The human-specific nicotinic receptor subunit CHRFAM7A reduces α7 receptor function in human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived and transgenic mouse neurons.

We investigated the impact of the human-specific gene CHRFAM7A on the function of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChRs) in two different types of neurons: human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cortical neurons, and superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons, taken from transgenic mice expressing CHRFAM7A. dupα7, the gene product of CHRFAM7A, which lacks a major part of the extracellular N-terminal ligand-binding domain, co-assembles with α7, the gene product of CHRNA7. We assessed the receptor function in hiPSC-derived cortical and SCG neurons with Fura-2 calcium imaging and three different α7-specific ligands: PNU282987, choline, and 4BP-TQS.

Reduction in activity and abundance of mitochondrial electron transport chain supercomplexes in pulmonary hypertension-induced right ventricular dysfunction.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) results in RV hypertrophy, fibrosis and dysfunction resulting in RV failure which is associated with impaired RV metabolism and mitochondrial respiration. Mitochondrial supercomplexes (mSC) are assemblies of multiple electron transport chain (ETC) complexes that consist of physically associated complex I, III and IV that may enhance respiration and lower ROS generation. The goal of this study was to determine if mSCs are reduced in RV dysfunction associated with PH.

Support for a right-wing populist party and subjective well-being: Experimental and survey evidence from Germany.

With the rise of populism in many countries, including Germany, it is more important than ever to better understand the causes and consequences of populist support. Using two experiments within the context of a large panel survey, we study how support for the German right-wing populist party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is associated with subjective perceptions of personal and financial well-being. In both experiments, we rely on priming the identity of AfD supporters, once in a controlled manner and once in a natural setting.

Molecular Evolution of RAMOSA1 (RA1) in Land Plants.

RAMOSA1 (RA1) is a Cys2-His2-type (C2H2) zinc finger transcription factor that controls plant meristem fate and identity and has played an important role in maize domestication. Despite its importance, the origin of RA1 is unknown, and the evolution in plants is only partially understood. In this paper, we present a well-resolved phylogeny based on 73 amino acid sequences from 48 embryophyte species.

Positronium Laser Cooling via the 1^{3}S-2^{3}P Transition with a Broadband Laser Pulse.

We report on laser cooling of a large fraction of positronium (Ps) in free flight by strongly saturating the 1^{3}S-2^{3}P transition with a broadband, long-pulsed 243 nm alexandrite laser. The ground state Ps cloud is produced in a magnetic and electric field-free environment. We observe two different laser-induced effects.

Voluntary 'donations' versus reward-oriented 'contributions': two experiments on framing in funding mechanisms.

Unlabelled: In an artefactual field experiment, we implemented a crowdfunding campaign for an institute's summer party and compared donation and contribution framings. We found that the use of the word 'donation' generated higher revenue than the use of 'contribution.' While the individuals receiving the donation framing gave substantially larger amounts, those receiving the contribution framing responded more strongly to reward thresholds and suggestions.

Association Between Sarcopenia and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Older Adults: Evidence From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

Little is known about whether sarcopenia predicts incident depressive symptoms in older adults. Using the nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses to estimate the association between sarcopenia and depressive symptoms among older adults. The sample comprised 7,706 participants aged at least 60 years (50.

Early Cretaceous sea surface temperature evolution in subtropical shallow seas.

Late Cretaceous sea surface temperatures (SST) are, amongst others, traditionally reconstructed by compiling oxygen isotope records of planktonic foraminifera obtained from globally distributed pelagic IODP drill cores. In contrast, the evolution of Early Cretaceous SSTs is essentially based on the organic TEX palaeothermometer, as oxygen-isotope data derived from well-preserved 'glassy' foraminifer calcite are currently lacking. In order to evaluate the extraordinary warm TEX-derived SSTs of the Barremian to Aptian (130-123 Ma) subtropics, we present highly resolved sclerochemical profiles of pristine rudist bivalve shells from Tethyan and proto-North Atlantic shallow water carbonate platforms.

On the potential of ROI imaging in x-ray CT - A comparison of novel dynamic beam attenuators with current technology.

Purpose: In this work, we explore the potential of region-of-interest (ROI) imaging in x-ray computed tomography (CT). Using two dynamic beam attenuator (DBA) concepts for fluence field modulation (FFM) previously developed, we investigate and evaluate the potential dose savings in comparison with current FFM technology.

Methods: ROI imaging is a special application of FFM where the bulk of x-ray radiation is propagated toward a certain anatomical target (ROI), specified by the imaging task, while the surrounding tissue is spared from radiation.

The α5 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit Differentially Modulates α4β2 and α3β4 Receptors.

Nicotine, the principal reinforcing compound in tobacco, acts in the brain by activating neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding how the α5 accessory nAChR subunit, encoded by the gene, differentially modulates α4β2 and α3β4 receptors at the cellular level. Genome-wide association studies have linked a gene cluster in chromosomal region 15q25 to increased susceptibility to nicotine addiction, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and peripheral arterial disease.

The z-sbDBA, a new concept for a dynamic sheet-based fluence field modulator in x-ray CT.

Purpose: We present a new concept for dynamic fluence field modulation (FFM) in x-ray computed tomography (CT). The so-called z-aligned sheet-based dynamic beam attenuator (z-sbDBA) is developed to dynamically compensate variations in patient attenuation across the fan beam and the projection angle. The goal is to enhance image quality and to reduce patient radiation dose.

Intramembrane protease RHBDL4 cleaves oligosaccharyltransferase subunits to target them for ER-associated degradation.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident intramembrane rhomboid protease RHBDL4 generates metastable protein fragments and together with the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) machinery provides a clearance mechanism for aberrant and surplus proteins. However, the endogenous substrate spectrum and with that the role of RHBDL4 in physiological ERAD is mainly unknown. Here, we use a substrate trapping approach in combination with quantitative proteomics to identify physiological RHBDL4 substrates.

Technical Note: Sheet-based dynamic beam attenuator - A novel concept for dynamic fluence field modulation in x-ray CT.

Purpose: It has been a long-standing wish in computed tomography (CT) to compensate the emitted x-ray beam intensity for the patient's changing attenuation during the rotation of a CT data acquisition. The patient attenuation changes both spatially, along the fan beam angle, and temporally, between different projections. By modifying the pre-patient x-ray intensity profile according to the attenuation properties of the given object, image noise can be homogenized and dose can be delivered where it is really needed.

Disturbed neurotransmitter homeostasis in ether lipid deficiency.

Plasmalogens, the most prominent ether (phospho)lipids in mammals, are structural components of most cellular membranes. Due to their physicochemical properties and abundance in the central nervous system, a role of plasmalogens in neurotransmission has been proposed, but conclusive data are lacking. Here, we targeted this issue in the glyceronephosphate O-acyltransferase (Gnpat) KO mouse, a model of complete deficiency in ether lipid biosynthesis.

Marker-free genome editing in Ustilago trichophora with the CRISPR-Cas9 technology.

In this communication, we report the adaptation of the CRISPR-Cas9 technology in Ustilago trichophora prototrophic wild-type isolate obtained from its natural host Echinochloa crus-galli. The established CRISPR vector and method enable a rapid and marker-free introduction of Cas9-induced non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) dependent mutation at the targeted gene. Moreover, the method allows a specific modification of the chromosomal DNA sequence by Cas9-induced homologous recombination using short DNA repair templates.

Payoff information hampers the evolution of cooperation.

Human cooperation has been explained through rationality as well as heuristics-based models. Both model classes share the feature that knowledge of payoff functions is weakly beneficial for the emergence of cooperation. Here, we present experimental evidence to the contrary.

Testing consumer theory: evidence from a natural field experiment.

We present evidence from a natural field experiment designed to shed light on whether individual behavior is consistent with a neoclassical model of utility maximization subject to budget constraints. We do this through the lens of a field experiment on charitable giving. We find that the behavior of at least 80% of individuals, on both the extensive and intensive margins, can be rationalized within a standard neoclassical choice model in which individuals have preferences, defined over own consumption and their contribution towards the charitable good, satisfying the axioms of revealed preference.

Role of α5-containing nicotinic receptors in neuropathic pain and response to nicotine.

Nicotinic receptors in the central nervous system (nAChRs) are known to play important roles in pain processing and modulate behavioral responses to analgesic drugs, including nicotine. The presence of the α5-neuronal nicotinic accessory subunit in the nicotinic receptor complex is increasingly understood to modulate reward and aversive states, addiction, and possibly pathological pain. In the current study, using α5-knockout (KO) mice and subunit-specific antibodies, we assess the role of α5-containing neuronal nicotinic receptors in neuropathic pain and in the analgesic response to nicotine.

Self-control behaviors during the learning of a cascade juggling task.

This study examined the self-control behaviors of participants learning a 3-ball cascade juggle. Participants chose when they would receive one of four types of instructional assistance: (a) instructions; (b) video demonstration; (c) knowledge of performance (KP); and (d) knowledge of results (KR). Juggling proficiency was divided into three categories based on catches per attempt during retention and transfer testing.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors modulate osteoclastogenesis.

Background: Our aim was to investigate the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in in-vitro osteoclastogenesis and in in-vivo bone homeostasis.

Methods: The presence of nAChR subunits as well as the in-vitro effects of nAChR agonists were investigated by ex vivo osteoclastogenesis assays, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and flow cytometry in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages differentiated in the presence of recombinant receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The bone phenotype of mice lacking various nAChR subunits was investigated by peripheral quantitative computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors control acetylcholine and noradrenaline release in the rodent habenulo-interpeduncular complex.

Background And Purpose: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACh receptors) play a central role in the habenulo-interpeduncular system. We studied nicotine-induced release of NA and ACh in the habenula and interpeduncular nucleus (IPN).

Experimental Approach: The habenula and IPN were loaded with [(3) H]-choline or [(3) H]-NA and placed in superfusion chambers.