MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression and have important roles in various types of cancer. Previously, miR-137 was reported to act as a tumor suppressor in different cancers, including malignant melanoma. In this study, we show that low miR-137 expression is correlated with poor survival in stage IV melanoma patients. We identified and validated two genes (c-Met and YB1) as direct targets of miR-137 and confirmed two previously known targets, namely enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Functional studies showed that miR-137 suppressed melanoma cell invasion through the downregulation of multiple target genes. The decreased invasion caused by miR-137 overexpression could be phenocopied by small interfering RNA knockdown of EZH2, c-Met, or Y box-binding protein 1 (YB1). Furthermore, miR-137 inhibited melanoma cell migration and proliferation. Finally, miR-137 induced apoptosis in melanoma cell lines and decreased BCL2 levels. In summary, our study confirms that miR-137 acts as a tumor suppressor in malignant melanoma and reveals that miR-137 regulates multiple targets including c-Met, YB1, EZH2, and MITF.

Using a new bunched-beam technique in the GSI heavy-ion experimental storage ring (ESR), we performed precision laser spectroscopy on relativistic heavy ions in the hitherto inaccessible infrared optical region. We determined the wavelength of the M1 transition between the F 1 ͑t ഠ 50 ms͒ and F 0 hyperfine states of the 1s ground state of hydrogenlike 207 Pb 811 . Comparing the result of 1019.7(2) nm with very recent theoretical predictions concerning QED and nuclear size contributions, a disagreement of 4.5 nm is found. Since the nucleus of 207 Pb 811 is well described by the single-particle shell model, uncertainties in nuclear corrections are expected to be small. [S0031-9007(98)07624-8] PACS numbers: 32.30.Jc, 12.20.Fv, 21.10.Ky The hyperfine splitting (HFS) of the 1s ground state of one-electron, two-body (hydrogenlike) system is the simplest and most basic magnetic interaction in atomic physics. In hydrogen the splitting is measured to thirteen significant figures, considerably more precise than the six-digit precision of the theoretical calculations of this quantity [1]. These calculations solve the Dirac equation and then add corrections for the effects of the finite size of the nuclear charge and magnetization as well as for the QED effects of self-energy and vacuum polarization. While the QED contributions are of the order of 10 26 to 10 25 for a single proton, these corrections are several percent in hydrogenlike ions of large Z in which the electron experiences exceptionally intense electric and magnetic fields. Thus measurements of the spectra of these systems can stringently test theoretical calculations of QED and nuclear effects.Recently the 1s ground state transitions in high-Z, hydrogenlike ions have become accessible to optical spectroscopy at the experimental storage ring (ESR) at GSI-Darmstadt and at the electron beam ion trap Super-EBIT at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Measurements of the ground state hyperfine splittings of 209 Bi 821 at GSI [2] and 165 Ho 661 at LLNL [3] have stimulated a large number of theoretical calculations of the wavelengths of these transitions [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Discrepancies are fond between theory and experiment for both 209 Bi 821 and 165 Ho 661 .The calculations for bismuth yield a value 1 nm ͑5 3 10 23 ͒ larger than the measured value. On the basis of the precisions assigned to the corrections this discrepancy is significant, but corrections for the nuclear effects vary considerably depending upon how much the nuclear core is assumed to be polarized. For holmium, a smaller discrepancy between the calculated and measured values is reported [3], but the theoretical analysis did not take into account nuclear polarization [15] which is expected to contribute significantly.In view of this unsatisfactory situation we measured the 1s ground state hyperfine transition of 207 Pb 811 . We chose this nucleus because it is well described by the single-particle model. The magnetic moment has been measured with high precision in the ato...

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera ssp. vinifera) is one of the most important fruit species; however, it is highly susceptible to various pathogens, which can cause severe crop losses in viticulture. It has been shown that several WRKY class transcription factors (TFs) are part of the signal transduction cascade, which leads to the activation of plant defense reactions against various pathogens. In the present investigation, a full-length cDNA was isolated from V. vinifera leaf tissue encoding a predicted protein, designated VvWRKY33, which shows the characteristics of group I WRKY protein family. VvWRKY33 induction correlates with the expression of VvPR10.1 (pathogenesis-related 10.1) gene in the leaves of the resistant cultivar 'Regent' after infection with Plasmopara viticola, whereas in the susceptible cultivar 'Lemberger' VvWRKY33 and VvPR10.1 are not induced. Corresponding expression of the TF and VvPR10.1 was even obtained in uninfected ripening berries. In planta, analysis of VvWRKY33 has been performed by ectopic expression of VvWRKY33 in grapevine leaves of greenhouse plants mediated via Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation. In consequence, VvWRKY33 strongly increases resistance to P. viticola in the susceptible cultivar 'Shiraz' and reduces pathogen sporulation of about 50-70%, indicating a functional role for resistance in grapevine. Complementation of the resistance-deficient Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia-0 (Col-0) mutant line wrky33-1 by constitutive expression of VvWRKY33 restores resistance against Botrytis cinerea to wild-type level and in some complemented mutant lines even exceeds the resistance level of the parental line Col-0. Our results support the involvement of VvWRKY33 in the defense reaction of grapevine against different pathogens.

HighlightThe molecular mechanisms underlying the elevated inducibility of stilbene in pathogen-resistant Vitis sylvestris can be explained by the increased inducibility of the MYB14 promoter.

No abstract

BackgroundWith recent advances in technology and introduction of new intraocular lens (IOL) models, surgeons today have the opportunity to choose from various optical designs, which can influence the postoperative quality of vision. In our laboratory study, we compared the optical quality of three different IOLs that use the identical platform and are produced by the same manufacturer. The study included two diffractive multifocal IOLs, a bifocal and a trifocal one, as well as a monofocal IOL.MethodsThree IOL models: monofocal CT ASPHINA 409 M, diffractive bifocal AT LISA 809 M, and diffractive trifocal AT LISA Tri 839MP (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany) were assessed for optical quality by measuring modulation transfer function (MTF) and Strehl Ratio (SR) values at pupil sizes of 3.0 and 4.5 mm on the OptiSpheric® IOL PRO (Trioptics GmbH, Germany). The United States Air Force (USAF) Target images were also recorded to comfirm the optical performance qualitatively.ResultsFor far focus at 50 lp/mm and 3.0 mm pupil size, MTF value of the monofocal lens (MTF = 0.798) was 1.8-fold and 2.1-fold better than the bifocal (MTF = 0.446) and the trifocal (MTF = 0.382) IOLs, respectively. For near focus, bifocal IOL (MTF = 0.265) was 1.4-fold better than trifocal IOL (MTF = 0.187), while for intermediate focus, the trifocal IOL (MTF = 0.148) was 1.7-fold better than the bifocal IOL (MTF = 0.086). For the same pupil size, total sum of light loss amounted to 5.2% for the monofocal, 16.0% for the bifocal and 6.0% for the trifocal IOL. For a larger pupil, the amount of light loss increased significantly for the multifocal IOLs.ConclusionsThe monofocal IOL performed the best for far, the bifocal IOL for near and the trifocal IOL for intermediate focus. While the monofocal IOL created the least amount of light loss for both pupil sizes, the trifocal IOL created less than half the amount of light loss than the bifocal IOL for small pupil. For large pupil, however, less light scatter was observed for the bifocal than the trifocal IOL.

Ray propagation visualization and optical performance analysis of four different intraocular lenses (IOLs) Methods In this laboratory study, four IOLs with different optical designs were assessed: a monofocal AcrySof IQ SN60WF [Alcon], a diffractive-refractive bifocal AcrySof IQ Restor SN6AD1 [Alcon], a diffractive trifocal AcrySof IQ PanOptix TFNT00 [Alcon], and a diffractive extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) Symfony ZXR00 [Johnson&Johnson]. An experimental setup with a water bath containing 0.01% fluorescein solution and monochromatic green laser light (532 nm) was used to visualize the propagation of light rays. Also, the optical performance of the IOLs was evaluated by measuring the modulation transfer function (MTF) values at a pupil sizes of 3.0 and 4.5 mm on the optical bench OptiSpheric ® IOL PRO II (Trioptics GmbH, Germany). Results Both the diffractive-refractive bifocal IOL and the EDOF IOL showed two defined foci for distance and near vision. In the diffractive trifocal IOL, three distinct foci for distance, intermediate, and near vision could be visualized. Conclusions The ray propagation visualization technique allows a qualitative assessment and comparison of light energy distribution between different IOL models. The measured Through-Focus Response (TFR) quantitatively confirmed the evaluated ray propagation behavior.

Background: The formation of fluid-filled microvacuoles, termed glistenings, is a common complication of intraocular lenses (IOLs) made from hydrophobic acrylate. Using our well-established in-vitro laboratory method, we evaluated a new IOL material's resistance to glistening formation. Methods: An in-vitro stress test for glistening induction was performed on 20 samples of hydrophobic acrylic IOLs: ten of the new Eyecryl ASHFY600 (Biotech Vision Care, Ahmedabad, India) compared with ten samples of AcrySof IQ SN60WF (Alcon, Fort Worth, USA). The number of microvacuoles per square millimetre (MV/mm 2) was evaluated in five sections of each IOL. The results for each model were compared and rated on a modified Miyata Scale for grading glistening severity. Results: In all cases, glistening number was higher in the central section of the IOL optic than in the periphery. Mean number of MV/mm 2 was highest in the central part of the AcrySof IQ SN60WF, with 41.84 (±27.67) MVs/mm 2. The lowest number of glistenings was found in the five sections of the Eyecryl ASHFY600 with 0.52 (±0.24) MVs/ mm 2. Mean value of the Eyecryl ASHFY600 IOL, using the Miyata Scale, was Zero. Conclusion: In this in-vitro laboratory study, the new hydrophobic acrylic IOL showed a high resistance to microvacuole formation. Results from this in-vitro study suggest that glistening numbers will be low in clinical use in the Eyecryl ASHFY600.