Inhibition of Autophagy Signaling via 3-methyladenine Rescued Nicotine-Mediated Cardiac Pathological Effects and Heart Dysfunctions.

Rationale: Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. The deleterious effects are mainly due to nicotine, but the mechanisms involved and theranostics remain unclear. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that nicotine exposure increases the heart sensitivity to ischemia/reperfusion injury and dysfunction, which can be rescued by autophagy inhibitor. Methods: Nicotine or saline was administered to adult rats via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps in the absence or presence of an autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA). After 30 days of nicotine treatment, the rats underwent the cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) procedure and echocardiography analysis, and the heart tissues were isolated for molecular biological studies. Results: Nicotine exposure increased I/R-induced cardiac injury and cardiac dysfunction as compared to the control. The levels of autophagy-related proteins including LC3 II, P62, Beclin1, and Atg5 were upregulated in the reperfused hearts isolated from nicotine-treated group. In addition, nicotine enhanced cardiac and plasma ROS production, and increased the phosphorylation of GSK3β (ser9) in the left ventricle tissues. Treatment with 3-MA abolished nicotine-mediated increase in the levels of autophagy-related proteins and phosphorylation of GSK3β, but had no effect on ROS production. Of importance, 3-MA ameliorated the augmented I/R-induced cardiac injury and dysfunction in the nicotine-treated group as compared to the control. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that nicotine exposure enhances autophagy signaling pathway, resulting in development of ischemic-sensitive phenotype of heart. It suggests a potentially novel therapeutic strategy of autophagy inhibition for the treatment of ischemic heart disease

Realization of Zero-Refractive-Index Lens with Ultralow Spherical Aberration

Optical complex materials offer unprecedented opportunity to engineer fundamental band dispersion which enables novel optoelectronic functionality and devices. Exploration of photonic Dirac cone at the center of momentum space has inspired an exceptional characteristic of zero-index, which is similar to zero effective mass in fermionic Dirac systems. Such all-dielectric zero-index photonic crystals provide an in-plane mechanism such that the energy of the propagating waves can be well confined along the chip direction. A straightforward example is to achieve the anomalous focusing effect without longitudinal spherical aberration, when the size of zero-index lens is large enough. Here, we designed and fabricated a prototype of zero-refractive-index lens by comprising large-area silicon nanopillar array with plane-concave profile. Near-zero refractive index was quantitatively measured near 1.55 um through anomalous focusing effect, predictable by effective medium theory. The zero-index lens was also demonstrated to perform ultralow longitudinal spherical aberration. Such IC compatible device provides a new route to integrate all-silicon zero-index materials into optical communication, sensing, and modulation, and to study fundamental physics on the emergent fields of topological photonics and valley photonics.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

Garnierite mineralization from a serpentinite-derived lateritic regolith, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia: Mineralogy, geochemistry and link to hydrologic flow regime

Garnierite represents a significant nickel ore in many lateritic Ni deposits worldwide. To gain a better understanding of its nature and origin, a well-developed garnierite-hosting transect from the Kolonodale area of East Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been investigated using field geology, mineralogy and geochemical data. Garnierite occurs mainly in veins in the lower saprolite of a serpentinite-derived regolith. Mineralogically, it can be determined as an intimate mixture of Ni-rich serpentine-like (lizardite-Nepouite) and talc-like (kerolite-pimelite) phases. Results of EMP analyses indicate that Ni is preferentially enriched in the talc-like phases rather than the serpentine-like phases. A sequential precipitation of mineral phases progressively enriched in Ni and Si to form garnierite during weathering is suggested. The Ni-lizardite (2.63-8.49 wt% Ni) with elevated Fe (4.02-6.44 wt %) may have been inherited from saprolite in a first instance and enriched in Ni by cation exchange processes. Newly precipitated minerals are kerolite-pimelite (7.84-23.54 wt% Ni) and then followed by Ni-free quartz. Minor amount of Nepouite (23.47-28.51 wt% Ni) occur in laths along shrinkage cracks of previously formed minerals, indicating a late stage paragenetic sequence. With emphasis on a hydrologic consideration, indicators of a preferential flow regime are identified in the garnierite-hosting regolith, including: (i) non-uniform pattern of the garnierite field occurrence, (ii) syn-weathering active nature of the garnierite-hosting structures, (iii) close relationship between the garnierite occurrence and vertical FeeMn oxides pipes as well as FeeMn oxides patched areas, and (iv) specific physico-chemical property of the garnierite location with higher organic matter concentrations but lower pH values compared to surroundings. It is proposed that the origin of garnierite is closely linked to a preferential flow of oversaturated solutions through accessible conduits in the regolith. Garnierite features as colloidal nature, high organic matter and low pH are key-parameters in metal transport and deposition

Raman spectroscopy for accurately characterizing biomolecular changes in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells

© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Metastatic prostate cancer resistant to hormonal manipulation is considered the advanced stage of the disease and leads to most cancer-related mortality. With new research focusing on modulating cancer growth, it is essential to understand the biochemical changes in cells that can then be exploited for drug discovery and for improving responsiveness to treatment. Raman spectroscopy has a high chemical specificity and can be used to detect and quantify molecular changes at the cellular level. Collection of large data sets generated from biological samples can be employed to form discriminatory algorithms for detection of subtle and early changes in cancer cells. The present study describes Raman finger printing of normal and metastatic hormone-resistant prostate cancer cells including analyses with principal component analysis and linear discrimination. Amino acid-specific signals were identified, especially loss of arginine band. Androgen-resistant prostate cancer cells presented a higher content of phenylalanine, tyrosine, DNA and Amide III in comparison to PNT2 cells, which possessed greater amounts of L-arginine and had a B conformation of DNA. The analysis utilized in this study could reliably differentiate the 2 cell lines (sensitivity 95%; specificity 88%)

Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis among asymptomatic HIV+ patients in Guangxi, China

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among asymptomatic Chinese patients with HIV infection has not been investigated despite high tuberculosis burden in China. This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of PTB among asymptomatic patients with HIV/AIDS in Guangxi to facilitate the development of diagnostic and treatment strategies. METHODS: All asymptomatic adult HIV-infected patients with CD4 < 350 cells/µl who attended four HIV clinics in Guangxi between August 2006 and March 2008 were evaluated for active PTB with physical examination, chest X-ray (CXR), sputum smear and/or sputum liquid culture. Data were described using median (interquartile range, IQR) and frequencies. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with PTB. RESULTS: Among 340 asymptomatic subjects, 15 (4%) were diagnosed with PTB, with 4 (27%) sputum smear positive and 8 (53%) sputum culture positive. CXR has higher diagnostic sensitivity (87%) than sputum smear (25%) and sputum culture (67%), but lower specificity (56%) compared with sputum smear (99%) and culture (100%). In univariate analysis, injection drug user, body mass index (BMI) < 18 kg/m(2), CD4 < 50 cells/µl and presence of peripheral lymphadenopathy were associated with an increased risk of asymptomatic PTB, while in multivariate analysis only peripheral lymphadenopathy maintained statistical significance (OR = 7.6, 95%CI 1.4 - 40). Patients with negative smear and minor or no abnormalities on CXR had longer interval between screening and TB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: PTB was relatively common in this group of HIV(+) asymptomatic Chinese patients. Diagnosis is challenging especially where sputum culture is unavailable. These findings suggest that an enhanced evaluation for PTB needs to be integrated with HIV care in China and transmission prevention in China to control at both households and health care facilities, especially for patients with factors associated with a higher risk of PTB

Growth disturbance of extracts from several crops straw (residue) on Ageratina adenophora and biological-control implications in hazardous weed invasion for eco-restoration

Laboratory biological simulation experiment was conducted to investigate growth disturbance of high, moderate, low concentration of aqueous extracts (i.e. the original extracts with a solid liquid ratio of 1:40 g mL-1 and its 5 times diluents and 25 times diluents) from several crops straw (residue) on Ageratina adenophora, a worldwide notorious invasive weed. The results showed: (a) aqueous extracts from several crops straw (residue) brought about different impacts on the single index for germination and growth of A. adenophora, e.g., high concentration of aqueous extracts from Brassica oleracea waste leaves showed a strong inhibition against the germination rate (GR) and germination index (GI) of A. adenophora, while high concentration of aqueous extracts from Vicia cracca straw showed a strong inhibition against radicle length (RL) and hypocotyl length (HL) of A. adenophora; (b) high concentration of aqueous extracts from B. oleracea waste leaves and high, moderate and low concentration of aqueous extracts from Oryza sativa straw and Triticum aestivum straw showed rather strong synthetic effects (inhibition) on GR and GI of A. adenophora, which could be chosen for the control over the seeds germination of A. adenophora; (c) high and moderate concentrations of aqueous extracts from V. cracca straw, high concentration of aqueous extracts from B. campestris waste leaves, and moderate and low concentrations of aqueous extracts from O. sativa straw and T. aestivum straw showed rather strong synthetic effects (inhibition) on RL and HL of A. adenophora, which could be selected as ideal materials for the control over the seedlings growth of A. adenophora; and (d) high concentrations of aqueous extracts from V. cracca straw, B. oleracea waste leaves and B. campestris waste leaves, and high, moderate and low concentrations of aqueous extracts from O. sativa straw and T. aestivum straw showed rather strong synthetic effects (inhibition) on GR, GI, RL and HL of A. adenophora, which could be selected as ideal materials for the control over the seeds germination and seedlings growth of A. adenophora. Thus, this study would provide a theoretic guidance and technical support for the resources utilization of crops straw (residue) and the prevention and control over invasive weeds as well. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Laboratory biological simulation experiment was conducted to investigate growth disturbance of high, moderate, low concentration of aqueous extracts (i.e. the original extracts with a solid liquid ratio of 1:40 g mL-1 and its 5 times diluents and 25 times diluents) from several crops straw (residue) on Ageratina adenophora, a worldwide notorious invasive weed. The results showed: (a) aqueous extracts from several crops straw (residue) brought about different impacts on the single index for germination and growth of A. adenophora, e.g., high concentration of aqueous extracts from Brassica oleracea waste leaves showed a strong inhibition against the germination rate (GR) and germination index (GI) of A. adenophora, while high concentration of aqueous extracts from Vicia cracca straw showed a strong inhibition against radicle length (RL) and hypocotyl length (HL) of A. adenophora; (b) high concentration of aqueous extracts from B. oleracea waste leaves and high, moderate and low concentration of aqueous extracts from Oryza sativa straw and Triticum aestivum straw showed rather strong synthetic effects (inhibition) on GR and GI of A. adenophora, which could be chosen for the control over the seeds germination of A. adenophora; (c) high and moderate concentrations of aqueous extracts from V. cracca straw, high concentration of aqueous extracts from B. campestris waste leaves, and moderate and low concentrations of aqueous extracts from O. sativa straw and T. aestivum straw showed rather strong synthetic effects (inhibition) on RL and HL of A. adenophora, which could be selected as ideal materials for the control over the seedlings growth of A. adenophora; and (d) high concentrations of aqueous extracts from V. cracca straw, B. oleracea waste leaves and B. campestris waste leaves, and high, moderate and low concentrations of aqueous extracts from O. sativa straw and T. aestivum straw showed rather strong synthetic effects (inhibition) on GR, GI, RL and HL of A. adenophora, which could be selected as ideal materials for the control over the seeds germination and seedlings growth of A. adenophora. Thus, this study would provide a theoretic guidance and technical support for the resources utilization of crops straw (residue) and the prevention and control over invasive weeds as well. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

III-V-on-silicon photonic devices for optical communication and sensing

In the paper, we review our work on heterogeneous III-V-on-silicon photonic components and circuits for applications in optical communication and sensing. We elaborate on the integration strategy and describe a broad range of devices realized on this platform covering a wavelength range from 850 nm to 3.85 μm

Soil carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux of two shrubs in response to plant density in the northern Loess Plateau of China

Although plant density should affect soil carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux and carbon cycling in semi-arid regions, the effects of plant density on soil CO2 efflux are not well known. This study was performed to investigate the responses of soil CO2 efflux of two dominant shrubs (Caragana korshinkii and Salix psammophila) to plant density in the northern Loess Plateau of China. Two plant density treatments, low and high, were included for C. korshinkii (average 20,000 plants ha-1 and average 66,667 plants ha-1) and S. psammophila (average 9,583 plants ha-1 and average 31,250 plants ha-1). Soil CO2 efflux was measured every other day with an Ultra-light portable photosynthesis system (CI-340, CID Inc., USA) from July to October 2009. Soil CO2 efflux with high plant density was significantly larger than that with low plant density for both shrub species. Plant density did not change the temporal pattern of CO2 efflux during the study period. Our results indicated that root biomass and aboveground biomass were the significant biotic factors mediating the response of soil CO2 efflux to plant density for the two shrubs. Moreover, both soil water contents in the 0 - 6 cm soil layer and in deeper soil layer partly regulated the responses of soil CO2 efflux to the shrub density treatments in the semi-arid region.Key words: Plant density, semi-arid, shrub, soil CO2 efflux