103 research outputs found
IRAS 19135+3937: An SRd variable as interacting binary surrounded by a circumbinary disc
Semi-regular (SR) variables are not a homogeneous class and their variability
is often explained due to pulsations and/or binarity. This study focuses on
IRAS 19135+3937, an SRd variable with an infra-red excess indicative of a dusty
disc. A time-series of high-resolution spectra, UBV photometry as well as a
very accurate light curve obtained by the Kepler satellite, allowed us to study
the object in unprecedented detail. We discovered it to be a binary with a
period of 127 days. The primary has a low surface gravity and an atmosphere
depleted in refractory elements. This combination of properties unambiguously
places IRAS 19135+3937 in the subclass of post-Asymptotic Giant Branch stars
with dusty discs.
We show that the light variations in this object can not be due to
pulsations, but are likely caused by the obscuration of the primary by the
circumbinary disc during orbital motion. Furthermore, we argue that the
double-peaked Fe emission lines provide evidence for the existence of a gaseous
circumbinary Keplerian disc inside the dusty disc. A secondary set of
absorption lines has been detected near light minimum, which we attribute to
the reflected spectrum of the primary on the disc wall, which segregates due to
the different Doppler shift. This corroborates the recent finding that
reflection in the optical by this type of discs is very efficient. The system
also shows a variable Halpha profile indicating a collimated outflow
originating around the companion. IRAS 19135+3937 thus encompasses all the
major emergent trends about evolved disc systems, that will eventually help to
place these objects in the evolutionary context.Comment: Accepted to MNRA
Reduced binding of human antibodies to cells from GGTA1/CMAH KO pigs
Xenotransplantation using genetically modified pig organs could solve the donor organ shortage problem. Two inactivated genes that make humans unique from pigs are GGTA1 and CMAH, the products of which produce the carbohydrate epitopes, aGal and Neu5Gc that attract preformed human antibody. When the GGTA1 and CMAH genes were deleted in pigs, human antibody binding was reduced in preliminary analysis. We analyzed the binding of human IgM and IgG from 121 healthy human serum samples for binding to GGTA1 KO and GGTA1/CMAH KO peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We analyzed a sub population for reactivity toward genetically modified pig PBMCs as compared to chimpanzee and human PBMCs. Deletion of the GGTA1 and CMAH genes in pigs improved the crossmatch results beyond those observed with chimpanzees. Sorting the 121 human samples tested against the GGTA1/CMAH KO pig PBMCs did not reveal a distinguishing feature such as blood group, age or gender. Modification of genes to make pig carbohydrates more similar to humans has improved the crossmatch with human serum significantly
Putative mechanisms of bacterial effects on plant photosystem under stress
Bacteria are micro- and nanoorganisms that spatially colonize the plant organism and comprise various types of interactions with the host ranging from pathogenic to mutualistic and symbiotic. The presence of these exo- and endosymbionts may affect the plant host physiology. Non-pathogenic bacteria can enhance defensive capacity in plants that provides protection against phytopathogens and herbivores, as well as makes a valuable contribution to the protection of plants from abiotic stressors. Endophytes demonstrate the protection of photosystem in plants under environmental challenges. The putative mechanisms of bacterial effects on plant photosystem are discussed in this paper.Бактерії є мікро- і наноорганізмами, які колонізують простір рослинного організму і укладають різні види взаємодій – від патогенних до мутуалістичних і симбіотичних. Присутність цих екзо- та ендосимбіонтів може впливати на фізіологію рослини-господаря. Непатогенні бактерії здатні посилювати у рослин функції захисту від фітопатогенів і шкідників, а також опірність дії абіотичних стресорів. Ендофіти перешкоджають шкідливим ефектам довкілля на фотосистеми рослин. Ймовірні механізми подібного впливу обговорюються у даній статті.Бактерии являются микро- и наноорганизмами, колонизирующими пространство растительного организма и формирующими различные виды взаимодействий – от патогенных до мутуалистических и симбиотических. Присутствие этих экзо- и эндосимбионтов может влиять на физиологию растения-хозяина. Непатогенные бактерии способны усиливать у растений функции защиты от фитопатогенов и вредителей, а также устойчивость к действию абиотических стрессоров. Эндофиты противостоят вредному воздействию окружающей среды на фотосистемы растений. Возможные механизмы подобного влияния обсуждаются в данной статье
Dark Matter and the Chemical Evolution of Irregular Galaxies
We present three types of chemical evolution models for irregular galaxies:
closed-box with continuous star formation rates (SFRs), closed-box with
bursting SFRs, and O-rich outflow with continuous SFRs. We discuss the chemical
evolution of the irregular galaxies NGC 1560 and II Zw 33, and a ``typical''
irregular galaxy. The fraction of low-mass stars needed by our models is larger
than that derived for the solar vicinity, but similar to that found in globular
clusters. For our typical irregular galaxy we need a mass fraction of about 40%
in the form of substellar objects plus non baryonic dark matter inside the
Holmberg radius, in good agreement with the results derived for NGC 1560 and II
Zw 33 where we do have an independent estimate of the mass fraction in non
baryonic dark matter. Closed-box models are better than O-rich outflow models
in explaining the C/O and Z/O observed values for our typical irregular galaxy.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure, uses emulateapj.sty package. ApJ in press. New
models were added. The order of Tables has been correcte
Critical properties of the optical field localization in a three-dimensional percolating system: Theory and experiment
We systematically study the optical field localization in an active
three-dimensional (3D) disordered percolating system with light nanoemitters
incorporated in percolating clusters. An essential feature of such a hybrid
medium is that the clusters are combined into a fractal radiation pattern, in
which light is simultaneously emitted and scattered by the disordered
structures. Theoretical considerations, based on systematic 3D simulations,
reveal nontrivial dynamics in the form of propagation of localized field
bunches in the percolating material. We obtain the length of the field
localization and dynamical properties of such states as functions of the
occupation probability of the disordered clusters. A transition between the
dynamical states and narrow point-like fields pinned to the emitters is found.
The theoretical analysis of the fractal field properties is followed by an
experimental study of the light generation by nanoemitters incorporated in the
percolating clusters. The experimental results corroborate theoretical
predictions.Comment: 10 pages, 14 figures, to be published Chaos, Solitons & Fractal
Variability of Hot Supergiant IRAS 19336-0400 in the Early Phase of its Planetary Nebula Ionization
We present photoelectric and spectral observations of a hot candidate
proto-planetary nebula - early B-type supergiant with emission lines in
spectrum - IRAS 19336-0400. The light and color curves display fast irregular
brightness variations with maximum amplitudes Delta V=0.30 mag, Delta B=0.35
mag, Delta U=0.40 mag and color-brightness correlations. By the variability
characteristics IRAS 19336-0400 appears similar to other hot proto-planetary
nebulae. Based on low-resolution spectra in the range lambda 4000-7500 A we
have derived absolute intensities of the emission lines H_alpha, H_beta,
H_gamma, [SII], [NII], physical conditions in gaseous nebula: n_e=10^4 cm^{-3},
T_e=7000 \pm 1000 K. The emission line H_alpha, H_beta equivalent widths are
found to be considerably variable and related to light changes. By
UBV-photometry and spectroscopy the color excess has been estimated:
E_{B-V}=0.50-0.54. Joint photometric and spectral data analysis allows us to
assume that the star variability is caused by stellar wind variations.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in Pis'ma
Astron. Zh. (Astronomy Letters
Caspase-1 causes truncation and aggregation of the Parkinson's disease-associated protein α-synuclein
The aggregation of α-synuclein (aSyn) leading to the formation of Lewy bodies is the defining pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Rare familial PD-associated mutations in aSyn render it aggregation-prone; however, PD patients carrying wild type (WT) aSyn also have aggregated aSyn in Lewy bodies. The mechanisms by which WT aSyn aggregates are unclear. Here, we report that inflammation can play a role in causing the aggregation of WT aSyn. We show that activation of the inflammasome with known stimuli results in the aggregation of aSyn in a neuronal cell model of PD. The insoluble aggregates are enriched with truncated aSyn as found in Lewy bodies of the PD brain. Inhibition of the inflammasome enzyme caspase-1 by chemical inhibition or genetic knockdown with shRNA abated aSyn truncation. In vitro characterization confirmed that caspase-1 directly cleaves aSyn, generating a highly aggregation-prone species. The truncation-induced aggregation of aSyn is toxic to neuronal culture, and inhibition of caspase-1 by shRNA or a specific chemical inhibitor improved the survival of a neuronal PD cell model. This study provides a molecular link for the role of inflammation in aSyn aggregation, and perhaps in the pathogenesis of sporadic PD as well
Contribution of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin in Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pathogenesis
Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) strains typically carry genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). We used wild-type parental and isogenic PVL-deletion (Δpvl) strains of USA300 (LAC and SF8300) and USA400 (MW2) to test whether PVL alters global gene regulatory networks and contributes to pathogenesis of bacteremia, a hallmark feature of invasive staphylococcal disease. Microarray and proteomic analyses revealed that PVL does not alter gene or protein expression, thereby demonstrating that any contribution of PVL to CA-MRSA pathogenesis is not mediated through interference of global gene regulatory networks. Inasmuch as a direct role for PVL in CA-MRSA pathogenesis remains to be determined, we developed a rabbit bacteremia model of CA-MRSA infection to evaluate the effects of PVL. Following experimental infection of rabbits, an animal species whose granulocytes are more sensitive to the effects of PVL compared with the mouse, we found a contribution of PVL to pathogenesis over the time course of bacteremia. At 24 and 48 hours post infection, PVL appears to play a modest, but measurable role in pathogenesis during the early stages of bacteremic seeding of the kidney, the target organ from which bacteria were not cleared. However, the early survival advantage of this USA300 strain conferred by PVL was lost by 72 hours post infection. These data are consistent with the clinical presentation of rapid-onset, fulminant infection that has been associated with PVL-positive CA-MRSA strains. Taken together, our data indicate a modest and transient positive effect of PVL in the acute phase of bacteremia, thereby providing evidence that PVL contributes to CA-MRSA pathogenesis
Global analysis of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus exoproteins reveals molecules produced in vitro and during infection
Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a threat to human health worldwide. Although progress has been made, mechanisms of CA-MRSA pathogenesis are poorly understood and a comprehensive analysis of CA-MRSA exoproteins has not been conducted. To address that deficiency, we used proteomics to identify exoproteins made by MW2 (USA400) and LAC (USA300) during growth in vitro. Two hundred and fifty unique exoproteins were identified by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with automated direct infusion-tandem mass spectrometry (ADI-MS/MS) analysis. Eleven known virulence-related exoproteins differed in abundance between the strains, including alpha-haemolysin (Hla), collagen adhesin (Cna), staphylokinase (Sak), coagulase (Coa), lipase (Lip), enterotoxin C3 (Sec3), enterotoxin Q (Seq), V8 protease (SspA) and cysteine protease (SspB). Mice infected with MW2 or LAC produced antibodies specific for known or putative virulence factors, such as autolysin (Atl), Cna, Ear, ferritin (Ftn), Lip, 1-phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase (Plc), Sak, Sec3 and SspB, indicating the exoproteins are made during infection in vivo. We used confocal microscopy to demonstrate aureolysin (Aur), Hla, SspA and SspB are produced following phagocytosis by human neutrophils, thereby linking exoprotein production in vitro with that during host–pathogen interaction. We conclude that the exoproteins identified herein likely account in part for the success of CA-MRSA as a human pathogen
Stellar polytropes and Navarro-Frenk-White halo models: comparison with observations
Motivated by the possible conflict between the Navarro-Frenk-White(NFW) model
predictions for the dark matter contents of galactic systems and its
correlation with baryonic surface density, we will explore an alternative
paradigm for the description of dark matter halos. Such an alternative emerges
from Tsallis' non-extensive thermodynamics applied to self-gravitating systems
and leads to the so-called ``stellar polytrope'' (SP) model. We consider that
this could be a better approach to real structures rather than the isothermal
model, given the fact that the first one takes into account the non-extensivity
of energy and entropy present in these type of systems characterized by
long-range interactions. We compare a halo based on the Navarro-Frenk-White
(NFW) and one which follows the SP description. Analyzing the dark matter
contents estimated by means of global physical parameters of galactic disks,
obtained from a sample of actual galaxies, with the ones of the unobserved dark
matter halos, we conclude that the SP model is favored over the NFW model in
such a comparison.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in the Journal of
Cosmology and Astroparticle Physic
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