781 research outputs found
The effect of silica nanoparticle-modified surfaces on cell morphology, cytoskeletal organization and function
Chemical and morphological characteristics of a biomaterial surface are thought to play an important role in determining cellular differentiation and apoptosis. In this report, we investigate the effect of nanoparticle (NP) assemblies arranged on a flat substrate on cytoskeletal organization, proliferation and metabolic activity on two cell types, Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and mouse calvarial preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1). To vary roughness without altering chemistry, glass substrates were coated with monodispersed silica nanoparticles of 50, 100 and 300 nm in diameter. The impact of surface roughness at the nanoscale on cell morphology was studied by quantifying cell spreading, shape, cytoskeletal F-actin alignment, and recruitment of focal adhesion complexes (FAC) using image analysis. Metabolic activity was followed using a thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay. In the two cell types tested, surface roughness introduced by nanoparticles had cell type specific effects on cell morphology and metabolism. While BAEC on NP-modified substrates exhibited smaller cell areas and fewer focal adhesion complexes compared to BAEC grown on glass, MC3T3-E1 cells in contrast exhibited larger cell areas on NP-modified surfaces and an increased number of FACs, in comparison to unmodified glass. However, both cell types on 50 nm NP had the highest proliferation rates (comparable to glass control) whereas cells grown on 300 nm NP exhibited inhibited proliferation. Interestingly, for both cell types surface roughness promoted the formation of long, thick F-actin fibers, which aligned with the long axis of each cell. These findings are consistent with our earlier result that osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal progenitor cells is enhanced on NP-modified surfaces. Our finding that nanoroughness, as imparted by nanoparticle assemblies, effects cellular processes in a cell specific manner, can have far reaching consequences on the development of smart biomaterials especially for directing stem cell differentiation
Development of a wearable bioartificial kidney using the Bioartificial Renal Epithelial Cell System (BRECS)
Cell therapy for the treatment of renal failure in the acute setting has proved successful, with therapeutic impact, yet development of a sustainable, portable bioartificial kidney for treatment of chronic renal failure has yet to be realized. Challenges in maintaining an anticoagulated blood circuit, the typical platform for solute clearance and support of the biological components, have posed a major hurdle in advancement of this technology. This group has developed a Bioartificial Renal Epithelial Cell System (BRECS) capable of differentiated renal cell function while sustained by body fluids other than blood. To evaluate this device for potential use in endĂą stage renal disease, a large animal model was established that exploits peritoneal dialysis fluid for support of the biological device and delivery of cell therapy while providing uraemic control. Anephric sheep received a continuous flow peritoneal dialysis (CFPD) circuit that included a BRECS. Sheep were treated with BRECS containing 1Ă à Ă 108 renal epithelial cells or acellular sham devices for up to 7Ă days. The BRECS cell viability and activity were maintained with extracorporeal peritoneal fluid circulation. A systemic immunological effect of BRECS therapy was observed as cellĂą treated sheep retained neutrophil oxidative activity better than shamĂą treated animals. This model demonstrates that use of the BRECS within a CFPD circuit embodies a feasible approach to a sustainable and effective wearable bioartificial kidney. Copyright Ă© 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140038/1/term2206.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140038/2/term2206_am.pd
Bves Modulates Tight Junction Associated Signaling
Blood vessel epicardial substance (Bves) is a transmembrane adhesion protein that regulates tight junction (TJ) formation in a variety of epithelia. The role of TJs within epithelium extends beyond the mechanical properties. They have been shown to play a direct role in regulation of RhoA and ZONAB/DbpA, a y-box transcription factor. We hypothesize that Bves can modulate RhoA activation and ZONAB/DbpA activity through its regulatory effect on TJ formation. Immortalized human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells were stably transfected with Flag-tagged full length chicken Bves (w-Bves) or C-terminus truncated Bves (t-Bves). We found that stably transfected w-Bves and t-Bves were interacting with endogenous human Bves. However, interaction with t-Bves appeared to disrupt cell membrane localization of endogenous Bves and interaction with ZO-1. w-Bves cells exhibited increased TJ function reflected by increased trans-epithelial electrical resistance, while t-Bves cells lost TJ protein immunolocalization at cell-cell contacts and exhibited decreased trans-epithelial electrical resistance. In parental HCE and w-Bves cells ZONAB/DbpA and GEF-H1 were seen at cell borders in the same pattern as ZO-1. However, expression of t-Bves led to decreased membrane localization of both ZONAB/DbpA and GEF-H1. t-Bves cells had increased RhoA activity, as indicated by a significant 30% increase in FRET activity compared to parental HCE cells. ZONAB/DbpA transcriptional activity, assessed using a luciferase reporter probe, was increased in t-Bves cells. These studies demonstrate that Bves expression and localization can regulate RhoA and ZONAB/DbpA activity
JADES: Insights into the low-mass end of the massâmetallicityâSFR relation at 3 < z < 10 from deep JWST/NIRSpec spectroscopyâ
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/We analysed the gas-phase metallicity properties of a sample of low-stellar-mass (log Mâ/MâââČâ9) galaxies at 3ââ6, with galaxies significantly less enriched than predicted given their Mâ and SFR (with a median offset in log(O/H) of âŒ0.5 dex, significant at âŒ5Ï). These observations are consistent with an enhanced stochasticity in the gas accretion and star-formation history of high-redshift systems, prompting us to reconsider the nature of the relationship between Mâ, O/H, and SFR in the early Universe.Peer reviewe
A small and vigorous black hole in the early Universe
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Several theories have been proposed to describe the formation of black hole seeds in the early Universe and to explain the emergence of very massive black holes observed in the first thousand million years after the Big Bang1â3. Models consider different seeding and accretion scenarios4â7, which require the detection and characterization of black holes in the first few hundred million years after the Big Bang to be validated. Here we present an extensive analysis of the JWST-NIRSpec spectrum of GN-z11, an exceptionally luminous galaxy at z = 10.6, revealing the detection of the [Neiv]λ2423 and CII*λ1335 transitions (typical of active galactic nuclei), as well as semi-forbidden nebular lines tracing gas densities higher than 109 cmâ3, typical of the broad line region of active galactic nuclei. These spectral features indicate that GN-z11 hosts an accreting black hole. The spectrum also reveals a deep and blueshifted CIVλ1549 absorption trough, tracing an outflow with velocity 800â1,000 km sâ1, probably driven by the active galactic nucleus. Assuming local virial relations, we derive a black hole mass of log(MBH/Mâ)=6.2±0.3, accreting at about five times the Eddington rate. These properties are consistent with both heavy seeds scenarios and scenarios considering intermediate and light seeds experiencing episodic super-Eddington phases. Our finding explains the high luminosity of GN-z11 and can also provide an explanation for its exceptionally high nitrogen abundance.Peer reviewe
JADES: Probing interstellar medium conditions at with ultra-deep JWST/NIRSpec spectroscopy
We present emission line ratios from a sample of 26 Lyman break galaxies from
with , measured from ultra-deep
JWST/NIRSpec MSA spectroscopy from JADES. We use 28 hour deep PRISM/CLEAR and 7
hour deep G395M/F290LP observations to measure, or place strong constraints on,
ratios of widely studied rest-frame optical emission lines including H,
H, [OII] 3726,3729, [NeIII] 3869, [OIII]
4959, [OIII] 5007, [OI] 6300, [NII] 6583,
and [SII] 6716,6731 in individual spectra. We find that
the emission line ratios exhibited by these galaxies occupy
clearly distinct regions of line-ratio space compared to typical z~0-3
galaxies, instead being more consistent with extreme populations of
lower-redshift galaxies. This is best illustrated by the [OIII]/[OII] ratio,
tracing interstellar medium (ISM) ionisation, in which we observe more than
half of our sample to have [OIII]/[OII]>10. Our high signal-to-noise spectra
reveal more than an order of magnitude of scatter in line ratios such as
[OII]/H and [OIII]/[OII], indicating significant diversity in the ISM
conditions within the sample. We find no convincing detections of [NII] in our
sample, either in individual galaxies, or a stack of all G395M/F290LP spectra.
The emission line ratios observed in our sample are generally consistent with
galaxies with extremely high ionisation parameters (log ), and a
range of metallicities spanning from to higher than
, suggesting we are probing low-metallicity systems
undergoing periods of rapid star-formation, driving strong radiation fields.
These results highlight the value of deep observations in constraining the
properties of individual galaxies, and hence probing diversity within galaxy
population.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics, updated
values in table
Climate drives the geography of marine consumption by changing predator communities
Este artĂculo contiene 7 pĂĄginas, 3 figuras, 1 tabla.The global distribution of primary production and consumption by
humans (fisheries) is well-documented, but we have no map linking
the central ecological process of consumption within food
webs to temperature and other ecological drivers. Using standardized
assays that span 105° of latitude on four continents, we show
that rates of bait consumption by generalist predators in shallow
marine ecosystems are tightly linked to both temperature and the
composition of consumer assemblages. Unexpectedly, rates of
consumption peaked at midlatitudes (25 to 35°) in both Northern
and Southern Hemispheres across both seagrass and unvegetated
sediment habitats. This pattern contrasts with terrestrial systems,
where biotic interactions reportedly weaken away from the equator,
but it parallels an emerging pattern of a subtropical peak in
marine biodiversity. The higher consumption at midlatitudes was
closely related to the type of consumers present, which explained
rates of consumption better than consumer density, biomass, species
diversity, or habitat. Indeed, the apparent effect of temperature
on consumption was mostly driven by temperature-associated turnover
in consumer community composition. Our findings reinforce
the key influence of climate warming on altered species composition
and highlight its implications for the functioning of Earthâs
ecosystems.We acknowledge funding from the Smithsonian
Institution and the Tula Foundation.Peer reviewe
JADES NIRSpec Spectroscopy of GN-z11: Lyman- emission and possible enhanced nitrogen abundance in a luminous galaxy
We present JADES JWST/NIRSpec spectroscopy of GN-z11, the most luminous
candidate Lyman break galaxy in the GOODS-North field with
. We derive a redshift of (lower than previous
determinations) based on multiple emission lines in our low and medium
resolution spectra over m. We significantly detect the continuum
and measure a blue rest-UV spectral slope of . Remarkably, we see
spatially-extended Lyman- in emission (despite the highly-neutral IGM
expected at this early epoch), offset 555 km/s redward of the systemic
redshift. From our measurements of collisionally-excited lines of both low- and
high-ionization (including [O II] , [Ne III] and C
III] ) we infer a high ionization parameter (). We
detect the rarely-seen N IV] and N III] lines in
both our low and medium resolution spectra, with other high ionization lines
seen in low resolution spectrum such as He II (blended with O III]) and C IV
(with a possible P-Cygni profile). Based on the observed rest-UV line ratios,
we cannot conclusively rule out photoionization from AGN. The high C III]/He II
ratios, however, suggest a likely star-formation explanation. If the observed
emission lines are powered by star formation, then the strong N III]
observed may imply an unusually high abundance. Balmer
emission lines (H, H) are also detected, and if powered by star
formation rather than an AGN we infer a star formation rate of (depending on the IMF) and low dust attenuation. Our
NIRSpec spectroscopy confirms that GN-z11 is a remarkable galaxy with extreme
properties seen 430 Myr after the Big Bang.Comment: Submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics, 14 pages, 9 figure
A new path to first light for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer
The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI) was the most ambitious infrared interferometric facility conceived of in 2003 when funding began. Today, despite having suffered some financial short-falls, it is still one of the most ambitious interferometric imaging facilities ever designed. With an innovative approach to attaining the original goal of fringe tracking to H = 14 magnitude via completely redesigned mobile telescopes, and a unique approach to the beam train and delay lines, the MROI will be able to image faint and complex objects with milliarcsecond resolutions for a fraction of the cost of giant telescopes or space-based facilities. The design goals of MROI have been optimized for studying stellar astrophysical processes such as mass loss and mass transfer, the formation and evolution of YSOs and their disks, and the environs of nearby AGN.
The global needs for Space Situational Awareness (SSA) have moved to the forefront in many communities as Space becomes a more integral part of a national security portfolio. These needs drive imaging capabilities ultimately to a few tens of centimeter resolution at geosynchronous orbits. Any array capable of producing images on faint and complex geosynchronous objects in just a few hours will be outstanding not only as an astrophysical tool, but also for these types of SSA missions. With the recent infusion of new funding from the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) in Albuquerque, NM, MROI will be able to attain first light, first fringes, and demonstrate bootstrapping with three telescopes by 2020.
MROIâs current status along with a sketch of our activities over the coming 5 years will be presented, as well as clear opportunities to collaborate on various aspects of the facility as it comes online. Further funding is actively being sought to accelerate the capability of the array for interferometric imaging on a short time-scale so as to achieve the original goals of this ambitious facility.AFRL (Cooperative Agreement FA9453-15-2-0086 titled âAmplitude Interferometer Research for Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Space Situational Awareness (SSA)â), Congressional Delegation of the State of New Mexico, Science and Technology Facilities CouncilThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from SPIE via http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.223391
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