Gravitating tensor monopole in a Lorentz-violating field theory

We present a solution of the coupled Einstein and rank-two antisymmetric tensor field equations where Lorentz symmetry is spontaneously broken, and we discuss its observational signatures. Especially, the deflection angles have important qualitative differences between tensor and scalar monopoles. If a monopole were to be detected, it would be discriminated whether or not to correspond to a tensor one. This phenomenon might open up new direction in the search of Lorentz violation with future astrophysical observations.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

4-Iodo­anilinium nitrate

In the title compound, C6H7IN+·NO3 −, π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances = 4.014 (4) and 4.029 (4) Å] stabilize the crystal structure and strong N—H⋯O and N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the cations and anions into zigzag chains running parallel to the c axis. The asymmetric unit contains two unique cations and anion

Epigenetic regulation of CD271, a potential cancer stem cell marker associated with chemoresistance and metastatic capacity.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be the cause of tumor initiation, metastasis and recurrence. Additionally, CSCs are responsible for the failure of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The isolation and identification of CSCs is crucial for facilitating the monitoring, therapy or prevention of cancer. We aimed to identify esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) stem-like cells, the epigenetic mechanism and identify novel biomarkers for targeting ESCC CSCs. Sixty-three paired ESCC tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues were included in this study. CD271, which was identified as the CSC marker for melanoma, was assessed using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Using flow cytometry, we isolated CD271+ cells comprising 7.5% of cancer cells from the KYSE70 cell line. Sphere formation and anchorage-independent growth were analyzed in CD271+ and CD271- cancer cells, respectively. qPCR was used to detect stem-related genes and CCK-8 was performed to analyze the sensitivity to chemotherapy in the two groups. Bisulfite genomic sequencing was used to analyze the methylation status. CD271 expression was significantly higher in ESCC tissues than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Compared with CD271- cancer cells, CD271+ cancer cells showed a higher ability of sphere and colony formation, a high level expression of stem-related gene, and resistance to chemotherapy. The expression of CD271 was induced by a demethylation agent. In conclusion, CD271+ ESCC cells possess stem-like properties. CD271 can potentially act as a prognostic marker for ESCC, whose expression is regulated epigenetically

Composite electrospun nanomembranes of fish scale collagen peptides/chito-oligosaccharides: antibacterial properties and potential for wound dressing

Yan Wang1, Chen-lu Zhang2, Qun Zhang1, Ping Li1,31School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China; 3Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaPurpose: The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the antibacterial properties and the biocompatibility of composite electrospun nanofibrous membranes (NFMs) with low-molecular-weight fish scale collagen peptides (FSCP) and chito-oligosaccharide (COS), to determine their potential for use as wound dressings.Methods: Low-molecular-weight FSCP were combined with COS to prepare nanofibers by electrospinning, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used for enhancing fiber-forming ability. Transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope methods were used to observe bacterial adhesion and the bacterial cell membrane. Fibroblast cell viability was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.Results: The best FSCP/COS mass ratio for electrospinning was 2:1, and the nanofibers had small dimensions ranging from 50 to 100 nm. The NFM showed good antibacterial activities against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activity against S. aureus was higher than against E. coli. The pili and adhesive fimbriae of E. coli promoted bacterial adhesion to the NFM surfaces, and S. aureus biofilms aided S. aureus adhesion on the surface of NFMs. Damage to the bacterial cell membrane indicates that the NFMs could lead to the release of intracellular materials, particularly with S. aureus. In addition, FSCP/COS NFM rapidly increased the permeability of the outer membranes of E. coli. The electrospun NFM with FSCP and COS had good biocompatibility in vitro and supported proliferation of human skin fibroblasts.Conclusion: FSCP are superior to mammalian collagen, and have feasibility and potency for wound dressings. FSCP/COS NFMs had good anti-bactericidal activity that improved with increased COS, and showed good biocompatibility in vitro and supported the proliferation of fibroblasts.Keywords: composite electrospun nanomembranes, fish scale collagen peptides, bacterial adhesion, bacterial cell membrane, wound dressin