427 research outputs found
Three planets around HD 27894. A close-in pair with a 2:1 period ratio and an eccentric Jovian planet at 5.4 AU
Aims. Our new program with HARPS aims to detect mean motion resonant
planetary systems around stars which were previously reported to have a single
bona fide planet, often based only on sparse radial velocity data. Methods.
Archival and new HARPS radial velocities for the K2V star HD 27894 were
combined and fitted with a three-planet self-consistent dynamical model. The
best-fit orbit was tested for long-term stability. Results. We find clear
evidence that HD 27894 is hosting at least three massive planets. In addition
to the already known Jovian planet with a period 18 days
we discover a Saturn-mass planet with 36 days, likely in
a 2:1 mean motion resonance with the first planet, and a cold massive planet
( 5.3 ) with a period 5170
days on a moderately eccentric orbit ( = 0.39). Conclusions. HD
27894 is hosting a massive, eccentric giant planet orbiting around a tightly
packed inner pair of massive planets likely involved in an asymmetric 2:1 mean
motion resonance. HD 27894 may be an important milestone for probing planetary
formation and evolution scenarios.Comment: 4 pages, 2 tables, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A Letters
to the Edito
Competition between decay and dissociation of core-excited OCS studied by X-ray scattering
We show the first evidence of dissociation during resonant inelastic soft
X-ray scattering. Carbon and oxygen K-shell and sulfur L-shell resonant and
non-resonant X-ray emission spectra were measured using monochromatic
synchrotron radiation for excitation and ionization. After sulfur, L2,3 ->
{\pi}*, {\sigma}* excitation, atomic lines are observed in the emission spectra
as a consequence of competition between de-excitation and dissociation. In
contrast the carbon and oxygen spectra show weaker line shape variations and no
atomic lines. The spectra are compared to results from ab initio calculations
and the discussion of the dissociation paths is based on calculated potential
energy surfaces and atomic transition energies.Comment: 12 pages, 6 pictures, 2 tables,
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevA.59.428
SVA retrotransposon insertion-associated deletion represents a novel mutational mechanism underlying large genomic copy number changes with non-recurrent breakpoints
Background: Genomic disorders are caused by copy number changes that may exhibit recurrent breakpoints processed by nonallelic homologous recombination. However, region-specific disease-associated copy number changes have also been observed which exhibit non-recurrent breakpoints. The mechanisms underlying these non-recurrent copy number changes have not yet been fully elucidated. Results: We analyze large NF1 deletions with non-recurrent breakpoints as a model to investigate the full spectrum of causative mechanisms, and observe that the
Examination of the genetic factors underlying the cognitive variability associated with neurofibromatosis type 1
Purpose: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with cognitive deficits. The NF1 cognitive phenotype is generally considered to be highly variable, possibly due to the observed T2-weighted hyperintensities, loss of heterozygosity, NF1-specific genetic modifiers, or allelic imbalance. Methods: We investigated cognitive variability and assessed the contribution of genetic factors by performing a retrospective cohort study and a monozygotic twin case series. We included data of 497 children with genetically confirmed NF1 and an IQ assessment, including 12 monozygotic twin and 17 sibling sets. Results: Individuals carrying an NF1 chromosomal microdeletion showed significant lower full-scale IQ (FSIQ) scores than individuals carrying intragenic pathogenic NF1 variants. For the intragenic subgroup, the variability in cognitive ability and the correlation of IQ between monozygotic NF1 twin pairs or between NF1 siblings is similar to the general population. Conclusions: The variance and heritability of IQ in individuals with NF1 are similar to that of the general population, and hence mostly driven by genetic background differences. The only factor that significantly attenuates IQ in NF1 individuals is the NF1 chromosomal microdeletion genotype. Implications for clinical management are that individuals with intragenic NF1 variants that score <1.5–2 SD below the mean of the NF1 population should be screened for additional causes of cognitive disability
Prediction and diagnosis of bladder cancer recurrence based on urinary content of hTERT, SENP1, PPP1CA, and MCM5 transcripts
Sprouty4 Is an Endogenous Negative Modulator of TrkA Signaling and Neuronal Differentiation Induced by NGF
The Sprouty (Spry) family of proteins represents endogenous regulators of downstream signaling pathways induced by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Using real time PCR, we detect a significant increase in the expression of Spry4 mRNA in response to NGF, indicating that Spry4 could modulate intracellular signaling pathways and biological processes induced by NGF and its receptor TrkA. In this work, we demonstrate that overexpression of wild-type Spry4 causes a significant reduction in MAPK and Rac1 activation and neurite outgrowth induced by NGF. At molecular level, our findings indicate that ectopic expression of a mutated form of Spry4 (Y53A), in which a conserved tyrosine residue was replaced, fail to block both TrkA-mediated Erk/MAPK activation and neurite outgrowth induced by NGF, suggesting that an intact tyrosine 53 site is required for the inhibitory effect of Spry4 on NGF signaling. Downregulation of Spry4 using small interference RNA knockdown experiments potentiates PC12 cell differentiation and MAPK activation in response to NGF. Together, these findings establish a new physiological mechanism through which Spry4 regulates neurite outgrowth reducing not only the MAPK pathway but also restricting Rac1 activation in response to NGF
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