Effects of Ozone and Photochemically Reacted Urban Mixture on Zinc Deficient, Human Lung Cells

Several controlled exposure studies have demonstrated that humans are differentially susceptible to adverse health effects induced by air pollution exposure. Enhanced susceptibility may be caused by intrinsic factors, such as genetic background, age, and gender, or extrinsic factors, such as nutrition. Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element and is an essential component in several hundred Zn metalloenzymes, many of which play an important role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis and participate in Zn-finger motifs, which are important for DNA transcription. The first clinical effects of zinc deficiency were observed when studying dwarfism in 1961. Few studies have addressed the effects of zinc deficiency on the adverse effects induced by exposure to oxidant air pollutants including ozone or other photochemically reacted hydrocarbon mixtures. Epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract are one of the major cellular targets of inhaled pollutants such as ozone. The objective of this project is to examine whether Zn deficiency enhances the susceptibility of respiratory epithelial cells to pollutant-induced injury. A cell culture model of Zn-deficient (Zn-DF) and Zn-adequate (Zn-AD) respiratory epithelial cells will be exposed to ozone and photochemically reacted urban mixture in outdoor smog chambers. Inflammatory cytokine production including IL-8, IL-6, MCP-1 and cellular cytotoxicity will be analyzed for in exposed cells. Increased cytokine and cytotoxicity production will be used to determine if zinc deficiency induces greater cellular stress.Master of Science in Public Healt

Investigating the insecticidal potential of Geomyces (Myxotrichaceae: Helotiales) and Mortierella (Mortierellacea: Mortierellales) isolated from Antarctica

Fungi isolated from environmentally challenging habitats can have adaptations of potential value when developed as insect pest-controls. Fungal isolates collected from Antarctica, Geomyces sp. I, Geomyces sp. II, Mortierella signyensis and M. alpina, were investigated for (i) growth characteristics at 0-35[degree sign]C, (ii) spore production at 10 and 20[degree sign]C, (iii) viability following exposure to freezing temperatures, and (iv) insecticidal activity against waxmoths (Galleria mellonella L.), houseflies (Musca domestica L.), mealworms (Tenebrio molitor L.) and black vine weevils (Otiorhynchus sulcatus Fabricius). All isolates showed growth between 5-20[degree sign]C, with some showing growth outside this range. Geomyces isolates sporulated over a wider range of conditions than the Mortierella isolates. Spore germination at 10[degree sign]C was higher for Geomyces sp. II when this isolate was produced at 10 compared to 20[degree sign]C (greatest difference 74.6 vs 32.7%). All isolates grew, with the exception of M. alpina, following exposure to -20[degree sign]C for 4 weeks. Insecticidal investigations showed M. alpina and M. signyensis caused significant mortality of waxmoth and housefly larvae via injection and soil inoculation, and M. alpina caused significant mortality of housefly larvae via baiting; the Geomyces isolates had little lethal effect

Effects of 1,3-Butadiene, Isoprene, and Their Photochemical Degradation Products on Human Lung Cells

Because of potential exposure both in the workplace and from ambient air, the known carcinogen 1,3-butadiene (BD) is considered a priority hazardous air pollutant. BD and its 2-methyl analog, isoprene (ISO), are chemically similar but have very different toxicities, with ISO showing no significant carcinogenesis. Once released into the atmosphere, reactions with species induced by sunlight and nitrogen oxides convert BD and ISO into several photochemical reaction products. In this study, we determined the relative toxicity and inflammatory gene expression induced by exposure of A549 cells to BD, ISO, and their photochemical degradation products in the presence of nitric oxide. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analyses indicate the initial and major photochemical products produced during these experiments for BD are acrolein, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde, and products for ISO are methacrolein, methyl vinyl ketone, and formaldehyde; both formed < 200 ppb of ozone. After exposure the cells were examined for cytotoxicity and interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene expression, as a marker for inflammation. These results indicate that although BD and ISO alone caused similar cytotoxicity and IL-8 responses compared with the air control, their photochemical products significantly enhanced cytotoxicity and IL-8 gene expression. This suggests that once ISO and BD are released into the environment, reactions occurring in the atmosphere transform these hydrocarbons into products that induce potentially greater adverse health effects than the emitted hydrocarbons by themselves. In addition, the data suggest that based on the carbon concentration or per carbon basis, biogenic ISO transforms into products with proinflammatory potential similar to that of BD products

The Great Observatories All-Sky LIRG Survey: Comparison of Ultraviolet and Far-Infrared Properties

The Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey (GOALS) consists of a complete sample of 202 Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRGs) selected from the IRAS Revised Bright Galaxy Sample (RBGS). The galaxies span the full range of interaction stages, from isolated galaxies to interacting pairs to late stage mergers. We present a comparison of the UV and infrared properties of 135 galaxies in GOALS observed by GALEX and Spitzer. For interacting galaxies with separations greater than the resolution of GALEX and Spitzer (2-6"), we assess the UV and IR properties of each galaxy individually. The contribution of the FUV to the measured SFR ranges from 0.2% to 17.9%, with a median of 2.8% and a mean of 4.0 +/- 0.4%. The specific star formation rate of the GOALS sample is extremely high, with a median value (3.9*10^{-10} yr^{-1}) that is comparable to the highest specific star formation rates seen in the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey sample. We examine the position of each galaxy on the IR excess-UV slope (IRX-beta) diagram as a function of galaxy properties, including IR luminosity and interaction stage. The LIRGs on average have greater IR excesses than would be expected based on their UV colors if they obeyed the same relations as starbursts with L_IR < 10^{11}L_0 or normal late-type galaxies. The ratio of L_IR to the value one would estimate from the IRXg-beta relation published for lower luminosity starburst galaxies ranges from 0.2 to 68, with a median value of 2.7. A minimum of 19% of the total IR luminosity in the RBGS is produced in LIRGs and ULIRGs with red UV colors (beta > 0). Among resolved interacting systems, 32% contain one galaxy which dominates the IR emission while the companion dominates the UV emission. Only 21% of the resolved systems contain a single galaxy which dominates both wavelengths.Comment: 37 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Local Benchmarks for the Evolution of Major-Merger Galaxies -- Spitzer Observations of a K-Band Selected Sample

We present Spitzer observations for a sample of close major-merger galaxy pairs (KPAIR sample) selected from 2MASS/SDSS-DR3 cross-matches. The goals are to study the star formation activity in these galaxies and to set a local bench mark for the cosmic evolution of close major mergers. The Spitzer KPAIR sample (27 pairs, 54 galaxies) includes all spectroscopically confirmed S+S and S+E pairs in a parent sample that is complete for primaries brighter than K=12.5 mag, projected separations of 5< s < 20 kpc/h, and mass ratios<2.5. The Spitzer data consist of images in 7 bands (3.6, 4.5, 5.8, 8, 24, 70, 160 um). Compared to single spiral galaxies in a control sample, only spiral galaxies in S+S pairs show significantly enhanced specific star formation rate (sSFR=SFR/M), whereas spiral galaxies in S+E pairs do not. Furthermore, the SFR enhancement of spiral galaxies in S+S pairs is highly mass-dependent. Only those with \rm M \gsim 10^{10.5} M_\sun show significant enhancement. Relatively low mass (\rm M \sim 10^{10} M_\sun) spirals in S+S pairs have about the same SFR/M compared to their counterparts in the control sample. There is evidence for a correlation between the global star formation activities (but not the nuclear activities) of the component galaxies in massive S+S major-merger pairs (the "Holmberg effect"). There is no significant difference in the SFR/M between the primaries and the secondaries, nor between spirals of SEP<1 and those of SEP.1. The contribution of KPAIR galaxies to the cosmic SFR density in the local universe is only 1.7%.Comment: 73 pages; accpected by Ap

Datasets for the Reporting of Primary Tumour in Bone: Recommendations From the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bone tumours are relatively rare and, as a consequence, treatment in a centre with expertise is required. Current treatment guidelines also recommend review by a specialised pathologist. Here we report on international consensus-based datasets for the pathology reporting of biopsy and resection specimens of bone sarcomas. The datasets were produced under the auspices of the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR), a global alliance of major (inter-)national pathology and cancer organisations. METHODS AND RESULTS: According to the ICCR\u27s process for dataset development, an international expert panel consisting of pathologists, an oncologic orthopaedic surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a radiologist produced a set of core and noncore data items for biopsy and resection specimens based on a critical review and discussion of current evidence. All professionals involved were bone tumour experts affiliated with tertiary referral centres. Commentary was provided for each data item to explain the rationale for selecting it as a core or noncore element, its clinical relevance, and to highlight potential areas of disagreement or lack of evidence, in which case a consensus position was formulated. Following international public consultation, the documents were finalised and ratified, and the datasets, including a synoptic reporting guide, were published on the ICCR website. CONCLUSION: These first international datasets for bone sarcomas are intended to promote high-quality, standardised pathology reporting. Their widespread adoption will improve the consistency of reporting, facilitate multidisciplinary communication, and enhance comparability of data, all of which will help to improve management of bone sarcoma patients

Inhibition of BACH1 (FANCJ) helicase by backbone discontinuity is overcome by increased motor ATPase or length of loading strand

The BRCA1 associated C-terminal helicase (BACH1) associated with breast cancer has been implicated in double strand break (DSB) repair. More recently, BACH1 (FANCJ) has been genetically linked to the chromosomal instability disorder Fanconi Anemia (FA). Understanding the roles of BACH1 in cellular DNA metabolism and how BACH1 dysfunction leads to tumorigenesis requires a comprehensive investigation of its catalytic mechanism and molecular functions in DNA repair. In this study, we have determined that BACH1 helicase contacts with both the translocating and the non-translocating strands of the duplex are critical for its ability to track along the sugar phosphate backbone and unwind dsDNA. An increased motor ATPase of a BACH1 helicase domain variant (M299I) enabled the helicase to unwind the backbone-modified DNA substrate in a more proficient manner. Alternatively, increasing the length of the 5′ tail of the DNA substrate allowed BACH1 to overcome the backbone discontinuity, suggesting that BACH1 loading mechanism is critical for its ability to unwind damaged DNA molecules

LSST Science Book, Version 2.0

A survey that can cover the sky in optical bands over wide fields to faint magnitudes with a fast cadence will enable many of the exciting science opportunities of the next decade. The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will have an effective aperture of 6.7 meters and an imaging camera with field of view of 9.6 deg^2, and will be devoted to a ten-year imaging survey over 20,000 deg^2 south of +15 deg. Each pointing will be imaged 2000 times with fifteen second exposures in six broad bands from 0.35 to 1.1 microns, to a total point-source depth of r~27.5. The LSST Science Book describes the basic parameters of the LSST hardware, software, and observing plans. The book discusses educational and outreach opportunities, then goes on to describe a broad range of science that LSST will revolutionize: mapping the inner and outer Solar System, stellar populations in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies, the structure of the Milky Way disk and halo and other objects in the Local Volume, transient and variable objects both at low and high redshift, and the properties of normal and active galaxies at low and high redshift. It then turns to far-field cosmological topics, exploring properties of supernovae to z~1, strong and weak lensing, the large-scale distribution of galaxies and baryon oscillations, and how these different probes may be combined to constrain cosmological models and the physics of dark energy.Comment: 596 pages. Also available at full resolution at http://www.lsst.org/lsst/sciboo

Galaxy Pairs in COSMOS -- Merger Rate Evolution Since z=1

We present results of a statistical study of the cosmic evolution of the mass dependent major-merger rate since z=1. A stellar mass limited sample of close major-merger pairs (the CPAIR sample) was selected from the archive of the COSMOS survey. Pair fractions at different redshifts derived using the CPAIR sample and a local K-band selected pair sample show no significant variations with stellar mass. The pair fraction exhibits moderately strong cosmic evolution, with the best-fitting evolutionary index m=2.2+-0.2. The best-fitting function for the merger rate implies that galaxies with stellar mass between 1E+10 -- 3E+11 M_sun have undergone 0.5 -- 1.5 major-mergers since z=1. Our results show that, for massive galaxies at z<1, major mergers involving star forming galaxies (i.e. wet and mixed mergers) can account for the formation of both ellipticals and red quiescent galaxies (RQGs). On the other hand, major mergers cannot be responsible for the formation of most low mass ellipticals and RQGs. Our quantitative estimates indicate that major mergers have significant impact on the stellar mass assembly of the most massive galaxies, but for less massive galaxies the stellar mass assembly is dominated by the star formation. Comparison with the mass dependent (U)LIRG rates suggests that the frequency of major-merger events is comparable to or higher than that of (U)LIRGs.Comment: 18 pages, accepted by Ap

Galaxy Zoo: Quantifying Morphological Indicators of Galaxy Interaction

We use Galaxy Zoo 2 visual classifications to study the morphological signatures of interaction between similar-mass galaxy pairs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We find that many observable features correlate with projected pair separation; not only obvious indicators of merging, disturbance and tidal tails, but also more regular features, such as spiral arms and bars. These trends are robustly quantified, using a control sample to account for observational biases, producing measurements of the strength and separation scale of various morphological responses to pair interaction. For example, we find that the presence of spiral features is enhanced at scales < 70 h^-1 kpc, probably due to both increased star formation and the formation of tidal tails. On the other hand, the likelihood of identifying a bar decreases significantly in pairs with separations < 30 h^-1 kpc, suggesting that bars are suppressed by close interactions between galaxies of similar mass. We go on to show how morphological indicators of physical interactions provide a way of significantly refining standard estimates for the frequency of close pair interactions, based on velocity offset and projected separation. The presence of loosely wound spiral arms is found to be a particularly reliable signal of an interaction, for projected pair separations up to ~100 h^-1 kpc. We use this indicator to demonstrate our method, constraining the fraction of low-redshift galaxies in truly interacting pairs, with M_* > 10^9.5 M_Sun and mass ratio < 4, to be between 0.4 - 2.7 per cent.Comment: Accepted to MNRAS on November 12, 201