Formation of self-organized organic-inorganic hybrids

The morphology features and peculiarities of current-voltage characteristics of selforganized organic–silicon hybrids were investigated. The organic layers were formed by chemical bath deposition at room temperatures of phosphorus doped n-type FZ Si-patterned substrate. The pattern was formed by etching in anisotropic etch on the base of aqueous solution of potassium hydrate KOH and isopropyl alcohol. The following aqueous solutions of organic heterocyclic aromatic compounds were used for hybrids formation: sulfacyl sodium, procainamide hydrochloride (novocain) and lamotridgine. These hybrids have shown different types of morphology. This depends on substrate properties, time deposition and organic concentration in water solution. The photovoltaic effect of organic-pattern silicon is the result of chemisorptions of functional amine, amide, carboxyl, thiols and halogen groups on silicon pattern-type surface. At the same time these results have proven that the substrate of start and classic morphology in pyramid form is favored for formation of organic-silicon hybrids for photovoltaic application.Досліджено морфологічні властивості та особливості характеристик струм–напруга для самоорганізованих кремнійорганічних гібридів. Органічні шари було одержано хімічним осадженням за кімнатної температури легованих фосфором візерункових кремнієвих субстратів FZ n-типу. Візерунок формували витравлюванням в анізотропних травниках на основі водного розчину гідрату калію КОН та ізопропилового спирту. В подальшому для отримання гібридів використовували водні розчини органічних гетероциклічних сполук: сульфосаліцилового натрію, гідро хлориду прокаінаміду (новокаїну) і ламотріджину. Ці гібриди показали різну морфологію. Вона залежить від властивостей субстрату, часу осадження та концентрації органічної складової у водних розчинах. Фотогальванічний ефект кремнійорганічного рисунка є результатом хемосорбції функціональних груп амінів, амідів, карбоксилу, тріолів та галогену на поверхні кремнію. Водночас, ці результати підтверджують,що субстрат початкової і класичної морфології у вигляді піраміди кращий для утворення кремнійорганічних гібридів фотогальванічного застосування.Исследованы морфологические свойства и особенности характеристик ток–напряжение для самоорганизующихся кремнийорганических гибридов. Органические слои были получены химическим осаждением при комнатной температуре легированных фосфором узорчатых кремниевых субстратов FZ n-типа. Узор формировали вытравливанием в анизотропных травителях на основе водного раствора гидрата калия KOH и изопропилового спирта. В дальнейшем для получения гибридов использовали водные растворы органических гетероциклических соединений: сульфосалицилового натрия, гидрохлорида прокаинамида (новокаина) и ламотритриджина. Эти гибриды показали различную морфологию. Она зависит от свойств субстрата, времени осаждения и концентрации органической составляющей в водных растворах. Фотогальванический эффект кремнийорганического рисунка является результатом хемосорбции функциональных групп аминов, амидов, карбоксила, триолов и галогена на поверхности кремния. В то же самое время, эти результаты подтверждают, что субстрат начальной и классической морфологии в виде пирамиды является предпочтительным для образования кремнийорганических гибридов фотогальванического применения

Frequency of rare recessive mutations in unexplained late onset cerebellar ataxia.

Sporadic late onset cerebellar ataxia is a well-described clinical presentation with a broad differential diagnosis that adult neurologists should be familiar with. However, despite extensive clinical investigations, an acquired cause is identified in only a minority of cases. Thereafter, an underlying genetic basis is often considered, even in those without a family history. Here we apply whole exome sequencing to a cohort of 12 patients with late onset cerebellar ataxia. We show that 33% of 'idiopathic' cases harbor compound heterozygous mutations in known ataxia genes, including genes not included on multi-gene panels, or primarily associated with an ataxic presentation

Immunolocalization of dually phosphorylated MAPKs in dividing root meristem cells of Vicia faba, Pisum sativum, Lupinus luteus and Lycopersicon esculentum

Key message In plants, phosphorylated MAPKs display constitutive nuclear localization; however, not all studied plant species show co-localization of activated MAPKs to mitotic microtubules. Abstract The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is involved not only in the cellular response to biotic and abiotic stress but also in the regulation of cell cycle and plant development. The role of MAPKs in the formation of a mitotic spindle has been widely studied and the MAPK signaling pathway was found to be indispensable for the unperturbed course of cell division. Here we show cellular localization of activated MAPKs (dually phosphorylated at their TXY motifs) in both interphase and mitotic root meristem cells of Lupinus luteus, Pisum sativum, Vicia faba (Fabaceae) and Lycopersicon esculentum (Solanaceae). Nuclear localization of activated MAPKs has been found in all species. Colocalization of these kinases to mitotic microtubules was most evident in L. esculentum, while only about 50 % of mitotic cells in the root meristems of P. sativum and V. faba displayed activated MAPKs localized to microtubules during mitosis. Unexpectedly, no evident immunofluorescence signals at spindle microtubules and phragmoplast were noted in L. luteus. Considering immunocytochemical analyses and studies on the impact of FR180204 (an inhibitor of animal ERK1/2) on mitotic cells, we hypothesize that MAPKs may not play prominent role in the regulation of microtubule dynamics in all plant species

Differential regulation of Knotted1-like genes during establishment of the shoot apical meristem in Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Establishment of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) in Arabidopsis embryos requires the KNOXI transcription factor SHOOT MERISTEMLESS. In Norway spruce (Picea abies), four KNOXI family members (HBK1, HBK2, HBK3 and HBK4) have been identified, but a corresponding role in SAM development has not been demonstrated. As a first step to differentiate between the functions of the four Norway spruce HBK genes, we have here analyzed their expression profiles during the process of somatic embryo development. This was made both under normal embryo development and under conditions of reduced SAM formation by treatment with the polar auxin transport inhibitor NPA. Concomitantly with the formation of an embryonic SAM, the HBK2 and HBK4 genes displayed a significant up-regulation that was delayed by NPA treatment. In contrast, HBK1 and HBK3 were up-regulated prior to SAM formation, and their temporal expression was not affected by NPA. Ectopic expression of the four HBK genes in transgenic Arabidopsis plants further supported similar functions of HBK2 and HBK4, distinct from those of HBK1 and HBK3. Together, the results suggest that HBK2 and HBK4 exert similar functions related to the SAM differentiation and somatic embryo development in Norway spruce, while HBK1 and HBK3 have more general functions during embryo development

Three cotton genes preferentially expressed in flower tissues encode actin-depolymerizing factors which are involved in F-actin dynamics in cells

To investigate whether the high expression levels of actin-depolymerizing factor genes are related to pollen development, three GhADF genes (cDNAs) were isolated and characterized in cotton. Among them, GhADF6 and GhADF8 were preferentially expressed in petals, whereas GhADF7 displayed the highest level of expression in anthers, revealing its anther specificity. The GhADF7 transcripts in anthers reached its peak value at flowering, suggesting that its expression is developmentally-regulated in anthers. The GhADF7 gene including the promoter region was isolated from the cotton genome. To demonstrate the specificity of the GhADF7 promoter, the 5′-flanking region, including the promoter and 5′-untranslated region, was fused with the GUS gene. Histochemical assays demonstrated that the GhADF7:GUS gene was specifically expressed in pollen grains. When pollen grains germinated, very strong GUS staining was detected in the elongating pollen tube. Furthermore, overexpression of GhADF7 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana reduced the viable pollen grains and, consequently, transgenic plants were partially male-sterile. Overexpression of GhADF7 in fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) altered the balance of actin depolymerization and polymerization, leading to the defective cytokinesis and multinucleate formation in the cells. Given all the above results together, it is proposed that the GhADF7 gene may play an important role in pollen development and germination

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