Generation of a vortex point adjustable vortex array based on decentered annular beam pumping.

An adjustable optical vortex array (OVA) based on decentered annular beam pumping has been demonstrated in an end-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser. This method allows for not only the transverse mode locking of different modes, but also the ability to adjust the mode weight and phase by manipulating the position of the focusing lens and axicon lens. To explain this phenomenon, we propose a threshold model for each mode. Using this approach, we were able to generate optical vortex arrays with 2-7 phase singularities, achieving a maximum conversion efficiency of 25.8%. Our work represents an innovative advancement in the development of solid-state lasers capable of generating adjustable vortex points.

A peptide inhibitor of macrophage migration in atherosclerosis purified from the leech Whitmania pigra.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Atherosclerosis has become a worldwide public health problem that seriously threatens human health. Leech is traditional Chinese medicine that can be utilized to treat cardiovascular disease. Based on the anti-atherosclerosis activity of leech hydrolysate, we separated and purified the leech peptide capable of inhibiting macrophage migration and studied the pathways of the anti-migration leech peptide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The leech peptide capable of inhibiting macrophage migration that measured by cell migration assays from the leech Whitmania pigra was separated and purified by Q Sepharose FF strong alkaline anion exchange column chromatography, Superdex 30, Superdex peptide and G10 gel column chromatography. And the purity, molecular weight of the leech peptide was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The pathways of anti-migration to macrophages of the leech peptide were studied by inhibitors, Western blotting and RT-PCR. RESULTS: We obtained a purified leech peptide with a sequence of EAGSAKELEGDPVAG from the leech Whitmania pigra. We also showed that the anti-migration to macrophages of the leech peptide was blocked by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor. Moreover, the result of RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that the leech peptide induced an increase in JNK, p38 phosphorylation and the transcription of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 4 (MEKK4) and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 2 (ASK2). These data indicated that the anti-migration to macrophages of the leech peptide occurred through JNK and p38 MAPK pathways. In addition, the results demonstrated that the leech peptide had no significant effect on the immunological activity of macrophages including phagocytic ability, lysozyme activity, and levels of expression of inflammatory factors. CONCLUSION: A sequence peptide was obtained from the hydrolysate of leech Whitmania pigra that inhibits macrophage migration.

The effect of leech extracts on endothelial cell coagulation-related factors and endothelial dysfuction-related molecules.

OBJECTIVE: This study was focused on screening leech extracts to identify those with little or no anti-coagulation effect or with significant anti-endothelial dysfunction activity. METHODS: Different leech extracts were prepared by enzymolysis and microbial transformation and their cytotoxicity were measured by MTT assay. The effect of different leech extracts on mRNA expression of coagulation-related factors (PAI, vWF, tPA, PS, TFPI, TM) was quantified by RT-PCR. After identifying a leech extract with little anti-coagulatory effect, RT-PCR was then used to assess the effect of this extract on the mRNA expression of endothelial dysfunction-related molecules (ET-1, iNOS, MCP-1, IL-6). RESULTS: 8 leech extracts were obtained, including 4 enzymatic extracts (LP, PHL, PTHL, CEHL) and 4 Lactobacillus metabolites (MRS, MRS-1, MRS-2, and MRS-3). Following optimization of conditions using MTT assays, we treated EA.hy926 cells with 0, 12.5, 25, 50 µg/mL of LP, PTHL, CEHL, MRS, MRS-1 or MRS-3 extract for 24 h. We found that PHL and MRS-1 had no significant effect on coagulation-related factors. Furthermore, treatment with 50 µg/mL PHL resulted in significant decreases in ET-1, iNOS, MCP-1, and IL-6 mRNA expression by 28.06%, 33.30%, 19.80%, and 52.34%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we found that PHL, a pepsin hydrolysate of leech with little anti-coagulatory effect, could significantly suppress TNF-α induced mRNA overexpression of endothelial dysfunction-related molecules (ET-1, iNOS, MCP-1, and IL-6). These results provide a reliable experimental basis for identifying new anti-atherosclerosis therapeutics for long term use and with minimal bleeding side effects.

Use of fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer I to study the mechanism of intestinal absorption of fucoidan sulfate in vivo and in vitro.

A new method to label fucoidan sulfate was established with tyramine and fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer I (FITC). Fluorescence spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography verified the successful labelling of fucoidan by FITC. The results of the single-pass intestinal perfusion indicated that the jejunum and ileum are the main absorption sites, and there was carrier saturation. In addition, fucoidan sulfate at 1 mg/ml had no inhibitory effect on Caco-2 cell proliferation. Studies on the transmembrane transport mechanism showed that fucoidan can be absorbed because the apparent permeability coefficient of the drugs (Papp ) A â†’ B was 3.78 + 0.03 ×10-6 and that of B â†’ A was 1.42 + 0.19 ×10-6 . The peak absorption of fucoidan occurred at 120 min after administration; moreover, the higher the concentration used, the worse the absorption was, suggesting the saturation of transport carriers. The absorption was temperature dependent: the absorption at 37°C was much better than that at 4°C. Further, the absorption of fucoidan sulfate might rely on clathrin endocytosis as chlorpromazine (10 µg/ml) significantly inhibited it.