Simultaneous targeting of CD14 and factor XIa by a fusion protein consisting of an anti-CD14 antibody and the modified second domain of bikunin improves survival in rabbit sepsis models.

Severe sepsis is a complex, multifactorial, and rapidly progressing disease characterized by excessive inflammation and coagulation following bacterial infection. To simultaneously suppress pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant responses, we genetically engineered a novel fusion protein (MR1007) consisting of an anti-CD14 antibody and the modified second domain of bikunin, and evaluated the potential of MR1007 as an anti-sepsis agent. Suppressive effects of MR1007 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses were assessed using peripheral blood mononuclear cells or endothelial cells.

Waveguide-mode interference lithography technique for high contrast subwavelength structures in the visible region.

We explore possibilities of waveguide-mode interference lithography (WMIL) technique for high contrast subwavelength structures in the visible region. Selecting an appropriate waveguide-mode, we demonstrate high contrast resist mask patterns for the first time. TM1 mode in the waveguide is shown to be useful for providing a three-dimensional structure whose cross section is checkerboard pattern.

Saturated absorption spectroscopy of acetylene molecules with an optical nanofiber.

We performed saturated absorption spectroscopy of acetylene (C₂H₂) ν₁ + ν₃ band transitions with an optical nanofiber (ONF). Owing to high-intensity light around the ONF, we observed a Lamb dip at relatively low-power laser (~10 mW) without a cavity. Our results showed that the simple ONF spectrometer is advantageous for performing saturation absorption spectroscopy and serves as a practical low-cost wavelength reference in the optical fiber communication band.

Precise intensity correlation measurement for atomic resonance fluorescence from optical molasses.

We measured the intensity correlation of true thermal light scattered from cold atoms in an optical molasses. Using a single-mode fiber as a transverse mode filter, measurement with maximally high spatial coherence was realized, allowing us to observe ideal photon bunching with unprecedented precision. The measured intensity correlation functions showed a definite bimodal structure with fast damped oscillation from the maximum value of 2.

A novel antiplatelet antibody therapy that induces cAMP-dependent endocytosis of the GPVI/Fc receptor gamma-chain complex.

Platelet adhesion to vascular subendothelium, mediated in part by interactions between collagen and glycoprotein VI (GPVI) complexed with Fc receptor gamma-chain, is crucial for thrombus formation. Antiplatelet therapy benefits patients with various thrombotic and ischemic diseases, but the safety and efficacy of existing treatments are limited. Recent data suggest GPVI as a promising target for a novel antiplatelet therapy, for example, GPVI-specific Abs that deplete GPVI from the surface of platelets.

Holographic storage of multiple coherence gratings in a Bose-Einstein condensate.

We demonstrate superradiant conversion between a two-mode collective atomic state and a single-mode light field in an elongated cloud of Bose-condensed atoms. Two off-resonant write beams induce superradiant Raman scattering, producing two independent coherence gratings with different wave vectors in the cloud. By applying phase-matched read beams after a controllable delay, the gratings can be selectively converted into the light field also in a superradiant way.

Mirror magneto-optical trap using circularly polarized light-emitting optical fibers.

A fiber-optic mirror magneto-optical trap (mirror-MOT) that uses a pair of circularly polarized light-emitting optical fibers as an optical access is demonstrated. The fiber is fabricated so that a length of birefringence fiber, designed to be a quarter wave retarder at both wavelengths of 780 and 852 nm, is attached directly onto a polarization-maintaining normal fiber. The polarization states of light emitted from the fibers are sufficiently circular for the operation of a mirror-MOT with 87Rb atoms.

Increased cytotoxicity of soluble Fas ligand by fusing isoleucine zipper motif.

Fas (CD95) ligand (FasL) has the ability to induce apoptosis in Fas-expressing glioma cells by binding to Fas. Several molecular species have been designed to be soluble Fas ligands for therapeutic purposes. We successfully constructed a chimeric soluble FasL by fusing an isoleucine zipper motif for self-oligomerization and a FLAG sequence to the extracellular domain of the human Fas ligand (FIZ-shFasL).