DNA polymerase ε (polε) plays a central role in DNA replication in eukaryotic cells, and has been suggested to the main synthetic polymerase on the leading strand. It is a hetero-tetrameric enzyme, ...comprising a large catalytic subunit (the A subunit ~250 kDa), a B subunit of ~60 kDa in most species (~80 kDa in budding yeast) and two smaller subunits (each ~20 kDa). In Drosophila, two subunits of polε (dpolε) have been identified. One is the 255 kDa catalytic subunit (dpolεp255), and the other is the 58 kDa subunit (dpolεp58). The functions of the B subunit have been mainly studied in budding yeast and mammalian cell culture, few studies have been performed in the context of an intact multicellular organism and therefore its functions in this context remain poorly understood. To address this we examined the in vivo role of dpolεp58 in Drosophila. A homozygous dpolεp58 mutant is pupal lethal, and the imaginal discs are less developed in the third instar larvae. In the eye discs of this mutant S phases, as measured by BrdU incorporation assays, were significantly reduced. In addition staining with an anti-phospho histone H3 (PH3) antibody, (a marker of M phase), was increased in the posterior region of eye discs, where usually cells stop replicating and start differentiation. These results indicate that dpolεp58 is essential for Drosophila development and plays an important role in progression of S phase in mitotic cell cycles. We also observed that the size of nuclei in salivary gland cells were decreased in dpolεp58 mutant, indicating that dpolεp58 also plays a role in endoreplication. Furthermore we detect a putative functional interaction between dpolε and ORC2 in discs suggesting that polε plays a role in the initiation of DNA replication in Drosophila.
The output characteristic of a photovoltaic array is nonlinear and changes with solar irradiation and cell's temperature. The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique is needed to maximize the ...produced energy. Most MPPT techniques contain the time derivative of the current and the voltage. These electric signals are disturbed by the high frequency noises such as the switching noises of the power device. The low-pass filter is employed to reduce the noises of the circuit. However, the estimation error occurs in calculating the maximum power point. Thus, we apply the adaptive observer to estimate the time derivative of noisy signals. Moreover, we improve the incremental conductance method by using the adaptive observer.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between general joint laxity (GJL) and foot structure in Japanese young adult women. Methods: Subjects were 157 young adult women ...(mean age 20.5 ±1.2 years). GJLwas evaluated using Beighton Hypermobility Score, and subjects were categorized in GJL and non-GJL group. For foot structure in dominant and non-dominant leg, foot length, foot width, naviculare height as an inner longitudinal arch, spread foot angle as a forefoot transverse arch, hallux valgus angle, and digitus quintus varus angle were measured. Results: Spread foot angle in non-dominant leg in GJL group was significantly greater than non-GJL group. In all subjects, spread foot angle in dominant and non-dominant leg was significant positively correlated with hallux valgus angle and digitus quintus varus angle. Discussion: Relation with GJL and change of foot structure is partial. However, a decline of forefoot transverse arch may participate in hallux valgus angle and digitus quintus varus angle. Conclusion: This study indicates that GJL may be partially related with a decline of forefoot transverse arch in Japanese young adult women.
We report on two superoutbursts of the AM CVn-type object CR Boo in 2014 April--March and 2015 May--June. A precursor outburst acompanied both of these superoutbursts. During the rising branch of the ...main superoutburst in 2014, we detected growing superhumps (stage A superhumps) whose period was \(0.017669(24)\) d. Assuming that this period reflects the dynamical precession rate at the radius of the 3:1 resonance, we could estimate the mass ratio (\(q=M_2/M_1\)) of 0.101(4) by using the stage A superhump period and the orbital one of 0.0170290(6) d. This mass ratio is consistent with that expected by the theoretical evolutionary model of AM CVn-type objects. The detection of precursor outbursts and stage A superhumps is the second case in AM CVn-type objects. There are two interpretations of the outbursts of AM CVn-type objects. One is a dwarf nova (DN) outbursts analogy, which is caused by thermal and tidal instabilities. Another is the VY Scl-type variation, which is caused by the variation of the mass-transfer rate of the secondary. This detection of the superhump variations strongly suggests the former interpretation.
We report on a superoutburst of the AM CVn-type object SDSS J090221.35+381941.9 J0902; orbital period 0.03355(6) d in 2014 March-April. The entire outburst consisted of a precursor outburst and the ...main superoutburst, followed by a short rebrightening. During the rising branch of the main superoutburst, we detected growing superhumps (stage A superhumps) with a period of 0.03409(1) d. During the plateau phase of the superoutburst, superhumps with a shorter period (stage B superhumps) were observed. Using the orbital period and the period of the stage A superhumps, we were able to measure the dynamical precession rate of the accretion disk at the 3:1 resonance, and obtained a mass ratio (q) of 0.041(7). This is the first successful measurement of the mass ratio in an AM CVn-type object using the recently developed stage A superhump method. The value is generally in good agreement with the theoretical evolutionary model. The orbital period of J0902 is the longest among the outbursting AM CVn-type objects, and the borderline between the outbursting systems and systems with stable cool disks appears to be longer than had been supposed.
•Amino acids show different antioxidant activities depending on their side residues.•Numbers and position of tyrosine affect the antioxidant activity.•A peptide Gly-Trp-Trp-Trp showed high ...antioxidant activity against peroxylnitrite at 250 μM.•Antioxidant peptides can be designed based on the properties of amino acid residues.
Amino acids exert characteristic antioxidant activities depending on the properties of their side residues. The hydrophobic residues were effective against peroxyl radical, while acidic residues and their analogs were effective against peroxynitrite. Peptides containing tyrosine showed different activities against different reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or reactive nitrogen species (RNS). The number and position of tyrosine did not affect the antioxidant activity against hypochlorite ion. Against the peroxyl radical, the number of tyrosine residues affected the antioxidant activity, while its position did not have a significant effect. The tyrosine position was an important factor for the antioxidant activity against peroxynitrite. The peptide GWWW showed higher antioxidant activity against peroxyl radical than tryptophan at concentrations below 25 µM, and high activity against peroxynitrite at 250 µM. Our results suggest that antioxidant peptides against a specific target ROS or RNS can be designed based on the characteristics of the amino acid side chains.
Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) with cerebral vasculitis is rare, and its prognosis is unfavorable. High-dose glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide are widely used for the ...treatment of NPSLE, but cyclophosphamide has a risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and ovarian insufficiency, which may discourage its use in young women. We experienced a case of NPSLE with cerebral vasculitis and lupus nephritis that responded successfully to glucocorticoids and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). MMF might be a treatment option for NPSLE without concern for reproductive toxicity. However, there are only a few reports on the efficacy of MMF in NPSLE, and further investigations are needed.
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