New Free-Space Multistage Optical Interconnection Network and its Matrix Theory

A new free-space multistage optical interconnection network which is called the Comega interconnection network is presented. It has the same topological construction for the cascade stages of the Comega interconnection. The concept of the left Comega and the right Comega interconnection networks are given to describe the whole Comega interconnection network. The matrix theory for the Comega interconnection network is presented. The route controlling of the Comega interconnection network is decided based on the matrix analysis. The node switching states in cascade stages of the 8 by 8 Comega interconnection network for the route selection are given. The data communications between arbitrary input channel with arbitrary output channel can be performed easily

Crossover Photonic Switching Network with CMOS/SEED Smart Pixel Device and 2D Optical Fiber Bundle Array

A 16 X 16 Crossover photonic switching network with hybrid integrated CMOS/SEED smart pixel device and 2D optical fiber bundle array I/O access device is reported in this paper. SEEd array devices ar used as light receivers and transmitters, while CMOS devices make efficient logical processing. 4 X 40 2D multilayer optical fiber bundle arrays are fabricated and are used as I/O access devices in the crossover photonic switching network. The center to center spacing between adjacent optical fibers in the same layer of the fiber array is 125micrometers , and the spacing between adjacent layers is 250micrometers . Displacing tolerance of the fiber bundle arrays is less than 4 micrometers and the angular tilt error is less than 0.03 degree. It has the feature of high density, high precision, array permutation and easy to couple with 2D CMOS/SEED smart pixel device

Optoelectronic Switching Network with 2D Optical Fiber Bundle Array I/O Access Device

An optoelectronic switching network with 2-D optical fiber bundle arrays I/O access device is presented in this paper. An optoelectronic recirculating Banyan network based on CMOS/SEED smart pixel device is used in this configuration. Thirty-two X two single-mode fiber bundle array and 32 X 2 multi- mode fiber bundle array are fabricated respectively based on the features of high density, high precision and array permutation of the CMOS/SEED optoelectronic integrated devices. The measuring results show that the center to center spacing between adjacent optical fibers in the same layer of the fiber array is 125 micrometer, and the spacing between adjacent layers is 500 micrometer. Displacing tolerance of the fiber bundle arrays is less than 2 micrometer and the angular tilt error is less than 0.02 degree

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis Promotes Hepatic Stellate Cells Migration via Canonical NF-κB/MMP9 Pathway.

In the liver, the signal and function of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) have mainly been assessed in association with liver regeneration. However, the effects of TWEAK on liver fibrosis have not been fully elucidated. To investigate the effects of TWEAK on human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and to explore the relevant potential mechanisms, human HSCs line-LX-2 were cultured with TWEAK. Cell migration was detected by transwell assay; cell viability was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8; the expression of MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7, MMP8, MMP9, MMP10, MMP11, MMP12, MMP13 gene was identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting; the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was tested by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay; small interfering RNA transfection was applied for depletion of MMP9 and p65. The result of transwell assay revealed that TWEAK promoted LX-2 migration. Subsequently, our data testified that the expression and activity of MMP9 was induced by TWEAK in LX-2 cells, which enhanced the migration. Furthermore, our findings showed that TWEAK upregulated the phosphorylation of IκBα and p65 protein to increase MMP9 expression in LX-2 cells. Meanwhile, the alpha-smooth muscle actin, vimentin and desmin expression were upregulated following TWEAK treatment. The results in the present study revealed that TWEAK promotes HSCs migration via canonical NF-κB/MMP9 pathway, which possibly provides a molecular basis targeting TWEAK for the therapy of liver fibrosis

List of primer sequences.

<p>List of primer sequences.</p

LX-2 cells migration was enhanced by TWEAK.

<p>(A) LX-2 cells were treated with vehicle (PBS) or 20 ng/ml, 40 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml TWEAK for 24 h, then the transwell assay was performed. The data shown here are from three independent experiments with similar results. Original magnification 200×. (B) The number of migrated cells were displayed as histogram, compared with the control group. The data were displayed as the mean value of cells in five fields based on three independent experiments. (C) LX-2 cells were treated with vehicle (PBS) or vary concentrations of TWEAK for 24 h or 48 h and assayed by CCK-8. Results are expressed as the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. **<i>P<</i>0.05, ***<i>P<</i>0.01 when compared with the control group.</p

TWEAK significantly increased the expression of MMP7, MMP8, MMP9, MMP13 and the activity of MMP9 in LX-2 cells.

<p>(A) The mRNA expression of MMP7, MMP8, MMP9 and MMP13 were measured by qRT-PCR in LX-2 cells treated with 40 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml TWEAK for 24 h. β-actin served as an internal control. (B) The mRNA of MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP10, MMP11 and MMP12 was examined by qRT-PCR in LX-2 cells treated with 40 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml TWEAK for 24 h. β-actin served as an internal control. (C) Western blotting to examine the expression of MMP7, MMP8, MMP9 and MMP13 in LX-2 cells treated with 40 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml TWEAK for 24 h. β-actin was used as a loading control. (D) Activated MMP9 expression in LX-2 cells culture medium was investigated by Elisa after being treated with 40 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml TWEAK for 24 h. (E) Activated MMP7, MMP8 and MMP13 in LX-2 cells culture medium were tested by Elisa after being treated with 40 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml TWEAK for 24 h. Results are expressed as the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. *<i>P<</i>0.05, **<i>P<</i>0.01,****<i>P<</i>0.0001.</p