We perform the first global QCD analysis of parton distribution functions (PDFs) in the pion, combining πA Drell-Yan data with leading neutron electroproduction from HERA within a Monte Carlo ...approach based on nested sampling. Inclusion of the HERA data allows the pion PDFs to be determined down to much lower values of x, with relatively weak model dependence from uncertainties in the chiral splitting function. The combined analysis reveals that gluons carry a significantly higher pion momentum fraction, ∼30%, than that inferred from Drell-Yan data alone, with sea quarks carrying a somewhat smaller fraction, ∼15%, at the input scale. Within the same effective theory framework, the chiral splitting function and pion PDFs can be used to describe the dover ¯-uover ¯ asymmetry in the proton.
Pathways of arsenic uptake and efflux Garbinski, Luis D.; Rosen, Barry P.; Chen, Jian
Environment international,
05/2019, Letnik:
126
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Arsenic is a non-essential, environmentally ubiquitous toxic metalloid. In response to this pervasive environmental challenge, organisms evolved mechanisms to confer resistance to arsenicals. ...Inorganic pentavalent arsenate is taken into most cells adventitiously by phosphate uptake systems. Similarly, inorganic trivalent arsenite is taken into most cells adventitiously, primarily via aquaglyceroporins or sugar permeases. The most common strategy for tolerance to both inorganic and organic arsenicals is by efflux that extrude them from the cytosol. These efflux transporters span across kingdoms and belong to various families such as aquaglyceroporins, major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and potentially novel, yet to be discovered families. This review will outline the properties and substrates of known arsenic transport systems, the current knowledge gaps in the field, and aims to provide insight into the importance of arsenic transport in the context of the global arsenic biogeocycle and human health.
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•Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that enters cells adventitiously through uptake systems for nutrients such phopshate permeases (arsenate), and or aquaglyceroporins or glucose permeases (arsenite).•Cells detoxify arsenic primarily by extrusion from cells.•Efflux permeases for arsenite include ArsB and Acr3.•Efflux permeases for methylarsenite include ArsP and ArsK.•Novel efflux proteins ArsJ and AqpS confer resistance to arsenate even though it is not the substrate of those transporters.
Hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites have emerged as promising gain media for tunable, solution-processed semiconductor lasers. However, continuous-wave operation has not been achieved so far1–3. ...Here, we demonstrate that optically pumped continuous-wave lasing can be sustained above threshold excitation intensities of ~17 kW cm–2 for over an hour in methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) distributed feedback lasers that are maintained below the MAPbI3 tetragonal-to-orthorhombic phase transition temperature of T ≈ 160 K. In contrast with the lasing death phenomenon that occurs for pure tetragonal-phase MAPbI3 at T > 160 K (ref. 4), we find that continuous-wave gain becomes possible at T ≈ 100 K from tetragonal-phase inclusions that are photogenerated by the pump within the normally existing, larger-bandgap orthorhombic host matrix. In this mixed-phase system, the tetragonal inclusions function as carrier recombination sinks that reduce the transparency threshold, in loose analogy to inorganic semiconductor quantum wells, and may serve as a model for engineering improved perovskite gain media.
Hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite semiconductors have shown potential to develop into a new generation of light‐emitting diode (LED) technology. Herein, an important design principle for perovskite ...LEDs is elucidated regarding optimal perovskite thickness. Adopting a thin perovskite layer in the range of 35–40 nm is shown to be critical for both device efficiency and stability improvements. Maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 17.6% for Cs0.2FA0.8PbI2.8Br0.2, 14.3% for CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3), 10.1% for formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3), and 11.3% for formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr3)‐based LEDs are demonstrated with optimized perovskite layer thickness. Optical simulations show that the improved EQEs source from improved light outcoupling. Furthermore, elevated device temperature caused by Joule heating is shown as an important factor contributing to device degradation, and that thin perovskite emitting layers maintain lower junction temperature during operation and thus demonstrate increased stability.
An important design principle for perovskite light‐emitting diodes is discovered regarding optimal perovskite thickness. Adopting a thinner perovskite layer is beneficial for both device efficiency and stability, with external quantum efficiency (EQE) as high as 17.6% being achieved. The improved EQE is primarily due to better light outcoupling, and the improved stability is correlated with reduced Joule heating.
We perform the first global QCD analysis of pion valence, sea quark, and gluon distributions within a Bayesian Monte Carlo framework with threshold resummation on Drell-Yan cross sections at ...next-to-leading log accuracy. Exploring various treatments of resummation, we find that the large-x asymptotics of the valence quark distribution ∼(1-x)^{β_{v}} can differ significantly, with β_{v} ranging from ≈1 to >2.5 at the input scale. Regardless of the specific implementation, however, the resummation induced redistribution of the momentum between valence quarks and gluons boosts the total momentum carried by gluons to ≈40%, increasing the gluon contribution to the pion mass to ≈40 MeV.
Summary
Environmental organoarsenicals are produced by microorganisms and are introduced anthropogenically as herbicides and antimicrobial growth promoters for poultry and swine. Nearly every ...prokaryote has an ars (arsenic resistance) operon, and some have an arsH gene encoding an atypical flavodoxin. The role of ArsH in arsenic resistance has been unclear. Here we demonstrate that ArsH is an organoarsenical oxidase that detoxifies trivalent methylated and aromatic arsenicals by oxidation to pentavalent species. Escherichia coli, which does not have an arsH gene, is very sensitive to the trivalent forms of the herbicide monosodium methylarsenate MSMA or MAs(V) and antimicrobial growth promoter roxarsone Rox(V), as well as to phenylarsenite PhAs(III), also called phenylarsine oxide or PAO. Pseudomonas putida has two chromosomally encoded arsH genes and is highly resistant to the trivalent forms of these organoarsenicals. A derivative of P. putida with both arsH genes deleted is sensitive to MAs(III), PhAs(III) or Rox(III). P. putida arsH expressed in E. coli conferred resistance to each trivalent organoarsenical. Cells expressing PpArsH oxidized the trivalent organoarsenicals. PpArsH was purified, and the enzyme in vitro similarly oxidized the trivalent organoarsenicals. These results suggest that ArsH catalyzes a novel biotransformation that confers resistance to environmental methylated and aromatic arsenicals.
ArsH is an NADPH:FMN oxidoreductase that detoxifies the trivalent forms of the herbicide sodium methylarsenate (MSMA) and the poultry antimicrobial growth promoter roxarsone by oxidation to pentavalent species. ArsH is a tetrameric dimer of dimers with two FMN molecules bound in each dimer (graphic).
Arsenic is the most widespread environmental toxin. Substantial amounts of pentavalent organoarsenicals have been used as herbicides, such as monosodium methylarsonic acid (MSMA), and as growth ...enhancers for animal husbandry, such as roxarsone (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylarsonic acid) Rox(V). These undergo environmental degradation to more toxic inorganic arsenite As(III). We previously demonstrated a two-step pathway of degradation of MSMA to As(III) by microbial communities involving sequential reduction to methylarsonous acid MAs(III) by one bacterial species and demethylation from MAs(III) to As(III) by another. In this study, the gene responsible for MAs(III) demethylation was identified from an environmental MAs(III)-demethylating isolate, Bacillus sp. MD1. This gene, termed arsenic inducible gene (arsl), is in an arsenic resistance (ars) operon and encodes a nonheme iron-dependent dioxygenase with C·As lyase activity. Heterologous expression of Arsl conferred MAs(III)-demethylating activity and MAs(III) resistance to an arsenic-hypersensitive strain of Escherichia coli, demonstrating that MAs(III) demethylation is a detoxification process. Purified Arsl catalyzes Fe2+-dependent MAs(III) demethylation. In addition, Arsl cleaves the C·As bond in trivalent roxarsone and other aromatic arsenicals. Arsl homologs are widely distributed in prokaryotes, and we propose that Arsl-catalyzed organoarsenical degradation has a significant impact on the arsenic biogeocycle. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a molecular mechanism for organoarsenic degradation by a C·As lyase.
Metallodrugs offer potential for unique mechanisms of drug action based on the choice of the metal, its oxidation state, the types and number of coordinated ligands and the coordination geometry. We ...discuss recent progress in identifying new target sites and elucidating the mechanisms of action of anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neurodegenerative agents, as well as in the design of metal-based diagnostic agents. Progress in identifying and defining target sites has been accelerated recently by advances in proteomics, genomics and metal speciation analysis. Examples of metal compounds and chelating agents (enzyme inhibitors) currently in clinical use, clinical trials or preclinical development are highlighted.
Summary
Arsenic is the most ubiquitous environmental toxin. Here, we demonstrate that bacteria have evolved the ability to use arsenic to gain a competitive advantage over other bacteria at least ...twice. Microbes generate toxic methylarsenite (MAs(III)) by methylation of arsenite (As(III)) or reduction of methylarsenate (MAs(V)). MAs(III) is oxidized aerobically to MAs(V), making methylation a detoxification process. MAs(V) is continually re‐reduced to MAs(III) by other community members, giving them a competitive advantage over sensitive bacteria. Because generation of a sustained pool of MAs(III) requires microbial communities, these complex interactions are an emergent property. We show that reduction of MAs(V) by Burkholderia sp. MR1 produces toxic MAs(III) that inhibits growth of Escherichia coli in mixed culture. There are three microbial mechanisms for resistance to MAs(III). ArsH oxidizes MAs(III) to MAs(V). ArsI degrades MAs(III) to As(III). ArsP confers resistance by efflux. Cells of E. coli expressing arsI, arsH or arsP grow in mixed culture with Burkholderia sp. MR1 in the presence of MAs(V). Thus MAs(III) has antibiotic properties: a toxic organic compound produced by one microbe to kill off competitors. Our results demonstrate that life has adapted to use environmental arsenic as a weapon in the continuing battle for dominance.
Bacteria have evolved the ability to use toxic arsenic to gain a competitive advantage over other bacteria at least twice. Microbes generate toxic methylarsenite (MAs(III)) as an antibiotic, an emergent property of this complex microbial communities. We show that bacteria reduce MAs(V) to the MAs(III) antibiotic, inhibiting growth of other bacteria. There are three microbial mechanisms for resistance to MAs(III), ArsH, ArsI and ArsP. Thus, MAs(III) has antibiotic properties: a toxic organic compound produced by one microbe to kill off competitors. Our results demonstrate that life has adapted to use environmental arsenic as a weapon in the continuing battle for dominance.
Aquaporins (AQPs), members of a superfamily of transmembrane channel proteins, are ubiquitous in all domains of life. They fall into a number of branches that can be functionally categorized into two ...major sub-groups: i) orthodox aquaporins, which are water-specific channels, and ii) aquaglyceroporins, which allow the transport of water, non-polar solutes, such as urea or glycerol, the reactive oxygen species hydrogen peroxide, and gases such as ammonia, carbon dioxide and nitric oxide and, as described in this review, metalloids.
This review summarizes the key findings that AQP channels conduct bidirectional movement of metalloids into and out of cells.
As(OH)3 and Sb(OH)3 behave as inorganic molecular mimics of glycerol, a property that allows their passage through AQP channels. Plant AQPs also allow the passage of boron and silicon as their hydroxyacids, boric acid (B(OH)3) and orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)4), respectively. Genetic analysis suggests that germanic acid (GeO2) is also a substrate. While As(III), Sb(III) and Ge(IV) are toxic metalloids, borate (B(III)) and silicate (Si(IV)) are essential elements in higher plants.
The uptake of environmental metalloids by aquaporins provides an understanding of (i) how toxic elements such as arsenic enter the food chain; (ii) the delivery of arsenic and antimony containing drugs in the treatment of certain forms of leukemia and chemotherapy of diseases caused by pathogenic protozoa; and (iii) the possibility that food plants such as rice could be made safer by genetically modifying them to exclude arsenic while still accumulating boron and silicon. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Aquaporins.
•Aquaporins (AQPs) are metalloid channels ubiquitous in all domains of life.•AQPs conduct boron, germanium, silicon, arsenic, and antimony bidirectionally.•As(III), Sb(III) and Ge(IV) are toxic metalloids, and uptake is adventitious.•B(III) and Si(IV) are nontoxic plant growth enhancers under conditions of stress.•Arsenic/antimony compounds are drugs for antimicrobial and anticancer chemotherapy.