ASASSN-15lu is a Type Ia Supernova

We report spectroscopic classification of ASASSN-15lu (ATel #7698) in SDSS J132112.88+401556.7 (z=0.035037, via NED) through inspection of an optical spectrum (range 370-680 nm, resolution 0.8 nm), obtained with the 2.3-m Bok telescope (+ Boller & Chivens spectrograph) at Kitt Peak on 2015 June 24.2 UT

Nuclear Factor 90(NF90) targeted to TAR RNA inhibits transcriptional activation of HIV-1

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Examination of host cell-based inhibitors of HIV-1 transcription may be important for attenuating viral replication. We describe properties of a cellular double-stranded RNA binding protein with intrinsic affinity for HIV-1 TAR RNA that interferes with Tat/TAR interaction and inhibits viral gene expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Utilizing TAR affinity fractionation, North-Western blotting, and mobility-shift assays, we show that the C-terminal variant of nuclear factor 90 (NF90ctv) with strong affinity for the TAR RNA, competes with Tat/TAR interaction <it>in vitro</it>. Analysis of the effect of NF90ctv-TAR RNA interaction <it>in vivo </it>showed significant inhibition of Tat-transactivation of HIV-1 LTR in cells expressing NF90ctv, as well as changes in histone H3 lysine-4 and lysine-9 methylation of HIV chromatin that are consistent with the epigenetic changes in transcriptionally repressed gene.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Structural integrity of the TAR element is crucial in HIV-1 gene expression. Our results show that perturbation Tat/TAR RNA interaction by the dsRNA binding protein is sufficient to inhibit transcriptional activation of HIV-1.</p

Lung-Targeted Delivery of Dimethyl Fumarate Promotes the Reversal of Age-Dependent Established Lung Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a severe and deadly form of lung fibrosis, is widely regarded as a disease of aging. We previously demonstrated that aged mice with persistent lung fibrosis and IPF lung myofibroblasts exhibit deficient Nrf2-mediated antioxidant responses. Tecfidera is an orally administered FDA-approved drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, where the active pharmaceutical ingredient is dimethyl fumarate (DMF), an active Nrf2 activator. However, no studies have evaluated the efficacy of DMF for age-associated persistent lung fibrosis. Here, we demonstrate that in IPF lung fibroblasts, DMF treatment inhibited both TGF-β-mediated pro-fibrotic phenotypes and led to a reversal of established pro-fibrotic phenotypes. We also evaluated the pre-clinical efficacy of lung-targeted (inhaled) vs. systemic (oral) delivery of DMF in an aging murine model of bleomycin-induced persistent lung fibrosis. DMF or vehicle was administered daily to aged mice by oral gavage or intranasal delivery from 3-6 weeks post-injury when mice exhibited non-resolving lung fibrosis. In contrast to systemic (oral) delivery, only lung-targeted (inhaled) delivery of DMF restored lung Nrf2 expression levels, reduced lung oxidative stress, and promoted the resolution of age-dependent established fibrosis. This is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of lung-targeted DMF delivery to promote the resolution of age-dependent established lung fibrosis. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

PSN J11473508+5558147 is a Type Ib Supernova Near Maximum Light

We report spectroscopic classification of PSN J11473508+5558147 through inspection of a low-dispersion optical spectrum (range 370-680 nm), obtained with the 2.3-m Bok telescope (+ Boller & Chivens spectrograph) at Kitt Peak on 2015 June 21 UT