Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. To reach the surface of intestinal epithelial cells, proliferate, and cause disease, V. cholerae tightly ...regulates the production of virulence factors such as cholera toxin (
) and the toxin-coregulated pilus (
). ToxT is directly responsible for regulating these major virulence factors while TcpP and ToxR indirectly regulate virulence factor production by stimulating
expression. TcpP and ToxR are membrane-localized transcription activators (MLTAs) required to activate
expression. To gain a deeper understanding of how MLTAs identify promoter DNA while in the membrane, we tracked the dynamics of single TcpP-PAmCherry molecules in live cells using photoactivated localization microscopy and identified heterogeneous diffusion patterns. Our results provide evidence that (i) TcpP exists in three biophysical states (fast diffusion, intermediate diffusion, and slow diffusion), (ii) TcpP transitions between these different diffusion states, (iii) TcpP molecules in the slow diffusion state are interacting with the
promoter, and (iv) ToxR is not essential for TcpP to localize the
promoter. These data refine the current model of cooperativity between TcpP and ToxR in stimulating
expression and demonstrate that TcpP locates the
promoter independently of ToxR.
Vibrio cholerae continues to be a public health threat throughout much of the world. Its ability to cause disease is governed by an unusual complex of regulatory proteins in the membrane of the cell, including ToxR and TcpP. These proteins collaborate to activate expression of the
gene, whose product activates genes for cholera toxin and other virulence factors. To study these membrane regulators, ToxR and TcpP, we applied superresolution imaging, which enables us to look at individual proteins in living cells. With this approach, we have uncovered dynamic intermolecular relationships between ToxR, TcpP, and
promoter DNA that dictate how
expression occurs. Because membrane regulators like ToxR and TcpP are broadly distributed in nature but poorly understood, this work describes mechanisms and approaches that will be of significant interest to a wide range of microbial scientists.
We present 645 optical spectra of 73 supernovae (SNe) of Types IIb, Ib, Ic, and broad-lined Ic. All of these types are attributed to the core collapse of massive stars, with varying degrees of intact ...H and He envelopes before explosion. The SNe in our sample have a mean redshift left angle bracketczright angle bracket = 4200 km s super(-1). Most of these spectra were gathered at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) between 2004 and 2009. For 53 SNe, these are the first published spectra. The data coverage ranges from mere identification (1-3 spectra) for a few SNe to extensive series of observations (10-30 spectra) that trace the spectral evolution for others, with an average of 9 spectra per SN. For 44 SNe of the 73 SNe presented here, we have well-determined dates of maximum light to determine the phase of each spectrum. Our sample constitutes the most extensive spectral library of stripped-envelope SNe to date. We provide very early coverage (as early as 30 days before V-band max) for photospheric spectra, as well as late-time nebular coverage when the innermost regions of the SN are visible (as late as 2 yr after explosion, while for SN 1993J, we have data as late as 11.6 yr). This data set has homogeneous observations and reductions that allow us to study the spectroscopic diversity of these classes of stripped SNe and to compare these to SNe-gamma-ray bursts. We undertake these matters in follow-up papers.
On 2019 April 25.346 and 26.640 UT the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and Virgo gravitational-wave (GW) observatory announced the detection of the first candidate events ...in Observing Run 3 that contained at least one neutron star (NS). S190425z is a likely binary neutron star (BNS) merger at dL = 156 41 Mpc, while S190426c is possibly the first NS-black hole (BH) merger ever detected, at dL = 377 100 Mpc, although with marginal statistical significance. Here we report our optical follow-up observations for both events using the MMT 6.5 m telescope, as well as our spectroscopic follow-up of candidate counterparts (which turned out to be unrelated) with the 4.1 m SOAR telescope. We compare to publicly reported searches, explore the overall areal coverage and depth, and evaluate those in relation to the optical/near-infrared (NIR) kilonova emission from the BNS merger GW170817, to theoretical kilonova models, and to short gamma-ray burst (SGRB) afterglows. We find that for a GW170817-like kilonova, the partial volume covered spans up to about 40% for S190425z and 60% for S190426c. For an on-axis jet typical of SGRBs, the search effective volume is larger, but such a configuration is expected in at most a few percent of mergers. We further find that wide-field γ-ray and X-ray limits rule out luminous on-axis SGRBs, for a large fraction of the localization regions, although these searches are not sufficiently deep in the context of the γ-ray emission from GW170817 or off-axis SGRB afterglows. The results indicate that some optical follow-up searches are sufficiently deep for counterpart identification to about 300 Mpc, but that localizations better than 1000 deg2 are likely essential.
Consumers consider beef color to be an indicator of freshness and therefore it is a major factor when purchasing beef. The ideal conditions for maintaining color throughout retail display following ...frozen storage have yet to be well established. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of myoglobin oxygenation levels (especially high oxygenation) during freezing on color stability of thawed steaks during retail display (RD) and to determine the impact that frozen storage duration, aging, and packaging films have on meat color after thawing under RD conditions. USDA Choice strip loins (n = 36) were aged for 4 or 20 d. Steaks were randomly assigned to a myoglobin oxygenation level deoxymyoglobin (DeOxy; packaged within 3 min), oxygenation (Oxy; oxygenated in air for 30 min), or high oxygenation (HiOxy; packaged for 24 h in 80% O2). Steaks were then vacuum packaged in oxygen permeable or impermeable film and immediately frozen (−10 °C). Following either 0, 2, 4, or 6 months of frozen storage at -5 °C, steaks were removed from the packaging and immediately placed under simulated RD conditions for 7 d. During RD, instrumental color and subjective color were measured every day after the initial 24 h thaw period. Steaks were analyzed for instrumental color (L*, a*, b*), a*:b* ratio, percentage oxymyoglobin, metmyoglobin, and deoxymyoglobin, delta E, redness ratio, subjective discoloration, and lipid oxidation. For all days of RD, steaks that were frozen for 0 months had higher a* values (greater redness) than steaks frozen for 6 months which typically had the lowest a* values (P < .0001). HiOxy steaks frozen for 6 months had the lowest amounts of percentage oxymyoglobin than all other frozen storage periods and myoglobin oxygenation levels on days 4–7 of RD (P < .05). The HiOxy steaks frozen for 4 and 6 months had higher percentage metmyoglobin than DeOxy and Oxy, regardless of packaging (P < .05). Delta E, discoloration, and lipid oxidation were greatest for HiOxy steaks compared to Oxy and DeOxy (P < .05). Extended storage brought about detrimental color effects for all differing levels of myoglobin oxygenation. The HiOxy steaks through the first few days of RD and frozen for under 6 months provided had bright cherry red color, similar to that of DeOxy and Oxy. However, with extended frozen storage and RD, HiOxy steaks had worse color characteristics (more discoloration) than the other myoglobin oxygenation levels.
SN 2012dn is a super-Chandrasekhar mass candidate in a purportedly normal spiral (SAcd) galaxy, and poses a challenge for theories of type Ia supernova diversity. Here we utilize the fast and highly ...parametrized spectrum synthesis tool, SYNAPPS, to estimate relative expansion velocities of species inferred from optical spectra obtained with six facilities. As with previous studies of normal SN Ia, we find that both unburned carbon and intermediate-mass elements are spatially coincident within the ejecta near and below 14 000 km s−1. Although the upper limit on SN 2012dn's peak luminosity is comparable to some of the most luminous normal SN Ia, we find a progenitor mass exceeding ∼1.6 M⊙ is not strongly favoured by leading merger models since these models do not accurately predict spectroscopic observations of SN 2012dn and more normal events. In addition, a comparison of light curves and host-galaxy masses for a sample of literature and Palomar Transient Factory SN Ia reveals a diverse distribution of SN Ia subtypes where carbon-rich material remains unburned in some instances. Such events include SN 1991T, 1997br, and 1999aa where trace signatures of C iii at optical wavelengths are presumably detected.
SN 2002cx: The Most Peculiar Known Type Ia Supernova Li, Weidong; Filippenko, Alexei V.; Chornock, Ryan ...
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific,
04/2003, Volume:
115, Issue:
806
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of supernova (SN) 2002cx, which reveal it to be unique among all observed Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). SN 2002cx exhibits an SN 1991T–like ...premaximum spectrum, an SN 1991bg–like luminosity, and expansion velocities roughly half those of normal SNe Ia. Photometrically, SN 2002cx has a broad peak in theRband and a plateau phase in theIband, and slow late‐time decline. TheB−Vcolor evolution is nearly normal, but theV−RandV−Icolors are very red. Early‐time spectra of SN 2002cx evolve very quickly and are dominated by lines from Fe‐group elements; features from intermediate‐mass elements (Ca, S, Si) are weak or absent. Mysterious emission lines are observed around 7000 Å at about 3 weeks after maximum brightness. The nebular spectrum of SN 2002cx is also unique, consisting of narrow iron and cobalt lines. The observations of SN 2002cx are inconsistent with the observed spectral/photometric sequence and provide a major challenge to our understanding of SNe Ia. No existing theoretical model can successfully explain all observed aspects of SN 2002cx.
Abstract
We report the discovery of HAT-P-67b, which is a hot-Saturn transiting a rapidly rotating F-subgiant. HAT-P-67b has a radius of
, and orbites a
,
host star in a ∼4.81 day period orbit. We ...place an upper limit on the mass of the planet via radial velocity measurements to be
, and a lower limit of
by limitations on Roche lobe overflow. Despite being a subgiant, the host star still exhibits relatively rapid rotation, with a projected rotational velocity of
, which makes it difficult to precisely determine the mass of the planet using radial velocities. We validated HAT-P-67b via two Doppler tomographic detections of the planetary transit, which eliminate potential eclipsing binary blend scenarios. The Doppler tomographic observations also confirm that HAT-P-67b has an orbit that is aligned to within 12°, in projection, with the spin of its host star. HAT-P-67b receives strong UV irradiation and is among one of the lowest density planets known, which makes it a good candidate for future UV transit observations in the search for an extended hydrogen exosphere.
This review arose from a discussion of regenerative therapies to treat optic nerve degeneration in glaucoma at the 2015 Lasker/IRRF Initiative on Astrocytes and Glaucomatous Neurodegeneration. In ...addition to the authors, participants included Jonathan Crowston, Andrew Huberman, Elaine Johnson, Richard Lu, Hemai Phatnami, Rebecca Sappington, and Don Zack. Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the optic nerve, and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The disease progresses as sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP) is conveyed through the optic nerve head to distal retinal ganglion cell (RGC) projections. Because the nerve and retina are components of the central nervous system (CNS), their intrinsic regenerative capacity is limited. However, recent research in regenerative therapies has resulted in multiple breakthroughs that may unlock the optic nerve's regenerative potential. Increasing levels of Schwann-cell derived trophic factors and reducing potent cell-intrinsic suppressors of regeneration have resulted in axonal regeneration even beyond the optic chiasm. Despite this success, many challenges remain. RGC axons must be able to form new connections with their appropriate targets in central brain regions and these connections must be retinotopically correct. Furthermore, for new axons penetrating the optic projection, oligodendrocyte glia must provide myelination. Additionally, reactive gliosis and inflammation that increase the regenerative capacity must be outweigh pro-apoptotic processes to create an environment within which maximal regeneration can occur.
•Glaucoma is detected late in progression, necessitating regenerative therapies.•Regeneration occurs when tropic factors and suppressors are properly modulated.•Once regenerated, axons must still terminate upon appropriate targets.•Inflammation must be balanced with cell death to create a regenerative environment.
The objectives were to determine the variation explained by the BovineSNP50v2 BeadChip for cholesterol (CH), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), protein, and ...minerals in beef cattle, and to identify chromosomal regions that harbor major allelic variants underlying the variation of these traits. Crossbred steers and heifers (n=236) segregating at the inactive myostatin allele on BTA2 were harvested and steaks were sampled from the M. semitendinosus and the M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum for nutrient analysis. A Bayes C algorithm was employed in genome-wide association analysis. The resulting posterior heritability (SD) estimates ranged from 0.43 (0.10) to 0.71 (0.08) for lipid traits and 0.05 (0.08) to 0.75 (0.06) for mineral traits. Across cuts, correlations between genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) were similar for CH, MUFA and PUFA. The top 0.5% 1-Mb windows for all traits explained up to 9.93% of the SNP variance. Slight differences did exist between cuts and between different measurement scales of fatty acids.
•Nutrient analysis of steaks from cattle segregating the inactive myostatin allele•Genomic heritability of lipid and mineral traits ranged from 0.05 to 0.75.•Top 0.5% 1-Mb windows for all traits explained up to 9.93% of the SNP variance•GEBV correlations were similar for CH, MUFA and PUFA traits across cuts.•Differences between cuts measured on a percent fat basis or mg/100g of wet tissue
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