Abstract Two-dimensional infrared scanning microscopy images of micro-structured surface patterns in an organic transistor device with metal electrode stripes on a polymer channel layer have been demonstrated. A compact single mode optical fiber scanning probe which has a micro dome-shape lens at the tip end was used for the scanning in which reflected beam intensities are coupled back to the optical fiber transceiver depending on the returned power of the sample material. Based on the experiment, the obtained structural dimensions of the micro structure specimen were well matched to the designed ones. These images were compared to the digital microscopy photos for a potential usage to conduct not only the in situ microscopic electrode pattern monitoring of the device but also to non-destructively investigate any surface reflecting material in micrometer scales.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal adult-onset neurodegenerative disease primarily affecting motor neurons. We recently identified intermediate-length polyglutamine (polyQ) expansions (27-33 Qs) in ataxin 2 as a genetic risk factor for sporadic ALS in North American ALS patients. To extend these findings, we assessed the ataxin 2 polyQ repeat length in 1294 European ALS patients and 679 matched healthy controls. We observed a significant association between polyQ expansions and ALS (>30 Qs; P= 6.2 × 10(-3)). Thus, intermediate-length ataxin 2 polyQ repeat expansions are associated with increased risk for ALS also in the European cohort. The specific polyQ length cutoff, however, appears to vary between different populations, with longer repeat lengths showing a clear association. Our findings support the hypothesis that ataxin 2 plays an important role in predisposing to ALS and that polyQ expansions in ataxin 2 are a significant risk factor for the disease.
Given the recent finding of an association between intermediate-length polyglutamine (polyQ) expansions in ataxin 2 and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we sought to determine whether expansions in other polyQ disease genes were associated with ALS.
Methods:
We assessed the polyQ lengths of ataxin 1, ataxin 3, ataxin 6, ataxin 7, TBP, atrophin 1, and huntingtin in several hundred patients with sporadic ALS and healthy controls.
Results:
Other than ataxin 2, we did not identify a significant association with the other polyQ genes and ALS.
Conclusions:
These data indicate that the effects of ataxin 2 polyQ expansions on ALS risk are likely to be rooted in the biology of ataxin 2 or ataxin 2-specific interactions, rather than the presence of an expanded polyQ repeat per se. These findings have important consequences for understanding the role of ataxin 2 in ALS pathogenesis and provide a framework for future mechanistic studies.
