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- Grady, C., et al.
(author)
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The outer disks of Herbig stars from the UV to NIR
- 2015
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In: Astrophysics and Space Science. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0004-640X .- 1572-946X. ; 355:2, s. 253-266
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Spatially-resolved imaging of Herbig stars and related objects began with HST, but intensified with commissioning of high-contrast imagers on 8-m class telescopes. The bulk of the data taken from the ground have been polarized intensity imagery at H-band, with the majority of the sources observed as part of the Strategic Exploration of Exoplanets and Disks with Subaru (SEEDS) survey. Sufficiently many systems have been imaged that we discuss disk properties in scattered, polarized light in terms of groups defined by the IR spectral energy distribution. We find novel phenomena in many of the disks, including spiral density waves, and discuss the disks in terms of clearing mechanisms. Some of the disks have sufficient data to map the dust and gas components, including water ice dissociation products.
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- Ito, Y, et al.
(author)
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Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome candidate 1-like 1 epigenetically regulates nephrin gene expression
- 2017
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In: American journal of physiology. Renal physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 1522-1466 .- 1931-857X. ; 312:6, s. F1184-F1199
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Altered expression of nephrin underlies the pathophysiology of proteinuria in both congenital and acquired nephrotic syndrome. However, the epigenetic mechanisms of nephrin gene regulation remain elusive. Here, we show that Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome candidate 1-like 1 long form (WHSC1L1-L) is a novel epigenetic modifier of nephrin gene regulation. WHSC1L1-L was associated with histone H3K4 and H3K36 in human embryonic kidney cells. WHSC1L1-L gene was expressed in the podocytes, and functional protein product was detected in these cells. WHSC1L1-L was found to bind nephrin but not other podocyte-specific gene promoters, leading to its inhibition/suppression, abrogating the stimulatory effect of WT1 and NF-κB. Gene knockdown of WHSC1L1-L in primary cultured podocytes accelerated the transcription of nephrin but not CD2AP. An in vivo zebrafish study involving the injection of Whsc1l1 mRNA into embryos demonstrated an apparent reduction of nephrin mRNA but not podocin and CD2AP mRNA. Immunohistochemistry showed that both WHSC1L1-L and nephrin emerged at the S-shaped body stage in glomeruli. Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy displayed WHSC1L1 to colocalize with trimethylated H3K4 in the glomerular podocytes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed the reduction of the association of trimethylated H3K4 at the nephrin promoter regions. Finally, nephrin mRNA was upregulated in the glomerulus at the early proteinuric stage of mouse nephrosis, which was associated with the reduction of WHSC1L1. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that WHSC1L1-L acts as a histone methyltransferase in podocytes and regulates nephrin gene expression, which may in turn contribute to the integrity of the slit diaphragm of the glomerular filtration barrier.
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- Akiyama, E., et al.
(author)
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DISCOVERY OF A DISK GAP CANDIDATE AT 20 AU IN TW HYDRAE
- 2015
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In: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8205 .- 2041-8213. ; 802:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present a new Subaru/HiCIAO high-contrast H-band polarized intensity (PI) image of a nearby transitional disk associated with TW Hydrae. The scattered light from the disk was detected from 0 ''.2 to 1 ''.5 (11-81 AU) and the PI image shows a clear axisymmetric depression in PI at similar to 0 ''.4 (similar to 20 AU) from the central star, similar to the similar to 80 AU gap previously reported from Hubble Space Telescope images. The azimuthal PI profile also shows that the disk beyond 0 ''.2 is almost axisymmetric. We discuss two possible scenarios explaining the origin of the PI depression: (1) a gap structure may exist at similar to 20 AU from the central star because of a shallow slope seen in the PI profile, and (2) grain growth may be occurring in the inner region of the disk. Multi-band observations at near-infrared and millimeter/submillimeter wavelengths play a complementary role in investigating dust opacity and may help reveal the origin of the gap more precisely.
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- Asensio-Torres, Ruben, et al.
(author)
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Polarimetry and flux distribution in the debris disk around HD 32297
- 2016
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 593
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present high-contrast angular differential imaging (ADI) observations of the debris disk around HD32297 in H-band, as well as the first polarimetric images for this system in polarized differential imaging (PDI) mode with Subaru/HICIAO. In ADI, we detect the nearly edge-on disk at > 5 sigma levels from similar to 0.45 '' to similar to 1.7 '' (50-192AU) from the star and recover the spine deviation from the midplane already found in previous works. We also find for the first time imaging and surface brightness (SB) indications for the presence of a gapped structure on both sides of the disk at distances of similar to 0.75 '' (NE side) and similar to 0.65 '' (SW side). Global forward-modelling work delivers a best-fit model disk and well-fitting parameter intervals that essentially match previous results, with high-forward scattering grains and a ring located at 110AU. However, this single ring model cannot account for the gapped structure seen in our SB profiles. We create simple double ring models and achieve a satisfactory fit with two rings located at 60 and 95AU, respectively, low-forward scattering grains and very sharp inner slopes. In polarized light we retrieve the disk extending from similar to 0.25-1.6 '', although the central region is quite noisy and high S/N are only found in the range similar to 0.75-1.2 ''. The disk is polarized in the azimuthal direction, as expected, and the departure from the midplane is also clearly observed. Evidence for a gapped scenario is not found in the PDI data. We obtain a linear polarization degree of the grains that increases from similar to 10% at 0.55 '' to similar to 25% at 1.6 ''. The maximum is found at scattering angles of similar to 90 degrees, either from the main components of the disk or from dust grains blown out to larger radii.
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- Garcia, E. Victor, et al.
(author)
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SCExAO AND GPI Y JH BAND PHOTOMETRY AND INTEGRAL FIELD SPECTROSCOPY OF THE YOUNG BROWN DWARF COMPANION TO HD 1160
- 2017
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 834:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present high signal-to-noise ratio, precise Y JH photometry and Y band (0.957-1.120 mu m) spectroscopy of HD 1160 B, a young substellar companion discovered from the Gemini NICI Planet Finding Campaign using the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics instrument and the Gemini Planet Imager. HD 1160 B has typical mid-M dwarf-like infrared colors and a spectral type of M5.5(-0.5)(+1.0), where the blue edge of our Y band spectrum rules out earlier spectral types. Atmospheric modeling suggests HD 1160 B has an effective temperature of 3000-3100 K, a surface gravity of log g - 4-4.5, a radius of. 1.55 +/- 0.10 R-J, and a luminosity of log L/L circle dot - 2.76 +/- 0.05. Neither the primary's Hertzspring-Russell diagram position nor atmospheric modeling of HD 1160 B show evidence for a subsolar metallicity. Interpretation of the HD 1160 B spectroscopy depends on which stellar system components are used to estimate the age. Considering HD 1160 A, B and C jointly, we derive an age of 80-125 Myr, implying that HD 1160 B straddles the hydrogen-burning limit (70-90 M-J) If we consider HD 1160 A alone, younger ages (20-125 Myr) and a brown dwarf-like mass (35-90 M-J) are possible. Interferometric measurements of the primary, a precise Gaia parallax, and moderate-resolution spectroscopy can better constrain the system's age and how HD 1160 B fits within the context of (sub) stellar evolution.
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- Helminiak, K. G., et al.
(author)
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SEEDS DIRECT IMAGING OF THE RV-DETECTED COMPANION TO V450 ANDROMEDAE, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SYSTEM
- 2016
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 832:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the direct imaging detection of a low-mass companion to a young, moderately active star V450. And, that was previously identified with the radial velocity (RV) method. The companion was found in high-contrast images obtained with the Subaru Telescope equipped with the HiCIAO camera and AO188 adaptive optics system. From the public ELODIE and SOPHIE archives we extracted available high-resolution spectra and RV measurements, along with RVs from the Lick planet search program. We combined our multi-epoch astrometry with these archival, partially unpublished RVs, and found that the companion is a low-mass star, not a brown dwarf, as previously suggested. We found the best-fitting dynamical masses to be m(1) = 1.141(-0.091)(+0.037)and m(2) = 0.279(-0.020)(+0.023) M-circle dot. We also performed spectral analysis of the SOPHIE spectra with the iSpec code. Hipparcos time-series photometry shows a periodicity of P = 5.743 day, which is also seen in the SOPHIE spectra as an RV modulation of the star A. We interpret it as being caused by spots on the stellar surface, and the star to be rotating with the given period. From the rotation and level of activity, we found that the system is 380(-100)(+220) Myr old, consistent with an isochrone analysis (220(-90)(+2120) Myr). This work may serve as a test case for future studies of low-mass stars, brown dwarfs, and exoplanets by combination of RV and direct imaging data.
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8. |
- Mizuki, T., et al.
(author)
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Orbital Characterization of GJ1108A System, and Comparison of Dynamical Mass with Model-derived Mass for Resolved Binaries
- 2018
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 865:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report an orbital characterization of GJ1108Aab that is a low-mass binary system in the pre-main-sequence phase. Via the combination of astrometry using adaptive optics and radial velocity measurements, an eccentric orbital solution of e = 0.63 is obtained, which might be induced by the Kozai-Lidov mechanism with a widely separated GJ1108B system. Combined with several observed properties, we confirm that the system is indeed young. Columba is the most probable moving group, to which the GJ1108A system belongs, although its membership to the group has not been established. If the age of Columba is assumed for GJ1108A, the dynamical masses of both GJ1108Aa and GJ1108Ab (M-dynamical,M-GJ1108Aa= 0.72 +/- 0.04 M-circle dot and M-dynamical,M-GJ1108Ab = 0.30 +/- 0.03 M-circle dot) are more massive than what an evolutionary model predicts based on the age and luminosities. We consider that the discrepancy in mass comparison can be attributed to an age uncertainty; the system is likely older than stars in Columba, and effects that are not implemented in classical models such as accretion history and magnetic activity are not preferred to explain the mass discrepancy. We also discuss the performance of the evolutionary model by compiling similar low-mass objects in the evolutionary state based on the literature. Consequently, it is suggested that the current model on average reproduces the mass of resolved low-mass binaries without any significant offsets.
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9. |
- Takagi, H, et al.
(author)
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USP40 gene knockdown disrupts glomerular permeability in zebrafish
- 2017
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In: American journal of physiology. Renal physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 1522-1466 .- 1931-857X. ; 312:4, s. F702-F715
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Unbiased transcriptome profiling and functional genomics approaches have identified ubiquitin-specific protease 40 (USP40) as a highly specific glomerular transcript. This gene product remains uncharacterized, and its biological function is completely unknown. Here, we showed that mouse and rat glomeruli exhibit specific expression of the USP40 protein, which migrated at 150 kDa and was exclusively localized in the podocyte cytoplasm of the adult kidney. Double-labeling immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy analysis of fetal and neonate kidney samples revealed that USP40 was also expressed in the vasculature, including in glomerular endothelial cells at the premature stage. USP40 in cultured glomerular endothelial cells and podocytes was specifically localized to the intermediate filament protein nestin. In glomerular endothelial cells, immunoprecipitation confirmed actual protein-protein binding of USP40 with nestin, and USP40-small-interfering RNA transfection revealed significant reduction of nestin. In a rat model of minimal-change nephrotic syndrome, USP40 expression was apparently reduced, which was also associated with the reduction of nestin. Zebrafish morphants lacking Usp40 exhibited disorganized glomeruli with the reduction of the cell junction in the endothelium and foot process effacement in the podocytes. Permeability studies in these zebrafish morphants demonstrated a disruption of the selective glomerular permeability filter. These data indicate that USP40/Usp40 is a novel protein that might play a crucial role in glomerulogenesis and the glomerular integrity after birth through the modulation of intermediate filament protein homeostasis.
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