Ultimate photo-induced Kerr rotation achieved in semiconductor microcavities

Photoinduced Kerr rotation by more than $\pi /2$ radians is demonstrated in planar quantum well microcavity in the strong coupling regime. This result is close to the predicted theoretical maximum of $\pi$. It is achieved by engineering microcavity parameters such that the optical impedance matching condition is reached at the smallest negative detuning between exciton resonance and the cavity mode. This ensures the optimum combination of the exciton induced optical non-linearity and the enhancement of the Kerr angle by the cavity. Comprehensive analysis of the polarization state of the light in this regime shows that both renormalization of the exciton energy and the saturation of the excitonic resonance contribute to the observed optical nonlinearities.Comment: Shortened version prepared to submit in Phys. Rev. Letter

EpiSouth: a network for communicable disease control in the Mediterranean region and the Balkans

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Stereochemical effects in supramolecular self-assembly at surfaces: 1-D versus 2-D enantiomorphic ordering for PVBA and PEBA on Ag(111)

We present investigations on noncovalent bonding and supramolecular self-assembly of two related molecular building blocks at a noble metal surface: 4-[trans-2-(pyrid-4-yl-vinyl)]benzoic acid (PVBA) and 4-[(pyrid-4-yl-ethynyl)]benzoic acid (PEBA). These rigid, rodlike molecules comprising the same complementary moieties for hydrogen bond formation are comparable in shape and size. For PVBA, the ethenylene moiety accounts for two-dimensional (2-D) chirality upon confinement to a surface; PEBA is linear and thus 2-D achiral. Molecular films were deposited on a Ag(111) surface by organic molecular beam epitaxy and characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy. At low temperatures (around 150 K), both species form irregular networks of flat lying molecules linked via their endgroups in a diffusion-limited aggregation process. In the absence of kinetic limitations (adsorption or annealing at room temperature), hydrogen-bonded supramolecular assemblies form which are markedly different. With PVBA, enantiomorphic twin chains in two mirror-symmetric species running along a high-symmetry direction of the substrate lattice form by diastereoselective self-assembly of one enantiomer. The chirality signature is strictly correlated between neighboring twin chains. Enantiopure one-dimensional (1-D) supramolecular nanogratings with tunable periodicity evolve at intermediate coverages, reflecting chiral resolution in micrometer domains. In contrast, PEBA assembles in 2-D hydrogen-bonded islands, which are enantiomorphic because of the orientation of the supramolecular arrangements along low-symmetry directions of the substrate. Thus, for PVBA, chiral molecules form 1-D enantiomorphic supramolecular structures because of mesoscopic resolution of a 2-D chiral species, whereas with PEBA, the packing of an achiral species causes 2-D enantiomorphic arrangements. Model simulations of supramolecular ordering provide a deeper understanding of the stability of these systems.LN

Expression analysis of genes associated with human osteosarcoma tumors shows correlation of RUNX2 overexpression with poor response to chemotherapy

Background: Human osteosarcoma is the most common pediatric bone tumor. There is limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying osteosarcoma oncogenesis, and a lack of good diagnostic as well as prognostic clinical markers for this disease. Recent discoveries have highlighted a potential role of a number of genes including: RECQL4, DOCK5, SPP1, RUNX2, RB1, CDKN1A, P53, IBSP, LSAMP, MYC, TNFRSF1B, BMP2, HISTH2BE, FOS, CCNB1, and CDC5L. Methods: Our objective was to assess relative expression levels of these 16 genes as potential biomarkers of osteosarcoma oncogenesis and chemotherapy response in human tumors. We performed quantitative expression analysis in a panel of 22 human osteosarcoma tumors with differential response to chemotherapy, and 5 normal human osteoblasts.Results: RECQL4, SPP1, RUNX2, and IBSP were significantly overexpressed, and DOCK5, CDKN1A, RB1, P53, and LSAMP showed significant loss of expression relative to normal osteoblasts. In addition to being overexpressed in osteosarcoma tumor samples relative to normal osteoblasts, RUNX2 was the only gene of the 16 to show significant overexpression in tumors that had a poor response to chemotherapy relative to good responders. Conclusion: These data underscore the loss of tumor suppressive pathways and activation of specific oncogenic mechanisms associated with osteosarcoma oncogenesis, while drawing attention to the role of RUNX2 expression as a potential biomarker of chemotherapy failure in osteosarcoma. © 2010 Sadikovic et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Temporal omics analysis in Syrian hamsters unravel cellular effector responses to moderate COVID-19

In COVID-19, immune responses are key in determining disease severity. However, cellular mechanisms at the onset of inflammatory lung injury in SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly involving endothelial cells, remain ill-defined. Using Syrian hamsters as a model for moderate COVID-19, we conduct a detailed longitudinal analysis of systemic and pulmonary cellular responses, and corroborate it with datasets from COVID-19 patients. Monocyte-derived macrophages in lungs exert the earliest and strongest transcriptional response to infection, including induction of pro-inflammatory genes, while epithelial cells show weak alterations. Without evidence for productive infection, endothelial cells react, depending on cell subtypes, by strong and early expression of anti-viral, pro-inflammatory, and T cell recruiting genes. Recruitment of cytotoxic T cells as well as emergence of IgM antibodies precede viral clearance at day 5 post infection. Investigating SARS-CoV-2 infected Syrian hamsters thus identifies cell type-specific effector functions, providing detailed insights into pathomechanisms of COVID-19 and informing therapeutic strategies

Sequence comparison of prefrontal cortical brain transcriptome from a tame and an aggressive silver fox (Vulpes vulpes)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Two strains of the silver fox (<it>Vulpes vulpes</it>), with markedly different behavioral phenotypes, have been developed by long-term selection for behavior. Foxes from the tame strain exhibit friendly behavior towards humans, paralleling the sociability of canine puppies, whereas foxes from the aggressive strain are defensive and exhibit aggression to humans. To understand the genetic differences underlying these behavioral phenotypes fox-specific genomic resources are needed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>cDNA from mRNA from pre-frontal cortex of a tame and an aggressive fox was sequenced using the Roche 454 FLX Titanium platform (> 2.5 million reads & 0.9 Gbase of tame fox sequence; >3.3 million reads & 1.2 Gbase of aggressive fox sequence). Over 80% of the fox reads were assembled into contigs. Mapping fox reads against the fox transcriptome assembly and the dog genome identified over 30,000 high confidence fox-specific SNPs. Fox transcripts for approximately 14,000 genes were identified using SwissProt and the dog RefSeq databases. An at least 2-fold expression difference between the two samples (p < 0.05) was observed for 335 genes, fewer than 3% of the total number of genes identified in the fox transcriptome.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Transcriptome sequencing significantly expanded genomic resources available for the fox, a species without a sequenced genome. In a very cost efficient manner this yielded a large number of fox-specific SNP markers for genetic studies and provided significant insights into the gene expression profile of the fox pre-frontal cortex; expression differences between the two fox samples; and a catalogue of potentially important gene-specific sequence variants. This result demonstrates the utility of this approach for developing genomic resources in species with limited genomic information.</p

К ВОПРОСУ ОБ ОРГАНИЗАЦИИ ОТДЕЛЕНИЙ РЕАБИЛИТАЦИИ ДЛЯ ДЕТЕЙ — РЕКОНВАЛЕСЦЕНТОВ ИНФЕКЦИОННЫХ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЙ

Recently the actual direction is development of programs of rehabilitation of the second stage of recovering of infectious diseases children. The purpose of this work is justification of need of the organization of offices of rehabilitation in a children's infectious hospital according to Order of the organization of medical rehabilitation. The retrospective analysis of clinical records of the patients who have arrived on treatment in clinical divisions of Federal State Budgetary Institution of Research of Children's Infections of Russia in 2011—2012 is carried out. It is established, that among surveyed 14 363 for 2 years of patients (in a year on the average more than 7000 children) — about 40% (2800 patients a year) children for whom rehabilitation actions of the second stage in the conditions of a hospital, including carrying out a diet therapy, physiotherapy exercises, physical therapy and pharmacotherapy are necessary. On a profile of infectious patients for rendering the rehabilitation help it is expedient to organize 2 offices on 30 beds: for treatment of children with consequences of neuroinfections and children with somatic pathology. The organization of two offices for carrying out medical rehabilitation of the second stage to recovering infectious diseases children taking into account recommended standards on equipment, according to the Order of the organization of medical rehabilitation, will allow to give high-tech help to patients and to prevent development of complications.В последнее время актуальным направлением является разработка программ реабилитации второго этапа детей-реконвалесцентов инфекционных заболеваний. Целью данной работы является обоснование необходимости организации отделений реабилитации в детском инфекционном стационаре в соответствии с Порядком организации медицинской реабилитации. Проведен ретроспективный анализ историй болезни больных, поступивших на лечение в клинические подразделения ФГБУ «НИИДИ ФМБА России» в 2011—2012 гг. Установлено, что среди обследованных 14 363 за 2 года пациентов (в год в среднем более 7000 детей) — около 40% (2800 больных в год) детей, кому необходимы реабилитационные мероприятия второго этапа в условиях стационара, в том числе проведение диетотерапии, ЛФК, физиотерапии и фармакотерапии. По профилю инфекционных больных для оказания реабилитационной помощи целесообразно организовать 2 отделения по 30 коек: для лечения детей с последствиями нейроинфекций и детей с соматической патологией. Организация двух отделений для проведения медицинской реабилитации второго этапа детям — реконвалесцентам инфекционных заболеваний с учетом рекомендуемых стандартов по оснащению, согласно Порядку организации медицинской реабилитации, позволит оказывать высокотехнологическую помощь пациентам и предупреждать развитие осложнений

ТЯЖЕЛАЯ СОЧЕТАННАЯ ЧЕРЕПНО-МОЗГОВАЯ ТРАВМА: ОСОБЕННОСТИ КЛИНИЧЕСКОГО ТЕЧЕНИЯ И ИСХОДЫ

Severe multisystem craniocerebral injury (smcci) is characterized by long-term disability and high lethal rates. Objective: analysis of smcci, features of its clinical course and lethality, including the main causes and terms of death. Materials and methods. An analysis of 170 case histories of the deceased with smcci was carried out: 130 men (76.5%) and 40 women (23.5%). The average age is 43.3±17.5 years. Victims were divided into groups, depending on the combination of head trauma with injuries to other anatomical areas of the body. The analysis of lethality, including the main causes and terms of lethal outcomes, was conducted. Depending on the main causes of death, all the deceased were divided into five groups: massive blood loss and shock, edema and dislocation of the brain, infectious pulmonary complications, purulent intoxication and others. Depending on the terms of death, the victims were divided into four subgroups: i — up to 24 hours, ii — from 1 to 3 days, iii — from 3 to 10 days, and iv — more than 10 days. The severity of the damage was assessed according to the injury severity score (iss), the level of consciousness was assessed according to the glasgow coma scale (gcs). The frequency of development of infectious complications and its relation to the terms of death was analyzed as well. Results. In the distribution of the victims, depending on the main causes of death, it was found that: in 41.2% (70) cases, the main cause of death was edema and dislocation of the brain; 25.3% (43) — massive blood loss and shock; 15.9% (27) had purulent intoxication, 12.9% (22) had infectious pulmonary complications and 4.7% (8) died due to other causes. The number of patients who died on the first day was 62 (36.5%), while 35 victims (56.5%) died within the first 3 hours after admission. On the third day, 24 patients (14.1%) died, 37 patients (21.8%) died 3-10 days after admission, and 47 patients (27.6%) died later than 10 days after admission. There was a significant correlation between the severity of the trauma and the terms of death: spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = -0.637 (-0.718; -0.538), p&lt;0.0001. A significant connection between the iss and the timing of death was indicated by the chi-square=99.495, degrees of freedom=9, p&lt;0.0001 for the contingency table 4x4. A significant correlation between the development of the ipc and the terms of death was indicated by the analysis of the contingency table (2x4): chi-square=143.136 with degrees of freedom=3 and p&lt;0.0001. Conclusion. In the general structure of smcci, victims with a combination of head and musculoskeletal injuries prevailed, the combination with a chest trauma was second, the combination with a trauma to the abdomen was third and the combination with a spinal injury was fourth. The main causes of death were edema and dislocation of the brain, massive hemorrhage and shock, infectious pulmonary complications, septic complications and others. The statistically significant relation was found between the trauma severity, the development of infectious complications, “main causes” on the one hand, and the terms of death on the other.Резюме. Тяжелая сочетанная черепно-мозговая травма (ТСЧМТ) характеризуется длительной утратой трудоспособности и высокой летальностью.Цель. Анализ ТСЧМТ, особенностей ее клинического течения и летальности, включая основные причины и сроки смертельных исходов.Материал и методы. Проведен анализ 170 историй болезни умерших с ТСЧМТ: 130 мужчин (76,5%) и 40 женщин (23,5%). Средний возраст пострадавших составил 43,3±17,5 года. Пострадавшие распределены по группам в зависимости от сочетания травмы головы с повреждениями других анатомических областей тела. Проведен анализ летальности, включая основные причины и сроки смертельных исходов. В зависимости от основных причин смерти все умершие были распределены на пять групп: массивная кровопотеря и шок, отек и дислокация головного мозга, инфекционные легочные осложнения (ИЛО), гнойная интоксикация и прочие. В зависимости от сроков смерти пострадавшие распределены на четыре подгруппы: I — до 24 ч, II — от 1 до 3 сут, III — от 3 до 10 сут и IV — свыше 10 сут. Оценка тяжести повреждений проводилась по Injury Severity Score (ISS), уровня сознания — по шкале комы Глазго. Анализировалась частота развития инфекционных осложнений и их связь со сроками смерти.Результаты. При распределении пострадавших в зависимости от основных причин смерти было выявлено, что у 41,2% (70 пациентов) основной причиной смерти явились отек и дислокация головного мозга, у 25,3% (43) — массивная кровопотеря и шок, у 15,9% (27) — гнойная интоксикация, у 12,9% (22) — ИЛО и у 4,7% пострадавших (8) смерть наступила от прочих причин. Число умерших в первые сутки составило 62 человека (36,5%), при этом 35 (56,5%) из них погибли в первые 3 ч от момента поступления. В 1-е–3-и сут погибли 24 пациента (14,1%), в срок от 3 до 10 сут — 37 (21,8%) и в срок свыше 10 сут — 47 пациентов (27,6%). Отмечается статистически значимая корреляция между тяжестью травмы и сроками смерти: коэффициент ранговой корреляции Спирмена составил -0,637 (-0,718; -0,538), р&lt;0,0001. О статистически значимой связи между тяжестью повреждений по ISS и сроками смерти свидетельствует также тест Хи-квадрат, равный 99,495, количество степеней свободы 9, р&lt;0,0001 для таблицы сопряженности 4х4. О статистически значимой зависимости между развитием ИЛО и сроками смерти свидетельствует анализ таблицы сопряженности 2х4: Хи-квадрат составил 143,136 при количестве степеней свободы 3 и р&lt;0,0001.Заключение. Основными причинами смерти при ТСЧМТ явились: отек и дислокация головного мозга; массивная кровопотеря и шок; гнойно-септические осложнения; ИЛО и прочие. Выявлена статистически значимая связь между тяжестью травмы, развитием инфекционных осложнений, основными причинами смерти, с одной стороны, и сроками смертельных исходов с другой