72 research outputs found
Point of View: What’s in a name?
Numerous concerns have been raised about the sustainability of the biomedical research enterprise in the United States. Improving the postdoctoral training experience is seen as a priority in addressing these concerns, but even identifying who the postdocs are is made difficult by the multitude of different job titles they can carry. Here, we summarize the detrimental effects that current employment structures have on training, compensation and benefits for postdocs, and argue that academic research institutions should standardize the categorization and treatment of postdocs. We also present brief case studies of two institutions that have addressed these challenges and can provide models for other institutions attempting to enhance their postdoctoral workforces and improve the sustainability of the biomedical research enterprise
A novel mitochondrial ATP6 frameshift mutation causing isolated complex V deficiency, ataxia and encephalomyopathy
We describe a novel frameshift mutation in the mitochondrial ATP6 gene in a 4-year-old girl associated with ataxia, microcephaly, developmental delay and intellectual disability. A heteroplasmic frameshift mutation in the MT-ATP6 gene was confirmed in the patient's skeletal muscle and blood. The mutation was not detectable in the mother's DNA extracted from blood or buccal cells. Enzymatic and oxymetric analysis of the mitochondrial respiratory system in the patients' skeletal muscle and skin fibroblasts demonstrated an isolated complex V deficiency. Native PAGE with subsequent immunoblotting for complex V revealed impaired complex V assembly and accumulation of ATPase subcomplexes. Whilst northern blotting confirmed equal presence of ATP8/6 mRNA, metabolic S-35-labelling of mitochondrial translation products showed a severe depletion of the ATP6 protein together with aberrant translation product accumulation. In conclusion, this novel isolated complex V defect expands the clinical and genetic spectrum of mitochondrial defects of complex V deficiency. Furthermore, this work confirms the benefit of native PAGE as an additional diagnostic method for the identification of OXPHOS defects, as the presence of complex V subcomplexes is associated with pathogenic mutations of mtDNA. (C) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe
Neutrophil extracellular trap formation requires OPA1-dependent glycolytic ATP production
Optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) is a mitochondrial inner membrane protein that has an important role in mitochondrial fusion and structural integrity. Dysfunctional OPA1 mutations cause atrophy of the optic nerve leading to blindness. Here, we show that OPA1 has an important role in the innate immune system. Using conditional knockout mice lacking Opa1 in neutrophils (Opa1(N Delta)), we report that lack of OPA1 reduces the activity of mitochondrial electron transport complex I in neutrophils. This then causes a decline in adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) production through glycolysis due to lowered NAD(+) availability. Additionally, we show that OPA1-dependent ATP production in these cells is required for microtubule network assembly and for the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Finally, we show that Opa1(N Delta) mice exhibit a reduced antibacterial defense capability against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Peer reviewe
Red Supergiants in the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
Red supergiants are a short-lived stage in the evolution of moderately
massive stars (10-25Mo), and as such their location in the H-R diagram provides
an exacting test of stellar evolutionary models. Since massive star evolution
is strongly affected by the amount of mass-loss a star suffers, and since the
mass-loss rates depend upon metallicity, it is highly desirable to study the
physical properties of these stars in galaxies of various metallicities. Here
we identify a sample of red supergiants in M31 (the most metal-rich of the
Local Group galaxies) and derive their physical properties by fitting MARCS
atmosphere models to moderate resolution optical spectroscopy, and from V-K
photometry.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa
Early Evolution of Stellar Groups and Clusters: Environmental Effects on Forming Planetary Systems
This paper studies the dynamical evolution of young stellar clusters with
= 100 - 1000 members. We use N-body simulations to explore how evolution
depends on system size and the initial conditions. Motivated by recent
observations of extremely young systems, this study compares subvirial and
virial starting states. Multiple realizations of equivalent cases (100
simulations per case) are used to build up a robust statistical description of
these systems, e.g., distributions of closest approaches, mass profiles, and
distributions of radial locations. These results provide a framework from which
to assess the effects of these clusters on star and planet formation. The
distributions of radial positions are used in conjunction with distributions of
FUV luminosities (also calculated here) to determine the radiation exposure of
circumstellar disks. The distributions of closest approaches are used in
conjunction with scattering cross sections (calculated here from
scattering experiments) to determine the probability of solar system
disruption. We also use the nearby cluster NGC 1333 as a test case. Our main
conclusion is that clusters in this size range have only a modest effect on
forming planetary systems: Interaction rates are low so that the typical solar
system experiences a single encounter within 1000 AU. Radiation exposure is
low, with median FUV flux = 900, so that photoevaporation of disks is
only important beyond 30 AU. Given the low interaction rates and modest
radiation levels, we suggest that solar system disruption is a rare event in
these clusters.Comment: 54 pages; accepted to Ap
Real-Life Therapeutic Concentration Monitoring of Long-Acting Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine: Preliminary Results of an Ongoing Prospective Observational Study in Switzerland
SHCS#879 is an ongoing Switzerland-wide multicenter observational study conducted within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) for the prospective follow-up of people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving long-acting injectable cabotegravir-rilpivirine (LAI-CAB/RPV). All adults under LAI-CAB/RPV and part of SHCS are enrolled in the project. The study addresses an integrated strategy of treatment monitoring outside the stringent frame of controlled clinical trials, based on relevant patient characteristics, clinical factors, potential drug-drug interactions, and measurement of circulating blood concentrations. So far, 91 blood samples from 46 PLWH have been collected. Most individuals are less than 50 years old, with relatively few comorbidities and comedications. The observed concentrations are globally in accordance with the available values reported in the randomized clinical trials. Yet, low RPV concentrations not exceeding twice the reported protein-adjusted 90% inhibitory concentration have been observed. Data available at present confirm a considerable between-patient variability overall. Based on the growing amount of PK data accumulated during this ongoing study, population pharmacokinetic analysis will characterize individual concentration-time profiles of LAI-CAB/RPV along with their variability in a real-life setting and their association with treatment response and tolerability, thus bringing key data for therapeutic monitoring and precision dosage adjustment of this novel long-acting therapy
Real-Life Therapeutic Concentration Monitoring of Long-Acting Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine: Preliminary Results of an Ongoing Prospective Observational Study in Switzerland.
SHCS#879 is an ongoing Switzerland-wide multicenter observational study conducted within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) for the prospective follow-up of people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving long-acting injectable cabotegravir-rilpivirine (LAI-CAB/RPV). All adults under LAI-CAB/RPV and part of SHCS are enrolled in the project. The study addresses an integrated strategy of treatment monitoring outside the stringent frame of controlled clinical trials, based on relevant patient characteristics, clinical factors, potential drug-drug interactions, and measurement of circulating blood concentrations. So far, 91 blood samples from 46 PLWH have been collected. Most individuals are less than 50 years old, with relatively few comorbidities and comedications. The observed concentrations are globally in accordance with the available values reported in the randomized clinical trials. Yet, low RPV concentrations not exceeding twice the reported protein-adjusted 90% inhibitory concentration have been observed. Data available at present confirm a considerable between-patient variability overall. Based on the growing amount of PK data accumulated during this ongoing study, population pharmacokinetic analysis will characterize individual concentration-time profiles of LAI-CAB/RPV along with their variability in a real-life setting and their association with treatment response and tolerability, thus bringing key data for therapeutic monitoring and precision dosage adjustment of this novel long-acting therapy
Models for Massive Stellar Populations with Rotation
We present and discuss evolutionary synthesis models for massive stellar
populations generated with the Starburst99 code in combination with a new set
of stellar evolution models accounting for rotation. The new stellar evolution
models were compiled from several data releases of the Geneva group and cover
heavy-element abundances ranging from twice solar to one fifth solar. The
evolution models were computed for rotation velocities on the zero-age
main-sequence of 0 and 300 km/s and with the latest revision of stellar
mass-loss rates. Since the mass coverage is incomplete, in particular at
non-solar chemical composition, our parameter study is still preliminary and
must be viewed as exploratory. Stellar population properties computed with
Starburst99 and the new evolution models show some marked differences in
comparison with models obtained using earlier tracks. Since individual stars
now tend to be more luminous and bluer when on the blue side of the
Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, the populations mirror this trend. For instance,
increases by factors of two or more are found for the light-to-mass ratios at
ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths, as well as for the output of hydrogen
ionizing photons. If these results are confirmed once the evolution models have
matured, recalibrations of certain star-formation and initial mass function
indicators will be required.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap
- …