126 research outputs found
Structural, spectroscopic and cytotoxicity studies of TbF3@CeF3 and TbF3@CeF3@SiO2 nanocrystals
Terbium fluoride nanocrystals, covered by a shell, composed of cerium fluoride
were synthesized by a co-precipitation method. Their complex structure was
formed spontaneously during the synthesis. The surface of these core/shell
nanocrystals was additionally modified by silica. The properties of TbF3@CeF3
and TbF3@CeF3@SiO2 nanocrystals, formed in this way, were investigated.
Spectroscopic studies showed that the differences between these two groups of
products resulted from the presence of the SiO2 shell. X-ray diffraction
patterns confirmed the trigonal crystal structure of TbF3@CeF3 nanocrystals.
High resolution transmission electron microscopy in connection with energy-
dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed a complex structure of the formed
nanocrystals. Crystallized as small discs, ‘the products’, with an average
diameter around 10 nm, showed an increase in the concentration of Tb3+ ions
from surface to the core of nanocrystals. In addition to photo-physical
analyses, cytotoxicity studies were performed on HSkMEC (Human Skin
Microvascular Endothelial Cells) and B16F0 mouse melanoma cancer cells. The
cytotoxicity of the nanomaterials was neutral for the investigated cells with
no toxic or antiproliferative effect in the cell cultures, either for normal
or for cancer cells. This fact makes the obtained nanocrystals good candidates
for biological applications and further modifications of the SiO2 shell
Triple immunofluorescence labeling of atherosclerotic plaque components in apoE/LDLR ^{-/-} mice
This paper presents a simple and reliable method of triple immunofluorescence staining that allows simultaneous detection of various cell types present in atherosclerotic plaque of apolipoprotein E and LDL receptor-double knockout (apoE/LDLR -/-) mice. We used combined direct and indirect procedures applying commercially available primary antibodies raised in different species to detect smooth muscle cells (Cy3-conjugated mouse anti-smooth muscle actin, SMA), macrophages (rat anti-CD68) and T lymphocytes (rabbit anti-CD3). Fixation of the material in acetone and modified incubation protocol employing nonfat dry milk in preincubation and incubation media significantly increased the intensity of labeling and effectively quenched the background. Our method offers an efficient way to detect qualitative as well as quantitative changes of macrophages, T lymphocytes and smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaque of apoE/LDLR -/- mice during atherosclerosis development or in response to pharmacological treatment
Triple immunofluorescence labeling of atherosclerotic plaque components in apoE/LDLR -/- mice.
This paper presents a simple and reliable method of triple immunofluorescence staining that allows simultaneous detection of various cell types present in atherosclerotic plaque of apolipoprotein E and LDL receptor-double knockout (apoE/LDLR -/-) mice. We used combined direct and indirect procedures applying commercially available primary antibodies raised in different species to detect smooth muscle cells (Cy3-conjugated mouse anti-smooth muscle actin, SMA), macrophages (rat anti-CD68) and T lymphocytes (rabbit anti-CD3). Fixation of the material in acetone and modified incubation protocol employing nonfat dry milk in preincubation and incubation media significantly increased the intensity of labeling and effectively quenched the background. Our method offers an efficient way to detect qualitative as well as quantitative changes of macrophages, T lymphocytes and smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaque of apoE/LDLR -/- mice during atherosclerosis development or in response to pharmacological treatment
GdBO3 and YBO3 crystals under compression
[EN] High-pressure X-ray diffraction studies on nanocrystals of the GdBO3 and YBO3 rare-earth orthoborates are herein reported up to 17.4(2) and 13.4(2) GPa respectively. The subsequent determination of the room- temperature pressure-volume equations of state is presented and discussed in the context of contemporary publications which contradict the findings of this work. In particular, the isothermal bulk moduli of GdBO3 and YBO3 are found to be 170(13) and 163(13) GPa respectively, almost 50% smaller than recent findings. Our experimental results provide an accurate revision of the high-pressure compressibility behaviour of GdBO3 and YBO3 which is consistent with the known systematics in isomorphic borates and previous ab initio calculations. Finally, we discuss how experimental/analytical errors could have led to unreliable conclusions reported elsewhere.The authors thank the financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades, Spanish Research Agency (AEI), Generalitat Valenciana, and European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF, FEDER) under grants nos. FIS2017-83295-P, MAT2016-75586-C4-1/2/3-P, RTI2018-101020-BI00, PID2019-106383 GB-C41/C42/C43, RED2018-102612-T (MALTA Consolier Team), and Prometeo/2018/123 (EFIMAT). R.T. acknowledges funding from the Spanish MINECO via the Juan de la Cierva Formacion program (FJC2018-036185-I), and J.A.S. acknowledges funding from the Ramon y Cajal Fellowship Program (RYC-2015-17482). We also thank ALBA synchrotron light source for funded experiments 2016021648 and 2016021668 at the MSPD-BL04 beamline.Turnbull, R.; Errandonea, D.; Sans-Tresserras, JÁ.; Cuenca-Gotor, VP.; Vilaplana Cerda, RI.; Ibáñez, J.; Popescu, C.... (2021). GdBO3 and YBO3 crystals under compression. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 866:1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.158962S1686
challenges for biomimetic water oxidation
Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, crystal structure, density functional theory calculations, and water-oxidizing activity of a pivalate Mn–Ca cluster. All of the manganese atoms in the cluster are Mn(IV) ions and have a distorted MnO6 octahedral geometry. Three Mn(IV) ions together with a Ca(II) ion and four-oxido groups form a cubic Mn3CaO4 unit which is similar to the Mn3CaO4 cluster in the water-oxidizing complex of Photosystem II. Using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, extended X-ray absorption spectroscopy, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical methods, a conversion into nano-sized Mn-oxide is observed for the cluster in the water-oxidation reaction
Deciphering the LRRK code: LRRK1 and LRRK2 phosphorylate distinct Rab proteins and are regulated by diverse mechanisms
CEP128 Localizes to the Subdistal Appendages of the Mother Centriole and Regulates TGF-β/BMP Signaling at the Primary Cilium
Summary: The centrosome is the main microtubule-organizing center in animal cells and comprises a mother and daughter centriole surrounded by pericentriolar material. During formation of primary cilia, the mother centriole transforms into a basal body that templates the ciliary axoneme. Ciliogenesis depends on mother centriole-specific distal appendages, whereas the role of subdistal appendages in ciliary function is unclear. Here, we identify CEP128 as a centriole subdistal appendage protein required for regulating ciliary signaling. Loss of CEP128 did not grossly affect centrosomal or ciliary structure but caused impaired transforming growth factor-β/bone morphogenetic protein (TGF-β/BMP) signaling in zebrafish and at the primary cilium in cultured mammalian cells. This phenotype is likely the result of defective vesicle trafficking at the cilium as ciliary localization of RAB11 was impaired upon loss of CEP128, and quantitative phosphoproteomics revealed that CEP128 loss affects TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of multiple proteins that regulate cilium-associated vesicle trafficking. : Mönnich et al. show that CEP128 localizes to the subdistal appendages of the mother centriole and basal body of the primary cilium. CEP128 regulates vesicular trafficking and targeting of RAB11 to the primary cilium. CEP128 loss leads to impaired TGF-β/BMP signaling, which, in zebrafish, is associated with defective organ development. Keywords: primary cilium, basal body, centriole, subdistal appendage, centrosome, transforming growth factor β, TGF-β, bone morphogenetic protein, BMP, zebrafish, phosphoproteomics, CEP12
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