Phase angle encoded upconversion luminescent nanocrystals for multiplexing applications.

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are increasingly used as luminescent candidates in multiplexing applications due to their excellent optical properties. In the past, several encoding identities have been proposed for UCNPs, including emission colour, intensity ratio between different emission bands, colour spatial distribution, and luminescence lifetime. In this paper, a new optical encoding dimension for upconversion nanomaterials is developed by exploring their luminescence kinetics, i.

Placenta percreta with colon involvement in a twin pregnancy: case report and literature review.

A case of a woman with twin pregnancy having placenta percreta involving the colon, showed hematochezia symptoms, experienced bleeding which caused the patient's mortality. Placenta percreta with bowel involvement is a very serious complication of pregnancy. Symptoms are very atypical and it is very difficult to diagnose.

MiR-150 promotes cellular metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer by targeting FOXO4.

Previous studies have shown that dysregulation of microRNA-150 (miR-150) is associated with aberrant proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. However, whether miR-150 has a critical role in NSCLC cell metastasis is unknown. Here, we reveal that the critical pro-metastatic role of miR-150 in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) through down-regulation of FOXO4 in NSCLC.

A systematic review of randomised controlled trials examining the therapeutic effects of adult bone marrow-derived stem cells for non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Certain early-phase clinical trials have suggested that bone marrow-derived stem cell transplantation might improve left ventricular function in patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM), whereas others trials have revealed no benefit from this approach. We sought to evaluate the therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy on NIDCM.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases (through February 2016) for randomised controlled clinical trials that reported on bone marrow-derived stem cell transplantation for patients with NIDCM with a follow-up period ≥12 months.

Electrostatic Capture Following Laser Microdissection for the Preparation of Homogeneous Biological Specimens.

There is an unmet need for researchers in life sciences and clinical pathology to obtain untainted target cells with very high accuracy, which are suitable for subsequent genome and protein analysis. In this paper, an electrostatic capture laser microdissection technology (ECM) is proposed and explained. Following microscopic identification and separation of target cells from the surrounding tissues using laser cutting, the ECM uses electrostatic forces to capture target cells.

MEG May Reveal Hidden Population of Spikes in Epilepsy With Porencephalic Cyst/Encephalomalacia.

Porencephalic cyst/encephalomalacia is often associated with intractable epilepsy. A limited number of studies reported magnetoencephalography's (MEG's) potential to help construct treatment strategy for epilepsies associated with porencephalic cyst/encephalomalacia. The authors present here simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and MEG findings in three adult patients with pediatric-onset epilepsy due to porencephalic cyst/encephalomalacia.

An Observation-Driven Agent-Based Modeling and Analysis Framework for C. elegans Embryogenesis.

With cutting-edge live microscopy and image analysis, biologists can now systematically track individual cells in complex tissues and quantify cellular behavior over extended time windows. Computational approaches that utilize the systematic and quantitative data are needed to understand how cells interact in vivo to give rise to the different cell types and 3D morphology of tissues. An agent-based, minimum descriptive modeling and analysis framework is presented in this paper to study C.

Application and characterization of electroactive membranes based on carbon nanotubes and zerovalent iron nanoparticles.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes were produced from multi-walled CNTs by a filtration technique and used for the removal of the betablocker metoprolol by adsorptive and reactive processes. The reactivity of CNT membranes was enhanced by nanoparticulate zero-valent iron (NZVI) which was deposited on the CNT membranes by pulsed voltammetry applying defined number of pulses (Fe-CNT (100) and Fe-CNT (400) membranes). Surface analysis with SEM showed iron nanoparticle sizes between 19 and 425 nm.

4.1N is involved in a flotillin-1/β-catenin/Wnt pathway and suppresses cell proliferation and migration in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines.

The membrane-cytoskeletal protein 4.1N has recently been proposed as a tumor suppressor in a number of cancers of epithelial origin, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the molecular mechanism associated with 4.

Directed chromosomal integration and expression of porcine rotavirus outer capsid protein VP4 in Lactobacillus casei ATCC393.

Using two-step plasmid integration in the presence of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), we developed a stable and markerless Lactobacillus casei strain for vaccine antigen expression. The upp of L. casei, which encodes uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRTase), was used as a counterselection marker.

Ginsenoside Rg5 Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Mice through Inhibition of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis.

Although cisplatin is an effective anti-cancer agent that is widely used for treating various types of malignant solid tumors, the nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin severely limits its clinical application. The present study was designed to explore the potential protective effect of ginsenoside Rg5, a rare ginsenoside generated during steaming ginseng, on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in a mouse experimental model. The possible mechanisms underlying this nephroprotective effect were also investigated for the first time.

Electrical gas sensors based on structured organic ultra-thin films and nanocrystals on solid state substrates.

Gas sensors, as useful tools to detect specific gas species such as toxic and explosive gases or volatile organic compounds, are the key components for environmental monitoring, fruit maturity and food safety monitoring, health care, and so on. The present commercial products based on porous metal oxide materials still face problems, such as high temperature operation and low level of selectivity. Thin films or nanostructures of organic materials with thickness or grain size down to nanometer scale represent promising candidates for gas sensing due to their potential for achieving high selectivity, portability and low cost.

Automated MRI Volumetric Analysis in Patients with Rasmussen Syndrome.

Background And Purpose: Rasmussen syndrome, also known as Rasmussen encephalitis, is typically associated with volume loss of the affected hemisphere of the brain. Our aim was to apply automated quantitative volumetric MR imaging analyses to patients diagnosed with Rasmussen encephalitis, to determine the predictive value of lobar volumetric measures and to assess regional atrophy differences as well as monitor disease progression by using these measures.

Materials And Methods: Nineteen patients (42 scans) with diagnosed Rasmussen encephalitis were studied.

Lock-in-detection-free line-scan stimulated Raman scattering microscopy for near video-rate Raman imaging.

We report on the development of a unique lock-in-detection-free line-scan stimulated Raman scattering microscopy technique based on a linear detector with a large full well capacity controlled by a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for near video-rate Raman imaging. With the use of parallel excitation and detection scheme, the line-scan SRS imaging at 20 frames per second can be acquired with a ∼5-fold lower excitation power density, compared to conventional point-scan SRS imaging. The rapid data communication between the FPGA and the linear detector allows a high line-scanning rate to boost the SRS imaging speed without the need for lock-in detection.

Identification of MicroRNAs Involved in Growth Arrest and Apoptosis in Hydrogen Peroxide-Treated Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line HepG2.

Although both oxidative stress and microRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in physiological and pathological processes, little is known about the interactions between them. In this study, we first described the regulation of H2O2 in cell viability, proliferation, cycle, and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. Then, miRNAs expression was profiled after H2O2 treatment.

GATA3 expression correlates with poor prognosis and tumor-associated macrophage infiltration in peripheral T cell lymphoma.

Peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) is an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma characterized by a poor prognosis. In this study, we examined the prognostic value of two T-cell-specific transcription factors, GATA3 and T-bet, in PTCL, uncovered the pathogenesis of PTCL, and investigated new PTCL therapeutic targets. Samples from 109 PTCL patients were examined for expression of GATA3, T-bet and CD68.

Correlating magnetoencephalography to stereo-electroencephalography in patients undergoing epilepsy surgery.

. Magnetoencephalography and stereo-electroencephalography are often necessary in the course of the non-invasive and invasive presurgical evaluation of challenging patients with medically intractable focal epilepsies. In this study, we aim to examine the significance of magnetoencephalography dipole clusters and their relationship to stereo-electroencephalography findings, area of surgical resection, and seizure outcome.

Growth of Highly Oriented Ultrathin Crystalline Organic Microstripes: Effect of Alkyl Chain Length.

The growth of organic semiconductor with controllable morphology is a crucial issue for achieving high-performance devices. Here we present the systematic study of the effect of the alkyl chain attached to the functional entity on controlling the growth of oriented microcrystals by dip-coating. Alkylated DTBDT-based molecules with variable chain lengths from n-butyl to n-dodecyl formed into one-dimensional micro- or nanostripe crystals at different pulling speeds.

PEGylated poly(glycerol sebacate)-modified calcium phosphate scaffolds with desirable mechanical behavior and enhanced osteogenic capacity.

Unlabelled: Calcium phosphate (CaP) scaffolds have been widely used as bone graft substitutes, but undesirable mechanical robustness and bioactivity greatly hamper its availability in clinic application. To address these issues, PEGylated poly (glycerol sebacate) (PEGS), a hydrophilic elastomer, was used to modify a model calcium phosphate cement (CPC) scaffold for bone regeneration in this study. The PEGS pre-polymer with PEG content from 0% to 40% was synthesized and was subsequently coated onto the pre-fabricated CPC scaffolds by facile infiltration and thermal-crosslink process.

Sevoflurane and isoflurane inhibit KCl-induced Class II phosphoinositide 3-kinase α subunit mediated vasoconstriction in rat aorta.

Background: Class II phosphoinositide 3-kinase α-isoform (PI3K-C2α) is involved in regulating KCl-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction. The current study was to investigate the effects of sevoflurane (SEVO) and isoflurane (ISO) on KCl-elicited PI3KC2α mediated vasoconstriction in rat aortic smooth muscle.

Methods: Isometric force, in the absence or presence of SEVO or ISO (1 ~ 3 minimum alveolar concentration, MAC), PI3K inhibitor LY294002, Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632, and membrane translocation of PI3K-p85, PI3K-C2α, Rho kinase (Rock II), or phosphorylation of MYPT1/Thr853, MYPT1/Thr696, CPI-17/Thr38 and MLC in response to KCl (60 mM) was measured by using isometric force transducer and western blotting analysis, respectively.

Tuberous sclerosis complex: Imaging characteristics in 11 cases and review of the literature.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an uncommon multiorgan disorder that may present many and different manifestations on imaging. Radiology plays an important role in diagnosis and management, and can substantially improve the clinical outcome of TSC. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of this disease is essential for the radiologist.

Optical diagnosis and characterization of dental caries with polarization-resolved hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering microscopy.

We report the utility of a rapid polarization-resolved hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging technique developed for optical diagnosis and characterization of dental caries in the tooth. Hyperspectral SRS images (512 × 512 pixels) of the tooth covering both the fingerprint (800-1800 cm(-1)) and high-wavenumber (2800-3600 cm(-1)) regions can be acquired within 15 minutes, which is at least 10(3) faster in imaging speed than confocal Raman mapping. Hyperspectral SRS imaging uncovers the biochemical distributions and variations across the carious enamel in the tooth.

Foreign Particle Promoted Crystalline Nucleation for Growing High-Quality Ultrathin Rubrene Films.

Introducing foreign particles or agents as nucleator is an efficient way to promote crystallization in the crystal growth field, with the advantage to speed up the crystallizing rate and control the growth process. However, in the field of organic crystalline film growth, where the crystallization and morphology modulation are of significant importance in optoelectronics, this method has rarely been utilized. Particularly, some potential high-performance materials such as rubrene face the problem of crystallization during film formation.

Knockout of 4.1B triggers malignant transformation in SV40T-immortalized mouse embryo fibroblast cells.

Protein 4.1B deficiency has been found to promote the tumor development; however, whether 4.1B deficiency participates in malignant transformation is unknown.

Characterization of in vivo phosphorylation modification of differentially accumulated proteins in cotton fiber-initiation process.

Initiation of cotton fiber from ovule epidermal cells determines the ultimate number of fibers per cotton ovule, making it one of the restriction factors of cotton fiber yield. Previous comparative proteomics studies have collectively revealed 162 important differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) in cotton fiber-initiation process, however, whether and how post-translational modifications, especially phosphorylation modification, regulate the expression and function of the DAPs are still unclear. Here we reported the successful identification of 17 phosphopeptides from 16 phosphoproteins out of the 162 DAPs using the integrated bioinformatics analyses of peptide mass fingerprinting data and targeted MS/MS identification method.