126 research outputs found
Observation of a red-blue detuning asymmetry in matter-wave superradiance
We report the first experimental observations of strong suppression of
matter-wave superradiance using blue-detuned pump light and demonstrate a
pump-laser detuning asymmetry in the collective atomic recoil motion. In
contrast to all previous theoretical frameworks, which predict that the process
should be symmetric with respect to the sign of the pump-laser detuning, we
find that for condensates the symmetry is broken. With high condensate
densities and red-detuned light, the familiar distinctive multi-order,
matter-wave scattering pattern is clearly visible, whereas with blue-detuned
light superradiance is strongly suppressed. In the limit of a dilute atomic
gas, however, symmetry is restored.Comment: Accepted by Phys. Rev. Let
Literature-based discovery of diabetes- and ROS-related targets
Abstract Background Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known mediators of cellular damage in multiple diseases including diabetic complications. Despite its importance, no comprehensive database is currently available for the genes associated with ROS. Methods We present ROS- and diabetes-related targets (genes/proteins) collected from the biomedical literature through a text mining technology. A web-based literature mining tool, SciMiner, was applied to 1,154 biomedical papers indexed with diabetes and ROS by PubMed to identify relevant targets. Over-represented targets in the ROS-diabetes literature were obtained through comparisons against randomly selected literature. The expression levels of nine genes, selected from the top ranked ROS-diabetes set, were measured in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of diabetic and non-diabetic DBA/2J mice in order to evaluate the biological relevance of literature-derived targets in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. Results SciMiner identified 1,026 ROS- and diabetes-related targets from the 1,154 biomedical papers (http://jdrf.neurology.med.umich.edu/ROSDiabetes/). Fifty-three targets were significantly over-represented in the ROS-diabetes literature compared to randomly selected literature. These over-represented targets included well-known members of the oxidative stress response including catalase, the NADPH oxidase family, and the superoxide dismutase family of proteins. Eight of the nine selected genes exhibited significant differential expression between diabetic and non-diabetic mice. For six genes, the direction of expression change in diabetes paralleled enhanced oxidative stress in the DRG. Conclusions Literature mining compiled ROS-diabetes related targets from the biomedical literature and led us to evaluate the biological relevance of selected targets in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/1/1755-8794-3-49.xmlhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/2/1755-8794-3-49-S7.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/3/1755-8794-3-49-S10.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/4/1755-8794-3-49-S8.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/5/1755-8794-3-49-S3.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/6/1755-8794-3-49-S1.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/7/1755-8794-3-49-S4.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/8/1755-8794-3-49-S2.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/9/1755-8794-3-49-S12.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/10/1755-8794-3-49-S11.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/11/1755-8794-3-49-S9.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/12/1755-8794-3-49-S5.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/13/1755-8794-3-49-S6.XLShttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78315/14/1755-8794-3-49.pdfPeer Reviewe
Amygdaloid Kindling and the GABA System
The effect of increased brain GABA levels on fully kindled amygdala seizures was investigated in Long-Evans rats. The newly synthesized GABA-transaminase inhibitor, -Î-acetylenic GABA (GAG) administered on four consecutive days (100 mg/kg, followed by 50 mg/kg, i.p.) was found to either significantly reduce, or eliminate entirely, the behavioral seizures normally produced by amygdala stimulation. The effect is seen after the first injection of GAG although its magnitude was greater on subsequent days. Behavioral seizures reappeared 2 to 3 days after termination of GAG treatment. The duration of electrographic seizures (self-sustained amygdala after-discharge) was either unchanged or greater on the first day of GAG treatment, but was briefer on subsequent days. The duration of afterdischarges returned to normal levels 1 to 2 days earlier than the behavioral seizures after the termination of GAG. Picrotoxin (1.5-2 mg/kg, i.p.) did not antagonize either electrographic or behavioral effects of inhibition produced with GAG. Electrical stimulation of amygdala delivered during the initial sedation stage induced by picrotoxin resulted in further regression of kindled seizures in the majority of animals. Although in doses employed, GAG alleviates amygdaloid-kindled seizures its use requires caution in view of its ability to reduce arousal level. RĂSUMĂ L'effet de l'ĂlĂvation des taux cĂrĂbraux de GABA sur les crises amygdaliennes par effet d'embrasement complet a ĂtĂĂtudiĂ chez des rats Long-Evans. l'injection pendant 4 jours consĂcutifs de 100 mg/kg suivis de 50 mg/kg i.p. d'un inhibiteur de la GABA. Transaminase nouvellement synthĂtisĂ (Î-acetylenic GABA ou GAG) a significativement rĂduit ou mĂme supprimĂ les crises normalement provoquĂes par la stimulation amygdalienne. l'effet est observĂ aprĂs la premiere injection de GAG, mais son importance s'accroit les jours suivants. Les crises rĂapparaissent 2 ou 3 jours aprĂs la fin du traitement au GAG. Du point de vue Ălectrographique, la durĂe de la postdĂcharge amygdalienne autoentretenue est inchingĂe ou accrue le premier jour du traitement, mais elle diminue les jours suivants pour retourner Ă la normale un ou deux jours avant que les crises ne rĂapparaissent aprĂs la fin de ('administration du GAG. l'injection de picrotoxine (1.5-2 mg/kg i.p.) ne s'oppose pas aux effets inhibiteurs du GAG sur les crises ou leur accompagnement EEG. La stimulation Ălectrique de l'amygdala pendant l'Ătape sĂdative initiate induite par la picrotoxine provoque une rĂgression supplĂmentaire des crises d'embrasement chez la majoritĂ des animaux. Bien que, aux doses utilisĂes, le GAG attĂnue les crises amyg-daliennes d'embrasement, son utilisation nĂcessite des prĂcautions compte tenu de sa tendance Ă rĂduire le niveau d'Ăveil. RESUMEN En ratas Long-Evans se ha investigado el efecto del aumento de los niveles cerebrales de GABA, sobre los ataques originados en la amĂgdala totalmente condicionada, (Kindling). El recientemente sintetizado in-hibidor de la GABA transaminasa, Î-acetilĂnico GABA (GAG), redujo significativamente o eliminĂ totalmente las crisis de comportamiento que habitualmente se producen con la estimulaciĂn de la amĂgdala. El efecto se observa despuĂs de la primera in-yecciĂn de GAG pero su magnitud aumentĂ en dias subsiguientes. Las crisis de comportamiento reaparecieron a los 2â3 dĂas de la interrupciĂn del tratamiento con GAG. La duraciĂn de los ataques electrogrĂficos (perservaciĂn de la post-descarga de la amigdala) no se modificĂ, o incluso aumentĂ, en el primer dia de la administraciĂn de GAG pero se redujo en los dias siguientes. La duraciĂn de las post-descargas volviĂ a sus niveles normales 1 o 2 dias antes que la reapariciĂn de las crisis de comportamiento una vez terminado el tratamiento con GAG. La picrotoxina (1.5-2 mg/kg, i.p.) no antagonizĂ los efectos inhibitorios producidos por el GAG sobre el electroencefalograma o las crisis de comportamiento. La estimulaciĂn elĂctrica sobre la amĂgdala, aplicada durante la fase de sedaciĂn inicial inducida por la picrotoxina, condujo a una regresiĂn aĂn mĂs intensa de las crisis condicionadas, en la mayorĂa de los animales. A pesar de que, con las dosis utilizadas, el GAG alivia las crisis de la amĂgdala previamente condicionada, se requiere gran precauciĂn en su utilizaciĂn en vista de su propiedad de reducir el nivel del despertar. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Die Wirkung erhĂhter GABA-Spiegel des Gehirns auf AmygdalonkrĂmpfe nach Kindling wurden bei Long-Evans-Ratten untersucht. Der neuerdings synthetisierte GABA-TYansaminasen-Inhibitor, Gamma-Acetylen-GABA (GAG) wurde an 4 aufeinander-folgenden Tagen in einer Dosis von 100 mg/kg und anschlieliend 50 mg/kg i.p. verabfolgt. Er reduzierte entweder signifikant oder eliminierte vĂllig die anfalls-weisen VerhaltensĂnderungen, die normalerweise durch Stimulation des Amygdalon produziert wurden. Die Wirkung ist nach der Erstinjektion des GAG zu beobachten, obgleich ihr AusmaĂ an folgenden Tagen grĂĂer war. Die VerhaltensanfĂlle kamen 2 bis 3 Tagen nach Beendigung der GAG-Behandlung wieder. Die Dauer der elektrographischen AnfĂlle (sich selbst un-terhaltende Amydalonnachentladungen) blieben entweder gleich oder sie wurden grĂĂer am 1. Tag der GAG-Behandlung, wurden aber kĂrzer an folgenden Tagen. Die Dauer der Nachentladungen nor-malisierte sich 1 bis 2 Tage frĂher als die VerhaltensanfĂlle nach Beendigung des GAG verschwanden. Picrotoxin (1.5 bis 2 mg/kg i.p.) wirken nicht als Antagonist gegenĂber der durch GAG produzierten Hemmung der elektrographischen-oder Verhalten-seffekte. Die elektrische Stimulierung des Amygdalon wĂhrend der initialen Sedierung nach Picrotoxin ver-ursachte bei der Mehrzahl der Tiere einen weiteren RĂckgang der durch Kindling entstandenen AnfĂlle. Obgleich das GAG in den verwandten Dosen, die durch Kindling des Amygdalon erzeugten KrĂmpfe leichter ablaufen lUĂt, erfordert seine Anwendung Vorsicht hinsichtlich seiner FĂhigkeit, das Erreg-barkeitsniveau zu senken.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66112/1/j.1528-1157.1980.tb04058.x.pd
Testing gravity using galaxy-galaxy lensing and clustering amplitudes in KiDS-1000, BOSS and 2dFLenS
The physics of gravity on cosmological scales affects both the rate of
assembly of large-scale structure, and the gravitational lensing of background
light through this cosmic web. By comparing the amplitude of these different
observational signatures, we can construct tests that can distinguish general
relativity from its potential modifications. We used the latest weak
gravitational lensing dataset from the Kilo-Degree Survey, KiDS-1000, in
conjunction with overlapping galaxy spectroscopic redshift surveys BOSS and
2dFLenS, to perform the most precise existing amplitude-ratio test. We measured
the associated E_G statistic with 15-20% errors, in five dz = 0.1 tomographic
redshift bins in the range 0.2 < z < 0.7, on projected scales up to 100 Mpc/h.
The scale-independence and redshift-dependence of these measurements are
consistent with the theoretical expectation of general relativity in a Universe
with matter density Omega_m = 0.27 +/- 0.04. We demonstrate that our results
are robust against different analysis choices, including schemes for correcting
the effects of source photometric redshift errors, and compare the performance
of angular and projected galaxy-galaxy lensing statistics.Comment: 23 pages, 14 figures, version accepted for publication by A&
Development of Mo-containing scintillating bolometers for a high-sensitivity neutrinoless double-beta decay search
We report recent achievements in the development of scintillating bolometers to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of Mo. The presented results have been obtained in the framework of the LUMINEU, LUCIFER and EDELWEISS collaborations, and are now part of the R\&D activities towards CUPID (CUORE Update with Particle IDentification), a proposed next-generation double-beta decay experiment based on the CUORE experience. We have developed a technology for the production of large mass (1 kg), high optical quality, radiopure zinc and lithium molybdate crystal scintillators (ZnMoO and LiMoO, respectively) from deeply purified natural and Mo-enriched molybdenum. The procedure is applied for a routine production of enriched crystals. Furthermore, the technology of a single detector module consisting of a large-volume (~cm) ZnMoO and LiMoO scintillating bolometer has been established, demonstrating performance and radiopurity that are close to satisfy the demands of CUPID. In particular, the FWHM energy resolution of the detectors at 2615 keV --- near the -value of the double-beta transition of Mo (3034~keV) --- is 4--10~keV. The achieved rejection of -induced dominant background above 2.6~MeV is at the level of more than 99.9\%. The bulk activity of Th (Th) and Ra in the crystals is below 10 Bq/kg. Both crystallization and detector technologies favor LiMoO, which was selected as a main element for the realization of a CUPID demonstrator (CUPID-0/Mo) with 7 kg of Mo
Modified constraint-induced movement therapy or bimanual occupational therapy following injection of Botulinum toxin-A to improve bimanual performance in young children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial methods paper
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Use of Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) for treatment of upper limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy has become routine clinical practice in many paediatric treatment centres worldwide. There is now high-level evidence that upper limb BoNT-A injection, in combination with occupational therapy, improves outcomes in children with cerebral palsy at both the body function/structure and activity level domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Investigation is now required to establish what amount and specific type of occupational therapy will further enhance functional outcomes and prolong the beneficial effects of BoNT-A.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>A randomised, controlled, evaluator blinded, prospective parallel-group trial. Eligible participants were children aged 18 months to 6 years, diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy and who were able to demonstrate selective motor control of the affected upper limb. Both groups received upper limb injections of BoNT-A. Children were randomised to either the modified constraint-induced movement therapy group (experimental) or bimanual occupational therapy group (control). Outcome assessments were undertaken at pre-injection and 1, 3 and 6 months following injection of BoNT-A. The primary outcome measure was the Assisting Hand Assessment. Secondary outcomes included: the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test; Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory; Canadian Occupational Performance Measure; Goal Attainment Scaling; Pediatric Motor Activity Log; modified Ashworth Scale and; the modified Tardieu Scale.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The aim of this paper is to describe the methodology of a randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (a uni-manual therapy) versus bimanual occupational therapy (a bimanual therapy) on improving bimanual upper limb performance of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy following upper limb injection of BoNT-A. The paper outlines the background to the study, the study hypotheses, outcome measures and trial methodology. It also provides a comprehensive description of the interventions provided.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ACTRN12605000002684</p
Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.
In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field
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