Detecting MoS2 and MoSe2 with optical contrast simulation

Optical imaging is a promising method to identify and locate 2D materials efficiently and non-invasively. By putting a 2D material on a substrate, the nanolayer will add to an optical path and create a contrast to the case when the nanolayer is absent. This optical contrast imaging can be used to identify the 2D material and its number of layers. To make the optical imaging process in the laboratories an effective tool, Fresnel Law as a model was used to simulate the optical imaging results of 2D materials(graphene, Mo S2 and MoSe_2) on top of different thickness of SiO_2 and Si wafer in the present investigation. The results provide the details of the optimal conditions(optimal light wavelength and optimal SiO_2 thickness) to identify and locate single to few 2D nanolayers, which can be used directly in laboratories. The optical contrasts of 1–5 layers of molybdenum disulfide(MoS_2) and molybdenum diselenide(MoSe_2) were simulated. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that the optical contrast results of MoSe_2 have been reported. In particular, this work highlights the sensitivity of the model on the accuracy of the refractive indices used. It is demonstrated that through computational modeling that optical contrast can allow effective determination of number of layers in few layer 2D materials.     

Methylation of hippocampal phosphatidylethanolamine and proteins during long-lasting potentiation

Summary Whereas the monomethylation of hippocampal phosphatidylethanolamine is decreased following the induction of long-lasting potentiation of the CA₁ population spike, carboxymethylation of proteins is unaffected.This work was supported by The University of British Columbia.     

Methylation of hippocampal phosphatidylethanolamine and proteins during long-lasting potentiation

Whereas the monomethylation of hippocampal phosphatidylethanolamine is decreased following the induction of long-lasting potentiation of the CA1 population spike, carboxymethylation of proteins is unaffected.     

Investigations of ZnO thin films deposited by a reactive pulsed laser ablation

Highly transparent ZnO thin films were deposited at different substrate temperatures by pulsed laser deposition in an oxygen atmosphere.The thin films were characterized by various techniques including X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,optical absorption,and photoluminescence.We demonstrated that oriented wurtzite ZnO thin films could be deposited at room temperature using a high purity zinc target.Variable temperature photoluminescence revealed new characteristics in the band edge emission.The...     

Alternatively activated macrophages produce catecholamines to sustain adaptive thermogenesis

All homeotherms use thermogenesis to maintain their core body temperature, ensuring that cellular functions and physiological processes can continue in cold environments. In the prevailing model of thermogenesis, when the hypothalamus senses cold temperatures it triggers sympathetic discharge, resulting in the release of noradrenaline in brown adipose tissue and white adipose tissue. Acting via the β(3)-adrenergic receptors, noradrenaline induces lipolysis in white adipocytes, whereas it stimulates the expression of thermogenic genes, such as PPAR-γ coactivator 1a (Ppargc1a), uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1 (Acsl1), in brown adipocytes. However, the precise nature of all the cell types involved in this efferent loop is not well established. Here we report in mice an unexpected requirement for the interleukin-4 (IL-4)-stimulated program of alternative macrophage activation in adaptive thermogenesis. Exposure to cold temperature rapidly promoted alternative activation of adipose tissue macrophages, which secrete catecholamines to induce thermogenic gene expression in brown adipose tissue and lipolysis in white adipose tissue. Absence of alternatively activated macrophages impaired metabolic adaptations to cold, whereas administration of IL-4 increased thermogenic gene expression, fatty acid mobilization and energy expenditure, all in a macrophage-dependent manner. Thus, we have discovered a role for alternatively activated macrophages in the orchestration of an important mammalian stress response, the response to cold.     

Role of the HTLV-III/LAV envelope in syncytium formation and cytopathicity

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is characterized by marked depletion of the T4+ helper subset of T cells. The aetiological agent of the disease, the human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III)/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), specifically kills T4+ cells in vitro. Part of this specificity for the T4+ population residues in the relative efficiency with which HTLV-III infects these cells, as a result of a specific interaction between the T4 molecule and the virus envelope glycoprotein. In addition, the cytotoxic consequences of HTLV-III replication are dependent on cell type, as certain lymphoid and myeloid cells can be productively infected without notable cytopathic effect. Here we investigate the basis for the specific cytotoxicity of the virus, and report that high-level expression of the HTLV-III envelope gene induces syncytia and concomitant cell death in T4+ cell lines but not in a B-lymphocyte line. Syncytium formation depends on the interaction of envelope-expressing cells with neighbouring cells bearing surface T4 molecules. These results explain, at least in part, the specific cytopathic effect of HTLV-III infections.     

Joining S100 proteins and migration: for better or for worse,in sickness and in health

The vast diversity of S100 proteins has demonstrated a multitude of biological correlations with cell growth, cell differentiation and cell survival in numerous physiological and pathological conditions in all cells of the body. This review summarises some of the reported regulatory functions of S100 proteins (namely S100A1, S100A2, S100A4, S100A6, S100A7, S100A8/S100A9, S100A10, S100A11, S100A12, S100B and S100P) on cellular migration and invasion, established in both culture and animal model systems and the possible mechanisms that have been proposed to be responsible. These mechanisms involve intracellular events and components of the cytoskeletal organisation (actin/myosin filaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules) as well as extracellular signalling at different cell surface receptors (RAGE and integrins). Finally, we shall attempt to demonstrate how aberrant expression of the S100 proteins may lead to pathological events and human disorders and furthermore provide a rationale to possibly explain why the expression of some of the S100 proteins (mainly S100A4 and S100P) has led to conflicting results on motility, depending on the cells used.     

Recent advances in non-toxic quantum dots and their biomedical applications

Quantum dots (QDs) with unique quantum confinement effect and electro-optical properties are attractive for biomedical applications. Toxic effects of traditional semiconductor QDs made of heavy metal ions have serious safety concerns for their undesired environmental or healthy impact. Recent reports on core-shell structure modification of QDs by using biocompatible ligands or polymers is one way to be effectively minimizing toxicity effects of traditional QDs. Furthermore, designs of heave metal-free and metal-free QDs formulations are more promising alternatives, due to the non-toxic and eco-friendly nature of the starting materials. In article, we will review the recent designs of non-toxic or less toxic QDs, including carbon-based, biomolecules-based, silicon-based, and ternary I-III-VI QDs, and their biological applications (bio-imaging, drug delivery, gene therapy and immunoassay).