1. |
|
|
2. |
- Bousquet, J, et al.
(author)
-
Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19: time for research to develop adaptation strategies
- 2020
-
In: Clinical and translational allergy. - : Wiley. - 2045-7022. ; 10:1, s. 58-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPARγ:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NFκB: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2α:Elongation initiation factor 2α). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT1R axis (AT1R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity.
|
|
3. |
|
|
4. |
|
|
5. |
- Álvarez-Muñiz, Jaime, et al.
(author)
-
The Giant Radio Array for Neutrino Detection (GRAND) : Science and design
- 2020
-
In: Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1674-7348 .- 1869-1927. ; 63:1
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Giant Radio Array for Neutrino Detection (GRAND) is a planned large-scale observatory of ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic particles, with energies exceeding 108 GeV. Its goal is to solve the long-standing mystery of the origin of UHE cosmic rays. To do this, GRAND will detect an unprecedented number of UHE cosmic rays and search for the undiscovered UHE neutrinos and gamma rays associated to them with unmatched sensitivity. GRAND will use large arrays of antennas to detect the radio emission coming from extensive air showers initiated by UHE particles in the atmosphere. Its design is modular: 20 separate, independent sub-arrays, each of 10000 radio antennas deployed over 10000 km(2). A staged construction plan will validate key detection techniques while achieving important science goals early. Here we present the science goals, detection strategy, preliminary design, performance goals, and construction plans for GRAND.
|
|
6. |
- Ando, Koji, et al.
(author)
-
Conserved and context-dependent roles for pdgfrb signaling during zebrafish vascular mural cell development
- 2021
-
In: Developmental Biology. - : Elsevier. - 0012-1606 .- 1095-564X. ; 479, s. 11-22
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Platelet derived growth factor beta and its receptor, Pdgfrb, play essential roles in the development of vascular mural cells, including pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells. To determine if this role was conserved in zebrafish, we analyzed pdgfb and pdgfrb mutant lines. Similar to mouse, pdgfb and pdgfrb mutant zebrafish lack brain pericytes and exhibit anatomically selective loss of vascular smooth muscle coverage. Despite these defects, pdgfrb mutant zebrafish did not otherwise exhibit circulatory defects at larval stages. However, beginning at juvenile stages, we observed severe cranial hemorrhage and vessel dilation associated with loss of pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells in pdgfrb mutants. Similar to mouse, pdgfrb mutant zebrafish also displayed structural defects in the glomerulus, but normal development of hepatic stellate cells. We also noted defective mural cell investment on coronary vessels with concomitant defects in their development. Together, our studies support a conserved requirement for Pdgfrb signaling in mural cells. In addition, these zebrafish mutants provide an important model for definitive investigation of mural cells during early embryonic stages without confounding secondary effects from circulatory defects.
|
|
7. |
- Capo, Eric, et al.
(author)
-
Lake sedimentary dna research on past terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity: Overview and recommendations
- 2021
-
In: Quaternary. - : MDPI. - 2571-550X. ; 4:1
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The use of lake sedimentary DNA to track the long-term changes in both terrestrial and aquatic biota is a rapidly advancing field in paleoecological research. Although largely applied nowadays, knowledge gaps remain in this field and there is therefore still research to be conducted to ensure the reliability of the sedimentary DNA signal. Building on the most recent literature and seven original case studies, we synthesize the state-of-the-art analytical procedures for effective sampling, extraction, amplification, quantification and/or generation of DNA inventories from sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) via high-throughput sequencing technologies. We provide recommendations based on current knowledge and best practises.
|
|
8. |
- Delrez, Laetitia, et al.
(author)
-
Transit detection of the long-period volatile-rich super-Earth nu(2) Lupi d with CHEOPS
- 2021
-
In: Nature Astronomy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2397-3366. ; :5, s. 775-787
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Exoplanets transiting bright nearby stars are key objects for advancing our knowledge of planetary formation and evolution. The wealth of photons from the host star gives detailed access to the atmospheric, interior and orbital properties of the planetary companions. nu(2) Lupi (HD 136352) is a naked-eye (V = 5.78) Sun-like star that was discovered to host three low-mass planets with orbital periods of 11.6, 27.6 and 107.6 d via radial-velocity monitoring(1). The two inner planets (b and c) were recently found to transit(2), prompting a photometric follow-up by the brand new Characterising Exoplanets Satellite (CHEOPS). Here, we report that the outer planet d is also transiting, and measure its radius and mass to be 2.56 +/- 0.09 R-circle plus and 8.82 +/- 0.94 M-circle plus, respectively. With its bright Sun-like star, long period and mild irradiation (similar to 5.7 times the irradiation of Earth), nu(2) Lupi d unlocks a completely new region in the parameter space of exoplanets amenable to detailed characterization. We refine the properties of all three planets: planet b probably has a rocky mostly dry composition, while planets c and d seem to have retained small hydrogen-helium envelopes and a possibly large water fraction. This diversity of planetary compositions makes the nu(2) Lupi system an excellent laboratory for testing formation and evolution models of low-mass planets.
|
|
9. |
- Eddy, Tyler D., et al.
(author)
-
Energy Flow Through Marine Ecosystems : Confronting Transfer Efficiency
- 2021
-
In: Trends in Ecology & Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-5347 .- 1872-8383. ; 36:1, s. 76-86
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Transfer efficiency is the proportion of energy passed between nodes in food webs. It is an emergent, unitless property that is difficult to measure, and responds dynamically to environmental and ecosystem changes. Because the consequences of changes in transfer efficiency compound through ecosystems, slight variations can have large effects on food availability for top predators. Here, we review the processes controlling transfer efficiency, approaches to estimate it, and known variations across ocean biomes. Both process-level analysis and observed macro-scale variations suggest that ecosystem-scale transfer efficiency is highly variable, impacted by fishing, and will decline with climate change. It is important that we more fully resolve the processes controlling transfer efficiency in models to effectively anticipate changes in marine ecosystems and fisheries resources.
|
|
10. |
|
|