Broadband Enhancement of Faraday Effect Using Magnetoplasmonic Metasurfaces

Plasmonics - Magnetooptical Faraday effect enables ultrafast photonic devices based on nonreciprocal polarization rotation; however, the intrinsic weakness of Faraday effect prevents...     

Toll-like receptor 4 polymorphisms predispose to cutaneous leishmaniasis

The clinical spectrum of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is extremely variable. Studies in experimental leishmaniasis have revealed a role for TLR4 in control of infection. In the present study the associations between TLR4 mutations (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) with outcome of CL have been investigated. Genotyping for Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile was performed in patients with chronic (N?=?22) and acute (N?=?61) CL, asymptomatic (N?=?45) and healthy leishmanin skin test negative individuals (N?=?75). The results showed the frequency of the Asp299Gly genotype was increased in patients with chronic disease (OR 25.3, 95% CI 5.2-115.6, P?相似文献   

DNA interaction studies of ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid food additive and selenium effect in DNA cleavage-inhibition

The interaction of native calf thymus DNA with ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA) in Tris-HCl buffer at pH?=?7.8 (at this pH EDTA forms a disodium salt) was investigated. EDTA is widely used in medicine, food technology, and the chemical industry. The DNA binding mode of EDTA was monitored by absorption spectrophotometry, circular dichrosim, viscometry, and gel electrophoresis. Ultraviolet spectra of DNA showed small hyperchromicity with increase in EDTA concentration. The circular dichrosim signals at 245 and 280?nm indicated structural changes in DNA structure, and no significant effect on DNA viscosity was observed in the presence of increasing amounts of EDTA. Results are indicative of an outside, nonintercalative binding mode of EDTA to DNA. Moreover, gel electrophoresis studies showed considerable oxidative cleavage of plasmid DNA by EDTA. Mechanistic aspects of the chemical nuclease reactions were investigated using the OH radical quencher dimethylsulfoxide. In the presence of selenium, DNA cleavage by EDTA was inhibited.     

DNA binding and gel electrophoresis studies of a new silver(I) complex containing 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline ligands

The silver(I) complex, [Ag(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(2)](NO(3)) · H(2)O, has been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The binding interactions of this complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated using emission, absorption, circular dichroism, viscosity measurements, and gel electrophoresis studies. The calculated binding constant, K(b), obtained from UV-vis absorption studies was 5.3 ± 0.2 × 10(4) M(-1). In fluorimetric studies, the enthalpy and entropy of the reaction between the complex and CT-DNA showed hydrophobic interaction. In addition, in the circular dichroism spectrum, silver(I) complex induces a B → A structural transition of CT-DNA. Gel electrophoresis studies demonstrated that this complex has ability to cleave the supercoiled plasmid DNA. All these results suggest that the complex interacts with CT-DNA via partial intercalative mode of binding.     

Preparation, characterization, and DNA binding studies of water-soluble quercetin--molybdenum(VI) complex

DNA binding studies of flavonoids are needed to understand the reaction mechanism and improve drugs that target DNA. Quercetin (Q) is one of the most common flavonoids that can chelate metal ions and interact with double-stranded DNA. In the present work, UV absorption spectrophotometry, viscosimetry, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques were employed to study the interaction of water-soluble quercetin--molybdenum(VI) complex [Q-Mo(VI)] with calf thymus DNA. The binding constants (K(b)) for the complex with DNA were estimated to be 2.9?×?10(3) through spectroscopic titrations. Upon addition of the complex, significant decreases were observed in the viscosity of calf thymus DNA. Circular dichroic spectra indicated that there are certain detectable conformational changes in the DNA double helix when complex was added. Further, competitive methylene blue binding studies with fluorescence spectroscopy have shown that the complex can bind to DNA through nonintercalative mode. The experimental results suggest that Q-Mo(VI) binds to DNA via an outside binding mode.     

Effects of Combined Exposure to Chronic High-Fat Diet and Arsenic on Thyroid Function and Lipid Profile in Male Mouse

The thyroid is one of the major endocrine glands that contribute to body and fat metabolism. The present study evaluated the effects of combined exposure to chronic high-fat diet (HFD) and arsenic on thyroid function and lipid profile. In this experimental study, 72 male Naval Medical Research Institute mice were divided into six groups and fed HFD or low-fat diet (LFD) while being exposed to 25 or 50 ppm of arsenic in drinking water for 20 weeks. After 24 h of the last experimental day, blood samples were collected for hormonal and biochemical measurements. The data indicated that exposure to HFD alone increased the levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), leptin, lipid profile, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased the levels of high-density lipoprotein, albumin, adiponectin, and glutathione sulfhydryl reductase (GSH), whereas exposure to arsenic alone decreased the levels of T3 and GSH and increased the levels of TSH, leptin, ROS, MDA, and T4/T3 ratio compared to those in the control LFD group. Furthermore, concomitant administration of HFD and arsenic decreased the lipid profile and levels of T4, albumin, total protein, T3, and GSH and increased the levels of TSH, adiponectin, leptin, ROS, MDA, and T4/T3 ratio compared to those in the control LFD or HFD group. In conclusion, combined exposure to HFD and arsenic induced hypothyroidism via reduction of thyroid hormones and enhancement of plasma TSH and T3 uptake levels concomitant with hypolipidemia, hyperleptinemia, hyperadiponectinemia, induction of oxidative stress, and reduction of GSH levels.     

Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity among Botrytis cinerea Isolates in Iran

Forty-four Botrytis cinerea isolates from different hosts and geographical regions were studied for colony morphology, mycelial growth rate at different temperatures, pathogenicity and molecular diversity. Botrytis cinerea isolates had temperature optima of 20–25°C and isolates showed variation in growth rate at different temperatures. Two morphological types were identified among tested isolates: mycelial and sclerotial. The pathogenicity of isolates was tested on grapevine leaves, and it was revealed that nine of 44 isolates were non-pathogenic and among them seven were of mycelial type. There was no correlation between mycelium growth rate and pathogenicity. Genetic diversity was investigated using nine arbitrary decaprimers. No relationship was found between molecular clusters and geographical region or sampling time; whereas isolates from the same plant host tended to cluster with each other. Seven of nine non-pathogenic isolates were separated from pathogenic ones.     

A historical literature review on the role of posterior axillary boost field in the axillary lymph node coverage and development of lymphedema following regional nodal irradiation in breast cancer

To elucidate whether (1) a posterior axillary boost (PAB) field is an optimal method to target axillary lymph nodes (LNs); and (2) the addition of a PAB increases the incidence of lymphedema, a systematic review was undertaken. A literature search was performed in the PubMed database. A total of 16 studies were evaluated. There were no randomized studies. Seven articles have investigated dosimetric aspects of a PAB. The remaining 9 articles have determined the effect of a PAB field on the risk of lymphedema. Only 2 of 9 articles have prospectively reported the impact of a PAB on the risk of lymphedema development. There are conflicting reports on the necessity of a PAB. The PAB field provides a good coverage of level I/II axillary LNs because these nodes are usually at a greater depth. The main concern regarding a PAB is that it produces a hot spot in the anterior region of the axilla. Planning studies optimized a traditional PAB field. Prospective studies and the vast majority of retrospective studies have reported the use of a PAB field does not result in increasing the risk of lymphedema development over supraclavicular-only field. The controversies in the incidence of lymphedema suggest that field design may be more important than field arrangement. A key factor regarding the use of a PAB is the depth of axillary LNs. The PAB field should not be used unless there is an absolute indication for its application. Clinicians should weigh lymphedema risk in individual patients against the limited benefit of a PAB, in particular after axillary dissection. The testing of the inclusion of upper arm lymphatics in the regional LN irradiation target volume, and universal methodology measuring lymphedema are all areas for possible future studies.     

Discovery and characterization of a novel humanized anti-IL-15 antibody and its relevance for the treatment of refractory celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a critical regulator of immune responses, especially at mucosal interfaces within the gastro-intestinal tract. Here, we describe the discovery and characterization of a humanized antibody to IL-15. Data from its epitope and mode of action, cell biology and primate pharmacology, as well as translational studies in human samples and in vivo proof-of-concept experiments in mouse models demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this new antibody targeting IL-15 for refractory celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis.