Denton Halvorsen (prunerfather99)

Coupling between cell-autonomous circadian oscillators is crucial to prevent desynchronization of cellular networks and disruption of circadian tissue functions. While neuronal oscillators within the mammalian central clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, couple intercellularly, coupling among peripheral oscillators is controversial and the molecular mechanisms are unknown. Using two- and three-dimensional mammalian culture models in vitro (mainly human U-2 OS cells) and ex vivo, we show that peripheral oscillators couple via paracrine pathways. We identify transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as peripheral coupling factor that mediates paracrine phase adjustment of molecular clocks through transcriptional regulation of core-clock genes. ACY-738 clinical trial Disruption of TGF-β signaling causes desynchronization of oscillator networks resulting in reduced amplitude and increased sensitivity toward external zeitgebers. Our findings reveal an unknown mechanism for peripheral clock synchrony with implications for rhythmic organ functions and circadian health.Artificial muscles based on stimuli-responsive polymers usually exhibit mechanical compliance, versatility, and high power-to-weight ratio, showing great promise to potentially replace conventional rigid motors for next-generation soft robots, wearable electronics, and biomedical devices. In particular, thermomechanical liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) constitute artificial muscle-like actuators that can be remotely triggered for large stroke, fast response, and highly repeatable actuations. Here, we introduce a digital light processing (DLP)-based additive manufacturing approach that automatically shear aligns mesogenic oligomers, layer-by-layer, to achieve high orientational order in the photocrosslinked structures; this ordering yields high specific work capacity (63 J kg-1) and energy density (0.18 MJ m-3). We demonstrate actuators composed of these DLP printed LCEs' applications in soft robotics, such as reversible grasping, untethered crawling, and weightlifting. Furthermore, we present an LCE self-sensing system that exploits thermally induced optical transition as an intrinsic option toward feedback control.Bile salt synthesis, secretion into the intestinal lumen, and resorption in the ileum occur in all vertebrate classes. In mammals, bile salt composition is determined by host and microbial enzymes, affecting signaling through the bile salt-binding transcription factor farnesoid X receptor (Fxr). However, these processes in other vertebrate classes remain poorly understood. We show that key components of hepatic bile salt synthesis and ileal transport pathways are conserved and under control of Fxr in zebrafish. Zebrafish bile salts consist primarily of a C27 bile alcohol and a C24 bile acid that undergo multiple microbial modifications including bile acid deconjugation that augments Fxr activity. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we provide a cellular atlas of the zebrafish intestinal epithelium and uncover roles for Fxr in transcriptional and differentiation programs in ileal and other cell types. These results establish zebrafish as a nonmammalian vertebrate model for studying bile salt metabolism and Fxr signaling.A strategy integrating near infrared (NIR) photothermal and catalytic effects within one active center beyond ultraviolet and visible light is proposed without the combination of separated photothermal transformation components. A giant polyoxomolybdate, which has high NIR photothermal conversion efficiency, is selected as the model catalyst, while a cationic β-cyclodextrin is used to cover its negatively charged surface electrostatically. Under NIR light radiation, the designed catalyst increases catalytic activity of cyclohexene oxidation under O2 atmosphere in water. The conversion reaches about pentaploid of the reaction without NIR radiation. By excluding heating effect from the external heater at the same temperature, about twice as much enha