4,499 research outputs found
Modulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4-mediated membrane currents and synaptic transmission by protein kinase C
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Transient receptor potential Vanilloid (TRPV) receptors are involved in nociception and are expressed predominantly in sensory neurons. TRPV1, a non-selective cation channel has been extensively studied and is responsible for inflammatory thermal hypersensitivity. In this study, the expression and function of TRPV4 have been characterized and compared with those of TRPV1.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Immunohistochemical studies revealed that both TRPV1 and TRPV4 were co-expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuronal cell bodies and in the central terminals of laminae I and II of the spinal dorsal horn (DH). In Ca<sup>2+ </sup>fluorescence imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp experiments, TRPV1- and TRPV4-mediated responses were observed in a population of the same DRG neurons. Sensitization of TRPV1 has been shown to be involved in inflammatory pain conditions. Incubation with phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu), a PKC activator, resulted in a significant potentiation of TRPV4 currents in DRG neurons. In TRPV4 expressing HEK 293T cells, PDBu increased 4α-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate (4α-PDD)-induced single-channel activity in cell-attached patches, which was abrogated by bisindolylmaleimide (BIM), a selective PKC inhibitor. TRPV4 is also expressed at the central terminals of sensory neurons. Activation of TRPV4 by 4α-PDD increased the frequency of miniature excitatory post synaptic currents (mEPSCs) in DRG-DH neuronal co-cultures. 4α-PDD-induced increase in the frequency of mEPSCs was further enhanced by PDBu. The expression of TRP channels has been shown in other areas of the CNS; application of 4α-PDD significantly increased the mEPSC frequency in cultured hippocampal neurons, which was further potentiated by PDBu, whereas, TRPV1 agonist capsaicin did not modulate synaptic transmission.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that TRPV4 and TRPV1 are co-expressed in certain DRG neurons and TRPV4 can be sensitized by PKC not only in DRG neuronal cell bodies, but also in the central sensory and non-sensory nerve terminals. Co-expression of TRPV1 and TRPV4 ion channels, their modulation of synaptic transmission and their sensitization by PKC may synergistically play a role in nociception.</p
Storage of multiple single-photon pulses emitted from a quantum dot in a solid-state quantum memory
Quantum repeaters are critical components for distributing entanglement over
long distances in presence of unavoidable optical losses during transmission.
Stimulated by Duan-Lukin-Cirac-Zoller protocol, many improved quantum-repeater
protocols based on quantum memories have been proposed, which commonly focus on
the entanglement-distribution rate. Among these protocols, the elimination of
multi-photons (multi-photon-pairs) and the use of multimode quantum memory are
demonstrated to have the ability to greatly improve the
entanglement-distribution rate. Here, we demonstrate the storage of
deterministic single photons emitted from a quantum dot in a
polarization-maintaining solid-state quantum memory; in addition,
multi-temporal-mode memory with , and narrow single-photon pulses
is also demonstrated. Multi-photons are eliminated, and only one photon at most
is contained in each pulse. Moreover, the solid-state properties of both
sub-systems make this configuration more stable and easier to be scalable. Our
work will be helpful in the construction of efficient quantum repeaters based
on all-solid-state devicesComment: Published version, including supplementary materia
N-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-1,2-oxazole-4-carboxamide monohydrate
In the title compound, C11H8Cl2N2O2·H2O, the dihedral angle between the benzene and isoxazole rings is 59.10 (7)°. In the crystal, the components are linked by N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network. The crystal structure is further stabilized by π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.804 (2) Å]
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Strain-dependent luminescence and piezoelectricity in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides
The modification of optical and electronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenides via mechanical deformation has been widely
studied. Their ability to withstand large deformations before rupture has enabled large tunability of the bandgap, and further, the spatially
varying strain has been shown to control the spatial distribution of the bandgap and lead to effects such as carrier funneling. Monolayer
transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit a significant piezoelectric effect that could couple to a spatially inhomogeneous strain distribution
to influence electronic and optical behavior. We investigate both experimentally and theoretically an example case of photoluminescence in
structures with a strain distribution similar to that employed in single-photon emitters but generated here via nanoindentation. Using a
mechanical model for strain induced by nanoindentation, we show that piezoelectricity can result in charge densities reaching 10
12 e/cm2
and can generate electrostatic potential variations on the order of ±0.1 V across the suspended monolayer. We analyze the implications of
these results for luminescence and exciton transport in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides with spatially varying strain.This research was primarily supported by the National Science
Foundation (NSF) through the Center for Dynamics and Control
of Materials: An NSF MRSEC under Cooperative Agreement No.
DMR-1720595. J.Q. is partially funded by the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE), Office of Basic Energy Sciences under Grant No.
DE-SC0019398. Material preparation was funded by the Welch
Foundation via Grant No. F-1662. This work was performed in
part at the University of Texas Microelectronics Research Center, a
member of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated
Infrastructure (NNCI), which is supported by the National Science
Foundation (Grant No. ECCS-1542159), and using the facilities
and instrumentation supported by the National Science Foundation
through the Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials: An
NSF MRSEC under Cooperative Agreement No. DMR-1720595.Center for Dynamics and Control of Material
A comparison of isolation methods for black fungi degrading aromatic toxins
The prevalence of black fungi in the order Chaetothyriales has often been underestimated due to the difficulty of their isolation. In this study, three methods which are often used to isolate black fungi are compared. Enrichment on aromatic hydrocarbon appears effective in inhibiting growth of cosmopolitan microbial species and allows appearance of black fungi. We miniaturized the method for high-throughput purposes. The new procedure saves time, consumes less space and can process multiple samples simultaneously.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Predictive Value of Preoperative Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography for Axillary Lymph Nodes Metastasis in Patients With Breast Cancer
Introduction: Axillary lymph nodes (ALN) status is an essential component in tumor staging and treatment planning for patients with breast cancer. The aim of present study was to evaluate the predictive value of preoperative multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) for ALN metastasis in breast cancer patients.Methods: A total of 148 cases underwent preoperative MDCT examination and ALN surgery were eligible for the study. Logistic regression analysis of MDCT variates was used to estimate independent predictive factors for ALN metastasis. The prediction of ALN metastasis was determined with MDCT variates through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.Results: Among the 148 cases, 61 (41.2%) cases had ALN metastasis. The cortical thickness in metastatic ALN was significantly thicker than that in non-metastatic ALN (7.5 ± 5.0 mm vs. 2.6 ± 2.8 mm, P < 0.001). Multi-logistic regression analysis indicated that cortical thickness of >3 mm (OR: 12.32, 95% CI: 4.50–33.75, P < 0.001) and non-fatty hilum (OR: 5.38, 95% CI: 1.51–19.19, P = 0.009) were independent predictors for ALN metastasis. The sensitivity, specificity and AUC of MDCT for ALN metastasis prediction based on combined-variated analysis were 85.3%, 87.4%, and 0.893 (95% CI: 0.832–0.938, P < 0.001), respectively.Conclusions: Cortical thickness (>3 mm) and non-fatty hilum of MDCT were independent predictors for ALN metastasis. MDCT is a potent imaging tool for predicting ALN metastasis in breast cancer. Future prospective study on the value of contrast enhanced MDCT in preoperative ALN evaluation is warranted
Experience of Congenital Choledochal Cyst in Adults: Treatment, Surgical Procedures and Clinical Outcome in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
This study was undertaken to analyze and evaluate the diagnosis and principal treatment methods for congenital choledochal cyst, focusing on various surgical procedures and clinical outcome. A comprehensive, retrospective study was conducted on 72 adult patients who presented with choledochal cyst from 1985 to 2002. Surgical procedures were cyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy in 25 cases for type I or type IV-B, extrahepatic cyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy in 8 cases for type IV-A, extrahepatic cyst excision with modified hepaticojejunostomy in 2 cases for type IV-B, non-cyst excision with or without hepaticojejunostomy in 27 cases for types I, II, IV-A, IV-B. The early postoperative morbidity and mortality rate were 16.1% (9/62) and 6.5% (4/62) respectively, and the complication rate related to surgical procedure was 30.6% (19/62). The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma with non-cyst excision or non-operated congenital choledochal cyst was 10.8% (4/37). One patient died of primary hepatocellular carcinoma after cyst excision with hepatojejunostomy. In conclusion, our results showed that complete exci-sion of choledochal cyst for types I, II, and IV-B and complete excision of extra-hepatic choledochal cyst from the hepatic hilum in type IV-A with hepaticojejunostomy or modified hepaticojejunostomy are the treatment of choice for choledochal cyst in adult patients
Targeting nuclear transporters in cancer: Diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential
The Karyopherin superfamily is a major class of soluble transport receptors consisting of both import and export proteins. The trafficking of proteins involved in transcription, cell signalling and cell cycle regulation among other functions across the nuclear membrane is essential for normal cellular functioning. However, in cancer cells, the altered expression or localization of nuclear transporters as well as the disruption of endogenous nuclear transport inhibitors are some ways in which the Karyopherin proteins are dysregulated. The value of nuclear transporters in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer is currently being elucidated with recent studies highlighting their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets
The origin of human pathogenicity and biological interactions in Chaetothyriales
Fungi in the order Chaetothyriales are renowned for their ability to cause human infections. Nevertheless, they are not
regarded as primary pathogens, but rather as opportunists with a natural habitat in the environment. Extremotolerance is
a major trend in the order, but quite diferent from black yeasts in Capnodiales which focus on endurance, an important
additional parameter is advancing toxin management. In the ancestral ecology of rock colonization, the association with
metabolite-producing lichens is signifcant. Ant-association, dealing with pheromones and repellents, is another mainstay
in the order. The phylogenetically derived family, Herpotrichiellaceae, shows dual ecology in monoaromatic hydrocarbon
assimilation and the ability to cause disease in humans and cold-blooded vertebrates. In this study, data on ecology, phylogeny, and genomics were collected and analyzed in order to support this hypothesis on the evolutionary route of the species of
Chaetothyriales. Comparing the ribosomal tree with that of enzymes involved in toluene degradation, a signifcant expansion
of cytochromes is observed and the toluene catabolism is found to be complete in some of the Herpotrichiellaceae. This
might enhance human systemic infection. However, since most species have to be traumatically inoculated in order to cause
disease, their invasive potential is categorized as opportunism. Only in chromoblastomycosis, true pathogenicity might be
surmised. The criterion would be the possible escape of agents of vertebrate disease from the host, enabling dispersal of
adapted genotypes to subsequent generations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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