Ion solvation as a predictor of lanthanide adsorption structures and energetics in alumina nanopores.

Adsorption reactions at solid-water interfaces define elemental fate and transport and enable contaminant clean-up, water purification, and chemical separations. For nanoparticles and nanopores, nanoconfinement may lead to unexpected and hard-to-predict products and energetics of adsorption, compared to analogous unconfined surfaces. Here we use X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and operando flow microcalorimetry to determine nanoconfinement effects on the energetics and local coordination environment of trivalent lanthanides adsorbed on AlO surfaces.

A cross-sectional and spatial analysis of the prevalence of multimorbidity and its association with socioeconomic disadvantage in South Africa: A comparison between 2008 and 2012.

This study utilised data from the National Income Dynamics Study, a longitudinal study with a sample of approximately 28 000 people, to investigate the cross-sectional and spatial distribution of multimorbidity and the association with socioeconomic disadvantage in South Africa for 2008 and 2012. Multimorbidity increased in prevalence from 2.73% to 2.

Mortality rates and the causes of death related to diabetes mellitus in Shanghai Songjiang District: an 11-year retrospective analysis of death certificates.

Background: China is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world. We analysed all the death certificates mentioning diabetes from 2002 to 2012 in Songjiang District of Shanghai to estimate morality rates and examine cause of death patterns.

Methods: Mortality data of 2654 diabetics were collected from the database of local CDC.

Interaction between metformin and leucine in reducing hyperlipidemia and hepatic lipid accumulation in diet-induced obese mice.

Background: Leucine stimulates Sirt1 and AMPK signaling in vitro and in vivo. Since metformin converges on the same pathway, we have tested the ability of leucine to amplify the effects of metformin on AMPK-mediated hepatic lipid metabolism in diet-induced-obese insulin-resistant mice.

Methods: Mice were fed high leucine (24 g/kg diet) with or without sub-therapeutic levels of metformin (0.

Regulation of the mesocorticolimbic and mesostriatal dopamine systems by α-melanocyte stimulating hormone and agouti-related protein.

The melanocortin system of the hypothalamus, including the neuropeptides α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH) and agouti-related protein (AgRP), and their receptors, the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), have been well-studied for their roles in the central control of feeding and body weight. In this review, we discuss the evidence demonstrating that αMSH and AgRP also act on the mesocorticolimbic and mesostriatal dopamine systems to regulate a wide variety of behaviors. In addition to the well described ability of αMSH to increase dopamine transmission and to increase grooming and rearing when injected directly into the ventral tegmental area, a growing body of evidence indicates that αMSH and AgRP can also act on dopamine pathways to regulate feeding and drug abuse, including reward-related behaviors toward food and drugs.

Spatial distribution of lead in Sacramento, California, USA.

Chronic exposure to lead remains a health concern in many urban areas; Sacramento, California is one example, with state surveillance data showing nearly 3% of screened children reported with blood lead levels over 4.5 μg/dL in 2009. To investigate the environmental exposure, 91 soil samples were collected and analyzed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS for 14 elements.

Immunohistochemical localization of serotonin in the brain during natural sex change in the hermaphroditic goby Lythrypnus dalli.

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) may play a central role in the inhibition of socially regulated sex change in fish because of its known modulation of both aggressive and reproductive behavior. This is the first study to use immunohistochemical techniques to examine the morphometry of serotonergic neurons at different times during sex change. Using a model species wherein sex change is socially regulated via agonistic social interactions (the bluebanded goby, Lythrypnus dalli), we sampled brains of males and females with different social status, and of females at different times during sex change.

Distributed forebrain sites mediate melatonin-induced short-day responses in Siberian hamsters.

The pineal hormone melatonin (MEL) is the key initiator in regulating seasonal photoperiodic responses; however, the central sites that mediate short day (SD) winter-like responses, such as testicular regression and decreases in white adipose tissue (WAT) mass, by Siberian hamsters are not precisely known. WAT is innervated by the sympathetic nervous system, and several forebrain sites that are part of the sympathetic nervous system outflow to WAT coexpress MEL(1a) receptor mRNA [e.g.

Pontine norepinephrine defects in Mecp2-null mice involve deficient expression of dopamine beta-hydroxylase but not a loss of catecholaminergic neurons.

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by Mecp2 gene mutations. In RTT patients and Mecp2-null (Mecp2(-/Y)) mice, norepinephrine (NE) content drops significantly, which may play a role in breathing arrhythmia, sleep disorders and sudden death. However, the underlying mechanisms for the NE defect are not fully understood.

The multifaceted proteins MvaT and MvaU, members of the H-NS family, control arginine metabolism, pyocyanin synthesis, and prophage activation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

The MvaT and MvaU proteins belonging to the H-NS family were identified as DNA-binding proteins that interact with the regulatory region of the aotJQMOP-argR operon for arginine uptake and regulation. Recombinant MvaT and MvaU proteins were purified, and binding of these purified proteins to the aotJ regulatory region was demonstrated using electromobility shift assays. Polyclonal antibodies against purified MvaT and MvaU were prepared and employed in supershift assays to support these observations.

Arginine racemization by coupled catabolic and anabolic dehydrogenases.

D-amino acids exist in living organisms as specialized components of many different machineries. Biosynthesis of D-amino acids from racemization of predominant L-enantiomers is catalyzed by a single enzyme. Here, we report the finding of a novel 2-component amino acid racemase for D-to-L inversion in D-arginine metabolism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Cadmium induces a heterogeneous and caspase-dependent apoptotic response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The toxic metal cadmium is linked to a series of degenerative disorders in humans, in which Cd-induced programmed cell death (apoptosis) may play a role. The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, provides a valuable model for elucidating apoptosis mechanisms, and this study extends that capability to Cd-induced apoptosis. We demonstrate that S.

Transcriptome analysis of agmatine and putrescine catabolism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) are major organic polycations essential for a wide spectrum of cellular processes. The cells require mechanisms to maintain homeostasis of intracellular polyamines to prevent otherwise severe adverse effects. We performed a detailed transcriptome profile analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in response to agmatine and putrescine with an emphasis in polyamine catabolism.

Automated, quantitative screening assay for antiangiogenic compounds using transgenic zebrafish.

Pathologic angiogenesis has emerged as an important therapeutic target in several major diseases. Zebrafish offer the potential for high-throughput drug discovery in a whole vertebrate system. We developed the first quantitative, automated assay for antiangiogenic compound identification using zebrafish embryos.

Fat pad-specific effects of lipectomy on foraging, food hoarding, and food intake.

Unlike most species, after food deprivation, Siberian hamsters increase foraging and food hoarding, two appetitive ingestive behaviors, but not food intake, a consummatory ingestive behavior. We previously demonstrated (Wood AD, Bartness TJ, Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 272: R783-R792, 1997) that increases in food hoarding are triggered by directly decreasing body fat levels through partial surgical lipectomy; however, we did not test if lipectomy affected foraging, nor if the magnitude of the lipid deficit affected food hoard size. Therefore, we tested whether varying the size of the lipectomy-induced lipid deficit and/or foraging effort affected foraging, food hoarding, or food intake.

PKA-dependent activation of the vascular smooth muscle isoform of KATP channels by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and its effect on relaxation of the mesenteric resistance artery.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a potent vasodilator and has been successfully used to alleviate hypertension. Consistently, disruption of VIP gene in mice leads to hypertension. However, its downstream targets in the vascular regulation are still not well demonstrated.

Protein kinase C dependent inhibition of the heteromeric Kir4.1-Kir5.1 channel.

Heteromultimerization of Kir4.1 and Kir5.1 leads to a channel with distinct functional properties.

Modulation of the heteromeric Kir4.1-Kir5.1 channel by multiple neurotransmitters via Galphaq-coupled receptors.

The heteromeric Kir4.1-Kir5.1 channel is a candidate sensing molecule for central CO(2) chemoreception.

Electrophysiological studies in Xenopus oocytes for the opening of Escherichia coli SecA-dependent protein-conducting channels.

Protein translocation in Escherichia coli requires protein-conducting channels in cytoplasmic membranes to allow precursor peptides to pass through with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. Here, we report a novel, sensitive method that detects the opening of the SecA-dependent protein-conducting channels at the nanogram level. E.

Kir6.2 channel gating by intracellular protons: subunit stoichiometry for ligand binding and channel gating.

The adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels are gated by several metabolites, whereas the gating mechanism remains unclear. Kir6.2, a pore-forming subunit of the K(ATP) channels, has all machineries for ligand binding and channel gating.

Polyamine effects on antibiotic susceptibility in bacteria.

Biogenic polyamines (e.g., spermidine and spermine) are a group of essential polycationic compounds found in all living cells.

High CO2 chemosensitivity versus wide sensing spectrum: a paradoxical problem and its solutions in cultured brainstem neurons.

CO2 central chemoreceptors play an important role in cardiorespiratory control. They are highly sensitive to P(CO2) in a broad range. These two sensing properties seem paradoxical as none of the known pH-sensing molecules can achieve both.

Gating of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel by a pore-lining phenylalanine residue.

ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels are gated by intracellular ATP, proton and phospholipids. The pore-forming Kir6.2 subunit has all essential machineries for channel gating by these ligands.

Expression, purification, and characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa SecA.

A secA gene from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 was amplified and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21.19 (secA13) under conditions where E. coli SecA was depleted.

Sympathetic but not sensory denervation stimulates white adipocyte proliferation.

White adipocyte proliferation is a hallmark of obesity, but it largely remains a mechanistic mystery. We and others previously demonstrated that surgical denervation of white adipose tissue (WAT) triggers increases in fat cell number, but it is unknown whether this was due to preadipocyte proliferation or maturation of existing preadipocytes that allowed them to be counted. In addition, surgical denervation severs not only sympathetic but also sensory innervation of WAT.