Spontaneous generation and active manipulation of real-space optical vortex

Optical vortices host the orbital nature of photons, which offers an extra degree of freedom in photonic applications. Unlike vortices in other physical entities, optical vortices require structural singularities, which restrict their abilities in terms of dynamic and interactive characteristics. In this study, we present the spontaneous generation and external magnetic field-induced manipulation of an optical vortex and antivortex. A gradient-thickness optical cavity (GTOC) consisting of an Al/SiO2/Ni/SiO2 multilayer structure realised the distinct transition between the trivial and non-trivial topological phases, depending on the magneto-optic effects of the Ni layer. In the non-trivial topological phase, the mathematical singularities generating the optical vortex and antivortex pair in the reflected light existed in the generalised parameter space of the thicknesses of the top and bottom SiO2 layers, which is bijective to the real space of the GTOC. Coupled with the magnetisation, the optical vortex and antivortex in the GTOC experienced an effective spin-orbit interaction and showed topology-dependent dynamics under external magnetic fields. We expect that field-induced engineering of optical vortices will pave the way for the study of topological photonic interactions and their applications.Comment: 22 pages, 4 figure

Pectinase-treated Panax ginseng ameliorates hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in GC-2 sperm cells and modulates testicular gene expression in aged rats

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the effect of pectinase-treated Panax ginseng (GINST) in cellular and male subfertility animal models.MethodsHydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced mouse spermatocyte GC-2spd cells were used as an in vitro model. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. For the in vivo study, GINST (200 mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet was administered orally for 4 mo, and the changes in the mRNA and protein expression level of antioxidative and spermatogenic genes in young and aged control rats were compared using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.ResultsGINST treatment (50 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, and 200 μg/mL) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the H2O2-induced (200 μM) cytotoxicity in GC-2spd cells. Furthermore, GINST (50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL) significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated the H2O2-induced decrease in the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (peroxiredoxin 3 and 4, glutathione S-transferase m5, and glutathione peroxidase 4), spermatogenesis-related protein such as inhibin-α, and specific sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor) in GC-2spd cells. Similarly, the altered expression level of the above mentioned genes and of spermatogenesis-related nectin-2 and cAMP response element-binding protein in aged rat testes was ameliorated with GINST (200 mg/kg) treatment. Taken together, GINST attenuated H2O2-induced oxidative stress in GC-2 cells and modulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes and of spermatogenic-related proteins and sex hormone receptors in aged rats.ConclusionGINST may be a potential natural agent for the protection against or treatment of oxidative stress-induced male subfertility and aging-induced male subfertility

Mucoid Degeneration of Both ACL and PCL

Unlike meniscal tears and chondral defects, the mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a rare cause of knee pain and there have been no case reports of mucoid degeneration of both the ACL and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). A 48-year-old-male patient presented with knee pain and limitation of motion. The patient's magnetic resonance imaging, arthroscopic findings, and pathologic diagnosis confirmed a clinical diagnosis of mucoid degeneration of both the ACL and the PCL. The symptoms disappeared after arthroscopic partial excision of the ACL and PCL

Effect of analgesia nociception index monitor-based nociception control on perioperative stress responses during laparoscopic surgery in Trendelenburg position: a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionThe analgesia nociception index (ANI) monitor is a nociception monitoring device based on heart rate variability. We aimed to determine the effect of ANI monitor-based intraoperative nociception control on the perioperative stress response during laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position.MethodsAltogether, 72 female patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy were randomized to either the control or ANI group. Intraoperative nociception was controlled by remifentanil administration in a conventional manner (based on blood pressure and heart rate) in the control group and by ANI monitoring in the ANI group. Perioperative stress responses were estimated by measuring the levels of serum catecholamines and catabolic stress hormones at three timepoints: after loss of consciousness, at the end of surgery, and 1 h after the end of surgery.ResultsThe serum cortisol level at the end of surgery was significantly higher in the ANI group than in the control group (p &lt; 0.001), although more remifentanil was administered in the ANI group than in the control group (p &lt; 0.001). Changes in the other estimators’ levels were comparable between groups during the perioperative period. The hemodynamic profiles during surgery were also significantly different between the two groups. Phenylephrine use to treat hypotension was more common in the ANI group than in the control group (p = 0.005). However, postoperative clinical outcomes such as pain and nausea/vomiting did not differ between groups.ConclusionANI monitor-based nociception control in laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position did not improve perioperative stress responses, intraoperative opioid consumption, or postoperative clinical outcomes.Clinical trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04343638)

Association Between Impairment of DNA Double Strand Break Repair and Decreased Ovarian Reserve in Patients With Endometriosis

Background: Repair of DNA double strand break (DSB) is an important mechanism for maintaining genetic stability during a DNA damage event. Although, a growing body of recent evidence suggests that DNA DSBs and related repair mechanisms may be important in ovarian aging and in various cancers, there are few reports in endometriosis. We, therefore, examined expression levels of genes pertaining to DNA DSB repair in patients with endometriosis to assess the potential effects on ovarian reserves.Materials and methods: A total of 69 women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis and other benign conditions was included; endometriosis group (n = 38) vs. controls (n = 31). DNA DSBs in endometrial and ovarian tissues of both groups were compared via immunohistochemistry, aimed at γ-H2AX expression. To gauge genotoxin-induced DNA DSBs in endometrial stromal cells, γ-H2AX expression was determined by western blot after H2O2 treatment of cultured endometrial stromal cells (endometriosis group and controls) and Ishikawa cell-line cultures. Endometrial and ovarian tissue levels of BRCA1, BRCA2, Rad51, and ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated) mRNA expression were also compared. Correlations between expression levels of genes of interest and serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were assessed as well.Results: Expression of γ-H2AX in immunostained endometrial and ovarian tissue preparations was greater in the endometriosis group, compared with controls. After H2O2 treatment, γ-H2AX expression levels were also significantly greater in cultured stromal cells of the endometriosis group and in the Ishikawa cell line than in controls. Endometrial expression of BRCA1 and Rad51 mRNA proved significantly lower in the endometriosis group (vs. controls), as did ovarian expression of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mRNA. Serum AMH concentration showed a significant correlation with ovarian BRCA1 mRNA expression in women with endometriosis (p = 0.03).Conclusions: In women with endometriosis, expression levels of various genes implicated in DSB repair are decreased and ovarian BRCA1 expression correlates wit

Genome-wide Association Study of Integrated Meat Quality-related Traits of the Duroc Pig Breed

The increasing importance of meat quality has implications for animal breeding programs. Research has revealed much about the genetic background of pigs, and many studies have revealed the importance of various genetic factors. Since meat quality is a complex trait which is affected by many factors, consideration of the overall phenotype is very useful to study meat quality. For integrating the phenotypes, we used principle component analysis (PCA). The significant SNPs refer to results of the GRAMMAR method against PC1, PC2 and PC3 of 14 meat quality traits of 181 Duroc pigs. The Genome-wide association study (GWAS) found 26 potential SNPs affecting various meat quality traits. The loci identified are located in or near 23 genes. The SNPs associated with meat quality are in or near five genes (ANK1, BMP6, SHH, PIP4K2A, and FOXN2) and have been reported previously. Twenty-five of the significant SNPs also located in meat quality-related QTL regions, these result supported the QTL effect indirectly. Each single gene typically affects multiple traits. Therefore, it is a useful approach to use integrated traits for the various traits at the same time. This innovative approach using integrated traits could be applied on other GWAS of complex-traits including meat-quality, and the results will contribute to improving meat-quality of pork

Accelerated Bone Regeneration by Two-Photon Photoactivated Carbon Nitride Nanosheets

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) present promising opportunities for therapeutic medicine. Carbon derivatives showed only marginal enhancement in stem cell differentiation toward bone formation. Here we report that red-light absorbing carbon nitride (C3N4) sheets lead to remarkable proliferation and osteogenic differentiation by runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) activation, a key transcription factor associated with osteoblast differentiation. Accordingly, highly effective hBMSCs-driven mice bone regeneration under red light is achieved (91% recovery after 4 weeks compared to 36% recovery in the standard control group in phosphate-buffered saline without red light). This fast bone regeneration is attributed to the deep penetration strength of red light into cellular membranes via tissue and the resulting efficient cell stimulation by enhanced photocurrent upon two-photon excitation of C3N4 sheets near cells. Given that the photoinduced charge transfer can increase cytosolic Ca2+ accumulation, this increase would promote nucleotide synthesis and cellular proliferation/differentiation. The cell stimulation enhances hBMSC differentiation toward bone formation, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of near-infrared two-photon absorption of C3N4 sheets in bone regeneration and fracture healing.ope

Genetic Traceability of Black Pig Meats Using Microsatellite Markers

Pork from Jeju black pig (population J) and Berkshire (population B) has a unique market share in Korea because of their high meat quality. Due to the high demand of this pork, traceability of the pork to its origin is becoming an important part of the consumer demand. To examine the feasibility of such a system, we aim to provide basic genetic information of the two black pig populations and assess the possibility of genetically distinguishing between the two breeds. Muscle samples were collected from slaughter houses in Jeju Island and Namwon, Chonbuk province, Korea, for populations J and B, respectively. In total 800 Jeju black pigs and 351 Berkshires were genotyped at thirteen microsatellite (MS) markers. Analyses on the genetic diversity of the two populations were carried out in the programs MS toolkit and FSTAT. The population structure of the two breeds was determined by a Bayesian clustering method implemented in structure and by a phylogenetic analysis in Phylip. Population J exhibited higher mean number of alleles, expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity value, and polymorphism information content, compared to population B. The FIS values of population J and population B were 0.03 and −0.005, respectively, indicating that little or no inbreeding has occurred. In addition, genetic structure analysis revealed the possibility of gene flow from population B to population J. The expected probability of identify value of the 13 MS markers was 9.87×10−14 in population J, 3.17×10−9 in population B, and 1.03×10−12 in the two populations. The results of this study are useful in distinguishing between the two black pig breeds and can be used as a foundation for further development of DNA markers

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Correlation with Clinical Parameters and Prognosis

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) vary in their biologic behavior. Recurrence and tumor-related mortality may be attributable to molecular abnormalities in primary tumors. This study evaluated such immunophenotypes with regard to cell cycle regulation and proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, to determine their significance for patient outcome. Core biopsies from 219 patients with NSCLC were assembled on tissue microarrays, and the expressions of p16, p21, p27, cyclin B1, cyclin E, Ki-67, caspase-3, survivin, bcl-2, VEGF, and endostatin were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Despite previously described prognostic relevance of some of the investigated molecules, many of those markers were not directly associated with recurrence or survival. However, there was a trend for p16 immunoreactivity to be associated with a good prognosis (57% vs. 42% in 5-yr survival) (p=0.071). bcl-2 expression was strongly correlated with a better outcome (65% vs. 45% in 5-yr survival) (p=0.029), and the hazard of death for bcl-2 positive patients was 0.42 times of that for bcl-2 negative patients (p=0.047). A multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazards model confirmed that the lymph node status (p=0.043) and stage (p=0.003) were other independent prognostic factors. Our results suggest that p16 and bcl-2 provide prognostic information independent of the TNM stage in NSCLC

Correction: Pathophysiology of Endometriosis: Role of High Mobility Group Box-1 and Toll-Like Receptor 4 Developing Inflammation in Endometrium.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148165.]