Apoptotic HPV Positive Cancer Cells Exhibit Transforming Properties

Previous studies have shown that DNA can be transferred from dying engineered cells to neighboring cells through the phagocytosis of apoptotic bodies, which leads to cellular transformation. Here, we provide evidence of an uptake of apoptotic-derived cervical cancer cells by human mesenchymal cells. Interestingly, HeLa (HPV 18+) or Ca Ski (HPV16+) cells, harboring integrated high-risk HPV DNA but not C-33 A cells (HPV-), were able to transform the recipient cells. Human primary fibroblasts engulfed the apoptotic bodies effectively within 30 minutes after co-cultivation. This mechanism is active and involves the actin cytoskeleton. In situ hybridization of transformed fibroblasts revealed the presence of HPV DNA in the nucleus of a subset of phagocytosing cells. These cells expressed the HPV16/18 E6 gene, which contributes to the disruption of the p53/p21 pathway, and the cells exhibited a tumorigenic phenotype, including an increased proliferation rate, polyploidy and anchorage independence growth. Such horizontal transfer of viral oncogenes to surrounding cells that lack receptors for HPV could facilitate the persistence of the virus, the main risk factor for cervical cancer development. This process might contribute to HPV-associated disease progression in vivo

High-Pressure Synthesized Lithium Pentazolate Compound Metastable under Ambient Conditions

Polynitrogen compounds have been actively pursued driven by their potential as ultra-high-performing propellants or explosives. Despite remarkable breakthroughs over the past two decades, the two figures of merit for a compelling material, namely a large fraction of nitrogen by weight and a bulk stability under ambient conditions, have not yet been achieved. We report the synthesis of a lithium pentazolate solid by compressing and laser-heating lithium embedded in molecular N2 around 45 GPa along with its recovery under ambient conditions. The observation by Raman spectroscopy of vibrational modes unique to the cyclo-N5– anion is the signature of the formation of LiN5. Mass spectroscopy experiments confirm the presence of the pentazolate anion in the recovered compound. A monoclinic lattice is obtained from X-ray diffraction measurements and the volume of the LiN5 compound under pressure is in good agreement with the theoretical calculations

Guidance of surface waves in a micron-scale phononic crystal line-defect waveguide

Peer reviewe

Concealed by darkness: combination of NMR and HRMS reveal the molecular nature of dissolved organic matter in fractured-rock groundwater and connected surface waters

Detailed molecular composition of solid phase extracted dissolved organic matter (SPEDOM) collected from fractured-rock groundwater was compared to connected surface river water at two different watersheds in the unconfined chalk aquifer of Champagne in France using full scan ultrahigh resolution electrospray and photoionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), Orbitrap tandem MS (MS/MS) and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). 1H NMR spectroscopy indicated that groundwater SPEDOM carried a higher contribution of aliphatic compounds while surface river waters SPEDOM were enriched in carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM), acetate derivatives and oxygenated units. Furthermore, we show here that use of photoionization (APPI(+)) in aquifer studies is key, ionizing about eight times more compounds than ESI in surface river water samples, specifically targeting the dissolved organic nitrogen pool, accounting for more than 50% of the total molecular space, as well as a non-polar, more aromatic fractions; with little overlap with compounds detected by ESI(-) FT-ICR MS. On the other hand, groundwater SPEDOM samples did not show similar selectivity as less molecular diversity was observed in APPI compared to ESI. Mass-difference transformation networks (MDiNs) applied to ESI(-) and APPI(+) FT-ICR MS datasets provided an overview of the biogeochemical relationships within the aquifer, revealing chemical diversity and microbial/abiotic reactions. Finally, the combination of ESI(-) FT-ICR MS and detailed Orbitrap MS/MS analysis revealed a pool of polar, anthropogenic sulphur-containing surfactants in the groundwaters, likely originating from agricultural runoff. Overall, our study shows that in this aquifer, groundwater SPEDOM contains a significantly reduced pool of organic compounds compared to surface river waters, possibly related to a combination of lack of sunlight and adsorption of high O/C formulas to mineral surfaces

A New Family of IMU based on IFOG Technology

International audienc