42 research outputs found
Threshold Effects in Multi-channel Coupling and Spectroscopic Factors in Exotic Nuclei
In the threshold region, the cross section and the associated overlap
integral obey the Wigner threshold law that results in the Wigner-cusp
phenomenon. Due to flux conservation, a cusp anomaly in one channel manifests
itself in other open channels, even if their respective thresholds appear at a
different energy. The shape of a threshold cusp depends on the orbital angular
momentum of a scattered particle; hence, studies of Wigner anomalies in weakly
bound nuclei with several low-lying thresholds can provide valuable
spectroscopic information. In this work, we investigate the threshold behavior
of spectroscopic factors in neutron-rich drip-line nuclei using the Gamow Shell
Model, which takes into account many-body correlations and the continuum
effects. The presence of threshold anomalies is demonstrated and the
implications for spectroscopic factors are discussed.Comment: Accepted in Physical Review C Figure correcte
Nuclear rupture at sites of high curvature compromises retention of DNA repair factors.
The nucleus is physically linked to the cytoskeleton, adhesions, and extracellular matrix-all of which sustain forces, but their relationships to DNA damage are obscure. We show that nuclear rupture with cytoplasmic mislocalization of multiple DNA repair factors correlates with high nuclear curvature imposed by an external probe or by cell attachment to either aligned collagen fibers or stiff matrix. Mislocalization is greatly enhanced by lamin A depletion, requires hours for nuclear reentry, and correlates with an increase in pan-nucleoplasmic foci of the DNA damage marker γH2AX. Excess DNA damage is rescued in ruptured nuclei by cooverexpression of multiple DNA repair factors as well as by soft matrix or inhibition of actomyosin tension. Increased contractility has the opposite effect, and stiff tumors with low lamin A indeed exhibit increased nuclear curvature, more frequent nuclear rupture, and excess DNA damage. Additional stresses likely play a role, but the data suggest high curvature promotes nuclear rupture, which compromises retention of DNA repair factors and favors sustained damage
Differential expression of the brassinosteroid receptor-encoding BRI1 gene in Arabidopsis
Abstract Brassinosteroid (BR)-regulated growth and
development in Arabidopsis depends on BRASSINOSTEROID
INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1), the BR receptor that
is responsible for initiating the events of BR signalling.
We analysed the temporal and spatial regulation of BRI1
expression using stable transgenic lines that carried BRI1
promoter:reporter fusions. In both seedlings and mature
plants the tissues undergoing elongation or differentiation
showed elevated BRI1 gene activity, and it could be
demonstrated that in the hypocotyl this was accompanied
by accumulation of the BRI1 transcript and its receptor
protein product. In seedlings the BRI1 promoter was also
found to be under diurnal regulation, determined primarily
by light repression and a superimposed circadian control.
To determine the functional importance of transcriptional
regulation we complemented the severely BR insensitive
bri1-101 mutant with a BRI1-luciferase fusion construct
that was driven by promoters with contrasting specificities.
Whereas the BRI1 promoter-driven transgene fully restored the wild phenotype, expression from the photosynthesisassociated
CAB3 and the vasculature-specific SUC2 and
ATHB8 promoters resulted in plants with varying morphogenic
defects. Our results reveal complex differential regulation
of BRI1 expression, and suggest that by influencing
the distribution and abundance of the receptor this regulation
can enhance or attenuate BR signalling
Hypovitaminosis D in Delirium: a Retrospective Cross-sectional Study
BACKGROUND: As vitamin D may have a neuroprotective effect, the authors studied the association of biomarkers of vitamin D status and delirium to see if low vitamin D status was common in delirium cases. METHODS: Biochemical measures of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD]) and calcium metabolism were used in this retrospective cross-sectional analysis of adult in-patients with delirium, admitted at three Canadian academic hospitals from January 2011 to July 2012. Primary outcome was to determine estimates of the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in this group in whom vitamin D was checked. RESULTS: Seventy-one (5.8%) out of 1,232 delirium inpatients had their vitamin D measured. Thirty-nine (55%) showed vitamin D insufficiency (25-OHD of 25-75 nmol/L) and 8 (11%) showed vitamin D deficiency (25-OHD < 25 nmol/L). Mean serum 25-OHD levels were lower in males (57.1±7.7 nmol/L) than in females (78.2±6.1 nmol/L), p = .01, even when controlled for age and season. Men were younger than the women (74.4±2.3 vs. 82.4±1.7, p = .005). Mean age was 78.7±1.5 years, and 33 (47%) were male. CONCLUSIONS: Although vitamin D is rarely checked during delirium workup and/or management, high rates of hypovitaminosis D were found to be common in the delirium in-patients in whom it was checked. Larger studies would be needed to estimate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in delirium and whether hypovitaminosis D plays a role in the pathogenesis of delirium
Hypovitaminosis D in Delirium: a Retrospective Cross-sectional Study.
BackgroundAs vitamin D may have a neuroprotective effect, the authors studied the association of biomarkers of vitamin D status and delirium to see if low vitamin D status was common in delirium cases.MethodsBiochemical measures of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-OHD]) and calcium metabolism were used in this retrospective cross-sectional analysis of adult in-patients with delirium, admitted at three Canadian academic hospitals from January 2011 to July 2012. Primary outcome was to determine estimates of the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in this group in whom vitamin D was checked.ResultsSeventy-one (5.8%) out of 1,232 delirium inpatients had their vitamin D measured. Thirty-nine (55%) showed vitamin D insufficiency (25-OHD of 25-75 nmol/L) and 8 (11%) showed vitamin D deficiency (25-OHD < 25 nmol/L). Mean serum 25-OHD levels were lower in males (57.1±7.7 nmol/L) than in females (78.2±6.1 nmol/L), p = .01, even when controlled for age and season. Men were younger than the women (74.4±2.3 vs. 82.4±1.7, p = .005). Mean age was 78.7±1.5 years, and 33 (47%) were male.ConclusionsAlthough vitamin D is rarely checked during delirium workup and/or management, high rates of hypovitaminosis D were found to be common in the delirium in-patients in whom it was checked. Larger studies would be needed to estimate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in delirium and whether hypovitaminosis D plays a role in the pathogenesis of delirium
Liposome adhesion generates traction stress
International audienceMechanical forces generated by cells modulate global shape changes required for essential life processes, such as polarization, division and spreading. Although the contribution of the cytoskeleton to cellular force generation is widely recognized, the role of the membrane is considered to be restricted to passively transmitting forces. Therefore, the mechanisms by which the membrane can directly contribute to cell tension are overlooked and poorly understood. To address this, we directly measure the stresses generated during liposome adhesion. We find that liposome spreading generates large traction stresses on compliant substrates. These stresses can be understood as the equilibration of internal, hydrostatic pressures generated by the enhanced membrane tension built up during adhesion. These results underscore the role of membranes in the generation of mechanical stresses on cellular length scales and that the modulation of hydrostatic pressure due to membrane tension and adhesion can be channelled to perform mechanical work on the environment