Parent Stars of Extrasolar Planets VII: New Abundance Analyses of 30 Systems

The results of new spectroscopic analyses of 30 stars with giant planet and/or brown dwarf companions are presented. Values for Teff and [Fe/H] are used in conjunction with Hipparcos data and Padova isochrones to derive masses, ages, and theoretical surface gravities. These new data are combined with spectroscopic and photometric metallicity estimates of other stars harboring planets and published samples of F, G, and K dwarfs to compare several subsets of planet bearing stars with similarly well-constrained control groups. The distribution of [Fe/H] values continues the trend uncovered in previous studies in that stars hosting planetary companions have a higher mean value than otherwise similar nearby stars. We also investigate the relationship between stellar mass and the presence of giant planets and find statistically marginal but suggestive evidence of a decrease in the incidence of radial velocity companions orbiting relatively less massive stars. If confirmed with larger samples, this would represent a critical constraint to both planetary formation models as well as to estimates of the distribution of planetary systems in our galaxy.Comment: 27 pages, 13 figures. Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journa

miR‐29 contributes to normal endothelial function and can restore it in cardiometabolic disorders

Abstract We investigated the role of microRNAs (miRNA) in endothelial dysfunction in the setting of cardiometabolic disorders represented by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). miR‐29 was dysregulated in resistance arterioles obtained by biopsy in T2DM patients. Intraluminal delivery of miR‐29a‐3p or miR‐29b‐3p mimics restored normal endothelium‐dependent vasodilation (EDVD) in T2DM arterioles that otherwise exhibited impaired EDVD. Intraluminal delivery of anti‐miR‐29b‐3p in arterioles from non‐DM human subjects or rats or targeted mutation of Mir29b‐1/a gene in rats led to impaired EDVD and exacerbation of hypertension in the rats. miR‐29b‐3p mimic increased, while anti‐miR‐29b‐3p or Mir29b‐1/a gene mutation decreased, nitric oxide levels in arterioles. The mutation of Mir29b‐1/a gene led to preferential differential expression of genes related to nitric oxide including Lypla1. Lypla1 was a direct target of miR‐29 and could abrogate the effect of miR‐29 in promoting nitric oxide production. Treatment with Lypla1 siRNA improved EDVD in arterioles obtained from T2DM patients or Mir29b‐1/a mutant rats or treated with anti‐miR‐29b‐3p. These findings indicate miR‐29 is required for normal endothelial function in humans and animal models and has therapeutic potential for cardiometabolic disorders