MICA and MICB (MHC-class-I-related chain A/B) are transmembrane proteins expressed in pathological conditions that are ligands for NKG2D, an activating receptor found on cytotoxic lymphocytes. The recognition on target cells of NKG2D ligands leads to the activation of lysis and cytokine secretion by NK cells and T cells. Besides being expressed at the cell surface, MICA/B can be released as sol...

A facile transfer process for transition metal dichalcogenide WS2 flakes is reported and the effect of the underlying substrate on the flake properties is investigated using Raman spectroscopy. The flakes are transferred from their growth substrate using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and a wet etch to allow the user to transfer the flakes to a final substrate using a microscope and micromanipu...

CONCLUSION Intake of antisecretory factor (AF)-inducing SPC-flakes significantly reduced vertigo in patients suffering from Ménière's disease (MD). The positive effect may be due to a modulation of the transport of water and ions in the endolymphatic space. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a 3-month treatment period with SPC-flakes in patients suffering from MD. PATIENTS AND METHODS A p...

Two-dimensional (2D) ternary materials have sprung up in a broad variety of optoelectronic applications due to their robust degree freedom design the physical properties through adjusting stoichiometric ratio. However, controlled growth high-quality 2D with good chemical stoichiometry remains challenging, which severely impedes further development and future device applications. Herein, we synt...

In vitro pharmacodynamic model (PDM) simulation of serum antifungal concentrations may predict the value of combination antifungal regimens against Candida sp. endocarditis. We investigated the effects of combinations of flucytosine (5FC), micafungin (Mica), and voriconazole (Vor) against Candida-infected human platelet-fibrin clots, used as simulated endocardial vegetations (SEVs). Single clin...

BACKGROUND Overexpression of autologous proteins can lead to the formation of autoantibodies and autoimmune diseases. MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA) is highly expressed in the enterocytes of patients with celiac disease, which arises in response to gluten. The aim of this study was to investigate anti-MICA antibody formation in patients with celiac disease and its association...

We describe the Meta-Institute for Computational Astrophysics (MICA), the first professional scientific organization based exclusively in virtual worlds (VWs). The goals of MICA are to explore the utility of the emerging VR and VWs technologies for scientific and scholarly work in general, and to facilitate and accelerate their adoption by the scientific research community. MICA itself is an ex...

In a genome-wide association study, we have previously identified and performed the initial replication of three novel susceptibility loci for cervical cancer: rs9272143 upstream of HLA-DRB1, rs2516448 adjacent to MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A gene (MICA), and rs3117027 at HLA-DPB2. The risk allele T of rs2516448 is in perfect linkage disequilibrium with a frameshift mutation (A5.1...

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was utilized to gradually modify the chemistry and structure of graphene oxide (GO) flakes, as confirmed by XPS and AFM. Ultrathin GO coatings/membranes, made of UV-irradiated flakes, showed tunable underwater oleophobicity. UV-treated, superoleophobic GO membranes exhibited excellent antifouling capability for oil/water separation.

Two-dimensional tungsten disulphide flakes are developed via a two solvent grinding assisted liquid phase exfoliation method. Our investigations show the distinct advantages of this approach that include reduced residues of the solvent used, high yield and creating relatively thin flakes suitable for electronic, optical, catalytic and energy storage applications.