10 research outputs found

    Energy-dependent path of dissipation in nanomechanical resonators

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    Energy decay plays a central role in a wide range of phenomena1,2,3, such as optical emission, nuclear fission, and dissipation in quantum systems. Energy decay is usually described as a system leaking energy irreversibly into an environmental bath. Here, we report on energy decay measurements in nanomechanical systems based on multilayer graphene that cannot be explained by the paradigm of a system directly coupled to a bath. As the energy of a vibrational mode freely decays, the rate of energy decay changes abruptly to a lower value. This finding can be explained by a model where the measured mode hybridizes with other modes of the resonator at high energy. Below a threshold energy, modes are decoupled, resulting in comparatively low decay rates and giant quality factors exceeding 1 million. Our work opens up new possibilities to manipulate vibrational states4,5,6,7, engineer hybrid states with mechanical modes at completely different frequencies, and to study the collective motion of this highly tunable system.Peer Reviewe

    Alba-domain proteins of Trypanosoma brucei are cytoplasmic RNA-binding proteins that interact with the translation machinery

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    International audienceTrypanosoma brucei and related pathogens transcribe most genes as polycistronic arrays that are subsequently processed into monocistronic mRNAs. Expression is frequently regulated post-transcriptionally by cis-acting elements in the untranslated regions (UTRs). GPEET and EP procyclins are the major surface proteins of procyclic (insect midgut) forms of T. brucei. Three regulatory elements common to the 3' UTRs of both mRNAs regulate mRNA turnover and translation. The glycerol-responsive element (GRE) is unique to the GPEET 3' UTR and regulates its expression independently from EP. A synthetic RNA encompassing the GRE showed robust sequence-specific interactions with cytoplasmic proteins in electromobility shift assays. This, combined with column chromatography, led to the identification of 3 Alba-domain proteins. RNAi against Alba3 caused a growth phenotype and reduced the levels of Alba1 and Alba2 proteins, indicative of interactions between family members. Tandem-affinity purification and co-immunoprecipitation verified these interactions and also identified Alba4 in sub-stoichiometric amounts. Alba proteins are cytoplasmic and are recruited to starvation granules together with poly(A) RNA. Concomitant depletion of all four Alba proteins by RNAi specifically reduced translation of a reporter transcript flanked by the GPEET 3' UTR. Pulldown of tagged Alba proteins confirmed interactions with poly(A) binding proteins, ribosomal protein P0 and, in the case of Alba3, the cap-binding protein eIF4E4. In addition, Alba2 and Alba3 partially cosediment with polyribosomes in sucrose gradients. Alba-domain proteins seem to have exhibited great functional plasticity in the course of evolution. First identified as DNA-binding proteins in Archaea, then in association with nuclear RNase MRP/P in yeast and mammalian cells, they were recently described as components of a translationally silent complex containing stage-regulated mRNAs in Plasmodium. Our results are also consistent with stage-specific regulation of translation in trypanosomes, but most likely in the context of initiation

    Detection and functional portrayal of a novel class of dihydrotestosterone derived selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRM).

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    In early pregnancy, abortion can be induced by blocking the actions of progesterone receptors (PR). However, the PR antagonist, mifepristone (RU38486), is rather unselective in clinical use because it also cross-reacts with other nuclear receptors. Since the ligand-binding domain of human progesterone receptor (hPR) and androgen receptor (hAR) share 54% identity, we hypothesized that derivatives of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the cognate ligand for hAR, might also regulate the hPR. Compounds designed and synthesized in our laboratory were investigated for their affinities for hPRB, hAR, glucocorticoid receptor (hGRα) and mineralocorticoid receptor (hMR), using whole cell receptor competitive binding assays. Agonistic and antagonistic activities were characterized by reporter assays. Nuclear translocation was monitored using cherry-hPRB and GFP-hAR chimeric receptors. Cytostatic properties and apoptosis were tested on breast cancer cells (MCF7, T-47D). One compound presented a favorable profile with an apparent neutral hPRB antagonistic function, a selective cherry-hPRB nuclear translocation and a cytostatic effect. 3D models of human PR and AR with this ligand were constructed to investigate the molecular basis of selectivity. Our data suggest that these novel DHT-derivatives provide suitable templates for the development of new selective steroidal hPR antagonists

    Insulin, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins and lactate regulate the human 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 gene expression in colon cancer cell lines.

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    11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11beta-HSD) modulate mineralocorticoid receptor transactivation by glucocorticoids and regulate access to the glucocorticoid receptor. The isozyme 11beta-HSD2 is selectively expressed in mineralocorticoid target tissues and its activity is reduced in various disease states with abnormal sodium retention and hypertension, including the apparent mineralocorticoid excess. As 50% of patients with essential hypertension are insulin resistant and hyperinsulinemic, we hypothesized that insulin downregulates the 11beta-HSD2 activity. In the present study we show that insulin reduced the 11beta-HSD2 activity in cancer colon cell lines (HCT116, SW620 and HT-29) at the transcriptional level, in a time and dose dependent manner. The downregulation was reversible and required new protein synthesis. Pathway analysis using mRNA profiling revealed that insulin treatment modified the expression of the transcription factor family C/EBPs (CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins) but also of glycolysis related enzymes. Western blot and real time PCR confirmed an upregulation of C/EBP beta isoforms (LAP and LIP) with a more pronounced increase in the inhibitory isoform LIP. EMSA and reporter gene assays demonstrated the role of C/EBP beta isoforms in HSD11B2 gene expression regulation. In addition, secretion of lactate, a byproduct of glycolysis, was shown to mediate insulin-dependent HSD11B2 downregulation. In summary, we demonstrate that insulin downregulates HSD11B2 through increased LIP expression and augmented lactate secretion. Such mechanisms are of interest and potential significance for sodium reabsorption in the colon

    12Th International Conference On Conservative Management Of Spinal Deformities – Sosort 2015 Annual Meeting

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    O1 The functional properties of paraspinal muscles in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS): A systematic review of the literature, Eric Parent, Alan Richter, O2 The importance of the lateral profile in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis, Angelo Gabriele Aulisa, Vincenzo Guzzanti, Paolo Pizzetti, Andrea Poscia, Lorenzo Aulisa, O3 Radiological outcome in Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients 20 years after treatment, Ane Simony, Steen Bach Christensen, Mikkel O Andersen, O4 Junctional Kyphosis, how can we detect and monitor it during growth?, Alessandra Negrini, Sabrina Donzelli, Laura Maserati, Fabio Zaina, Jorge H Villafane, Stefano Negrini, O5 Usefulness of the clinical measure of trunk imbalance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, Carole Fortin, Erin Grunstein, Hubert Labelle, Stefan Parent, Debbie Ehrmann Feldman, O6 Can ultrasound imaging be used to determine curve flexibility when designing spinal orthoses?, Edmond Lou, Rui Zheng, Doug Hill, Andreas Donauer, Melissa Tilburn, Jim Raso, O7 Reliability of the Schroth curve type classification in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), Sanja Schreiber, Eric Parent, Greg Kawchuk, Douglas Hedden, O8 Can Trunk Appearance Perception Scale (TAPS) be used as a descriptive tool of scoliosis severity?, Judith Sánchez-Raya, Antonia Matamalas Adrover, Elisabetta D’Agata, Joan Bagó Granell, O9 Magnitude of the Cobb angle on an X-ray in relation to the angle of trunk rotation in children who come to the “Troniny” Scoliosis Treatment Centre, Marek Kluszczynski, Anna Kluszczyńska, Jacek Wąsik, Marta Motow-Czyż, Adam Kluszczyński, O10 Cobb angel measurement without X-ray, a novel method, Ane Simony, Karen Hojmark Hansen; Hanne Thomsen; Mikkel Meyer Andersen; Morten Vuust, O11 The postural tone magnitude and distribution in patients diagnosed with an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a preliminary study, Irmina Blicharska, Jacek Durmała, Bartosz Wnuk, Małgorzata Matyja, O12 From studies on the function of the respiratory system in children with body posture defects, Andrzej Szopa, Małgorzata Domagalska-Szopa, Weronika Gallert-Kopyto, Tomasz Łosień, Ryszard Plintla, O13 Scoliosis as the “first” sign of various diseases, Franz Landauer, Karl Vanas, O14 The effectiveness of core stabilization exercises versus conventional exercises in addition to brace wearing in patients with adolescent idiopathic acoliosis, Gozde Gur, Necdet Sukru Altun, Yavuz Yakut, O15 The effect of physiotherapy techniques on the body balance in patients with scoliosis treated with corrective appliances, Piotr Gawda, Piotr Majcher, O16 New combine method treating AIS – preliminary results, Lior Neuhaus Sulam, O17 Does a 4-week intensive course of ScolioGold therapy reduce angle of trunk rotation in scoliotic patients: a retrospective case series., Michael Bradley, David Glynn, Alex Hughes, Erika Maude, Christine Pilcher, O18 Schroth physiotherapy method without bracing is an effective treatment for scoliosis in improving curves and avoiding surgery and should be offered as a treatment option for scoliosis in Canada: case series, Andrea Lebel, Victoria Ashley Lebel, Judit Orbán, O19 Rotation of the trunk and pelvis and coupled movements in the sagittal plane in double support stance in adolescent girls with idiopathic scoliosis, Agnieszka Stępień, Krzysztof Graff, O20 Curve progression analysis in Risser 0 patients orthotically managed with compliance monitors, D. Speers, O21 Conservative treatment in Scheuermann’s kyphosis: comparison between lateral curve and variation of the vertebral geometry, Angelo Gabriele Aulisa, Vincenzo Guzzanti, Giuseppe Mastantuoni, Andrea Poscia, Lorenzo Aulisa, O22 The plaster cast in the conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis can still play a positive role?, Angelo Gabriele Aulisa, Vincenzo Guzzanti, Francesco Falciglia, Andrea Poscia, Lorenzo Aulisa, O23 Bracing for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) and Scheuermann Kyphosis : The issue of overtreatment in Greece, Nikos Karavidas, O24 Efficacy of Milwaukee brace for correction of scheurmann kyphosis, Mohammadreza Etemadifar, O25 The three dimensional analysis of the Sforzesco brace correction, Sabrina Donzelli, Fabio Zaina, Monia Lusini, Salvatore Minnella, Luca Balzarini, Stefano Respizzi, Stefano Negrini, O26 Quality of Life in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: A comparison measured by the Kidscreen 27 between scoliotic patients and healthy controls, Kathrin Güttinger, O27 The degree of illness acceptance in young women with idiopathic scoliosis treated with orthopedic braces: a preliminary study, Jacek Durmała, Irmina Blicharska, Agnieszka Drosdzol–Cop, Violetta Skrzypulec–Plinta, O28 Which are the personality traits of the patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?, Elisabetta D’Agata, Judith Sánchez-Raya, O29 How many Scolioses do exist in the same person? A zoom vision on the perception of the patient, Judith Sánchez-Raya, Elisabetta D’Agata, P1 The algorithm for the automatic detection of the pelvic obliquity based on analysis of the PA viev of the x-ray image, Sławomir Paśko, Wojciech Glinkowski, P2 Monitoring of spine curvatures and posture during pregnancy using surface topography – case study and method assessment, Jakub Michoński, Katarzyna Walesiak, Anna Pakuła, Robert Sitnik, Wojciech Glinkowski, P3 Spinal rotation under static and dynamic conditions: a prospective study comparing normative data vs. scoliosis, Helmut Diers, P4 The principle of non-surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis right-sided breast depending on the volatility of the formation of the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies, Piotr Majcher, Piotr Gawda, P5 Unexpected late progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with short-term, aggressive, full-time bracing and Schroth physiotherapy with excellent preliminary result: case study, Andrea Lebel, Victoria Ashley Lebel, P6 Visible posture in relation to the neuroanatomical and neurodynamical features in spinal deformations, Piet van Loon, Ruud van Erve, Andre Grotenhuis, P7 Immediate effects of scoliosis-specific corrective exercises on the Cobb angle after 1 week and after 1 year of practice, Karina Zapata, Eric Parent, Dan Sucato, P8 Retrospective analysis of idiopathic scoliosis medical records coming from one out-patient clinic for compatibility with Scoliosis Research Society criteria of brace treatment studies, Krzysztof Korbel, Mateusz Kozinoga, Łukasz Stoliński, Tomasz Kotwicki, P9 Adult female with severe progressive scoliosis possibly secondary to benign tumor removal at age 3 treated with scoliosis specific Schroth physiotherapy after refusing surgery: case study, Andrea Lebel, Victoria Ashley Lebel, P10 New aspects of scoliosis therapy planning and monitoring, Helmut Diers, P11 Outcome of intensive outpatient rehabilitation in an adult patient with M. Scheuermann evaluated by radiologic imaging – a case report, Hagit Berdishevsky, P12 The effectiveness of a Scoliosis Specific Home Exercise Program and bracing to reduce an idiopathic scoliosis curve with more than 90 % success in less than a year of exercises. Case report., Hagit BerdishevskyPubMe
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