227 research outputs found
ADAMTS15 (ADAM Metallopeptidase With Thrombospondin Type 1 Motif, 15)
Review on ADAMTS15, with data on DNA/RNA, on the protein encoded and where the gene is implicated
ADAMTS12 (ADAM Metallopeptidase With Thrombospondin Type 1 Motif, 12)
Review on ADAMTS12, with data on DNA/RNA, on the protein encoded and where the gene is implicated
Surface features, rotation and atmospheric variability of ultra cool dwarfs
Photometric I band light curves of 21 ultra cool M and L dwarfs are
presented. Variability with amplitudes of 0.01 to 0.055 magnitudes (RMS) with
typical timescales of an hour to several hours are discovered in half of these
objects. Periodic variability is discovered in a few cases, but interestingly
several variable objects show no significant periods, even though the
observations were almost certainly sensitive to the expected rotation periods.
It is argued that in these cases the variability is due to the evolution of the
surface features on timescales of a few hours. This is supported in the case of
2M1145 for which no common period is found in two separate light curves. It is
speculated that these features are photospheric dust clouds, with their
evolution possibly driven by rotation and turbulence. An alternative
possibility is magnetically-induced surface features. However, chromospheric
activity undergoes a sharp decrease between M7 and L1, whereas a greater
occurrence of variability is observed in objects later than M9, lending support
to the dust interpretation.Comment: To appear in "Ultracool Dwarf Stars" (Lecture Notes in Physics),
H.R.A. Jones, I. Steele (eds), Springer-Verlag, 2001. Also available from
http://www.mpia-hd.mpg.de/homes/calj/ultra.htm
Multiplicity of young brown dwarfs in Cha I
How frequent are brown dwarf binaries? Do brown dwarfs have planets? Are
current theoretical pre-main-sequence evolutionary tracks valid down to the
substellar regime? - Any detection of a companion to a brown dwarf takes us one
step forward towards answering these basic questions of star formation.
We report here on a search for spectroscopic and visual companions to young
brown dwarfs in the Cha I star forming cloud.
Based on spectra taken with UVES at the VLT, we found significant radial
velocity (RV) variations for five bona-fide and candidate brown dwarfs in Cha
I. They can be caused by either a (substellar or planetary) companion or
stellar activity. A companion causing the detected RV variations would have
about a few Jupiter masses. We are planning further UVES observations in order
to explore the nature of the detected RV variations. We also found that the RV
dispersion is only ~ 2km/s indicating that there is probably no run-away brown
dwarf among them.
Additionally a search for companions by direct imaging with the HST and SOFI
(NTT) has yielded to the detection of a few companion candidates in larger
orbits.Comment: Conference proceeding "Origins of stars and planets: The VLT view",
ESO, Garching, April 24-27 200
Variability of Brown Dwarfs
Brown dwarfs constitute a missing link between low-mass stars and giant
planets. Their atmospheres display chemical species typical of planets, and one
could wonder whether they also have weather-like patterns. While brown dwarf
surface features cannot be directly resolved, the photometric and spectroscopic
modulations induced by these features, as they rotate in and out of view,
provide a wealth of information on the evolution of their atmosphere. A review
of brown dwarfs variability through the L, T and Y spectral types sequence is
presented, as well as the constraints that they set on the nature of
weather-like patterns on their surface.Comment: Accepted chapter in the "Handbook of Exoplanets"; Springe
Human DESC1 serine protease confers tumorigenic properties to MDCK cells and it is upregulated in tumours of different origin
Proteolysis of the extracellular matrix components plays a crucial role in the regulation of the cellular and physiological processes, and different pathologies have been associated with the loss or gain of function of proteolytic enzymes. DESC1 (differentially expressed in squamous cell carcinoma gene 1), a member of the TTSP (type II transmembrane serine protease) family of serine proteases, is an epithelial-specific enzyme that has been found downregulated in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. We describe new properties of DESC1 suggesting that this protease may be involved in the progression of some type of tumours. Thus, this enzyme hydrolyses some extracellular matrix components, such as fibronectin, gelatin or fibrinogen. Moreover, MadinâDarby canine kidney (MDCK) cells expressing exogenous human DESC1 acquire properties associated with tumour growth such as enhanced motility and an increase of tubular forms in a 3D collagen lattice following HGF treatment. Finally, we generated polyclonal anti-DESC1 antibodies and immunohistochemical analysis in tissues different from head and neck region indicated that this protease was overexpressed in tumours of diverse origins. Taken together, our results suggest that DESC1 could be considered as a potential therapeutic target in some type of tumours
Estimation of French cattle herd immunity against bluetongue serotype 8 at the time of its re-emergence in 2015
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Subjectivity in a context of environmental change: opening new dialogues in mental health research
In a period of unstable experimentation with challenges of globalization of associated risks, and disenchantment with âenduring injusticeâ, we bring forward a consideration of subjectivity to the study of environmental change and mental health. We begin by identifying how mainstream climate change and mental health studies are unable to explain the emergent and co-evolutionary pathways of agency. As a means of freeing these studies of their objective dimensions of linear-causation, we argue in favour of a re-positioning of subjectivity within an appreciation of recognition conflicts and beyond the over-deterministic interpretations of power centresâstate, market or religion. We draw on one example of scientific research that was conducted in a region undergoing strong environmental, social and cultural changes, in the state of SĂŁo Paulo/Brazil, with the aim to open mental health research to new dialogues, to which we contribute with the notion of the âpluriversal subjectâ
Anterior chamber paracentesis after central retinal artery occlusion: a tenable therapy?
Site-selective protein-modification chemistry for basic biology and drug development.
Nature has produced intricate machinery to covalently diversify the structure of proteins after their synthesis in the ribosome. In an attempt to mimic nature, chemists have developed a large set of reactions that enable post-expression modification of proteins at pre-determined sites. These reactions are now used to selectively install particular modifications on proteins for many biological and therapeutic applications. For example, they provide an opportunity to install post-translational modifications on proteins to determine their exact biological roles. Labelling of proteins in live cells with fluorescent dyes allows protein uptake and intracellular trafficking to be tracked and also enables physiological parameters to be measured optically. Through the conjugation of potent cytotoxicants to antibodies, novel anti-cancer drugs with improved efficacy and reduced side effects may be obtained. In this Perspective, we highlight the most exciting current and future applications of chemical site-selective protein modification and consider which hurdles still need to be overcome for more widespread use.We thank FCT Portugal (FCT Investigator to G.J.L.B.), the EU (Marie-Curie CIG to G.J.L.B. and Marie-Curie IEF to O.B.) and the EPSRC for funding. G.J.L.B. is a Royal Society University Research Fellow.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from NPG via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nchem.239
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