1,567 research outputs found
Persistence of magnetic field driven by relativistic electrons in a plasma
The onset and evolution of magnetic fields in laboratory and astrophysical
plasmas is determined by several mechanisms, including instabilities, dynamo
effects and ultra-high energy particle flows through gas, plasma and
interstellar-media. These processes are relevant over a wide range of
conditions, from cosmic ray acceleration and gamma ray bursts to nuclear fusion
in stars. The disparate temporal and spatial scales where each operates can be
reconciled by scaling parameters that enable to recreate astrophysical
conditions in the laboratory. Here we unveil a new mechanism by which the flow
of ultra-energetic particles can strongly magnetize the boundary between the
plasma and the non-ionized gas to magnetic fields up to 10-100 Tesla (micro
Tesla in astrophysical conditions). The physics is observed from the first
time-resolved large scale magnetic field measurements obtained in a laser
wakefield accelerator. Particle-in-cell simulations capturing the global plasma
and field dynamics over the full plasma length confirm the experimental
measurements. These results open new paths for the exploration and modelling of
ultra high energy particle driven magnetic field generation in the laboratory
Evidence for a nuclear compartment of transcription and splicing located at chromosome domain boundaries
The nuclear topography of splicing snRNPs, mRNA transcripts and chromosome domains in various mammalian cell types are described. The visualization of splicing snRNPs, defined by the Sm antigen, and coiled bodies, revealed distinctly different distribution patterns in these cell types. Heat shock experiments confirmed that the distribution patterns also depend on physiological parameters. Using a combination of fluorescencein situ hybridization and immunodetection protocols, individual chromosome domains were visualized simultaneously with the Sm antigen or the transcript of an integrated human papilloma virus genome. Three-dimensional analysis of fluorescence-stained target regions was performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. RNA transcripts and components of the splicing machinery were found to be generally excluded from the interior of the territories occupied by the individual chromosomes. Based on these findings we present a model for the functional compartmentalization of the cell nucleus. According to this model the space between chromosome domains, including the surface areas of these domains, defines a three-dimensional network-like compartment, termed the interchromosome domain (ICD) compartment, in which transcription and splicing of mRNA occurs
Enablers, Barriers and Strategies to Build Resilience Among Cancer Survivors: a Qualitative Study Protocol
Cancer is a life-threatening illness affecting all dimensions of a person's health. Cancer survivors must build resilience to face this adversity and continue their life projects. The present study explores the enablers, barriers, and strategies to build resilience among cancer survivors. This qualitative, descriptive exploratory study will use purposive sampling to recruit cancer survivors and healthcare professionals from two hospital centers in Lisbon and Tagus Valley. Interviews will be conducted until data saturation occurs. Data analysis will be performed using an inductive content analysis process with the help of the QDA Miner Lite database. The findings from this study will generate knowledge that may help stakeholders to identify effective strategies to build resilience among cancer survivors. By implementing strategies to foster resilience, healthcare professionals can potentially promote positive adaptations to cancer by strengthening resilience enablers and reducing the impact of barriers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Characterisation of PduS, the pdu Metabolosome Corrin Reductase, and Evidence of Substructural Organisation within the Bacterial Microcompartment
PduS is a corrin reductase and is required for the reactivation of the cobalamin-dependent diol dehydratase. It is one component encoded within the large propanediol utilisation (pdu) operon, which is responsible for the catabolism of 1,2-propanediol within a self-assembled proteinaceous bacterial microcompartment. The enzyme is responsible for the reactivation of the cobalamin coenzyme required by the diol dehydratase. The gene for the cobalamin reductase from Citrobacter freundii (pduS) has been cloned to allow the protein to be overproduced recombinantly in E. coli with an N-terminal His-tag. Purified recombinant PduS is shown to be a flavoprotein with a non-covalently bound FMN that also contains two coupled [4Fe-4S] centres. It is an NADH-dependent flavin reductase that is able to mediate the one-electron reductions of cob(III)alamin to cob(II)alamin and cob(II)alamin to cob(I)alamin. The [4Fe-4S] centres are labile to oxygen and their presence affects the midpoint redox potential of flavin. Evidence is presented that PduS is able to bind cobalamin, which is inconsistent with the view that PduS is merely a flavin reductase. PduS is also shown to interact with one of the shell proteins of the metabolosome, PduT, which is also thought to contain an [Fe-S] cluster. PduS is shown to act as a corrin reductase and its interaction with a shell protein could allow for electron passage out of the bacterial microcompartment
The metabolic syndrome is not associated with homocysteinemia: The Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study
Background: It is uncertain whether homocysteine
and the metabolic syndrome or its components are related
in the general population, as studies investigating the
association between homocysteine levels and insulin resistance
have shown conflicting results. Methods: In an ancillary
study to the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study, a cohort
study of Iranian men and women aged ≥25 yr, a random sample
of 1754 subjects were evaluated for the association of
plasma homocysteine levels and the metabolic syndrome using
National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Adult
Treatment Panel (ATP)-III criteria. Total homocysteine levels
and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined
by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: Subjects
with lower HDL-cholesterol and higher blood pressure
showed significantly higher homocysteine levels (p=0.001
and p<0.0001; respectively). There was no significant difference
in serum levels of homocysteine between subjects with
and without the metabolic syndrome. In multiple logistic regression
analysis, the metabolic syndrome did not show a
significant association with serum homocysteine levels after
adjusting for sex, age, smoking, fruit and vegetable intake
pattern, body mass index, and physical inactivity. Concurrent
elevated CRP levels and the metabolic syndrome also did not
show a significant association with serum homocysteine levels
after adjusting for sex, age, and lifestyle cardiovascular
risk factors. Conclusions: There was no association between
the metabolic syndrome using NCEP-ATPIII criteria and homocysteinemia
in this study. These data refute the hypothesis
that homocysteine levels are influenced by the metabolic
syndrome, at least in general healthy population
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