Scotin, a novel p53-inducible proapoptotic protein located in the ER and the nuclear membrane

p53 is a transcription factor that induces growth arrest or apoptosis in response to cellular stress. To identify new p53-inducible proapoptotic genes, we compared, by differential display, the expression of genes in spleen or thymus of normal and p53 nullizygote mice after γ-irradiation of whole animals. We report the identification and characterization of human and mouse Scotin homologues, a novel gene directly transactivated by p53. The Scotin protein is localized to the ER and the nuclear membrane. Scotin can induce apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. Inhibition of endogenous Scotin expression increases resistance to p53-dependent apoptosis induced by DNA damage, suggesting that Scotin plays a role in p53-dependent apoptosis. The discovery of Scotin brings to light a role of the ER in p53-dependent apoptosis

Competing order and nature of the pairing state in the iron pnictides

We show that the competition between magnetism and superconductivity can be used to determine the pairing state in the iron arsenides. To this end we demonstrate that the itinerant antiferromagnetic phase (AFM) and the unconventional $s^{+-}$ sign-changing superconducting state (SC) are near the borderline of microscopic coexistence and macroscopic phase separation, explaining the experimentally observed competition of both ordered states. In contrast, conventional $s^{++}$ pairing is not able to coexist with magnetism. Expanding the microscopic free energy of the system with competing orders around the multicritical point, we find that static magnetism plays the role of an intrinsic interband Josephson coupling, making the phase diagram sensitive to the symmetry of the Cooper pair wavefunction. We relate this result to the quasiparticle excitation spectrum and to the emergent SO$(5)$ symmetry of systems with particle-hole symmetry. Our results rely on the assumption that the same electrons that form the ordered moment contribute to the superconducting condensate and that the system is close to particle-hole symmetry. We also compare the suppression of SC in different regions of the FeAs phase diagram, showing that while in the underdoped side it is due to the competition with AFM, in the overdoped side it is related to the disappearance of pockets from the Fermi surface.Comment: 24 pages, 13 figures; revised versio

Phase diagrams in kappa-carrageenan/locust bean gum systems

Gelation (Tgel) and melting (Tm) temperatures of kappa-carrageenan gels and 4:1 kappa-carrageenan/locust bean gum mixed gels, at different total potassium concentrations (CT), were determined by means of rheological (dynamic and viscosimetric) measurements. The log CT was linearly related to Tgel−1 and Tm−1. Differences found between both systems are discussed

Road network design with space syntax in Vendas Novas

The city of Vendas Novas, Évora, Portugal, is crossed by a national road. Currently, 30.000 to 35.000 vehicles cross the city, of which more than 2.000 are heavy motor vehicles. Due to the negative effects of the high levels of traffic, the city council as long proposed an alternative route to Estrada Nacional 4. To better understand the effects of an alternative route to the city of Vendas Novas our study applies an axial map analysis to the city current road network system and the two proposals currently being studied by the local city council and national infrastructure management entity. Based on this analysis a new proposal was drawn by our team to optimize the diversion of traffic from the city centre. Through the application of an axial map analysis, in this study our team hoped to demonstrate and disseminate near the local city management entities the potential and validity of this tool to the current and future planning of cities and, in particular, road networks.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Síndrome de Stevens-Johnson. Apresentação de Caso Clínico

Introdução: A Síndrome de Stevens-Johnson (SSJ) é uma doença mucocutânea rara e potencialmente fatal, mais frequente no sexo masculino, cuja incidência aumenta com a idade e em determinados grupos de risco. A SSJ e a Necrólise Tóxica Epidérmica (NET) são duas entidades da mesma doença, com severidade diferente. A etiologia não é clara, mas pensa-se que se deva maioritariamente a reacções adversas a fármacos. Caso clínico: Um jovem de 17 anos de idade, sem antecedentes pessoais relevantes, foi observado no Serviço de Urgência por surgimento de lesões maculopapulares, com 3 dias de evolução, dispersas pela face, cavidade oral, tronco e extremidades, com prostração e taquicardia. Foi internado com o diagnóstico de SSJ. Discussão e Conclusões: O SSJ e a NET têm grande morbilidade e considerável mortalidade. O rápido reconhecimento desta identidade, com a remoção do fármaco desencadeador é essencial. A perda da função de barreira da pele, com a consequente alteração da homeostasia, implica muitas vezes a manutenção da terapêutica de suporte em Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos ou de Queimados.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio