| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Zuntini, Alexandre R., et al.
(författare)
-
Phylogenomics and the rise of the angiosperms
- 2024
-
Ingår i: NATURE. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 629, s. 843-850
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Angiosperms are the cornerstone of most terrestrial ecosystems and human livelihoods(1,2). A robust understanding of angiosperm evolution is required to explain their rise to ecological dominance. So far, the angiosperm tree of life has been determined primarily by means of analyses of the plastid genome(3,4). Many studies have drawn on this foundational work, such as classification and first insights into angiosperm diversification since their Mesozoic origins(5-7). However, the limited and biased sampling of both taxa and genomes undermines confidence in the tree and its implications. Here, we build the tree of life for almost 8,000 (about 60%) angiosperm genera using a standardized set of 353 nuclear genes(8). This 15-fold increase in genus-level sampling relative to comparable nuclear studies(9) provides a critical test of earlier results and brings notable change to key groups, especially in rosids, while substantiating many previously predicted relationships. Scaling this tree to time using 200 fossils, we discovered that early angiosperm evolution was characterized by high gene tree conflict and explosive diversification, giving rise to more than 80% of extant angiosperm orders. Steady diversification ensued through the remaining Mesozoic Era until rates resurged in the Cenozoic Era, concurrent with decreasing global temperatures and tightly linked with gene tree conflict. Taken together, our extensive sampling combined with advanced phylogenomic methods shows the deep history and full complexity in the evolution of a megadiverse clade.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Crowe, S., et al.
(författare)
-
Near-infrared observations of outflows and young stellar objects in the massive star-forming region AFGL 5180
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 682
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Massive stars play important roles throughout the universe; however, their formation remains poorly understood. Observations of jets and outflows in high-mass star-forming regions, as well as surveys of young stellar object (YSO) content, can help test theoretical models of massive star formation. Aims. We aim at characterizing the massive star-forming region AFGL 5180 in the near-infrared (NIR), identifying outflows and relating these to sub-mm/mm sources, as well as surveying the overall YSO surface number density to compare to massive star formation models. Methods. Broad- and narrow-band imaging of AFGL 5180 was made in the NIR with the Large Binocular Telescope, in both seeing-limited (~0.5′) and high angular resolution (~0.09′) Adaptive Optics (AO) modes, as well as with the Hubble Space Telescope. Archival continuum data from the Atacama Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) was also utilized. Results. At least 40 jet knots were identified via NIR emission from H2 and [FeII] tracing shocked gas. Bright jet knots outflowing from the central most massive protostar, S4 (estimated mass ~11 M⊙, via SED fitting), are detected towards the east of the source and are resolved in fine detail with the AO imaging. Additional knots are distributed throughout the field, likely indicating the presence of multiple driving sources. Sub-millimeter sources detected by ALMA are shown to be grouped in two main complexes, AFGL 5180 M and a small cluster ~15′ (0.15 pc in projection) to the south, AFGL 5180 S. From our NIR continuum images we identify YSO candidates down to masses of ~0.1 M⊙. Combined with the sub-mm sources, this yields a surface number density of such YSOs of N* ~ 103pc-2 within a projected radius of about 0.1 pc. Such a value is similar to those predicted by models of both core accretion from a turbulent clump environment and competitive accretion. The radial profile of N* is relatively flat on scales out to 0.2 pc, with only modest enhancement around the massive protostar inside 0.05 pc, which provides additional constraints on these massive star formation models. Conclusions. This study demonstrates the utility of high-resolution NIR imaging, in particular with AO, for detecting outflow activity and YSOs in distant regions. The presented images reveal the complex morphology of outflow-shocked gas within the large-scale bipolar flow of a massive protostar, as well as clear evidence for several other outflow driving sources in the region. Finally, this work presents a novel approach to compare the observed YSO surface number density from our study against different models of massive star formation.
|
|
| 6. |
- Ola, Thomas O, et al.
(författare)
-
Importin beta : A novel autoantigen in human autoimmunity identified by screening random peptide libraries on phage
- 2006
-
Ingår i: Journal of Autoimmunity. - : Elsevier BV. - 0896-8411 .- 1095-9157. ; 26:3, s. 197-207
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- By screening random peptide libraries (RPLs) with sera of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients, we previously identified 5 disease-specific 'mimotopes' displayed on phages (phagotopes). We already characterised 1 phagotope (CH1p), as an epitope of human osteopontin, an autoantigen expressed within the somatostatin cells of human islets. In this paper, we report the characterization of the second phagotope, 195Dyn, by immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting and screening of a human islet cDNA library using rabbit anti-195Dyn antibodies. The 195Dyn mimotope was detected in human islets. The screening of a λgt11 cDNA library from human islets has identified a clone, which corresponded to human importin beta. ELISA detected autoantibodies against this protein in sera of around 60% of TD1 patients and in 30% of patients affected by other autoimmune diseases. In summary, RPLs technology proved again successful in identifying another novel autoantigen (importin beta), whose significance in the autoimmune process remains to be fully elucidated. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 7. |
- Pucci, M., et al.
(författare)
-
Colorectal cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles induce TGF beta 1-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition of hepatocytes
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Cancer Cell International. ; 23:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Metastatic disease is the major cause of cancer-related deaths. Increasing evidence shows that primary tumor cells can promote metastasis by preparing the local microenvironment of distant organs, inducing the formation of the so-called "pre-metastatic niche". In recent years, several studies have highlighted that among the tumor-derived molecular components active in pre-metastatic niche formation, small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) play a crucial role. Regarding liver metastasis, the ability of tumor-derived sEVs to affect the activities of non-parenchymal cells such as Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells is well described, while the effects on hepatocytes, the most conspicuous and functionally relevant hepatic cellular component, remain unknown. Methods sEVs isolated from SW480 and SW620 CRC cells and from clinical samples of CRC patients and healthy subjects were used to treat human healthy hepatocytes (THLE-2 cells). RT-qPCR, Western blot and confocal microscopy were applied to investigate the effects of this treatment. Results Our study shows for the first time that TGF beta 1-carrying CRC_sEVs impair the morphological and functional properties of healthy human hepatocytes by triggering their TGF beta 1/SMAD-dependent EMT. These abilities of CRC_sEVs were further confirmed by evaluating the effects elicited on hepatocytes by sEVs isolated from plasma and biopsies from CRC patients. Conclusions Since it is known that EMT of hepatocytes leads to the formation of a fibrotic environment, a well-known driver of metastasis, these results suggest that CRC_sEV-educated hepatocytes could have an active and until now neglected role during liver metastasis formation.
|
|
| 8. |
- Puglisi, I., et al.
(författare)
-
Two previously unknown Phytophthora species associated with brown rot of Pomelo (Citrus grandis) fruits in Vietnam
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 12:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Two distinct Phytophthora taxa were found to be associated with brown rot of pomelo (Citrus grandis), a new disease of this ancestral Citrus species, in the Vinh Long province, Mekong River Delta area, southern Vietnam. On the basis of morphological characters and using the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the rDNA and the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) as barcode genes, one of the two taxa was provisionally named as Phytophthora sp. prodigiosa, being closely related to but distinct from P. insolita, a species in Phytophthora Clade 9, while the other one, was closely related to but distinct from the Clade 2 species P. meadii and was informally designated as Phytophthora sp. mekongensis. Isolates of P. sp. prodigiosa and P. sp. mekongensis were also obtained from necrotic fibrous roots of Volkamer lemon (C. volkameriana) rootstocks grafted with 'King' mandarin (Citrus nobilis) and from trees of pomelo, respectively, in other provinces of the Mekong River Delta, indicating a widespread occurrence of both Phytophthora species in this citrus-growing area. Koch's postulates were fulfilled via pathogenicity tests on fruits of various Citrus species, including pomelo, grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi), sweet orange (Citrus x sinensis) and bergamot (Citrus x bergamia) as well as on the rootstock of 2-year-old trees of pomelo and sweet orange on 'Carrizo' citrange (C. sinensis 'Washington Navel' x Poncirus trifoliata). This is the first report of a Phytophthora species from Clade 2 other than P. citricola and P. citrophthora as causal agent of fruit brown rot of Citrus worldwide and the first report of P. insolita complex in Vietnam. Results indicate that likely Vietnam is still an unexplored reservoir of Phytophthora diversity.
|
|
| 9. |
- Vomiero, Alberto, et al.
(författare)
-
Structural properties of reactively sputtered W-Si-N thin films
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Journal of Applied Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 102:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tungsten-silicon-nitrogen, W-Si-N, ternary thin films have been reactively sputter deposited from W5 Si3 and W Si2 targets using several nitrogen partial pressures. The films have been thermal annealed in the 600-1000 °C temperature range and a wide region of the W-Si-N ternary phase diagram has been explored by changing the N2 Ar ratio during the deposition. Multitechnique approach was adopted for the analysis of the samples. Composition has been determined via ion beam analysis; chemical states were investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); crystalline structure was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) and surface morphology by scanning electron microscope. The films deposited in pure argon atmosphere are tungsten rich and approach the target contents as N2 Ar ratio is varied during deposition. Tungsten enrichment in the films is caused by resputtering of silicon which can be inhibited by the formation of silicon nitride, allowing films with SiW ratio closer to the target compositions. The higher capability to form nitrides with silicon than with tungsten favors enhancement of nitrogen content in samples deposited from the silicon rich target (W Si2). The samples with excess nitrogen content have shown losses of this element after thermal treatment. XPS measurements show a break of W-N bonds caused by thermal instability of tungsten nitrides. TEM and XRD revealed the segregation of tungsten in form of metallic or silicide nanoclusters in samples with low nitrogen content (W58 Si21 N21 and W24 Si42 N34). High amounts of nitrogen were revealed to be highly effective in inhibiting metallic cluster coalescence. Measurements of electrical resistivity of as deposited films were performed using four point probe technique. They were found to lie in the range between 0.4 and 79 m cm depending on sample composition. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.
|
|
| 10. |
- Vomiero, Alberto, et al.
(författare)
-
The role of N in the resputtering inhibition of Si in W-Si-N reactively sputtered thin layer
- 2005
-
Ingår i: Journal of Applied Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 97:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- W-Si-N thin films were synthesized by reactive sputtering of W 5Si 3 target in an Ar/N 2 mixed atmosphere. The nitrogen atomic concentrations within the films ranged between 0 and 60 at. %, as revealed by Rutherford backscattering measurements. At low nitrogen atom fluxes an intense Si resputtering was observed, leading to the formation of a W-rich layer with respect to target composition. The characterization of plasma parameters during the deposition, carried out with the help of a Langmuir probe, suggests that the Ar neutral atoms reflected by W atoms of the target are the main responsibilities of Si resputtering with respect to charged species, whose resputtering effect is less important. The inhibition of this phenomenon takes place with growing nitrogen concentration. The preferential formation of Si-N bonds with respect to W-N bonds was unveiled by both x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. This also justifies the inhibition of Si resputtering. A comparison with literature data concerning W-Si-N systems sputtered at different plasma conditions was performed in order to highlight the influence of plasma parameters on the composition of the layers. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.
|
|
