Topological Line Defects around Graphene Nanopores for DNA Sequencing

Topological line defects in graphene represent an ideal way to produce highly controlled structures with reduced dimensionality that can be used in electronic devices. In this work we propose using extended line defects in graphene to improve nucleobase selectivity in nanopore-based DNA sequencing devices. We use a combination of QM/MM and non-equilibrium Green's functions methods to investigate the conductance modulation, fully accounting for solvent effects. By sampling over a large number of different orientations generated from molecular dynamics simulations, we theoretically demonstrate that distinguishing between the four nucleobases using line defects in a graphene-based electronic device appears possible. The changes in conductance are associated with transport across specific molecular states near the Fermi level and their coupling to the pore. Through the application of a specifically tuned gate voltage, such a device would be able to discriminate the four types of nucleobases more reliably than that of graphene sensors without topological line defects.Comment: 6 figures and 6 page

Combined effects of temperature and dietary lipid level on body composition, growth, and freshness profile in european seabass, dicentrarchus labrax

The effects of increasing temperature and dietary lipid level on the body composition, growth performance, and freshness profile of the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were evaluated through a fish trial lasting 56 days. Findings demonstrated that fish reared at 24 °C presented a lower lipid level and a higher daily growth index than those reared at 20 °C. On the other hand, the sea bass condition index did not change among treatments. Additionally, sensory analysis (the Quality Index Method) and microbiological analysis revealed that fish reared at 24 °C showed better freshness conditions than those at 20 °C. Nevertheless, the dietary lipid level did not have any influence on fish freshness conditions. Therefore, our data suggest that the increase in temperature to 24 °C is beneficial for the growth and freshness profile of this particular species in aquaculture.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A total transcriptome profiling method for plasma-derived extracellular vesicles: applications for liquid biopsies

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication. Part of their biological effects can be attributed to the transfer of cargos of diverse types of RNAs, which are promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. EVs found in human biofluids are a valuable source for the development of minimally invasive assays. However, the total transcriptional landscape of EVs is still largely unknown. Here we develop a new method for total transcriptome profiling of plasma-derived EVs by next generation sequencing (NGS) from limited quantities of patient-derived clinical samples, which enables the unbiased characterization of the complete RNA cargo, including both small- and long-RNAs, in a single library preparation step. This approach was applied to RNA extracted from EVs isolated by ultracentrifugation from the plasma of five healthy volunteers. Among the most abundant RNAs identified we found small RNAs such as tRNAs, miRNAs and miscellaneous RNAs, which have largely unknown functions. We also identified protein-coding and long noncoding transcripts, as well as circular RNA species that were also experimentally validated. This method enables, for the first time, the full spectrum of transcriptome data to be obtained from minute patient-derived samples, and will therefore potentially allow the identification of cell-to-cell communication mechanisms and biomarkers.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Gillson-Longenbaugh FoundationNational Institutes of Health (NIH/NCATS) through the NIH Common Fund, Office of Strategic Coordination (OSC)AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Lab Med Genom, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilAC Camargo Canc Ctr, Lab Computat Biol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Cell & Dev Biol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Electron Microscopy Ctr, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Texas MD Anderson Canc Ctr, Dept Expt Therapeut, Houston, TX 77030 USAUniv Texas MD Anderson Canc Ctr, Ctr RNA Interference & Non Coding RNAs, Houston, TX 77030 USAUniv New Mexico, Comprehens Canc Ctr, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USAUniv New Mexico, Sch Med, Div Hematol Oncol, Dept Internal Med, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USAUniv New Mexico, Sch Med, Div Mol Med, Dept Internal Med, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USARockefeller Univ, Lab Mol Immunol, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10021 USAFMUSP, Lab Neurociencias Alzira Denise Hertzog Silva LIM, Inst Psiquiatria, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Electron Microscopy Ctr, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2011/09172-3FAPESP: 2014/26897-0Web of Scienc

GQ-16, a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR ) ligand, promotes insulin sensitization without weight gain

ABSTRACTBackground: PPAR agonists improve insulin sensitivity but also evoke weight gain. Results: GQ-16 is a PPAR partial agonist that blocks receptor phosphorylation by Cdk5 and improves insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice in the absence of weight gain. Conclusion: The unique binding mode of GQ-16 appears to be responsible for the compound’s advantageous pharmacological profile. Significance: Similar compounds could have promise as anti-diabetic therapeutics

Fundamental research questions in subterranean biology

Five decades ago, a landmark paper inSciencetitledThe Cave Environmentheralded caves as ideal natural experimental laboratories in which to develop and address general questions in geology, ecology, biogeography, and evolutionary biology. Although the 'caves as laboratory' paradigm has since been advocated by subterranean biologists, there are few examples of studies that successfully translated their results into general principles. The contemporary era of big data, modelling tools, and revolutionary advances in genetics and (meta)genomics provides an opportunity to revisit unresolved questions and challenges, as well as examine promising new avenues of research in subterranean biology. Accordingly, we have developed a roadmap to guide future research endeavours in subterranean biology by adapting a well-established methodology of 'horizon scanning' to identify the highest priority research questions across six subject areas. Based on the expert opinion of 30 scientists from around the globe with complementary expertise and of different academic ages, we assembled an initial list of 258 fundamental questions concentrating on macroecology and microbial ecology, adaptation, evolution, and conservation. Subsequently, through online surveys, 130 subterranean biologists with various backgrounds assisted us in reducing our list to 50 top-priority questions. These research questions are broad in scope and ready to be addressed in the next decade. We believe this exercise will stimulate research towards a deeper understanding of subterranean biology and foster hypothesis-driven studies likely to resonate broadly from the traditional boundaries of this field.Peer reviewe