Elymus nutans
is an important alpine perennial forage of the
Pooideae
subfamily, which can survive subzero temperatures. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cold tolerance in
E. nutans
..., we performed the transcriptional analysis by RNA-Seq in two genotypes, the tolerant Damxung (DX) and the sensitive Gannan (GN), under cold stress. The new
E. nutans
transcriptomes comprised 200 520/200 836 and 181 331/211 973 transcripts in leaves/crowns of DX and GN, respectively. More cold-stress-related genes were identified in leaves than in crowns of both genotypes throughout the whole cold stress. The most prominent functional category in leaves of both genotypes at 3 h of stress was transcriptional regulation. Brassinosteroid and jasmonic acid mediated signalling pathways played central roles in regulating downstream protective responses in DX after 24 h of cold stress. Prolonged cold stress caused more severe transcriptome responses in crowns and leaves of DX compared to GN. The most significant transcriptomic changes in both genotypes were associated with the response to abiotic stresses and the oxidation-reduction processes, implying reprogramming of the cellular metabolism as an adaptation to cold stress. This study reveals mechanisms of genotype- and organ-specific cold stress response in
E. nutans
and thus provides a basis for future breeding strategies aimed at improving the tolerance of cold-sensitive plants.
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FZAB, GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Observations of secondary radiation, stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE), produced during ionospheric modification experiments using ground-based, high-power, high-frequency (HF) radio waves ...are considered. The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility is capable of generating narrowband SEE in the form of stimulated Brillouin scatter (SBS) and stimulated ion Bernstein scatter (SIBS) in the SEE spectrum. Such narrowband SEE spectral lines have not been reported using the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) heater facility before. This work reports the first EISCAT results of narrowband SEE spectra and compares them to SEE previously observed at HAARP during electron gyro-harmonic heating. An analysis of experimental SEE data shows observations of emission lines within 100 Hz of the pump frequency, interpreted as SBS, during the 2012 July EISCAT campaign. Experimental results indicate that SBS strengthens as the pump frequency approaches the third electron gyro-harmonic. Also, for different heater antenna beam angles, the CUTLASS radar backscatter induced by HF radio pumping is suppressed near electron gyro-harmonics, whereas electron temperature enhancement weakens as measured by EISCAT/UHF radar. The main features of these new narrowband EISCAT observations are generally consistent with previous SBS measurements at HAARP.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Here we present a detailed study of the broadband noise in the power density spectra of the black hole X-ray binary MAXI J1820+070 during the hard state of its 2018 outburst, using Hard ...X-ray Modulation Telescope observations. The broadband noise shows two main humps, which might separately correspond to variability from a variable disk and two Comptonization regions. We fitted the two humps with multiple Lorentzian functions and studied the energy-dependent properties of each component up to 90–150 keV and their evolution with spectral changes. The lowest-frequency component is considered as the subharmonic of the quasiperiodic oscillation component and shows a different energy dependence compared with other broadband noise components. We found that although the fractional rms of all the broadband noise components mainly decreases with the energy, their rms spectra are different in shape. Above ∼20–30 keV, the characteristic frequencies of these components increase sharply with the energy, meaning that the high-energy component is more variable on short timescales. Our results suggest that the hot inner flow in MAXI J1820+070 is likely to be inhomogeneous. We propose a geometry with a truncated accretion disk and two Comptonization regions.
This work reports a holistic experimental investigation of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) features and electron temperature inversion near the third electron gyroharmonic 3fce using the ...European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) heating facility. The evolution of SBS features including spectral offset, width, and power varies asymmetrically near 3fce. The asymmetries among SBS, electron temperature, and high frequency‐enhanced ion lines are clearly exhibited for pumping above f0 ≥ 3fce. Electron temperature Te at the resonance regime has been retrieved from the measured SBS spectra based on the wave matching theory. The inversion results by SBS are consistent with measurement by the EISCAT UHF incoherent scatter radar (ISR) at the resonance altitude. The comparison of electron temperature Te and ion temperature Ti between SBS and ISR enlightens great potentials for developing realistic ionospheric diagnostic technique.
Key Points
Clearly, SBS dynamics and spectral features are characterized near third electron gyroharmonics at EISCAT
Qualitative comparison of electron temperature inversion based on SBS agrees with ISR measurement
The asymmetries of SBS and DM are closely correlated with enhanced ion lines and electron temperature near 3fce
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Ceres is the largest asteroid belt object, and the Dawn spacecraft observed Ceres since 2015. Dawn observed two morphologically distinct linear features on Ceres's surface: secondary crater chains ...and pit chains. Pit chains provide unique insights into Ceres's interior evolution. We interpret pit chains called the Samhain Catenae as the surface expression of subsurface fractures. Using the pit chains' spacings, we estimate that the localized thickness of Ceres's fractured, outer layer is approximately ≥58 km, at least ~14 km greater than the global average. We hypothesize that extensional stresses, induced by a region of upwelling material arising from convection/diapirism, formed the Samhain Catenae. We derive characteristics for this upwelling material, which can be used as constraints in future interior modeling studies. For example, its predicted location coincides with Hanami Planum, a high‐elevation region with a negative residual gravity anomaly, which may be surficial evidence for this proposed region of upwelling material.
Key Points
We identify all ≥1 km wide linear features outside impact craters: most are secondary crater chains and there is one set of pit chains
Pit chains are the surface expression of subsurface fractures, and they reveal that the localized outer layer is thicker than Ceres's average
We propose that a region of upwelling material, resulting from convection/diapirism, formed the pit chains, and we derive its characteristics
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Blood vessels in tumors express higher level of aminopeptidase N (APN) than normal tissues. Evidence suggests that the CNGRC motif is an APN ligand which targets tumor vasculature. Increased ...expression of APN in tumor vascular endothelium, therefore, offers an opportunity for targeted delivery of NGR peptide-linked drugs to tumors.
To determine whether an additional cyclic CNGRC sequence could improve endothelial cell homing and antitumor effect, human plasminogen kringle 5 (hPK5) was modified genetically to introduce a CNGRC motif (NGR-hPK5) and was subsequently expressed in yeast. The biological activity of NGR-hPK5 was assessed and compared with that of wild-type hPK5, in vitro and in vivo. NGR-hPK5 showed more potent antiangiogenic activity than wild-type hPK5: the former had a stronger inhibitory effect on proliferation, migration and cord formation of vascular endothelial cells, and produced a stronger antiangiogenic response in the CAM assay. To evaluate the tumor-targeting ability, both wild-type hPK5 and NGR-hPK5 were (99 m)Tc-labeled, for tracking biodistribution in the in vivo tumor model. By planar imaging and biodistribution analyses of major organs, NGR-hPK5 was found localized to tumor tissues at a higher level than wild-type hPK5 (approximately 3-fold). Finally, the effects of wild-type hPK5 and NGR-modified hPK5 on tumor growth were investigated in two tumor model systems. NGR modification improved tumor localization and, as a consequence, effectively inhibited the growth of mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Colo 205) cells in tumor-bearing mice.
These studies indicated that the addition of an APN targeting peptide NGR sequence could improve the ability of hPK5 to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
ABSTRACT
Fast transitions between different types of power density spectra (PDS) happening over time-scales of several tens of seconds are rare phenomena in black hole X-ray binaries. In this paper, ...we report a broad-band spectral-timing analysis of the fast transitions observed in the 2021 outburst of GX 339−4 using NICER and Insight-HXMT observations. We observe transitions between band-limited noise-dominated PDS and type-B quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), and their rapid appearance or disappearance. We also make a detailed comparison between the fast transitions in GX 339−4 with those seen in MAXI J1820+070 and MAXI J1348−630. By comparing the spectra of the periods with and without type-B QPOs, we find that the spectral ratios above 10 keV are nearly constant or slightly decreasing, and the values are different between sources. Below 10 keV, the flux change of the Comptonization component is inversely proportional to the flux change of the thermal component, suggesting that the appearance of type-B QPOs is associated with a redistribution of the accretion power between the disc and the Comptonizing emission region. The spectral ratios between the periods with type-B QPO and those with broad-band noise are significantly different from that with type-B QPO and without type-B QPO, where the ratios (type-B QPO/broad-band noise) show a maximum at around 4 keV and then decrease gradually towards high energies. Finally, we discuss the possible change of the geometry of the inner accretion flow and/or jet during the transitions.
Periodic paralyses and paramyotonia congenita are rare disorders causing disabling weakness and myotonia. Mutations in sodium, calcium, and potassium channels have been recognized as causing disease.
...To analyze the clinical phenotype of patients with and without discernible genotype and to identify other mutations in ion channel genes associated with disease.
The authors have reviewed clinical data in patients with a diagnosis of hypokalemic periodic paralysis (56 kindreds, 71 patients), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (47 kindreds, 99 patients), and paramyotonia congenita (24 kindreds, 56 patients). For those patients without one of the classically known mutations, the authors analyzed the entire coding region of the SCN4A, KCNE3, and KCNJ2 genes and portions of the coding region of the CACNA1S gene in order to identify new mutations.
Mutations were identified in approximately two thirds of kindreds with periodic paralysis or paramyotonia congenita. The authors found differences between the disorders and between those with and without identified mutations in terms of age at onset, frequency of attacks, duration of attacks, fixed proximal weakness, precipitants of attacks, myotonia, electrophysiologic studies, serum potassium levels, muscle biopsy, response to potassium administration, and response to treatment with acetazolamide.
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis, hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, and paramyotonia congenita may be distinguished based on clinical data. This series of 226 patients (127 kindreds) confirms some clinical features of this disorder with notable exceptions: In this series, patients without mutations had a less typical clinical presentation including an older age at onset, no changes in diet as a precipitant, and absence of vacuolar myopathy on muscle biopsy.
ABSTRACT
We report the evolution of the X-ray pulsations of EXO 2030+375 during its 2021 outburst using the observations from Insight-HXMT. Based on the accretion torque model, we study the ...correlation between the spin frequency derivatives and the luminosity. Pulsations can be detected in the energy band of 1–160 keV. The pulse profile evolves significantly with luminosity during the outburst, leading to that the whole outburst can be divided into several parts with different characteristics. The evolution of the pulse profile reveals the transition between the supercritical (fan-beam dominated) and the subcritical accretion (pencil-beam dominated) mode. From the accretion torque model and the critical luminosity model, based on a distance of 7.1 kpc, the inferred magnetic fields are (0.41 − 0.74) × 1012 and (3.48 − 3.96) × 1012 G, respectively, or based on a distance of 3.6 kpc, the estimated magnetic fields are (2.4 − 4.3) × 1013 and (0.98 − 1.11) × 1012 G, respectively. Two different sets of magnetic fields both support the presence of multipole magnetic fields of the neutron star.
miR-124 is a brain-enriched microRNA that plays a crucial role in neural development and has been shown to be down-regulated in glioma and medulloblastoma, suggesting its possible involvement in ...brain tumor progression. Here, we show that miR-124 is down-regulated in a panel of different grades of glioma tissues and in all of the human glioma cell lines we examined. By integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental confirmation, we identified SNAI2, which is often up-regulated in glioma, as a direct functional target of miR-124. Because SNAI2 has been shown to regulate stem cell functions, we examined the roles of miR-124 and SNAI2 in glioma cell stem-like traits. The results showed that overexpression of miR-124 and knockdown of SNAI2 reduced neurosphere formation, CD133+ cell subpopulation, and stem cell marker (BMI1, Nanog, and Nestin) expression, and these effects could be rescued by re-expression of SNAI2. Furthermore, enhanced miR-124 expression significantly inhibited glioma cell invasion in vitro. Finally, stable overexpression of miR-124 and knockdown of SNAI2 inhibited the tumorigenicity and invasion of glioma cells in vivo. These findings reveal, for the first time, that the tumor suppressor activity of miR-124 could be partly due to its inhibitory effects on glioma stem-like traits and invasiveness through SNAI2.
miR-124 is a brain-enriched microRNA that has been shown to be down-regulated in glioma.
miR-124 inhibits glioma cell invasion and tumorigenicity and reduces neurosphere formation, CD133+ cell subpopulation, and stem cell marker expression in part by targeting SNAI2.
Loss of miR-124 enhances the stem-like traits and invasiveness of glioma cells via SNAI2 signaling.
Therapeutic strategies against glioma can be developed by restoring the level of miR-124.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP