The Pearson-Readhead Survey of Compact Extragalactic Radio Sources From Space. II. Analysis of Source Properties

We have performed a multi-dimensional correlation analysis on the observed properties of a statistically complete core-selected sample of compact radio-loud active galactic nuclei, based on data from the VLBI Space Observing Programme (Paper I) and previously published studies. Our sample is drawn from the well-studied Pearson-Readhead (PR) survey, and is ideally suited for investigating the general effects of relativistic beaming in compact radio sources. In addition to confirming many previously known correlations, we have discovered several new trends that lend additional support to the beaming model. These trends suggest that the most highly beamed sources in core-selected samples tend to have a) high optical polarizations; b) large pc/kpc-scale jet misalignments; c) prominent VLBI core components; d) one-sided, core, or halo radio morphology on kiloparsec scales; e) narrow emission line equivalent widths; and f) a strong tendency for intraday variability at radio wavelengths. We have used higher resolution space and ground-based VLBI maps to confirm the bi-modality of the jet misalignment distribution for the PR survey, and find that the sources with aligned parsec- and kiloparsec-scale jets generally have arcsecond-scale radio emission on both sides of the core. The aligned sources also have broader emission line widths. We find evidence that the BL Lacertae objects in the PR survey are all highly beamed, and have very similar properties to the high-optically polarized quasars, with the exception of smaller redshifts. A cluster analysis on our data shows that after partialing out the effects of redshift, the luminosities of our sample objects in various wave bands are generally well-correlated with each other, but not with other source properties.Comment: 21 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. Part I can be found at astro-ph/010227

The magnetic Bp star 36 Lyncis, I. Magnetic and photospheric properties

This paper reports the photospheric, magnetic and circumstellar gas characteristics of the magnetic B8p star 36 Lyncis (HD 79158). Using archival data and new polarised and unpolarised high-resolution spectra, we redetermine the basic physical properties, the rotational period and the geometry of the magnetic field, and the photospheric abundances of various elements.}{Based on magnetic and spectroscopic measurements, we infer an improved rotational period of $3.83475\pm 0.00002$ d. We determine a current epoch of the longitudinal magnetic field positive extremum (HJD 2452246.033), and provide constraints on the geometry of the dipole magnetic field (i\geq 56\degr, $3210 {\rm G}\leq B_{\rm d}\leq 3930$ G, $\beta$ unconstrained). We redetermine the effective temperature and surface gravity using the optical and UV energy distributions, optical photometry and Balmer line profiles ($T_{\rm eff}=13300\pm 300$ K, $\log g=3.7-4.2$), and based on the Hipparcos parallax we redetermine the luminosity, mass, radius and true rotational speed ($L=2.54\pm 0.16 L_\odot, M=4.0\pm 0.2 M_\odot, R=3.4\pm 0.7 R_\odot, v_{\rm eq}=45-61.5$ \kms). We measure photospheric abundances for 21 elements using optical and UV spectra, and constrain the presence of vertical stratification of these elements. We perform preliminary Doppler Imaging of the surface distribution of Fe, finding that Fe is distributed in a patchy belt near the rotational equator. Most remarkably, we confirm strong variations of the H$\alpha$ line core which we interpret as due to occultations of the star by magnetically-confined circumstellar gas.Comment: Accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysic

Adenovirus-mediated Expression of Aquaporin-5 in Epithelial Cells

A recombinant adenovirus coding for rat aquaporin-5 was constructed and plaque purified. The recombinant adenovirus (AdrAQP5) mediated the expression of aquaporin-5 in rat and human salivary cell lines and in dog kidney cells in vitro as demonstrated by Northern blot and Western blot analyses, and by confocal microscopy after immunofluorescent labeling. In kidney cells, expression of the transgene was optimal if cells were infected at their basolateral surface, a phenomenon associated with the distribution of integrin receptors on these cells. The expressed aquaporin-5 protein was functionally active because viral-mediated gene transfer resulted in a significant increase in the osmotically directed net fluid secretion rate across monolayers of kidney cells. AdrAQP5 should provide an efficient and useful means to impart facilitated water permeability to cells lacking such a pathway

Chemical abundances and kinematics of a sample of metal-rich barium stars

We determined the atmospheric parameters and abundance pattern for a sample of metal-rich barium stars. We used high-resolution optical spectroscopy. Atmospheric parameters and abundances were determined using the local thermodynamic equilibrium atmosphere models of Kurucz and the spectral analysis code MOOG. We show that the stars have enhancement factors, [s/Fe], from 0.25 to 1.16. Their abundance pattern of the Na, Al, alpha-elements, and iron group elements as well as their kinematical properties are similar to the characteristics of the other metal-rich and super metal-rich stars already analyzed. We conclude that metal-rich barium stars do not belong to the bulge population. We also show that metal-rich barium stars are useful targets for probing the s-process enrichment in high-metallicity environments.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Geometric morphometrics reveals shifts in flower shape symmetry and size following gene knockdown of CYCLOIDEA and ANTHOCYANIDIN SYNTHASE

Peer reviewe

Circulating microRNAs in sera correlate with soluble biomarkers of immune activation but do not predict mortality in ART treated individuals with HIV-1 infection: A case control study

Introduction: The use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced HIV-1 associated morbidity and mortality. However, HIV-1 infected individuals have increased rates of morbidity and mortality compared to the non-HIV-1 infected population and this appears to be related to end-organ diseases collectively referred to as Serious Non-AIDS Events (SNAEs). Circulating miRNAs are reported as promising biomarkers for a number of human disease conditions including those that constitute SNAEs. Our study sought to investigate the potential of selected miRNAs in predicting mortality in HIV-1 infected ART treated individuals. Materials and Methods: A set of miRNAs was chosen based on published associations with human disease conditions that constitute SNAEs. This case: control study compared 126 cases (individuals who died whilst on therapy), and 247 matched controls (individuals who remained alive). Cases and controls were ART treated participants of two pivotal HIV-1 trials. The relative abundance of each miRNA in serum was measured, by RTqPCR. Associations with mortality (all-cause, cardiovascular and malignancy) were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Correlations between miRNAs and CD4+ T cell count, hs-CRP, IL-6 and D-dimer were also assessed. Results: None of the selected miRNAs was associated with all-cause, cardiovascular or malignancy mortality. The levels of three miRNAs (miRs -21, -122 and -200a) correlated with IL-6 while miR-21 also correlated with D-dimer. Additionally, the abundance of miRs -31, -150 and -223, correlated with baseline CD4+ T cell count while the same three miRNAs plus miR- 145 correlated with nadir CD4+ T cell count. Discussion: No associations with mortality were found with any circulating miRNA studied. These results cast doubt onto the effectiveness of circulating miRNA as early predictors of mortality or the major underlying diseases that contribute to mortality in participants treated for HIV-1 infection

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2–4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease