Competition between Pi-coupling and Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov modulation in a periodic array of ferromagnetic-superconducting belayers of atomic thickness

30 pages, 10 figuresInternational audienceWe present the detailed theoretical study of a heterostructure comprising of two coupled ferromagnetic superconducting layers. Our model may be also applicable to the layered superconductors with alternating interlayer coupling in a parallel magnetic field. It is demonstrated that such systems exhibit a competition between the nonuniform Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Fulde-Ferrel (FFLO) state and the superconducting state where the sign of the superconducting order parameter is opposite in adjacent layers. We determine the complete temperature-field phase diagram both in the cases of low and strong interlayer coupling. In the former we obtain a new Pi-phase inserted within the FFLO phase and located close to the usual tricritical point, whereas in the latter the bilayer in the state reveals a very high paramagnetic limit and the phenomenon of field-induced superconductivity

Increased n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids indicate pro- and anti-inflammatory lipid modifications in synovial membranes with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Emerging evidence suggests that fatty acids (FAs) and their lipid mediator derivatives can induce both beneficial and detrimental effects on inflammatory processes and joint degradation in osteoarthritis (OA) and autoimmune-driven rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The present study characterized the detailed FA signatures of synovial membranes collected during knee replacement surgery of age- and gender-matched OA and RA patients (n = 8/diagnosis). The FA composition of total lipids was determined by gas chromatography and analyzed with univariate and multivariate methods supplemented with hierarchical clustering (HC), random forest (RF)-based classification of FA signatures, and FA metabolism pathway analysis. RA synovium lipids were characterized by reduced proportions of shorter-chain saturated FAs (SFAs) and elevated percentages of longer-chain SFAs and monounsaturated FAs, alkenyl chains, and C20 n-6 polyunsaturated FAs compared to OA synovium lipids. In HC, FAs and FA-derived variables clustered into distinct groups, which preserved the discriminatory power of the individual variables in predicting the RA and OA inflammatory states. In RF classification, SFAs and 20:3n-6 were among the most important FAs distinguishing RA and OA. Pathway analysis suggested that elongation reactions of particular long-chain FAs would have increased relevance in RA. The present study was able to determine the individual FAs, FA groups, and pathways that distinguished the more inflammatory RA from OA. The findings suggest modifications of FA elongation and metabolism of 20:4n-6, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and plasmalogens in the chronically inflamed RA synovium. These FA alterations could have implications in lipid mediator synthesis and potential as novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools

A quantitative imaging-based screen reveals the exocyst as a network hub connecting endocytosis and exocytosis

The coupling of endocytosis and exocytosis underlies fundamental biological processes ranging from fertilization to neuronal activity and cellular polarity. However, the mechanisms governing the spatial organization of endocytosis and exocytosis require clarification. Using a quantitative imaging-based screen in budding yeast, we identified 89 mutants displaying defects in the localization of either one or both pathways. High-resolution single-vesicle tracking revealed that the endocytic and exocytic mutants she4 Delta and bud6 Delta alter post-Golgi vesicle dynamics in opposite ways. The endocytic and exocytic pathways display strong interdependence during polarity establishment while being more independent during polarity maintenance. Systems analysis identified the exocyst complex as a key network hub, rich in genetic interactions with endocytic and exocytic components. Exocyst mutants displayed altered endocytic and post-Golgi vesicle dynamics and interspersed endocytic and exocytic domains compared with control cells. These data are consistent with an important role for the exocyst in coordinating endocytosis and exocytosis