126 research outputs found
SiO Maser Survey of the Inner Bar of the Galactic Bulge
We surveyed 291 MSX/2MASS infrared objects in the 7 x 2 deg area of the
galactic center in the 43 GHz SiO J=1--0 v=1 and 2 maser lines, obtaining
accurate radial velocities of 163 detected objects. The surveyed area is the
region where the IRAS catalog is incomplete due to contamination by high source
density. The objects in the present MSX/2MASS sample were chosen to have
similar infrared characteristics to those of the previous SiO-maser-survey
samples based on the color selected IRAS sources. The sampling based on the
2MASS catalog causes a bias to the foreside objects of the bulge due to heavy
obscuration by interstellar dust; the detections are considerably leaned on the
V_{lsr}<0 side. The l--v diagram reveals two conspicuous features, which were
not present or tenuous in the previous studies: one feature indicating a linear
velocity increase with longitude with |l|<1.5 deg, which is likely associated
with the inner bar, and the other feature having considerably eccentric
velocities more than those of the normal x_1-orbit family feature. The
extinction-corrected K magnitudes (if used as a distance modulus) tend to show
a sequential deposition of these objects along the line of sight toward the
Galactic center depending on their radial velocities. The tendency that
appeared in the distance measures is consistent with the bulge-bar dynamical
model utilizing the periodic orbit families in the bar potential.Comment: Full high resolution figures available as NRO report No.638 at
http://www.nro.nao.ac.jp/library/report/list.html. PASJ 58, No. 3 (June 25
issue in press
Variable Stars in the Magellanic Clouds: Results from OGLE and SIRIUS
We have performed a cross-identification between OGLE-II data and
single-epoch SIRIUS JHK survey data in the LMC and SMC. After eliminating
obvious spurious variables, we determined the pulsation periods for 9,681 and
2,927 variables in the LMC and SMC, respectively. Based on these homogeneous
data, we studied the pulsation properties and metallicity effects on period-K
magnitude (PK) relations by comparing the variable stars in the LMC and SMC.
The sample analyzed here is much larger, and we found the following new
features: (1) variable red giants in the SMC form parallel sequences on the PK
plane, just like those found by Wood (2000) in the LMC; (2) both of the
sequences A and B of Wood (2000) have discontinuities, and they occur at the
K-band luminosity of the TRGB; (3) the sequence B of Wood (2000) separates into
three independent sequences B+- and C'; (4) comparison between the theoretical
pulsation models (Wood et al. 1996) and observational data suggests that the
variable red giants on sequences C and newly discovered C' are pulsating in the
fundamental and first overtone mode, respectively; (5) the theory can not
explain the pulsation mode of sequences A+- and B+-, and they are unlikely to
be the sequences for the first and second overtone pulsators, as was previously
suggested; (6) the zero points of PK relations of Cepheids in the metal
deficient SMC are fainter than those of LMC ones by ~0.1 mag but those of SMC
Miras are brighter than those of LMC ones by ~0.13 mag, which are probably due
to metallicity effects.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS. High
resolution version is available at:
http://www.ioa.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~yita/scr/astro/papers/RefereedPaper/yitaMD250
.pd
The Effects of Low-Dose-Rate Îł-irradiation on Forced Swim Test-Induced Immobility and Oxidative Stress in Mice
The forced swim test (FST) induces immobility in mice. Low-dose (high-dose-rate) X-irradiation inhibits FSTinduced immobility in mice due to its antioxidative function. We evaluated the effects of low-dose Îł-irradiation at a low-dose-rate on the FST-induced depletion of antioxidants in mouse organs. Mice received whole-body low-dose-rate (0.6 or 3.0 mGy/h) of low-dose Îł-irradiation for 1 week, followed by daily FSTs (5 days). The immobility rate on day 2 compared to day 1 was significantly lower in the 3.0 mGy/h irradiated mice than in sham irradiated mice. The FST significantly decreased the catalase (CAT) activity and total glutathione (t-GSH) content in the brain and kidney, respectively. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and t-GSH content in the liver of the 3.0 mGy/h irradiated mice were significantly lower than those of the non-FST-treated mice. The CAT activity in the lungs of mice exposed to 3.0 mGy/h Îł-irradiation was higher than that of non-FST treated mice and mice treated with FST. However, no significant differences were observed in the levels of these antioxidant markers between the sham and irradiated groups except for the CAT activity in lungs. These findings suggest that the effects of low-dose-rate and low-dose Îł-irradiation on FST are highly organ-dependent
X-Irradiation at 0.5 Gy after the forced swim test reduces forced swimming-induced immobility in mice
The forced swim test (FST) is a screening model for antidepressant activity; it causes immobility and induces oxidative stress. We previously reported that radon inhalation has antidepressant-like effects in mice potentially through the activation of antioxidative functions upon radon inhalation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of prior and post low-dose X-irradiation (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 Gy) on FST-induced immobility and oxidative stress in the mouse brain, and the differences, if any, between the two. Mice received X-irradiation before or after the FST repeatedly for 5 days. In the post-FST-irradiated group, an additional FST was conducted 4h after the last irradiation. Consequently, animals receiving prior X-irradiation (0.1 Gy) had better mobility outcomes than sham-irradiated mice; however, their levels of lipid peroxide (LPO), an oxidative stress marker, remained unchanged. However, animals that received post-FST X-irradiation (0.5 Gy) had better mobility outcomes and their LPO levels were significantly lower than those of the sham-irradiated mice. The present results indicate that 0.5 Gy X-irradiation after FST inhibits FST-induced immobility and oxidative stress in mice
Tip60 regulates MT1-MMP transcription and invasion of glioblastoma cells through NF-ÎşB pathway
A histone acetyltransferase Tat-interacting protein 60 kDa (Tip60) regulates the DNA damage response by acetylating histone and remodeling chromatin. In addition to histone acetyltransferase activity, Tip60 is known to regulate a variety of cellular functions, including gene expression, DNA damage response, cell migration and apoptosis. Lower expression of Tip60 is observed in lymphomas, melanomas, breast, colon, and lung cancer. It is widely accepted that Tip60 functions as a tumor suppressor. However, a role of Tip60 in gliomas still remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of Tip60 in the malignant behavior of human gliomas. By quantitative RT-PCR analysis using fresh human brain tumor tissues from 55 patients, we found that lower Tip60 expression and higher membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) expression are associated with advanced tumor grade in glioma tissues. Knockdown of Tip60 in glioblastoma cells promoted cell adhesion, spreading and MT1-MMP transcription and thereby invasion, which was suppressed by inhibition of MT1-MMP and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity. We demonstrate for the first time that tumor suppressor Tip60 down-regulates cell adhesion and MT1-MMP expression and thereby invasion of glioblastoma cells by suppressing NF-κB pathway. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.Embargo Period 12 month
Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase regulates fibronectin assembly and N-cadherin adhesion
Fibronectin matrix formation requires the increased cytoskeletal tension generated by cadherin adhesions, and is suppressed by membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). In a co-culture of Rat1 fibroblasts and MT1-MMP-silenced HT1080 cells, fibronectin fibrils extended from Rat1 to cell-matrix adhesions in HT1080 cells, and N-cadherin adhesions were formed between Rat1 and HT1080 cells. In control HT1080 cells contacting with Rat1 fibroblasts, cell-matrix adhesions were formed in the side away from Rat1 fibroblasts, and fibronectin assembly and N-cadherin adhesions were not formed. The role of N-cadherin adhesions in fibronectin matrix formation was studied using MT1-MMP-silenced HT1080 cells. MT1-MMP knockdown promoted fibronectin matrix assembly and N-cadherin adhesions in HT1080 cells, which was abrogated by double knockdown with either integrin β1 or fibronectin. Conversely, inhibition of N-cadherin adhesions by its knockdown or treatment with its neutralizing antibody suppressed fibronectin matrix formation in MT1-MMP-silenced cells. These results demonstrate that fibronectin assembly initiated by MT1-MMP knockdown results in increase of N-cadherin adhesions, which are prerequisite for further fibronectin matrix formation. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Petrological architecture of a magmatic shear zone: A multidisciplinary investigation of strain localisation during magma ascent at Unzen volcano, Japan
Shearing of magma during ascent can promote strain localisation near the conduit margins. Anymechanical and thermal discontinuities associated with such events may alter the chemical, physicaland rheological stability of the magma and thus its propensity to erupt. Lava spines can record suchprocesses, preserving a range of macroscopic and microscopic deformation textures, attributed toshearing and friction, as magma ascends through the viscous-brittle transition. Here, we use a multi-disciplinary approach combining petrology, microstructures, crystallography, magnetics and experi-mentation to assess the evidence, role and extent of shearing across a marginal shear zone of the1994–1995 lava spine at Unzen volcano, Japan. Our results show that crystals can effectively moni-tor stress conditions during magma ascent, with viscous remobilisation, crystal plasticity and com-minution all systematically increasing towards the spine margin. Accompanying this, we find anincrease in mineral destabilisation in the form of pargasitic amphibole breakdown displaying tex-tural variations across the shear zone, from symplectitic to granular rims towards the spine margin.In addition, the compaction of pores, chemical and textural alteration of interstitial glass and mag-netic variations all change systematically with shear intensity. The strong correlation between thedegree of shearing, crystal deformation and disequilibrium features, together with distinct magneticproperties, implies a localised thermal input due to shear and frictional processes near the conduitmargin during magma ascent. This was accompanied by late-stage or post-emplacement fluid- andgas-induced alteration of the gouge, as well as oxidation and glass devitrification. Understandingand recognising evidence for strain localisation during magma ascent may, therefore, be vital whenassessing factors that regulate the style of volcanic eruptions, which may provide insights into thecryptic shifts from effusive to explosive activity as observed at many active lava dome
BRCA1 Directs the Repair Pathway to Homologous Recombination by Promoting 53BP1 Dephosphorylation
Summary: BRCA1 promotes homologous recombination (HR) by activating DNA-end resection. By contrast, 53BP1 forms a barrier that inhibits DNA-end resection. Here, we show that BRCA1 promotes DNA-end resection by relieving the 53BP1-dependent barrier. We show that 53BP1 is phosphorylated by ATM in S/G2 phase, promoting RIF1 recruitment, which inhibits resection. 53BP1 is promptly dephosphorylated and RIF1 released, despite remaining unrepaired DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). When resection is impaired by CtIP/MRE11 endonuclease inhibition, 53BP1 phosphorylation and RIF1 are sustained due to ongoing ATM signaling. BRCA1 depletion also sustains 53BP1 phosphorylation and RIF1 recruitment. We identify the phosphatase PP4C as having a major role in 53BP1 dephosphorylation and RIF1 release. BRCA1 or PP4C depletion impairs 53BP1 repositioning, EXO1 recruitment, and HR progression. 53BP1 or RIF1 depletion restores resection, RAD51 loading, and HR in PP4C-depleted cells. Our findings suggest that BRCA1 promotes PP4C-dependent 53BP1 dephosphorylation and RIF1 release, directing repair toward HR. : Following induction of DNA double-strand break, a pro-end-joining environment is created in G2 by transient 53BP1 phosphorylation and RIF1 recruitment. Here, Isono et al. show that, if timely repair does not ensue, BRCA1 promotes 53BP1 dephosphorylation and RIF1 release, favoring repair by homologous recombination. Keywords: ATM, DNA-end resection, BRCA1, 53BP1, RIF1, PP4C, NHEJ, H
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