Quasinormal mode theory and design of on-chip single photon emitters in photonic crystal coupled-cavity waveguides.

Using a quasinormal mode (QNM) theory for open cavity systems, we present detailed calculations and designs of a photonic crystal nanocavity (PCN) side-coupled to a photonic crystal waveguide (PCW) for on-chip single photon source applications. We investigate various cavity-waveguide geometries using an L3 PCN coupled to a W1 PCW, obtaining the quality factors, effective mode volumes, and single photon Purcell factors of the complete loaded cavity-waveguide system as a function of spatial separation between the two. We also show that the quality factor does not monotonically increase with increasing separation between the PCN and PCW, and we identify a particular hole/defect which acts as the key structural parameter in the cavity-waveguide coupling.

Changes in growth factor levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of autism patients after transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the levels of growth factors in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with autism, after transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNCs) and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs). Twenty patients received two CBMNC intravenous and intrathecal infusions, each followed by two UCMSC intrathecal injections. A 2-mL sample of CSF was taken before each intrathecal injection. CSF levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All data are reported as means ± SD and were analyzed using the SPSS 10.0 software. One-way analysis of variance with post-hoc F- and Q-tests was performed for comparison. HGF, BDNF and NGF levels in the CSF were significantly increased after transplantation (P < 0.05), while bFGF levels did not change significantly. Therefore, transplantation of CBMNCs and UCMSCs could increase HGF, BDNF and NGF levels in the CSF of patients with autism.

Transplantation of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells increases levels of nerve growth factor in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with autism.

We aimed to evaluate the levels of growth factors in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with autism after transplantation of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNCs). Fourteen subjects diagnosed with autism received transplantation of CBMNCs first through intravenous infusion, and three times subsequently through intrathecal injections. A 2-mL sample of CSF was taken before each intrathecal injection. CSF levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All data are reported as means ± SD and were analyzed using the SPSS 10.0 software. One-way analysis of variance with post-hoc F-and Q-tests were performed for comparisons. NGF levels in the CSF were significantly increased after transplantation (213.54 ± 56.38 after the third versus 28.32 ± 12.22 ng/L after the first transplantation; P < 0.05), while VEGF and bFGF levels did not change significantly. Therefore, transplantation of CBMNCs could increase NGF levels in the CSF of patients with autism.

Effect of ERCC1 polymorphism on the response to chemotherapy and clinical outcome of non-small cell lung cancer.

We conducted a cohort study to investigate the role of 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) gene on the response to chemotherapy and clinical outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A total of 163 patients with newly diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed primary NSCLC were examined in our study and were followed up until December 2012. ERCC1 rs11615, rs3212986, and rs2298881 were selected and genotyped. Of the 163 patients, 86 patients showed a complete response and partial response to chemotherapy (52.76%), while 91 patients (55.83%) died from NSCLC during the follow-up period with a median survival time of 19.3 months (range, 2-60 months). Multivariate regression analysis showed that individuals carrying the rs11615 TT genotype and T allele had a significantly lower response rate to chemotherapy using the rs11615 CC genotype as the reference. For rs3212986, carriers of the rs3212986 AA genotype and A allele had a significantly lower response rate to chemotherapy when compared with the CC genotype. In the Cox proportional hazards model, patients carrying the rs11615 TT genotype and T allele and the rs3212986 AA genotype and A allele were significantly associated with increased risk of death from NSCLC. We found that polymorphisms in ERCC1 rs11615 and rs3212986 were associated with poor response to chemotherapy and shorter survival time of advanced NSCLC.

Antioxidative and chelating activities of phenylpropanoid glycosides from Pedicularis striata.

AIM: To study the antioxidative and iron chelating activities of phenylpropanoid glycosides (PPG) isolated from a Chinese herb Pedicularis striata. METHODS: Antioxidative effects of PPG on lipid peroxidation induced by FeSO4-edetic acid in linoleic acid were measured by thiobarbituric acid method. Chelating activities of PPG for Fe2+ were tested by differential spectrum method. RESULTS: The reaction rates (A532.min-1) of lipid peroxidation were 0.0046 in the control, 0.0021 in verbascoside group, and 0.0008 in isoverbascoside group. The chelating activity of isoverbascoside was 2-fold stronger than that of verbascoside. Permethyl verbascoside showed neither antioxidative nor chelating activities. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effects of PPG with phenolic hydroxy groups on lipid peroxidation are owing to their chelating properties. Under physiological condition PPG-Fe2+ chelates are sufficiently stable. Thus PPG are able to inhibit the Fe(2+)-dependent lipid peroxidation in vivo through chelating Fe2+ and exhibit their therapeutic potential by the same mechanism in vitro.

[An ultrastructure and proteoglycan study of experimental alkali burned cornea of the rabbit].

A rabbit model of alkali burned cornea was made with 1 mol/L NaOH. On days 1, 3, 7 and 14 after the burn, changes in ultrastructure and the ruthenium red (RR) proteoglycan granules were as follows: (1) The epithelium and endothelium peeled off within day 1. In lightly burned cases, the epithelium regenerated on days 3-7; (2) The collagen fibers of corneal stroma became loose and irregular after the burn and began to recover with recovery of the cornea; (3) The RR proteoglycan granules decreased markedly after the burn, in light cases they increased on day 7 and gradually exceeded the normal amount, and then they reapproached the normal when the cornea was essentially recovered.

[The distribution and changes of lectin receptors in developing mouse cornea].

Using ConA-HRP and RCAI-HRP as probes, the distribution and changes of glycosides in mouse cornea were studied during pre- and postnatal development. Mannose residues were distributed mainly in stroma and endothelium, sialic acid residues in epithelium and galactose residues in both epithelium and stroma. Mannose residues in stroma showed an increased density toward endothelium before and after birth. Sialic acid and galactose residues were concentrated gradually at the corneal epithelial surface in accompanied with the development of cornea. The embryonic day 13 was the starting day to synthesize glycoconjugates from fibroblasts of mouse cornea.

Identification of a novel glycoprotein (AGp110) involved in interactions of rat liver parenchymal cells with fibronectin.

We have identified an integral membrane glycoprotein in rat liver that mediates adhesion of cultured hepatocytes on fibronectin substrata. The protein was isolated by affinity chromatography of detergent extracts on wheat germ lectin-Agarose followed by chromatography of the WGA binding fraction on fibronectin-Sepharose. The glycoprotein (AGp110), eluted at high salt concentrations from the fibronectin column, has a molecular mass of 110 kD and a pI of 4.2. Binding of immobilized AGp110 to soluble rat plasma fibronectin required Ca2+ ions but was not inhibited by RGD peptides. Fab' fragments of immunoglobulins raised in rabbits against AGp110 reversed the spreading of primary hepatocytes attached onto fibronectin-coated substrata, but had no effect on cells spread on type IV collagen or laminin substrata. The effect of the antiserum on cell spreading was reversible. AGp110 was detected by immunofluorescence around the periphery of the ventral surface of substratum attached hepatocytes, and scattered on the dorsal surface. Immunohistochemical evidence and Western blotting of fractionated liver plasma membranes indicated a bile canalicular (apical) localization of AGp110 in the liver parenchyma. Expression of AGp110 is tissue specific: it was found mainly in liver, kidney, pancreas, and small intestine but was not detected in stomach, skeletal muscle, heart, and large intestine. AGp110 could be labeled by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed surface iodination of intact liver cells and, after phase partitioning of liver plasma membranes with the detergent Triton X-114, it was preferentially distributed in the hydrophobic phase. Treatment with glycosidases indicated extensive sialic acid substitution in at least 10 O-linked carbohydrate chains and 1-2 N-linked glycans. Immunological comparisons suggest that AGp110, the integrin fibronectin receptor and dipeptidyl peptidase IV, an enzyme involved in fibronectin-mediated adhesion of hepatocytes on collagen, are distinct proteins.