Observation of intrinsic inverse spin Hall effect

We report observation of intrinsic inverse spin Hall effect in un-doped GaAs multiple quantum wells with a sample temperature of 10 K. A transient ballistic pure spin current is injected by a pair of laser pulses through quantum interference. By time-resolving the dynamics of the pure spin current, the momentum relaxation time is deduced, which sets the lower limit of the scattering time between electrons and holes. The transverse charge current generated by the pure spin current via the inverse spin Hall effect is simultaneously resolved. We find that the charge current is generated well before the first electron-hole scattering event. Generation of the transverse current in the scattering-free ballistic transport regime provides unambiguous evidence for the intrinsic inverse spin Hall effect.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Antiviral activity of silymarin in comparison with baicalein against EV-A71

Background: The hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a febrile and exanthematous childhood disease mainly caused by Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71). In severe HFMD, virulent EV-A71 strains can cause acute flaccid paralysis and cardiopulmonary edema leading to death. Currently, no FDA approved antiviral treatment or vaccine is available for EV-A71. Flavonoids such as silymarin and baicalein are known to possess in vitro antiviral properties against viruses. In this study, the cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of silymarin, baicalein and baicalin were investigated. Methods: The cytotoxic effects of three flavonoids towards rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells were first examined using cell proliferation MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] assay. Compounds found to be non-cytotoxic in RD cells were evaluated for their in vitro antiviral properties against the EVA71 subgenotype B4 strain 41 (5865/SIN/000009) using antiviral assays. Viral infectivity was determined by reduction of the formation of plaques in RD cells. For the measurement of RNA copy number, the real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used. The most potent compound was further evaluated to determine the mode of action of inhibition by time course, virus attachment and entry assays in Vero cells. Results: Silymarin was shown to exert direct extracellular virucidal effects against EV-A71 at 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 15.2 ± 3.53 μg/mL with SI of 10.53. Similarly, baicalein exhibited direct extracellular virucidal effects against EV-A71 at a higher IC50 value of 30.88 ± 5.50 μg/mL with SI of 13.64. Besides virucidal activity, silymarin was shown to block both viral attachment and entry of EV-A71 to inhibit infection in Vero cells. Conclusions: Silymarin has a stronger inhibition activity against EV-A71 in comparison to baicalein. It could serve as a promising antiviral drug to treat EV-A71 infections

Cryo-nanoscale chromosome imaging—future prospects

The high-order structure of mitotic chromosomes remains to be fully elucidated. How nucleosomes compact at various structural levels into a condensed mitotic chromosome is unclear. Cryogenic preservation and imaging have been applied for over three decades, keeping biological structures close to the native in vivo state. Despite being extensively utilized, this field is still wide open for mitotic chromosome research. In this review, we focus specifically on cryogenic efforts for determining the mitotic nanoscale chromatin structures. We describe vitrification methods, current status, and applications of advanced cryo-microscopy including future tools required for resolving the native architecture of these fascinating structures that hold the instructions to life

WINGS: Wellness Interventions for Nurses’ growth and selfcare study at Purdue University, US and UEL, UK

During the pandemic, a quasi-experimental study was designed to empirically test the effectiveness of SOPHIE intervention among palliative care nurses in US. Along with SOPHIE framework, the study also included Nurses’ Psychological Trauma (NPT) model (Foli, et al., 2021). Our study included N=94 nurses working in palliative care setting including long-term care, nursing homes and hospice setting. Intervention included four weekly blog writing with pre and post surveys. Findings showed significant improvement in subjective wellbeing of nurses. Narrative analysis of the four weekly blogs and post blog feedback demonstrated self-reflexivity on the part of participants. Participants shared blogs were helpful as it provided them a valuable opportunity to generate self-awareness and ability to share traumatic experiences while creating avenues for personal growth and wellbeing. Our preliminary data suggest that SOPHIE tool is an effective tool for self-reflexivity and create pathways for selfcare and wellbeing

Q wave and non-Q wave myocardial infarction: a multivariate analysis of survival experience and clinical outcome after first diagnosis at a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a well-recognized clinical entity with a worldwide distribution. In the United States alone, 1.5 million cases of MI occur per year. This study compares the in-hospital mortality, 1 year mortality and time to death following a first Q-wave or non Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI).Methods: One thousand five hundred and ninety-six patients were admitted at the Aga Khan University Hospital with a diagnosis of MI over a period of four years of whom 420 patients met our inclusion criteria. Data was collected from the patients\u27 medical records and on telephone using a pretested questionnaire. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the data.Results: The mean age +/- sd of the patients was 59 +/- 10 years. Of the total patients, 151(36%) and 269(64%) suffered non-Q wave and Q-wave MI respectively. A higher in hospital mortality was observed in patients with Q-wave MI (n = 64, 23.8%) than those with non-Q wave MI [n = 16 (10.6%); adjusted OR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.5-5.01]. Similarly, patients having Q-wave MI experienced increased 1 year mortality (n = 77, 28.6%) compared to patients suffering non-Q wave MI [n = 26 (17.2%); adjusted OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.21-3.43].CONCLUSION: Patients with Q-wave MI had a worse prognosis compared with patients with non-Q-wave MI and therefore warrant a closer follow up. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of early aggressive interventions in modifying the natural history of this disease

Trefoil factor 2 (Tff2) deficiency in murine digestive tract influences the immune system

Background & Aims: The gastrointestinal trefoil factor family (TFF1, TFF2, TFF3) peptides are considered to play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the mucosa. The physiological role of TFF2 in the protection of the GI tract was investigated in TFF2 deficiency. Methods: TFF2-/- mice were generated and differential expression of various genes was assessed by using a mouse expression microarray, quantitative real time PCR, Northern blots or immunohistochemistry. Results: On an mRNA level we found 128 differentially expressed genes. We observed modulation of a number of crucial genes involved in innate and adaptive immunity in the TFF2-/- mice. Expression of proteasomal subunits genes (LMP2, LMP7 and PSMB5) involved in the MHC class I presentation pathway were modulated indicating the formation of immunoproteasomes improving antigen presentation. Expression of one subunit of a transporter (TAP1) responsible for importing degraded antigens into ER was increased, similarly to the BAG2 gene that modulates chaperone activity in ER helping proper loading on MHC class I molecules. Several mouse defensin (cryptdin) genes coding important intestinal microbicidal proteins were up-regulated as a consequence of TFF2 deficiency. Normally moderate expression of TFF3 was highly increased in stomach

What is the effect of riskshaw noise on its driver?

Objective: Occupational hearing loss is common in the industrialized world. Road noise is a major contributor to perceived environmental noise. The objective of this study was to assess hearing loss in rickshaw drivers due to rickshaw noise.Methods: Hearing loss in rickshaw drivers and taxi drivers of Karachi who were 50 years of age or younger was estimated, with a Smith Hearing Screening (SHS) questionnaire that was modified, translated into the national language, Urdu and field tested prior to administration.Results: Interviews for 91 rickshaw drivers and 94 taxi drivers were completed. All subjects were male; mean ages were 34 and 33 years for rickshaw and taxi drivers respectively. None of the rickshaws were fitted with silencers. Rickshaw drivers were about thrice as likely to be screened as hearing impaired by the SHS questionnaire (RR 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.6, 5.0), twice as likely to report tinnitus (RR 2.2, 95% confidence interval, 1.1, 3.3) and two and a half times as likely to have difficulty in following telephonic conversations (RR 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2, 4.8).CONCLUSION: There is loss of hearing and tinnitus among rickshaw drivers that could be attributed to their trade. Use of silencers by rickshaw drivers could result in less hearing loss among rickshaw drivers and less noise in the environment for the other 11 million residents in the city

Observation of second-harmonic generation induced by pure spin currents

Extensive efforts are currently being devoted to developing a new electronic technology, called spintronics, where the spin of electrons is explored to carry information. [1,2] Several techniques have been developed to generate pure spin currents in many materials and structures. [3-10] However, there is still no method available that can be used to directly detect pure spin currents, which carry no net charge current and no net magnetization. Currently, studies of pure spin currents rely on measuring the induced spin accumulation with optical techniques [5, 11-13] or spin-valve configurations. [14-17] However, the spin accumulation does not directly reflect the spatial distribution or temporal dynamics of the pure spin current, and therefore cannot monitor the pure spin current in a real-time and real-space fashion. This imposes severe constraints on research in this field. Here we demonstrate a second-order nonlinear optical effect of the pure spin current. We show that such a nonlinear optical effect, which has never been explored before, can be used for the non-invasive, non-destructive, and real-time imaging of pure spin currents. Since this detection scheme does not rely on optical resonances, it can be generally applied in a wide range of materials with different electronic bandstructures. Furthermore, the control of nonlinear optical properties of materials with pure spin currents may have potential applications in photonics integrated with spintronics.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures, supplementary discussion adde