Dissipative soliton resonance Ytterbium-doped fiber laser with cylindrical vector beam generation

We experimentally demonstrate a dissipative soliton resonance (DSR) Ytterbium-doped fiber laser with high-purity cylindrical vector beam (CVB) generation, using a mode-selective coupler (MSC) as transverse mode converter and splitter. The all-normal-dispersion mode-locked Ytterbium-doped fiber laser operating at DSR regime without spectral filter can deliver CVB pulses with a pulse duration of ∼733 ps and a pulse energy as high as ∼0.439 nJ. The radially and azimuthally polarized beams can be switched by adjusting the polarization controller, with a high mode purity measured to be >94.5%. This compact DSR fiber laser could find potential applications in the field of material processing, nonlinear optics and so on

Identification and evaluation of the role of the manganese efflux protein in Deinococcus radiodurans

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Deinococcus radiodurans </it>accumulates high levels of manganese ions, and this is believed to be correlated with the radiation resistance ability of this microorganism. However, the maintenance of manganese ion homeostasis in <it>D. radiodurans </it>remains to be investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, we identified the manganese efflux protein (MntE) in <it>D. radiodurans</it>. The null mutant of <it>mntE </it>was more sensitive than the wild-type strain to manganese ions, and the growth of the <it>mntE </it>mutant was delayed in manganese-supplemented media. Furthermore, there was a substantial increase in the <it>in vivo </it>concentration of manganese ions. Consistent with these characteristics, the <it>mntE </it>mutant was more resistant to H₂O₂, ultraviolet rays, and γ-radiation. The intracellular protein oxidation (carbonylation) level of the mutant strain was remarkably lower than that of the wild-type strain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicated that <it>dr1236 </it>is indeed a <it>mntE </it>homologue and is indispensable for maintaining manganese homeostasis in <it>D. radiodurans</it>. The data also provide additional evidence for the involvement of intracellular manganese ions in the radiation resistance of <it>D. radiodurans</it>.</p

Identification and evaluation of the role of the manganese efflux protein in Deinococcus radiodurans

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Deinococcus radiodurans </it>accumulates high levels of manganese ions, and this is believed to be correlated with the radiation resistance ability of this microorganism. However, the maintenance of manganese ion homeostasis in <it>D. radiodurans </it>remains to be investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, we identified the manganese efflux protein (MntE) in <it>D. radiodurans</it>. The null mutant of <it>mntE </it>was more sensitive than the wild-type strain to manganese ions, and the growth of the <it>mntE </it>mutant was delayed in manganese-supplemented media. Furthermore, there was a substantial increase in the <it>in vivo </it>concentration of manganese ions. Consistent with these characteristics, the <it>mntE </it>mutant was more resistant to H₂O₂, ultraviolet rays, and γ-radiation. The intracellular protein oxidation (carbonylation) level of the mutant strain was remarkably lower than that of the wild-type strain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicated that <it>dr1236 </it>is indeed a <it>mntE </it>homologue and is indispensable for maintaining manganese homeostasis in <it>D. radiodurans</it>. The data also provide additional evidence for the involvement of intracellular manganese ions in the radiation resistance of <it>D. radiodurans</it>.</p

Solid optical fiber with tunable bandgaps based on curable polymer infiltrated photonic crystal fiber

We demonstrated the realization and characterization of a solid photonic bandgap fiber (SPBF) with a compact size of about 10 mm and a high wavelength sensitivity of up to -4.034 nm/°C by means of fully infiltrating an ultraviolet curable polymer with a high refractive index of 1.515 into air holes of a photonic crystal fiber (PCF). To the best of our knowledge, it was the first time that the SPBF with tunable bandgaps was fabricated in the conventional index-guiding PCF. Compared with conventional fluid filled PBFs, the proposed SPBF can be stable to temperature and other environmental effects and maintain a large extinction ratio of more than 30 dB within a broad wavelength. The splicing between the SPBF and single mode fibers has been solved. Moreover, it is observed that the bandwidth of bandgap (G2) gradually broadens with the increase in temperature

Research progress on the relationship between axonal transport dysfunction in neuronal cells and Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is known as one of the “top ten killers in the world”. Due to lack of effective therapy at present， early pathological changes have captivated widespread attention. Axonal transport dysfunction has been reported as an early pathological feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. However， multiple factors can cause axonal transport dysfunction. In this article， the relationship between axonal transport dysfunction caused by kinesins， microtubules and mitochondria and Alzheimer’s disease was discussed， aiming to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by in-depth study on axonal transport mechanism of neure

Application status of risk assessment models for periodontal disease

Risk assessment models for periodontal disease provide dentists with a precise and consolidated evaluation of the prognosis of periodontitis, enabling the formulation of personalized treatment plans. Periodontal risk assessment systems have been widely applied in clinical practice and research. The application fields of periodontal risk assessment systems vary based on the distinctions between clinical periodontal parameters and risk factors. The assessment models listed below are commonly used in clinical practice, including the periodontal risk calculator (PRC), which is an individual-based periodontal risk assessment tool that collects both periodontal and systemic information for prediction; the periodontal assessment tool (PAT), which allows for quantitative differentiation of stages of periodontal disease; the periodontal risk assessment (PRA) and modified periodontal risk assessment (mPRA), which are easy to use; and the classification and regression trees (CART), which assess the periodontal prognosis based on a single affected tooth. Additionally, there are orthodontic-periodontal combined risk assessment systems and implant periapical risk assessment systems tailored for patients needing multidisciplinary treatment. This review focuses on the current application status of periodontal risk assessment systems

LncRNA: A Potential Target for Host-Directed Therapy of Candida Infection

Despite various drugs work against Candida, candidiasis represents clinical management challenges worldwide due to the rising incidence and recurrence rate, as well as epidemics, of new drug-resistant pathogens. Recent insights into interactions between Candida and hosts contribute to exploring novel therapeutic strategies, termed host-directed therapies (HDTs). HDTs are viable adjuncts with good efficacy for the existing standard antifungal regimens. However, HDTs induce other response unintendedly, thus requiring molecular targets with highly specificity. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with highly specific expression patterns could affect biological processes, including the immune response. Herein, this review will summarize recent advances of HDTs based on the Candida&ndash;host interaction. Especially, the findings and application strategies of lncRNAs related to the host response are emphasized. We propose it is feasible to target lncRNAs to modulate the host defense during Candida infection, which provides a new perspective in identifying options of HDTs for candidiasis

Characterization of the intestinal absorption of morroniside from Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc via a Caco-2 cell monolayer model.

Morroniside is a biologically active polyphenol found in Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc (CO) that exhibits a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as protecting nerves, and preventing diabetic liver damage and renal damage. However, little data are available regarding the mechanism of its intestinal absorption. Here, an in vitro human intestinal epithelial cell model of cultured Caco-2 cells was applied to study the absorption and transport of morroniside. The effects of donor concentration, pH and inhibitors were investigated. The bidirectional permeability of morroniside from the apical (AP) to the basolateral (BL) side and in the reverse direction was studied. When administered at three tested concentrations (5, 25 and 100 μM), the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) values in the AP-to-BL direction ranged from 1.59 × 10-6 to 2.66 × 10-6 cm/s. In the reverse direction, BL-to-AP, the value was ranged from 2.67 × 10-6 to 4.10 × 10-6 cm/s. The data indicated that morroniside transport was pH-dependent. The permeability of morroniside was affected by treatment with various inhibitors, such as multidrug resistance protein inhibitors MK571 and indomethacin, as well as the breast cancer resistance protein inhibitor apigenin. The mechanisms of the intestinal absorption of morroniside may involve multiple transport pathways, such as the passive diffusion and efflux protein-mediated active transport especially involving multidrug resistance protein 2 and breast cancer resistance protein. After the addition of CO, the Papp values in the AP-to-BL direction increased significantly, therefore, it can be assumed that some ingredients in the CO promote morroniside absorption in the small intestine

Effects of bensulfuron-methyl residue on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves of cucumber seedlings.

A potted soil experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of bensulfuron-methyl (BSM) residue on the growth and photosynthesis of seedlings of a local cucumber variety (Xia Feng No.1). When the residue of bensulfuron-methyl in soil exceeded 50μg kg-1, it significantly inhibited the growth of cucumber, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic capacity of cucumber. BSM treatment caused significant decreases in the biomass, chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate, photosystem II (PSII) maximum quantum yield, actual quantum yield, photochemical quenching coefficient, and electron transport rate in cucumber seedlings, but increased the minimal fluorescence yield and dark respiration rate. Moreover, comparisons of the patterns of absorbed light energy partitioning revealed that the fractions of excess and thermally dissipated energy increased with rising concentrations of the BSM residue, but the fraction of PSII photochemistry declined. The BSM residues caused reversible destruction in the PSII reaction centers and decreased the proportion of available excitation energy used in PSII photochemistry. The results suggested that rice or wheat fields sprayed with BSM will not be suitable for planting cucumbers in succession or rotation