27 research outputs found
Field testing for toxic algae with a microarray: initial results from the MIDTAL project
One of the key tasks in the project MIDTAL (MIcroarrays for the Detection of Toxic ALgae) is to demonstrate the applicability of microarrays to monitor harmful algae across a broad range of ecological niches and toxic species responsible for harmful algal events. Water samples are collected from a series of sites used in national phytoplankton and biotoxin monitoring programmes across Europe. The samples are filtered; the rRNA is extracted, labelled with a fluorescent dye and applied to a microarray chip. The signal intensity from >120 probes previously spotted on the chip is measured and analysed. Preliminary results comparing microarray signal intensities with actual field counts are presented
Field testing for toxic algae with a microarray: initial results from the MIDTAL project
One of the key tasks in MIDTAL (MIcroarrays for the Detection of Toxic ALgae) is to demonstrate
the applicability of microarrays to monitor harmful algae across a broad range of ecological niches
and toxic species responsible for harmful algal events. Water samples are collected from a series of
sites used in national phytoplankton and biotoxin monitoring across Europe. The samples are filtered;
rRNA is extracted, labelled with a fluorescent dye and applied to a microarray chip. The signal
intensity from >120 probes previously spotted on the chip is measured and analysed. Preliminary
results comparing microarray signal intensities with actual field counts are presented.Versión del edito
CBX7 Induces Self-Renewal of Human Normal and Malignant Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells by Canonical and Non-canonical Interactions
In this study, we demonstrate that, among all five CBX
Polycomb proteins, only CBX7 possesses the ability
to control self-renewal of human hematopoietic
stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Xenotransplantation of CBX7-overexpressing HSPCs resulted in
increased multi-lineage long-term engraftment and
myelopoiesis. Gene expression and chromatin analyses revealed perturbations in genes involved in
differentiation, DNA and chromatin maintenance,
and cell cycle control. CBX7 is upregulated in acute
myeloid leukemia (AML), and its genetic or pharmacological repression in AML cells inhibited proliferation and induced differentiation. Mass spectrometry
analysis revealed several non-histone protein interactions between CBX7 and the H3K9 methyltransferases SETDB1, EHMT1, and EHMT2. These CBX7-
binding proteins possess a trimethylated lysine
peptide motif highly similar to the canonical CBX7
target H3K27me3. Depletion of SETDB1 in AML cells
phenocopied repression of CBX7. We identify CBX7
as an important regulator of self-renewal and uncover
non-canonical crosstalk between distinct pathways,
revealing therapeutic opportunities for leukemia
A bright, high rotation-measure FRB that skewers the M33 halo
We report the detection of a bright fast radio burst, FRB\,191108, with
Apertif on the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT). The interferometer
allows us to localise the FRB to a narrow 5\arcsec\times7\arcmin ellipse by
employing both multibeam information within the Apertif phased-array feed (PAF)
beam pattern, and across different tied-array beams. The resulting sight line
passes close to Local Group galaxy M33, with an impact parameter of only
18\,kpc with respect to the core. It also traverses the much larger
circumgalactic medium of M31, the Andromeda Galaxy. We find that the shared
plasma of the Local Group galaxies could contribute 10\% of its
dispersion measure of 588\,pc\,cm. FRB\,191108 has a Faraday rotation
measure of +474\,\,rad\,m, which is too large to be explained by
either the Milky Way or the intergalactic medium. Based on the more moderate
RMs of other extragalactic sources that traverse the halo of M33, we conclude
that the dense magnetised plasma resides in the host galaxy. The FRB exhibits
frequency structure on two scales, one that is consistent with quenched
Galactic scintillation and broader spectral structure with
\,MHz. If the latter is due to scattering in the shared
M33/M31 CGM, our results constrain the Local Group plasma environment. We found
no accompanying persistent radio sources in the Apertif imaging survey data
Cotton in the new millennium: advances, economics, perceptions and problems
Cotton is the most significant natural fibre and has been a preferred choice of the textile industry and consumers since the industrial revolution began. The share of man-made fibres, both regenerated and synthetic fibres, has grown considerably in recent times but cotton production has also been on the rise and accounts for about half of the fibres used for apparel and textile goods. To cotton’s advantage, the premium attached to the presence of cotton fibre and the general positive consumer perception is well established, however, compared to commodity man-made fibres and high performance fibres, cotton has limitations in terms of its mechanical properties but can help to overcome moisture management issues that arise with performance apparel during active wear.
This issue of Textile Progress aims to:
i. Report on advances in cotton cultivation and processing as well as improvements to conventional cotton cultivation and ginning. The processing of cotton in the textile industry from fibre to finished fabric, cotton and its blends, and their applications in technical textiles are also covered.
ii. Explore the economic impact of cotton in different parts of the world including an overview of global cotton trade.
iii. Examine the environmental perception of cotton fibre and efforts in organic and genetically-modified (GM) cotton production. The topic of naturally-coloured cotton, post-consumer waste is covered and the environmental impacts of cotton cultivation and processing are discussed. Hazardous effects of cultivation, such as the extensive use of pesticides, insecticides and irrigation with fresh water, and consequences of the use of GM cotton and cotton fibres in general on the climate are summarised and the effects of cotton processing on workers are addressed. The potential hazards during cotton cultivation, processing and use are also included.
iv. Examine how the properties of cotton textiles can be enhanced, for example, by improving wrinkle recovery and reducing the flammability of cotton fibre