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Background/Aims To investigate an effect of ML204 (an inhibitor of transient receptor potential canonical 4 and 5 [TRPC4/5] channels) on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and therefore determine whether TRPC4/5 channels act on ICC-generated pacemaker activity. Methods We enforced whole cell patch clamp analysis, measurements of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to determine the effect of ML204 (10 μM) or englerin A (a selective activator of TRPC4/5 channeles, 10 μM) and the existence of TRPC4/5 in mouse small intestinal ICC. Results Treatment of ICCs with ML204 or englerin A caused the membrane potentials to depolarize. This depolarization effect of membrane potentials by ML204 in ICCs was observed to be concentration-dependent. After treating Ca2+- and Na+-free solutions or flufenamic acid (a non-selective cation channel blocker), the pacemaker potentials in the ICCs were abolished. A specific anoctamin 1 channel blocker did not have any effect on the pacemaker activity in ML204-untreated control cells; however, they blocked ML204-induced pacemaker activity in ICCs. Specific primers designed against TRPC4 and TRPC5 detected the presence of TRPC4/5 in small intestinal ICCs, and the application of ML204 increased raise the frequency of Ca2+ oscillations in ICCs, as assessed using Fluo-4 AM. Conclusion The results implied that ML204 could not inhibit the pacemaker activity but depolarized the membrane potential of ICCs by regulating intracellular Ca2+ oscillations and anoctamin 1 channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We theoretically propose a method based on the combination of a nonlinear optical mass sensor using a hybrid spin-microcantilever and the nanoparticle-enhanced technique, to detect and monitor DNA mutations. The technique theoretically allows the mass of external particles (ssDNA) landing on the surface of a hybrid spin-microcantilever to be detected directly and accurately at 300 K with a mass responsivity 0.137 Hz/ag in situ in liquid. Moreover, combined with the nanoparticle-enhanced technique, even only one base pair mutation in the target DNA sequence can be identified in real time accurately, and the DNA hybridization reactions can be monitored quantitatively. Furthermore, in situ detection in liquid and measurement of the proposed nonlinear optical spin resonance spectra will minimize the experimental errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of a high k composite dielectric composed of La2O3 and HfO2 layers as the gate dielectric for In0.53Ga0.47As MOS application is proposed. Two multi-layer structures of La2O3 (1 nm)/HfO2 (1 nm) and La2O3 (0.5 nm)/HfO2 (0.5 nm) were deposited and annealed at 450 and 500°C for device performance comparison. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, TEM and C-V measurements were used for the interface analysis between the oxide and the semiconductor. Finally, a 1 nm equivalent-oxide-thickness dielectric with small hysteresis of 88 mV and Dit of 1.9 × 1012 cm-2 eV-1 was achieved for six layers of an La2O3 (0.5 nm)/HfO2 (0.5 nm) composite oxide structure on an In0.53Ga0.47As MOS capacitor with a post-deposition annealing temperature of 450°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by recent experimental progress towards the detection and manipulation of Majorana fermions in ferromagnetic atomic chains on a superconductor, we present a novel proposal based on a single-crystal diamond (SCD) microcantilever with a single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center spin embedded in ultrapure diamond substrate to probe Majorana fermions in an all-optical domain. With this scheme, a possible distinct Majorana signature is investigated via the electron spin resonance spectrum. In the proposal, the SCD microcantilever behaves as a phonon cavity and is robust for detecting of Majorana fermions, while the NV center spin can be considered as a sensitive probe. Further, the vibration of the microcantilever will enhance the coupling effect, which makes the Majorana fermions more sensitive to detection and the well-established optical NV spin readout technology will certainly promote the detection. This proposed method may provide a potential supplement for the detection of Majorana fermions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays hybrid spin-micro/nanomechanical systems are being actively explored for potential quantum sensing applications. In combination with the pump-probe technique or the spin resonance spectrum, we theoretically propose a realistic, feasible, and an exact way to measure the cantilever frequency in a hybrid spin-micromechanical cantilever system which has a strong coherent coupling of a single nitrogen vacancy center in the single-crystal diamond cantilever with the microcantilever. The probe absorption spectrum which exhibits new features such as mechanically induced three-photon resonance and ac Stark effect is obtained. Simultaneously, we further develop this hybrid spin-micromechanical system to be an ultrasensitive mass sensor, which can be operated at 300 K with a mass responsivity 0.137 Hz ag−1, for accurate sensing of gaseous or aqueous environments, chemical vapors, and biomolecules. And the best performance on the minimum detectable mass can be in vacuum. Finally, we illustrate an in situ measurement to detect Angiopoietin-1, a marker of tumor angiogenesis, accurately with this hybrid microcantilever at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) influencing cellular growth and differentiation is recognized to promote wound healing by stimulating tissue repair. Although PDRN can be extracted from human placentas, PDRN medications have recently been extracted from the semen of trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). The present study was designed to evaluate the wound healing effects of O. keta -derived PDRN for injection (Rejuvenex) and PDRN cream (Rejuvenex Cream) in comparison with those of O. mykiss -derived PDRN injection (Placentex). Methods: Full-thickness skin defects were made on the back of mice (n=60). The mice were divided into the following four groups according to the dressing used for the wounds: O. mykiss -derived PDRN injection group, O. keta -derived PDRN injection group, O. keta - derived PDRN cream group, and normal saline soaked dressing group (control group). We analyzed the gross findings, wound sizes, histological findings, immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the groups immediately after the treatment, and again after 4, 7, and 10 days of treatment. Results: The wound healing effects were the greatest in the O. keta -derived PDRN injection and O. mykiss -derived PDRN injection groups, which showed similar scores, followed by the O. keta -derived cream and normal saline soaked dressing groups. Conclusion: The injection of PDRN extracted from O. keta was found to be as effective at healing full-thickness skin defects as the O. mykiss -derived PDRN injection, which is currently used in the clinic. Moreover, the O. keta -derived PDRN injection was also found to reduce the time required for wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]