12 research outputs found

    UV Radiation and Visible Light Induce hsp70 Gene Expression in the Antarctic Psychrophilic Ciliate Euplotes focardii

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    The psychrophilic ciliate Euplotes focardii inhabits the shallow marine coastal sediments of Antarctica, where, over millions of years of evolution, it has reached a strict molecular adaptation to such a constant-temperature environment (about −2 °C). This long evolution at sub-zero temperatures has made E. focardii unable to respond to heat stress with the activation of its heat shock protein (hsp) 70 genes. These genes can, however, be expressed in response to other stresses, like the oxidative one, thus indicating that the molecular adaptation has exclusively altered the heat stress signaling pathways, while it has preserved hsp70 gene activation in response to other environmental stressors. Since radiative stress has proved to be affine to oxidative stress in several organisms, we investigated the capability of UV radiation to induce hsp70 transcription. E. focardii cell cultures were exposed to several different irradiation regimes, ranging from visible only to a mixture of visible, UV-A and UV-B. The irradiation values of each spectral band have been set to be comparable with those recorded in a typical Antarctic spring. Using Northern blot analysis, we measured the expression level of hsp70 immediately after irradiation (0-h-labeled samples), 1 h, and 2 h from the end of the irradiation. Surprisingly, our results showed that besides UV radiation, the visible light was also able to induce hsp70 expression in E. focardii. Moreover, spectrophotometric measurements have revealed no detectable endogenous pigments in E. focardii, making it difficult to propose a possible explanation for the visible light induction of its hsp70 genes. Further research is needed to conclusively clarify this point. Antonietta La Terza and Roberto Marangoni are joint last authors

    Overview and specifications of laser and target areas at the Intense Laser Irradiation Laboratory

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    Abstract We present the main features of the ultrashort, high-intensity laser installation at the Intense Laser Irradiation Laboratory (ILIL) including laser, beam transport and target area specifications. The laboratory was designed to host laser–target interaction experiments of more than 220 TW peak power, in flexible focusing configurations, with ultrarelativistic intensity on the target. Specifications have been established via dedicated optical diagnostic assemblies and commissioning interaction experiments. In this paper we give a summary of laser specifications available to users, including spatial, spectral and temporal contrast features. The layout of the experimental target areas is presented, with attention to the available configurations of laser focusing geometries and diagnostics. Finally, we discuss radiation protection measures and mechanical stability of the laser focal spot on the target

    A new line for laser-driven light ions acceleration and related TNSA studies

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    In this paper, we present the status of the line for laser-driven light ions acceleration (L3IA) currently under implementation at the Intense Laser Irradiation Laboratory (ILIL), and we provide an overview of the pilot experimental activity on laser-driven ion acceleration carried out in support of the design of the line. A description of the main components is given, including the laser, the beam transport line, the interaction chamber, and the diagnostics. A review of the main results obtained so far during the pilot experimental activity is also reported, including details of the laser-plasma interaction and ion beam characterization. A brief description of the preliminary results of a dedicated numerical modeling is also provided

    Optimizing soluble protein extraction and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis quality for extremophile ciliates

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    An efficient protein extraction methodology is quite important for sample preparation and subsequent 2D-PAGE and mass spectrometry analysis. Cell lysis is the first step in protein extraction and purification. Many techniques are available for cell disruption, including physical and detergent-based methods. Here we report on a very fast and efficient detergent-free TRIS-based method to extract the soluble fraction proteins of extremophile ciliates, comparing it with a detergent-based protocol. This comparison has been carried out by means of 2D-PAGE and subsequent MALDI-compatible silver staining of protein samples obtained from the intensely pigmented hypersaline ciliate Fabrea salina and the Antarctic hypotrich ciliate Euplotes focardii. Our results indicate that this fast and easy extraction method allows to obtain more clear crude extracts and more spot-abundant polyacrylamide gels

    beta-Amyloid Amorphous Aggregates Induced by the Small Natural Molecule Ferulic Acid

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    There is an emerging interest in small natural molecules for their potential therapeutic use in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ferulic acid (FA), an antioxidant phenolic compound present in fruit and vegetables, has been proposed as an inhibitor of beta amyloid (A beta) pathological aggregation. Using fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electrophoresis techniques, chromatographic analysis, and confocal microscopy, we investigated the effects of FA in the early stages of A beta fibrillogenesis in vitro. Our results show that FA interacts promptly with A beta monomers/oligomers, interfering since the beginning with its self-assembly and finally forming amorphous aggregates more prone to destabilization. These findings highlight the molecular basis underlying FA antiamyloidogenic activity in AD

    Focusing and stabilizing laser?plasma-generated electron beams with magnetic devices

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    External magnetic devices have been successfully tested to control the divergence and pointing stability of subrelativistic electron beams accelerated by ultrashort laser pulses in a nitrogen plasma (electron density of >1019cm%3). Different configurations of the magnetic devices have been studied, and their effects are discussed in detail. The analysis is also supported by the results of ray-tracing simulations using the first-order trajectory equation in the magnetic field configurations. This simple method of improving beam stability will be particularly useful for applying laser generated ultrashort electron beams to high-dose radiobiological studies. © 2014 The Japan Society of Applied Physic

    A Few MeV Laser-Plasma Accelerated Proton Beam in Air Collimated Using Compact Permanent Quadrupole Magnets

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    Proton laser-plasma-based acceleration has nowadays achieved a substantial maturity allowing to seek for possible practical applications, as for example Particle Induced X-ray Emission with few MeV protons. Here we report about the design, implementation, and characterization of a few MeV laser-plasma-accelerated proton beamline in air using a compact and cost-effective beam transport line based on permanent quadrupole magnets. The magnetic beamline coupled with a laser-plasma source based on a 14-TW laser results in a well-collimated proton beam of about 10 mm in diameter propagating in air over a few cm distance

    Enhanced laser-driven proton acceleration via improved fast electron heating in a controlled pre-plasma

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    The interaction of ultraintense laser pulses with solids is largely affected by the plasma gradient at the vacuum–solid interface, which modifies the absorption and ultimately, controls the energy distribution function of heated electrons. A micrometer scale-length plasma has been predicted to yield a significant enhancement of the energy and weight of the fast electron population and to play a major role in laser-driven proton acceleration with thin foils. We report on recent experimental results on proton acceleration from laser interaction with foil targets at ultra-relativistic intensities. We show a threefold increase of the proton cut-off energy when a micrometer scale-length pre-plasma is introduced by irradiation with a low energy femtosecond pre-pulse. Our realistic numerical simulations agree with the observed gain of the proton cut-off energy and confirm the role of stochastic heating of fast electrons in the enhancement of the accelerating sheath field
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