Long-range enhancement for fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy using Ag nanoislands protected with column-structured silica overlayer.

We demonstrate long-range enhancement of fluorescence and Raman scattering using a dense random array of Ag nanoislands (AgNIs) coated with column-structured silica (CSS) overlayer of over 100 nm thickness, namely, remote plasmonic-like enhancement (RPE). The CSS layer provides physical and chemical protection, reducing the impact between analyte molecules and metal nanostructures. RPE plates are fabricated with high productivity using sputtering and chemical immersion in gold(I)/halide solution.

Dynamic remodeling of TRPC5 channel-caveolin-1-eNOS protein assembly potentiates the positive feedback interaction between Ca and NO signals.

The cell signaling molecules nitric oxide (NO) and Ca regulate diverse biological processes through their closely coordinated activities directed by signaling protein complexes. However, it remains unclear how dynamically the multicomponent protein assemblies behave within the signaling complexes upon the interplay between NO and Ca signals. Here we demonstrate that TRPC5 channels activated by the stimulation of G-protein-coupled ATP receptors mediate Ca influx, that triggers NO production from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), inducing secondary activation of TRPC5 via cysteine S-nitrosylation and eNOS in vascular endothelial cells.

Effect of Lurasidone on Life Engagement in Schizophrenia: Post-Hoc Analysis of the JEWEL Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of lurasidone on a new, patient Life Engagement scale in schizophrenia.

Patients And Methods: This post-hoc analysis included participants (ages 18 to 74) diagnosed with schizophrenia who were randomized to lurasidone (40 mg/day) or placebo in a 6-week double-blind efficacy study and those who continued in a subsequent 12-week open-label extension study during which patients received either 40 or 80/mg day lurasidone (flexibly dosed). Change in life engagement was measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) 11-item Life Engagement subscale score, and individual subscale items, at week 6 during the double-blind phase and extension phase week 12 during the open-label extension phase.

Structural insights into rapamycin-induced oligomerization of a FRB-FKBP fusion protein.

Inducible dimerization systems, such as rapamycin-induced dimerization of FK506 binding protein (FKBP) and FKBP-rapamycin binding (FRB) domain, are widely employed chemical biology tools to manipulate cellular functions. We previously advanced an inducible dimerization system into an inducible oligomerization system by developing a bivalent fusion protein, FRB-FKBP, which forms large oligomers upon rapamycin addition and can be used to manipulate cells. However, the oligomeric structure of FRB-FKBP remains unclear.

Automated neuronal reconstruction with super-multicolour Tetbow labelling and threshold-based clustering of colour hues.

Fluorescence imaging is widely used for the mesoscopic mapping of neuronal connectivity. However, neurite reconstruction is challenging, especially when neurons are densely labelled. Here, we report a strategy for the fully automated reconstruction of densely labelled neuronal circuits.