University of Cambridge

About: University of Cambridge is a education organization based out in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 118293 authors who have published 282289 publications receiving 14497093 citations. The organization is also known as: Cambridge University & Cambridge.

Immunocytochemical techniques reveal multiple, distinct cellular pools of PtdIns4P and PtdIns(4,5)P2

Abstract: PtdIns4P is the major precursor for the synthesis of the multifunctional plasma membrane lipid, PtdIns(4,5)P2. Yet PtdIns4P also functions as a regulatory lipid in its own right, particularly at the Golgi apparatus. In the present study we define specific conditions that enable preservation of several organellar membranes for the immunocytochemical detection of PtdIns4P. We report distinct pools of this lipid in both Golgi and plasma membranes, which are synthesized by different PI4K (phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase) activities, and also the presence of PtdIns4P in cytoplasmic vesicles, which are not readily identifiable as PI4K containing trafficking intermediates. In addition, we present evidence that the majority of PtdIns4P resides in the plasma membrane, where it is metabolically distinct from the steady-state plasma membrane pool of PtdIns(4,5)P2.

Double dissociations of the effects of amygdala and insular cortex lesions on conditioned taste aversion, passive avoidance, and neophobia in the rat using the excitotoxin ibotenic acid.

Abstract: The results in this article show that although electrolytic amygdala lesions disrupt learning of a conditioned taste aversion (CTA), ibotenic acid-induced, axon-sparing lesions of the amygdala do not. However, ibotenic acid lesions of the insular cortex do disrupt learning of a CTA. Electrolytic, but not ibotenic acid lesions of the amygdala, interrupt axons running between the insular (gustatory) cortex and the brain stem/hypothalamus. It is the destruction of these projections which appear to underly CTA deficits after amygdala lesions. Other results revealed that ibotenic acid lesions of the insular cortex attenuated the reaction to the novel taste of saccharin in a familiar environment but failed to affect the ingestion of a novel food in a novel environment or passive avoidance learning. Conversely, ibotenic acid lesions of the amygdala did not affect the reaction to novel saccharin in a familiar environment but did impair both the reaction to novel food in a novel environment and passive avoidance learning. We conclude that the insular cortex is involved in reactions to the novelty and associative salience exclusively of taste stimuli, whereas the amygdala is probably more concerned with the reaction to more general aspects of novelty in the environment and in fear-motivated behavior.

A Strand-Specific RNA–Seq Analysis of the Transcriptome of the Typhoid Bacillus Salmonella Typhi

Abstract: High-density, strand-specific cDNA sequencing (ssRNA–seq) was used to analyze the transcriptome of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi). By mapping sequence data to the entire S. Typhi genome, we analyzed the transcriptome in a strand-specific manner and further defined transcribed regions encoded within prophages, pseudogenes, previously un-annotated, and 3′- or 5′-untranslated regions (UTR). An additional 40 novel candidate non-coding RNAs were identified beyond those previously annotated. Proteomic analysis was combined with transcriptome data to confirm and refine the annotation of a number of hpothetical genes. ssRNA–seq was also combined with microarray and proteome analysis to further define the S. Typhi OmpR regulon and identify novel OmpR regulated transcripts. Thus, ssRNA–seq provides a novel and powerful approach to the characterization of the bacterial transcriptome.

A Multifunctional Capacitive Sensor for Stretchable Electronic Skins

Abstract: We present a stretchable and multifunctional capacitive sensor made of gold thin films embedded in silicone rubber. The mechanical compliance of the gold films and silicone membranes allow the device to be bent, folded, or stretched without damage, making it a suitable candidate for electronic skin applications. The device can detect strains up to 20%, human touch, and pressure up to 160 kPa, and reliably function when it is held stretched or relaxed.