Controlling magnetic domain wall velocity by femtosecond laser pulses.

Using the technique of double high-speed photography, we find that a femtosecond laser pulse is able to change the velocity of a moving domain wall in an yttrium iron garnet. The change depends on the light intensity and the domain wall velocity itself. To explain the results we propose a model in which the domain wall velocity is controlled by photo-induced generation of vertical Bloch lines.

Anomalously Damped Heat-Assisted Route for Precessional Magnetization Reversal in an Iron Garnet.

A heat-assisted route for subnanosecond magnetic recording is discovered for the dielectric bismuth-substituted yttrium iron garnet, known for possessing small magnetic damping. The experiments and simulations reveal that the route involves nonlinear magnetization precession, triggered by a transient thermal modification of the growth-induced crystalline anisotropy in the presence of a fixed perpendicular magnetic field. The pathway is rendered robust by the damping becoming anomalously large during the switching process. Subnanosecond deterministic magnetization reversal was achieved within just one-half of a precessional period, and this mechanism should be possible to implement in any material with suitably engineered dissimilar thermal derivatives of magnetization and anisotropy.

Extraction of Y2 O3 :Cr3+ nanophosphor by eco-friendly approach and its suitability for white light-emitting diode applications.

Cr3+ -doped Y2 O3 (0.5-9 mol%) was synthesized by a simple solution combustion method using Aloe vera gel as a fuel/surfactant. The final obtained product was calcined at 750°C for 3 h, which is the lowest temperature reported so far for the synthesis of this compound. The calcined product was confirmed for its crystallinity and purity by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies which showed a single-phase nano cubic phosphor. The particles size estimated by Scherrer formula was in the range of 6-19 nm. The UV-vis spectra showed absorption bands at 198, 272 and 372 nm having band gap energy in the range 4.00-4.26 eV. In order to investigate the possibility of its use in white light emitting display applications, the photoluminescence properties of Cr3+ -doped Y2 O3 nanophosphors were studied at an excitation wavelength in the near ultraviolet (UV) light region (361 nm). The emission spectra consisted of emission peaks in the blue (4 F9/2  â†’ 6 H15/2 ), orange (4 F9/2  â†’ 6 H13/2 ) and red (4 F9/2  â†’ 6 H11/2 ) regions. The CIE coordinates (0.33, 0.33) lie in the white light region. Hence Y2 O3 :Cr3+ can be used for white light-emitting diode (LED) applications.

Bio-mediated route for the synthesis of shape tunable Y2O3: Tb³âº nanoparticles: Photoluminescence and antibacterial properties.

The study reports green mediated combustion route for the synthesis of Tb(3+) ion activated Y2O3 nanophosphors using Aloe Vera gel as fuel. The concentration of Tb(3+) plays a key role in controlling the morphology of Y2O3 nanostructures. The formation of different morphologies of Y2O3: Tb(3+) nanophosphors were characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM and HRTEM. PXRD data and Rietveld analysis evident the formation of single phase Y2O3 with cubic crystal structure. The influence of Tb(3+) ion concentration on structural morphology, UV-visible absorption and PL emission were investigated systematically. The PL emission of Y2O3: Tb(3+) (1-11 mol%) nanophosphors were studied in detail under 271 and 304nm excitation wavelengths. The CIE coordinates lies well within green region and correlated color temperature values were found to be 6221 and 5562K under different excitations. Thus, the present phosphor can serve as an excellent candidate for LEDs. Further, prismatic Y2O3: Tb(3+) (3 mol%) nanophosphor showed significant antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas desmolyticum and Staphylococcus aureus. The present study successfully demonstrates Y2O3: Tb(3+) nanophosphors can be used for display applications as well as in medical applications for controlling pathogenic bacteria.

Pathogenic aberrations revealed exclusively by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping data in 5000 samples tested by molecular karyotyping.

BACKGROUND: Several recent studies have demonstrated the use of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays for the investigation of intellectual disability, developmental delay, autism or congenital abnormalities. In addition to LogR 'copy number' data, these arrays provide SNP genotyping data for gene level autozygosity mapping, estimating low levels of mosaicism, assessing long continuous stretches of homozygosity (LCSH), detection of uniparental disomy, and 'autozygous' regions. However, there remains little specific information on the clinical utility of this genotyping data. METHODS: Molecular karyotyping, using SNP array, was performed on 5000 clinical samples. RESULTS: Clinically significant 'LogR neutral' genotyping abnormalities were detected in 0.5% of cases. Among these were a single case of chimerism, 12 cases with low level chromosome mosaicism, and 11 cases with an LCSH associated with uniparental disomy. In addition, the genotyping data revealed several LCSH associated with clinically relevant 'recessive type' genetic defects. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the utility of SNP genotyping data for detection of clinically significant abnormalities, including chimerism/mosaicism and recessive Mendelian disorders associated with autozygosity. The incidence of clinically significant low level mosaicism inferred from these cases suggests that this has hitherto been underestimated and chromosome mosaicism frequently occurs in the absence of indicative clinical features. The growing appreciation among clinicians and demand for SNP genotyping data poses significant challenges for the interpretation of LCSH, especially where there is no detailed phenotypic description to direct laboratory analysis. Finally, reporting of unexpected or hidden consanguinity revealed by SNP array analysis raises potential ethical and legal issues.

An open-label pilot study to evaluate a flexible dosing regimen of epoetin alfa for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia: 60,000 units weekly followed by 60,000 units every 2 weeks.

PURPOSE: This open-label, single-arm pilot study assessed the safety and efficacy of administering an Initials epoetin alfa dose of 60,000 U subcutaneously once weekly (Initials dosing phase [IDP]) followed by an extended dose regimen of 60,000 U subcutaneously every 2 weeks (extended dosing phase [EDP]). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who had a hematologic response, defined as hemoglobin (Hb) level increase >/= 1 g/dL from week 1 baseline at any time during the 4-week IDP (the primary efficacy endpoint), were eligible to enter the EDP at week 5 and receive every-other-week treatment for up to 12 additional weeks. Patients who did not exhibit this increase in the IDP were withdrawn. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were enrolled; the mean baseline Hb level was 10.1 g/dL +/- 0.79 g/dL. Thirty-three patients (64.7%) met the primary efficacy endpoint of Hb increase >/= 1 g/dL during the IDP; 29 patients (56.9%) proceeded to the EDP. Mean Hb level at entry to the EDP was 12.4 g/dL +/- 0.99 g/dL. Further Hb increase in the EDP (average Hb level >/= week 5 Hb value) was achieved in 12 of 29 patients (41.4%). Final Hb value for patients in the EDP was 11.7 g/dL +/- 1.28 g/dL. Four patients received a total of 5 red blood cell transfusions during the study. Epoetin alfa was well tolerated and had a safety profile similar to that observed with labeled dosing. Two patients experienced a clinically relevant thrombotic vascular event. CONCLUSION: RESULTS from this pilot study suggest that higher Initials weekly dosing of epoetin alfa followed by extended dosing is safe and effective for treating chemotherapy-induced anemia.

Recurrent proximal 18p monosomy and 18q trisomy in a family with a maternal pericentric inversion of chromosome 18.

We report a recurrent partial monosomy of 18p10-->11.2 and proximal partial trisomy of 18q10-->21.3 caused by a maternal pericentric inversion of chromosome 18, involving breakpoints p11.2 and q21q21.3 Based on cytogenetics and FISH analysis, we speculate that the recurrent chromosome abnormality in the proband and in the fetus was the result of a translocation, possibly in a germ cell or germ cell precursor, between the maternal normal 18 and her inverted 18, resulting in maternal germinal mosaicism, i.e. 46,XX,inv(18)/46,XX,t[18;inv(18)][q10;q10]. The unbalanced karyotype of the proband and the fetus is 46,XY,+18,der[18;inv(18)][q10;q10]. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of this combination of proximal 18p monosomy and proximal 18q trisomy. The other interesting observation was association of Hirschsprung's disease in the proband.

Familial (9;11)(p22;p15.5)pat translocation and XX sex reversal in a phenotypic boy with cryptorchidism and delayed development.

We describe a patient with the co-occurrence of a familial 9;11 reciprocal translocation and an XX sex reversal. The patient had cryptorchidism, delayed development, dysmorphic features and attention deficiency hyperactive disorder (ADHD). The proband's karyotype was 46,XX,t(9;11)(p22;p15.5) and he was positive for SRY gene. The father was found to be the carrier of the similar translocation. The co-occurrence of XX sex reversal and autosomal reciprocal translocation has not been described previously. The possible reasons for the manifestation of features other than those found in XX sex reversal is described.

A unique model system for tumor progression in GBM comprising two developed human neuro-epithelial cell lines with differential transforming potential and coexpressing neuronal and glial markers.

The molecular mechanisms involved in tumor progression from a low-grade astrocytoma to the most malignant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have been hampered due to lack of suitable experimental models. We have established a model of tumor progression comprising of two cell lines derived from the same astrocytoma tumor with a set of features corresponding to low-grade glioma (as in HNGC-1) and high-grade GBM (as in HNGC-2). The HNGC-1 cell line is slow-growing, contact-inhibited, nontumorigenic, and noninvasive, whereas HNGC-2 is a rapidly proliferating, anchorage-independent, highly tumorigenic, and invasive cell line. The proliferation of cell lines is independent of the addition of exogenous growth factors. Interestingly, the HNGC-2 cell line displays a near-haploid karyotype except for a disomy of chromosome 2. The two cell lines express the neuronal precursor and progenitor markers vimentin, nestin, MAP-2, and NFP160, as well as glial differentiation protein S100beta. The HNGC-1 cell line also expresses markers of mature neurons like Tuj1 and GFAP, an astrocytic differentiation marker, hence contributing toward a more morphologically differentiated phenotype with a propensity for neural differentiation in vitro. Additionally, overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor and c-erbB2, and loss of fibronectin were observed only in the HNGC-2 cell line, implicating the significance of these pathways in tumor progression. This in vitro model system assumes importance in unraveling the cellular and molecular mechanisms in differentiation, transformation, and gliomagenesis.

Congenital glaucoma associated with 22p+ variant in a dysmorphic child.

A case of congenital glaucoma with developmental delay and several dysmorphic features showing 22p+ chromosomal variant is reported.

De novo pericentric inversion of chromosome 4, inv(4)(p16q12) in a boy with piebaldism and mental retardation.

An 8-year-old boy who was diagnosed to have piebaldism had moderate growth and mental retardation. Chromosome analysis from peripheral blood showed pericentric inversion 4(p16q12). The inversion was further confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using whole chromosome painting and centromeric probes. Chromosomal analysis of parents revealed de novo inheritance of this inversion. This is the first report of pericentric inversion associated with piebald trait.

Familial (11;21)(p13;q22)pat balanced reciprocal translocation in a female child with regression of milestones.

The role of balanced translocations in the human morphogenesis is difficult to interpret. A balanced reciprocal translocation (BRT) was observed in a female child referred with a history of regression of milestones. The cytogenetic findings by GTG-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed a BRT involving chromosomes 11p and 21q, i.e. 46,XX, t(11;21)(p13;q22). The father was found to be a carrier of the same BRT. This is the first report of reciprocal translocation involving 11p and 21q. The possible reasons for the manifestation of clinical features in the proband due to inherited BRT are discussed.

Improved method for study of chromosomes of chorionic villus samples.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) offers rapid prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal disorders. We evaluated four methods for chromosomal analysis of chorionic villi (three based on direct preparations and one on long-term culture) in order to define a method which would provide good quality metaphases in sufficient numbers. The direct culturing method using synchronisation and dissociation with dispase was as good as long-term culturing. The optimal period of gestation for study was 10-12 wk.

Hyperthermic induction of premature chromosome condensation in human lymphocytes.

Hyperthermic induction of chromosomal aberrations was examined in human lymphocytes. For this purpose, whole blood cultures were exposed to an elevated temperature (43 degrees C) at the 46th h of culture initiation, followed by 24 h of recovery. Detailed chromosomal analysis showed significantly higher levels of aberrations as compared to control cultures of the same individuals. These aberrations include breaks, gaps of both chromosome and chromatid type, aneuploidy and high levels of polyploidy. The interesting observation was the occurrence of S-phase premature chromosome condensation (PCC). The S-phase PCC observed here could be due to asynchronous nuclei induced by hyperthermia. A possible interpretation for the occurrence of asynchronous nuclei leading to the induction of S-phase PCC is discussed.

Trisomy 18q: 46,XX,-10,+der(10) t(10;18) (p15;q12) pat: a case report.

A 2-month-old female with intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, multiple congenital anomalies, absent right kidney, congenital heart disease was investigated. Her karyotype revealed, 46,XX,-10,+der(10), t(10;18) (p15;q12) pat. The child died at 2 months 2 weeks. This is the third case of trisomy 18q resulting from translocation of chromosome 10 and 18.