69 research outputs found
The zinc finger protein PtaZFP2 negatively controls stem growth and gene expression responsiveness to external mechanical loads in poplar
Mechanical cues are essential signals regulating plant growth and development. In response to wind, trees develop a thigmomorphogenetic response characterized by a reduction in longitudinal growth, an increase in diameter growth, and changes in mechanical properties. The molecular mechanisms behind these processes are poorly understood. In poplar, PtaZFP2, a C2H2 transcription factor, is rapidly up-regulated after stem bending. To investigate the function of PtaZFP2, we analyzed PtaZFP2-overexpressing poplars (Populus tremula 9 Populus alba). To unravel the genes downstream PtaZFP2, a transcriptomic analysis was performed. PtaZFP2-overexpressing poplars showed longitudinal and cambial growth reductions together with an increase in the tangent and hardening plastic moduli. The regulation level of mechanoresponsive genes was much weaker after stem bending in PtaZFP2-overexpressing poplars than in wild-type plants, showing that PtaZFP2 negatively modulates plant responsiveness to mechanical stimulation. Microarray analysis revealed a high proportion of down-regulated genes in PtaZFP2-overexpressing poplars. Among these genes, several were also shown to be regulated by mechanical stimulation. Our results confirmed the important role of PtaZFP2 during plant acclimation to mechanical load, in particular through a negative control of plant molecular responsiveness. This desensitization process could modulate the amplitude and duration of the plant response during recurrent stimuli
Insight into the evolution of the Solanaceae from the parental genomes of Petunia hybrida
Petunia hybrida is a popular bedding plant that has a long history as a genetic model system. We report the whole-genome sequencing and assembly of inbred derivatives of its two wild parents, P. axillaris N and P. inflata S6. The current assemblies include 91.3% and 90.2% coverage of their diploid genomes (1.4 Gb; 2n=14) containing 32,928 and 36,697 protein-coding genes, respectively. The Petunia lineage has experienced at least two rounds of paleohexaploidization, the older gamma hexaploidy event, which is shared with other Eudicots, and the more recent Solanaceae paleohexaploidy event that is shared with tomato and other Solanaceae species. Transcription factors that were targets of selection during the shift from bee- to moth pollination reside in particularly dynamic regions of the genome, which may have been key to the remarkable diversity of floral color patterns and pollination systems. The high quality genome sequences will enhance the value of Petunia as a model system for basic and applied research on a variety of unique biological phenomena
MINDS. Abundant water and varying C/O across the disk of Sz 98 as seen by JWST/MIRI
MIRI/MRS on board the JWST allows us to probe the inner regions of
protoplanetary disks. Here we examine the disk around the classical T Tauri
star Sz 98, which has an unusually large dust disk in the millimetre with a
compact core. We focus on the HO emission through both its ro-vibrational
and pure rotational emission. Furthermore, we compare our chemical findings
with those obtained for the outer disk from Atacama Large
Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations. In order to model the
molecular features in the spectrum, the continuum was subtracted and LTE slab
models were fitted. The spectrum was divided into different wavelength regions
corresponding to HO lines of different excitation conditions, and the slab
model fits were performed individually per region. We confidently detect CO,
HO, OH, CO, and HCN in the emitting layers. The isotopologue
HO is not detected. Additionally, no other organics, including
CH, are detected. This indicates that the C/O ratio could be
substantially below unity, in contrast with the outer disk. The HO emission
traces a large radial disk surface region, as evidenced by the gradually
changing excitation temperatures and emitting radii. The OH and CO emission
are relatively weak. It is likely that HO is not significantly
photodissociated; either due to self-shielding against the stellar irradiation,
or UV-shielding from small dust particles. The relative emitting strength of
the different identified molecular features point towards UV-shielding of
HO in the inner disk of Sz 98, with a thin layer of OH on top. The majority
of the organic molecules are either hidden below the dust continuum, or not
present. In general, the inferred composition points to a sub-solar C/O ratio
(<0.5) in the inner disk, in contrast with the larger than unity C/O ratio in
the gas in the outer disk found with ALMA.Comment: Submitted to A&A on May 25 2023. 18 pages, 11 figure
MINDS. The detection of CO with JWST-MIRI indicates abundant CO in a protoplanetary disk
We present JWST-MIRI MRS spectra of the protoplanetary disk around the
low-mass T Tauri star GW Lup from the MIRI mid-INfrared Disk Survey (MINDS) GTO
program. Emission from CO, CO, HO, HCN,
CH, and OH is identified with CO being detected for
the first time in a protoplanetary disk. We characterize the chemical and
physical conditions in the inner few au of the GW Lup disk using these
molecules as probes. The spectral resolution of JWST-MIRI MRS paired with high
signal-to-noise data is essential to identify these species and determine their
column densities and temperatures. The -branches of these molecules,
including those of hot-bands, are particularly sensitive to temperature and
column density. We find that the CO emission in the GW Lup disk is
coming from optically thick emission at a temperature of 400 K.
CO is optically thinner and based on a lower temperature of
325 K, may be tracing deeper into the disk and/or a larger emitting
radius than CO. The derived /
ratio is orders of magnitude higher than previously derived for GW Lup and
other targets based on \textit{Spitzer}-IRS data. This high column density
ratio may be due to an inner cavity with a radius in between the HO and
CO snowlines and/or an overall lower disk temperature. This paper
demonstrates the unique ability of JWST to probe inner disk structures and
chemistry through weak, previously unseen molecular features.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures. Accepted to ApJ
Repetitive H-Wave® device stimulation and program induces significant increases in the range of motion of post operative rotator cuff reconstruction in a double-blinded randomized placebo controlled human study
The ANTENATAL multicentre study to predict postnatal renal outcome in fetuses with posterior urethral valves: objectives and design
Abstract
Background
Posterior urethral valves (PUV) account for 17% of paediatric end-stage renal disease. A major issue in the management of PUV is prenatal prediction of postnatal renal function. Fetal ultrasound and fetal urine biochemistry are currently employed for this prediction, but clearly lack precision. We previously developed a fetal urine peptide signature that predicted in utero with high precision postnatal renal function in fetuses with PUV. We describe here the objectives and design of the prospective international multicentre ANTENATAL (multicentre validation of a fetal urine peptidome-based classifier to predict postnatal renal function in posterior urethral valves) study, set up to validate this fetal urine peptide signature.
Methods
Participants will be PUV pregnancies enrolled from 2017 to 2021 and followed up until 2023 in >30 European centres endorsed and supported by European reference networks for rare urological disorders (ERN eUROGEN) and rare kidney diseases (ERN ERKNet). The endpoint will be renal/patient survival at 2 years postnatally. Assuming α = 0.05, 1–β = 0.8 and a mean prevalence of severe renal outcome in PUV individuals of 0.35, 400 patients need to be enrolled to validate the previously reported sensitivity and specificity of the peptide signature.
Results
In this largest multicentre study of antenatally detected PUV, we anticipate bringing a novel tool to the clinic. Based on urinary peptides and potentially amended in the future with additional omics traits, this tool will be able to precisely quantify postnatal renal survival in PUV pregnancies. The main limitation of the employed approach is the need for specialized equipment.
Conclusions
Accurate risk assessment in the prenatal period should strongly improve the management of fetuses with PUV
Enabling planetary science across light-years. Ariel Definition Study Report
Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution
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