have potential to serve as the basis of spin-logic and network implementations

Universal switching of plasmonic signals using optical resonator modes

We propose and investigate, both experimentally and theoretically, a novel mechanism for switching and modulating plasmonic signals based on a Fano interference process, which arises from the coupling between a narrow-band optical Fabry–Pérot cavity and a surface plasmon polariton (SPP) source. The SPP wave emitted from the cavity is actively modulated in the vicinity of the cavity resonances by altering the cavity Q-factor and/or resonant frequencies. We experimentally demonstrate dynamic SPP modulation both by mechanical control of the cavity length and all-optically by harnessing the ultrafast nonlinearity of the Au mirrors that form the cavity. An electro-optical modulation scheme is also proposed and numerically illustrated. Dynamic operation of the switch via mechanical means yields a modulation in the SPP coupling efficiency of ~ 80%, while the all-optical control provides an ultrafast modulation with an efficiency of 30% at a rate of ~ 0.6 THz. The experimental observations are supported by both analytical and numerical calculations of the mechanical, all-optical and electro-optical modulation methods

Analogue of the quantum hanle effect and polarization conversion in non-hermitian plasmonic metamaterials

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Nano Letters, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://pubs.acs.org/page/policy/articlesonrequest/index.htmlThe Hanle effect, one of the first manifestations of quantum theory introducing the concept of coherent superposition between pure states, plays a key role in numerous aspects of science varying from applicative spectroscopy to fundamental astrophysical investigations. Optical analogues of quantum effects help to achieve deeper understanding of quantum phenomena and, in turn, to develop cross-disciplinary approaches to realizations of new applications in photonics. Here we show that metallic nanostructures can be designed to exhibit a plasmonic analogue of the quantum Hanle effect and the associated polarization rotation. In the original Hanle effect, time-reversal symmetry is broken by a static magnetic field. We achieve this by introducing dissipative level crossing of localized surface plasmons due to nonuniform losses, designed using a non-Hermitian formulation of quantum mechanics. Such artificial plasmonic "atoms" have been shown to exhibit strong circular birefringence and circular dichroism which depends on the value of loss or gain in the metal-dielectric nanostructure. © 2012 American Chemical Society.This work has been supported in part by EPSRC (UK). P.G. acknowledges Royal Society for a Newton International Fellowship. F.J.R.-F. acknowledges support from grant FPI of GV and the Spanish MICINN under contracts CONSOLIDER EMET CSD2008-00066 and TEC2011-28664-C02-02.Ginzburg, P.; Rodríguez Fortuño, FJ.; Martínez Abietar, AJ.; Zayats, AV. (2012). Analogue of the quantum hanle effect and polarization conversion in non-hermitian plasmonic metamaterials. Nano Letters. 12(12):6309-6314. https://doi.org/10.1021/nl3034174S63096314121

Terahertz metamaterials on flexible polypropylene substrate

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11468-014-9724-1In this work, we present a metamaterial working at terahertz frequencies made over a flexible polypropylene sub-strate. The experimental measurements, in accordance with the numerical calculations, show the metamaterial reliance on the impinging electric field polarization. The structure s symmetry yields purely electrical resonant responses eliminating bianisotropy effects. The widely used bendable polypropylene polymer may promote the insertion of metamaterial-based structures with special electromagnetic response in a number of objects of our daily lives such as textiles, automotive components, and sensingThis work was supported by the Spanish MICINN under contracts CONSOLIDER EMET CSD2008-00066 and TEC2011-28664-C02-02 and by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia under the program INNOVA 2011.Ortuño Molinero, R.; García Meca, C.; Martínez Abietar, AJ. (2014). 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