Energy Localization and Decay in Highly Ionic Crystals

1994 ◽  
Vol 348 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. T. Williams ◽  
E. D. Thoma ◽  
P. H. Bunton

ABSTRACTLuminescence from localized states in pure wide-gap crystals is examined from the perspective of modern fast scintillator requirements. Recent advances in the understanding of self-trapped excitons are summarized with regard to excited-state configurations, spectra, and luminescence efficiency. As an example, the fast luminescence of partially quenched type I STEs in RbI offers tuneable-lifetime subnanosecond pulses which could be useful for timing applications. The possible role of hole localization in cross luminescence is discussed. Stokes-shifted luminescence in some pure rare-earth fluoride crystals probably originates from self-trapped excitons of forms to be discussed.

Author(s):  
N. M. P. Low ◽  
L. E. Brosselard

There has been considerable interest over the past several years in materials capable of converting infrared radiation to visible light by means of sequential excitation in two or more steps. Several rare-earth trifluorides (LaF3, YF3, GdF3, and LuF3) containing a small amount of other trivalent rare-earth ions (Yb3+ and Er3+, or Ho3+, or Tm3+) have been found to exhibit such phenomenon. The methods of preparation of these rare-earth fluorides in the crystalline solid form generally involve a co-precipitation process and a subsequent solid state reaction at elevated temperatures. This investigation was undertaken to examine the morphological features of both the precipitated and the thermally treated fluoride powders by both transmission and scanning electron microscopy.Rare-earth oxides of stoichiometric composition were dissolved in nitric acid and the mixed rare-earth fluoride was then coprecipitated out as fine granules by the addition of excess hydrofluoric acid. The precipitated rare-earth fluorides were washed with water, separated from the aqueous solution, and oven-dried.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1074-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rammohan R.Y. Bheemanaboina

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are a family of ubiquitously distributed lipid kinases that control a wide variety of intracellular signaling pathways. Over the years, PI3K has emerged as an attractive target for the development of novel pharmaceuticals to treat cancer and various other diseases. In the last five years, four of the PI3K inhibitors viz. Idelalisib, Copanlisib, Duvelisib, and Alpelisib were approved by the FDA for the treatment of different types of cancer and several other PI3K inhibitors are currently under active clinical development. So far clinical candidates are non-selective kinase inhibitors with various off-target liabilities due to cross-reactivities. Hence, there is a need for the discovery of isoform-selective inhibitors with improved efficacy and fewer side-effects. The development of isoform-selective inhibitors is essential to reveal the unique functions of each isoform and its corresponding therapeutic potential. Although the clinical effect and relative benefit of pan and isoformselective inhibition will ultimately be determined, with the development of drug resistance and the demand for next-generation inhibitors, it will continue to be of great significance to understand the potential mechanism of isoform-selectivity. Because of the important role of type I PI3K family members in various pathophysiological processes, isoform-selective PI3K inhibitors may ultimately have considerable efficacy in a wide range of human diseases. This review summarizes the progress of isoformselective PI3K inhibitors in preclinical and early clinical studies for anticancer and other various diseases.


2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-149
Author(s):  
Marja Ojaniemi ◽  
Mari Liljeroos ◽  
Reetta Vuolteenaho

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29
Author(s):  
Emann M Rabie ◽  
Sherry X Zhang ◽  
Andreas P Kourouklis ◽  
A Nihan Kilinc ◽  
Allison K Simi ◽  
...  

Abstract Metastasis, the leading cause of mortality in cancer patients, depends upon the ability of cancer cells to invade into the extracellular matrix that surrounds the primary tumor and to escape into the vasculature. To investigate the features of the microenvironment that regulate invasion and escape, we generated solid microtumors of MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells within gels of type I collagen. The microtumors were formed at defined distances adjacent to an empty cavity, which served as an artificial vessel into which the constituent tumor cells could escape. To define the relative contributions of matrix degradation and cell proliferation on invasion and escape, we used pharmacological approaches to block the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or to arrest the cell cycle. We found that blocking MMP activity prevents both invasion and escape of the breast cancer cells. Surprisingly, blocking proliferation increases the rate of invasion but has no effect on that of escape. We found that arresting the cell cycle increases the expression of MMPs, consistent with the increased rate of invasion. To gain additional insight into the role of cell proliferation in the invasion process, we generated microtumors from cells that express the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator. We found that the cells that initiate invasions are preferentially quiescent, whereas cell proliferation is associated with the extension of invasions. These data suggest that matrix degradation and cell proliferation are coupled during the invasion and escape of human breast cancer cells and highlight the critical role of matrix proteolysis in governing tumor phenotype.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 3090
Author(s):  
Toshimasa Shimizu ◽  
Hideki Nakamura ◽  
Atsushi Kawakami

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the salivary and lacrimal glands and extra-glandular lesions. Adaptive immune response including T- and B-cell activation contributes to the development of SS. However, its pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. In addition, several patients with SS present with the type I interferon (IFN) signature, which is the upregulation of the IFN-stimulated genes induced by type I IFN. Thus, innate immune responses including type I IFN activity are associated with SS pathogenesis. Recent studies have revealed the presence of activation pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) including Toll-like receptors, RNA sensor retinoic acid-inducible gene I and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5, and inflammasomes in infiltrating and epithelial cells of the salivary glands among patients with SS. In addition, the activation of PRRs via the downstream pathway such as the type I IFN signature and nuclear factor kappa B can directly cause organ inflammation, and it is correlated with the activation of adaptive immune responses. Therefore, this study assessed the role of the innate immune signal pathway in the development of inflammation and immune abnormalities in SS.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1046
Author(s):  
Jorge Martinez ◽  
Patricio C. Smith

Desmoplastic tumors correspond to a unique tissue structure characterized by the abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix. Breast tumors are a typical example of this type of lesion, a property that allows its palpation and early detection. Fibrillar type I collagen is a major component of tumor desmoplasia and its accumulation is causally linked to tumor cell survival and metastasis. For many years, the desmoplastic phenomenon was considered to be a reaction and response of the host tissue against tumor cells and, accordingly, designated as “desmoplastic reaction”. This notion has been challenged in the last decades when desmoplastic tissue was detected in breast tissue in the absence of tumor. This finding suggests that desmoplasia is a preexisting condition that stimulates the development of a malignant phenotype. With this perspective, in the present review, we analyze the role of extracellular matrix remodeling in the development of the desmoplastic response. Importantly, during the discussion, we also analyze the impact of obesity and cell metabolism as critical drivers of tissue remodeling during the development of desmoplasia. New knowledge derived from the dynamic remodeling of the extracellular matrix may lead to novel targets of interest for early diagnosis or therapy in the context of breast tumors.


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