Distinct Roles for ROCK1 and ROCK2 in the Regulation of Keratinocyte Differentiation

Background: The human epidermis is comprised of several layers of specialized epithelial cells called keratinocytes. Normal homoeostasis of the epidermis requires that the balance between keratinocyte proliferation and terminal differentiation be tightly regulated. The mammalian serine/threonine kinases (ROCK1 and ROCK2) are well-characterised downstream effectors of the small GTPase RhoA. We have previously demonstrated that the RhoA/ROCK signalling pathway plays an important role in regulation of human keratinocyte proliferation and terminal differentiation. In this paper we addressed the question of which ROCK isoform was involved in regulation of keratinocyte differentiation. Methodology and Principal Findings: We used RNAi to specifically knockdown ROCK1 or ROCK2 expression in cultured human keratinocytes. ROCK1 depletion results in decreased keratinocyte adhesion to fibronectin and an increase in terminal differentiation. Conversely, ROCK2 depletion results in increased keratinocyte adhesion to fibronectin and inhibits terminal differentiation. Conclusion: These data suggest that ROCK1 and ROCK2 play distinct roles in regulating keratinocyte adhesion and terminal differentiation

Scattering of a Tightly Focused Beam by an Optically Trapped Particle

Near-forward scattering of an optically trapped 5 m radius polystyrene latex sphere by the trapping beam was examined both theoretically and experimentally. Since the trapping beam is tightly focused, the beam fields superpose and interfere with the scattered fields in the forward hemisphere. The observed light intensity consists of a series of concentric bright and dark fringes centered about the forward scattering direction. Both the number of fringes and their contrast depend on the position of the trapping beam focal waist with respect to the sphere. The fringes are caused by diffraction due to the truncation of the tail of the trapping beam as the beam is transmitted through the sphere

Protocol for a national monthly survey of alcohol use in England with 6-month follow-up: 'The Alcohol Toolkit Study'.

Timely tracking of national patterns of alcohol consumption is needed to inform and evaluate strategies and policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. Between 2014 until at least 2017, the Alcohol Toolkit Study (ATS) will provide such tracking data and link these with policy changes and campaigns. By virtue of its connection with the 'Smoking Toolkit Study' (STS), links will also be examined between alcohol and smoking-related behaviour

Polarization properties and dispersion relations for spiral resonances of a dielectric rod

Dielectric microcavities based on cylindrical and deformed cylindrical shapes have been employed as resonators for microlasers. Such systems support spiral resonances with finite momentum along the cylinder axis. For such modes the boundary conditions do not separate and simple TM and TE polarization states do not exist. We formulate a theory for the dispersion relations and polarization properties of such resonances for an infinite dielectric rod of arbitrary cross-section and then solve for these quantities for the case of a circular cross-section (cylinder). Useful analytic formulas are obtained using the eikonal (Einstein-Brillouin-Keller) method which are shown to be excellent approximations to the exact results from the wave equation. The major finding is that the polarization of the radiation emitted into the far-field is linear up to a polarization critical angle (PCA) at which it changes to elliptical. The PCA always lies between the Brewster and total-internal-reflection angles for the dielectric, as is shown by an analysis based on the Jones matrices of the spiraling rays.Comment: submitted to JOSA

Surgical management of subaortic obstruction in single left ventricle and tricuspid atresia

Subaortic obstruction caused by either a restrictive bulboventricular foramen in single left ventricle with an outflow chamber or by a restrictive ventricular septal defect in tricuspid atresia with transposition of the great arteries can lead to a hypertrophied, noncompliant ventricle and excessive pulmonary blood flow. This combination is disadvantageous to potential Fontan procedure candidates because they are dependent on good ventricular function and low pulmonary vascular resistance for survival.The results of surgical procedures to directly or indirectly relieve significant subaortic obstruction (gradient 30 mm Hg) in 24 patients, 16 with single left ventricle and 8 with tricuspid atresia, were reviewed. Four patients had a left ventricular apex to descending aorta valved conduit; none survived. Seven patients had resection of subaortic tissue; four survived and four developed heart block at surgery. Adequate gradient relief was evident in only one of the four survivors. Thirteen patients had a main pulmonary artery to ascending aorta anastomosis or conduit; six survived. AH survivors had adequate gradient relief. The overall survival was 42% (10 of 24). None of seven patients with a subaortic gradient >75 mm Hg survived.These data show that: 1) Surgical relief of established subaortic obstruction in patients with single left ventricle and tricuspid atresia carries a high mortality rate, especially if the subaortic gradient is >75 mm Hg. 2) The best procedure appears to be the pulmonary artery to ascending aorta anastomosis. 3) A clearer understanding of the factors leading to the development of significant subaortic obstruction is necessary to prevent it or to devise improved therapeutic strategies

Fermi surface of the colossal magnetoresistance perovskite La_{0.7}Sr_{0.3}MnO_{3}

Materials that exhibit colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) are currently the focus of an intense research effort, driven by the technological applications that their sensitivity lends them to. Using the angular correlation of photons from electron-positron annihilation, we present a first glimpse of the Fermi surface of a material that exhibits CMR, supported by ``virtual crystal'' electronic structure calculations. The Fermi surface is shown to be sufficiently cubic in nature that it is likely to support nesting.Comment: 5 pages, 5 PS figure