[Primary ciliary dyskinesia associated with a novel DNAH11 genetic variant: a case report].

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a heterogeneous genetic disorder associated with abnormalities in ciliary structure and function. Here, we report A 22-year-old non-smoking Chinese man with recurrent episodes of respiratory tract infections and sinusitis since high school period. The diagnosis is more complicated by the atypical symptoms and the late age of onset. We summarized the clinical characteristics of this case and literature review. This report aimed to improve the clinical understanding of primary ciliary dyskinesia.

[Effect of macrophage-derived exosomes on promoting hepatic stellate cell activation and platelet-derived growth factor expression].

Objective: To explore the effect of macrophage-derived exosomes on the activation of hepatic stellate cells and its possible mechanism. Methods: Differential ultracentrifugation was used to extract macrophage exosomes. The exosomes were co-cultured with the mouse hepatic stellate cell line JS1, and a control group was established with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Cell immunofluorescence was used to observe the expressional conditions of F-actin. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to detect the survival rate of JS1 cells in the two groups. The activation indices of JS1 cells [collagen type Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] and its key signal pathway activation index expression level [transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1/Smads, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)] in the two groups were determined using Western blot and RT-PCR. Data comparison between two groups was performed using an independent sample t-test. Results: The membrane structure of exosomes was clearly observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of exosome marker proteins CD63 and CD81 was positive, suggesting that exosomes were successfully extracted. Exosomes were co-cultured with JS1 cells. Compared with the PBS control group, there was no statistically significant difference in the proliferation rate of JS1 cells in the exosomes group (P＞0.05). The expression of F-actin was significantly increased in the exosome group. The mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and ColⅠwere significantly increased in exosome group JS1 cells (all P＜0.05). The mRNA relative expression levels of α-SMA in PBS and exosome group were 0.25±0.07 and 1.43±0.19, respectively, while that of ColⅠ was 1.03±0.04 and 1.57±0.06, respectively. The mRNA and protein expressions of PDGF were significantly increased in exosome group JS1 cells (P＜0.05). The mRNA relative expression levels of PDGF in the PBS group and exosome group were 0.27±0.04 and 1.65±0.12, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-ß1, Smad2 and Smad3 between the two groups (P＞0.05). Conclusion: Macrophage-derived exosomes significantly promote the activation of hepatic stellate cells. JS1 cells may be the underlying mechanism for the up-regulation of PDGF expression.

Nanometer-resolution distance measurement with a noninterferometric method.

We have developed a noninterferometric technique for high-resolution distance measurement (optical ranging). The technique utilizes the fact that the wavelength of a broadband cw laser can be changed by external feedback. By placing the ranging target near the focal point of a microscope objective, we can make the feedback from the target, hence the laser wavelength, sensitive to the target position. The target position is determined from the laser wavelength with great resolution. In our experiments a 20-nm resolution is obtained. The resolution is limited by the instrumental resolution and mechanical stability of the experimental setup.

Wavelength-tunable passive mode locking of dye lasers by use of the intracavity optical Kerr effect.

Using the intracavity optical Kerr effect, we achieve self-starting wavelength-tunable passive mode locking in a Rhodamine 590 dye laser. With an external grating pair for group-velocity-dispersion compensation, 1.1-ps pulses of approximately twice the bandwidth of the Fourier-transform limit are obtained. Mode locking is started by a dilute saturable absorber jet, and the wavelength is tuned from 579 to 602 nm with a birefringent filter.

Fabrication of precision fiber-optic time delays with in situ monitoring for subpicosecond accuracy.

We have developed a technique to produce precise fiber-optic time delays with subpicosecond accuracy and <0.1-dB loss by heating and stretching optical fiber in a fusion splicer. A fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer allows in situ measurement of these precise delays using a simple alignment process and requiring only a weak optical signal. To demonstrate this capability, we assembled a six-stage feed-forward delay line that can be used to generate 64 optical pulses with 9.5 +/- 0.8-ps pulse spacings and 4.8-dB total insertion loss.