Single-Cell Electrochemical Aptasensor Array.

Despite several demonstrations of electrochemical devices with limits of detection (LOD) of 1 cell/mL, the implementation of single-cell bioelectrochemical sensor arrays has remained elusive due to the challenges of scaling up. In this study, we show that the recently introduced nanopillar array technology combined with redox-labeled aptamers targeting epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is perfectly suited for such implementation. Combining nanopillar arrays with microwells determined for single cell trapping directly on the sensor surface, single target cells are successfully detected and analyzed.

Electrochemical response of surface-attached redox DNA governed by low activation energy electron transfer kinetics.

The mechanism responsible for electron transport within layers of redox DNA anchored to electrodes has been extensively studied over the last twenty years, but remains controversial. Herein, we thoroughly study the electrochemical behavior of a series of short, model, ferrocene (Fc) end-labeled dT oligonucleotides, terminally attached to gold electrodes, using high scan rate cyclic voltammetry complemented by molecular dynamics simulations. We evidence that the electrochemical response of both single-stranded and duplexed oligonucleotides is controlled by the electron transfer kinetics at the electrode, obeying Marcus theory, but with reorganization energies considerably lowered by the attachment of the ferrocene to the electrode the DNA chain.

Redox-labelled electrochemical aptasensors with nanosupported cancer cells.

The transfer of redox-labelled bioelectrochemical sensors from proteins to cells is not straightforward because of the cell downward force issue on the surface of the sensors. In this paper, 20-nm-thick nanopillars are introduced to overcome this issue, in a well-controlled manner. We show on both molecular dynamics simulations and experiments that suspending cells a few nanometers above an electrode surface enables redox-labelled tethered DNA aptamer probes to move freely, while remaining at an interaction distance from a target membrane protein, i.

Genomic prediction modeling of soybean biomass using UAV-based remote sensing and longitudinal model parameters.

The application of remote sensing in plant breeding can provide rich information about the growth processes of plants, which leads to better understanding concerning crop yield. It has been shown that traits measured by remote sensing were also beneficial for genomic prediction (GP) because the inclusion of remote sensing data in multitrait models improved prediction accuracies of target traits. However, the present multitrait GP model cannot incorporate high-dimensional remote sensing data due to the difficulty in the estimation of a covariance matrix among the traits, which leads to failure in improving its prediction accuracy.

Choosing the optimal population for a genome-wide association study: A simulation of whole-genome sequences from rice.

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) needs to have a suitable population. The factors that affect a GWAS (e.g.

Identification of ryuvidine as a KDM5A inhibitor.

KDM5 family members (A, B, C and D) that demethylate H3K4me3 have been shown to be involved in human cancers. Here we performed screening for KDM5A inhibitors from chemical libraries using the AlphaScreen method and identified a battery of screening hits that inhibited recombinant KDM5A. These compounds were further subjected to cell-based screening using a reporter gene that responded to KDM5A inhibition and 6 compounds were obtained as candidate inhibitors.

Formation of Clusters in Whiskies During the Maturation Process.

Maturation provides whisky with a mild and smooth texture by removing the irritating alcoholic flavor. However, the precise mechanism by which the whisky flavor is improved through the maturation process remains unknown. In this study, we performed mesoscopic structural measurements-dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)-to elucidate the relationship between the liquid structure and flavor maturation of whiskies.

Impact of Mislabeling on Genomic Selection in Cassava Breeding.

In plant breeding, humans occasionally make mistakes. Genomic selection is particularly prone to human error because it involves more steps than conventional phenotypic selection. The impact of human mistakes should be determined to evaluate the cost effectiveness of controlling human error in plant breeding.

Hyperspectral Imaging in Tandem with R Statistics and Image Processing for Detection and Visualization of pH in Japanese Big Sausages Under Different Storage Conditions.

Unlabelled: The potential of hyperspectral imaging with wavelengths of 380 to 1000 nm was used to determine the pH of cooked sausages after different storage conditions (4 °C for 1 d, 35 °C for 1, 3, and 5 d). The mean spectra of the sausages were extracted from the hyperspectral images and partial least squares regression (PLSR) model was developed to relate spectral profiles with the pH of the cooked sausages. Eleven important wavelengths were selected based on the regression coefficient values.

Preparation of an Aroma Fraction from Dried Bonito by Steam Distillation and Its Effect on Modification of Salty and Umami Taste Qualities.

To study the effects of dried bonito aroma on taste perception, dried bonito aroma fraction (DBAF) as a steam distillate in liquid was added to the salt solutions containing 5 different salt concentrations (0.68% to 1.5% [w/v]) before sensory evaluations.

A 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist, sarpogrelate, reduces renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis by suppressing PAI-1.

A selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2A receptor antagonist sarpogrelate (SG) blocks serotonin-induced platelet aggregation. It has been used clinically for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. SG might be able to improve chronic ischemia, which contributes to renal fibrosis progression by maintaining renal microcirculation.

Stretch-activated cation channel TRPV4 mediates hyposmotically induced prolactin release from prolactin cells of mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus.

In teleost fish, prolactin (PRL) is an important hormone for hyperosmoregulation. The release of PRL from the pituitary of Mozambique tilapia is stimulated by a decrease in extracellular osmolality. Previous studies have shown that hyposmotically induced PRL release is linked with cell volume changes, and that stretch-activated Ca(2+) channels are likely responsible for the initiation of the signal transduction for PRL release.

Penicillium camemberti and Penicillium roqueforti enhance the growth and survival of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 under mild acidic conditions.

The effects of secondary starter molds of common mold-ripened cheeses on the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 were assessed in 3 model systems. In the 1st model, 8 STEC O157 strains were incubated in the spent culture of Penicillium camemberti or Penicillium roqueforti under mild acidic conditions at 25 °C. In the spent cultures of the mold at pH 4.

Gas chromatography/olfactometry and electronic nose analyses of retronasal aroma of espresso and correlation with sensory evaluation by an artificial neural network.

To develop a method for evaluating and designing the retronasal aroma of espresso, sensory evaluation data was correlated with data obtained from gas chromatography/olfactometry (GC/O, CharmAnalysis™) and from an electronic nose system αFOX4000 (E-nose). The volatile compounds of various kinds of espresso (arabica coffee beans from 6 production countries: Brazil, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Colombia, Indonesia, and Tanzania; 3 roasting degrees for each country: L values, 18, 23, and 26) were collected with a retronasal aroma simulator (RAS) and examined by GC/O and E-nose. In addition, sensory descriptive analysis using a 7-point scale for RAS effluent gas was performed by 5 trained flavorists using sensory descriptors selected based on the frequency in use and coefficient of correlation.

Transmural and apicobasal gradients in repolarization contribute to T-wave genesis in human surface ECG.

The cellular basis of the T-wave morphology of surface ECG remains controversial in clinical cardiology. We examined the effect of action potential duration (APD) distribution on T-wave morphology using a realistic model of the human ventricle and torso. We developed a finite-element model of the ventricle consisting of ∼26 million elements, including the conduction system, each implemented with the ion current model of cardiomyocytes.

Continuous mild heat stress induces differentiation of mammalian myoblasts, shifting fiber type from fast to slow.

Local hyperthermia has been widely used as physical therapy for a number of diseases such as inflammatory osteoarticular disorders, tendinitis, and muscle injury. Local hyperthermia is clinically applied to improve blood and lymphatic flow to decrease swelling of tissues (e.g.

Children's immunology, what can we learn from animal studies (3): Impaired mucosal immunity in the gut by 2,3,7,8-tetraclorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD): a possible role for allergic sensitization.

We have recently reported breakdown of mucosal immunity in the gut by tetraclorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). That is, single oral administration of low dose 2,3,7,8-TCDD resulted in a marked decrease in IgA secretion in AhR-dependent manner and impaired oral tolerance in the gut. In the present study, we found TCDD exposure by breast feeding also resulted in decreased level of IgA in the gut.

Chronic stimulation of farnesoid X receptor impairs nitric oxide sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle.

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that is highly expressed in enterohepatic tissue, is implicated in bile acid, lipid, and glucose metabolisms. Although recent studies showed that FXR is also expressed in vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, its physiological and/or pathological roles in vasculature tissue remain unknown. The aim of this study is to examine the chronic effect of synthetic FXR agonist GW4064 on vascular contraction and endothelium-dependent relaxation using tissue culture procedure.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate enhances IL-1{beta}-induced COX-2 expression in mouse intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts.

Intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs) is a specific population of cells involved in intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis via an elaborate network of cytokines, chemokines and other inflammatory factors, including PGE(2). Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been implicated as an important mediator of inflammation and cancer and in certain cell types increases cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. In the present study, we aimed to assess involvement of S1P in COX-2 expression by SEMFs.

TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha are involved in the transcription of type I collagen alpha2 gene in soleus muscle atrophied by mechanical unloading.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hindlimb suspension (HS) on the expressions of COL1A2 (type I collagen alpha(2) chain) mRNA and its regulatory factors, transforming growth factors (TGF)-beta(1), -beta(2), and -beta(3), phosphorylated Smad3, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in rat hindlimb muscles. Forty-eight male Wistar rats (age, 5 wk) were randomly assigned to HS for 1, 3, 7, and 14 days and control (n = 6 for each). During the exposure to HS, COL1A2 mRNA expression decreased in the soleus muscle at day 3 and recovered to control level at day 7.

Rho-kinase inhibitor prevents hepatocyte damage in acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats.

A protective effect of Rho-kinase inhibitor on various organ injuries is gaining attention. Regarding liver injury, Rho-kinase inhibitor is reported to prevent carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)- or dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Because Rho-kinase inhibitor not only improved liver fibrosis but also reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, we wondered whether Rho-kinase inhibitor might exert a direct hepatocyte-protective effect.

Intestinal inflammation downregulates smooth muscle CPI-17 through induction of TNF-alpha and causes motility disorders.

Motility disorders are frequently observed in intestinal inflammation. We previously reported that in vitro treatment of intestinal smooth muscle tissue with IL-1beta decreases the expression of CPI-17, an endogenous inhibitory protein of smooth muscle serine/threonine protein phosphatase, thereby inhibiting contraction. The present study was performed to examine the pathophysiological importance of CPI-17 expression in the motility disorders by using an in vivo model of intestinal inflammation and to define the regulatory mechanism of CPI-17 expression by proinflammatory cytokines.

Pulmonary and cardiovascular integrated model controlled with oxygen consumption.

We built a pulmonary and cardiovascugratedar inte- model which is driven by O2 consumption. The integrated model consists of a pulmonary model, a cardiovascular model, a gas exchange model, a respiratory control system model and a cardiovascular control model. To verify the integrated model, we calculated ventilations and cardiac outputs in different O2 consumptions and compared the results with literature values.