Compact localized boundary states in a quasi-1D electronic diamond-necklace chain.

Zero-energy modes localized at the ends of one-dimensional (1D) wires hold great potential as qubits for fault-tolerant quantum computing. However, all the candidates known to date exhibit a wave function that decays exponentially into the bulk and hybridizes with other nearby zero-modes, thus hampering their use for braiding operations. Here, we show that a quasi-1D diamond-necklace chain exhibits an unforeseen type of robust boundary state, namely compact localized zero-energy modes that do not decay into the bulk. We find that this state emerges due to the presence of a latent symmetry in the system. We experimentally realize the diamond-necklace chain in an electronic quantum simulator setup.

Optimizing the APC gene mutation analysis in archival colorectal tumor tissue.

Critical steps in the methodology of mutation analysis on routinely fixed, paraffin-embedded samples have been evaluated, including extraction and purification of DNA, amplification of gene fragments in various sizes, and screening for mutations. The DNA was extracted from tissue sections with proteinase K, using various procedures, and purified. The mutation cluster region of the APC gene was amplified with polymerase chain reaction to generate either two large or four small overlapping DNA fragments. The GC-clamped fragments were screened for mutations with temperature gradient gel electrophoresis, and mutations were identified with sequencing. The DNA was easily amplified as large fragments from fresh or unfixed-frozen samples. However, DNA amplification of large fragments from archival samples was successful in only 40 of the 114 tumor specimens analyzed (35%). Prolonged extraction, either at 55 degrees C or at 37 degrees C, gave no better results. Polymerase chain reaction of smaller fragments, with sizes between 200 and 270 base pairs (bp), was successful for 97% of the amplification reactions when using DNA that was purified with silica. Screening with temperature gradient gel electrophoresis was reproducible and sensitive with a detection limit of 5% mutated DNA in the presence of an excess of wild-type DNA.

APC mutations in human colorectal adenomas: analysis of the mutation cluster region with temperature gradient gel electrophoresis and clinicopathological features.

To date, the earliest mutations in colorectal adenomas have been found in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, considered the 'gatekeeper' in tumourigenesis. To study the types of APC gene mutations and their relation to clinicopathological features which are associated with malignant potential, the mutation cluster region of the APC gene was analysed in a series of 32 human sporadic colorectal adenomas from 22 patients. DNA was extracted from frozen sections and two overlapping fragments which cover the mutation cluster region were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Mutations were screened with temperature gradient gel electrophoresis and identified by DNA sequencing. Mutations were found in 14 samples (44 per cent) from 11 patients. The changes could be characterized as point mutations (n = 7), deletions of one or more nucleotides (n = 6), and insertions (n = 1). From five patients, multiple adenoma samples were obtained and the adenomas from two of these patients showed a heterogeneous mutation pattern in the APC gene. All detected mutations are predicted to result in a truncated APC protein. Genetic alterations in the mutation cluster region of the APC gene occurred significantly more frequently in large adenomas and showed a trend towards an increase in villous adenomas and adenomas with moderate and severe dysplasia. It is concluded that an increased proportion of APC gene mutations were found in the adenomas showing clinicopathological features associated with increased proliferation but not with characteristics of malignant potential. The results suggest that in a significant proportion of adenomas, other (genetic) alterations are involved in early tumourigenesis.