25,809 research outputs found
TACC3-ch-TOG track the growing tips of microtubules independently of clathrin and Aurora-A phosphorylation
Full text linkThe interaction between TACC3 (transforming acidic coiled coil protein 3) and the microtubule polymerase ch-TOG (colonic, hepatic tumor overexpressed gene) is evolutionarily conserved. Loading of TACC3–ch-TOG onto spindle microtubules requires the phosphorylation of TACC3 by Aurora-A kinase and the subsequent interaction of TACC3 with clathrin to form a microtubule binding surface. Whether there is a pool of TACC3–ch-TOG that is independent of clathrin in human cells, and what is the function of this pool, are open questions. Here, we report that TACC3 is recruited to the plus-ends of microtubules by its association with ch-TOG and that this pool is independent of phosphorylation and binding to clathrin. The plus-end binding of TACC3–ch-TOG persists in interphase and we propose that one cellular function of TACC3–ch-TOG is to modulate cell migration. We also describe the distinct subcellular pools of TACC3, ch-TOG and clathrin. TACC3 is often described as a centrosomal protein, but we show that there is no significant population of TACC3 at centrosomes. The delineation of distinct protein pools reveals a simplified view of how these proteins are organized and controlled by post-translational modification
Aluminum-seeded growth of microcrystalline Si thin film onto SnO2 substrate
No full textTo improve the crystallinity of thin boron-doped microcrystalline Si (p-mu c-Si:H) films at an initial growth stage, we tried an Al-seeding method, which is to deposit an ultrathin (similar to 50 Angstrom) Al layer onto a transparent conducting oxide before preparing the p-mu c-Si:H film by using a mercury-sensitized photochemical vapor deposition method. It was found that the Al layer serves as seeds to facilitate the p-mu c-Si:H with high crystallinity at an initial growth stage and the Al seeds stimulate the nucleation of Si crystallites. It was also found that the absorption loss in the ultrathin (similar to 50 A) Al-seed layer is negligible in the visible wavelength region due to its natural oxidation. When used in superstrate-type p-i-n amorphous silicon solar cells, even the Al-seeded p-mu c-Si:H film having a several hundred angstrom thickness acts as an excellent p layer compared to the conventional p-mu c-Si:H. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003- 6951(00)03239-3]
Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma induces selective cancer cell apoptosis by modulating redox homeostasis
Full text linkBackground: Anticancer treatments aim to selectively target cancer cells without harming normal cells. While non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTAPP) has shown anticancer potential across various studies, the mechanisms behind its selective action on cancer cells remain inadequately understood. This study explores the mechanism of NTAPP-induced selective cell death and assesses its application in cancer therapy. Methods: We treated HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells with NTAPP and assessed the intracellular levels of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial function, and cell death mechanisms. We employed N-acetylcysteine to investigate ROS’s role in NTAPP-induced cell death. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing was used to compare gene expression in NTAPP-treated HT1080 cells and human normal fibroblasts (NF). Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining examined the expression and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), a key antioxidant gene transcription factor. We also evaluated autophagy activity through fluorescence staining and transmission electron microscopy. Results: NTAPP treatment increased ROS levels and induced mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to apoptosis in HT1080 cells. The involvement of ROS in selective cancer cell death was confirmed by N-acetylcysteine treatment. Distinct gene expression patterns were observed between NTAPP-treated NF and HT1080 cells, with NF showing upregulated antioxidant gene expression. Notably, NRF2 expression and nuclear translocation increased in NF but not in HT1080 cells. Furthermore, autophagy activity was significantly higher in normal cells compared to cancer cells. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that NTAPP induces selective cell death in fibrosarcoma cells through the downregulation of the NRF2-induced ROS scavenger system and inhibition of autophagy. These findings suggest NTAPP’s potential as a cancer therapy that minimizes damage to normal cells while effectively targeting cancer cells
Multiple neutrophilic dermatoses occurring in a pediatric patient with glomerulonephritis.
No full textUltrathin boron-doped microcrystalline silicon as a novel constant band gap buffer inserted at the p-a-SiC : H/i-a-Si : H interface of amorphous silicon solar cells
No full textThe properties of thin p-type microcrystalline silicon (p-mu c-Si:H) films prepared onto boron-doped amorphous silicon carbide (p-a-SiC:H) have been investigated. At the initial growth regime (< 100 Angstrom) of the p-mu c-Si:H onto p-a-SiC:H, Si nanocrystallites were proved to be formed in amorphous matrix. The thin p-mu c-Si:H was introduced as a novel constant band gap buffer at the p/i interface of amorphous silicon solar cells. The open circuit voltage and the blue response of the cell were improved significantly by inserting the p-mu c-Si:H at the p/i interface as a buffer when compared with those of the bufferless cell. Our numerical modeling on the constant band gap buffer elucidates clearly that the buffering effects of the thin p-mu c-Si:H originate from the shrinkage of highly defective region with a short lifetime in the vicinity of the p/i interface. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)03912-8]
Morphological comparisons of Taiwan native wild tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze forma formosensis Kitamura) and two closely related taxa using numerical methods.
No full textHydrogen plasma resistive and highly textured SnO2:F/ZnO:In bilayer films prepared by the pyrosol method
No full textIndium doped ZnO (ZnO:In) thin films were prepared on corning 7059 glass by the pyrosol method and the hydrogen plasma durability of the films nias investigated. We found that the ZnO:In films prepared at the higher substrate temperature of 425 degrees C to 475 degrees C have better hydrogen plasma durability because its denser surface with smaller grain boundary region kept energetic hydrogen ions from diffusing into the grain boundaries. Two kinds of SuO(2):F/ZnO:In bilayer films were fabricated at the temperature of 425 degrees C through a successive process by the pyrosol method: the SnO2:F/ZnO:In with thin (580 Angstrom) ZnO:In and the SnO2:F/ZnO:In with thick (2000 Angstrom) ZnO:In. The former has excellent durability owing to its thin (580 Angstrom) ZnO:In layer which acts as a barrier against hydrogen ions. It has a resistivity of 6.6 x 10(-4) Omega cm and a transmittance of 83.8% at the wavelength of 550 nm. The latter is a bilayer film of the SnO2:F/ZnO:In with thick (2000 Angstrom) ZnO:Iu which acts not only as a barrier but as a light scattering layer due to the highly textured thick (2000 Angstrom) ZnO:In film
Opioid receptor independent effects of morphine on membrane currents in single cardiac myocytes.
No full textsolar cells
No full textThe current transport mechanisms in boron-doped amorphous diamond-like carbon (p-a-DLC:H) used as part of the p layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells are investigated by studying the temperature dependence of the dark current-voltage characteristics of the solar cell. The cell structure is glass/SnO2/p-a-DLC:H/p-a-SiC:H/i-a-Si:H/n-mu c-Si:H/Al. The temperature dependence of the reverse saturation current and the ideality factor shows that carriers transport dominantly over the p-a-DLC:H by thermionic emission at higher temperatures above about 300 K and through the tunneling process by a hopping mechanism in the p-a-DLC:H at lower temperatures. Using the Schottky barrier model, it is shown that the lowering of the Schottky barrier height by inserting the interfacial p-a-DLC:H between the SnO2 and p-a-SiC:H causes the open circuit voltage and the short wavelength response of the cells to be enhanced. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)01730-1]
Lysophosphatidic acid up-regulates expression of interleukin-8 and -6 in granulosa-lutein cells through its receptors and nuclear factor-kappaB dependent pathways: implications for angiogenesis of corpus luteum and ovarian hyperstimulation
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