A visible, targeted high-efficiency gene delivery and transfection strategy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To enhance myocardial angiogenic gene expression, a novel gene delivery strategy was tested. Direct intramyocardial injection of an angiogenic gene with microbubbles and insonation were applied in a dog animal model. Dogs received one of the four different treatments in conjunction with either the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) gene or the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene: gene with microbubbles (MB) and ultrasound (US); gene with US; gene with MB; or the gene alone.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Distribution of MB and the gene in the myocardium was visualized during the experiment. Compared with the EGFP gene group, an average 14.7-fold enhancement in gene expression was achieved in the EGFP+MB/US group (P < 0.01). Compared with the HGF gene group, an average 10.7-fold enhancement in gene expression was achieved in the HGF+MB/US group (P < 0.01). In addition, capillary density increased from 20.8 ± 3.4/mm2 in the HGF gene group to 146.7 ± 31.4/mm2 in HGF+MB/US group (P < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Thus, direct intramyocardial injection of an angiogenic gene in conjunction with microbubbles plus insonation synergistically enhances angiogenesis. This method offers an observable gene delivery procedure with enhanced expression efficiency of the delivered gene.</p

Topotactic hydrogen in nickelate superconductors and akin infinite-layer oxides ABO2

Superconducting nickelates appear to be difficult to synthesize. Since the chemical reduction of ABO3 (A: rare earth; B transition metal) with CaH2 may result in both, ABO2 and ABO2H, we calculate the topotactic H binding energy by density functional theory (DFT). We find intercalating H is energetically favorable for LaNiO2 but not for Sr-doped NdNiO2. This has dramatic consequences for the electronic structure as determined by DFT+dynamical mean field theory: that of 3d9 LaNiO2 is similar to (doped) cuprates, 3d8 LaNiO2H is a two-orbital Mott insulator. Topotactical H might hence explain why some nickelates are superconducting and others are not.Comment: Comments are welcom

Differential Analysis of Proteomes among Camel Meat from Different Ages

The differences in the proteomes of camel meat from different age groups were analyzed by tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify the key quality-related proteins of camel meat. The results showed that differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) had an important effect on the quality of camel meat. A total of 311 DEPs were identified in the longissimus dorsi muscle of camels from three age groups, 3–4 (I), 6–7 (II), and 9–10 (III) years old. Altogether 245 DEPs were identified in groups I versus II, 16 in groups II versus III, and 139 in groups I versus III. In addition, 194, 1, and 110 DEPs were up-regulated, and 51, 15, and 29 DEPs were down-regulated in the three comparison groups, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation analysis indicated that structural proteins, metabolic proteins, and heat stress proteins could be used as biomarkers for discrimination among camel meat from different ages. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the DEPs were mainly involved in fatty acid metabolism, glycolysis/glucose production, amino acid biosynthesis, and the hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis showed that metabolic enzyme proteins were key network-connecting proteins that affect camel meat from different ages. Correlation analysis showed that 16 DEPs were correlated closely with meat tenderness. The tenderness of camel meat from the three age groups was mainly influenced by actin, histone and protein kinases. The results of this study can provide a scientific basis for the grading and evaluation of camel meat, the selection of optimal slaughter age, and the study of camel meat quality characteristics

The linear and nonlinear Jaynes-Cummings model for the multiphoton transition

With the Jaynes-Cummings model, we have studied the atom and light field quantum entanglement of multiphoton transition, and researched the effect of initial state superposition coefficient $C_{1}$, the transition photon number $N$, the quantum discord $\delta$ and the nonlinear coefficient $\chi$ on the quantum entanglement degrees. We have given the quantum entanglement degrees curves with time evolution, and obtained some results, which should have been used in quantum computing and quantum information.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1404.0821, arXiv:1205.0979 by other author

Approaching the standard quantum limit of a Rydberg-atom microwave electrometer

The development of a microwave electrometer with inherent uncertainty approaching its ultimate limit carries both fundamental and technological significance. Recently, the Rydberg electrometer has garnered considerable attention due to its exceptional sensitivity, small-size, and broad tunability. This specific quantum sensor utilizes low-entropy laser beams to detect disturbances in atomic internal states, thereby circumventing the intrinsic thermal noise encountered by its classical counterparts. However, due to the thermal motion of atoms, the advanced Rydberg-atom microwave electrometer falls considerably short of the standard quantum limit by over three orders of magnitude. In this study, we utilize an optically thin medium with approximately 5.2e5 laser-cooled atoms to implement heterodyne detection. By mitigating a variety of noises and strategically optimizing the parameters of the Rydberg electrometer, our study achieves an electric-field sensitivity of 10.0 nV/cm/Hz^1/2 at a 100 Hz repetition rate, reaching a factor of 2.6 above the standard quantum limit and a minimum detectable field of 540 pV/cm. We also provide an in-depth analysis of noise mechanisms and determine optimal parameters to bolster the performance of Rydberg-atom sensors. Our work provides insights into the inherent capacities and limitations of Rydberg electrometers, while offering superior sensitivity for detecting weak microwave signals in numerous applications.Comment: 12 page

LNK suppresses interferon signaling in melanoma.

LNK (SH2B3) is a key negative regulator of JAK-STAT signaling which has been extensively studied in malignant hematopoietic diseases. We found that LNK is significantly elevated in cutaneous melanoma; this elevation is correlated with hyperactive signaling of the RAS-RAF-MEK pathway. Elevated LNK enhances cell growth and survival in adverse conditions. Forced expression of LNK inhibits signaling by interferon-STAT1 and suppresses interferon (IFN) induced cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. In contrast, silencing LNK expression by either shRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 potentiates the killing effect of IFN. The IFN-LNK signaling is tightly regulated by a negative feedback mechanism; melanoma cells exposed to IFN upregulate expression of LNK to prevent overactivation of this signaling pathway. Our study reveals an unappreciated function of LNK in melanoma and highlights the critical role of the IFN-STAT1-LNK signaling axis in this potentially devastating disease. LNK may be further explored as a potential therapeutic target for melanoma immunotherapy