Fibin regulates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and causes protein-aggregate-associated cardiomyopathy .

Despite the identification of numerous molecular pathways modulating cardiac hypertrophy its pathogenesis is not completely understood. In this study we define an unexpected role for Fibin ("fin bud initiation factor homolog") in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Via gene expression profiling in hypertrophic murine hearts after transverse aortic constriction we found a significant induction of Fibin.

Anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity and chemical analysis of metabolites produced by marine-associated fungi.

Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide and it may have serious consequences, especially for women. Currently, 5-nitroimidazole drugs are the treatment of choice for trichomoniasis, although presenting adverse effects and reported cases of drug resistance. Metabolites isolated from marine fungi have attracted considerable attention due to their unique chemical structures with diverse biological activities, including antiprotozoal activity.

The biochemical composition of the actomyosin network sets the magnitude of cellular traction forces.

The regulation of cellular force production relies on the complex interplay between a well-conserved set of proteins of the cytoskeleton: actin, myosin, and α-actinin. Despite our deep knowledge of the role of these proteins in force production at the molecular scale, our understanding of the biochemical regulation of the magnitude of traction forces generated at the entire-cell level has been limited, notably by the technical challenge of measuring traction forces and the endogenous biochemical composition in the same cell. In this study, we developed an alternative Traction-Force Microscopy (TFM) assay, which used a combination of hydrogel micropatterning to define cell adhesion and shape and an intermediate fixation/immunolabeling step to characterize strain energies and the endogenous protein contents in single epithelial cells.

High speed external cavity diode laser concept based on a resonantly driven MEMS scanner for the mid-infrared region.

The rapid detection of trace gases is of great relevance for various spectroscopy applications. In this regard, the technology of external cavity diode lasers (ECDLs) has firmly established itself due to its excellent properties. Outside of the laboratory environment, however, these still have some restrictions, especially with regard to high acquisition rates for sensitive spectroscopy applications and mode-hop-free tuning.

AAV-mediated expression of NFAT decoy oligonucleotides protects from cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

Previous studies have underlined the substantial role of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) in hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy ultimately leading to heart failure. Here, we aimed at neutralizing four members of the NFAT family of transcription factors as a therapeutic strategy for myocardial hypertrophy transiting to heart failure through AAV-mediated cardiac expression of a RNA-based decoy oligonucleotide (dON) targeting NFATc1-c4. AAV-mediated dON expression markedly decreased endothelin-1 induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and resulted in efficient expression of these dONs in the heart of adult mice as evidenced by fluorescent in situ hybridization.