Jane Austen: tra brand e desiderio

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Donata Meneghelli

2014-12-01

Full Text Available Che Jane Austen, dopo essere giunta a una incontrastata canonizzazione nel pantheon della letteratura occidentale, abbia recentemente intrapreso una   trionfante ascesa nell’ambito della cultura popolare è ormai “una verità universalmente riconosciuta”.   Il saggio analizza i modi, le forme, i supporti e i canali attraverso cui Jane Austen e i suoi testi narrativi (con particolare riferimento a Pride and Prejudice sono usciti dal cerchio tutto sommato ristretto dell’accademia, dei curricola universitari e dei lettori di professione, per entrare in uno spazio che è quello di YouTube, delle fan communities, della musica pop, dei blog, del romanzo rosa o dell’horror; i percorsi grazie ai quali sono diventati parte delle mitologie popolari del XXI secolo e al tempo stesso un brand di successo intorno al quale ruota una fitta rete di interessi economici (industria cinematografica e televisiva, turismo, editoria…, capace di catalizzare (e sfruttare desideri, proiezioni, aspettative di nuove tipologie di lettori; le inedite modalità di ricezione che caratterizzano questo fenomeno, e soprattutto la fan fiction, situata al punto di convergenza o di frizione tra diversi media (letteratura, cinema, televisione, web e media digitali in genere, tra produttori e consumatori, tra lettura e scrittura, tra strategie commerciali delle corporation e autarchia dei fan, tra “alto” e “basso”. Si tratta di un insieme di trasformazioni che scuote alle fondamenta le nostre consuetudini e le nostre credenze in quanto studiosi di letteratura: da una parte, emerge una nuova configurazione della testualità, euforica, rizomatica, molteplice, che si fa beffe di qualunque metafisica dell’originale e realizza in modo perverso alcune celebri utopie critiche; dall’altra, il caso Austen porta alla luce in maniera emblematica le contraddizioni latenti in qualunque processo di democratizzazione della cultura.

Effect of the gene transformer of Anastrepha on the somatic sexual development of Drosophila.

Science.gov (United States)

Ruiz, María-Fernanda; Sánchez, Lucas

2010-01-01

The gene transformer (tra) is the key regulatory memory device for sex determination in tephritid insects. The present manuscript addressed the question about the functional conservation of the tephritid Anastrepha Transformer protein to direct somatic sexual development in Drosophila (Drosophilidae). The transformer cDNA of Anastrepha encoding the putative full-length Tra protein was cloned in pUAST and introduced into Drosophila melanogaster. To express this protein, the GAL4-UAS system was used. The Anastrepha Tra protein induced the female-specific splicing of both dsx and fru pre-mRNAs in Drosophila XY male flies, so that these became transformed into females, though this transformation was incomplete (the sexually dimorphic foreleg basitarsus and the external terminalia were monitored). It was found that the degree of female transformation directly depended on the dose of Anastrepha tra and Drosophila transformer-2 (tra-2) genes, and that the Anastrepha Tra-Drosophila Tra2 complex is not as efficient as the Drosophila Tra-Tra2 complex at inducing the female-specific splicing of Drosophila dsx pre-mRNA. This can explain why the Anastrepha Tra protein cannot fully substitute for the endogenous Drosophila Tra protein.

Unique Helicase Determinants in the Essential Conjugative TraI Factor from Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Plasmid pCU1

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

McLaughlin, Krystle J.; Nash, Rebekah P.; Redinbo, Mathew R. (UNC)

2014-06-16

The widespread development of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a major health emergency. Conjugative DNA plasmids, which harbor a wide range of antibiotic resistance genes, also encode the protein factors necessary to orchestrate the propagation of plasmid DNA between bacterial cells through conjugative transfer. Successful conjugative DNA transfer depends on key catalytic components to nick one strand of the duplex DNA plasmid and separate the DNA strands while cell-to-cell transfer occurs. The TraI protein from the conjugative Salmonella plasmid pCU1 fulfills these key catalytic roles, as it contains both single-stranded DNA-nicking relaxase and ATP-dependent helicase domains within a single, 1,078-residue polypeptide. In this work, we unraveled the helicase determinants of Salmonella pCU1 TraI through DNA binding, ATPase, and DNA strand separation assays. TraI binds DNA substrates with high affinity in a manner influenced by nucleic acid length and the presence of a DNA hairpin structure adjacent to the nick site. TraI selectively hydrolyzes ATP, and mutations in conserved helicase motifs eliminate ATPase activity. Surprisingly, the absence of a relatively short (144-residue) domain at the extreme C terminus of the protein severely diminishes ATP-dependent strand separation. Collectively, these data define the helicase motifs of the conjugative factor TraI from Salmonella pCU1 and reveal a previously uncharacterized C-terminal functional domain that uncouples ATP hydrolysis from strand separation activity.

I varchi della letteratura: tra scienza, follia e spiritualità

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Stefano Redaelli

2017-08-01

Full Text Available Nel novecento italiano spiccano scrittori nella cui opera la letteratura si è aperta ad altre discipline, come la scienza, la psichiatria, la teologia. In questo articolo si descrive lo scambio tra saperi attraverso l’immagine dei varchi, portando l’esempio di Primo Levi (nel varco tra letteratura e scienza e Alda Merini (nel varco tra letteratura, follia, spiritualità. Se da una parte nella vita degli scrittori il varco è vissuto come spaccatura, dall’altra troviamo nella loro opera una fusione di saperi e linguaggi diversi, che concorrono a una rappresentazione più ampia della natura e dell’uomo.

The Transit Monitoring in the South (TraMoS project

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López-Morales Mercedes

2013-04-01

Full Text Available We present the Transit Monitoring in the South (TraMoS project. TraMoS has monitored transits of 30 exoplanets with telescopes located in Chile since 2008, whit the following goals: (1 to refine the physical and/or orbital parameters of those exoplanet system, and (2 to search for variations in the mid-times of the transits and in other parameters such as orbital inclination or transit's depth, that could indicate the presence of additional bodies in the system. We highlight here the first results of TraMoS in three selected exoplanets.

Conjugative Plasmid Transfer in Xylella fastidiosa Is Dependent on tra and trb Operon Functions.

Science.gov (United States)

Burbank, Lindsey P; Van Horn, Christopher R

2017-11-01

The insect-transmitted plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa is capable of efficient horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and recombination. Natural transformation occurs at high rates in X. fastidiosa , but there also is evidence that certain strains of X. fastidiosa carry native plasmids equipped with transfer and mobilization genes, suggesting conjugation as an additional mechanism of HGT in some instances. Two operons, tra and trb , putatively encoding a conjugative type IV secretion system, are found in some but not all X. fastidiosa isolates, often on native plasmids. X. fastidiosa strains that carry the conjugative transfer genes can belong to different subspecies and frequently differ in host ranges. Using X. fastidiosa strain M23 ( X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa ) or Dixon ( X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex ) as the donor strain and Temecula ( X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa ) as the recipient strain, plasmid transfer was characterized using the mobilizable broad-host-range vector pBBR5pemIK. Transfer of plasmid pBBR5pemIK was observed under in vitro conditions with both donor strains and was dependent on both tra and trb operon functions. A conjugative mechanism likely contributes to gene transfer between diverse strains of X. fastidiosa , possibly facilitating adaptation to new environments or different hosts. IMPORTANCE Xylella fastidiosa is an important plant pathogen worldwide, infecting a wide range of different plant species. The emergence of new diseases caused by X. fastidiosa , or host switching of existing strains, is thought to be primarily due to the high frequency of HGT and recombination in this pathogen. Transfer of plasmids by a conjugative mechanism enables movement of larger amounts of genetic material at one time, compared with other routes of gene transfer such as natural transformation. Establishing the prevalence and functionality of this mechanism in X. fastidiosa contributes to a better understanding of HGT, adaptation, and disease emergence

I RAPPORTI TRA L'ALBANIA E LA GRAN BRETAGNA (1940-1950)

OpenAIRE

COTA, JULIAN

2012-01-01

La presente tesi ha avuto l’obiettivo di illustrare i rapporti tra l’Albania e la Gran Bretagna nel decennio tra il 1940 al 1950. Il lavoro viene svolto basandosi su tre momenti; a) l’ingresso dell’Albania nell’ottica della politica estera della Gran Bretagna e l’invio delle missioni militari britanniche in Albania. b) La fine della Guerra collocò l’Albania dall’altra parte della cortina di ferro rispetto ai britannici causando il peggioramento dei rapporti tra i due governi dopo gli...

Genomic and expression analyses of Tursiops truncatus T cell receptor gamma (TRG) and alpha/delta (TRA/TRD) loci reveal a similar basic public γδ repertoire in dolphin and human.

Science.gov (United States)

Linguiti, Giovanna; Antonacci, Rachele; Tasco, Gianluca; Grande, Francesco; Casadio, Rita; Massari, Serafina; Castelli, Vito; Consiglio, Arianna; Lefranc, Marie-Paule; Ciccarese, Salvatrice

2016-08-15

The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is a mammal that belongs to the Cetartiodactyla and have lived in marine ecosystems for nearly 60 millions years. Despite its popularity, our knowledge about its adaptive immunity and evolution is very limited. Furthermore, nothing is known about the genomics and evolution of dolphin antigen receptor immunity. Here we report a evolutionary and expression study of Tursiops truncatus T cell receptor gamma (TRG) and alpha/delta (TRA/TRD) genes. We have identified in silico the TRG and TRA/TRD genes and analyzed the relevant mature transcripts in blood and in skin from four subjects. The dolphin TRG locus is the smallest and simplest of all mammalian loci as yet studied. It shows a genomic organization comprising two variable (V1 and V2), three joining (J1, J2 and J3) and a single constant (C), genes. Despite the fragmented nature of the genome assemblies, we deduced the TRA/TRD locus organization, with the recent TRDV1 subgroup genes duplications, as it is expected in artiodactyls. Expression analysis from blood of a subject allowed us to assign unambiguously eight TRAV genes to those annotated in the genomic sequence and to twelve new genes, belonging to five different subgroups. All transcripts were productive and no relevant biases towards TRAV-J rearrangements are observed. Blood and skin from four unrelated subjects expression data provide evidence for an unusual ratio of productive/unproductive transcripts which arise from the TRG V-J gene rearrangement and for a "public" gamma delta TR repertoire. The productive cDNA sequences, shared both in the same and in different individuals, include biases of the TRGV1 and TRGJ2 genes. The high frequency of TRGV1-J2/TRDV1- D1-J4 productive rearrangements in dolphins may represent an interesting oligo-clonal population comparable to that found in human with the TRGV9- JP/TRDV2-D-J T cells and in primates. Although the features of the TRG and TRA/TRD loci organization reflect

Cytotoxicity and radiosensitization effect of TRA-8 on radioresistant human larynx squamous carcinoma cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Wu, F; Hu, Y; Long, J; Zhou, Y J; Zhong, Y H; Liao, Z K; Liu, S Q; Zhou, F X; Zhou, Y F; Xie, C H

2009-02-01

TRAIL induces apoptosis in a variety of tumorigenic and transformed cell lines, but not in many normal cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that death receptor 5 (DR5), one of the two death receptors bound by TRAIL, showed expression in most malignantly transformed cells. This study evaluated effects of a monoclonal antibody (TRA-8) to human death receptor 5, combined with ionizing radiation, on radioresistant human larynx squamous carcinoma cell line (Hep-2R). Cells were treated with TRA-8 alone or in combination with radiation, cell viability inhibition was measured by MTT assay, and the induction of apoptosis was determined by Annexin V staining. Radionsensitivity of Hep-2R cells treated with TRA-8 were investigated with long-term clonogenic assays. Regulation of DR5 expression in cells after radiation was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence using murine TRA-8 in combination with flow cytometry. The results suggested that TRA-8 enhanced radionsensitivity of Hep-2R cells, and that TRA-8 regulated Hep-2R cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Irradiation up-regulated the expression of DR5, and when combined with TRA-8 yielded optimal survival benefit. Therefore, TRA-8 can be used in combination with irradiation in radioresistant human larynx squamous carcinoma cells. Monoclonal antibodies such as TRA-8 may play an important role in the development of an effective treatment strategy for patients with radioresistant cancers.

The role of the transformer gene in sex determination and reproduction in the tephritid fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel).

Science.gov (United States)

Peng, Wei; Zheng, Wenping; Handler, Alfred M; Zhang, Hongyu

2015-12-01

Transformer (tra) is a switch gene in the somatic sex-determination hierarchy that regulates sexual dimorphism based on RNA splicing in many insects. In tephritids, a Y-linked male determining gene (M) controls sex in the sex-determination pathway. Here, homologues of Drosophila tra and transformer-2 (tra-2) genes were isolated and characterized in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), one of the most destructive agricultural insect pests in many Asian countries. Two male-specific and one female-specific isoforms of B. dorsalis transformer (Bdtra) were identified. The presence of multiple TRA/TRA-2 binding sites in Bdtra suggests that the TRA/TRA-2 proteins are splicing regulators promoting and maintaining, epigenetically, female sex determination by a tra positive feedback loop in XX individuals during development. The expression patterns of female-specific Bdtra transcripts during early embryogenesis shows that a peak appears at 15 h after egg laying. Using dsRNA to knock-down Bdtra expression in the embryo and adult stages, we showed that sexual formation is determined early in the embryo stage and that parental RNAi does not lead to the production of all male progeny as in Tribolium castaneum. RNAi results from adult abdominal dsRNA injections show that Bdtra has a positive influence on female yolk protein gene (Bdyp1) expression and fecundity.

First tier modeling of consumer dermal exposure to substances in consumer articles under REACH: a quantitative evaluation of the ECETOC TRA for consumers tool.

Science.gov (United States)

Delmaar, J E; Bokkers, B G H; ter Burg, W; van Engelen, J G M

2013-02-01

The demonstration of safe use of chemicals in consumer products, as required under REACH, is proposed to follow a tiered process. In the first tier, simple conservative methods and assumptions should be made to quickly verify whether risks for a particular use are expected. The ECETOC TRA Consumer Exposure Tool was developed to assist in first tier risk assessments for substances in consumer products. The ECETOC TRA is not a prioritization tool, but is meant as a first screening. Therefore, the exposure assessment needs to cover all products/articles in a specific category. For the assessment of the dermal exposure for substances in articles, ECETOC TRA uses the concept of a 'contact layer', a hypothetical layer that limits the exposure to a substance contained in the product. For each product/article category, ECETOC TRA proposes default values for the thickness of this contact layer. As relevant experimental exposure data is currently lacking, default values are based on expert judgment alone. In this paper it is verified whether this concept meets the requirement of being a conservative exposure evaluation method. This is done by confronting the ECETOC TRA expert judgment based predictions with a mechanistic emission model, based on the well established theory of diffusion of substances in materials. Diffusion models have been applied and tested in many applications of emission modeling. Experimentally determined input data for a number of material and substance combinations are available. The estimated emissions provide information on the range of emissions that could occur in reality. First tier tools such as ECETOC TRA tool are required to cover all products/articles in a category and to provide estimates that are at least as high as is expected on the basis of current scientific knowledge. Since this was not the case, it is concluded that the ECETOC TRA does not provide a proper conservative estimation method for the dermal exposure to articles. An

Abbreviated sampling and analysis plan for planning decontamination and decommissioning at Test Reactor Area (TRA) facilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1994-10-01

The objective is to sample and analyze for the presence of gamma emitting isotopes and hazardous constituents within certain areas of the Test Reactor Area (TRA), prior to D and D activities. The TRA is composed of three major reactor facilities and three smaller reactors built in support of programs studying the performance of reactor materials and components under high neutron flux conditions. The Materials Testing Reactor (MTR) and Engineering Test Reactor (ETR) facilities are currently pending D/D. Work consists of pre-D and D sampling of designated TRA (primarily ETR) process areas. This report addresses only a limited subset of the samples which will eventually be required to characterize MTR and ETR and plan their D and D. Sampling which is addressed in this document is intended to support planned D and D work which is funded at the present time. Biased samples, based on process knowledge and plant configuration, are to be performed. The multiple process areas which may be potentially sampled will be initially characterized by obtaining data for upstream source areas which, based on facility configuration, would affect downstream and as yet unsampled, process areas. Sampling and analysis will be conducted to determine the level of gamma emitting isotopes and hazardous constituents present in designated areas within buildings TRA-612, 642, 643, 644, 645, 647, 648, 663; and in the soils surrounding Facility TRA-611. These data will be used to plan the D and D and help determine disposition of material by D and D personnel. Both MTR and ETR facilities will eventually be decommissioned by total dismantlement so that the area can be restored to its original condition

ICT: interfacce tra persone e luoghi

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Corinna Morandi

2013-04-01

Full Text Available Nonostante la diffusione del paradigma della smart city sia stata esponenziale, con l’effetto di confonderne il significato, il concetto di “città intelligente” indica comunque un tema di ricerca importante, in particolare quando venga esteso a contesti territoriali più ampi. In questo senso, la ricerca La smart region tra Torino e Milano. I servizi mobili come driver di innovazione territoriale in vista di Expo 2015 (Politecnico di Milano-Telecom Italia si propone di sperimentare l’uso delle ICT per un sistema integrato di servizi nel territorio tra Torino e Milano, anche in prospettiva di Expo 2015: una regione metropolitana valorizzata da un sistema di relazioni già attive e inserita nel contesto più ampio della city-region del Nord Italia, il cui sviluppo va legato ad una strategia di scala vasta, declinabile nella definizione di “smart city-region” o, più semplicemente, di “smart region”. In tale contesto, il ruolo delle università nei processi di sviluppo territoriale, il miglioramento dei servizi materiali e immateriali erogati dai campus, su cui la ricerca (in corso ha scelto di concentrarsi, può contribuire ad aumentare la sostenibilità e competitività del territorio. Una prima sperimentazione è stata condotta sull’area di Città Studi a Milano, testando una metodologia utile a comprenderne le esigenze e individuando soluzioni e servizi funzionanti su  terminali di comunicazione mobile, interfaccia tra persone e luoghi nel campus e nel contesto urbano circostante.

Introducing the ARL X'Tra x-ray diffraction system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Harris, L.

2002-01-01

Full text: The ARL X'Tra is a state-of-the-art solution for powder X-ray diffraction in a large range of applications such as pharmaceuticals and biosciences, chemicals, earth sciences, semi-conductors, metallurgy and ceramics. The X'Tra offers the latest technology in key diffraction components to produce a high performance instrument at an affordable price. This presentation examines some of the hardware and performance features of this instrument. Copyright (2002) Australian X-ray Analytical Association Inc

Field Sampling Plan for the HWMA/RCRA Closure Certification of the TRA-731 Caustic and Acid Storage Tank System - 1997 Notice of Violation Consent Order

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Evans, S.K.

2002-01-01

This Field Sampling Plan for the HWMA/RCRA Closure Certification of the TRA-731 Caustic and Acid Storage Tank System is one of two documents that comprise the Sampling and Analysis Plan for the HWMA/RCRA closure certification of the TRA-731 caustic and acid storage tank system at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. This plan, which provides information about sampling design, required analyses, and sample collection and handling procedures, is to be used in conjunction with the Quality Assurance Project Plan for the HWMA/RCRA Closure Certification of the TRA-731 Caustic and Acid Storage Tank System

Giocare, tra violenza ed ecologia della mente.

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Enrico Euli

2008-07-01

Full Text Available L'articolo riflette sulle relazioni tra comunicazione, violenza e gioco, nel tentativo di rintracciare tra loro convergenze, affinità e contrasti. Le nostre relazioni, infatti, ci immettono inerzialmente in dilemmi e paradossi di così alta complessità da rendere spesso inadeguati gli strumenti 'logici' ed 'analitici': dal che può derivare un senso di impotenza, rabbia, paralisi, ma anche un desiderio potente di controllo e di soluzione degli eventi. Entrambe queste strade ci conducono dentro le false alternative della violenza. La cultura del gioco, invece, ci propone (attraverso le sue pratiche, ma anche negli scritti teorici di Freud, Winnicott, Bateson, qui riassunti e rivisitati una modalità più creativa e nonviolenta, più prossima ad un' ecologia della mente e ad un'estetica delle emozioni.

Validation of the dermal exposure model in ECETOC TRA.

Science.gov (United States)

Marquart, Hans; Franken, Remy; Goede, Henk; Fransman, Wouter; Schinkel, Jody

2017-08-01

The ECETOC TRA model (presently version 3.1) is often used to estimate worker inhalation and dermal exposure in regulatory risk assessment. The dermal model in ECETOC TRA has not yet been validated by comparison with independent measured exposure levels. This was the goal of the present study. Measured exposure levels and relevant contextual information were gathered via literature search, websites of relevant occupational health institutes and direct requests for data to industry. Exposure data were clustered in so-called exposure cases, which are sets of data from one data source that are expected to have the same values for input parameters in the ECETOC TRA dermal exposure model. For each exposure case, the 75th percentile of measured values was calculated, because the model intends to estimate these values. The input values for the parameters in ECETOC TRA were assigned by an expert elicitation and consensus building process, based on descriptions of relevant contextual information.From more than 35 data sources, 106 useful exposure cases were derived, that were used for direct comparison with the model estimates. The exposure cases covered a large part of the ECETOC TRA dermal exposure model. The model explained 37% of the variance in the 75th percentiles of measured values. In around 80% of the exposure cases, the model estimate was higher than the 75th percentile of measured values. In the remaining exposure cases, the model estimate may not be sufficiently conservative.The model was shown to have a clear bias towards (severe) overestimation of dermal exposure at low measured exposure values, while all cases of apparent underestimation by the ECETOC TRA dermal exposure model occurred at high measured exposure values. This can be partly explained by a built-in bias in the effect of concentration of substance in product used, duration of exposure and the use of protective gloves in the model. The effect of protective gloves was calculated to be on average a

Quality Assurance Project Plan for the HWMA/RCRA Closure Certification of the TRA-731 Caustic and Acid Storage Tank System - 1997 Notice of Violation Consent Order; TOPICAL

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Evans, S.K.

2002-01-01

This Quality Assurance Project Plan for the HWMA/RCRA Closure Certification of the TRA- 731 Caustic and Acid Storage Tank System is one of two documents that comprise the Sampling and Analysis Plan for the HWMA/RCRA closure certification of the TRA-731 caustic and acid storage tank system at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. This plan, which provides information about the project description, project organization, and quality assurance and quality control procedures, is to be used in conjunction with the Field Sampling Plan for the HWMA/RCRA Closure Certification of the TRA-731 Caustic and Acid Storage Tank System. This Quality Assurance Project Plan specifies the procedures for obtaining the data of known quality required by the closure activities for the TRA-731 caustic and acid storage tank system

Final Report of the NASA Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) Study Team

Science.gov (United States)

Hirshorn, Steven; Jefferies, Sharon

2016-01-01

The material in this report covers the results on the NASA-wide TRA team, who are responsible for ascertaining the full extent of issues and ambiguities pertaining to TRATRL and to provide recommendations for mitigation. The team worked for approximately 6 months to become knowledgeable on the current TRATRL process and guidance and to derive recommendations for improvement.The team reviewed the TRA processes of other government agencies (OGA), including international agencies, and found that while the high-level processes are similar, the NASA process has a greater level of detail. Finally, NASA’s HQ OCT continues to monitor the GAO’s efforts to produce a TRA Best Practices Guide, a draft of which was received in February 2016. This Guide could impact the recommendations of this report.

Development of the SyncTraX FX4 version real-time tumor tracking system for radiation therapy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ishiyama, Tomoharu; Torigoe, Yui; Nagae, Koudai; Kajiki, Shunsuke; Sano, Takayuki

2017-01-01

Based on the current SyncTraX that was developed jointly with Hokkaido University, we have developed the SyncTraX FX4 version, which features not only tumor tracking but also patient positioning. The SyncTraX FX4 version is configured with four fixed x-ray tubes an detectors and eliminated the rail that is used to move the x-ray tube and detector as in the current SyncTraX. This development simplifies limitations on facility construction. We also adopted a distortion free flat panel detector instead of a color I.I., and the additional patient positioning feature will enable the SyncTraX FX4 version to become more widely applied in clinical cases. (author)

InTraCert. Inception report. The role of an integrated tradable green certificate system in a liberalising market

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Boots, M.G.; Schaeffer, G.J.; De Zoeten, C.; Mitchell, C.; Anderson, T.; Morthorst, P.E.; Nielsen, L.; Gual, M.; Del Rio, P.; Cadenas, A.; Hernandez, F.; Kuehn, I.; Braeur, W.; Stronzik, M.

2000-12-01

The InTraCert project aims to explore the possibility of integrating the existing and planned Tradable Green Certificate (TGC) schemes in the European Union and, therefore, creating a plausible unified market for TGCs. Particular attention will be paid to the possibilities of integrating TGCs for green electricity, heat and gas. Furthermore, it intents to examine the possible interactions arising from such a system with more direct GHG abatement measures, i.e. Carbon Emissions Trading (CET). The scope of the InTraCert project requires specific information for EU-15 countries regarding, on the one hand, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) used for electricity, gas and heat generation and. on the other, GHG emission levels and national strategies. In order to account for this information need. specific country inventories have been designed and carried out by InTraCert members in this first phase of the project. The inventory shows that Belgium, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden and the UK seriously want to implement a TGC system. The systems will indeed be nationally oriented; hardly any provisions for international trade in the different TGCs will be put in place. An essential prerequisite for efficient cross border trade is agreement on the carbon credit that comes with RE production. What is the size of the carbon credit and will this credit be attached to the TGC while traded? These will be the main questions to be answered in the next phase of the InTraCert project. 8 refs

Quorum-Dependent Mannopine-Inducible Conjugative Transfer of an Agrobacterium Opine-Catabolic Plasmid

Science.gov (United States)

Wetzel, Margaret E.; Kim, Kun-Soo; Miller, Marilyn; Olsen, Gary J.

2014-01-01

The Ti plasmid in Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain 15955 carries two alleles of traR that regulate conjugative transfer. The first is a functional allele, called traR, that is transcriptionally induced by the opine octopine. The second, trlR, is a nonfunctional, dominant-negative mutant located in an operon that is inducible by the opine mannopine (MOP). Based on these findings, we predicted that there exist wild-type agrobacterial strains harboring plasmids in which MOP induces a functional traR and, hence, conjugation. We analyzed 11 MOP-utilizing field isolates and found five where MOP induced transfer of the MOP-catabolic element and increased production of the acyl-homoserine lactone (acyl-HSL) quormone. The transmissible elements in these five strains represent a set of highly related plasmids. Sequence analysis of one such plasmid, pAoF64/95, revealed that the 176-kb element is not a Ti plasmid but carries genes for catabolism of MOP, mannopinic acid (MOA), agropinic acid (AGA), and the agrocinopines. The plasmid additionally carries all of the genes required for conjugative transfer, including the regulatory genes traR, traI, and traM. The traR gene, however, is not located in the MOP catabolism region. The gene, instead, is monocistronic and located within the tra-trb-rep gene cluster. A traR mutant failed to transfer the plasmid and produced little to no quormone even when grown with MOP, indicating that TraRpAoF64/95 is the activator of the tra regulon. A traM mutant was constitutive for transfer and acyl-HSL production, indicating that the anti-activator function of TraM is conserved. PMID:24363349

Geografia e sport: per una definizione del rapporto tra spazio e società

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rosario De Iulio

2013-04-01

Full Text Available Le finalità del presente saggio si possono sintetizzare in due differenti punti, ma strettamente legati tra di loro. Il primo è quello di illustrare, seppur brevemente, l’insieme delle teorie che hanno portato all’origine e alla affermazione della geografia dello sport, mentre il secondo cercherà di tracciare seppur a grandi linee, le emergenti linee di ricerca nell’ottica del complesso rapporto tra spazio e società. In tal modo si offriranno alcuni spunti di riflessione e nuove chiavi di lettura sul poliedrica relazione tra attività sportiva, intesa come fenomeno socio-culturale, e spazio/territorio, ormai sempre più centrale nelle più recenti politiche di pianificazione territoriale, considerando anche dell’attuale fase di deindustrializzazione che investe i nostri centri urbani.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific to pangasius catfish, basa, and tra.

Science.gov (United States)

Gajewski, K G; Chen, Y-T; Hsieh, Y-H P

2009-04-01

Four IgG (subclass IgG1) class monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) strongly reactive to Asian farm-raised Pangasius catfish, tra (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and basa (Pangasius bocourti), have been developed. These MAbs were raised by immunizing an animal with thermal-stable crude sarcoplasmic protein extract of cooked tra. The MAbs were selected by screening hybridoma clones against more than 70 common fish and meat protein extracts. Two MAbs, T7E10 and T1G11, were found to be specific to the Asian Pangasius catfish, tra, and basa, with no cross-reactions with any of the common fish and meat species or with the food additive proteins (bovine serum albumin, soy proteins, milk proteins, egg proteins, and gelatin) tested. MAb T7E10 recognized 2 antigenic proteins (molecular weight approximately 36 and 75 kDa) in raw and cooked tra and basa extracts, while T1G11 bound to several proteins (molecular weight between 13 and 18 kDa) in tra and basa extracts. Two other MAbs, F7B8 and F1G11, recognized a common protein (36 KDa) and cross-reacted with all the fish extracts tested and with several mammalian species. These MAbs can be employed individually or in combination in various formats of immunoassays for rapid identification of Pangasius catfish, either raw or cooked. They can also be used to study the biological, biochemical, and physiological aspects of thermal-stable antigenic proteins. This is the first study identifying these thermal-stable antigenic proteins present in Pangasius catfish as species-specific biomarkers.

Models of Aire-dependent gene regulation for thymic negative selection

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dina eDanso-Abeam

2011-05-01

Full Text Available Mutations in the Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE gene lead to Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Syndrome type 1 (APS1, characterized by the development of multi-organ autoimmune damage. The mechanism by which defects in AIRE result in autoimmunity has been the subject of intense scrutiny. At the cellular level, the working model explains most of the clinical and immunological characteristics of APS1, with AIRE driving the expression of tissue restricted antigens (TRAs in the epithelial cells of the thymic medulla. This TRA expression results in effective negative selection of TRA-reactive thymocytes, preventing autoimmune disease. At the molecular level, the mechanism by which AIRE initiates TRA expression in the thymic medulla remains unclear. Multiple different models for the molecular mechanism have been proposed, ranging from classical transcriptional activity, to random induction of gene expression, to epigenetic tag recognition effect, to altered cell biology. In this review, we evaluate each of these models and discuss their relative strengths and weaknesses.

Maternal provision of transformer-2 is required for female development and embryo viability in the wasp Nasonia vitripennis.

Science.gov (United States)

Geuverink, Elzemiek; Rensink, Anna H; Rondeel, Inge; Beukeboom, Leo W; van de Zande, Louis; Verhulst, Eveline C

2017-11-01

In insect sex determination a primary signal starts the genetic sex determination cascade that, in most insect orders, is subsequently transduced down the cascade by a transformer (tra) ortholog. Only a female-specifically spliced tra mRNA yields a functional TRA-protein that forms a complex with TRA2, encoded by a transformer-2 (tra2) ortholog, to act as a sex specific splicing regulator of the downstream transcription factors doublesex (dsx) and fruitless (fru). Here, we identify the tra2 ortholog of the haplodiploid parasitoid wasp N. vitripennis (Nv-tra2) and confirm its function in N. vitripennis sex determination. Knock down of Nv-tra2 by parental RNA interference (pRNAi) results in complete sex reversal of diploid offspring from female to male, indicating the requirement of Nv-tra2 for female sex determination. As Nv-tra2 pRNAi leads to frequent lethality in early developmental stages, maternal provision of Nv-tra2 transcripts is apparently also required for another, non-sex determining function during embryogenesis. In addition, lethality following Nv-tra2 pRNAi appears more pronounced in diploid than in haploid offspring. This diploid lethal effect was also observed following Nv-tra pRNAi, which served as a positive control in our experiments. As diploid embryos from fertilized eggs have a paternal chromosome set in addition to the maternal one, this suggests that either the presence of this paternal chromosome set or the dosage effect resulting from the diploid state is incompatible with the induced male development in N. vitripennis caused by either Nv-tra2 or Nv-tra pRNAi. The role of Nv-tra2 in activating the female sex determination pathway yields more insight into the sex determination mechanism of Nasonia. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Maria Rizzarelli, Una terra che è solo visione. La poesia di Pasolini tra cinema e pittura

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Paolo Lago

2016-11-01

Full Text Available La contaminazione tra scrittura e visione, la «natura anfibologica» tra parola e immagine, secondo una definizione dello stesso autore, risulta fondamentale nell’intera opera letteraria di Pier Paolo Pasolini.

Zaustavljanje broda koji nije u vlasništvu osobe odgovorne za pomorsku tražbinu : [prikaz presude

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Jasenko Marin

2002-12-01

Full Text Available Načelno, privremeno zaustavljen može biti samo brod čiji je vlasnik protivnik osiguranja, odnosno osoba odgovorna za pomorsku tražbinu čije se osiguranje traži. U skladu s tim nije dopušteno zaustavljanje broda u vlasništvu trgovačkog društva čiji je jedini član osoba odgovorna za pomorsku tražbinu.

Emozionanti mostri femminili tra storia e cinema

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Angela Giallongo

2014-10-01

Full Text Available Ricorrendo al concetto chiave di paura, usato come categoria storica, il presente contributo esamina l’antico mito gorgonico in sette film e in alcuni esempi di Teen Movies. L’analisi critica focalizza l’attenzione sull’interdipendenza tra le emozioni negative, gli usi attuali di questa immagine archetipica e la ricerca storica sull’immaginario di genere.

The Evolution of NR TrA (Nova TrA 2008) from 2008 through 2017

Science.gov (United States)

Walter, Frederick M.; Burwitz, Vadim; Kafka, Stella

2018-06-01

The classical nova NR TrA was discovered as an O-type optically-thick classical nova. There is no evidence that it formed dust. Within four years the envelope became sufficiently thin to reveal an eclipsing accretion disk-dominated system with orbitally-modulated permitted lines of C IV, N V, and O VI. XMM observations reveal a non-eclipsing soft X-ray source and a deeply-eclipsing UV continuum. We will present the first ten years of optical spectral evolution of this system accompanied by ten years of BVRIJHK photometry, with an eye to deciphering the current nature of the system.

HWMA/RCRA Closure Plan for the TRA Fluorinel Dissolution Process Mockup and Gamma Facilities Waste System

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

K. Winterholler

2007-01-01

This Hazardous Waste Management Act/Resource Conservation and Recovery Act closure plan was developed for the Test Reactor Area Fluorinel Dissolution Process Mockup and Gamma Facilities Waste System, located in Building TRA-641 at the Reactor Technology Complex (RTC), Idaho National Laboratory Site, to meet a further milestone established under the Voluntary Consent Order SITE-TANK-005 Action Plan for Tank System TRA-009. The tank system to be closed is identified as VCO-SITE-TANK-005 Tank System TRA-009. This closure plan presents the closure performance standards and methods for achieving those standards

Different foods in larvicultura of traíra (Hoplias malabaricus

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Samuel Louzada Pereira

2015-10-01

Full Text Available ABSTRACT. Pereira S.L., Mendonça P.P., Pellanda A.S., Matielo M.D. & Gon- çalves Junior L.P. [Different foods in larvicultura of traíra (Hoplias malabaricus.] Utilização de diferentes alimentos na larvicultura de traíra (Hoplias malabaricus. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 37(3:233-238, 2015. Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brasil. E-mail: samuell_lp@hotmail.com The feeding in the larviculture of species carnivorous view point for closing of the technological packages of rearing culture. Developed in the sector of Aquicultura of the IFES - Campus of Alegre, this work it aimed at to compare the performance with four diet feed as first exogenous feeding for traíra (Hoplias malabaricus, parameters evaluated: Survival, length final (CF, final weight (PF, tax of specific growth (TCE, development tax specifies (TDE, being put in container with fifteen liters of water, with constant aeration, have five larva of traíra/container. The delineation entire was aleatory with four treatments and five repetitions. Being the diet feeds represented for T1: Nauplios de Artemia sp.; T2: microworm of oats (Pannagrelos redivivus; T3: Wild Zooplâncton; e the inert food represented by T4: Commercial ration in dust with 55% of crude protein and 4,200 Kcal de ED/kg of ration. The water exchange was of 80% daily, the average temperature was of 27.5±1°C. The indices of survival in the T1, T2, T3 and T4, had been 84%, 72%, 100% and 92%, respectively. The date had been submitted analyze it statistics ANOVA and test of Tukey (P<0.01. Wild Zooplâncton was biggest CTF, PF, GP, TCE and TDE. Did not have difference statistics between the Artemia sp. the ration for TCE and TDE. The microworm of oats was minor CF, PF, TCE and TDE. The treatment Wild zooplankton (T3 showed optimum diet food among the other diet feeds tested for the development and

Integrated approach for disease management and growth enhancement of Sesamum indicum L. utilizing Azotobacter chroococcum TRA2 and chemical fertilizer.

Science.gov (United States)

Maheshwari, D K; Dubey, R C; Aeron, Abhinav; Kumar, Bhavesh; Kumar, Sandeep; Tewari, Sakshi; Arora, Naveen Kumar

2012-10-01

Azotobacter chroococcum TRA2, an isolate of wheat rhizosphere displayed plant growth promoting attributes including indole acetic acid, HCN, siderophore production, solubilization of inorganic phosphate and fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. In addition, it showed strong antagonistic effect against Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum. It also caused degradation and digestion of cell wall components, resulting in hyphal perforations, empty cell (halo) formation, shrinking and lysis of fungal mycelia along with significant degeneration of conidia. Fertilizer adaptive variant strain of A. chroococcum TRA2 was studied with Tn5 induced streptomycin resistant transconjugants of wild type tetracycline-resistant TRA2 (designated TRA2(tetra+strep+)) after different durations. The strain was significantly competent in rhizosphere, as its population increased by 15.29 % in rhizosphere of Sesamum indicum. Seed bacterization with the strain TRA2 resulted in significant increase in vegetative growth parameters and yield of sesame over the non-bacterized seeds. However, application of TRA2 with half dose of fertilizers showed sesame yield almost similar to that obtained by full dose treatment. Moreover, the oil yield increased by 24.20 %, while protein yield increased by 35.92 % in treatment receiving half dose of fertilizer along with TRA2 bacterized seeds, as compared to untreated control.

Clinical use of serum TRA-1-60 as tumor marker in patients with germ cell cancer

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lajer, Henrik; Daugaard, Gedske; Andersson, Anna-Maria

2002-01-01

TRA-1-60 antigen has been related to the presence of embryonal germ cell carcinoma (EC) and carcinoma in situ. Our study further investigated the clinical efficacy of TRA-1-60 as a serum tumor marker for germ cell cancer in the testis. Three groups of patients with germ cell tumors were included:...

Simultaneous spectral and photometric observations of the beat Cepheid U TrA

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Niva, G.D.; Schmidt, E.G.

1981-01-01

It was suggested that U TrA was a Cepheid with a modulated light curve. Further photometric and radial-velocity observations have confirmed this behaviour. Unfortunately, the radial velocities are too few in number and too scattered to allow a detailed analysis. This paper presents further photometric and spectroscopic observations of U TrA. The original intent was to obtain enough simultaneous observations to perform a Wesselink analysis similar to the one made for another beat Cepheid, TU Cas. Unfortunately, this has not been possible. However, the data obtained are of high quality and are clearly useful in studies of the modal content and period stability of the star. (author)

Assessment of exposure to traffic pollution using the ExTra index: study of validation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reungoat, Patrice; Chiron, Mireille; Gauvin, Stephanie; Le Moullec, Y.; Momas, Isabelle

2003-01-01

The ExTra index, produced by the French Scientific Center for Building Physics, evaluates ambient concentrations of transport-related pollutants in front of the work and living places of urban dwellers. This study contributes to the validation of the ExTra index by carrying out measurements in four French cities. It compares nitrogen oxide concentrations (NO x ) measured over 6 weeks with passive samplers, and NO x calculated concentrations using the ExTra index. The study takes into account traffic density, topographical parameters (building height, road, and pavement width), weather conditions (wind direction and strength), and background pollution levels. The model was tested at 100 street canyons sites. There were highly significant correlations (0.90 in Grenoble, 0.95 in Nice, 0.89 in Paris, and 0.89 in Toulouse) and good intraclass correlation coefficients (0.75 in Grenoble, 0.91 in Nice, 0.89 in Paris, and 0.86 in Toulouse) between the two series of values. These results suggest that if the ExTra index were to be applied to all the different residences and workplaces of a subject throughout his (her) life, it could be a useful epidemiological tool for studying the long-term health effects of transport-related emissions and for reconstructing individual exposure to such pollution in order to avoid misclassification

Cartografar é traçar um plano comum

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Virgínia Kastrup

2013-08-01

Full Text Available A pesquisa de campo sobre produção da subjetividade enfrenta o problema de construir conhecimento envolvendo pesquisadores e pesquisados, com territórios e semióticas singulares. Surgem questões relativas ao protagonismo dos participantes e a como traçar com eles um plano comum, garantindo o caráter participativo da pesquisa. No contexto do método da cartografia, o artigo tem como objetivo tratar do tema do comum num duplo aspecto. Num primeiro, discute o acesso ao plano comum. Com base em Gilles Deleuze e Felix Guattari, tal plano não é dito homogêneo nem reúne atores que manteriam entre si relações de identidade, mas opera comunicação entre singularidades, sendo pré-individual e coletivo. Num segundo aspecto, aponta que, enquanto pesquisa-intervenção, a cartografia se compromete com a criação de um mundo comum e heterogêneo. O artigo mostra que o traçado do comum tem como diretriz metodológica a tranversalidade e examina os procedimentos de participação, inclusão e tradução.

Torque nos rodados motrizes de um trator agrícola submetido a ensaios de tração

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Diego A. Fiorese

2015-09-01

Full Text Available RESUMOA determinação do torque nos rodados motrizes dos tratores agrícolas complementa os ensaios de tração e permite o cálculo da distribuição dos esforços tratórios entre os eixos. O objetivo principal desta pesquisa foi determinar a demanda de torque nos rodados motrizes de um trator com potência do motor de 89 kW, buscando avaliar o torque demandado em função da utilização da tração dianteira assistida (TDA, para distintas marchas e conforme aumento da força de tração. Foram realizados ensaios de tração sobre pista de concreto utilizando-se um torciômetro instalado no eixo traseiro do trator, um carro dinamométrico e instrumentação eletrônica para aquisição de dados. Avaliaram-se a TDA ligada e desligada, quatro marchas (5, 7, 8 e 9 km h-1 e oito cargas na barra de tração (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 30 kN. Os resultados analisados estatisticamente através de equações de regressão indicaram comportamento similar para todas as marchas sendo que, conforme o aumento da força de tração ocorreu crescimento linear da demanda de torque nos eixos motrizes. Com a TDA ligada nas cargas mais baixas o torque é maior no eixo dianteiro e nas cargas mais altas é maior no eixo traseiro.

Giorgio Perlasca, 'Giusto tra le nazioni' e 'eroe italiano'

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Jansen, M.M.

2008-01-01

Giorgio Perlasca che, fingendosi console spagnolo, nel 1944 salvò più di cinquemila ebrei ungheresi a Budapest, è stato proclamato “Giusto tra le Nazioni” a Yad Vashem nel 1989, dopo di che è seguito il suo riconoscimento all’estero ed in Italia come “uomo giusto” e come “eroe italiano”. Dopo il

La portata etica della tragedia tra Bernard Williams e Martha Nussbaum

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Francesco Testini

2015-11-01

Full Text Available Questo breve scritto si propone di ripercorrere sinteticamente alcuni nodi fondamentali del dibattito filosofico tra Bernard Williams e Martha Nussbaum sul significato e sul valore etico della rappresentazione tragica non tanto all’interno del mondo greco quanto per la contemporaneità. Il campo su cui questa analisi intende muoversi è delimitato principalmente da due testi fondamentali come Vergogna e Necessità e l’introduzione alla nuova edizione del 2001, insieme alla prima parte, de La fragilità del bene. Si cercherà di mostrare lo scarto tra queste due diverse concezioni riconducendo ad ognuna il particolare atteggiamento etico che sostiene; di questi diversi punti di vista si cercherà di ricostruire il nesso con le differenti interpretazioni che i due autori forniscono dell’Agamennone di Eschilo e con le diverse reazioni che motivano nei confronti del protagonista e della sua vicenda. Gli obiettivi delle argomentazioni che seguono sono principalmente due: innanzitutto evidenziare come in alcune delle critiche mosse dalla filosofa americana al collega britannico siano rinvenibili spunti fondamentali per quella che si ritiene una più completa comprensione della tragedia come caso limite del conflitto tra soggetto etico e mondo e, in secondo luogo, produrre una giustificazione filosofica ulteriore della reazione motivata da Nussbaum davanti alla condotta di Agamennone che sia compatibile con l’approccio di Williams attraverso una riproposizione del conflitto di valori in termini di conflitto di ruoli.

Exact Tandem Repeats Analyzer (E-TRA): A new program for DNA ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Unknown

Advanced user defined parameters/options let the researchers use different minimum motif repeats ... E-TRA, we used 5,465,605 human EST sequences derived from 18,814,550 ..... repeat rates of T-cells, embryo and testis were higher.

Management of rare, low anal anterior fistula exception to Goodsall′s rule with Kṣārasūtra

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Pradeep S Shindhe

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Anal fistula (bhagandara is a chronic inflammatory condition, a tubular structure opening in the ano-rectal canal at one end and surface of perineum/peri-anal skin on the other end. Typically, fistula has two openings, one internal and other external associated with chronic on/off pus discharge on/off pain, pruritis and sometimes passing of stool from external opening. This affects predominantly male patients due to various etiologies viz., repeated peri-anal infections, Crohn′s disease, HIV infection, etc., Complex and atypical variety is encountered in very few patients, which require special treatment for cure. The condition poses difficulty for a surgeon in treating due to issues like patient hesitation, trouble in preparing kṣārasūtra, natural and routine infection with urine, stool etc., and dearth of surgical experts and technique. We would like to report a complex and atypical, single case of anterior, low anal fistula with tract reaching to median raphe of scrotum, which was managed successfully by limited application of kṣārasūtra.

Tra cinema e fumetto: due usi del montaggio

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Giuseppe Saitta

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Entrambi linguaggi visivi, ove la narrazione si dipana grazie al rapporto di interdipendenza cheogni singola immagine intrattiene con l'immagine che la precede e quella che le succede. Pur dovendo ricorrere dunque a un montaggio di immagini, fumetto e cinema presentano tra di loro grandi differenze, ma anche grandi similitudini. Cercheremo di scoprire quali sono affidandoci all'analisi della duplice trasposizione di "300" da parte di Frank Miller e Zack Snyder.

ArraySolver: An Algorithm for Colour-Coded Graphical Display and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Statistics for Comparing Microarray Gene Expression Data

OpenAIRE

Khan, Haseeb Ahmad

2004-01-01

The massive surge in the production of microarray data poses a great challenge for proper analysis and interpretation. In recent years numerous computational tools have been developed to extract meaningful interpretation of microarray gene expression data. However, a convenient tool for two-groups comparison of microarray data is still lacking and users have to rely on commercial statistical packages that might be costly and require special skills, in addition to extra time and effort for tra...

ART, Stoffenmanager, and TRA: A Systematic Comparison of Exposure Estimates Using the TREXMO Translation System.

Science.gov (United States)

Savic, Nenad; Gasic, Bojan; Vernez, David

2017-12-15

Several occupational exposure models are recommended under the EU's REACH legislation. Due to limited availability of high-quality exposure data, their validation is an ongoing process. It was shown, however, that different models may calculate significantly different estimates and thus lead to potentially dangerous conclusions about chemical risk. In this paper, the between-model translation rules defined in TREXMO were used to generate 319000 different in silico exposure situations in ART, Stoffenmanager, and ECETOC TRA v3. The three models' estimates were computed and the correlation and consistency between them were investigated. The best correlated pair was Stoffenmanager-ART (R, 0.52-0.90), whereas the ART-TRA and Stoffenmanager-TRA correlations were either lower (R, 0.36-0.69) or no correlation was found. Consistency varied significantly according to different exposure types (e.g. vapour versus dust) or settings (near-field versus far-field and indoors versus outdoors). The percentages of generated situations for which estimates differed by more than a factor of 100 ranged from 14 to 97%, 37 to 99%, and 1 to 68% for Stoffenmanager-ART, TRA-ART, and TRA-Stoffenmanager, respectively. Overall, the models were more consistent for vapours than for dusts and solids, near-fields than for far-fields, and indoor than for outdoor exposure. Multiple linear regression analyses evidenced the relationship between the models' parameters and the relative differences between the models' predictions. The relative difference can be used to estimate the consistency between the models. Furthermore, the study showed that the tiered approach is not generally applicable to all exposure situations. These findings emphasize the need for a multiple-model approach to assessing critical exposure scenarios under REACH. Moreover, in combination with occupational exposure measurements, they might also be used for future studies to improve prediction accuracy. © The Author(s) 2017

Association between antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Escherichia coli obtained from blood and faeces

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Bagger-Skjøt, Line; Sandvang, Dorthe; Frimodt-Møller, Niels

2007-01-01

Escherichia coli isolates obtained from faeces (n = 85) and blood (n = 123) were susceptibility tested against 17 antimicrobial agents and the presence of 9 virulence genes was determined by PCR. Positive associations between several antimicrobial resistances and 2 VF genes (iutA and traT) were...

Estudo comparativo entre traços de argamassa de revestimento utilizadas em Porto Alegre

OpenAIRE

Eduardo Dubaj

2000-01-01

Existe hoje na construção civil uma grande variedade de traços de argamassa para revestimento. Estes traços são, muitas vezes, utilizados de maneira inadequada, não levando-se em consideração as solicitações a que estes revestimentos serão submetidos. Este uso inadequado é muitas vezes o responsável pelo surgimento de manifestações patológicas que conduzem a diminuição da vida útil de um componente ou de uma edificação como um todo, conduzindo a gastos com sua recuperação e até a total insati...

TraLaLa Blip: Community Music for the Electronically Abled

Science.gov (United States)

Reimann, Randolf

2012-01-01

This article presents a personal reflection on the use of electronic music as a vehicle for community music in a disability setting. In order to do this, I draw on my experiences as the founder, facilitator, producer, tutor, sound artist and musician of TraLaLa Blip. I established the group in 2008, after having worked with people with…

OSSERVAZIONI SU UNO SCAMBIO DI POEMETTI TRA PIETRO STANCOVICH E MARTINO FIORANTI

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Sandro Cergna

2013-01-01

Full Text Available Il lavoro presenta un’analisi comparata tra due poemetti d’occasione in dialetto istroveneto dell’Istria sud-occidentale. I componimenti, scritti nel 1826 dal dignanese Martino Fioranti e dal canonico di Barbana Pietro Stancovich, rappresentano un’importante attestazione della presenza di un’attività poetica in quella che rappresentava all’epoca la koiné del territorio istriano, cioè l’idioma di diretta derivazione veneziana. I poemetti rivestono scarsa importanza a livello letterario. Più interessanti si rivelano, invece, se osservati da una prospettiva storica e documentaristica, attraverso la quale ci si svela l’ambiente, il costume dell’epoca, e soprattutto il rapporto di cordiale amicizia che univa i due poeti. In chiusura del lavoro si dà un breve confronto tra il poemetto e i tre sonetti di Martino Fioranti, rinvenuti nell’archivio della Biblioteca universitaria di Pola.

A Caenorhabditis elegans wild type defies the temperature-size rule owing to a single nucleotide polymorphism in tra-3.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jan E Kammenga

2007-03-01

Full Text Available Ectotherms rely for their body heat on surrounding temperatures. A key question in biology is why most ectotherms mature at a larger size at lower temperatures, a phenomenon known as the temperature-size rule. Since temperature affects virtually all processes in a living organism, current theories to explain this phenomenon are diverse and complex and assert often from opposing assumptions. Although widely studied, the molecular genetic control of the temperature-size rule is unknown. We found that the Caenorhabditis elegans wild-type N2 complied with the temperature-size rule, whereas wild-type CB4856 defied it. Using a candidate gene approach based on an N2 x CB4856 recombinant inbred panel in combination with mutant analysis, complementation, and transgenic studies, we show that a single nucleotide polymorphism in tra-3 leads to mutation F96L in the encoded calpain-like protease. This mutation attenuates the ability of CB4856 to grow larger at low temperature. Homology modelling predicts that F96L reduces TRA-3 activity by destabilizing the DII-A domain. The data show that size adaptation of ectotherms to temperature changes may be less complex than previously thought because a subtle wild-type polymorphism modulates the temperature responsiveness of body size. These findings provide a novel step toward the molecular understanding of the temperature-size rule, which has puzzled biologists for decades.

Work life balance tra limiti istituzionali e pratiche innovative

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Giovanna Campanella

2017-12-01

Full Text Available Come rispondono le politiche di conciliazione cura-lavoro alle esigenze delle lavoratrici e dei lavoratori di nuova generazione: sempre più precari, poveri e instabili dal punto di vista reddituale e/o professionale? Con un sostanziale immobilismo politico.  Questo è il quadro che viene fuori da una rassegna delle principali politiche sociali italiane volte a supporto della genitorialità e alla garanzia dell’occupazione femminile. Il contributo mette in luce i limiti di tali politiche e coglie gli aspetti innovativi di pratiche che si sviluppano dal basso.  Al contempo, una riflessione al margine lascia aperta una importante questione sul rapporto tra flessibilità e conciliazione, ovvero tra organizzazione del lavoro e tempi di cura per la famiglia. Nell’era della rivoluzione digitale,  individuamo forti resistenze al cambiamento, sia da parte delle istituzioni, ma anche e soprattutto dal mondo produttivo, che vanta si modelli “agili” di forme di lavoro da un punto di vista formale (vedi il lavoro agile/ smart working ma che dal punto di vista sostanziale rimane radicato a modelli di contrattazione standar che non agevola né la condizioine lavorativa da un punto di vista di tutele né la conciliaizone cura lavoro e quindi l’occupazione femminile.

Tribolium castaneum Transformer-2 regulates sex determination and development in both males and females.

Science.gov (United States)

Shukla, Jayendra Nath; Palli, Subba Reddy

2013-12-01

Tribolium castaneum Transformer (TcTra) is essential for female sex determination and maintenance through the regulation of sex-specific splicing of doublesex (dsx) pre-mRNA. In females, TcTra also regulates the sex-specific splicing of its own pre-mRNA to ensure continuous production of functional Tra protein. Transformer protein is absent in males and hence dsx pre-mRNA is spliced in a default mode. The mechanisms by which males inhibit the production of functional Tra protein are not known. Here, we report on functional characterization of transformer-2 (tra-2) gene (an ortholog of Drosophila transformer-2) in T. castaneum. RNA interference-mediated knockdown in the expression of gene coding for tra-2 in female pupae or adults resulted in the production of male-specific isoform of dsx and both female and male isoforms of tra suggesting that Tra-2 is essential for the female-specific splicing of tra and dsx pre-mRNAs. Interestingly, knockdown of tra-2 in males did not affect the splicing of dsx but resulted in the production of both female and male isoforms of tra suggesting that Tra-2 suppresses female-specific splicing of tra pre-mRNA in males. This dual regulation of sex-specific splicing of tra pre-mRNA ensures a tight regulation of sex determination and maintenance. These data suggest a critical role for Tra-2 in suppression of female sex determination cascade in males. In addition, RNAi studies showed that Tra-2 is also required for successful embryonic and larval development in both sexes. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Temperature-dependent sex-reversal by a transformer-2 gene-edited mutation in the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii.

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Jianwei; Handler, Alfred M

2017-09-28

Female to male sex reversal was achieved in an emerging agricultural insect pest, Drosophila suzukii, by creating a temperature-sensitive point mutation in the sex-determination gene, transformer-2 (tra-2), using CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated) homology-directed repair gene-editing. Ds-tra-2 ts2 mutants developed as normal fertile XX and XY adults at permissive temperatures below 20 °C, but at higher restrictive temperatures (26 to 29 °C) chromosomal XX females developed as sterile intersexuals with a predominant male phenotype, while XY males developed with normal morphology, but were sterile. The temperature-dependent function of the Ds-TRA-2 ts2 protein was also evident by the up- and down-regulation of female-specific Ds-Yolk protein 1 (Ds-Yp1) gene expression by temperature shifts during adulthood. This study confirmed the temperature-dependent function of a gene-edited mutation and provides a new method for the more general creation of conditional mutations for functional genomic analysis in insects, and other organisms. Furthermore, it provides a temperature-dependent system for creating sterile male populations useful for enhancing the efficacy of biologically-based programs, such as the sterile insect technique (SIT), to control D. suzukii and other insect pest species of agricultural and medical importance.

Vestite alla turchesca. Travestimenti orientali nella drammaturgia italiana e francese tra Sei e Settecento

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Stefano Agostino Moretti

2011-11-01

Full Text Available Da secoli il Mar Mediterraneo rappresenta un confine tra due mondi. Gli orientalisti li chiamavano e continuano a chiamarli mondo “arabo” e mondo “cristiano”. Questo contributo vuole mostrare come, in tempi non sospetti, l’Italia rappresentasse un ponte tra queste due culture. Grazie agli strumenti della storiografia contemporanea, attenta alla vita quotidiana e agli “archivi del corpo”, scopriamo che durante il XVI e il XVII secolo gli incontri tra musulmani e cristiani fossero molto frequenti e spesso felici. Il teatro comico italiano fu il genere letterario che, prima e meglio di ogni altro, riuscì a cogliere e a descrivere tale fenomeno con tutte le implicazioni politiche, religiose e identitarie, restituendone in pieno uno degli elementi sovente sottaciuti e censurati, ovvero la perturbante carica erotica del “diverso”. Uno degli espedienti che riassumono con maggiore efficacia questo  rapporto identitario e culturale è rappresentato dall’uso del travestimento. Paragonando alcune commedie italiane della prima metà del Seicento con il teatro “orientalista” di Bonarelli, Molière e Goldoni, possiamo osservare la nascita e la crescita di una visione stereotipata e libresca dell’altro, là dove i “panni turcheschi” generavano negli spettatori paura e desiderio.

‘Tarasca’. Tra Napoli, Venezia e l’Europa

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Piermario Vescovo

2014-12-01

Full Text Available This paper reconsiders some important episodes of the history of drama and theater of the imagination spread between Naples and Madrid or more generally between Italy and Spain with reference to the Tarasca (procession of Corpus Domini, ideally through six ‘stations’. In this Spanish procession we find on a female dragon the effigies of Gennaro and Gaetano Sacchi, uncle and father of the more famous Antonio, whose stories and travels are one of the matters of this paper. The other matters are focused on the relationship between Carlo Goldoni and the Neapolitans Domenico Barone and Domenico Lalli, and on the Venetian reinvention of Pulcinella’s mask by Giandomenico Tiepolo, passing through Madrid.Col riferimento a una processione legata prevalentemente al Corpus Domini, attraverso sei ‘stazioni’ ideali, il contributo riconsidera alcuni rilevanti episodi di storia dello spettacolo e di diffusione dell’immaginazione teatrale tra Napoli e Madrid, o più in generale tra l’Italia e la Spagna. Nella processione madrilena – sopra un drago femmina semovente (la Tarasca, appunto – si ritrovano le effigi di Gennaro e Gaetano Sacchi, zio e padre del più celebre Antonio, le cui vicende e le cui peregrinazioni costituiscono il filo principale del racconto; gli altri sono costituiti dai rapporti di Carlo Goldoni coi napoletani Domenico Barone e Domenico Lalli e dalla reinvenzione veneziana – passando per Madrid – della maschera di Pulcinella da parte di Giandomenico Tiepolo.

Le Kāmasūtra et la « pulsion shastrique » en Inde

OpenAIRE

Naudou, Elizabeth

2013-01-01

Le mot « shastrique » fait référence au traité (śāstra) d’où sont issus les Kāmasūtra, (plus généralement appelé le Kāmasūtra), « aphorismes sur l’amour » : le Kāmaśāstra, « traité sur l’amour ». Qui dit śāstra, dit, en Inde, exposé religieux ou scientifique, d’où l’expression « pulsion shastrique » que l’on pourrait rendre par « pulsion encyclopédique énumérative et classificatoire ». Le but de cet exposé est de replacer le texte dans cette structure mentale typiquement indienne, qui reflète...

Uso de inseticidas para o controle da traça-do-tomateiro e traça-das-crucíferas: um estudo de caso Use of insecticides for controlling the South American Tomato Pinworm and the Diamondback Moth: a case study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Marina Castelo Branco

2001-03-01

Full Text Available Em agosto de 1999, produtores de tomate e brássicas do Núcleo Rural da Taquara tiveram seus cultivos seriamente comprometidos devido à impossibilidade de controle da traça-do-tomateiro e da traça-das-crucíferas. Diversos inseticidas, alguns com o mesmo princípio ativo ou pertencentes ao mesmo grupo químico, eram aplicados de uma a sete vezes por semana sem qualquer eficiência no controle das pragas. Lavouras foram abandonadas em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento. A fim de definir uma estratégia de controle que viabilizasse a produção de tomate e brássicas na região, foi avaliado em laboratório a eficiência da dose comercial de alguns inseticidas usados no controle das duas pragas. Para isso, foram coletadas duas populações de traça-do-tomateiro e uma população de traça-das-crucíferas. Para traça-do-tomateiro, cartap, abamectin, lufenuron, acefate e deltametrina causaram respectivamente 100, 90, 67, 2 e 0% de mortalidade das larvas. Para traça-das-crucíferas, B. thuringiensis, abamectin, cartap, acefate and deltametrina causaram 100; 96; 86; 79 e 5% de mortalidade respectivamente. De acordo com estes resultados foi recomendada a suspensão imediata do uso de piretróides e organofosforados para o controle das duas pragas. Abamectin e cartap foram recomendados para o controle da traça-do-tomateiro e B. thuringiensis para o controle de traça-das-crucíferas.In August 1999, at the "Núcleo Rural da Taquara", Federal District, Brazil, tomato and brassica crops were severely damaged by the South American Tomato Pinworm (Tuta absoluta and the Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella. During that time growers related that they had been spraying insecticides one to seven times per week without controlling the pests. In the fields it was observed that there were crops with different ages and levels of chemical residues which allowed the pests to multiplicate continuously. Then it was decided that the first step to solve the

Conservation and sex-specific splicing of the doublesex gene

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Genetic control of sex determination in insects has been best characterized in Drosophila melanogaster, where the master gene Sxl codes for RNA that is sex specifically spliced to produce a functional protein only in females. SXL regulates the sex-specific splicing of transformer (tra) RNA which, in turn, regulates the ...

Indigenous Engagement in Tropical River Research in Australia: The TRaCK Program

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Sue E. Jackson

2015-05-01

Full Text Available The literature on scientific-Indigenous ecological knowledge collaborations rarely analyses programmatic efforts undertaken by multi-disciplinary research groups over very large geographic scales. The TRaCK (Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge research program was established to provide the science and knowledge needed by governments, industries, and communities to sustainably manage northern Australia’s rivers and estuaries. A number of policies and procedures were developed to ensure that the needs of Indigenous people of the multi-jurisdictional region were addressed and to enhance the benefits they might derive from participating in the research. An overarching Indigenous Engagement Strategy undergirded the program’s engagement activities, providing guidance on matters relating to the protection of intellectual property, negotiation of research agreements, remuneration for Indigenous expertise, and communications standards. This article reviews the achievements and shortcomings of the TRaCK experience of Indigenous engagement and highlights lessons for researchers and research organisations contemplating applied environmental science initiatives of this scale and scope.

AA.VV., La Giustizia nella Letteratura e nello Spettacolo Siciliani tra ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

User

ruolo e i significati attribuiti al concetto di Giustizia nella. Letteratura e nello Spettacolo Siciliani tra '800 e '900. Da Verga a Sciascia costituisce il volume che raccoglie, a cura di Angelo. Zappulla, gli Atti del convegno su questo fondamentale tema. La centralità del tema Giustizia, nelle più diverse forme del fervore culturale ...

Relação cinemática em um trator 4x2 com tração dianteira auxiliar equipado com pneus radiais na eficiência de tração Kinematic relation on radial tires in a front wheel assist tractor on traction efficience

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Mauro Fernando Ferreira

2000-12-01

Full Text Available Diferentes combinações de pressões internas dos pneus do trator pode afetar a interferência entre eixos motrizes dos tratores agrícolas, principalmente com pneus do tipo radial. Um trator 4x2 com tração dianteira auxiliar foi analisado quanto a seu desempenho em tração. Pneus de carcaça radial com diferentes pressões internas foram utilizados, com o objetivo de variar as relações cinemá ticas entre os eixos. Mediram-se o patinamento das rodas dianteiras e traseiras, a resistência ao rolamento e a força de tração, em duas condições de solo (firme e solto. Os resultados obtidos permitiram verificar que a eficiência de tração não foi significativamente influenciada pela variação das relações cinemáticas de 0,962 a 1,102. As máximas eficiências de tração ocorreram com relaçõ es cinemáticas variáveis dentro da faixa estudada e de acordo com as cargas impostas à barra de tração.Different combinations of tractor tire inflating pressure may affect interference between tractor axles, mainly with radial tires type. A front wheel assist tractor was studied in its traction performance. Radial tires with different inflation pressure were used, changing kinematic relations between axles. The measured parameters were: front and rear slip, rolling resistence and drawbar pull in two soil conditions (firm and loose. The results indicate that traction efficience was not significantly influenced by kinematic relations variation between 0.962 to 1.102. The maximum traction efficiency ocurred within the range studied and according to drawbar pull.

Functional requirements for bacteriophage growth: gene essentiality and expression in mycobacteriophage Giles.

Science.gov (United States)

Dedrick, Rebekah M; Marinelli, Laura J; Newton, Gerald L; Pogliano, Kit; Pogliano, Joseph; Hatfull, Graham F

2013-05-01

Bacteriophages represent a majority of all life forms, and the vast, dynamic population with early origins is reflected in their enormous genetic diversity. A large number of bacteriophage genomes have been sequenced. They are replete with novel genes without known relatives. We know little about their functions, which genes are required for lytic growth, and how they are expressed. Furthermore, the diversity is such that even genes with required functions - such as virion proteins and repressors - cannot always be recognized. Here we describe a functional genomic dissection of mycobacteriophage Giles, in which the virion proteins are identified, genes required for lytic growth are determined, the repressor is identified, and the transcription patterns determined. We find that although all of the predicted phage genes are expressed either in lysogeny or in lytic growth, 45% of the predicted genes are non-essential for lytic growth. We also describe genes required for DNA replication, show that recombination is required for lytic growth, and that Giles encodes a novel repressor. RNAseq analysis reveals abundant expression of a small non-coding RNA in a lysogen and in late lytic growth, although it is non-essential for lytic growth and does not alter lysogeny. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Drosophila female-specific Ilp7 motoneurons are generated by Fruitless-dependent cell death in males and by a double-assurance survival role for Transformer in females.

Science.gov (United States)

Garner, Sarah Rose C; Castellanos, Monica C; Baillie, Katherine E; Lian, Tianshun; Allan, Douglas W

2018-01-08

Female-specific Ilp7 neuropeptide-expressing motoneurons (FS-Ilp7 motoneurons) are required in Drosophila for oviduct function in egg laying. Here, we uncover cellular and genetic mechanisms underlying their female-specific generation. We demonstrate that programmed cell death (PCD) eliminates FS-Ilp7 motoneurons in males, and that this requires male-specific splicing of the sex-determination gene fruitless ( fru ) into the Fru MC isoform. However, in females, fru alleles that only generate Fru M isoforms failed to kill FS-Ilp7 motoneurons. This blockade of Fru M -dependent PCD was not attributable to doublesex gene function but to a non-canonical role for transformer ( tra ), a gene encoding the RNA splicing activator that regulates female-specific splicing of fru and dsx transcripts. In both sexes, we show that Tra prevents PCD even when the Fru M isoform is expressed. In addition, we found that Fru MC eliminated FS-Ilp7 motoneurons in both sexes, but only when Tra was absent. Thus, Fru MC -dependent PCD eliminates female-specific neurons in males, and Tra plays a double-assurance function in females to establish and reinforce the decision to generate female-specific neurons. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Tra ufficialità e Samizdat: Viktor Sosnora

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Noemi Albanese

2015-07-01

Full Text Available La figura di Viktor Sosnora si presenta come una delle più particolari nel panorama letterario della Leningrado della seconda metà del Novecento. A metà tra mondo ufficiale e quello dell'underground, fu anche uno dei pochissimi autori ai quali, in epoca sovietica, fu concesso di viaggiare in Europa ed entrare in contatto con il mondo intellettuale coevo. La sua ricerca estetica e stilistica parte dalle tematiche antico russe per innovarle dall'interno grazie ad un gusto per la lingua estremamente contemporaneo;ciò si tradusse in sperimentazioni poetiche sempre più ardite che resero impossibile la pubblicazione ufficiale dei suoi testi, divenuti invece oggetto di culto negli ambienti del Samizdat.

The equation of state of n-pentane in the atomistic model TraPPE-EH

Science.gov (United States)

Valeev, B. U.; Pisarev, V. V.

2018-01-01

In this work, we study the vapor-liquid equilibrium in n-pentane. We use the TraPPE-EH (transferable potentials for phase equilibria-explicit hydrogen) forcefield, where each hydrogen and carbon atom is considered as independent center of force. The fluid behavior was investigated with different values of density and temperature by molecular dynamics method. The n-pentane evaporation curve was calculated in the temperature range of 290 to 390 K. The densities of the coexisting phases are also calculated. The compression curve at 370 K was calculated and isothermal bulk modulus was found. The simulated properties of n-pentane are in good agreement with data from a database of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, so the TraPPE-EH model can be recommended for simulations of hydrocarbons.

Drosophila Myc is required for normal DREF gene expression

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dang Thi Phuong Thao; Seto, Hirokazu; Yamaguchi, Masamitsu

2008-01-01

The Drosophila DNA replication-related element-binding factor (dDREF) is required for the expression of many proliferation-related genes carrying the DRE sequence, 5'-TATCGATA. Finding a canonical E-box, 5'-CACGTG, in the dDREF gene promoter prompted us to explore the possibility that the dDREF gene is a target of Drosophila Myc (dMyc). Luciferase transient expression assays combined with RNA interference in Drosophila S2 cells revealed that knockdown of dmyc reduced dDREF gene promoter activity by 35% to 82%, an effect at least partly mediated by the E-box in the promoter. dm 4 /Y hemizygous mutant larvae demonstrated no maternal dMyc and severe impairment of dDREF mRNA transcription. dMyc loss of function in dm 2 /dm 2 homozygous mutant follicle cell clones also resulted in loss of anti-dDREF immunostaining in nuclei. In contrast, co-expression of dMyc-dMax up-regulated dDREF promoter activity in S2 cells. Furthermore, dMyc over-expressing clones exhibited a high level of dDREF gene expression in wing and eye discs. These results taken together indicate that dMyc is indeed required for dDREF gene expression

Progettazione e disciplina dell’esoscheletro : l'inestricabile co-evoluzione tra umani e robot

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Fosch Villaronga, Eduard; Özcan, Beste; Pirni, A.

2017-01-01

Quest’articolo descrive come sia stretto il legame tra esseri umani e l’evoluzione degli esoscheletri in termini di design, di regolamentazione e di necessità umane. Mentre gli attuali esoscheletri sono ingombranti e pesanti, i progressi nei materiali e nel design concettuale cambieranno

La tradizione nella scienza il progresso scientifico come equilibrio dialettico tra idee innovatrici e tradizione in una raccolta di saggi inediti

CERN Document Server

Heisenberg, Werner

1982-01-01

In questa raccolta di saggi (inediti per l'Italia), da lui stesso selezionati poco prima della morte, Heisenberg analizza da varie angolazioni i rapporti tra progresso scientifico e tradizione : la storia della scienza è soprattutto una storia di idee, e da un giusto equilibrio dialettico tra i nuovi concetti e la tradizione, che costituisce la base ideale per discuterli, scaturisce il progress scientifico.

Evolutionary Inference across Eukaryotes Identifies Specific Pressures Favoring Mitochondrial Gene Retention.

Science.gov (United States)

Johnston, Iain G; Williams, Ben P

2016-02-24

Since their endosymbiotic origin, mitochondria have lost most of their genes. Although many selective mechanisms underlying the evolution of mitochondrial genomes have been proposed, a data-driven exploration of these hypotheses is lacking, and a quantitatively supported consensus remains absent. We developed HyperTraPS, a methodology coupling stochastic modeling with Bayesian inference, to identify the ordering of evolutionary events and suggest their causes. Using 2015 complete mitochondrial genomes, we inferred evolutionary trajectories of mtDNA gene loss across the eukaryotic tree of life. We find that proteins comprising the structural cores of the electron transport chain are preferentially encoded within mitochondrial genomes across eukaryotes. A combination of high GC content and high protein hydrophobicity is required to explain patterns of mtDNA gene retention; a model that accounts for these selective pressures can also predict the success of artificial gene transfer experiments in vivo. This work provides a general method for data-driven inference of the ordering of evolutionary and progressive events, here identifying the distinct features shaping mitochondrial genomes of present-day species. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The gene transformer-2 of Anastrepha fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) and its evolution in insects.

Science.gov (United States)

Sarno, Francesca; Ruiz, María F; Eirín-López, José M; Perondini, André L P; Selivon, Denise; Sánchez, Lucas

2010-05-13

In the tephritids Ceratitis, Bactrocera and Anastrepha, the gene transformer provides the memory device for sex determination via its auto-regulation; only in females is functional Tra protein produced. To date, the isolation and characterisation of the gene transformer-2 in the tephritids has only been undertaken in Ceratitis, and it has been shown that its function is required for the female-specific splicing of doublesex and transformer pre-mRNA. It therefore participates in transformer auto-regulatory function. In this work, the characterisation of this gene in eleven tephritid species belonging to the less extensively analysed genus Anastrepha was undertaken in order to throw light on the evolution of transformer-2. The gene transformer-2 produces a protein of 249 amino acids in both sexes, which shows the features of the SR protein family. No significant partially spliced mRNA isoform specific to the male germ line was detected, unlike in Drosophila. It is transcribed in both sexes during development and in adult life, in both the soma and germ line. The injection of Anastrepha transformer-2 dsRNA into Anastrepha embryos caused a change in the splicing pattern of the endogenous transformer and doublesex pre-mRNA of XX females from the female to the male mode. Consequently, these XX females were transformed into pseudomales. The comparison of the eleven Anastrepha Transformer-2 proteins among themselves, and with the Transformer-2 proteins of other insects, suggests the existence of negative selection acting at the protein level to maintain Transformer-2 structural features. These results indicate that transformer-2 is required for sex determination in Anastrepha through its participation in the female-specific splicing of transformer and doublesex pre-mRNAs. It is therefore needed for the auto-regulation of the gene transformer. Thus, the transformer/transfomer-2 > doublesex elements at the bottom of the cascade, and their relationships, probably represent

Traços de resistência na obra de Augusto Roa Bastos

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Carlos Henrique Lopes Almeida

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Este estudo tem como proposta a análise de alguns traços de resistência presentes em algumas das produções literárias do autor paraguaio Augusto Roa Bastos. As obras escolhidas são Vigilia del Almirante (2008 e a trilogia Yo, el supremo (2003, El fiscal (2008 e El hijo del hombre (2003. O primeiro romance trata da volta ao período do descobrimento e desenvolve uma confrontação entre Colombo, os cronistas e o narrador. A trilogia se ocupa do cenários belicosos da história paraguaia e de alguns ditadores e suas relações com o poder. O tratamento dado a essa matéria histórica nas narrativas supracitadas pode ser entendida como traços de resistência, bem como alguns artifícios narrativos aplicados pelo autor. A análise será realizada a partir das discussões sobre Resistência e descobrimento propostos por Galeano (1989, Bitterli (2012 e Grützmacher (2009.

Incerta glòria di Joan Sales tra filologia, storia e traduzione

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Patrizio Rigobon

2015-12-01

Full Text Available In questo saggio si fa una riflessione sull’opera di Joan Sales Incerta glòria e particolarmente si vede le conessione tra filologia, storia e traduzione. This article makes a reflection on the work of Joan Sales, Incerta glòria, and it particularly affects the connection between philology, history and translation.

A auto-percepção do envelhecimento e os traços de personalidade em idosos

OpenAIRE

Yassine, Ismael Macedo Correia

2011-01-01

Tese de mestrado, Psicologia (Secção de Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde - Núcleo de Psicologia Clínica Dinâmica), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Psicologia, 2011 O presente estudo foca a auto-percepção do envelhecimento e os traços de personalidade, assumindo como principais objectivos: (1) a exploração da relação entre auto-percepção do processo de envelhecimento por parte dos idosos (com mais de 60 anos de idade) e os traços de personalidade e, (2) a compreensão das dimensõe...

An Examination of Factors Influencing Students Selection of Business Majors Using TRA Framework

Science.gov (United States)

Kumar, Anil; Kumar, Poonam

2013-01-01

Making decisions regarding the selection of a business major is both very important and challenging for students. An understanding of this decision-making process can be valuable for students, parents, and university programs. The current study applies the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) consumer decision-making model to examine factors that…

Organization of Genes Required for the Oxidation of Methanol to Formaldehyde in Three Type II Methylotrophs

Science.gov (United States)

Bastien, C.; Machlin, S.; Zhang, Y.; Donaldson, K.; Hanson, R. S.

1989-01-01

Restriction maps of genes required for the synthesis of active methanol dehydrogenase in Methylobacterium organophilum XX and Methylobacterium sp. strain AM1 have been completed and compared. In these two species of pink-pigmented, type II methylotrophs, 15 genes were identified that were required for the expression of methanol dehydrogenase activity. None of these genes were required for the synthesis of the prosthetic group of methanol dehydrogenase, pyrroloquinoline quinone. The structural gene required for the synthesis of cytochrome cL, an electron acceptor uniquely required for methanol dehydrogenase, and the genes encoding small basic peptides that copurified with methanol dehydrogenases were closely linked to the methanol dehydrogenase structural genes. A cloned 22-kilobase DNA insert from Methylsporovibrio methanica 81Z, an obligate type II methanotroph, complemented mutants that contained lesions in four genes closely linked to the methanol dehydrogenase structural genes. The methanol dehydrogenase and cytochrome cL structural genes were found to be transcribed independently in M. organophilum XX. Only two of the genes required for methanol dehydrogenase synthesis in this bacterium were found to be cotranscribed. PMID:16348074

L’università italiana tra continuità e discontinuità. Intervista a Mauro Moretti

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Alessandro Breccia

2017-07-01

Full Text Available L’intervista a Mauro Moretti inquadra il tema del dossier a partire dalle fonti per la storia delle università italiane nel secondo Novecento. Passa poi ad indicare alcuni tra i principali aspetti da indagare anche per definire al meglio una possibile cronologia

Identification of IncA/C Plasmid Replication and Maintenance Genes and Development of a Plasmid Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme.

Science.gov (United States)

Hancock, Steven J; Phan, Minh-Duy; Peters, Kate M; Forde, Brian M; Chong, Teik Min; Yin, Wai-Fong; Chan, Kok-Gan; Paterson, David L; Walsh, Timothy R; Beatson, Scott A; Schembri, Mark A

2017-02-01

Plasmids of incompatibility group A/C (IncA/C) are becoming increasingly prevalent within pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae They are associated with the dissemination of multiple clinically relevant resistance genes, including bla CMY and bla NDM Current typing methods for IncA/C plasmids offer limited resolution. In this study, we present the complete sequence of a bla NDM-1 -positive IncA/C plasmid, pMS6198A, isolated from a multidrug-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain. Hypersaturated transposon mutagenesis, coupled with transposon-directed insertion site sequencing (TraDIS), was employed to identify conserved genetic elements required for replication and maintenance of pMS6198A. Our analysis of TraDIS data identified roles for the replicon, including repA, a toxin-antitoxin system; two putative partitioning genes, parAB; and a putative gene, 053 Construction of mini-IncA/C plasmids and examination of their stability within E. coli confirmed that the region encompassing 053 contributes to the stable maintenance of IncA/C plasmids. Subsequently, the four major maintenance genes (repA, parAB, and 053) were used to construct a new plasmid multilocus sequence typing (PMLST) scheme for IncA/C plasmids. Application of this scheme to a database of 82 IncA/C plasmids identified 11 unique sequence types (STs), with two dominant STs. The majority of bla NDM -positive plasmids examined (15/17; 88%) fall into ST1, suggesting acquisition and subsequent expansion of this bla NDM -containing plasmid lineage. The IncA/C PMLST scheme represents a standardized tool to identify, track, and analyze the dissemination of important IncA/C plasmid lineages, particularly in the context of epidemiological studies. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Generalizzazione cartografica tra ricerca e applicazione La Cartografia Tecnica Regionale delle Marche

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Stefano Bellesi

2007-03-01

Full Text Available Il problema della generalizzazione cartografica è uno dei temi principe nel dibattito cartografico tra gli addetti ai lavori. La cartografia multiscala rappresenta infatti una delle chimere dell’era digitale e, man mano che i DB cartografici si sono popolati di informazioni, ha dimostrato la sua realtà. L’orientamento è quello di automatizzare al massimo tutte le procedure prendendo in considerazione quelle che sono le esigenze della rappresentazione.

Considerazioni sul problema dei rigassificatori tra aggregazione del consenso e conflitto ambientale

OpenAIRE

Lodoli, Flavio

2011-01-01

2009/2010 Considerazioni sul problema dei Rigassificatori tra Aggregazione del Consenso e Conflitto Ambientale 1. Il nostro Paese, per scelta politica e per una sostanziale limitata capacità di innovazione del mondo industriale, ha una quota attuale di produzione di energia da fonti rinnovabili poco significativa nonostante gli investimenti, i contributi e le agevolazioni fiscali che dovrebbero incentivare opportunamente ad esempio, l’utilizzo dell’energia solare che rappresenta una...

Temperature-dependent sex-reversal by a transformer-2 gene-edited mutation in the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii

Science.gov (United States)

Female to male sex reversal was achieved in an emerging agricultural insect pest, Drosophila suzukii, by creating a temperature-sensitive point mutation in the sex-determination gene, transformer-2 (tra-2) using CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/ CRISPR-associated) hom...

The Thrombin Receptor Antagonist for Clinical Event Reduction in Acute Coronary Syndrome (TRA*CER) trial: study design and rationale.

Science.gov (United States)

2009-09-01

The protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1), the main platelet receptor for thrombin, represents a novel target for treatment of arterial thrombosis, and SCH 530348 is an orally active, selective, competitive PAR-1 antagonist. We designed TRA*CER to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SCH 530348 compared with placebo in addition to standard of care in patients with non-ST-segment elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and high-risk features. TRA*CER is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, phase III trial with an original estimated sample size of 10,000 subjects. Our primary objective is to demonstrate that SCH 530348 in addition to standard of care will reduce the incidence of the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, recurrent ischemia with rehospitalization, and urgent coronary revascularization compared with standard of care alone. Our key secondary objective is to determine whether SCH 530348 will reduce the composite of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke compared with standard of care alone. Secondary objectives related to safety are the composite of moderate and severe GUSTO bleeding and clinically significant TIMI bleeding. The trial will continue until a predetermined minimum number of centrally adjudicated primary and key secondary end point events have occurred and all subjects have participated in the study for at least 1 year. The TRA*CER trial is part of the large phase III SCH 530348 development program that includes a concomitant evaluation in secondary prevention. TRA*CER will define efficacy and safety of the novel platelet PAR-1 inhibitor SCH 530348 in the treatment of high-risk patients with NSTE ACS in the setting of current treatment strategies.

A photometric analysis of the neglected EW-type binary V336 TrA

Science.gov (United States)

Kriwattanawong, W.; Sarotsakulchai, T.; Maungkorn, S.; Reichart, D. E.; Haislip, J. B.; Kouprianov, V. V.; LaCluyze, A. P.; Moore, J. P.

2018-05-01

This study presents an analysis of photometric light curves and absolute parameters for the EW-type binary V336 TrA. VRI imaging observations were taken in 2013 by using the robotic telescopes PROMPT 4 and PROMPT 5 at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), Chile. The observed light curves were fitted by using the Wilson-Devinney method. The results showed that V336 TrA is a W-type contact binary with a mass ratio of q = 1.396. The binary is a weak contact system with a fill-out factor of f = 15.69%. The system contains components with masses of 0.653 M⊙ and 0.912 M⊙ for the hotter and the cooler, respectively. The location of the secondary (less massive) component on the log M - log L diagram was found to be near the TAMS. The component has evolved to be oversize and overluminous. The orbital angular momentum of the binary was found to be log Jo = 51.61 cgs, less than all detached systems for same mass. The system has undergone angular momentum and/or mass loss, during the binary evolution from the detached to contact system.

CDC 1604-A translator from the SLANG autocode for the TRA computer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Belyaev, A.V.

1976-01-01

A SLANG - TRA translator has been devised for faster, easier programing. The program is realized on a SDS-1604A computer, input data are read from 80 column punch cards and translated into the standard Hollerith 026 code. Programs are processed in batches. A SDS-1604A teletype enables the operator to control the translation. The translator makes it possible to evaluate program processing time. The translator's high speed simplifies program editing and saves manpower

Pawedness Trait Test (PaTRaT—A New Paradigm to Evaluate Paw Preference and Dexterity in Rats

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ana M. Cunha

2017-10-01

Full Text Available In rodents, dexterity is commonly analyzed in preference paradigms in which animals are given the chance to use either the left or the right front paws to manipulate food. However, paw preference and dexterity at population and individual levels are controversial as results are incongruent across paradigms. We have therefore developed a semi-quantitative method—the pawdeness trait test (PaTRaT—to evaluate paw preference degree in rats. The PaTRaT consists in a classification system, ranging from +4 to −4 where increasingly positive and negative values reflect the bias for left or right paw use, respectively. Sprague-Dawley male rats were confined into a metal rectangular mesh cylinder, from which they can see, smell and reach sugared rewards with their paws. Due to its size, the reward could only cross the mesh if aligned with its diagonal, imposing additional coordination. Animals were allowed to retrieve 10 rewards per session in a total of four sessions while their behavior was recorded. PaTRaT was repeated 4 and 8 weeks after the first evaluation. To exclude potential bias, rats were also tested for paw fine movement and general locomotion in other behavioral paradigms as well as impulsivity (variable delay-to-signal, VDS, memory and cognitive flexibility (water maze. At the population level 54% of the animals presented a rightward bias. Individually, all animals presented marked side-preferences, >2 and <−2 for left- and right-sided bias, respectively, and this preference was stable across the three evaluations. Inter-rater consistency was very high between two experienced raters and substantial when two additional inexperienced raters were included. Left- and right-biased animals presented no differences in the ability to perform fine movements with any of the forelimbs (staircase and general locomotor performance. Additionally, these groups performed similarly in executive function and memory tasks. In conclusion, PaTRaT is able

Una community emergente tra progettazione territorio e infrastrutture La prima conferenza Autodesk degli utenti italiani

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Redazione Redazione

2005-10-01

Full Text Available La prima edizione dell’Autodesk User Conference dedicata aiSistemi Informativi Territoriali ed alla progettazione delle infrastrutture, tenutasi a Roma il 29 settembre 2005, diventerà l’appuntamento fisso sulla convergenza tra tecnologie CAD e GISche molti reclamavano da tempo.

La narrazione orale tra bambini ed adulti: da flusso continuo a vena carsica?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Milena Bernardi

2010-02-01

Full Text Available Con il segmento di ricerca che viene presentato nella sua prima fase si prende in esame l’ipotesi di un processo, in atto da tempo, di trasformazione e/o di declino della narrazione orale nel rapporto quotidiano tra adulti e bambini, inteso, in questo specifico contesto, come “spia” dei mutamenti degli stili educativi e degli interscambi tra famiglie ed operatori dei servizi in relazione all’alleanza educativa. La complessità dei filoni di studio che rimandano alla voce “narrazione” negli ambiti delle scienze umane esige la precisazione della curvatura “narrativa” scelta per la ricerca in corso: curvatura che appartiene all’epistemologia della letteratura per l’infanzia e della pedagogia della narrazione in quanto permette di imboccare la strada della ricerca pedagogica rivolta innanzi tutto ai significati che il narrare assume nella relazione educativa e poi ai modi ed alle forme della narrazione che coinvolgono l’infanzia. In un’epoca di grande vitalità e visibilità delle narrazioni, tra cui abbondano le produzioni scritte, illustrate, filmate per l’infanzia, sembra esserci una zona marginale e quasi sommersa della comunicazione narrante che rischia di sfumare in una sorta di oblio. E’ la zona della narrazione orale esperita in praesentia da bambini ed adulti insieme, tessuta con fili di parole che restituiscono senso all’intero arco delle esperienze, tentando di riordinare il disordine che spesso connota la realtà, interpretando, stabilendo connessioni, impregnando di quel senso i vissuti, i fatti, le relazioni, le cose e le parole stesse, ancora, nelle voci. Del rischio e delle conseguenze che possono derivare dalla sua mancanza si occupa questo contributo di ricerca che, dal punto di vista metodologico, si è avvalso e si avvale sia di analisi condotte sul corpus dei testi sia della raccolta di dati e informazioni tramite incontri condotti con la modalità del focus group, con educatrici e genitori.

Risk-Based Disposal Plan for PCB Paint in the TRA Fluorinel Dissolution Process Mockup and Gamma Facilities Canal

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

R. A. Montgomery

2008-05-01

This Toxic Substances Control Act Risk-Based Polychlorinated Biphenyl Disposal plan was developed for the Test Reactor Area Fluorinel Dissolution Process Mockup and Gamma Facilities Waste System, located in Building TRA-641 at the Reactor Technology Complex, Idaho National Laboratory Site, to address painted surfaces in the empty canal under 40 CFR 761.62(c) for paint, and under 40 CFR 761.61(c) for PCBs that may have penetrated into the concrete. The canal walls and floor will be painted with two coats of contrasting non-PCB paint and labeled as PCB. The canal is covered with open decking; the access grate is locked shut and signed to indicate PCB contamination in the canal. Access to the canal will require facility manager permission. Protective equipment for personnel and equipment entering the canal will be required. Waste from the canal, generated during ultimate Decontamination and Decommissioning, shall be managed and disposed as PCB Bulk Product Waste.

Metronomic chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting: results of two parallel feasibility trials (TraQme and TAME) in patients with HER2+ and HER2− locally advanced breast cancer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Petry, V.; Gagliato, D.M.; Leal, A.I.C.; Arai, R.J.; Longo, E.; Andrade, F.; Ricci, M.D.; Piato, J.R.; Barroso-Sousa, R.; Hoff, P.M.; Mano, M.S.

2015-01-01

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has practical and theoretical advantages over adjuvant chemotherapy strategy in breast cancer (BC) management. Moreover, metronomic delivery has a more favorable toxicity profile. The present study examined the feasibility of neoadjuvant metronomic chemotherapy in two cohorts [HER2+ (TraQme) and HER2− (TAME)] of locally advanced BC. Twenty patients were prospectively enrolled (TraQme, n=9; TAME, n=11). Both cohorts received weekly paclitaxel at 100 mg/m 2 during 8 weeks followed by weekly doxorubicin at 24 mg/m 2 for 9 weeks in combination with oral cyclophosphamide at 100 mg/day (fixed dose). The HER2+ cohort received weekly trastuzumab. The study was interrupted because of safety issues. Thirty-six percent of patients in the TAME cohort and all patients from the TraQme cohort had stage III BC. Of note, 33% from the TraQme cohort and 66% from the TAME cohort displayed hormone receptor positivity in tumor tissue. The pathological complete response rates were 55% and 18% among patients enrolled in the TraQme and TAME cohorts, respectively. Patients in the TraQme cohort had more advanced BC stages at diagnosis, higher-grade pathological classification, and more tumors lacking hormone receptor expression, compared to the TAME cohort. The toxicity profile was also different. Two patients in the TraQme cohort developed pneumonitis, and in the TAME cohort we observed more hematological toxicity and hand-foot syndrome. The neoadjuvant metronomic chemotherapy regimen evaluated in this trial was highly effective in achieving a tumor response, especially in the HER2+ cohort. Pneumonitis was a serious, unexpected adverse event observed in this group. Further larger and randomized trials are warranted to evaluate the association between metronomic chemotherapy and trastuzumab treatment

Metronomic chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting: results of two parallel feasibility trials (TraQme and TAME) in patients with HER2+ and HER2− locally advanced breast cancer

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Petry, V.; Gagliato, D.M.; Leal, A.I.C.; Arai, R.J.; Longo, E. [Divisão de Oncologia Médica, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP (Brazil); Andrade, F. [Núcleo de Mastologia, Hospital Sírio Libanês, São Paulo, SP (Brazil); Ricci, M.D.; Piato, J.R.; Barroso-Sousa, R.; Hoff, P.M.; Mano, M.S. [Divisão de Oncologia Médica, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP (Brazil)

2015-03-06

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has practical and theoretical advantages over adjuvant chemotherapy strategy in breast cancer (BC) management. Moreover, metronomic delivery has a more favorable toxicity profile. The present study examined the feasibility of neoadjuvant metronomic chemotherapy in two cohorts [HER2+ (TraQme) and HER2− (TAME)] of locally advanced BC. Twenty patients were prospectively enrolled (TraQme, n=9; TAME, n=11). Both cohorts received weekly paclitaxel at 100 mg/m{sup 2} during 8 weeks followed by weekly doxorubicin at 24 mg/m{sup 2} for 9 weeks in combination with oral cyclophosphamide at 100 mg/day (fixed dose). The HER2+ cohort received weekly trastuzumab. The study was interrupted because of safety issues. Thirty-six percent of patients in the TAME cohort and all patients from the TraQme cohort had stage III BC. Of note, 33% from the TraQme cohort and 66% from the TAME cohort displayed hormone receptor positivity in tumor tissue. The pathological complete response rates were 55% and 18% among patients enrolled in the TraQme and TAME cohorts, respectively. Patients in the TraQme cohort had more advanced BC stages at diagnosis, higher-grade pathological classification, and more tumors lacking hormone receptor expression, compared to the TAME cohort. The toxicity profile was also different. Two patients in the TraQme cohort developed pneumonitis, and in the TAME cohort we observed more hematological toxicity and hand-foot syndrome. The neoadjuvant metronomic chemotherapy regimen evaluated in this trial was highly effective in achieving a tumor response, especially in the HER2+ cohort. Pneumonitis was a serious, unexpected adverse event observed in this group. Further larger and randomized trials are warranted to evaluate the association between metronomic chemotherapy and trastuzumab treatment.

Are common symbiosis genes required for endophytic rice-rhizobial interactions?

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Caiyan; Zhu, Hongyan

2013-09-01

Legume plants are able to establish root nodule symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, called rhizobia. Recent studies revealed that the root nodule symbiosis has co-opted the signaling pathway that mediates the ancestral mycorrhizal symbiosis that occurs in most land plants. Despite being unable to induce nodulation, rhizobia have been shown to be able to infect and colonize the roots of non-legumes such as rice. One fascinating question is whether establishment of such associations requires the common symbiosis (Sym) genes that are essential for infection of plant cells by mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia in legumes. Here, we demonstrated that the common Sym genes are not required for endophytic colonization of rice roots by nitrogen-fixing rhizobia.

Estudo da aderência de arames da armadura de tração em conectores de dutos flexíveis

OpenAIRE

Marcelo Badini Daflon

2010-01-01

Este projeto tem o objetivo de apresentar o estudo dos arames da armadura de tração que são empregados no transporte de óleo, gás e umbilicais hidráulicos na indústria petrolífera. Este estudo foi desenvolvido sob a necessidade de melhor ancoragem dos arames da armadura de tração de modo a garantir que, mesmo após a ruptura do arame dentro do conector não haverá o escorregamento do mesmo provocando a queda do duto flexível. Assim sendo, foi estabelecido o estudo de aderência da interface dos ...

Evolutionary inference across eukaryotes identifies specific pressures favoring mitochondrial gene retention

OpenAIRE

Williams, Ben; Johnston, Iain

2016-01-01

Since their endosymbiotic origin, mitochondria have lost most of their genes. Although many selective mechanisms underlying the evolution of mitochondrial genomes have been proposed, a data-driven exploration of these hypotheses is lacking, and a quantitatively supported consensus remains absent. We developed HyperTraPS, a methodology coupling stochastic modelling with Bayesian inference, to identify the ordering of evolutionary events and suggest their causes. Using 2015 complete mitochondri...

Emanuele KANCEFF, "L’immagine della Sicilia nei resoconti di viaggio del Settecento. Tra classicità ed emozione romantica", 2015

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Pino Menzio

2015-06-01

Full Text Available Emanuele KANCEFF, "L’immagine della Sicilia nei resoconti di viaggio del Settecento. Tra classicità ed emozione romantica", Scicli, Edizioni di storia e studi sociali, 2015 [Book Review

Tra il mediterraneo e il fonte battesimale: Musulmani a Napoli nel XVI secolo

OpenAIRE

Varriale, Gennaro

2013-01-01

Il saggio analizza la presenza di musulmani a Napoli durante il Cinquecento, quando la capitale vive una profonda trasformazione urbanistica, che è vincolata alla immigrazione di comunità esogene e al conflitto contro il Turco. Le ostilità tra la Casa d’Austria e la Sublime Porta condizionano inevitabilmente la vita dei maomettani, che appartengono a tre grandi categorie: schiavi, franchi o esuli. Secondo la propria condizione gli islamici occupano diversi spazi cittadini. I musulmani di Napo...

Pianeti tra le note appunti di un astronomo divulgatore

CERN Document Server

Adamo, Angelo

2010-01-01

Una stella, otto pianeti, un centinaio di lune e una miriade di corpi minori tra plutini, asteroidi, comete, satelliti artificiali. E per ognuno di questi oggetti, spiegazioni scientifiche che condividono la scena con narrazioni dettate dal mito, con visioni della fanstascienza e con suggestioni sonore scaturite dalla penna di grandi compositori. L'autore prova a districarsi nella babele di idiomi più o meno precisi che da sempre vengono usati dagli uomini per descrivere il Sistema Solare nell'intento di spiegarlo e di rendere il freddo spazio interplanetario un posto più accogliente. La letteratura, la fisica, il fumetto, l'illustrazione, la musica finalmente cooperano per delineare un possibile percorso, una traiettoria fra le tante, che condurrà il lettore dalle origini del linguaggio fino alla nube di Oort.

Annotating pathogenic non-coding variants in genic regions.

Science.gov (United States)

Gelfman, Sahar; Wang, Quanli; McSweeney, K Melodi; Ren, Zhong; La Carpia, Francesca; Halvorsen, Matt; Schoch, Kelly; Ratzon, Fanni; Heinzen, Erin L; Boland, Michael J; Petrovski, Slavé; Goldstein, David B

2017-08-09

Identifying the underlying causes of disease requires accurate interpretation of genetic variants. Current methods ineffectively capture pathogenic non-coding variants in genic regions, resulting in overlooking synonymous and intronic variants when searching for disease risk. Here we present the Transcript-inferred Pathogenicity (TraP) score, which uses sequence context alterations to reliably identify non-coding variation that causes disease. High TraP scores single out extremely rare variants with lower minor allele frequencies than missense variants. TraP accurately distinguishes known pathogenic and benign variants in synonymous (AUC = 0.88) and intronic (AUC = 0.83) public datasets, dismissing benign variants with exceptionally high specificity. TraP analysis of 843 exomes from epilepsy family trios identifies synonymous variants in known epilepsy genes, thus pinpointing risk factors of disease from non-coding sequence data. TraP outperforms leading methods in identifying non-coding variants that are pathogenic and is therefore a valuable tool for use in gene discovery and the interpretation of personal genomes.While non-coding synonymous and intronic variants are often not under strong selective constraint, they can be pathogenic through affecting splicing or transcription. Here, the authors develop a score that uses sequence context alterations to predict pathogenicity of synonymous and non-coding genetic variants, and provide a web server of pre-computed scores.

NHR-23 dependent collagen and hedgehog-related genes required for molting

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kouns, Nathaniel A.; Nakielna, Johana; Behensky, Frantisek; Krause, Michael W.; Kostrouch, Zdenek; Kostrouchova, Marta

2011-01-01

Highlights: → NHR-23 is a critical regulator of nematode development and molting. → The manuscript characterizes the loss-of-function phenotype of an nhr-23 mutant. → Whole genome expression analysis identifies new potential targets of NHR-23. → Hedgehog-related genes are identified as NHR-23 dependent genes. → New link between sterol mediated signaling and regulation by NHR-23 is found. -- Abstract: NHR-23, a conserved member of the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors, is required for normal development in Caenorhabditis elegans where it plays a critical role in growth and molting. In a search for NHR-23 dependent genes, we performed whole genome comparative expression microarrays on both control and nhr-23 inhibited synchronized larvae. Genes that decreased in response to nhr-23 RNAi included several collagen genes. Unexpectedly, several hedgehog-related genes were also down-regulated after nhr-23 RNAi. A homozygous nhr-23 deletion allele was used to confirm the RNAi knockdown phenotypes and the changes in gene expression. Our results indicate that NHR-23 is a critical co-regulator of functionally linked genes involved in growth and molting and reveal evolutionary parallels among the ecdysozoa.

NHR-23 dependent collagen and hedgehog-related genes required for molting

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kouns, Nathaniel A.; Nakielna, Johana; Behensky, Frantisek [Laboratory of Model Systems, Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague (Czech Republic); Krause, Michael W. [Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (United States); Kostrouch, Zdenek [Laboratory of Model Systems, Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague (Czech Republic); Kostrouchova, Marta, E-mail: marta.kostrouchova@lf1.cuni.cz [Laboratory of Model Systems, Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague (Czech Republic)

2011-10-07

Highlights: {yields} NHR-23 is a critical regulator of nematode development and molting. {yields} The manuscript characterizes the loss-of-function phenotype of an nhr-23 mutant. {yields} Whole genome expression analysis identifies new potential targets of NHR-23. {yields} Hedgehog-related genes are identified as NHR-23 dependent genes. {yields} New link between sterol mediated signaling and regulation by NHR-23 is found. -- Abstract: NHR-23, a conserved member of the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors, is required for normal development in Caenorhabditis elegans where it plays a critical role in growth and molting. In a search for NHR-23 dependent genes, we performed whole genome comparative expression microarrays on both control and nhr-23 inhibited synchronized larvae. Genes that decreased in response to nhr-23 RNAi included several collagen genes. Unexpectedly, several hedgehog-related genes were also down-regulated after nhr-23 RNAi. A homozygous nhr-23 deletion allele was used to confirm the RNAi knockdown phenotypes and the changes in gene expression. Our results indicate that NHR-23 is a critical co-regulator of functionally linked genes involved in growth and molting and reveal evolutionary parallels among the ecdysozoa.

Estudo de resistência à tração de três sistemas adesivos associados a resina composta em superfícies dentinárias

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

MATOS Adriana Bona

2001-01-01

Full Text Available Este trabalho teve como objetivo comparar a resistência à tração de três sistemas adesivos associados a resina composta aderidos à superfície dentinária. Quarenta e cinco superfícies de dentina foram obtidas a partir de molares humanos extraídos, sobre elas foi preparado "smear layer" e foram divididas em 3 grupos: G1 adesivo autocondicionante + resina micro-híbrida; G2 adesivo de componente único + ácido e resina micro-híbrida e G3 adesivo convencional (ácido + "primer" + bond + resina micro-híbrida, aplicados de acordo com as instruções dos fabricantes. Os corpos-de-prova foram preparados para teste de tração, imersos em água destilada por 24 horas a 37ºC. Findo este tempo, o teste de tração foi realizado em máquina de ensaio Inströn com velocidade constante de 0,5 mm/min. Os resultados foram expressos em MPa e submetidos a análise de variância (p < 0,05. Os autores concluíram que: o tipo de sistema adesivo influenciou na resistência à tração das resinas compostas testadas; o sistema adesivo de componente único apresentou os melhores resultados de resistência adesiva.

Musei post-etnografici: Le trasformazioni dei rapporti tra antropologia e museo in Francia

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Benoît de L'Estoile

2016-08-01

Full Text Available L’articolo riflette sulle trasformazioni contemporanee dei rapporti tra antropologia e museo in Francia alla luce dell’apertura negli ultimi anni del Musée du quai Branly, del Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée (MUCEM, e del rinnovamento del Musée de l'Homme. La relazione tra musei e antropologia, storicamente più stretta in Francia che in altri contesti nazionali, spiega l’intensità delle reazioni suscitate da queste trasformazioni. La ricostruzione della successione dei progetti di musei etnografici, e in particolare l’ideale del ‘museo-laboratorio’, dimostra il ruolo duraturo del paradigma enciclopedico-naturalista. L’esaurimento del paradigma naturalista, tanto negli stessi musei di storia naturale come il Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle di Parigi quanto nei musei etnografici, ha prodotto una trasformazione del ruolo dei musei, sancito dal passaggio da un discorso museografico centrato sulla scienza e il razionalismo ad un approccio estetizzante fondato sulle emozioni. Allo stesso tempo, il paradigma naturalista ed evoluzionista rinasce nel nuovo Musée de l'Homme, inaugurato nel 2015. Questi nuovi musei, che possono essere definiti come ‘post-etnografici’, non sono ancora riusciti a fare i conti con la storia e con il loro passato coloniale. Nel contempo, l’antropologia francese si trova di fronte alla sfida di reinventarsi come ‘antropologia post-museo’.

Comprehensive identification of Vibrio vulnificus genes required for growth in human serum.

Science.gov (United States)

Carda-Diéguez, M; Silva-Hernández, F X; Hubbard, T P; Chao, M C; Waldor, M K; Amaro, C

2018-12-31

Vibrio vulnificus can be a highly invasive pathogen capable of spreading from an infection site to the bloodstream, causing sepsis and death. To survive and proliferate in blood, the pathogen requires mechanisms to overcome the innate immune defenses and metabolic limitations of this host niche. We created a high-density transposon mutant library in YJ016, a strain representative of the most virulent V. vulnificus lineage (or phylogroup) and used transposon insertion sequencing (TIS) screens to identify loci that enable the pathogen to survive and proliferate in human serum. Initially, genes underrepresented for insertions were used to estimate the V. vulnificus essential gene set; comparisons of these genes with similar TIS-based classification of underrepresented genes in other vibrios enabled the compilation of a common Vibrio essential gene set. Analysis of the relative abundance of insertion mutants in the library after exposure to serum suggested that genes involved in capsule biogenesis are critical for YJ016 complement resistance. Notably, homologues of two genes required for YJ016 serum-resistance and capsule biogenesis were not previously linked to capsule biogenesis and are largely absent from other V. vulnificus strains. The relative abundance of mutants after exposure to heat inactivated serum was compared with the findings from the serum screen. These comparisons suggest that in both conditions the pathogen relies on its Na + transporting NADH-ubiquinone reductase (NQR) complex and type II secretion system to survive/proliferate within the metabolic constraints of serum. Collectively, our findings reveal the potency of comparative TIS screens to provide knowledge of how a pathogen overcomes the diverse limitations to growth imposed by serum.

Accademie teatrali fiorentine nel quartiere di Santa Croce tra Sei e Settecento: tra attori dilettanti, gioco d’azzardo e primi tentativi impresariali

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Francesca Fantappiè

2011-10-01

Full Text Available Il saggio approfondisce il funzionamento delle accademie teatrali fiorentine a cavallo tra XvII e XvIII secolo sotto più punti di vista: localizzazione dei teatri, repertorio e circolazione degli interpreti, aspetti di amministrazione economica, rapporti con il potere e, nella fattispecie, con la dinastia medicea. Emerge la concentrazione nel quartiere di Santa Croce di Firenze di una buona parte delle accademie di dilettanti, che per alcuni decenni offrono una produzione drammaturgica alternativa a quella del teatro degli attori professionisti, esclusi dal mercato fiorentino nell’ultima fase medicea. Sulle motivazioni di questo fenomeno sono qui proposte ipotesi alternative alla vulgata storiografica che vede in questi anni il nadir culturale nella storia del Granducato e della famiglia al potere. Ci si sofferma, inoltre, sul problema di una possibile definizione di sistema teatrale fiorentino, con particolare attenzione alla disanima dei primi tentativi di adozione di un modello impresariale nel teatro in musica.

Efeitos do ruído de tráfego na saúde: para além das "moléstias"

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Julio Díaz Jiménez

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Os transtornos auditivos têm sido tradicionalmente associados ao ruído laboral das pessoas expostas. Recentemente, o ruído produzido nas proximidades de aeroportos foi relacionado com diferentes patologias, sobretudo as cardiovasculares. Nos últimos anos, o ruído ambiental das grandes cidades, principalmente devido ao tráfego, foi relacionado com diversas patologias, tanto de natureza cardiovascular, como respiratória e inclusivamente com diabetes. Neste trabalho, para além se fazer uma breve descrição dos estudos que relacionam o ruído ambiental com a morbilidade e os diferentes mecanismos biológicos implicados, possíveis de explicar nessas associações; apresentam-se os resultados de um conjunto de investigações que, mediante a Análise de Séries Temporais, relacionam o ruído de tráfego na cidade de Madrid com a mortalidade diária por causas circulatórias, respiratórias e diabetes na faixa etária de maiores de 65 anos. Assim como a mortalidade anual atribuída ao ruído de tráfego em Madrid e a sua comparação com a atribuição às PM2,5.

Erosão na cultura do milho em sucessão à aveia preta e pousio descoberto, em preparo convencional e plantio direto, com tração animal e tratorizada

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R. Levien

2001-09-01

Full Text Available Empregando chuva simulada em Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico, com declividade média de 0,12 m m-1, avaliou-se a erosão na cultura do milho (Zea mays L. em preparo convencional e plantio direto, utilizando tração animal e tratorizada, antecedida de pousio descoberto e aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schieb no inverno, no período compreendido entre 1994 e 1995. Chuvas simuladas na intensidade de 64 mm h-1 e duração de 60 a 105 min foram aplicadas em quatro épocas: logo após a semeadura, 30 e 60 dias após a emergência e logo após a colheita do milho. A cobertura do solo propiciada pela cultura de inverno foi reduzida em 90% após o preparo convencional, independentemente da forma de tração. As perdas de solo e água medidas durante o desenvolvimento do milho foram sempre maiores sob preparo convencional do que sob plantio direto, independentemente da forma de tração, exceto logo após a colheita, quando a resteva estava uniformemente distribuída na superfície do solo. No preparo convencional, a erosão na cultura do milho foi, na média das formas de tração, 45% menor, quando antecedida de aveia preta no inverno do que quando antecedida de pousio descoberto. Por sua vez, a cultura do milho, por si só, reduziu a erosão em 60%, na média das formas de tração, comparada à do solo descoberto. A forma de tração influenciou a erosão somente no preparo convencional, com a animal apresentando perdas totais de solo 55 e 15% inferiores à tratorizada, respectivamente na cultura do milho e em solo descoberto. A perda de água por enxurrada foi mais afetada pela forma de tração no preparo convencional, totalizando, em média, 44% na animal e 57% na tratorizada, em relação ao volume total de chuva aplicado.

Extracellular Matrix-Regulated Gene Expression RequiresCooperation of SWI/SNF and Transcription Factors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xu, Ren; Spencer, Virginia A.; Bissell, Mina J.

2006-05-25

Extracellular cues play crucial roles in the transcriptional regulation of tissue-specific genes, but whether and how these signals lead to chromatin remodeling is not understood and subject to debate. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays and mammary-specific genes as models, we show here that extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and prolactin cooperate to induce histone acetylation and binding of transcription factors and the SWI/SNF complex to the {beta}- and ?-casein promoters. Introduction of a dominant negative Brg1, an ATPase subunit of SWI/SNF complex, significantly reduced both {beta}- and ?-casein expression, suggesting that SWI/SNF-dependent chromatin remodeling is required for transcription of mammary-specific genes. ChIP analyses demonstrated that the ATPase activity of SWI/SNF is necessary for recruitment of RNA transcriptional machinery, but not for binding of transcription factors or for histone acetylation. Coimmunoprecipitation analyses showed that the SWI/SNF complex is associated with STAT5, C/EBP{beta}, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Thus, ECM- and prolactin-regulated transcription of the mammary-specific casein genes requires the concerted action of chromatin remodeling enzymes and transcription factors.

Ressenya a Delle Donne, Fulvio & Torró, Jaume (eds. L’immagine di Alfonso il Magnanimo tra letteratura e storia, tra Corona d’Aragona e Italia - La imatge d’Algons el Magnànim en la literatura i la Historiografia entre la Corona d’Aragó i Itàlia, Florència, SISMEL -Edizioni del Galluzzo , 2016, XII + 300 p. ISBN: 978-88-8450-691-7

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Marta Marfany Simó

2016-12-01

Full Text Available Review to Delle Donne, Fulvio & Torró, Jaume (eds. L’immagine di Alfonso il Magnanimo tra letteratura e storia, tra Corona d’Aragona e Italia - La imatge d’Algons el Magnànim en la literatura i la Historiografia entre la Corona d’Aragó i Itàlia, Firenze, SISMEL -Edizioni del Galluzzo , 2016, XII + 300 p. ISBN: 978-88-8450-691-7

A genetic screen identifies interferon-α effector genes required to suppress hepatitis C virus replication.

Science.gov (United States)

Fusco, Dahlene N; Brisac, Cynthia; John, Sinu P; Huang, Yi-Wen; Chin, Christopher R; Xie, Tiao; Zhao, Hong; Jilg, Nikolaus; Zhang, Leiliang; Chevaliez, Stephane; Wambua, Daniel; Lin, Wenyu; Peng, Lee; Chung, Raymond T; Brass, Abraham L

2013-06-01

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease. Interferon-α (IFNα) is an important component of anti-HCV therapy; it up-regulates transcription of IFN-stimulated genes, many of which have been investigated for their antiviral effects. However, all of the genes required for the antiviral function of IFNα (IFN effector genes [IEGs]) are not known. IEGs include not only IFN-stimulated genes, but other nontranscriptionally induced genes that are required for the antiviral effect of IFNα. In contrast to candidate approaches based on analyses of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, identification of IEGs requires a broad functional approach. We performed an unbiased genome-wide small interfering RNA screen to identify IEGs that inhibit HCV. Huh7.5.1 hepatoma cells were transfected with small interfering RNAs incubated with IFNα and then infected with JFH1 HCV. Cells were stained using HCV core antibody, imaged, and analyzed to determine the percent infection. Candidate IEGs detected in the screen were validated and analyzed further. The screen identified 120 previously unreported IEGs. From these, we more fully evaluated the following: asparagine-linked glycosylation 10 homolog (yeast, α-1,2-glucosyltransferase); butyrylcholinesterase; dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (CD26, adenosine deaminase complexing protein 2); glucokinase (hexokinase 4) regulator; guanylate cyclase 1, soluble, β 3; MYST histone acetyltransferase 1; protein phosphatase 3 (formerly 2B), catalytic subunit, β isoform; peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-γ-DBD-interacting protein 1; and solute carrier family 27 (fatty acid transporter), member 2; and demonstrated that they enabled IFNα-mediated suppression of HCV at multiple steps of its life cycle. Expression of these genes had more potent effects against flaviviridae because a subset was required for IFNα to suppress dengue virus but not influenza A virus. In addition, many of the host genes detected in this

Influência da auto-percepção do envelhecimento e dos traços de personalidade na satisfação com a reforma

OpenAIRE

Fragoso, Nuno Miguel do Rosário Mendes

2013-01-01

Tese de mestrado, Psicologia (Secção de Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde - Núcleo de Psicologia Clínica Dinâmica), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Psicologia, 2013 O presente trabalho foca-se no estudo da influência da auto-perceção do envelhecimento e dos traços de personalidade na satisfação com a reforma, numa amostra de idosos oriundos da comunidade e sem psicopatologia diagnosticada. Tem como objetivos: (1) analisar a auto-perceção do envelhecimento, os traços de personalidade e a s...

Changes in stature during and after spinal traction in young male subjects Alterações na estatura antes e após a tração vertebral em homens jovens

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ALF Rodacki

2007-02-01

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Spinal traction is a relatively popular procedure for increasing the intervertebral space by applying separating forces. The parameters of time and magnitude of the traction forces may influence the outcomes from this procedure and need to be investigated. The duration of the benefits derived from traction is unknown and needs to be determined so that physiotherapists can provide better and more effective treatments. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the relationship between load magnitude and time during spinal traction in relation to stature variations. Traction effect duration was also analyzed. METHOD: Fifteen healthy male subjects (23.1 ± 5.77 years; 1.80 ± 0.17 m and 87.0 ± 9.6 kg were assessed under three traction conditions (0, 30 and 60% of body weight, BW of 42 minutes. Stature variation was used to determine intervertebral disc height variation. Stature was assessed every 7 minutes during traction of 42 minutes and every 5 minutes for 45 minutes after traction ceased. RESULTS: 0 and 30% BW traction produced similar gains (6.09 ± 1.89 mm, 5.70 ± 1.88 mm, respectively; p>0.05, while these were smaller (pCONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A tração sobre a coluna vertebral é um procedimento relativamente popular para aumentar o espaço inter-vertebral pela aplicação de forças de separação. Os parâmetros de tempo e magnitude da força aplicada podem influenciar os resultados desse procedimento e ainda precisam ser investigados. A duração dos benefícios derivados da tração não é conhecida e precisa ser determinada para que fisioterapeutas possam prover tratamentos melhores e mais eficientes. OBJETIVO: Este estudo analisou a relação entre a magnitude de carga e de tempo durante a tração vertebral sobre as variações de estatura, bem como a duração deste efeito. MÉTODOS: Quinze sujeitos saudáveis do sexo masculino (23,1 ± 5,77 anos; 1,80 ± 0,17 m e 87,0 ± 9,6 Kg foram mensurados sob três condições (0, 30 e 60% PC

Condutas desviantes e traços de personalidade: testagem de um modelo causal

OpenAIRE

Vasconcelos,Tatiana Cristina; Gouveia,Valdiney Veloso; Pimentel,Carlos Eduardo; Pessoa,Viviany Silva

2008-01-01

A meta principal deste estudo foi comprovar a adequação de um modelo causal à explicação de comportamentos socialmente desviantes (condutas anti-sociais e delitivas), considerando a contribuição dos traços de personalidade (neuroticismo, extroversão e busca de sensações). Para tanto, participaram 755 estudantes do Ensino Médio e Superior, sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (50,3%), de escolas privadas (53,0%) e com idades variando de 16 a 26 anos (média=20,1; desvio-padrão=3,12). Estes responde...

Resistência à tração entre amálgama e resina composta em diferentes condições de oxidação - estudo in vitro

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YOUSSEF Michel Nicolau

1999-01-01

Full Text Available Este trabalho estuda in vitro a resistência à tração de corpos-de-prova de amálgama-resina composta unidos pelo adesivo dental Scotchbond Multi-Uso Plus. Os corpos-de-prova foram divididos em três grupos de dez, sendo que cada corpo era o resultado da união de dois discos, um de amálgama e outro de resina composta. Esses discos foram obtidos dentro de cilindros de baquelite e sofreram acabamento superficial com lixa de grana 600. Pretendeu-se simular a técnica do amalcomp e verificar a resistência à tração entre o amálgama e a resina composta em diferentes condições de oxidação do amálgama. Dos resultados obtidos e mediante análise de variância e teste de Tukey a 5%, pôde-se concluir que: o Grupo 3, que ficou na saliva artificial por trinta dias e portanto sofreu maior oxidação, apresenta resistência à tração superior e estatisticamente significante em relação aos grupos 1 e 2; o Grupo 2, que ficou na saliva por sete dias e sofreu menor oxidação, não apresenta resistência à tração estatisticamente superior ao Grupo 1 de amálgama recém-condensado.

Il problema dei debiti internazionali nel periodo tra le due guerre mondiali. (The international debt problem in the interwar period

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M. DE CECCO

2013-12-01

Full Text Available Grande attenzione è stata recentemente dedicata al problema attuale del debito del terzo mondo e le sue implicazioni per il sistema bancario internazionale . Una rassegna di eventi simili a volte precedenti in passato dimostra che gli operatori dei mercati finanziari internazionali hanno la memoria corta , poiché la maggior parte degli aspetti della crisi si sono verificati in passato. Questo è confermato dal considerare il problema del debito internazionale tra la prima e la seconda guerra mondiale . La principale differenza tra allora e adesso è che il periodo tra le due guerre fu un periodo di transizione da un sistema di commercio dominato daòòa sterlina ad uno dominato  dal dollaro statunitense . Molti dei problemi di oggi derivano da questa continua dominazione dollaroConsiderable attention has recently been paid to the current problem of third world debt and its implications for the international banking system. A review of similar events at previous times in the past shows that operators in international financial markets have very short memories, since most of the aspects of the current crisis have occurred in the past. This is borne out by considering the international debt problem between the first and second world wars. The major difference between then and now is that the interwar period was a time of transition from a sterling-dominated trading system to one dominated by the US dollar. Many of today's problems stem from this continuing dollar domination.JEL: N24

Estimativa do risco de traça-verde Palpita vitrealis (Rossi) amplificada por contaminante?

OpenAIRE

Mateus, Helena; Pereira, Cândido; Cardoso, Miguel; Manteigas, Ana; Sequeira, Manuel; Figueiredo, Elisabete; Luz, J.P.; Mexia, António

2012-01-01

A monitorização da população de traça-verde foi efectuada, em olivais da Cova da Beira, em armadilhas com três formulações comerciais de feromona sexual: Russell (em armadilha funil tricolor) e SEDQ e Suterra (ambas em armadilha delta). As contagens, semanais, decorreram: nas armadilhas iscadas com feromona SEDQ, entre Março e Novembro de 2010; nas armadilhas com feromona Russell e Suterra, de Setembro a Novembro. As capturas variaram de 0 a 4 indivíduos/armadilha/semana. Nas armadilhas com S...

Estimativa do risco de Traça-Verde, Palpita vitrealis (Rossi) amplificada por contaminate?

OpenAIRE

Mateus, Helena; Pereira, Cândido; Cardoso, Miguel; Manteigas, Ana; Sequeira, Manuel; Figueiredo, Elisabete; Luz, João Pedro; Mexia, António

2012-01-01

A monitorização da população de traça-verde foi efectuada, em olivais da Cova da Beira, em armadilhas com três formulações comerciais de feromona sexual: Russell (em armadilha funil tricolor) e SEDQ e Suterra (ambas em armadilha delta). As contagens, semanais, decorreram: nas armadilhas iscadas com feromona SEDQ, entre Março e Novembro de 2010; nas armadilhas com feromona Russell e Suterra, de Setembro a Novembro. As capturas variaram de 0 a 4 indivíduos/armadilha/semana. Nas armadilhas com S...

Numerical Calculation of Coherent Synchrotron Radiation Effects Using TraFiC4

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kabel, Andreas C.

2000-01-01

Coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) occurs when short bunches travel on strongly bent trajectories. Its effects on high-quality beams can be severe and are well understood qualitatively. For quantitative results, however, one has to rely on numerical methods. There exist several simulation codes utilizing different approaches. The authors describe in some detail the code TraFiC 4 developed at DESY for design and analysis purposes, which approaches the problem from first principles and solves the equations of motion either perturbatively or self-consistently. They present some calculational results and comparison with experimental data. Also, they give examples of how the code can be used to design beamlines with minimal emittance growth due to CSR

tlpA gene expression is required for arginine and bicarbonate chemotaxis in Helicobacter pylori.

Science.gov (United States)

Cerda, Oscar A; Núñez-Villena, Felipe; Soto, Sarita E; Ugalde, José Manuel; López-Solís, Remigio; Toledo, Héctor

2011-01-01

About half of the human population is infected with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium causing gastritis, peptic ulcer and progression to gastric cancer. Chemotaxis and flagellar motility are required for colonization and persistence of H. pylori in the gastric mucus layer. It is not completely clear which chemical gradients are used by H. pylori to maintain its position. TlpA, a chemotaxis receptor for arginine/ bicarbonate, has been identified. This study aimed to find out whether tlpA gene expression is required for the chemotactic response to arginine/bicarbonate. Wild-type motile H. pylori ATCC 700392 and H. pylori ATCC 43504, a strain having an interrupted tlpA gene, were used. Also, a tlpA-knockout mutant of H. pylori 700392 (H. pylori 700-tlpA::cat) was produced by homologous recombination. Expression of tlpA was assessed by a Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Chemotaxis was measured as a Relative Chemotaxis Response (RCR) by a modified capillary assay. H. pylori 700392 presented chemotaxis to arginine and sodium bicarbonate. H. pylori 700-tlpA::cat showed neither tlpA gene expression nor chemotaxis towards arginine and bicarbonate. Besides confirming that TlpA is a chemotactic receptor for arginine/bicarbonate in H. pylori, this study showed that tlpA gene expression is required for arginine/bicarbonate chemotaxis.

tlpA gene expression is required for arginine and bicarbonate chemotaxis in Helicobacter pylori

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Oscar A Cerda

2011-01-01

Full Text Available About half of the human population is infected with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium causing gastritis, peptic ulcer and progression to gastric cancer. Chemotaxis and flagellar motility are required for colonization and persistence of H. pylori in the gastric mucus layer. It is not completely clear which chemical gradients are used by H. pylori to maintain its position. TlpA, a chemotaxis receptor for arginine/ bicarbonate, has been identified. This study aimed to find out whether tlpA gene expression is required for the chemotactic response to arginine/bicarbonate. Wild-type motile H. pylori ATCC 700392 and H. pylori ATCC 43504, a strain having an interrupted tlpA gene, were used. Also, a tlpA-knockout mutant of H. pylori 700392 (H. pylori 700-tlpA::cat was produced by homologous recombination. Expression of tlpA was assessed by a Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR assay. Chemotaxis was measured as a Relative Chemotaxis Response (RCR by a modified capillary assay. H. pylori 700392 presented chemotaxis to arginine and sodium bicarbonate. H. pylori 700-tlpA::cat showed neither tlpA gene expression nor chemotaxis towards arginine and bicarbonate. Besides confirming that TlpA is a chemotactic receptor for arginine/bicarbonate in H. pylori, this study showed that tlpA gene expression is required for arginine/bicarbonate chemotaxis.

Análise radiográfica da coluna cervical em indivíduos assintomáticos submetidos a tração manual Radiographic analysis of the cervical spine in healthy individuals submitted to manual traction

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Roger Burgo de Souza

2008-08-01

Full Text Available OBJETIVO: Avaliar, radiograficamente, o efeito da tração manual sobre o comprimento da coluna cervical. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Cinqüenta e cinco participantes de ambos os gêneros - 12 masculinos (22% e 43 femininos (78% - sem história de distúrbios cervicais contituíram a amostra deste estudo. Eles foram submetidos a dois procedimentos radiológicos, um antes e outro durante a tração manual sustentada por 120 segundos. As distâncias entre as bordas anteriores e posteriores da segunda à sétima vértebras cervicais foram mensuradas e comparadas antes e durante a tração manual. RESULTADOS: A mediana da distância anterior antes da tração foi de 8,40 cm e durante a tração aumentou para 8,50 cm (p=0,002. A mediana da distância posterior antes da tração foi de 8,35 cm e durante a tração aumentou para 8,50 cm (pOBJECTIVE: To evaluate radiographically the effect of manual traction on the length of the cervical spine in healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample of the present study included 55 individuals - 12 men (22% and 43 women (78% - with no previous history of cervical disorders, submitted to two radiological procedures previously and during manual traction sustained for 120 seconds. Distances between the anterior and posterior edges from the second to the seventh cervical vertebrae were measured and compared before and during manual traction. RESULTS: The median of pre-traction anterior length was 8.40 cm, increasing to 8.50 cm during the traction (p=0.002; and the median of pre-traction posterior length was 8.35 cm, increasing to 8.50 cm during traction (p<0.001. CONCLUSION: Application of manual traction resulted in a statistically significant increase in the length the cervical spine in healthy individuals.

Molecular cloning and characterization of genes required for nucleotide excision repair in yeast

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Friedberg, E.C.

1987-01-01

Nucleotide excision repair in the yeast S. cerevisiae is a complex process which involves a large number of genes. At least five of these genes (RAD1, RAD2, RAD3, RAD4 and RAD10) are absolutely required for this process and mutations in any of these genes result in no detectable excision repair in vivo. In order to understand the function of these genes in DNA repair, the authors isolated a number of them by screening a yeast genomic library for recombinant plasmids which complement the phentoype of sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) radiation imparted to mutant strains. A plasmid containing the RAD4 gene was isolated by an alternative strategy which will be discussed. The cloned genes have been extensively characterized. It has been determined that the RAD3 gene is essential for the viability of haploid yeast cells in the absence of DNA damage. The RAD2 gene is inducible by treatment of cells with a variety of DNA-damaging agents, including UV radiation and ionizing radiation. The RAD10 gene shares considerable amino acid sequence homology with a cloned gene involved in nucleotide excision repair in human cells. Yeast is a particularly versatile organism for studying gene function by molecular and genetic approaches and emphasis is placed on many of the techniques used in the present studies

Traços estereotípicos associados a pessoas jovens e idosas em Portugal

OpenAIRE

Marques, Sibila; Lima, Maria Luísa; Novo, Rosa

2006-01-01

O objectivo geral deste trabalho foi o de recolher os atributos estereotípicos do grupo das pessoas jovens e idosas em Portugal. Foi conduzido um estudo em que se procedeu ao controlo do sexo dos alvos e da pertença etária dos participantes. Na primeira fase do estudo, 67 pessoas jovens e 85 pessoas idosas realizaram uma tarefa de geração espontânea de traços culturalmente associados a pessoas jovens e idosas de ambos os sexos. No segunda fase do estudo, 62 pessoas jovens e 62 pes...

Genome-wide screen for salmonella genes required for long-term systemic infection of the mouse.

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2006-02-01

Full Text Available A microarray-based negative selection screen was performed to identify Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (serovar Typhimurium genes that contribute to long-term systemic infection in 129X1/SvJ (Nramp1(r mice. A high-complexity transposon-mutagenized library was used to infect mice intraperitoneally, and the selective disappearance of mutants was monitored after 7, 14, 21, and 28 d postinfection. One hundred and eighteen genes were identified to contribute to serovar Typhimurium infection of the spleens of mice by 28 d postinfection. The negatively selected mutants represent many known aspects of Salmonella physiology and pathogenesis, although the majority of the identified genes are of putative or unknown function. Approximately 30% of the negatively selected genes correspond to horizontally acquired regions such as those within Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPI 1-5, prophages (Gifsy-1 and -2 and remnant, and the pSLT virulence plasmid. In addition, mutations in genes responsible for outer membrane structure and remodeling, such as LPS- and PhoP-regulated and fimbrial genes, were also selected against. Competitive index experiments demonstrated that the secreted SPI2 effectors SseK2 and SseJ as well as the SPI4 locus are attenuated relative to wild-type bacteria during systemic infection. Interestingly, several SPI1-encoded type III secretion system effectors/translocases are required by serovar Typhimurium to establish and, unexpectedly, to persist systemically, challenging the present description of Salmonella pathogenesis. Moreover, we observed a progressive selection against serovar Typhimurium mutants based upon the duration of the infection, suggesting that different classes of genes may be required at distinct stages of infection. Overall, these data indicate that Salmonella long-term systemic infection in the mouse requires a diverse repertoire of virulence factors. This diversity of genes presumably reflects the fact that

Educational Program Status of Premarital Counseling Centers in Hamadan Province Based on Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA

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Mohamad Mahdi Hazavehei

2013-09-01

Full Text Available Background & Objective: Divorce, unwanted pregnancies, and unsuccessful marriages create mental, emotional, physical, and financial problems for individuals, families, and ultimately the community. Premarital education and counseling is one of the most effective ways for the prevention of such problems. The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of a premarital educational program by using the TRA (Theory of Reasoned Action. Materials and Methods: Four hundred couples who attended premarital education and counseling classes voluntarily participated in this descriptive and analytical study. Variables such as attitude, subjective norms, and intention, were collected by using a validated questionnaire based on the TRA components. The questionnaire was filled out before and after the educational classes. Results: The mean age of the couples was 23.16 ± 5.64 years old. Statistically significant differences were found in knowledge, attitude, and subjective norms before and after participation in the classes (p value 0.05. Conclusion: Although the mean knowledge and attitude of the couples under study increased after the classes, the increase was not high and only 20% of the couples gained acceptable knowledge. The effectiveness of such classes in the current manner is very low. Application of appropriate educational methods and media-based models and theories is highly recommended.

Comportamentos de risco para os transtornos alimentares e traços perfeccionistas em atletas de atletismo

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Leonardo de Sousa Fortes

Full Text Available Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a influência do perfeccionismo nos comportamentos de risco para os transtornos alimentares de atletas adolescentes do sexo feminino da modalidade atletismo. Fizeram parte do estudo 52 atletas da modalidade de atletismo de clubes da cidade de São Paulo/SP com idade entre 12 e 17 anos. Utilizaram-se as subescalas do Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26 e a Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS para avaliar os comportamentos de risco para os transtornos alimentares e os traços perfeccionistas, respectivamente. Conduziu-se a regressão linear múltipla stepwise para analisar a influência dos perfeccionismo nos comportamentos de risco para os transtornos alimentares. Os resultados indicaram influência da MPS nos escores das subescalas Dieta (F(1, 44 = 5,74; p = 0,05 e Autocontrole Oral (F(1, 44 = 6,13; p = 0,04 do EAT-26. No entanto, não foi evidenciado impacto da MPS nos escores da subescala Bulimia e Preocupação com 0 Alimenta (F(1, 44 = 1,26; p = 0,22. Assim, em razão da investigação apresentar delineamento transversal, pressupõe-se que as atletas de atletismo com traços perfeccionistas podem estar mais susceptíveis para a restrição alimentar e a influência ambiental para a ingesta alimentar.

Reconhecer e traduzir traços de Sêneca em Shakespeare

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Renata Cazarini de Freitas

2014-07-01

  O filósofo Sêneca (c.4 a.C.-65 d.C. é autor de oito tragédias latinas às quais se atribui, regra geral, elevado grau de “influência” na literatura dramática produzida na Inglaterra da virada do século XVI para o XVII. Sem recorrer ao usual método de localizar citações ou equivalências textuais, propõe-se aqui reconhecer os traços da elocução senequiana em Shakespeare a partir da identificação de dispositivos da retórica antiga e de suas correspondências em cenas específicas de Richard III, Hamlet e The Tempest. A tradução dessas peças a partir do latim ou do inglês deve refletir o domínio e a intenção dos autores no uso de tais expedientes retóricos.

Uso de traçadores fluorescentes para determinar características de transporte e dispersão no Rio Piabanha (RJ para a modelagem quali-quantitativa pelo HEC-RAS

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Paulo Vitor Ribeiro Marques da Silva

Full Text Available RESUMO Um estudo de campo foi realizado em um trecho de aproximadamente 70 km do rio Piabanha, localizado entre Petrópolis e Areal, na região serrana do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, para estimar as características de transporte e dispersão de contaminantes usando técnicas de traçadores fluorescentes. A análise dos resultados de dois trabalhos de campo, realizados no outono de 2012, permitiu determinar os valores de tempo de trânsito, vazão líquida, velocidade média e coeficiente de dispersão longitudinal. Utilizou-se os dados de vazão e velocidade média obtidos nos ensaios com traçadores para calibrar o modelo hidrodinâmico unidimensional Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS. Considerando que parâmetros hidráulicos obtidos por métodos clássicos em rios com geometria muito irregular, como a do rio Piabanha, não são adequados para representar as características médias de um trecho, os ensaios com traçadores representaram uma boa alternativa para obtenção de parâmetros necessários a modelos hidrodinâmicos. Os resultados obtidos pelo modelo HEC-RAS apresentaram ótima concordância com os dados obtidos por meio dos ensaios com traçadores fluorescentes.

A zebrafish screen for craniofacial mutants identifies wdr68 as a highly conserved gene required for endothelin-1 expression

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Amsterdam Adam

2006-06-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Craniofacial birth defects result from defects in cranial neural crest (NC patterning and morphogenesis. The vertebrate craniofacial skeleton is derived from cranial NC cells and the patterning of these cells occurs within the pharyngeal arches. Substantial efforts have led to the identification of several genes required for craniofacial skeletal development such as the endothelin-1 (edn1 signaling pathway that is required for lower jaw formation. However, many essential genes required for craniofacial development remain to be identified. Results Through screening a collection of insertional zebrafish mutants containing approximately 25% of the genes essential for embryonic development, we present the identification of 15 essential genes that are required for craniofacial development. We identified 3 genes required for hyomandibular development. We also identified zebrafish models for Campomelic Dysplasia and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. To further demonstrate the utility of this method, we include a characterization of the wdr68 gene. We show that wdr68 acts upstream of the edn1 pathway and is also required for formation of the upper jaw equivalent, the palatoquadrate. We also present evidence that the level of wdr68 activity required for edn1 pathway function differs between the 1st and 2nd arches. Wdr68 interacts with two minibrain-related kinases, Dyrk1a and Dyrk1b, required for embryonic growth and myotube differentiation, respectively. We show that a GFP-Wdr68 fusion protein localizes to the nucleus with Dyrk1a in contrast to an engineered loss of function mutation Wdr68-T284F that no longer accumulated in the cell nucleus and failed to rescue wdr68 mutant animals. Wdr68 homologs appear to exist in all eukaryotic genomes. Notably, we found that the Drosophila wdr68 homolog CG14614 could substitute for the vertebrate wdr68 gene even though insects lack the NC cell lineage. Conclusion This work represents a systematic

A valoração de traços de concordância dentro do DP Concord features valuing within DP

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Telma M.V. Magalhães

2004-06-01

Full Text Available Este trabalho argumenta em favor da valoração dos traços de concordância dentro do DP em termos da operação Agree (Chomsky, 1999 sem a necessidade de estipular nenhum outro mecanismo para tanto. Mostro que Agree dá conta da valoração de traços tanto no nível da sentença quanto no nível do DP, contra a sugestão de Chomsky (1999 de que concordância no DP envolveria algum outro mecanismo de checagem.This paper argues in favor of a concord features valuing within the DP in terms of the Agree operation (Chomsky, 1999, with no recourse to any other mechanism. I show that Agree accounts for feature valuing both in the sentence level as well as in the DP, contrary to Chomsky's (1999 suggestion that concord in DP should involve some other checking mechanism.

Sulla cortesia linguistica: un’analisi sociopragmatica di un’intervista tra Fabio Fazio e Antonio Di Pietro

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Edoardo Natale

2011-12-01

Full Text Available O presente artigo esboça uma análise do ato linguístico da discordância, segundo uma perspectiva sociopragmática, com o objetivo de estabelecer as diferenças conversacionais e culturais. Privilegiou-se a discordância como traço saliente porque ela permite analisar a qualidade da cortesia linguística presente numa interação ocorrida no programa televisivo “Che tempo che fa”, entre Fabio F

Maternal provision of transformer-2 is required for female development and embryo viability in the wasp Nasonia vitripennis

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Geuverink, Elzemiek; Rensink, Anna H.; Rondeel, Inge; Beukeboom, Leo W.; van de Zande, Louis; Verhulst, Eveline C.

2017-01-01

In insect sex determination a primary signal starts the genetic sex determination cascade that, in most insect orders, is subsequently transduced down the cascade by a transformer (tra) ortholog. Only a female-specifically spliced tra mRNA yields a functional TRA-protein that forms a complex with

Identification of a transformer homolog in the acorn worm, Saccoglossus kowalevskii, and analysis of its activity in insect cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Suzuki, Masataka G; Tochigi, Mayuko; Sakaguchi, Honami; Aoki, Fugaku; Miyamoto, Norio

2015-06-01

The transformer (tra) gene is an intermediate component of the sex determination hierarchy in many insect species. The homolog of tra is also found in two branchiopod crustacean species but is not known outside arthropods. We have isolated a tra homolog in the acorn worm, Saccoglossus kowalevskii, which is a hemichordate belonging to the deuterostome superphylum. The full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) of the S. kowalevskii tra homolog (Sktra) has a 3786-bp open reading frame that encodes a 1261-amino acid sequence including a TRA-CAM domain and an arginine/serine (RS)-rich domain, both of which are characteristic of TRA orthologs. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) analyses demonstrated that Sktra showed no differences in expression patterns between testes and ovaries, but its expression level was approximately 7.5-fold higher in the testes than in the ovaries. TRA, together with the protein product of the transformer-2 (tra-2) gene, assembles on doublesex (dsx) pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) via the cis-regulatory element, enhancing female-specific splicing of dsx in Drosophila. To understand functional conservation of the SkTRA protein as a dsx-splicing activator, we investigated whether SkTRA is capable of inducing female-specific splicing of the Drosophila dsx. Ectopic expression of Sktra cDNA in insect cultured cells did not induce the female-specific splicing of dsx. On the other hand, forced expression of Sktra-2 (a tra-2 homolog of S. kowalevskii) was able to induce the female-specific dsx splicing. These results demonstrate that the function as a dsx-splicing activator is not conserved in SkTRA even though SkTRA-2 is capable of functionally replacing the Drosophila TRA-2. We have also found a tra homolog in an echinoderm genome. This study provides the first evidence that that tra is conserved not only in arthropods but also in basal species of deuterostoms.

Maternal provision of transformer-2 is required for female development and embryo viability in the wasp Nasonia vitripennis

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Geuverink, Elzemiek; Rensink, Anna H.; Rondeel, Inge; Beukeboom, Leo W.; Zande, van de Louis; Verhulst, Eveline C.

2017-01-01

In insect sex determination a primary signal starts the genetic sex determination cascade that, in most insect orders, is subsequently transduced down the cascade by a transformer (tra) ortholog. Only a female-specifically spliced tra mRNA yields a functional TRA-protein that forms a complex with

La dinamica tra appartenere e differenziarsi: elementi della trasformazione nella terapia ‘a geometria variabile’ con adolescenti migranti

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Graziana Mangiacavallo

2015-01-01

Full Text Available In questo lavoro sarà affrontata la dinamica tra processo di appartenenza e differenziazione in età adolescenziale, attraverso l’esemplificazione di un caso clinico. Tale dinamica è resa complessa dal fatto che il caso in oggetto, rimanda a trame culturali della migrazione. Tale lavoro prende in esame la possibilità dell’utilizzo di strategie integrate, come la consultazione culturale, alla luce del modello a ‘geometria variabile.

IMGT/GeneInfo: enhancing V(D)J recombination database accessibility

Science.gov (United States)

Baum, Thierry-Pascal; Pasqual, Nicolas; Thuderoz, Florence; Hierle, Vivien; Chaume, Denys; Lefranc, Marie-Paule; Jouvin-Marche, Evelyne; Marche, Patrice-Noël; Demongeot, Jacques

2004-01-01

IMGT/GeneInfo is a user-friendly online information system that provides information on data resulting from the complex mechanisms of immunoglobulin (IG) and T cell receptor (TR) V(D)J recombinations. For the first time, it is possible to visualize all the rearrangement parameters on a single page. IMGT/GeneInfo is part of the international ImMunoGeneTics information system® (IMGT), a high-quality integrated knowledge resource specializing in IG, TR, major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and related proteins of the immune system of human and other vertebrate species. The IMGT/GeneInfo system was developed by the TIMC and ICH laboratories (with the collaboration of LIGM), and is the first example of an external system being incorporated into IMGT. In this paper, we report the first part of this work. IMGT/GeneInfo_TR deals with the human and mouse TRA/TRD and TRB loci of the TR. Data handling and visualization are complementary to the current data and tools in IMGT, and will subsequently allow the modelling of V(D)J gene use, and thus, to predict non-standard recombination profiles which may eventually be found in conditions such as leukaemias or lymphomas. Access to IMGT/GeneInfo is free and can be found at http://imgt.cines.fr/GeneInfo. PMID:14681357

Simulation of a small computer of the TRA-1001 type on the BESM computer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Galaktionov, V.V.

1975-01-01

Considered are the purpose and probable simulation ways of one computer by the other. The emulator (simulation program) is given for a small computer of TRA-1001 type on BESM-6 computer. The simulated computer basic elements are the following: memory (8 K words), central processor, input-output program channel, interruption circuit, computer panel. The work with the input-output devices, teletypes ASP-33, FS-1500 is also simulated. Under actual operation the emulator has been used for translating the programs prepared on punched cards with the aid of translator SLANG-1 by BESM-6 computer. The translator alignment from language COPLAN has been realized with the aid of the emulator

Identification of two gene clusters and a transcriptional regulator required for Pseudomonas aeruginosa glycine betaine catabolism.

Science.gov (United States)

Wargo, Matthew J; Szwergold, Benjamin S; Hogan, Deborah A

2008-04-01

Glycine betaine (GB), which occurs freely in the environment and is an intermediate in the catabolism of choline and carnitine, can serve as a sole source of carbon or nitrogen in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Twelve mutants defective in growth on GB as the sole carbon source were identified through a genetic screen of a nonredundant PA14 transposon mutant library. Further growth experiments showed that strains with mutations in two genes, gbcA (PA5410) and gbcB (PA5411), were capable of growth on dimethylglycine (DMG), a catabolic product of GB, but not on GB itself. Subsequent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments with 1,2-(13)C-labeled choline indicated that these genes are necessary for conversion of GB to DMG. Similar experiments showed that strains with mutations in the dgcAB (PA5398-PA5399) genes, which exhibit homology to genes that encode other enzymes with demethylase activity, are required for the conversion of DMG to sarcosine. Mutant analyses and (13)C NMR studies also confirmed that the soxBDAG genes, predicted to encode a sarcosine oxidase, are required for sarcosine catabolism. Our screen also identified a predicted AraC family transcriptional regulator, encoded by gbdR (PA5380), that is required for growth on GB and DMG and for the induction of gbcA, gbcB, and dgcAB in response to GB or DMG. Mutants defective in the previously described gbt gene (PA3082) grew on GB with kinetics similar to those of the wild type in both the PAO1 and PA14 strain backgrounds. These studies provided important insight into both the mechanism and the regulation of the catabolism of GB in P. aeruginosa.

La «speciale provvidenza» nella caduta di una falena: ibridismi woolfiani tra saggio e short story

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Paolo Bugliani

2016-05-01

Full Text Available Il contributo intende mettere in luce le dinamiche di ibridazione tra i generi saggio e novella nella prosa breve di Virginia Woolf, in particolare in quegli esemplari di saggi che presentano delle caratteristiche smaccatamente immaginifiche e narrative che li distanziano nettamente dall’ideale di saggio quale «breve testo nonfinzionale in prosa». Nota al grande pubblico proprio per la sua programmatica ricerca di codici espressivi sempre nuovi e per le sperimentazioni con i generi più disparati, nel caso della prosa breve Woolf riesce con successo a infrangere i confini tra argomentativo e narrativo per giungere a una forma mediana che trae la sua identità sia dalla fiction che dalla nonfiction. Tramite un’analisi di alcune tra le short stories e i saggi più significativi, il contributo vuole essere uno spunto per una più ampia riflessione su quanto la mescolanza di stilemi diversi sia non solo un tratto letterario tipico della letteratura modernista, quanto piuttosto la risposta a una necessità di trovare una via altra nel panorama letterario, quasi una pulsione creativa primigenia che, nel caso delle contaminazioni tra saggio e narrativa breve, può essere affiancata al concetto di saggismo proposto da Robert Musil. The Death of the Moth, Street Haunting e molti altri saggi woolfiani permettono quindi di ricalibrare le demarcazioni fra generi, e di ripensare gli idealtipi che nella mentalità comune sono assurti a modelli e per l’uno e per l’altro dei due generi brevi in prosa, che in questa sede rappresentano i limiti estremi dello spettro di analisi. My paper aims at evaluating the hybridizing techniques that V. Woolf deployed in her shorter prose to blur the edges between the essay and the short story, in particular in those essayistic specimens that present some markedly imaginative features which undermine the ideal of the essay as a «brief, nonfictional prose piece». Woolf is justly renowned for her programmatic and

Nociceptor-Enriched Genes Required for Normal Thermal Nociception

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Ken Honjo

2016-07-01

Full Text Available Here, we describe a targeted reverse genetic screen for thermal nociception genes in Drosophila larvae. Using laser capture microdissection and microarray analyses of nociceptive and non-nociceptive neurons, we identified 275 nociceptor-enriched genes. We then tested the function of the enriched genes with nociceptor-specific RNAi and thermal nociception assays. Tissue-specific RNAi targeted against 14 genes caused insensitive thermal nociception while targeting of 22 genes caused hypersensitive thermal nociception. Previously uncategorized genes were named for heat resistance (i.e., boilerman, fire dancer, oven mitt, trivet, thawb, and bunker gear or heat sensitivity (firelighter, black match, eucalyptus, primacord, jet fuel, detonator, gasoline, smoke alarm, and jetboil. Insensitive nociception phenotypes were often associated with severely reduced branching of nociceptor neurites and hyperbranched dendrites were seen in two of the hypersensitive cases. Many genes that we identified are conserved in mammals.

The Aspergillus flavus Homeobox Gene, hbx1, Is Required for Development and Aflatoxin Production

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Jeffrey W. Cary

2017-10-01

Full Text Available Homeobox proteins, a class of well conserved transcription factors, regulate the expression of targeted genes, especially those involved in development. In filamentous fungi, homeobox genes are required for normal conidiogenesis and fruiting body formation. In the present study, we identified eight homeobox (hbx genes in the aflatoxin-producing ascomycete, Aspergillus flavus, and determined their respective role in growth, conidiation and sclerotial production. Disruption of seven of the eight genes had little to no effect on fungal growth and development. However, disruption of the homeobox gene AFLA_069100, designated as hbx1, in two morphologically different A. flavus strains, CA14 and AF70, resulted in complete loss of production of conidia and sclerotia as well as aflatoxins B1 and B2, cyclopiazonic acid and aflatrem. Microscopic examination showed that the Δhbx1 mutants did not produce conidiophores. The inability of Δhbx1 mutants to produce conidia was related to downregulation of brlA (bristle and abaA (abacus, regulatory genes for conidiophore development. These mutants also had significant downregulation of the aflatoxin pathway biosynthetic genes aflC, aflD, aflM and the cluster-specific regulatory gene, aflR. Our results demonstrate that hbx1 not only plays a significant role in controlling A. flavus development but is also critical for the production of secondary metabolites, such as aflatoxins.

Mutation in ESBL Plasmid from Escherichia coli O104:H4 Leads Autoagglutination and Enhanced Plasmid Dissemination

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Mickaël Poidevin

2018-02-01

Full Text Available Conjugative plasmids are one of the main driving force of wide-spreading of multidrug resistance (MDR bacteria. They are self-transmittable via conjugation as carrying the required set of genes and cis-acting DNA locus for direct cell-to-cell transfer. IncI incompatibility plasmids are nowadays often associated with extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producing Enterobacteria in clinic and environment. pESBL-EA11 was isolated from Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak strain in Germany in 2011. During the previous study identifying transfer genes of pESBL-EA11, it was shown that transposon insertion at certain DNA region of the plasmid, referred to as Hft, resulted in great enhancement of transfer ability. This suggested that genetic modifications can enhance dissemination of MDR plasmids. Such ‘superspreader’ mutations have attracted little attention so far despite their high potential to worsen MDR spreading. Present study aimed to gain our understanding on regulatory elements that involved pESBL transfer. While previous studies of IncI plasmids indicated that immediate downstream gene of Hft, traA, is not essential for conjugative transfer, here we showed that overexpression of TraA in host cell elevated transfer rate of pESBL-EA11. Transposon insertion or certain nucleotide substitutions in Hft led strong TraA overexpression which resulted in activation of essential regulator TraB and likely overexpression of conjugative pili. Atmospheric Scanning Electron Microscopy observation suggested that IncI pili are distinct from other types of conjugative pili (such as long filamentous F-type pili and rather expressed throughout the cell surface. High transfer efficiency in the mutant pESBL-EA11 was involved with hyperpiliation which facilitates cell-to-cell adhesion, including autoagglutination. The capability of plasmids to evolve to highly transmissible mutant is alarming, particularly it might also have adverse effect on host pathogenicity.

A CHROMATIN MODIFYING ENZYME, SDG8, IS REQUIRED FOR MORPHOLOGICAL, GENE EXPRESSION, AND EPIGENETIC RESPONSES TO MECHANICAL STIMULATION

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Christopher Ian Cazzonelli

2014-10-01

Full Text Available Thigmomorphogenesis is viewed as being a response process of acclimation to short repetitive bursts of mechanical stimulation or touch. The underlying molecular mechanisms that coordinate changes in how touch signals lead to long-term morphological changes are enigmatic. Touch responsive gene expression is rapid and transient, and no transcription factor or DNA regulatory motif has been reported that could confer a genome wide mechanical stimulus. We report here on a chromatin modifying enzyme, SDG8/ASHH2, which can regulate the expression of many touch responsive genes identified in Arabidopsis. SDG8 is required for the permissive expression of touch induced genes; and the loss of function of sdg8 perturbs the maximum levels of induction on selected touch gene targets. SDG8 is required to maintain permissive H3K4 trimethylation marks surrounding the Arabidopsis touch-inducible gene TOUCH 3 (TCH3, which encodes a calmodulin-like protein (CML12. The gene neighbouring was also slightly down regulated, revealing a new target for SDG8 mediated chromatin modification. Finally, sdg8 mutants show perturbed morphological response to wind-agitated mechanical stimuli, implicating an epigenetic memory-forming process in the acclimation response of thigmomorphogenesis.

The evolutionary dynamics of major regulators for sexual development among Hymenoptera species

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Matthias eBiewer

2015-04-01

Full Text Available All hymenopteran species, such as bees, wasps and ants, are characterized by the common principle of haplodiploid sex determination in which haploid males arise from unfertilized eggs and females from fertilized eggs. The underlying molecular mechanism has been studied in detail in the western honey bee Apis mellifera, in which the gene complementary sex determiner (csd acts as primary signal of the sex determining pathway, initiating female development by csd-heterozygotes. Csd arose from gene duplication of the feminizer (fem gene, a transformer (tra ortholog, and mediates in conjunction with transformer2 (tra2 sex-specific splicing of fem. Comparative molecular analyses identified fem/tra and its downstream target doublesex (dsx as conserved unit within the sex determining pathway of holometabolous insects. In this study, we aim to examine evolutionary differences among these key regulators. Our main hypothesis is that sex determining key regulators in Hymenoptera species show signs of coevolution within single phylogenetic lineages. We take advantage of several newly sequenced genomes of bee species to test this hypothesis using bioinformatic approaches. We found evidences that duplications of fem are restricted to certain bee lineages and notable amino acid differences of tra2 between Apis and non-Apis species propose structural changes in Tra2 protein affecting co-regulatory function on target genes. These findings may help to gain deeper insights into the ancestral mode of hymenopteran sex determination and support the common view of the remarkable evolutionary flexibility in this regulatory pathway.

Uso do verbo PEGAR na perífrase [PEGAR (E V2]: traços semântico-pragmáticos

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Dayane da Silva Grilo

2013-06-01

Full Text Available Neste estudo, com fundamentação nos pressupostos teóricos do funcionalismo norte-americano, abordamos o uso do verbo PEGAR na perífrase [PEGAR (E V2], em que PEGAR é o verbo auxiliar gramatical V1 e V2 é o verbo nuclear lexical. Temos como objetivo analisar traços semântico-pragmáticos vinculados à perífrase [PEGAR (E V2] no português brasileiro contemporâneo, buscando indícios que contribuam para a descrição da função desempenhada por PEGAR nessa perífrase. Para tanto, fazemos uso de dados de fala extraídos dos corpora Discurso & Gramática referentes a Natal (RN e ao Rio de Janeiro (RJ. Os resultados, obtidos através de análise quantitativa, revelam que PEGAR desempenha, na maioria das ocorrências, a função de indicar aspecto global, salientando um conjunto de traços semântico-pragmáticos como pontualidade, subtaneidade e/ou uma tomada de iniciativa do agente (no papel sintático de sujeito da perífrase.

Abdominal adipose tissue distribution in obese children. US versus CT measurements; Valutazione della distribuzione del tessuto adiposo addominale nei bambini obesi. Confronto tra ecografia e Tomografia Computerizzata

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ferrozzi, F.; Zuccoli, G.; Tognini, G.; Castriota-Scanderbeg, A.; Bacchini, E. [Parma Univ., Parma (Italy). Ist. di Scienze Radiologiche; Bernasconi, S. [Modena Univ., Modena (Italy). Clinica Pediatrica; Campani, R. [Pavia Univ., Pavia (Italy). Ist. di Radiologia

1999-12-01

Computed Tomography (CT) and, more recently, ultrasound (US), have proved excellent tools for quantifying adipose tissue distribution. Body fat distribution is an important factor in the treatment of obesity and its complications. In this work it is investigated the correlation between CT and US measurements in pediatric obesity. Forty obese children and adolescents aged 4.1-14.8 years were submitted to CT and US. Intra-abdominal, subcutaneous and total body fat were calculated (in cm{sup 2}), with the CT image analysis software. The rectus muscle-spine and rectus muscle-aorta distances, as indicative of visceral fat thickness, were measured on US images with(out) compression. The distance between skin fat and fat-rectus muscle interfaces was measured as subcutaneous fat thickness. US-CT findings have been compared with other morphometric variables-i.e., patient's (ideal) body weight and skin fold measures. A statistically significant correlation was found between the CT measurement of visceral fat and the aorta-rectus muscle and rectus muscle-spine distances (r=0.80 and 0.74, respectively). The US measurements of subcutaneous fat were correlated with CT subcutaneous fat area (r=0.82). No correlation was found between overweight, as calculated by body mass index, and CT or US fat. In conclusions, the findings indicate that US is as useful as CT in evaluating body fat distribution in pediatric obesity. [Italian] La TC e piu' recentemente l'ecografia si sono dimostrate eccellenti tecniche di valutazione della quantita' e della distribuzione del tessuto adiposo corporeo. La compartimentazione del grasso corporeo ha, infatti, importanti implicazioni per il trattamento dell'obesita' e delle sue complicanze. Scopo dello studio e' stato quello di correlare i risultati ottenuti con la TC con quelli ecografici nella valutazione dell'obesita' del paziente pediatrico. Quaranta bambini obesi con eta' compresa tra 4,1 e 14

Identification of Two Gene Clusters and a Transcriptional Regulator Required for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Glycine Betaine Catabolism▿ †

Science.gov (United States)

Wargo, Matthew J.; Szwergold, Benjamin S.; Hogan, Deborah A.

2008-01-01

Glycine betaine (GB), which occurs freely in the environment and is an intermediate in the catabolism of choline and carnitine, can serve as a sole source of carbon or nitrogen in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Twelve mutants defective in growth on GB as the sole carbon source were identified through a genetic screen of a nonredundant PA14 transposon mutant library. Further growth experiments showed that strains with mutations in two genes, gbcA (PA5410) and gbcB (PA5411), were capable of growth on dimethylglycine (DMG), a catabolic product of GB, but not on GB itself. Subsequent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments with 1,2-13C-labeled choline indicated that these genes are necessary for conversion of GB to DMG. Similar experiments showed that strains with mutations in the dgcAB (PA5398-PA5399) genes, which exhibit homology to genes that encode other enzymes with demethylase activity, are required for the conversion of DMG to sarcosine. Mutant analyses and 13C NMR studies also confirmed that the soxBDAG genes, predicted to encode a sarcosine oxidase, are required for sarcosine catabolism. Our screen also identified a predicted AraC family transcriptional regulator, encoded by gbdR (PA5380), that is required for growth on GB and DMG and for the induction of gbcA, gbcB, and dgcAB in response to GB or DMG. Mutants defective in the previously described gbt gene (PA3082) grew on GB with kinetics similar to those of the wild type in both the PAO1 and PA14 strain backgrounds. These studies provided important insight into both the mechanism and the regulation of the catabolism of GB in P. aeruginosa. PMID:17951379

Neuron-specific feeding RNAi in C. elegans and its use in a screen for essential genes required for GABA neuron function.

Science.gov (United States)

Firnhaber, Christopher; Hammarlund, Marc

2013-11-01

Forward genetic screens are important tools for exploring the genetic requirements for neuronal function. However, conventional forward screens often have difficulty identifying genes whose relevant functions are masked by pleiotropy. In particular, if loss of gene function results in sterility, lethality, or other severe pleiotropy, neuronal-specific functions cannot be readily analyzed. Here we describe a method in C. elegans for generating cell-specific knockdown in neurons using feeding RNAi and its application in a screen for the role of essential genes in GABAergic neurons. We combine manipulations that increase the sensitivity of select neurons to RNAi with manipulations that block RNAi in other cells. We produce animal strains in which feeding RNAi results in restricted gene knockdown in either GABA-, acetylcholine-, dopamine-, or glutamate-releasing neurons. In these strains, we observe neuron cell-type specific behavioral changes when we knock down genes required for these neurons to function, including genes encoding the basal neurotransmission machinery. These reagents enable high-throughput, cell-specific knockdown in the nervous system, facilitating rapid dissection of the site of gene action and screening for neuronal functions of essential genes. Using the GABA-specific RNAi strain, we screened 1,320 RNAi clones targeting essential genes on chromosomes I, II, and III for their effect on GABA neuron function. We identified 48 genes whose GABA cell-specific knockdown resulted in reduced GABA motor output. This screen extends our understanding of the genetic requirements for continued neuronal function in a mature organism.

Isolation and Manipulation of Quantitative Tra it Loci for DIsease Resistance in Rice Using a Candid ate Gene Approach

Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

Ke-Ming Hu; De-Yun Qiu; Xiang-Ling Shen; Xiang-Hua Li; Shi-Ping Wang

2008-01-01

Bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae and fungal blast caused by Magnaporthe grisea result in heavy production losses in rice,a main staple food for approximately 50%of the world's population.Application of host resistance to these pathogens iS the most economical and environment-friendly approach to solve this problem.Quantitative trait loci(QTLs)controlling quantitative resistance are valuable sources for broad.spectrum and durable disease resistance.Although large numbers of QTLs for bacteriaI blight and blast resistance have been identified.these sources have not been used effectively in rice improvement because of the complex genetic controI of quantitative resistance and because the genes underlying resistance QTLs are unknown.To isolate disease resistance QTLs,we established a candidate gene strategy that integrates linkage map,expression profile,and functionaI complementation analyses.This strategy has proven to be applicable for identifying the genes underlying minor resistance QTLs in rice-Xoo and rice-M grisea systems and it may also help to shed light on disease resistance QTLs of other cereals.Our results also suggest that a single minor QTL can be used in rice improvement by modulating the expression of the gene underlying the QTL.Pyramiding two or three minor QTL genes,whose expression can be managed and that function in different defense signaI transduction pathways,may allow the breeding of rice cultivars that are highly resistant to bacteriaI blight and blast.

Avaliação de traços de personalidade em pacientes com fobia social Evaluation of personality traits in social phobia patients

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Mariângela Gentil Savoia

2010-01-01

Full Text Available CONTEXTO: Os sintomas de transtornos de personalidade (Eixo II comumente encontrados em pacientes com fobia social se sobrepõem com os sintomas que descrevem o transtorno pelo Eixo I. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar traços de personalidade em pacientes com diagnóstico de fobia social. MÉTODO: Cento e oito sujeitos com idade entre 18 e 65 anos foram avaliados pelo Inventário de Temperamento e Caráter de Cloninger. RESULTADO: Os pacientes com fobia social diferiram dos dados normativos nos seguintes traços de personalidade: Busca à Novidade, Fuga de Danos, Persistência, Autodirecionamento e Autotranscendência. CONCLUSÃO: Esses achados apontam para uma sobreposição entre a descrição dos traços de personalidade citados por Cloninger e a descrição dos sintomas de fobia social do DSM-IV, Eixo I.BACKGROUND: The symptoms of personality disorders (Axis II commonly found in social phobia patients overlap highly with the symptoms that typify the Axis I disorder and are thus linked to diagnostic process in symptomatic patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate personality traits of social phobia patients. METHOD: One hundred and eight subjects were selected, from 18 to 65 years of age, who fulfilled the criteria of social phobia. The Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI was applied. RESULTS: Social phobia patients differed in normalized data in the following personality traits: Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, Persistence, Self Directedness, and Self-Transcendence. DISCUSSION: These findings point to a high overlap between Cloninger's description of the observed predominant personality traits and DSM-IV Axis I symptoms description for social phobia.

Regions on plasmid pCU1 required for the killing of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

OpenAIRE

Thatte, V; Gill, S; Iyer, V N

1985-01-01

Plasmid pCU1 was Kik+ (promotes killing of Klebsiella pneumoniae). All Tn5 insertions within the tra region of pCU1 were Kik-. Two other regions, kikA and kikB, were needed. They may be separated on different plasmids, but both must be mobilized into Klebsiella pneumoniae. Establishment of one kik region in K. pneumoniae followed by receipt of the second did not lead to killing. Kik was therefore intracellular and required concerted and transient action of both regions.

Chinmo prevents transformer alternative splicing to maintain male sex identity.

Science.gov (United States)

Grmai, Lydia; Hudry, Bruno; Miguel-Aliaga, Irene; Bach, Erika A

2018-02-01

Reproduction in sexually dimorphic animals relies on successful gamete production, executed by the germline and aided by somatic support cells. Somatic sex identity in Drosophila is instructed by sex-specific isoforms of the DMRT1 ortholog Doublesex (Dsx). Female-specific expression of Sex-lethal (Sxl) causes alternative splicing of transformer (tra) to the female isoform traF. In turn, TraF alternatively splices dsx to the female isoform dsxF. Loss of the transcriptional repressor Chinmo in male somatic stem cells (CySCs) of the testis causes them to "feminize", resembling female somatic stem cells in the ovary. This somatic sex transformation causes a collapse of germline differentiation and male infertility. We demonstrate this feminization occurs by transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of traF. We find that chinmo-deficient CySCs upregulate tra mRNA as well as transcripts encoding tra-splice factors Virilizer (Vir) and Female lethal (2)d (Fl(2)d). traF splicing in chinmo-deficient CySCs leads to the production of DsxF at the expense of the male isoform DsxM, and both TraF and DsxF are required for CySC sex transformation. Surprisingly, CySC feminization upon loss of chinmo does not require Sxl but does require Vir and Fl(2)d. Consistent with this, we show that both Vir and Fl(2)d are required for tra alternative splicing in the female somatic gonad. Our work reveals the need for transcriptional regulation of tra in adult male stem cells and highlights a previously unobserved Sxl-independent mechanism of traF production in vivo. In sum, transcriptional control of the sex determination hierarchy by Chinmo is critical for sex maintenance in sexually dimorphic tissues and is vital in the preservation of fertility.

Chinmo prevents transformer alternative splicing to maintain male sex identity.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lydia Grmai

2018-02-01

Full Text Available Reproduction in sexually dimorphic animals relies on successful gamete production, executed by the germline and aided by somatic support cells. Somatic sex identity in Drosophila is instructed by sex-specific isoforms of the DMRT1 ortholog Doublesex (Dsx. Female-specific expression of Sex-lethal (Sxl causes alternative splicing of transformer (tra to the female isoform traF. In turn, TraF alternatively splices dsx to the female isoform dsxF. Loss of the transcriptional repressor Chinmo in male somatic stem cells (CySCs of the testis causes them to "feminize", resembling female somatic stem cells in the ovary. This somatic sex transformation causes a collapse of germline differentiation and male infertility. We demonstrate this feminization occurs by transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of traF. We find that chinmo-deficient CySCs upregulate tra mRNA as well as transcripts encoding tra-splice factors Virilizer (Vir and Female lethal (2d (Fl(2d. traF splicing in chinmo-deficient CySCs leads to the production of DsxF at the expense of the male isoform DsxM, and both TraF and DsxF are required for CySC sex transformation. Surprisingly, CySC feminization upon loss of chinmo does not require Sxl but does require Vir and Fl(2d. Consistent with this, we show that both Vir and Fl(2d are required for tra alternative splicing in the female somatic gonad. Our work reveals the need for transcriptional regulation of tra in adult male stem cells and highlights a previously unobserved Sxl-independent mechanism of traF production in vivo. In sum, transcriptional control of the sex determination hierarchy by Chinmo is critical for sex maintenance in sexually dimorphic tissues and is vital in the preservation of fertility.

Ecological-floristic analysis of soil algae and cyanobacteria on the Tra-Tau and Yurak-Tau Mounts, Bashkiria

Science.gov (United States)

Bakieva, G. R.; Khaibullina, L. S.; Gaisina, L. A.; Kabirov, R. R.

2012-09-01

The species composition of the soil algae and cyanobacteria in the Tra-Tau and Yurak-Tau mountains is represented by 136 species belonging to five phyla: Cyanobacteria (56 species), Chlorophyta (52 species), Xanthophyta (13 species), Bacillariophyta (12 species), and Eustigmatophyta (3 species). Hantzschia amphioxys var. amphioxys, Hantzschia amphioxys var. constricta, Klebsormidium flaccidum, Leptolyngbya foveolarum, Luticola mutica, Navicula minima var. minima, Nostoc punctiforme, Phormidium jadinianum, Phormidium autumnale, and Pinnularia borealis were identified more often than other species. The composition of the algal flora depended on the soil properties; the higher plants also had a significant influence on the species composition of the soil algae.

Erythroid Kruppel-like factor (EKLF) is recruited to the γ-globin gene promoter as a co-activator and is required for γ-globin gene induction by short-chain fatty acid derivatives

Science.gov (United States)

Perrine, Susan P.; Mankidy, Rishikesh; Boosalis, Michael S.; Bieker, James J.; Faller, Douglas V.

2011-01-01

Objectives The erythroid Kruppel-like factor (EKLF) is an essential transcription factor for β-type globin gene switching, and specifically activates transcription of the adult β-globin gene promoter. We sought to determine if EKLF is also required for activation of the γ-globin gene by short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) derivatives, which are now entering clinical trials. Methods The functional and physical interaction of EKLF and co-regulatory molecules with the endogenous human globin gene promoters was studied in primary human erythroid progenitors and cell lines, using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays and genetic manipulation of the levels of EKLF and co-regulators. Results and conclusions Knockdown of EKLF prevents SCFA-induced expression of the γ-globin promoter in a stably expressed μLCRβprRlucAγprFluc cassette, and prevents induction of the endogenous γ-globin gene in primary human erythroid progenitors. EKLF is actively recruited to endogenous γ-globin gene promoters after exposure of primary human erythroid progenitors, and murine hematopoietic cell lines, to SCFA derivatives. The core ATPase BRG1 subunit of the human SWI/WNF complex, a ubiquitous multimeric complex that regulates gene expression by remodeling nucleosomal structure, is also required for γ-globin gene induction by SCFA derivatives. BRG1 is actively recruited to the endogenous γ-globin promoter of primary human erythroid progenitors by exposure to SCFA derivatives, and this recruitment is dependent upon the presence of EKLF. These findings demonstrate that EKLF, and the co-activator BRG1, previously demonstrated to be required for definitive or adult erythropoietic patterns of globin gene expression, are co-opted by SCFA derivatives to activate the fetal globin genes. PMID:19220418

Traço e estado de ansiedade de nutrizes com indicadores de hipogalactia e nutrizes com galactia normal

OpenAIRE

Aragaki, Ilva Marico Mizumoto; Silva, Isília Aparecida; Santos, Jair Lício Ferreira dos

2006-01-01

Este estudo objetivou identificar e comparar o traço e estado de ansiedade, no 10º dia pós-parto e estado de ansiedade no 30º dia puerperal, das nutrizes primíparas e multíparas que apresentaram indicadores de hipogalactia e nutrizes com galactia normal; verificar possíveis relações entre o estado de ansiedade das nutrizes nesses dois momentos com a presença dos indicadores de hipogalactia. É um estudo exploratório/descritivo, cujos dados foram obtidos com 168 nutrizes e seus filhos, por meio...

Il popolo tra realtà politica e finzione ideologica

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Roberto Gatti

2012-10-01

Full Text Available Ci si può chiedere quale sia il motivo che spinge ad affrontare la non facile prova consistente nel delineare un percorso di riflessione in chiave filosofica intorno al concetto di “popolo” prendendo in esame il periodo che va dalla prima alla tarda modernità, sino a sfiorare (almeno l’epoca della quale noi, uomini e donne del presente, siamo protagonisti, il più delle volte molto perplessi e parecchio disorientati.Il perché sta nel tentativo di mostrare che, per quanto questo lungo periodo sia, a proposito del nostro argomento, parecchio complesso e contraddistinto da un esteso pluralismo di punti di vista, presenta però, a mio avviso, almeno una caratteristica unitaria. Si tratta della difficoltà di articolare teoreticamente un concetto di “popolo” sul quale non gravino quei limiti sui quali vorrei concentrare l’attenzione: limiti ovviamente non secondari, ma tali da compromettere gravemente il concetto in questione.In tutto il tragitto che proverò a tracciare, non vorrei semplicemente procedere prendendo nota dei punti oscuri rinvenibili in questa o quella concezione di “popolo”, e così mettere in atto una sorta d’incolore e, tutto sommato, ridondante elenco che collochi uno dopo l’altro gli autori come in una galleria dei nobili fallimenti della filosofia politica dal ‘500 a oggi. La posta in gioco è ben diversa. La presento, per ora molto concisamente, come segue.Nel De republica di Cicerone – importante sintesi di una già consolidata tradizione – è evidente la corrispondenza concettuale tra “res publica” e “populus”: la società politica si dà solo in presenza di un’associazione tenuta insieme “per accordo nell’osservare la giustizia” e “per comunanza di interessi”. Il popolo, che si forma a causa della “naturale inclinazione a vivere bene” presente in ogni essere umano, esprime, nella sua unità etico-giuridica, il senso propriamente politico insito nel condurre un�

DISTORSIONI GEOMETRICHE DELLA CARTOGRAFIA STORICA: ANALISI DI ALCUNE CARTOGRAFIE REALIZZATE TRA IL 1500 ED IL 1700 RELATIVE AL GOLFO DI TRIESTE

OpenAIRE

Mauro, Giovanni

2016-01-01

È ben nota l'importanza dell'apparato iconografico proprio della cartografia storica, il cui limite generalmente lamentato è relativo all'accuratezza geometrica. Nel presente contributo, mediante l'utilizzo di un software dedicato, disponibile gratuitamente in rete (Mapanalyst), si punta ad analizzare la precisione geometrica di alcune cartografie storiche (carte realizzate tra l'inizio del 1500 e la fine del 1700) relative al Golfo di Trieste. Utilizzando una serie di punti do...

Mms Sensitivity of All Amino Acid-Requiring Mutants in Aspergillus and Its Suppression by Mutations in a Single Gene

OpenAIRE

Käfer, Etta

1987-01-01

All available amino acid-requiring mutants of Aspergillus nidulans were found to be hypersensitive to MMS (methyl methanesulfonate) to various degrees. On MMS media, secondary mutations could be selected which suppress this MMS sensitivity but do not affect the requirement. Many such mutations were analyzed and found to be alleles of one gene, smsA (= suppressor of MMS sensitivity), which mapped distal on the right arm of chromosome V. This gene is more likely to be involved in general regula...

Role of RecA protein in untargeted UV mutagenesis of bacteriophage lambda: evidence for the requirement for the dinB gene

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brotcorne-Lannoye, A.; Maenhaut-Michel, G.

1986-01-01

Untargeted UV mutagenesis of bacteriophage lambda--i.e., the increased recovery of lambda mutants when unirradiated lambda infects UV-irradiated Escherichia coli--is thought to be mediated by a transient decrease in DNA replication fidelity, generating mutations in the newly synthesized strands. Using the bacteriophage lambda cI857----lambda c mutation system, we provide evidence that the RecA protein, shown previously to be required for this mutagenic pathway, is no longer needed when the LexA protein is inactivated by mutation. We suggest that the error-prone DNA replication responsible for UV-induced untargeted mutagenesis is turned on by the presence of replication-blocking lesions in the host cell DNA and that the RecA protein is required only to derepress the relevant din gene(s). This is in contrast to mutagenesis of irradiated bacteria or irradiated phage lambda, in which activated RecA protein has a second role in mutagenesis in addition to the cleavage of the LexA protein. Among the tested din genes, the dinB gene product (in addition to the uvrA and uvrB gene products) was found to be required for untargeted mutagenesis of bacteriophage lambda. To our knowledge, a phenotype associated with the dinB gene has not been reported previously

L’alienazione della donna tra esibizione e occultamento del corpo: dall’oscenità alla costruzione tecnica

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Ines Testoni

2013-06-01

Full Text Available L’articolo discute della contrapposizione tra la modalità italiana di considerare il corpo della donna, quale mero oggetto di desiderio sessuale, attraverso la sua esibizione e ildenudamento mediatici versus quella musulmana che, invece, lo nasconde sotto khimar,jilbab o burqa. L'analisi fa perno sui diritti umani fondamentali che nel loro percorsostorico, promuovono il primato dell’individuo e della sua autodeterminazione, per arri-vare a considerare i concetti di alienazione e di oscenità e verificare come le due posi-zioni siano in continuità. Si discute, quindi, delle possibili cause che, anche nell’attualesocietà occidentale, potrebbero ripristinare forme di tradizionalismo, a partire dalla stessa volontà delle donne.

Desenvolvimento e exigências térmicas de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, criados em duas traças do tomateiro

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PRATISSOLI DIRCEU

2000-01-01

Full Text Available Estudou-se a biologia de Trichogramma pretiosum em ovos de Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller e Tuta absoluta (Meyrick em diferentes temperaturas (18, 20, 22, 25, 30 e 32ºC, 70±10% de umidade relativa e fotofase de 14 horas, com o objetivo de se determinarem as exigências térmicas, bem como o número de gerações durante o ano. Houve correlação inversa entre a duração do ciclo e o aumento de temperatura na faixa térmica estudada. A razão sexual, no entanto, não foi afetada pela temperatura quando o hospedeiro foi T. absoluta. A viabilidade de T. pretiosum, criado em P. operculella foi mais afetada que em T. absoluta. A exigência térmica, calculada pelo método da hipérbole, foi maior no tocante a T. absoluta (131,3 graus dia em relação a P. operculella (120,9 graus dia, e o limiar térmico inferior, respectivamente, 12,98 e 13,53°C. No que tange a ambas as espécies de traças, a longevidade do parasitóide sempre obedeceu à distribuição de Weibull. O potencial de aumento foi avaliado, em ambas as espécies de traças, com base no número de gerações anuais.

IMGT/GeneInfo: T cell receptor gamma TRG and delta TRD genes in database give access to all TR potential V(D)J recombinations

Science.gov (United States)

Baum, Thierry-Pascal; Hierle, Vivien; Pasqual, Nicolas; Bellahcene, Fatena; Chaume, Denys; Lefranc, Marie-Paule; Jouvin-Marche, Evelyne; Marche, Patrice Noël; Demongeot, Jacques

2006-01-01

Background Adaptative immune repertoire diversity in vertebrate species is generated by recombination of variable (V), diversity (D) and joining (J) genes in the immunoglobulin (IG) loci of B lymphocytes and in the T cell receptor (TR) loci of T lymphocytes. These V-J and V-D-J gene rearrangements at the DNA level involve recombination signal sequences (RSS). Whereas many data exist, they are scattered in non specialized resources with different nomenclatures (eg. flat files) and are difficult to extract. Description IMGT/GeneInfo is an online information system that provides, through a user-friendly interface, exhaustive information resulting from the complex mechanisms of T cell receptor V-J and V-D-J recombinations. T cells comprise two populations which express the αβ and γδ TR, respectively. The first version of the system dealt with the Homo sapiens and Mus musculus TRA and TRB loci whose gene rearrangements allow the synthesis of the αβ TR chains. In this paper, we present the second version of IMGT/GeneInfo where we complete the database for the Homo sapiens and Mus musculus TRG and TRD loci along with the introduction of a quality control procedure for existing and new data. We also include new functionalities to the four loci analysis, giving, to date, a very informative tool which allows to work on V(D)J genes of all TR loci in both human and mouse species. IMGT/GeneInfo provides more than 59,000 rearrangement combinations with a full gene description which is freely available at . Conclusion IMGT/GeneInfo allows all TR information sequences to be in the same spot, and are now available within two computer-mouse clicks. This is useful for biologists and bioinformaticians for the study of T lymphocyte V(D)J gene rearrangements and their applications in immune response analysis. PMID:16640788

Search for missing schizophrenia genes will require a new ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

2013-08-06

Aug 6, 2013 ... causal gene(s)?. The successful search for disease genes is based on a ..... 2010 Mobile interspersed repeats are major structural variants in ... Petronis A., Paterson A. D. and Kennedy J. L. 1999 Schizophrenia: an epigenetic ...

Maternal provision of non-sex-specific transformer messenger RNA in sex determination of the wasp Asobara tabida.

Science.gov (United States)

Geuverink, E; Verhulst, E C; van Leussen, M; van de Zande, L; Beukeboom, L W

2018-02-01

In many insect species maternal provision of sex-specifically spliced messenger RNA (mRNA) of sex determination genes is an essential component of the sex determination mechanism. In haplodiploid Hymenoptera, maternal provision in combination with genomic imprinting has been shown for the parasitoid Nasonia vitripennis, known as maternal effect genomic imprinting sex determination (MEGISD). Here, we characterize the sex determination cascade of Asobara tabida, another hymenopteran parasitoid. We show the presence of the conserved sex determination genes doublesex (dsx), transformer (tra) and transformer-2 (tra2) orthologues in As. tabida. Of these, At-dsx and At-tra are sex-specifically spliced, indicating a conserved function in sex determination. At-tra and At-tra2 mRNA is maternally provided to embryos but, in contrast to most studied insects, As. tabida females transmit a non-sex-specific splice form of At-tra mRNA to the eggs. In this respect, As. tabida sex determination differs from the MEGISD mechanism. How the paternal genome can induce female development in the absence of maternal provision of sex-specifically spliced mRNA remains an open question. Our study reports a hitherto unknown variant of maternal effect sex determination and accentuates the diversity of insect sex determination mechanisms. © 2017 The Authors. Insect Molecular Biology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal Entomological Society.

Quam maximis potest itineribus: andata e ritorno della costruzione tra immagine e modello nello spazio grafico della geometria descrittiva

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Matteo Ballarin

2012-06-01

Full Text Available Il contributo testimonia una strategia d'insegnamento congiunto del rilievo architettonico, della geometria descrittiva e del disegno digitale concepita come un viaggio di andata e ritorno tra immagine e modello. Iniziando dalla fotogrammetria elementare e dalle tecniche di foto-modellazione offerte da software (gratuiti e dotati di un'interfaccia sufficientemente  intuitiva si possono poi introdurre – col metodo di Monge – le tecniche del rilievo topografico, giungendo alla costruzione interdefinita di un unico modello digitale degli oggetti del rilievo. Il circolo didattico si chiude poi costruendo rappresentazioni tabulari tradizionali dei modelli.

The Arabidopsis histone chaperone FACT is required for stress-induced expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes.

Science.gov (United States)

Pfab, Alexander; Breindl, Matthias; Grasser, Klaus D

2018-03-01

The histone chaperone FACT is involved in the expression of genes encoding anthocyanin biosynthetic enzymes also upon induction by moderate high-light and therefore contributes to the stress-induced plant pigmentation. The histone chaperone FACT consists of the SSRP1 and SPT16 proteins and associates with transcribing RNAPII (RNAPII) along the transcribed region of genes. FACT can promote transcriptional elongation by destabilising nucleosomes in the path of RNA polymerase II, thereby facilitating efficient transcription of chromatin templates. Transcript profiling of Arabidopsis plants depleted in SSRP1 or SPT16 demonstrates that only a small subset of genes is differentially expressed relative to wild type. The majority of these genes is either up- or down-regulated in both the ssrp1 and spt16 plants. Among the down-regulated genes, those encoding enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway of the plant secondary metabolites termed anthocyanins (but not regulators of the pathway) are overrepresented. Upon exposure to moderate high-light stress several of these genes are up-regulated to a lesser extent in ssrp1/spt16 compared to wild type plants, and accordingly the mutant plants accumulate lower amounts of anthocyanin pigments. Moreover, the expression of SSRP1 and SPT16 is induced under these conditions. Therefore, our findings indicate that FACT is a novel factor required for the accumulation of anthocyanins in response to light-induction.

Modelo de oposições múltiplas modificado: abordagem baseada em traços distintivos Modified multiple oppositions' model: approach based on distinctive features

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Karina Carlesso Pagliarin

2009-01-01

Full Text Available O objetivo deste trabalho foi propor uma abordagem com enfoque em traços distintivos para o Modelo de Oposições Múltiplas e testar sua aplicação em um sujeito falante do Português Brasileiro. O Modelo foi aplicado em um sujeito do sexo masculino, com desvio fonológico moderado-severo e idade de seis anos e meio. Após avaliação fonológica, procedeu-se à seleção dos sons-alvo. Considerou-se o sistema fonológico inicial, bem como os traços distintivos alterados ([+voz], [+soante], [+aproximante], [coronal/±anterior], [-contínuo]. Os traços com maior número de alterações eram [+voz, +soante, +aproximante], justificando a escolha dos seguintes sons-alvo para tratamento: /r/ x /l/ x // x // x /z/, em onset medial.Tendo como base a aplicação desse modelo em falantes do inglês, percebeu-se a necessidade de introduzir alguns procedimentos, como: a escolha dos sons-alvo a partir dos traços distintivos alterados e a estrutura da sessão terapêutica. Ao final, o sujeito foi reavaliado a fim de verificar as aquisições no sistema fonológico. Após dez sessões de fonoterapia,o sujeito adquiriu os fonemas /l, , , z/, generalizando-os para outras posições na palavra (/Z/ e /l/ em onset inicial. Verificou-se, também, a ocorrência de generalização para a mesma classe e para outras classes de sons (/b/, /d/, /g/, /v/. No entanto, o fonema /r/ não foi adquirido. Esta proposta mostrou-se efetiva, pois o sujeito apresentou melhora em seu sistema fonológico com poucas sessões terapêuticas. Pôde-se observar que o Modelo de Oposições Múltiplas, utilizando a abordagem com base em traços distintivos é eficaz, pois favoreceu diversas mudanças fonológicas.The aim of this study was to propose an approach based on distinctive features for the Multiple Oppositions Model, and to test its application on a Brazilian Portuguese speaker. The model was used with a male subject with moderate-severe phonological disorder and six years

The influence of spirituality and religiosity on breast cancer screening delay in African American women: application of the Theory of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior (TRA/TPB).

Science.gov (United States)

Gullate, Mary

2006-01-01

African American women (AAW) are 25% more likely to present with late stage breast cancer and 20% more likely to die from their disease than Caucasian women. Researchers report that a treatment delay of 3 months is a significant factor in breast cancer mortality. Socioeconomic factors, lack of access and knowledge, spiritual and religious beliefs, fear and fatalism are reported as contributing factors to screening delays. Studies have primarily applied the Health Belief Model (HBM) and modified versions like the Champion HBM to preventive health practices. Neither have significant inclusion of spirituality or religiosity. The TRA/TPB focus on beliefs, intent and attitude as individual determinants of the likelihood of performing a specific behavior; but have not had wide utility in studies related to screening delays among AAW. This paper explores the utility of applying the TRA/TPB as the theoretical framework for determining cultural relevance of spirituality and religiosity to screening delays among AAW.

Investigation of antioxidant potential of peptide fractions from the Tra Catfish by-product-derived hydrolysate using Alcalase® 2.4 L FG

Science.gov (United States)

Vo, Tam D. L.; Chung, Duy T. M.; Doan, Kien T.; Le, Duy T.; Trinh, Hung V.

2017-09-01

In this study, the antioxidant capacity of peptide fractions isolated from the Tra Catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) by-product-derived proteolysate using ultrafiltration centrifugal devices with 5 distinct molecular-weight cutoffs (MWCOs) of 1 kDa, 3 kDa, 5 kDa, 10 kDa, and 30 kDa was investigated. Firstly, the chemical composition of the Tra Catfish by-products was analyzed. The result showed that the Tra Catfish by-products contained 58.5% moisture, 33.9% crude protein, 50.1% crude lipid and 15.8% ash (on dry weight basis). Secondly, the effects of hydrolysis time, enzyme content on the antioxidant potential of the proteolysate were studied using DPPH• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging method (DPPH• SM) and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential) method. Alcalase® 2.4 L FG was used for hydrolysis. The result of antioxidant activity of the hydrolysate showed that the 50% DPPH• inhibition concentration (IC50) of the hydrolysate reached about 6775 µg/mL which was 1645-fold higher than that of vitamin C and 17-fold higher than that of BHT (ButylatedHydroxytoluene) with the degree of hydrolysis (DH) of the hydrolysate of 14.6% when hydrolysis time was 5 hours, enzyme/substrate (E/S) ratio was 30 U/g protein, hydrolysis temperature was 55°C, and pH was 7.5. The antioxidant potential of hydrolysate using FRAP method reached about 52.12 µM Trolox equivalent which was 53-fold and 18-fold lower than those of vitamin C and BHT, respectively, when the hydrolysis time was 5 h, enzyme/substrate ratio was 30 U/g protein, temperature was 500C, and pH level was 8. Next, the proteolysate was further fractionated using MWCOs of 1 kDa, 3 kDa, 5 kDa, 10 kDa, and 30 kDa and the peptide fractions were investigated for their antioxidant activity. The result showed that the <1 kDa fraction showed strongest antioxidant activity with the IC50 of 1313.31 ± 50.65 µg/mL and FRAP value of 906.90 ± 44.32 µM Trolox equivalent. The second strongest fraction

CSL protein regulates transcription of genes required to prevent catastrophic mitosis in fission yeast.

Science.gov (United States)

Převorovský, Martin; Oravcová, Martina; Zach, Róbert; Jordáková, Anna; Bähler, Jürg; Půta, František; Folk, Petr

2016-11-16

For every eukaryotic cell to grow and divide, intricately coordinated action of numerous proteins is required to ensure proper cell-cycle progression. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been instrumental in elucidating the fundamental principles of cell-cycle control. Mutations in S. pombe 'cut' (cell untimely torn) genes cause failed coordination between cell and nuclear division, resulting in catastrophic mitosis. Deletion of cbf11, a fission yeast CSL transcription factor gene, triggers a 'cut' phenotype, but the precise role of Cbf11 in promoting mitotic fidelity is not known. We report that Cbf11 directly activates the transcription of the acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase gene cut6, and the biotin uptake/biosynthesis genes vht1 and bio2, with the former 2 implicated in mitotic fidelity. Cbf11 binds to a canonical, metazoan-like CSL response element (GTGGGAA) in the cut6 promoter. Expression of Cbf11 target genes shows apparent oscillations during the cell cycle using temperature-sensitive cdc25-22 and cdc10-M17 block-release experiments, but not with other synchronization methods. The penetrance of catastrophic mitosis in cbf11 and cut6 mutants is nutrient-dependent. We also show that drastic decrease in biotin availability arrests cell proliferation but does not cause mitotic defects. Taken together, our results raise the possibility that CSL proteins play conserved roles in regulating cell-cycle progression, and they could guide experiments into mitotic CSL functions in mammals.

Functional requirements driving the gene duplication in 12 Drosophila species.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhong, Yan; Jia, Yanxiao; Gao, Yang; Tian, Dacheng; Yang, Sihai; Zhang, Xiaohui

2013-08-15

Gene duplication supplies the raw materials for novel gene functions and many gene families arisen from duplication experience adaptive evolution. Most studies of young duplicates have focused on mammals, especially humans, whereas reports describing their genome-wide evolutionary patterns across the closely related Drosophila species are rare. The sequenced 12 Drosophila genomes provide the opportunity to address this issue. In our study, 3,647 young duplicate gene families were identified across the 12 Drosophila species and three types of expansions, species-specific, lineage-specific and complex expansions, were detected in these gene families. Our data showed that the species-specific young duplicate genes predominated (86.6%) over the other two types. Interestingly, many independent species-specific expansions in the same gene family have been observed in many species, even including 11 or 12 Drosophila species. Our data also showed that the functional bias observed in these young duplicate genes was mainly related to responses to environmental stimuli and biotic stresses. This study reveals the evolutionary patterns of young duplicates across 12 Drosophila species on a genomic scale. Our results suggest that convergent evolution acts on young duplicate genes after the species differentiation and adaptive evolution may play an important role in duplicate genes for adaption to ecological factors and environmental changes in Drosophila.

20 CFR 617.11 - Qualifying requirements for TRA.

Science.gov (United States)

2010-04-01

... employer-authorized leave from such adversely affected employment for purposes of vacation, sickness, injury, maternity, or inactive duty or active duty military service for training, or (ii) Does not work...

Dimerization site 2 of the bacterial DNA-binding protein H-NS is required for gene silencing and stiffened nucleoprotein filament formation.

Science.gov (United States)

Yamanaka, Yuki; Winardhi, Ricksen S; Yamauchi, Erika; Nishiyama, So-Ichiro; Sowa, Yoshiyuki; Yan, Jie; Kawagishi, Ikuro; Ishihama, Akira; Yamamoto, Kaneyoshi

2018-06-15

The bacterial nucleoid-associated protein H-NS is a DNA-binding protein, playing a major role in gene regulation. To regulate transcription, H-NS silences genes, including horizontally acquired foreign genes. Escherichia coli H-NS is 137 residues long and consists of two discrete and independent structural domains: an N-terminal oligomerization domain and a C-terminal DNA-binding domain, joined by a flexible linker. The N-terminal oligomerization domain is composed of two dimerization sites, dimerization sites 1 and 2, which are both required for H-NS oligomerization, but the exact role of dimerization site 2 in gene silencing is unclear. To this end, we constructed a whole set of single amino acid substitution variants spanning residues 2 to 137. Using a well-characterized H-NS target, the slp promoter of the glutamic acid-dependent acid resistance (GAD) cluster promoters, we screened for any variants defective in gene silencing. Focusing on the function of dimerization site 2, we analyzed four variants, I70C/I70A and L75C/L75A, which all could actively bind DNA but are defective in gene silencing. Atomic force microscopy analysis of DNA-H-NS complexes revealed that all of these four variants formed condensed complexes on DNA, whereas WT H-NS formed rigid and extended nucleoprotein filaments, a conformation required for gene silencing. Single-molecule stretching experiments confirmed that the four variants had lost the ability to form stiffened filaments. We conclude that dimerization site 2 of H-NS plays a key role in the formation of rigid H-NS nucleoprotein filament structures required for gene silencing. © 2018 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

IMGT/GeneInfo: T cell receptor gamma TRG and delta TRD genes in database give access to all TR potential V(DJ recombinations

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Jouvin-Marche Evelyne

2006-04-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Adaptative immune repertoire diversity in vertebrate species is generated by recombination of variable (V, diversity (D and joining (J genes in the immunoglobulin (IG loci of B lymphocytes and in the T cell receptor (TR loci of T lymphocytes. These V-J and V-D-J gene rearrangements at the DNA level involve recombination signal sequences (RSS. Whereas many data exist, they are scattered in non specialized resources with different nomenclatures (eg. flat files and are difficult to extract. Description IMGT/GeneInfo is an online information system that provides, through a user-friendly interface, exhaustive information resulting from the complex mechanisms of T cell receptor V-J and V-D-J recombinations. T cells comprise two populations which express the αβ and γδ TR, respectively. The first version of the system dealt with the Homo sapiens and Mus musculus TRA and TRB loci whose gene rearrangements allow the synthesis of the αβ TR chains. In this paper, we present the second version of IMGT/GeneInfo where we complete the database for the Homo sapiens and Mus musculus TRG and TRD loci along with the introduction of a quality control procedure for existing and new data. We also include new functionalities to the four loci analysis, giving, to date, a very informative tool which allows to work on V(DJ genes of all TR loci in both human and mouse species. IMGT/GeneInfo provides more than 59,000 rearrangement combinations with a full gene description which is freely available at http://imgt.cines.fr/GeneInfo. Conclusion IMGT/GeneInfo allows all TR information sequences to be in the same spot, and are now available within two computer-mouse clicks. This is useful for biologists and bioinformaticians for the study of T lymphocyte V(DJ gene rearrangements and their applications in immune response analysis.

From Requirements via Colored Workflow Nets to an Implementation in Several Workflow Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Mans, Ronnie S:; van der Aalst, Wil M.P.; Bakker, Piet J.M.

2007-01-01

care process of the Academic Medical Center (AMC) hospital is used as reference process. The process consists of hundreds of activities. These have been modeled and analyzed using an EUC and a CWN. Moreover, based on the CWN, the process has been implemented using four different workflow systems......Care organizations, such as hospitals, need to support complex and dynamic workflows. More- over, many disciplines are involved. This makes it important to avoid the typical disconnect between requirements and the actual implementation of the system. This paper proposes an approach where...... an Executable Use Case (EUC) and Colored Workflow Net (CWN) are used to close the gap between the given requirements specification and the realization of these requirements with the help of a workflow system. This paper describes a large case study where the diagnostic tra jectory of the gynaecological oncology...

Um caso de discriminação genética: o traço falciforme no Brasil Genetic Discrimination: sickle cell trait in Brazil

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Cristiano Guedes

2007-01-01

Full Text Available Este artigo discute um caso de discriminação genética envolvendo uma atleta brasileira de voleibol identificada como portadora do traço falciforme. O traço falciforme é uma das características genéticas mais prevalentes na população brasileira, mas não �� descrito como uma doença genética. O avanço da genética clínica vem provocando uma popularização dos testes genéticos em diferentes contextos de promoção da saúde. Ao criticar o argumento da Confederação Brasileira de Vôlei de que o exame para o traço falciforme seria uma medida de proteção à saúde dos atletas, o objetivo do artigo foi demonstrar como a popularização da informação genética não pode prescindir do aconselhamento genético e de garantias éticas. A análise mostrou que a exclusão da atleta da seleção oficial de vôlei não se justificou por medidas de proteção à saúde, mas por discriminação genética.This paper analyses a case of genetic discrimination of a Brazilian volleyball athlete. A routine exam identified the sickle cell trait in her blood. The sickle cell trait is one of the most prevalent genetic information in Brazilian population, but it not considered a genetic disease. The advancement of clinical genetic promotes a popularization of genetic tests in different health care initiatives. The aims of this paper are: 1 to criticize the argument supporting the test for sickle cell trait as a health care initiative; 2 to demonstrate how the popularization of genetic information demands genetic counseling and ethical protections. The analysis demonstrates how the athlete exclusion from the official volleyball team is not supported by medicine and is a case of genetic discrimination.

Geminin is required for zygotic gene expression at the Xenopus mid-blastula transition.

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Sarah L Kerns

Full Text Available In many organisms early development is under control of the maternal genome and zygotic gene expression is delayed until the mid-blastula transition (MBT. As zygotic transcription initiates, cell cycle checkpoints become activated and the tempo of cell division slows. The mechanisms that activate zygotic transcription at the MBT are incompletely understood, but they are of interest because they may resemble mechanisms that cause stem cells to stop dividing and terminally differentiate. The unstable regulatory protein Geminin is thought to coordinate cell division with cell differentiation. Geminin is a bi-functional protein. It prevents a second round of DNA replication during S and G2 phase by binding and inhibiting the essential replication factor Cdt1. Geminin also binds and inhibits a number of transcription factors and chromatin remodeling proteins and is thought to keep dividing cells in an undifferentiated state. We previously found that the cells of Geminin-deficient Xenopus embryos arrest in G2 phase just after the MBT then disintegrate at the onset of gastrulation. Here we report that they also fail to express most zygotic genes. The gene expression defect is cell-autonomous and is reproduced by over-expressing Cdt1 or by incubating the embryos in hydroxyurea. Geminin deficient and hydroxyurea-treated blastomeres accumulate DNA damage in the form of double stranded breaks. Bypassing the Chk1 pathway overcomes the cell cycle arrest caused by Geminin depletion but does not restore zygotic gene expression. In fact, bypassing the Chk1 pathway by itself induces double stranded breaks and abolishes zygotic transcription. We did not find evidence that Geminin has a replication-independent effect on transcription. We conclude that Geminin is required to maintain genome integrity during the rapid cleavage divisions, and that DNA damage disrupts zygotic gene transcription at the MBT, probably through activation of DNA damage checkpoint pathways.

MMS sensitivity of all amino acid-requiring mutants in aspergillus and its suppression by mutations in a single gene.

Science.gov (United States)

Käfer, E

1987-04-01

All available amino acid-requiring mutants of Aspergillus nidulans were found to be hypersensitive to MMS (methyl methanesulfonate) to various degrees. On MMS media, secondary mutations could be selected which suppress this MMS sensitivity but do not affect the requirement. Many such mutations were analyzed and found to be alleles of one gene, smsA (= suppressor of MMS sensitivity), which mapped distal on the right arm of chromosome V. This gene is more likely to be involved in general regulation of amino acid biosynthesis than MMS uptake, since a variety of pathway interactions were clearly modified by smsA suppressors in the absence of MMS.

La formazione di un’aristocrazia: monache e monasteri femminili a Venezia tra IX e XIII secolo

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Rapetti, Anna

2014-06-01

Full Text Available This paper examines the processes that shaped the identity of the Venetian aristocracy from the 9th to the 13th centuries and the role played by the relationship between patrician families and some female monasteries. The important female monastery of San Zaccaria and some other nunneries created in the lagoon between the 12th and the 13th centuries are taken into account in the analysis of the formation of Venetian aristocracy from this innovative perspective. By analysing the behaviour of the aristocratic families towards these nunneries, the paper points out how Venetian ruling groups made use of the long-term relationship with nuns as a particularly useful instrument of political competition. The article also shows how some female monasteries were relevant social actors in the process of defi nition of Venetian identity, largely coinciding with their own ruling groups, and in particular with the aristocracy, and with the exercise of power.[it] L’articolo si propone di esaminare il processo di definizione dell’identità del ceto dirigente di Venezia nel periodo IX-XIII secolo e il ruolo occupato dalle relazioni tra le famiglie dell’aristocrazia che costituivano quel ceto e alcuni monasteri femminili. In questa prospettiva, innovativa nell’analisi della formazione dell’aristocrazia di Venezia, si prenderà in esame l’importante monastero femminile di San Zaccaria e si farà inoltre riferimento ad alcuni altri, sorti sulle isole della laguna tra XII e XIII secolo, espressione di un clima religioso e sociale nuovo e particolare. Attraverso l’analisi dei comportamenti adottati dalle famiglie aristocratiche nei confronti di questi monasteri, si dimostra che il ceto dirigente veneziano si servì delle relazioni costanti con le monache come di uno strumento della lotta politica particolarmente utilizzato dalle famiglie dell’aristocrazia della città. Si osserva anche che alcuni monasteri femminili furono a loro volta soggetti attivi

Microarray Analysis of Transposon Insertion Mutants in Bacillus Anthracis: Global Identification of Genes Required for Sporulation and Germination

National Research Council Canada - National Science Library

Day , Jr., William A; Rasmussen, Suzanne L; Carpenter, Beth M; Peterson, Scott N; Friedlander, Arthur M

2007-01-01

.... The system, used to identify genes required for generation of the infectious anthrax spore, spore germination and optimal growth on rich medium, was predictive of the contribution of two conserved...

Efficient transcription of the glycolytic gene ADH1 and three translational component genes requires the GCR1 product, which can act through TUF/GRF/RAP binding sites.

OpenAIRE

Santangelo, G M; Tornow, J

1990-01-01

Glycolytic gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is thought to be activated by the GCR and TUF proteins. We tested the hypothesis that GCR function is mediated by TUF/GRF/RAP binding sites (UASRPG elements). We found that UASRPG-dependent activation of a heterologous gene and transcription of ADH1, TEF1, TEF2, and RP59 were sensitive to GCR1 disruption. GCR is not required for TUF/GRF/RAP expression or in vitro DNA-binding activity.

Genes Required for Growth at High Hydrostatic Pressure in Escherichia coli K-12 Identified by Genome-Wide Screening

Science.gov (United States)

Black, S. Lucas; Dawson, Angela; Ward, F. Bruce; Allen, Rosalind J.

2013-01-01

Despite the fact that much of the global microbial biosphere is believed to exist in high pressure environments, the effects of hydrostatic pressure on microbial physiology remain poorly understood. We use a genome-wide screening approach, combined with a novel high-throughput high-pressure cell culture method, to investigate the effects of hydrostatic pressure on microbial physiology in vivo. The Keio collection of single-gene deletion mutants in Escherichia coli K-12 was screened for growth at a range of pressures from 0.1 MPa to 60 MPa. This led to the identification of 6 genes, rodZ, holC, priA, dnaT, dedD and tatC, whose products were required for growth at 30 MPa and a further 3 genes, tolB, rffT and iscS, whose products were required for growth at 40 MPa. Our results support the view that the effects of pressure on cell physiology are pleiotropic, with DNA replication, cell division, the cytoskeleton and cell envelope physiology all being potential failure points for cell physiology during growth at elevated pressure. PMID:24040140

Recovering probabilities for nucleotide trimming processes for T cell receptor TRA and TRG V-J junctions analyzed with IMGT tools

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Lefranc Marie-Paule

2008-10-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Nucleotides are trimmed from the ends of variable (V, diversity (D and joining (J genes during immunoglobulin (IG and T cell receptor (TR rearrangements in B cells and T cells of the immune system. This trimming is followed by addition of nucleotides at random, forming the N regions (N for nucleotides of the V-J and V-D-J junctions. These processes are crucial for creating diversity in the immune response since the number of trimmed nucleotides and the number of added nucleotides vary in each B or T cell. IMGT® sequence analysis tools, IMGT/V-QUEST and IMGT/JunctionAnalysis, are able to provide detailed and accurate analysis of the final observed junction nucleotide sequences (tool "output". However, as trimmed nucleotides can potentially be replaced by identical N region nucleotides during the process, the observed "output" represents a biased estimate of the "true trimming process." Results A probabilistic approach based on an analysis of the standardized tool "output" is proposed to infer the probability distribution of the "true trimmming process" and to provide plausible biological hypotheses explaining this process. We collated a benchmark dataset of TR alpha (TRA and TR gamma (TRG V-J rearranged sequences and junctions analysed with IMGT/V-QUEST and IMGT/JunctionAnalysis, the nucleotide sequence analysis tools from IMGT®, the international ImMunoGeneTics information system®, http://imgt.cines.fr. The standardized description of the tool output is based on the IMGT-ONTOLOGY axioms and concepts. We propose a simple first-order model that attempts to transform the observed "output" probability distribution into an estimate closer to the "true trimming process" probability distribution. We use this estimate to test the hypothesis that Poisson processes are involved in trimming. This hypothesis was not rejected at standard confidence levels for three of the four trimming processes: TRAV, TRAJ and TRGV. Conclusion By

Recovering probabilities for nucleotide trimming processes for T cell receptor TRA and TRG V-J junctions analyzed with IMGT tools.

Science.gov (United States)

Bleakley, Kevin; Lefranc, Marie-Paule; Biau, Gérard

2008-10-02

Nucleotides are trimmed from the ends of variable (V), diversity (D) and joining (J) genes during immunoglobulin (IG) and T cell receptor (TR) rearrangements in B cells and T cells of the immune system. This trimming is followed by addition of nucleotides at random, forming the N regions (N for nucleotides) of the V-J and V-D-J junctions. These processes are crucial for creating diversity in the immune response since the number of trimmed nucleotides and the number of added nucleotides vary in each B or T cell. IMGT sequence analysis tools, IMGT/V-QUEST and IMGT/JunctionAnalysis, are able to provide detailed and accurate analysis of the final observed junction nucleotide sequences (tool "output"). However, as trimmed nucleotides can potentially be replaced by identical N region nucleotides during the process, the observed "output" represents a biased estimate of the "true trimming process." A probabilistic approach based on an analysis of the standardized tool "output" is proposed to infer the probability distribution of the "true trimmming process" and to provide plausible biological hypotheses explaining this process. We collated a benchmark dataset of TR alpha (TRA) and TR gamma (TRG) V-J rearranged sequences and junctions analysed with IMGT/V-QUEST and IMGT/JunctionAnalysis, the nucleotide sequence analysis tools from IMGT, the international ImMunoGeneTics information system, http://imgt.cines.fr. The standardized description of the tool output is based on the IMGT-ONTOLOGY axioms and concepts. We propose a simple first-order model that attempts to transform the observed "output" probability distribution into an estimate closer to the "true trimming process" probability distribution. We use this estimate to test the hypothesis that Poisson processes are involved in trimming. This hypothesis was not rejected at standard confidence levels for three of the four trimming processes: TRAV, TRAJ and TRGV. By using trimming of rearranged TR genes as a benchmark, we

Cell rejuvenation and social behaviors promoted by LPS exchange in myxobacteria.

Science.gov (United States)

Vassallo, Christopher; Pathak, Darshankumar T; Cao, Pengbo; Zuckerman, David M; Hoiczyk, Egbert; Wall, Daniel

2015-06-02

Bacterial cells in their native environments must cope with factors that compromise the integrity of the cell. The mechanisms of coping with damage in a social or multicellular context are poorly understood. Here we investigated how a model social bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus, approaches this problem. We focused on the social behavior of outer membrane exchange (OME), in which cells transiently fuse and exchange their outer membrane (OM) contents. This behavior requires TraA, a homophilic cell surface receptor that identifies kin based on similarities in a polymorphic region, and the TraB cohort protein. As observed by electron microscopy, TraAB overexpression catalyzed a prefusion OM junction between cells. We then showed that damage sustained by the OM of one population was repaired by OME with a healthy population. Specifically, LPS mutants that were defective in motility and sporulation were rescued by OME with healthy donors. In addition, a mutant with a conditional lethal mutation in lpxC, an essential gene required for lipid A biosynthesis, was rescued by Tra-dependent interactions with a healthy population. Furthermore, lpxC cells with damaged OMs, which were more susceptible to antibiotics, had resistance conferred to them by OME with healthy donors. We also show that OME has beneficial fitness consequences to all cells. Here, in merged populations of damaged and healthy cells, OME catalyzed a dilution of OM damage, increasing developmental sporulation outcomes of the combined population by allowing it to reach a threshold density. We propose that OME is a mechanism that myxobacteria use to overcome cell damage and to transition to a multicellular organism.

Efficient transcription of the glycolytic gene ADH1 and three translational component genes requires the GCR1 product, which can act through TUF/GRF/RAP binding sites.

Science.gov (United States)

Santangelo, G M; Tornow, J

1990-01-01

Glycolytic gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is thought to be activated by the GCR and TUF proteins. We tested the hypothesis that GCR function is mediated by TUF/GRF/RAP binding sites (UASRPG elements). We found that UASRPG-dependent activation of a heterologous gene and transcription of ADH1, TEF1, TEF2, and RP59 were sensitive to GCR1 disruption. GCR is not required for TUF/GRF/RAP expression or in vitro DNA-binding activity. Images PMID:2405258

The Immediate Early Gene Egr3 Is Required for Hippocampal Induction of Bdnf by Electroconvulsive Stimulation

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Kimberly T. Meyers

2018-05-01

Full Text Available Early growth response 3 (Egr3 is an immediate early gene (IEG that is regulated downstream of a cascade of genes associated with risk for psychiatric disorders, and dysfunction of Egr3 itself has been implicated in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. As an activity-dependent transcription factor, EGR3 is poised to regulate the neuronal expression of target genes in response to environmental events. In the current study, we sought to identify a downstream target of EGR3 with the goal of further elucidating genes in this biological pathway relevant for psychiatric illness risk. We used electroconvulsive stimulation (ECS to induce high-level expression of IEGs in the brain, and conducted expression microarray to identify genes differentially regulated in the hippocampus of Egr3-deficient (-/- mice compared to their wildtype (WT littermates. Our results replicated previous work showing that ECS induces high-level expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf in the hippocampus of WT mice. However, we found that this induction is absent in Egr3-/- mice. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR validated the microarray results (performed in males and replicated the findings in two separate cohorts of female mice. Follow-up studies of activity-dependent Bdnf exons demonstrated that ECS-induced expression of both exons IV and VI requires Egr3. In situ hybridization demonstrated high-level cellular expression of Bdnf in the hippocampal dentate gyrus following ECS in WT, but not Egr3-/-, mice. Bdnf promoter analysis revealed eight putative EGR3 binding sites in the Bdnf promoter, suggesting a mechanism through which EGR3 may directly regulate Bdnf gene expression. These findings do not appear to result from a defect in the development of hippocampal neurons in Egr3-/- mice, as cell counts in tissue sections stained with anti-NeuN antibodies, a neuron-specific marker, did not differ between Egr3-/- and WT mice. In addition, Sholl

Jinekomasti tedavisinde ‘liposuction’ – artroskopik kıkırdak traşlayıcı kombinasyonu

OpenAIRE

Ersoy, Burak; Aköz, Tayfun

2014-01-01

Giriş: Uzun süredir mevcut jinekomasti tanısı konulan erişkin erkeklerde tek etkin tedavi seçeneği cerrahidir. Jinekomastinin düzeltilmesine ilişkin birçok farklı cerrahi teknik tarif edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, ameliyat izini en az düzeyde tutmak amacıyla artroskopik traşlayıcı cihazın konvansiyonel LPS uygulamasına kombine edildiği jinekomasti düzeltici cerrahi yöntemin tanıtılması ve sunulan cerrahi teknikle elde edilen sonuçların değerlendirilmesi hedeflenmiştir. Gereç ve Yöntem: 2012 ve 2...

Progetto EURAMET: HLT03 DUTy - Dosimetria per terapie ultrasonore. Confronto tra metodi di misura - EURAMET: HLT03 DUTy - Dosimetry for ultrasound therapy. Intercomparison of methods

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Giovanni Durando

2016-03-01

Full Text Available La mancanza di una definizione della dose ultrasonora rende di fatto impossibile la valutazione della più appropriata “quantità” energia ceduta ai tessuti dal fascio ultrasonoro emesso da un trasduttore durante una terapia. Il progetto di ricerca “Dosimetry for Ultrasound Therapy - DUTy”, finanziato dal programma di ricerca EURAMET EMRP, aveva tra i suoi principali obiettivi, oltre al confronto interlaboratorio che validasse le capacità metrologiche dei laboratori partecipanti, la ricerca della definizione di dose ultrasonora che consentisse la definizione di un piano terapeutico specifico per ogni paziente. ------ Standardized and traceable dose has not yet been developed for medical ultrasound applications. This means that the ‘amount’ of ultrasound required for a particular therapy cannot be calculated and that the ‘amount’ actually delivered quantified. The aim of EURAMET EMRP project “Dosimetry for Ultrasound Therapy - DUTy” project was developing the metrological infrastructure (definitions, validated measurement and modelling methods which underpins the specification of dose for therapeutic ultrasound applications allowing appropriate treatment planning and risk assessment.

Proliferative sickle cell retinopathy associated with sickle cell trait and gestational diabetes: case report Retinopatia falciforme proliferativa associada a traço falciforme e diabetes gestacional: relato de caso

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jefferson Augusto Santana Ribeiro

2009-06-01

Full Text Available Proliferative sickle cell retinopathy is an uncommon complication in individuals with sickle cell trait (AS. However, the risk for proliferative retinopathy development is increased in patients with AS hemoglobinopathy associated with systemic conditions or ocular trauma. A case of a patient with AS hemoglobinopathy who developed proliferative sickle cell retinopathy after the occurrence of gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension is reported. Hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed presence of A2 5.0%, S 35.0% and A 53.2%. The present case emphasizes the importance of evaluating systemic comorbidities in patients with sickle cell trait during pregnancy since sickle cell retinopathy can progress rapidly, as well as the importance of regular eye fundus examination in these patients.Retinopatia falciforme proliferativa é uma complicação incomum em indivíduos com traço falciforme, havendo, porém, risco aumentado de desenvolver retinopatia proliferativa em pacientes com hemoglobinopatia AS associada a condições sistêmicas ou trauma ocular. Neste artigo será apresentado um caso de paciente com diabetes gestacional, hipertensão arterial sistêmica associada à gravidez e traço falciforme. Eletroforese de hemoglobinas revelou a presença de A2 5,0%, S 35,0% e A 53,2%. Este caso ressalta a importância da avaliação de comorbidades sistêmicas em pacientes com traço falciforme no período gestacional, uma vez que pode ocorrer rápida progressão da retinopatia falciforme, devendo-se realizar também exames regulares do fundo de olho nestes pacientes.

Social behaviour and decision making in bacterial conjugation

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Günther eKoraimann

2014-04-01

Full Text Available Bacteria frequently acquire novel genes by HGT (horizontal gene transfer. HGT through the process of bacterial conjugation is highly efficient and depends on the presence of conjugative plasmids (CPs or integrated conjugative elements (ICEs that provide the necessary genes for DNA transmission. This review focuses on recent advancements in our understanding of ssDNA transfer systems and regulatory networks ensuring timely and spatially controlled DNA transfer (tra gene expression. As will become obvious by comparing different systems, by default, tra genes are shut off in cells in which conjugative elements are present. Only when conditions are optimal, donor cells – through epigenetic alleviation of negatively acting roadblocks and direct stimulation of DNA transfer genes – become transfer competent. These transfer competent cells have developmentally transformed into specialized cells capable of secreting ssDNA via a T4S (type IV secretion complex directly into recipient cells. Intriguingly, even under optimal conditions, only a fraction of the population undergoes this transition, a finding that indicates specialization and cooperative, social behavior. Thereby, at the population level, the metabolic burden and other negative consequences of tra gene expression are greatly reduced without compromising the ability to horizontally transfer genes to novel bacterial hosts. This undoubtedly intelligent strategy may explain why conjugative elements – CPs and ICEs – have been successfully kept in and evolved with bacteria to constitute a major driving force of bacterial evolution.

Resistência à tração de emendas dentadas de madeira de Manilkara huberi para o emprego em madeira laminada colada

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Julio Cesar Molina

Full Text Available Resumo A utilização de elementos estruturais de madeira laminada (ou lamelada colada (MLC requer um estudo experimental das combinações entre a espécie de madeira e o adesivo utilizado. Este trabalho objetivou o estudo da combinação espécie-adesivo na resistência a tração e na falha da linha de cola de corpos de prova de madeira de maçaranduba (Manilkara huberi confeccionados com e sem emendas dentadas finger joint. As colagens foram realizadas com lâminas sem tratamento preservativo, com aproximadamente 12% de umidade e com o emprego do adesivo mono-componente do tipo poliuretano Purbond HB 712. A gramatura de adesivo utilizada nas emendas dentadas foi linha simples de cola com aproximadamente 200 g m-2 e pressão de contato igual a 10 MPa. Após sete dias de cura do adesivo foram realizados testes de tração nos corpos de prova com e sem emendas dentadas, possibilitando julgar, também por meio da análise de variância, a eficiência das emendas testadas. Os resultados da experimentação revelaram a ineficiência da interface entre o adesivo e a madeira de analisada, pois a ruptura ocorreu na linha de cola, categorizando modo de ruptura do tipo 1, que corresponde à pior situação de falha.

The characterization and geographical distribution of the genes responsible for vernalization requirement in Chinese bread wheat.

Science.gov (United States)

Sun, Qing-Ming; Zhou, Rong-Hua; Gao, Li-Feng; Zhao, Guang-Yao; Jia, Ji-Zeng

2009-04-01

The frequency and distribution of the major vernalization requirement genes and their effects on growth habits were studied. Of the 551 bread wheat genotypes tested, seven allelic combinations of the three Vrn-1 genes were found to be responsible for the spring habit, three for the facultative habit and one for the winter habit. The three Vrn-1 genes behaved additively with the dominant allele of Vrn-A1 exerting the strongest effect. The allele combinations of the facultative genotypes and the discovery of spring genotypes with "winter" allele of Vrn-1 implied the presence of as yet unidentified alleles/genes for vernalization response. The dominant alleles of the three Vrn-1 genes were found in all ten ecological regions where wheat is cultivated in China, with Vrn-D1 as the most common allele in nine and Vrn-A1 in one. The combination of vrn-A1vrn-B1Vrn-D1 was the predominant genotype in seven of the regions. Compared with landraces, improved varieties contain a higher proportion of the spring type. This was attributed by a higher frequency of the dominant Vrn-A1 and Vrn-B1 alleles in the latter. Correlations between Vrn-1 allelic constitutions and heading date, spike length, plant type as well as cold tolerance were established.

The rgg0182 gene encodes a transcriptional regulator required for the full Streptococcus thermophilus LMG18311 thermal adaptation.

Science.gov (United States)

Henry, Romain; Bruneau, Emmanuelle; Gardan, Rozenn; Bertin, Stéphane; Fleuchot, Betty; Decaris, Bernard; Leblond-Bourget, Nathalie

2011-10-07

Streptococcus thermophilus is an important starter strain for the production of yogurt and cheeses. The analysis of sequenced genomes of four strains of S. thermophilus indicates that they contain several genes of the rgg familly potentially encoding transcriptional regulators. Some of the Rgg proteins are known to be involved in bacterial stress adaptation. In this study, we demonstrated that Streptococcus thermophilus thermal stress adaptation required the rgg0182 gene which transcription depends on the culture medium and the growth temperature. This gene encoded a protein showing similarity with members of the Rgg family transcriptional regulator. Our data confirmed that Rgg0182 is a transcriptional regulator controlling the expression of its neighboring genes as well as chaperones and proteases encoding genes. Therefore, analysis of a Δrgg0182 mutant revealed that this protein played a role in the heat shock adaptation of Streptococcus thermophilus LMG18311. These data showed the importance of the Rgg0182 transcriptional regulator on the survival of S. thermophilus during dairy processes and more specifically during changes in temperature.

The rgg0182 gene encodes a transcriptional regulator required for the full Streptococcus thermophilus LMG18311 thermal adaptation

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Bertin Stéphane

2011-10-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Streptococcus thermophilus is an important starter strain for the production of yogurt and cheeses. The analysis of sequenced genomes of four strains of S. thermophilus indicates that they contain several genes of the rgg familly potentially encoding transcriptional regulators. Some of the Rgg proteins are known to be involved in bacterial stress adaptation. Results In this study, we demonstrated that Streptococcus thermophilus thermal stress adaptation required the rgg0182 gene which transcription depends on the culture medium and the growth temperature. This gene encoded a protein showing similarity with members of the Rgg family transcriptional regulator. Our data confirmed that Rgg0182 is a transcriptional regulator controlling the expression of its neighboring genes as well as chaperones and proteases encoding genes. Therefore, analysis of a Δrgg0182 mutant revealed that this protein played a role in the heat shock adaptation of Streptococcus thermophilus LMG18311. Conclusions These data showed the importance of the Rgg0182 transcriptional regulator on the survival of S. thermophilus during dairy processes and more specifically during changes in temperature.

Influência da auto-percepção do envelhecimento e dos traços de personalidade na sintomatologia depressiva em idosos

OpenAIRE

Lourenço, Sara Tatiana Ferreira

2012-01-01

Tese de mestrado, Psicologia (Secção de Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde - Núcleo de Psicologia Clínica Dinâmica), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Psicologia, 2012 O presente trabalho refere-se ao estudo da influência da auto-percepção do envelhecimento e dos traços de personalidade na sintomatologia depressiva, numa amostra de adultos mais velhos, em meio não institucional e sem psicopatologia diagnosticada. Tem como objectivos: (1) analisar a auto-percepção do envelhecimento; (2) anali...

Functional characterization of human COQ4, a gene required for Coenzyme Q10 biosynthesis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Casarin, Alberto; Jimenez-Ortega, Jose Carlos; Trevisson, Eva; Pertegato, Vanessa; Doimo, Mara; Ferrero-Gomez, Maria Lara; Abbadi, Sara; Artuch, Rafael; Quinzii, Catarina; Hirano, Michio; Basso, Giuseppe; Ocana, Carlos Santos; Navas, Placido; Salviati, Leonardo

2008-01-01

Defects in genes involved in coenzyme Q (CoQ) biosynthesis cause primary CoQ deficiency, a severe multisystem disorders presenting as progressive encephalomyopathy and nephropathy. The COQ4 gene encodes an essential factor for biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have identified and cloned its human ortholog, COQ4, which is located on chromosome 9q34.13, and is transcribed into a 795 base-pair open reading frame, encoding a 265 amino acid (aa) protein (Isoform 1) with a predicted N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence. It shares 39% identity and 55% similarity with the yeast protein. Coq4 protein has no known enzymatic function, but may be a core component of multisubunit complex required for CoQ biosynthesis. The human transcript is detected in Northern blots as a ∼1.4 kb single band and is expressed ubiquitously, but at high levels in liver, lung, and pancreas. Transcription initiates at multiple sites, located 333-23 nucleotides upstream of the ATG. A second group of transcripts originating inside intron 1 of the gene encodes a 241 aa protein, which lacks the mitochondrial targeting sequence (isoform 2). Expression of GFP-fusion proteins in HeLa cells confirmed that only isoform 1 is targeted to mitochondria. The functional significance of the second isoform is unknown. Human COQ4 isoform 1, expressed from a multicopy plasmid, efficiently restores both growth in glycerol, and CoQ content in COQ4 null yeast strains. Human COQ4 is an interesting candidate gene for patients with isolated CoQ 10 deficiency

Efeitos da orientação genetica fornecida a doadores de sangue com o traço falciforme : riscos e beneficios

OpenAIRE

Roberto Benedito de Paiva e Silva

1995-01-01

Resumo: A triagem populacional de heterozigotos assintomáticos para fins de orientação genética é um procedimento bastante controvertido, por envolver o risco de rotulação, discriminação, estigmatização, perda de auto-estima e invasão de privacidade. Assim sendo, investigou-se no presente trabalho os efeitos da orientação genética fornecida a doadores de sangue portadores do traço falciforme (heterozigotos AS). Foram convidados, por carta, 92 doadores AS para receber orientação genética gratu...

Personality traits and treatment outcome in obsessive-compulsive disorder Traços de personalidade e resposta terapêutica no transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo

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Felipe Corchs

2008-09-01

ão respondem a tratamentos de primeira linha. Não obstante, não existem estudos comparando diretamente traços de personalidade entre pacientes responsivos e refratários ao tratamento do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo. Este estudo investiga diferenças nos traços da personalidade baseados no Inventário de Temperamento e Caráter de Cloninger (TCI entre dois grupos de pacientes com transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo classificados segundo desfecho terapêutico: responsivos e refratários. MÉTODO: Quarenta e cinco pacientes refratários e 44 responsivos foram selecionados. Os indivíduos foram considerados responsivos se, após tratamento com terapêutica convencional, apresentaram diminuição de ao menos 40% no escore inicial da Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, foram classificados como "melhor" ou "muito melhor" na Clinical Global Impressions; e mantiveram melhora por pelo menos um ano. Os refratários eram os pacientes que não atingiram redução de ao menos 25% na Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale e tiveram a melhoria menor que "mínima" na Clinical Global Impressions após o tratamento com ao menos três inibidores seletivos da recaptura de serotonina, incluindo clomipramina, e ao menos 20 horas da terapia cognitiva-comportamental. Os traços da personalidade foram avaliados através do Temperament and Character Inventory. RESULTADOS: Refratários pontuaram menos em autodirecionamento e tenderam a pontuar mais em persistência. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere que os traços de personalidade, especialmente autodirecionamento, estão associados com a resposta pobre do tratamento em pacientes com transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo.

Comprehensive identification of Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium genes required for infection of BALB/c mice.

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Roy R Chaudhuri

2009-07-01

Full Text Available Genes required for infection of mice by Salmonella Typhimurium can be identified by the interrogation of random transposon mutant libraries for mutants that cannot survive in vivo. Inactivation of such genes produces attenuated S. Typhimurium strains that have potential for use as live attenuated vaccines. A quantitative screen, Transposon Mediated Differential Hybridisation (TMDH, has been developed that identifies those members of a large library of transposon mutants that are attenuated. TMDH employs custom transposons with outward-facing T7 and SP6 promoters. Fluorescently-labelled transcripts from the promoters are hybridised to whole-genome tiling microarrays, to allow the position of the transposon insertions to be determined. Comparison of microarray data from the mutant library grown in vitro (input with equivalent data produced after passage of the library through mice (output enables an attenuation score to be determined for each transposon mutant. These scores are significantly correlated with bacterial counts obtained during infection of mice using mutants with individual defined deletions of the same genes. Defined deletion mutants of several novel targets identified in the TMDH screen are effective live vaccines.

Cloning and characterization of a gene (UVR3) required for photorepair of 6-4 photoproducts in Arabidopsis thaliana

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nakajima, S.; Sugiyama, M.; Iwai, S.; Hitomi, K.; Otoshi, E.; Kim SangTae; Jiang CaiZhong; Todo, T.; Britt, A.B.; Yamamoto, K.

1998-01-01

UV radiation induces two major classes of pyrimidine dimers: the pyrimidine [6-4] pyrimidone photoproduct (6-4 product) and the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD). Many organisms produce enzymes, termed photolyases, that specifically bind to these damage products and split them via a UV-A/blue light-dependent mechanism, thereby reversing the damage. These photolyases are specific for either CPDs or 6-4 products. A gene that expresses a protein with 6-4 photolyase activity in vitro was recently cloned from Drosophila melanogaster and Xenopus laevis. We report here the isolation of a homolog of this gene, cloned on the basis of sequence similarity, from the higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This cloned gene produces a protein with 6-4 photolyase activity when expressed in Escherichia coli. We also find that a previously described mutant of Arabidopsis (uvr3) that is defective in photoreactivation of 6-4 products carries a nonsense mutation in this 6-4 photolyase homolog. We have therefore termed this gene UVR3. Although homologs of this gene have previously been shown to produce a functional 6-4 photolyase when expressed in heterologous systems, this is the first demonstration of a requirement for this gene for photoreactivation of 6-4 products in vivo

Unique C-terminal region of Hap3 is required for methanol-regulated gene expression in the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii.

Science.gov (United States)

Oda, Saori; Yurimoto, Hiroya; Nitta, Nobuhisa; Sakai, Yasuyoshi

2016-05-01

The Hap complex of the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii was found to be required for methanol-regulated gene expression. In this study, we performed functional characterization of CbHap3p, one of the Hap complex components in C. boidinii. Sequence alignment of Hap3 proteins revealed the presence of a unique extended C-terminal region, which is not present in Hap3p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScHap3p), but is found in Hap3p proteins of methylotrophic yeasts. Deletion of the C-terminal region of CbHap3p (Δ256-292 or Δ107-237) diminished activation of methanol-regulated genes and abolished the ability to grow on methanol, but did not affect nuclear localization or DNA-binding ability. However, deletion of the N-terminal region of CbHap3p (Δ1-20) led to not only a growth defect on methanol and a decreased level of methanol-regulated gene expression, but also impaired nuclear localization and binding to methanol-regulated gene promoters. We also revealed that CbHap3p could complement the growth defect of the Schap3Δ strain on glycerol, although ScHap3p could not complement the growth defect of a Cbhap3Δ strain on methanol. We conclude that the unique C-terminal region of CbHap3p contributes to maximum activation of methanol-regulated genes, whilst the N-terminal region is required for nuclear localization and binding to DNA.

Oana Sălişteanu Cristea, Introduzione alla dialettologia italiana, Tra lingua e dia­ letto, Editura DAIM, Bucureşti 2002, 160 pagine

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Pavao Tekavčić

2002-12-01

Full Text Available La professoressa dall'Ateneo di Bucarest, in cui insegna lessicologia, filologia e dialettologia italiana, ci ha regalato due anni fa un primo volume dedicato all'italiano, Prestito latino - elemento ereditario nel lessico de/la lingua italiana. Doppioni e va­ rianti, Praga 2000. Adesso la studiosa ci offre un' altra opera, citata nel titolo della nos­ tra recensione. 11 libro, diciamolo subito, trascende i limiti della filologia italiana, essendo di notevole interesse e importanza per varie altre discipline linguistiche.

Influence of tra genes of IncP and F plasmids on the mobilization of small Kanamycin resistance ColE1-Like plasmids in bacterial biofilms

Science.gov (United States)

Background: Horizontal gene transfer is a mechanism for movement of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria. Some small kanamycin resistance (KanR) ColE1-like plasmids isolated from different serotypes of Salmonella enterica were shown to carry mobilization genes; although not self-transmissibl...

Induction and requirement of gene expression in the anterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex for the consolidation of inhibitory avoidance memory

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Zhang Yue

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Memory consolidation is a process to stabilize short-term memory, generating long-term memory. A critical biochemical feature of memory consolidation is a requirement for gene expression. Previous studies have shown that fear memories are consolidated through the activation of gene expression in the amygdala and hippocampus, indicating essential roles of these brain regions in memory formation. However, it is still poorly understood whether gene expression in brain regions other than the amygdala/hippocampus is required for the consolidation of fear memory; however, several brain regions are known to play modulatory roles in fear memory formation. Results To further understand the mechanisms underlying the formation of fear memory, we first identified brain regions where gene expression is activated after learning inhibitory avoidance (IA by analyzing the expression of the immediately early genes c-fos and Arc as markers. Similarly with previous findings, the induction of c-fos and Arc expression was observed in the amygdala and hippocampus. Interestingly, we also observed the induction of c-fos and Arc expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC: prelimbic (PL and infralimbic (IL regions and Arc expression in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC. We next examined the roles of these brain regions in the consolidation of IA memory. Consistent with previous findings, inhibiting protein synthesis in the hippocampus blocked the consolidation of IA memory. More importantly, inhibition in the mPFC or ACC also blocked the formation of IA memory. Conclusion Our observations indicated that the formation of IA memory requires gene expression in the ACC and mPFC as well as in the amygdala and hippocampus, suggesting essential roles of the ACC and mPFC in IA memory formation.

Análise da influência do traço nas propriedades do compósito cimento-madeira

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Alessandra Monique Weber

2017-08-01

Full Text Available Os compósitos de cimento com adição de madeira apresentam vantagens, quando comparados a outros materiais convencionais da construção civil, como resistência à água, ao fogo e aos agentes deterioradores. Um dos obstáculos para o uso desse compósito é a inibição causada pela madeira na cura do cimento, devido aos componentes da madeira afetarem as reações, tendo como consequência um compósito de baixa qualidade. Dessa forma, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar diferentes traços do compósito cimento-madeira, utilizando resíduos de Pinus spp., por meio de ensaios de laboratório. Foi utilizado o cimento Portland CP II Z 32, relação água/cimento igual a 0,4; o aditivo químico escolhido foi o cloreto de cálcio para acelerar a pega. Para a comparação de desempenho, foram delimitadas quatro dosagens diferentes, com teores de adição de madeira de 10%, 20%, 25% e 33% em relação à massa de cimento. Para a análise, foram feitos ensaios das propriedades físicas e mecânicas para todas as dosagens, sendo, posteriormente, submetidas à análise da variância e teste de Tukey. Os resultados dos ensaios das propriedades físicas e mecânicas dos compósitos demonstraram que, para as relações escolhidas, quanto menor for a adição de madeira melhores serão os resultados das propriedades, mas mesmo os traços com maiores teores de madeira apresentam resultados relevantes, atentando-se apenas para o fato da relação água/cimento ser baixa para os casos analisados, e, devido a isso, ter influenciado negativamente nos resultados.

La salute del christifidelis celiaco tra dieta gluten free e invalidità delle ostie quibus glutinum ablatum est

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Tiziana Di Iorio

2015-04-01

SOMMARIO: 1. L’Eucarestia: “augusto” strumento per la salute deichristifideles nell’economia della salvezza - 2. La transustanziazione - 3. La malattia celiaca e l’unico rimedio terapeutico: la dieta gluten free - 4. Ilchristifidelis affetto dalla sprue celiaca tra dieta gluten free e pane mere triticeus - 5. Prime disposizioni sul divieto dell’uso di ostie quibus glutinum ablatum est - 6. La particola con “una minima quantità di glutine” - 7. Le vigenti prescrizioni sulla validità della materia eucaristica e l’uso di ostie a basso contenuto di glutine - 8. La normativa sulla comunione dei celiaci tra sospetti e apprezzamenti - 9. Ultime precisazioni sull’uso del pane con poca quantità di glutine - 10. Conclusioni. The health of the christifidelis celiac between diet gluten free and invalidity of the hosts quibus glutinum ablatum est.  ABSTRACT: The communion of celiac has aroused the attention of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for the direct connection between gluten, cause of the disease, and bread mere triticeus, precious element of the Eucharist. The complex matter concerns the impelling urgency to allow the christifidelis celiac to follow a super stricte gluten free diet, necessary way to the protection of his mental and physical health, without expelling him from the eucharistic banquet, indispensable instrument of salvation of his own soul. Therefore, in the saving mission of the Church called to the salus animarum of every man, without discriminating exclusions, direct specific norms are emanated to harmonize the dogmatic demands, connected to the Eucharestic, and the therapeutic needs related to mental and physical health of the faithful with the disease. Such norms have faced the validity of the eucharistic matter sealing the invalidity of the hosts quibus glutinum ablatum est, with a meaningful evolution, during the time. It stays, nevertheless, the suspect of an exhaustive solution of the question

Il territorio delle Lipari tra ambiente, cinema e turismo / The territory of Lipari between environment, cinema and tourism

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Elena Di Blasi

2016-05-01

Full Text Available Fino agli anni ’50 le Lipari (dette anche Eolie, sfavorite dall’insularità e con un’economia di sussistenza, basata su attività tradizionali, erano dominate da povertà ed emigrazione. Tutto mutò nel 1949, quando una troupe cinematografica, guidata da Rossellini, girò Stromboli, interpretato da Ingrid Bergman: tra i due era nata una storia d’amore. Poco dopo, un’altra troupe utilizzò Vulcano come location dell’omonimo film, con Anna Magnani, ex fiamma di Rossellini. Questi cult passarono alla storia del cinema come la guerra dei vulcani. I due film, con gli scoop legati alle vicende sentimentali dei protagonisti, hanno innescato un nuovo percorso per le Eolie, fuori dall’atavico letargo, che ha determinato un vero e proprio “boom turistico”. Indagando la variegata realtà delle Lipari, lo scopo del presente articolo è quello di dimostrare come, attraverso un’analisi storica del mercato turistico, l’arrivo del cinema nel territorio eoliano abbia innescato importanti processi di sviluppo economico e cambiamento sociale. Questa ricerca vuole, inoltre, evidenziare il rapporto privilegiato tra insularità e cineturismo. Till the late 50s the Aeolian Islands, plagued by insularity and characterized by a subsistence economy based on traditional activities, had been dominated by poverty and emigration. All changed in 1949 when Rossellini shot Stromboli featuring Ingrid Bergman, his new love. Soon after a crew shot in Volcano the homonymous film starring Anna Magnani, Rossellini’s old flame. The two films, gone down in history as the war of volcanoes, and the scoops about the love scandal have drawn a new path for the Aeolian Islands that has taken them to a tourist boom. The present paper aims to show by means of a historical analysis of the local tourist market how the coming of the film industry have triggered processes of economic growth and social change in the Aeolian Islands. This paper also aims to point out the

Transportin-SR is required for proper splicing of resistance genes and plant immunity.

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Shaohua Xu

2011-06-01

Full Text Available Transportin-SR (TRN-SR is a member of the importin-β super-family that functions as the nuclear import receptor for serine-arginine rich (SR proteins, which play diverse roles in RNA metabolism. Here we report the identification and cloning of mos14 (modifier of snc1-1, 14, a mutation that suppresses the immune responses conditioned by the auto-activated Resistance (R protein snc1 (suppressor of npr1-1, constitutive 1. MOS14 encodes a nuclear protein with high similarity to previously characterized TRN-SR proteins in animals. Yeast two-hybrid assays showed that MOS14 interacts with AtRAN1 via its N-terminus and SR proteins via its C-terminus. In mos14-1, localization of several SR proteins to the nucleus was impaired, confirming that MOS14 functions as a TRN-SR. The mos14-1 mutation results in altered splicing patterns of SNC1 and another R gene RPS4 and compromised resistance mediated by snc1 and RPS4, suggesting that nuclear import of SR proteins by MOS14 is required for proper splicing of these two R genes and is important for their functions in plant immunity.

Molecular characterization and expression profiles of four transformer-2 isoforms in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Science.gov (United States)

Luo, Danli; Liu, Yuan; Hui, Min; Song, Chengwen; Liu, Hourong; Cui, Zhaoxia

2017-07-01

The transformer-2 ( tra-2) gene plays a key role in the regulatory hierarchy of sexual differentiation in somatic tissues and in the germline of Drosophila melanogaster. In this study, sequences and expression profiles of tra-2 in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis were characterized. Four tra-2 isoforms, designated as Estra-2a, Estra-2b, Estra-2c, and Estra-2d, were isolated. They all contained an RNA-recognition motif (RRM) and a linker region, which shared high similarity with other reported tra-2s. Sequence analysis revealed that Estra-2a, Estra-2b and Estra-2c are encoded by the same genomic locus and are generated by alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA. Compared with the other three isoforms, Estra-2d lacks the RS2 domain. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that all four isoforms were highly expressed in the fertilized egg, and in the 2-4 cell and blastula stages compared with larval stages ( P≤0.01), suggesting their maternal origin in early embryonic developmental stages. Notably, Estra-2a was highly expressed in male somatic tissues, while Estra-2c was significantly highly expressed in the ovary. These results suggest that Estra-2c is involved in sexual differentiation of the Chinese mitten crab. Our findings provide basic information for further functional studies of the tra-2 gene/protein in this species.

Gas prices in Europe before oligopoly and liberalization; Il prezzo del gas in Europa tra liberalizzazione e oligopolio

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bianchi, A.

1998-09-01

The forthcoming incorporation of the EU Directive on the internal gas market shall set the conditions to increase competition among suppliers, thus lowering gas prices in Europe. But, in perspective, the strategic decisions taken by the majors tend to a stronger oligopoly coordination to sustain prices and share the gas price premium provided by environmental constraints and the technical dominance of combined-cycle plants. [Italiano] Con la direttiva comunitaria sul mercato interno del gas si dovrebbero creare le condizioni per una maggiore competizione tra i fornitori e, quindi, per una riduzione dei prezzi del gas in Europa. Le azioni strategiche delle major paiono invece tendere, in prospettiva, a un piu` forte coordinamento oligopolistico per sostenere i prezzi e spartirsi l`incremento di premio del gas garantito dai vincoli ambientali e dal dominio del ciclo combinato.

Force Field Benchmark of the TraPPE_UA for Polar Liquids: Density, Heat of Vaporization, Dielectric Constant, Surface Tension, Volumetric Expansion Coefficient, and Isothermal Compressibility.

Science.gov (United States)

Núñez-Rojas, Edgar; Aguilar-Pineda, Jorge Alberto; Pérez de la Luz, Alexander; de Jesús González, Edith Nadir; Alejandre, José

2018-02-08

The transferable potential for a phase equilibria force field in its united-atom version, TraPPE_UA, is evaluated for 41 polar liquids that include alcohols, thiols, ethers, sulfides, aldehydes, ketones, and esters to determine its ability to reproduce experimental properties that were not included in the parametrization procedure. The intermolecular force field parameters for pure components were fit to reproduce experimental boiling temperature, vapor-liquid coexisting densities, and critical point (temperature, density, and pressure) using Monte Carlo simulations in different ensembles. The properties calculated in this work are liquid density, heat of vaporization, dielectric constant, surface tension, volumetric expansion coefficient, and isothermal compressibility. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed in the gas and liquid phases, and also at the liquid-vapor interface. We found that relative error between calculated and experimental data is 1.2% for density, 6% for heat of vaporization, and 6.2% for surface tension, in good agreement with the experimental data. The dielectric constant is systematically underestimated, and the relative error is 37%. Evaluating the performance of the force field to reproduce the volumetric expansion coefficient and isothermal compressibility requires more experimental data.

FunGene: the functional gene pipeline and repository.

Science.gov (United States)

Fish, Jordan A; Chai, Benli; Wang, Qiong; Sun, Yanni; Brown, C Titus; Tiedje, James M; Cole, James R

2013-01-01

Ribosomal RNA genes have become the standard molecular markers for microbial community analysis for good reasons, including universal occurrence in cellular organisms, availability of large databases, and ease of rRNA gene region amplification and analysis. As markers, however, rRNA genes have some significant limitations. The rRNA genes are often present in multiple copies, unlike most protein-coding genes. The slow rate of change in rRNA genes means that multiple species sometimes share identical 16S rRNA gene sequences, while many more species share identical sequences in the short 16S rRNA regions commonly analyzed. In addition, the genes involved in many important processes are not distributed in a phylogenetically coherent manner, potentially due to gene loss or horizontal gene transfer. While rRNA genes remain the most commonly used markers, key genes in ecologically important pathways, e.g., those involved in carbon and nitrogen cycling, can provide important insights into community composition and function not obtainable through rRNA analysis. However, working with ecofunctional gene data requires some tools beyond those required for rRNA analysis. To address this, our Functional Gene Pipeline and Repository (FunGene; http://fungene.cme.msu.edu/) offers databases of many common ecofunctional genes and proteins, as well as integrated tools that allow researchers to browse these collections and choose subsets for further analysis, build phylogenetic trees, test primers and probes for coverage, and download aligned sequences. Additional FunGene tools are specialized to process coding gene amplicon data. For example, FrameBot produces frameshift-corrected protein and DNA sequences from raw reads while finding the most closely related protein reference sequence. These tools can help provide better insight into microbial communities by directly studying key genes involved in important ecological processes.

FunGene: the Functional Gene Pipeline and Repository

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Jordan A. Fish

2013-10-01

Full Text Available Ribosomal RNA genes have become the standard molecular markers for microbial community analysis for good reasons, including universal occurrence in cellular organisms, availability of large databases, and ease of rRNA gene region amplification and analysis. As markers, however, rRNA genes have some significant limitations. The rRNA genes are often present in multiple copies, unlike most protein-coding genes. The slow rate of change in rRNA genes means that multiple species sometimes share identical 16S rRNA gene sequences, while many more species share identical sequences in the short 16S rRNA regions commonly analyzed. In addition, the genes involved in many important processes are not distributed in a phylogenetically coherent manner, potentially due to gene loss or horizontal gene transfer.While rRNA genes remain the most commonly used markers, key genes in ecologically important pathways, e.g., those involved in carbon and nitrogen cycling, can provide important insights into community composition and function not obtainable through rRNA analysis. However, working with ecofunctional gene data requires some tools beyond those required for rRNA analysis. To address this, our Functional Gene Pipeline and Repository (FunGene; http://fungene.cme.msu.edu/ offers databases of many common ecofunctional genes and proteins, as well as integrated tools that allow researchers to browse these collections and choose subsets for further analysis, build phylogenetic trees, test primers and probes for coverage, and download aligned sequences. Additional FunGene tools are specialized to process coding gene amplicon data. For example, FrameBot produces frameshift-corrected protein and DNA sequences from raw reads while finding the most closely related protein reference sequence. These tools can help provide better insight into microbial communities by directly studying key genes involved in important ecological processes.

Resistência à tração de emendas dentadas de madeira de Manilkara huberi para o emprego em madeira laminada colada

OpenAIRE

Molina,Julio Cesar; Calil Neto,Carlito; Christoforo,André Luis

2016-01-01

Resumo A utilização de elementos estruturais de madeira laminada (ou lamelada) colada (MLC) requer um estudo experimental das combinações entre a espécie de madeira e o adesivo utilizado. Este trabalho objetivou o estudo da combinação espécie-adesivo na resistência a tração e na falha da linha de cola de corpos de prova de madeira de maçaranduba (Manilkara huberi) confeccionados com e sem emendas dentadas finger joint. As colagens foram realizadas com lâminas sem tratamento preservativo, com ...

An ancient duplication of exon 5 in the Snap25 gene is required for complex neuronal development/function.

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Jenny U Johansson

2008-11-01

Full Text Available Alternative splicing is an evolutionary innovation to create functionally diverse proteins from a limited number of genes. SNAP-25 plays a central role in neuroexocytosis by bridging synaptic vesicles to the plasma membrane during regulated exocytosis. The SNAP-25 polypeptide is encoded by a single copy gene, but in higher vertebrates a duplication of exon 5 has resulted in two mutually exclusive splice variants, SNAP-25a and SNAP-25b. To address a potential physiological difference between the two SNAP-25 proteins, we generated gene targeted SNAP-25b deficient mouse mutants by replacing the SNAP-25b specific exon with a second SNAP-25a equivalent. Elimination of SNAP-25b expression resulted in developmental defects, spontaneous seizures, and impaired short-term synaptic plasticity. In adult mutants, morphological changes in hippocampus and drastically altered neuropeptide expression were accompanied by severe impairment of spatial learning. We conclude that the ancient exon duplication in the Snap25 gene provides additional SNAP-25-function required for complex neuronal processes in higher eukaryotes.

Bioenergetics-based modeling of Plasmodium falciparum metabolism reveals its essential genes, nutritional requirements, and thermodynamic bottlenecks

Science.gov (United States)

Chiappino-Pepe, Anush; Ataman, Meriç

2017-01-01

Novel antimalarial therapies are urgently needed for the fight against drug-resistant parasites. The metabolism of malaria parasites in infected cells is an attractive source of drug targets but is rather complex. Computational methods can handle this complexity and allow integrative analyses of cell metabolism. In this study, we present a genome-scale metabolic model (iPfa) of the deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and its thermodynamics-based flux analysis (TFA). Using previous absolute concentration data of the intraerythrocytic parasite, we applied TFA to iPfa and predicted up to 63 essential genes and 26 essential pairs of genes. Of the 63 genes, 35 have been experimentally validated and reported in the literature, and 28 have not been experimentally tested and include previously hypothesized or novel predictions of essential metabolic capabilities. Without metabolomics data, four of the genes would have been incorrectly predicted to be non-essential. TFA also indicated that substrate channeling should exist in two metabolic pathways to ensure the thermodynamic feasibility of the flux. Finally, analysis of the metabolic capabilities of P. falciparum led to the identification of both the minimal nutritional requirements and the genes that can become indispensable upon substrate inaccessibility. This model provides novel insight into the metabolic needs and capabilities of the malaria parasite and highlights metabolites and pathways that should be measured and characterized to identify potential thermodynamic bottlenecks and substrate channeling. The hypotheses presented seek to guide experimental studies to facilitate a better understanding of the parasite metabolism and the identification of targets for more efficient intervention. PMID:28333921

Bioenergetics-based modeling of Plasmodium falciparum metabolism reveals its essential genes, nutritional requirements, and thermodynamic bottlenecks.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Anush Chiappino-Pepe

2017-03-01

Full Text Available Novel antimalarial therapies are urgently needed for the fight against drug-resistant parasites. The metabolism of malaria parasites in infected cells is an attractive source of drug targets but is rather complex. Computational methods can handle this complexity and allow integrative analyses of cell metabolism. In this study, we present a genome-scale metabolic model (iPfa of the deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and its thermodynamics-based flux analysis (TFA. Using previous absolute concentration data of the intraerythrocytic parasite, we applied TFA to iPfa and predicted up to 63 essential genes and 26 essential pairs of genes. Of the 63 genes, 35 have been experimentally validated and reported in the literature, and 28 have not been experimentally tested and include previously hypothesized or novel predictions of essential metabolic capabilities. Without metabolomics data, four of the genes would have been incorrectly predicted to be non-essential. TFA also indicated that substrate channeling should exist in two metabolic pathways to ensure the thermodynamic feasibility of the flux. Finally, analysis of the metabolic capabilities of P. falciparum led to the identification of both the minimal nutritional requirements and the genes that can become indispensable upon substrate inaccessibility. This model provides novel insight into the metabolic needs and capabilities of the malaria parasite and highlights metabolites and pathways that should be measured and characterized to identify potential thermodynamic bottlenecks and substrate channeling. The hypotheses presented seek to guide experimental studies to facilitate a better understanding of the parasite metabolism and the identification of targets for more efficient intervention.

Validity of a traffic air pollutant dispersion model to assess exposure to fine particles.

Science.gov (United States)

Kostrzewa, Aude; Reungoat, Patrice; Raherison, Chantal

2009-08-01

Fine particles (PM(2.5)) are an important component of air pollution. Epidemiological studies have shown health effects due to ambient air particles, particularly allergies in children. Since the main difficulty is to determine exposure to such pollution, traffic air pollutant (TAP) dispersions models have been developed to improve the estimation of individual exposure levels. One such model, the ExTra index, has been validated for nitrogen oxide concentrations but not for other pollutants. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the ExTra index to assess PM(2.5) exposure. We compared PM(2.5) concentrations calculated by the ExTra index to reference measures (passive samplers situated under the covered part of the playground), in 15 schools in Bordeaux, in 2000. First, we collected the input data required by the ExTra index: background and local pollution depending on traffic, meteorology and topography. Second, the ExTra index was calculated for each school. Statistical analysis consisted of a graphic description; then, we calculated an intraclass correlation coefficient. Concentrations calculated with the ExTra index and the reference method were similar. The ExTra index underestimated exposure by 2.2 microg m(-3) on average compared to the reference method. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.85 and its 95% confidence interval was [0.62; 0.95]. The results suggest that the ExTra index provides an assessment of PM(2.5) exposure similar to that of the reference method. Although caution is required in interpreting these results owing to the small number of sites, the ExTra index could be a useful epidemiological tool for reconstructing individual exposure, an important challenge in epidemiology.

Characterization of nifB, nifS, and nifU genes in the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis: NifB is required for the vanadium-dependent nitrogenase.

OpenAIRE

Lyons, E M; Thiel, T

1995-01-01

Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 is a heterotrophic, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium containing both a Mo-dependent nitrogenase encoded by the nif genes and V-dependent nitrogenase encoded by the vnf genes. The nifB, nifS, and nifU genes of A. variabilis were cloned, mapped, and partially sequenced. The fdxN gene was between nifB and nifS. Growth and acetylene reduction assays using wild-type and mutant strains indicated that the nifB product (NifB) was required for nitrogen fixation not only by...

Characterization of replication and conjugation of plasmid pWTY27 from a widely distributed Streptomyces species

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Wang Tao

2012-11-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Streptomyces species are widely distributed in natural habitats, such as soils, lakes, plants and some extreme environments. Replication loci of several Streptomyces theta-type plasmids have been reported, but are not characterized in details. Conjugation loci of some Streptomyces rolling-circle-type plasmids are identified and mechanism of conjugal transferring are described. Results We report the detection of a widely distributed Streptomyces strain Y27 and its indigenous plasmid pWTY27 from fourteen plants and four soil samples cross China by both culturing and nonculturing methods. The complete nucleotide sequence of pWTY27 consisted of 14,288 bp. A basic locus for plasmid replication comprised repAB genes and an adjacent iteron sequence, to a long inverted-repeat (ca. 105 bp of which the RepA protein bound specifically in vitro, suggesting that RepA may recognize a second structure (e.g. a long stem-loop of the iteron DNA. A plasmid containing the locus propagated in linear mode when the telomeres of a linear plasmid were attached, indicating a bi-directional replication mode for pWTY27. As for rolling-circle plasmids, a single traA gene and a clt sequence (covering 16 bp within traA and its adjacent 159 bp on pWTY27 were required for plasmid transfer. TraA recognized and bound specifically to the two regions of the clt sequence, one containing all the four DC1 of 7 bp (TGACACC and one DC2 (CCCGCCC and most of IC1, and another covering two DC2 and part of IC1, suggesting formation of a high-ordered DNA-protein complex. Conclusions This work (i isolates a widespread Streptomyces strain Y27 and sequences its indigenous theta-type plasmid pWTY27; (ii identifies the replication and conjugation loci of pWTY27 and; (iii characterizes the binding sequences of the RepA and TraA proteins.

Characterization of replication and conjugation of plasmid pWTY27 from a widely distributed Streptomyces species

Science.gov (United States)

2012-01-01

Background Streptomyces species are widely distributed in natural habitats, such as soils, lakes, plants and some extreme environments. Replication loci of several Streptomyces theta-type plasmids have been reported, but are not characterized in details. Conjugation loci of some Streptomyces rolling-circle-type plasmids are identified and mechanism of conjugal transferring are described. Results We report the detection of a widely distributed Streptomyces strain Y27 and its indigenous plasmid pWTY27 from fourteen plants and four soil samples cross China by both culturing and nonculturing methods. The complete nucleotide sequence of pWTY27 consisted of 14,288 bp. A basic locus for plasmid replication comprised repAB genes and an adjacent iteron sequence, to a long inverted-repeat (ca. 105 bp) of which the RepA protein bound specifically in vitro, suggesting that RepA may recognize a second structure (e.g. a long stem-loop) of the iteron DNA. A plasmid containing the locus propagated in linear mode when the telomeres of a linear plasmid were attached, indicating a bi-directional replication mode for pWTY27. As for rolling-circle plasmids, a single traA gene and a clt sequence (covering 16 bp within traA and its adjacent 159 bp) on pWTY27 were required for plasmid transfer. TraA recognized and bound specifically to the two regions of the clt sequence, one containing all the four DC1 of 7 bp (TGACACC) and one DC2 (CCCGCCC) and most of IC1, and another covering two DC2 and part of IC1, suggesting formation of a high-ordered DNA-protein complex. Conclusions This work (i) isolates a widespread Streptomyces strain Y27 and sequences its indigenous theta-type plasmid pWTY27; (ii) identifies the replication and conjugation loci of pWTY27 and; (iii) characterizes the binding sequences of the RepA and TraA proteins. PMID:23134842

L’amor come stile culturale. Auto-poiesi e strategie emozionali tra i giovani di Bubaque, Guinea Bissau

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Lorenzo Bordonaro

2013-07-01

Full Text Available L’antropologia delle emozioni è legata in prevalenza a contesti etnografici descritti, direbbero Gupta e Ferguson (a cura, 1997, come “campi puri”. La maggior parte degli antropologi che lavora sulle emozioni, ha osservato William Reddy (1999, p. 256, utilizzano nelle loro etnografie il presente etnografico e si avvalgono di generalizzazioni che si fondano implicitamente su una concezione dei contesti culturali come ambiti di significati articolati logicamente in un sistema e segnati da confini precisi. Anche quando viene riconosciuta una molteplicità di discorsi contrastanti sulle emozioni, come nell’analisi di Lila Abu-Lughod (1986 delle performance emozionali tra i beduini awlad’ ali, l’ordine culturale all’interno del quale queste collisioni discorsive vengono comunque orchestrate getta un fondato sospetto sull’utilizzabilità degli strumenti di analisi proposti nel “manifesto” di Abu-Lughod e Lutz (a cura, 1990 in contesti meno puri o, forse, meno purificati.

Anorexia: o traço da obstinação na clínica psicanalítica

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Isabel Fortes

2011-03-01

Full Text Available Veremos como o traço da "obstinação" na anorexia mental reflete elementos fundamentais para a compreensão dessa patologia. A recusa, na anorexia, possui a função de reação ativa frente a um outro intrusivo. A negação é compreendida a partir de duas vias: como sustentação do desejo próprio ou como um modo de aniquilação do desejo. No entanto, estas duas vias podem ser pensadas não como contradição, mas como uma fecunda aporia. Do mesmo modo, o tema da "obstinação" é de suma importância para a clínica em geral, conduzindo a uma análise da negação como uma forma possível de relação com o desejo.

Turning off flagellum rotation requires the pleiotropic gene pleD: pleA, pleC, and pleD define two morphogenic pathways in Caulobacter crescentus.

OpenAIRE

Sommer, J M; Newton, A

1989-01-01

We have identified mutations in three pleiotropic genes, pleA, pleC, and pleD, that are required for differentiation in Caulobacter crescentus. pleA and pleC mutants were isolated in an extensive screen for strains defective in both motility and adsorption of polar bacteriophage phi CbK; using temperature-sensitive alleles, we determined the time at which the two genes act. pleA was required for a short period at 0.7 of the swarmer cell cycle for flagellum biosynthesis, whereas pleC was requi...

First detection of AmpC β-lactamase bla(CMY-2) on a conjugative IncA/C plasmid in a Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolate of food origin.

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Ruichao; Lin, Dachuan; Chen, Kaichao; Wong, Marcus Ho Yin; Chen, Sheng

2015-07-01

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is an important causative agent of gastroenteritis, with the consumption of contaminated seafood being the major transmission route. Resistance to penicillin is common among V. parahaemolyticus strains, whereas cephalosporin resistance remains rare. In an attempt to assess the current prevalence and characteristics of antibiotic resistance of this pathogen in common food samples, a total of 54 (17% of the total samples) V. parahaemolyticus strains were isolated from 318 meat and seafood samples purchased from supermarkets and wet markets in Shenzhen, China, in 2013. These isolates exhibited high-level resistance to ampicillin, yet they were mostly susceptible to other antimicrobials, except for two that were resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. The β-lactamase gene blaPER-1 was detectable in one strain, V. parahaemolyticus V43, which was resistant to both third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins. Compared to other blaPER-1-positive V. parahaemolyticus strains reported in our previous studies, strain V43 was found to harbor an ∼200-kb conjugative plasmid carrying genes that were different from the antimicrobial resistance genes reported from the previous studies. The β-lactamase gene blaCMY-2 was detectable for the first time in another V. parahaemolyticus isolate, V4, which was resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. This blaCMY-2 gene was shown to be located in an ∼150-kb IncA/C-type conjugative plasmid with a genetic structure consisting of traB-traV-traA-ISEcp1-blaCMY-2-blc-sugE-encR-orf1-orf2-orf3-orf4-dsbC-traC, which is identical to that of other IncA/C conjugative plasmids in Enterobacteriaceae, albeit with a different size. These findings indicate that the transmission of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamase genes via conjugative plasmids can mediate the development of extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance in V. parahaemolyticus, thereby posing a potential threat to public health

Resistência de união imediata por tração de diferentes cimentos de ionômero de vidro a uma liga de Ni-Cr = Immediate tensile bond strength of different glass ionomer luting cements to a NiCr alloy

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Ferraz, Roberta Penteado

2005-01-01

Full Text Available O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a resistência de união imediata por tração de diferentes cimentos de ionômero de vidro: convencional (Vidrion C, Vidrion C Caps, Ketac Cem, resinomodificado (Rely X, Protec Cem e o cimento de Fosfato de Zinco a uma liga de NiCr. Foram confeccionados pares de dispositivos metálicos em NiCr, com superfícies planas, próprios para a cimentação e testes de tração. Foram cimentados 12 pares metálicos de NiCr para cada agente cimentante, preparados de acordo com as recomendações do fabricante, totalizando 72 corpos de prova. Para manter os corpos de prova em posição e com carga constante durante a cimentação utilizou-se uma mesa metálica. Os corpos de prova foram armazenados em água destilada a 37° C durante 1 hora e, em seguida, submetidos aos testes de tração. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos a ANOVA e Teste de Tukey (p < 0. 05. As médias de resistência, em MPa, encontradas foram: Vidrion C = 8,86; Vidrion C Caps = 10,91; Ketac Cem = 11,48; Rely X = 9,48; Protec Cem = 10,06; Fosfato de Zinco = 2,69. Todos os cimentos de ionômero de vidro testados apresentaram a média de resistência de união imediata por tração maior e estatisticamente significante que o cimento de Fosfato de Zinco. Não houve diferença significativa entre as médias de resistência obtidas para o Ketac-Cem, Vidrion C Caps, Protec Cem e Rely X, porém, o Ketac-Cem apresentou média estatisticamente significante e superior ao Vidrion C

Sequence analysis of putative swrW gene required for surfactant ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

owner

2012-07-17

Jul 17, 2012 ... These nucleotide and protein sequence analysis of the putative swrW gene provides vital information on the versatility .... chain reaction (PCR) products were stored at 4°C. Presence of ... identical to the same gene with an E-value of 0.0. .... The Prokaryotes-A Handbook on the Biol. of Bacteria:Ecophysiol.

Usvojen prijedlog povećanja iznosa općeg (globalnog ograničenja odgovornosti za pomorske tražbine

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Marija Pospišil Miler

2012-12-01

Full Text Available Izmjene Protokola iz 1996. godine (LLMC 1996 Međunarodne konvencije o ograničenju odgovornosti za pomorske tražbine iz 1976. godine (LLMC 1976 usvojene su 19. travnja 2012. na 99. zasjedanju Pravnog odbora IMO-a održanom u Londonu. Tim izmjenama iznos općeg (globalnog ograničenja odgovornosti za pomorske tražbine povećan je za 51% u odnosu na iznose iz čl. 3. LLMC 1996 koji se odnose na čl. 6.1(a i 6.1(b, LLMC 1976, dok iznosi iz čl. 7. Konvencije nisu mijenjani. Povećani iznosi primjenjivat će se od 8. lipnja 2015. godine. U radu se analiziraju razlozi koji su doveli do povećanja iznosa općeg (globalnog ograničenja odgovornosti kao i opravdanost ovog povećanja iznosa ograničenja odgovornosti ako se uzme u obzir da je samo u 1,34% slučajeva šteta prelazila sadašnji iznos ograničenja odgovornosti utvrđen u LLMC 1996. Analiziraju se pravne i ekonomske posljedice ovog povećanja iznosa općeg ograničenja odgovornosti te njegov neposredan utjecaj na druge međunarodne konvencije vezane na iznose općeg ograničenja odgovornosti kao što su Bunker konvencija iz 2001. i Međunarodna konvencija o uklanjanju podrtina iz 2007. godine. Upozorava se, međutim, da tendencija koja vodi prema previsokim iznosima ograničenja odgovornosti može izazvati smanjenje interesa država za ratifikacijom LLMC 1996 što će se negativno odraziti na unifikaciju prava u odnosu na ovo pitanje. U radu se stoga razmatraju rješenja koja bi omogućila pravednu naknadu oštećenima i ostvarenje svrhe instituta ograničenja odgovornosti, a ne bi ugrozila unifikacijska nastojanja.

Drosophila convoluted/dALS is an essential gene required for tracheal tube morphogenesis and apical matrix organization.

Science.gov (United States)

Swanson, Lianna E; Yu, Marcus; Nelson, Kevin S; Laprise, Patrick; Tepass, Ulrich; Beitel, Greg J

2009-04-01

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) control cell and organism growth through evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways. The mammalian acid-labile subunit (ALS) is a secreted protein that complexes with IGFs to modulate their activity. Recent work has shown that a Drosophila homolog of ALS, dALS, can also complex with and modulate the activity of a Drosophila IGF. Here we report the first mutations in the gene encoding dALS. Unexpectedly, we find that these mutations are allelic to a previously described mutation in convoluted (conv), a gene required for epithelial morphogenesis. In conv mutants, the tubes of the Drosophila tracheal system become abnormally elongated without altering tracheal cell number. conv null mutations cause larval lethality, but do not disrupt several processes required for tracheal tube size control, including septate junction formation, deposition of a lumenal/apical extracellular matrix, and lumenal secretion of Vermiform and Serpentine, two putative matrix-modifying proteins. Clearance of lumenal matrix and subcellular localization of clathrin also appear normal in conv mutants. However, we show that Conv/dALS is required for the dynamic organization of the transient lumenal matrix and normal structure of the cuticle that lines the tracheal lumen. These and other data suggest that the Conv/dALS-dependent tube size control mechanism is distinct from other known processes involved in tracheal tube size regulation. Moreover, we present evidence indicating that Conv/dALS has a novel, IGF-signaling independent function in tracheal morphogenesis.

Extreme Mutation Tolerance: Nearly Half of the Archaeal Fusellovirus Sulfolobus Spindle-Shaped Virus 1 Genes Are Not Required for Virus Function, Including the Minor Capsid Protein Gene vp3.

Science.gov (United States)

Iverson, Eric A; Goodman, David A; Gorchels, Madeline E; Stedman, Kenneth M

2017-05-15

Viruses infecting the Archaea harbor a tremendous amount of genetic diversity. This is especially true for the spindle-shaped viruses of the family Fuselloviridae , where >90% of the viral genes do not have detectable homologs in public databases. This significantly limits our ability to elucidate the role of viral proteins in the infection cycle. To address this, we have developed genetic techniques to study the well-characterized fusellovirus Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1 (SSV1), which infects Sulfolobus solfataricus in volcanic hot springs at 80°C and pH 3. Here, we present a new comparative genome analysis and a thorough genetic analysis of SSV1 using both specific and random mutagenesis and thereby generate mutations in all open reading frames. We demonstrate that almost half of the SSV1 genes are not essential for infectivity, and the requirement for a particular gene correlates well with its degree of conservation within the Fuselloviridae The major capsid gene vp1 is essential for SSV1 infectivity. However, the universally conserved minor capsid gene vp3 could be deleted without a loss in infectivity and results in virions with abnormal morphology. IMPORTANCE Most of the putative genes in the spindle-shaped archaeal hyperthermophile fuselloviruses have no sequences that are clearly similar to characterized genes. In order to determine which of these SSV genes are important for function, we disrupted all of the putative genes in the prototypical fusellovirus, SSV1. Surprisingly, about half of the genes could be disrupted without destroying virus function. Even deletions of one of the known structural protein genes that is present in all known fuselloviruses, vp3 , allows the production of infectious viruses. However, viruses lacking vp3 have abnormal shapes, indicating that the vp3 gene is important for virus structure. Identification of essential genes will allow focused research on minimal SSV genomes and further understanding of the structure of

The "Novelty" Requirements for Gene and Genetically-Modified Organisms Inventions and the Potential Benefits of a Peer-to-Patent System

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Margoni, T.

2012-01-01

The paper focuses on the patentability requirements applicable to the case of biotechnological inventions (gene patents and other genetically modified organisms). The paper takes a comparative standpoint and analyzes North-American, European, and Japanese landscapes. Attention will be also paid to

"Estudo sobre o traço e estado de ansiedade das nutrizes que apresentaram indicadores de hipogalactia e nutrizes com galactia normal"

OpenAIRE

Ilva Marico Mizumoto Aragaki

2002-01-01

A queixa de “pouco leite” ou hipogalactia tem sido apontada como uma das mais freqüentes causas do desmame ou interrupção do aleitamento materno exclusivoe, os baixos volumes de leite têm sido associados à ansiedade materna que poderia provocar alterações na fisiologia da lactação inibindo a produção láctea. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: identificar o traço e estado de ansiedade no 10°dia pós-parto e estado de ansiedade no 30ºdia pós-parto das nutrizes primíparas e multíparas que apresenta...

Identification of genes required for growth of Escherichia coli MG1655 at moderately low pH

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Bram Vivijs

2016-10-01

Full Text Available The survival of some pathotypes of E. coli in very low pH environments like highly acidic foods and the stomach has been well documented and contributes to their success as foodborne pathogens. In contrast, the ability of E. coli to grow at moderately low pH has received less attention, although this property can be anticipated to be also very important for the safety of mildly acidic foods. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify cellular functions required for growth of the non-pathogenic strain E. coli MG1655 at low pH. First, the role of the four E. coli amino acid decarboxylase systems, which are the major cellular mechanisms allowing extreme acid survival, was investigated using mutants defective in each of the systems. Only the lysine decarboxylase (CadA was required for low pH growth. Secondly, a screening of 8544 random transposon insertion mutants resulted in the identification of six genes affecting growth in LB broth acidified to pH 4.50 with HCl. Two of the genes, encoding the transcriptional regulator LeuO and the elongation factor P-β-lysine ligase EpmA, can be linked to CadA production. Two other genes, encoding the diadenosine tetraphosphatase ApaH and the tRNA modification GTPase MnmE, have been previously implicated in the bacterial response to stresses other than low pH. A fifth gene encodes the LPS heptosyltransferase WaaC, and its mutant has a deep rough colony phenotype, which has been linked to reduced acid tolerance in earlier work. Finally, tatC encodes a secA-independent protein translocase that exports a few dozen proteins and thus is likely to have a pleiotropic phenotype. For mnmE, apaH, epmA,and waaC, de novo in frame deletion and genetic complementation confirmed their role in low pH growth, and these deletion mutants were also affected in growth in apple juice and tomato juice. However, the mutants were not affected in survival in gastric simulation medium at pH 2.5, indicating that growth at

Heterogeneic dynamics of the structures of multiple gene clusters in two pathogenetically different lines originating from the same phytoplasma.

Science.gov (United States)

Arashida, Ryo; Kakizawa, Shigeyuki; Hoshi, Ayaka; Ishii, Yoshiko; Jung, Hee-Young; Kagiwada, Satoshi; Yamaji, Yasuyuki; Oshima, Kenro; Namba, Shigetou

2008-04-01

Phytoplasmas are phloem-limited plant pathogens that are transmitted by insect vectors and are associated with diseases in hundreds of plant species. Despite their small sizes, phytoplasma genomes have repeat-rich sequences, which are due to several genes that are encoded as multiple copies. These multiple genes exist in a gene cluster, the potential mobile unit (PMU). PMUs are present at several distinct regions in the phytoplasma genome. The multicopy genes encoded by PMUs (herein named mobile unit genes [MUGs]) and similar genes elsewhere in the genome (herein named fundamental genes [FUGs]) are likely to have the same function based on their annotations. In this manuscript we show evidence that MUGs and FUGs do not cluster together within the same clade. Each MUG is in a cluster with a short branch length, suggesting that MUGs are recently diverged paralogs, whereas the origin of FUGs is different from that of MUGs. We also compared the genome structures around the lplA gene in two derivative lines of the 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' OY strain, the severe-symptom line W (OY-W) and the mild-symptom line M (OY-M). The gene organizations of the nucleotide sequences upstream of the lplA genes of OY-W and OY-M were dramatically different. The tra5 insertion sequence, an element of PMUs, was found only in this region in OY-W. These results suggest that transposition of entire PMUs and PMU sections has occurred frequently in the OY phytoplasma genome. The difference in the pathogenicities of OY-W and OY-M might be caused by the duplication and transposition of PMUs, followed by genome rearrangement.

Relações hierárquicas entre os traços amplos do Big Five Hierarchical relationship between the broad traits of the Big Five

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Cristiano Mauro Assis Gomes

2012-01-01

Full Text Available O modelo Big Five sustenta que a personalidade humana é composta por dezenas de fatores específicos. Apesar dessa diversidade, esses fatores confluem para cinco traços amplos que estão em um mesmo nível de hierarquia. O presente estudo apresenta uma hipótese alternativa, postulando níveis entre os traços amplos do modelo. Fizeram parte do estudo 684 estudantes do ensino fundamental e médio de uma escola particular de Belo Horizonte, MG, com idades entre 10 e 18 anos (m = 13,71 e DP= 2,11. Para medir os fatores do Big Five foi utilizado o Inventário de Características de Personalidade, anteriormente chamado de Inventário dos Adjetivos de Personalidade, de Pinheiro, Gomes e Braga (2009. O instrumento mensura oito polaridades das 10 polaridades presentes nos cinco traços amplos do Big Five. Dois modelos foram comparados via método path analysis: um modelo de quatro níveis hierárquicos e um modelo não hierárquico. O modelo hierárquico apresentou adequado grau de ajuste aos dados e mostrou-se superior ao modelo não hierárquico, que não se ajusta aos dados. Implicações são discutidas para o modelo Big Five.The Big Five model sustains that human personality is composed by dozens of specific factors. Despite of diversity, specific factors are integrated in five broad traits that are in the same hierarchical level. The current study presents an alternative hypothesis arguing that there are hierarchical levels between the broad traits of the model. Six hundred and eighty-four junior and high school level students from 10 to 18 years old (M = 13.71 and SD= 2.11 of a private school in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil participated in the study. The Big Five was measured by an Inventory of Personality Traits, initially named as Personality Adjective Inventory, elaborated by Pinheiro, Gomes and Braga (2009. This instrument measures eight polarities of the ten presented in the Big Five Model. Two models were compared

Gene expression and gene therapy imaging

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rome, Claire; Couillaud, Franck; Moonen, Chrit T.W.

2007-01-01

The fast growing field of molecular imaging has achieved major advances in imaging gene expression, an important element of gene therapy. Gene expression imaging is based on specific probes or contrast agents that allow either direct or indirect spatio-temporal evaluation of gene expression. Direct evaluation is possible with, for example, contrast agents that bind directly to a specific target (e.g., receptor). Indirect evaluation may be achieved by using specific substrate probes for a target enzyme. The use of marker genes, also called reporter genes, is an essential element of MI approaches for gene expression in gene therapy. The marker gene may not have a therapeutic role itself, but by coupling the marker gene to a therapeutic gene, expression of the marker gene reports on the expression of the therapeutic gene. Nuclear medicine and optical approaches are highly sensitive (detection of probes in the picomolar range), whereas MRI and ultrasound imaging are less sensitive and require amplification techniques and/or accumulation of contrast agents in enlarged contrast particles. Recently developed MI techniques are particularly relevant for gene therapy. Amongst these are the possibility to track gene therapy vectors such as stem cells, and the techniques that allow spatiotemporal control of gene expression by non-invasive heating (with MRI guided focused ultrasound) and the use of temperature sensitive promoters. (orig.)

Analysis of an ordered, comprehensive STM mutant library in infectious Borrelia burgdorferi: insights into the genes required for mouse infectivity.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tao Lin

Full Text Available The identification of genes important in the pathogenesis of Lyme disease Borrelia has been hampered by exceedingly low transformation rates in low-passage, infectious organisms. Using the infectious, moderately transformable B. burgdorferi derivative 5A18NP1 and signature-tagged versions of the Himar1 transposon vector pGKT, we have constructed a defined transposon library for the efficient genome-wide investigation of genes required for wild-type pathogenesis, in vitro growth, physiology, morphology, and plasmid replication. To facilitate analysis, the insertion sites of 4,479 transposon mutants were determined by sequencing. The transposon insertions were widely distributed across the entire B. burgdorferi genome, with an average of 2.68 unique insertion sites per kb DNA. The 10 linear plasmids and 9 circular plasmids had insertions in 33 to 100 percent of their predicted genes. In contrast, only 35% of genes in the 910 kb linear chromosome had incapacitating insertions; therefore, the remaining 601 chromosomal genes may represent essential gene candidates. In initial signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM analyses, 434 mutants were examined at multiple tissue sites for infectivity in mice using a semi-quantitative, Luminex-based DNA detection method. Examples of genes found to be important in mouse infectivity included those involved in motility, chemotaxis, the phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system, and other transporters, as well as putative plasmid maintenance genes. Availability of this ordered STM library and a high-throughput screening method is expected to lead to efficient assessment of the roles of B. burgdorferi genes in the infectious cycle and pathogenesis of Lyme disease.

L’esilio antifranchista e l'antifascismo italiano. Le relazioni tra José Martínez, Ruedo Ibérico e l’azionismo torinese.

OpenAIRE

Bottai, Alessio

2016-01-01

Síntesis L’esilio antifranchista e l'antifascismo italiano. Le relazioni tra José Martínez, Ruedo ibérico e l’azionismo torinese. Esta investigación tiene como objeto la historia de las relaciones que se mantuvieron durante más de dos décadas entre un grupo de intelectuales italianos, pertenecientes sobre todo a los azionisti, y algunos exponentes del antifranquismo español. Más específicamente, la tesis se centra en las relaciones activas de solidaridad humana y política que vincular...

Tensile bond strength of glass fiber posts luted with different cements Resistência à tração de pinos de fibra de vidro cimentados com diferentes materiais

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gerson Bonfante

2007-06-01

Full Text Available Proper selection of the luting agent is fundamental to avoid failure due to lack of retention in post-retained crowns. The objective of this study was to investigate the tensile bond strength and failure mode of glass fiber posts luted with different cements. Glass fiber posts were luted in 40 mandibular premolars, divided into 4 groups (n = 10: Group 1 - resin-modified glass ionomer RelyX Luting; Group 2 - resin-modified glass ionomer Fuji Plus; Group 3 - resin cement RelyX ARC; Group 4 - resin cement Enforce. Specimens were assessed by tensile strength testing and light microscopy analysis for observation of failure mode. The tensile bond strength values of each group were compared by ANOVA and Tukey test. The significance level was set at 5%. The failure modes were described as percentages. The following tensile strength values were obtained: Group 1 - 247.6 N; Group 2 - 256.7 N; Group 3 - 502.1 N; Group 4 - 477.3 N. There was no statistically significant difference between Groups 1 and 2 or between Groups 3 and 4, yet the resin cements presented significantly higher tensile bond strength values than those presented by the glass ionomer cements. Group 1 displayed 70% of cohesive failures, whereas Groups 2, 3 and 4 exhibited 70% to 80% of adhesive failures at the dentin-cement interface. We concluded that resin cements and glass ionomer cements are able to provide clinically sufficient retention of glass fiber posts, and that glass ionomer cements may be especially indicated when the application of adhesive techniques is difficult.A seleção adequada do agente cimentante é essencial para evitar falhas por perda de retenção em coroas retidas por núcleos. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a resistência à tração e o tipo de falha de pinos de fibra de vidro cimentados com diferentes materiais. Cimentaram-se pinos de fibra de vidro em 40 pré-molares inferiores, divididos em 4 grupos (n = 10: Grupo 1 - ionômero de vidro modificado

O processamento auditivo e a combinação de traços distintivos na aquisição de fala em crianças com desvios fonológicos Auditory processing and combination of distinctive features in speech acquisition in children with phonological disorders

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Victor Gandra Quintas

2011-06-01

Full Text Available OBJETIVO: Investigar a relação entre as habilidades auditivas e as combinações de traços presentes na fala de crianças com desvios fonológicos. MÉTODOS: Participaram da pesquisa 22 crianças com diagnóstico de desvio fonológico, com idades entre 5 e 7 anos e de ambos os gêneros. Foi feita a coleta dos dados de fala por meio do teste Avaliação Fonológica da Criança. A combinação de traços foi observada mediante o Modelo Implicacional de Complexidade de Traços (MICT. Os traços adquiridos consideraram uma produção correta acima de 80%. Foram aplicados ainda os testes: Avaliação Simplificada do Processamento Auditivo (triagem, Teste Dicótico de Dissílabos Alterados (SSW, Teste Dicótico de Dígitos, Teste de Fusão Binaural, Teste de Fala no Ruído e o Teste de Logoaudiometria Pediátrica (PSI. RESULTADOS: Todas as crianças obtiveram 100% de êxito no PSI. Nos testes de fala no ruído e de fusão binaural, bem como na triagem, os sujeitos também obtiveram médias altas. Os testes SSW e Dicótico de Dígitos mostraram escores baixos. A combinação de traços que se mostrou mais alterada foi a [+aproximante,+contínuo], que está na composição do fonema /r/, seguida de [coronal,+contínuo]/(-anterior, que compõem os fonemas /ʃ,ʒ/. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados obtidos nos testes SSW e Dicótico de Dígitos mostraram haver alteração nas habilidades de ordenação temporal complexa e figura-fundo, bem como memória sensorial defasada. Ao relacionar com os traços, estas alterações encontradas podem comprometer a aquisição destes traços descritos.PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between auditory abilities and combinations of distinctive features present in the speech of children with phonological disorders. METHODS: Participants were 22 children diagnosed with phonological disorders, of both genders, with ages between 5 and 7 years. Speech data were gathered using the Phonological Assessment of Children. The

Influência de diferentes condições higrotérmicas na resistência à tração de compósitos de fibra de carbono/epóxi modificada Influence of different hygrothermal conditions on the tensile strength of carbon/epoxy 8552 composites

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

José Antônio P. Cunha

2006-01-01

Full Text Available Este trabalho foi direcionado para a análise dos efeitos higrotérmicos na resistência à tração de compósitos poliméricos termorrígidos. Foram investigados os efeitos da umidade e da temperatura sobre as resistências à tração longitudinal e à tração transversal de compósitos ([0/0]s de fita de carbono unidirecional impregnada com resina epóxi 8552. Os ensaios de resistência à tração longitudinal, realizados à temperatura ambiente, mostraram que as amostras não perderam sua resistência quando condicionadas. Porém, os compósitos apresentaram uma redução na sua resistência quando submetidos à câmara de climatização (80 °C e 90% de umidade e ensaiados à temperatura elevada. Já nos ensaios de tração transversal foi observado que as amostras submetidas à câmara de névoa salina e ensaiadas à temperatura ambiente apresentaram uma pequena redução na sua resistência, porém as amostras submetidas à câmara de climatização mostraram uma redução acentuada na resistência As amostras ensaiadas à temperatura elevada e submetidas à câmara de névoa salina apresentaram uma pequena diminuição na sua resistência (11%. Já uma acentuada diminuição da resistência à tração transversal (51% foi observada quando as amostras de compósitos poliméricos foram submetidas à câmara de climatização e ensaiadas à temperatura elevada. Também foram obtidas fotomicrografias via microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV das seções de fraturas das amostras ensaiadas em tração em todos os tipos de condicionamento estudados no presente trabalho. Todos estes fatos mostraram que a matriz polimérica é afetada nos ensaios à temperatura elevada.This work focused the analysis of hygrothermal ageing effects on the tensile strength of thermoset laminated composites. Humidity and temperature effects on the longitudinal and transversal tensile strengths of carbon fiber/epoxy 8552 unidirectional laminates tape

Il riutilizzo dei nuraghi tra Marmilla e Sarcidano in epoca romana

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Enrico Trudu

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Riassunto: Il riutilizzo dei nuraghi in epoca romana appare un fenomeno numericamente rilevante e caratteristico delle dinamiche di occupazione delle aree rurali della Sardegna, che risulta ancora di difficile inquadramento. Sono attestate, infatti, diverse finalità di riutilizzo ma non è stato finora possibile tracciare un quadro ipotetico delle modalità e delle finalità complessive di tale riuso, che viene tradizionalmente legato a una continuità di frequentazione di comunità locali e a un processo di acculturazione e romanizzazione più o meno profonda degli etnici indigeni. Nel presente contributo si presentano i dati relativi alle attestazioni di riutilizzo in un’area compresa tra Marmilla e Sarcidano, particolarmente importante per la sua collocazione geografica e strategica, nella quale si evidenzia un interessante quadro diacronico delle dinamiche di riutilizzo e della loro matrice culturale. Abstract: Reuse of nuraghi in Roman age appears as a numerically significant phenomenon and  a characteristic of settlement dynamics in Sardinian rural areas, but  still difficult to classify. Different purposes of reuse are known but has not yet been possible to draw a picture of the mode of operation and of the objectives of such re-use, which is traditionally linked to a continuity of  use related to local communities and to a process of acculturation and Romanization of indigenous ethnic groups. In this paper we present the reuse exemples of an area between Marmilla and Sarcidano, particularly important for its geographical and strategic position, in which is possible to highlight an interesting diachronic picture of reuse dynamics and of the cultural matrix of the phenomenon.

Growth hormone receptor C-terminal domains required for growth hormone-induced intracellular free Ca2+ oscillations and gene transcription

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Billestrup, N; Bouchelouche, P; Allevato, G

1995-01-01

of varying frequency and amplitude. GH-induced transcription of the serine protease inhibitor 2.1 gene required the same C-terminal 52-amino acid domain of the receptor as for Ca2+ signaling. Mutation of the four proline residues in the conserved box 1 region of the GHR, which is responsible for binding...

Herbaspirillum seropedicae rfbB and rfbC genes are required for maize colonization.

Science.gov (United States)

Balsanelli, Eduardo; Serrato, Rodrigo V; de Baura, Valter A; Sassaki, Guilherme; Yates, Marshall G; Rigo, Liu Un; Pedrosa, Fábio O; de Souza, Emanuel M; Monteiro, Rose A

2010-08-01

In this study we disrupted two Herbaspirillum seropedicae genes, rfbB and rfbC, responsible for rhamnose biosynthesis and its incoporation into LPS. GC-MS analysis of the H. seropedicae wild-type strain LPS oligosaccharide chain showed that rhamnose, glucose and N-acetyl glucosamine are the predominant monosaccharides, whereas rhamnose and N-acetyl glucosamine were not found in the rfbB and rfbC strains. The electrophoretic pattern of the mutants LPS was drastically altered when compared with the wild type. Knockout of rfbB or rfbC increased the sensitivity towards SDS, polymyxin B sulfate and salicylic acid. The mutants attachment capacity to maize root surface plantlets was 100-fold lower than the wild type. Interestingly, the wild-type capacity to attach to maize roots was reduced to a level similar to that of the mutants when the assay was performed in the presence of isolated wild-type LPS, glucosamine or N-acetyl glucosamine. The mutant strains were also significantly less efficient in endophytic colonization of maize. Expression analysis indicated that the rfbB gene is upregulated by naringenin, apigenin and CaCl(2). Together, the results suggest that intact LPS is required for H. seropedicae attachment to maize root and internal colonization of plant tissues. © 2010 Society for Applied Microbiology and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Determinação do coeficiente de reaeração em rios através do uso do traçador gasoso GLP Determination of stream reaeration coefficients by use of GLP gas tracer

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Adilson Pinheiro

2012-03-01

Full Text Available A oxigenação da água constitui-se em importante fator no desenvolvimento do fenômeno de autodepuração de rios. A reposição do oxigênio dissolvido pode ser representada pelo coeficiente de reaeração (K2. Neste trabalho foi testado o uso do GLP como fonte do traçador gás propano em ensaios de reaeração. Foram executados 15 ensaios em trechos de rios com características hidrodinâmicas distintas. Os experimentos mostraram que a utilização do GLP como fonte do traçador gasoso é viável, tanto do ponto de vista analítico, quanto do ponto de vista econômico. Do ponto de vista analítico, os resultados foram equiparáveis e até superiores à técnica tradicional de traçador gasoso. Do ponto de vista econômico, houve redução do custo para a realização de cada ensaio.The water oxygenation constitutes an important factor in the development of self-purification phenomenon in rivers. The replenishment of dissolved oxygen in water can be represented by the reaeration coefficient (K2. This work was used propane contained in the GLP as tracer in reaeration tests. The tests showed that the use of LPG is feasible, both from analytical point of view, as of the economic. From an analytical standpoint, the results were comparable and even superior to the traditional technique of tracer gas. From an economic standpoint, the cost to perform each test has been reduced.

Identification and characterization of a gene encoding a putative ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

2012-10-30

Oct 30, 2012 ... 2008). Recent studies have also shown that the conversion of LPA to PA ... organs including root, stem, leaf, flower, gynophore and developing seeds (15 .... First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit ReverTra Ace–α–(TOYOBO,. Osaka ...

Coliform bacteria isolated from recreational lakes carry class 1 and class 2 integrons and virulence-associated genes.

Science.gov (United States)

Koczura, R; Krysiak, N; Taraszewska, A; Mokracka, J

2015-08-01

To characterize the integron-harbouring Gram-negative bacteria in recreational lakes, with focus on the genetic content of integrons, antimicrobial resistance profiles and virulence-associated genes. The presence and structure of integrons in coliform bacteria isolated from the water of four recreational lakes located in Poznań, Poland, was determined by PCR method. Antimicrobial resistance testing was done by disc diffusion method. Virulence-associated genes in integron-bearing Escherichia coli isolates were detected by PCR. A total of 155 integron-bearing strains of coliform bacteria were cultured. Sequence analysis showed the presence of dfrA7, aadA1, dfrA1-aadA1, dfrA17-aadA5 and dfrA12-orfF-aadA2 gene cassette arrays in class 1 integrons and dfrA1-sat2-aadA1 in class 2 integrons. Higher frequency of integron-positive bacteria and higher antimicrobial resistance ranges were noted in colder months (January and November) compared with spring and summer months. The integron-harbouring E. coli carried up to nine virulence-associated genes, with the highest frequency of kpsMT (84.6%) and traT (783%), coding for group 2 capsule and determining human serum resistance respectively. Integron-bearing multidrug resistant coliform bacteria carrying virulence genes are present in waters of recreational lakes. This study presents antimicrobial resistance and virulence-associated genes in integron-bearing coliform bacteria present in the waters of recreational lakes, which showed that multidrug resistant bacteria with virulence traits might pose a threat to public health. Moreover, the presence of genes typical for enterotoxigenic and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli is a concern. © 2015 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Msx genes define a population of mural cell precursors required for head blood vessel maturation.

Science.gov (United States)

Lopes, Miguel; Goupille, Olivier; Saint Cloment, Cécile; Lallemand, Yvan; Cumano, Ana; Robert, Benoît

2011-07-01

Vessels are primarily formed from an inner endothelial layer that is secondarily covered by mural cells, namely vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in arteries and veins and pericytes in capillaries and veinules. We previously showed that, in the mouse embryo, Msx1(lacZ) and Msx2(lacZ) are expressed in mural cells and in a few endothelial cells. To unravel the role of Msx genes in vascular development, we have inactivated the two Msx genes specifically in mural cells by combining the Msx1(lacZ), Msx2(lox) and Sm22α-Cre alleles. Optical projection tomography demonstrated abnormal branching of the cephalic vessels in E11.5 mutant embryos. The carotid and vertebral arteries showed an increase in caliber that was related to reduced vascular smooth muscle coverage. Taking advantage of a newly constructed Msx1(CreERT2) allele, we demonstrated by lineage tracing that the primary defect lies in a population of VSMC precursors. The abnormal phenotype that ensues is a consequence of impaired BMP signaling in the VSMC precursors that leads to downregulation of the metalloprotease 2 (Mmp2) and Mmp9 genes, which are essential for cell migration and integration into the mural layer. Improper coverage by VSMCs secondarily leads to incomplete maturation of the endothelial layer. Our results demonstrate that both Msx1 and Msx2 are required for the recruitment of a population of neural crest-derived VSMCs.

Metodologie di rilievo tra ricerca e innovazione tecnologica per un caso di archeologia medievale: Torre Melissa in provincia di Crotone

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Francesca Fatta

2017-12-01

Full Text Available   Il complesso di Torre Melissa è uno dei manufatti storici di pregio che si affacciano sulle coste calabresi del mare Jonio. Una torre-castello d’epoca aragonese sottoposta ad un restauro conservativo agli inizi degli anni duemila. In quella occasione, la torre fu rilevata con procedure manuali e l’ausilio di una stazione totale. Nel 2014 si è proceduto con un rilievo eseguito con strumenti digitali d’alta definizione (laser scanner, fotografia digitale e telecamera applicata a drone. La comparazione tra i due rilievi, effettuati con metodologie differenti, mostrano delle disuguaglianze semantiche evidenti che mettono in risalto i progressi delle odierne strumentazioni per la definizione di modelli 3D d’altissima precisione, fondamentali per le pratiche di tutela e valorizzazione di un patrimonio architettonico complesso e stratificato

Study on preparation and effect of oligoβ-glucan and oligochitosan on immune stimulation white patches in the internal organs disease on Tra catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nguyen Ngoc Duy; Dang Van Phu; Nguyen Thi Kim Lan; Nguyen Quoc Hien; Pham Duy Hai

2015-01-01

Oligoβ-glucan and oligochitosan were prepared by gamma Co-60 irradiation of β-glucan/H_2O_2 and chitosan/H_2O_2 solution. The efficiency of the degradation process was determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) method. Results showed that the Mw decreased with increasing concentration of H_2O_2 and doses. For oligoβ-glucan, Mw reduced from 56.7 kDa to 7.1 kDa when β-glucan 10%/H_2O_2 1% solution was irradiated at 14 kGy. For oligochitosan, Mw reduced from 45.5 kDa to 5.0 kDa when chitosan 5%/H_2O_2 0.5% solution was irradiated at 21 kGy. Tra catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) was fed with oligoβ-glucan and oligochitosan in various concentrations of 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg feed for 45 days and then was challenged with Edwardsiella ictaluri bacteria to investigate immune stimulation effect against white patches in the internal organs disease. The results indicated that oligoβ-glucan and oligochitosan exhibited good immune stimulation effect with optimum concentration of 100 mg/kg feed. Survival rate of Tra catfishes fed with oligochitosan and oligoβ-glucan is 47.62 ± 1.96% and 46.67 ± 2.58%, respectively. In addition, the mixture of oligochitosan 50 mg/kg + oligo?-glucan 50 mg/kg showed the highest survival rate (62.22 ± 1.96%). (author)

Hox genes require homothorax and extradenticle for body wall identity specification but not for appendage identity specification during metamorphosis of Tribolium castaneum.

Science.gov (United States)

Smith, Frank W; Jockusch, Elizabeth L

2014-11-01

The establishment of segment identity is a key developmental process that allows for divergence along the anteroposterior body axis in arthropods. In Drosophila, the identity of a segment is determined by the complement of Hox genes it expresses. In many contexts, Hox transcription factors require the protein products of extradenticle (exd) and homothorax (hth) as cofactors to perform their identity specification functions. In holometabolous insects, segment identity may be specified twice, during embryogenesis and metamorphosis. To glean insight into the relationship between embryonic and metamorphic segmental identity specification, we have compared these processes in the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, which develops ventral appendages during embryogenesis that later metamorphose into adult appendages with distinct morphologies. At metamorphosis, comparisons of RNAi phenotypes indicate that Hox genes function jointly with Tc-hth and Tc-exd to specify several region-specific aspects of the adult body wall. On the other hand, Hox genes specify appendage identities along the anteroposterior axis independently of Tc-hth/Tc-exd and Tc-hth/Tc-exd specify proximal vs. distal identity within appendages independently of Hox genes during this stage. During embryogenesis, Tc-hth and Tc-exd play a broad role in the segmentation process and are required for specification of body wall identities in the thorax; however, contrasting with results from other species, we did not obtain homeotic transformations of embryonic appendages in response to Tc-hth or Tc-exd RNAi. In general, the homeotic effects of interference with the function of Hox genes and Tc-hth/Tc-exd during metamorphosis did not match predictions based on embryonic roles of these genes. Comparing metamorphic patterning in T. castaneum to embryonic and post-embryonic development in hemimetabolous insects suggests that holometabolous metamorphosis combines patterning processes of both late embryogenesis and

The interaction between electricity, heat and gas in a tradable green certificate system. Paper for the analysis phase of InTraCert

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Boots, M.G.; Schaeffer, G.J.; De Zoeten, C.

2001-08-01

The InTraCert project aims to explore the possibility of integrating the existing and planned Tradable Green Certificate (TGC) schemes in the European Union and, therefore, creating a plausible unified market for TGCs. In particular, attention was paid to the possibilities of integrating TGCs for green electricity, green heat and biogas. Specific issues at stake when taking green heat and biogas into account in a green certificate system were analyzed. The analysis shows that production-based issuing of certificates is preferred, although for practical reasons it is easier to start with grid-based (and 'electricity-only') certificates. Conversion between different certificates and units are of main concern when green heat and biogas are included in the system. The kWh seems to be a convenient unit to issue the certificates. It should be possible to exchange certificates for new certificates, i.e. 'redemption for conversion' (conversion of the certificates in parallel with the conversion of the physical energy flow), as opposed to the redemption of certificates to fulfil an obligation. Mandatory demand, or the obligation, should suitably be put on consumers and stated in general terms. The consumer may then decide on the preferred energy mix to fulfil his obligation. Countries may allow for the possibility to comply with the obligation using foreign certificates and restrict the import of TGCs that they judge to be unacceptable. However, for substantial international trade to take place, some harmonisation, e.g. for issuing certificates, is required. 6 refs

CHNTRN: a CHaNnel TRaNsport model for simulating sediment and chemical distribution in a stream/river network

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yeh, G.T.

1983-09-01

This report presents the development of a CHaNnel TRaNsport model for simulating sediment and chemical distribution in a stream/river network. A particular feature of the model is its capability to deal with the network system that may consist of any number of joined and branched streams/rivers of comparable size. The model employs a numerical method - an integrated compartment method (ICM) - which greatly facilitates the setup of the matrix equation for the discrete field approximating the corresponding continuous field. Most of the possible boundary conditions that may be anticipated in real-world problems are considered. These include junctions, prescribed concentration, prescribed dispersive flux, and prescribed total flux. The model is applied to two case studies: (1) a single river and (2) a five-segment river in a watershed. Results indicate that the model can realistically simulate the behavior of the sediment and chemical variations in a stream/river network. 11 references, 10 figures, 3 tables.

No control genes required: Bayesian analysis of qRT-PCR data.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mikhail V Matz

Full Text Available Model-based analysis of data from quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR is potentially more powerful and versatile than traditional methods. Yet existing model-based approaches cannot properly deal with the higher sampling variances associated with low-abundant targets, nor do they provide a natural way to incorporate assumptions about the stability of control genes directly into the model-fitting process.In our method, raw qPCR data are represented as molecule counts, and described using generalized linear mixed models under Poisson-lognormal error. A Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC algorithm is used to sample from the joint posterior distribution over all model parameters, thereby estimating the effects of all experimental factors on the expression of every gene. The Poisson-based model allows for the correct specification of the mean-variance relationship of the PCR amplification process, and can also glean information from instances of no amplification (zero counts. Our method is very flexible with respect to control genes: any prior knowledge about the expected degree of their stability can be directly incorporated into the model. Yet the method provides sensible answers without such assumptions, or even in the complete absence of control genes. We also present a natural Bayesian analogue of the "classic" analysis, which uses standard data pre-processing steps (logarithmic transformation and multi-gene normalization but estimates all gene expression changes jointly within a single model. The new methods are considerably more flexible and powerful than the standard delta-delta Ct analysis based on pairwise t-tests.Our methodology expands the applicability of the relative-quantification analysis protocol all the way to the lowest-abundance targets, and provides a novel opportunity to analyze qRT-PCR data without making any assumptions concerning target stability. These procedures have been implemented as the MCMC.qpcr package in R.

No control genes required: Bayesian analysis of qRT-PCR data.

Science.gov (United States)

Matz, Mikhail V; Wright, Rachel M; Scott, James G

2013-01-01

Model-based analysis of data from quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) is potentially more powerful and versatile than traditional methods. Yet existing model-based approaches cannot properly deal with the higher sampling variances associated with low-abundant targets, nor do they provide a natural way to incorporate assumptions about the stability of control genes directly into the model-fitting process. In our method, raw qPCR data are represented as molecule counts, and described using generalized linear mixed models under Poisson-lognormal error. A Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm is used to sample from the joint posterior distribution over all model parameters, thereby estimating the effects of all experimental factors on the expression of every gene. The Poisson-based model allows for the correct specification of the mean-variance relationship of the PCR amplification process, and can also glean information from instances of no amplification (zero counts). Our method is very flexible with respect to control genes: any prior knowledge about the expected degree of their stability can be directly incorporated into the model. Yet the method provides sensible answers without such assumptions, or even in the complete absence of control genes. We also present a natural Bayesian analogue of the "classic" analysis, which uses standard data pre-processing steps (logarithmic transformation and multi-gene normalization) but estimates all gene expression changes jointly within a single model. The new methods are considerably more flexible and powerful than the standard delta-delta Ct analysis based on pairwise t-tests. Our methodology expands the applicability of the relative-quantification analysis protocol all the way to the lowest-abundance targets, and provides a novel opportunity to analyze qRT-PCR data without making any assumptions concerning target stability. These procedures have been implemented as the MCMC.qpcr package in R.

Imaging gene expression in gene therapy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wiebe, Leonard I.

1997-01-01

Full text. Gene therapy can be used to introduce new genes, or to supplement the function of indigenous genes. At the present time, however, there is non-invasive test to demonstrate efficacy of the gene transfer and expression processes. It has been postulated that scintigraphic imaging can offer unique information on both the site at which the transferred gene is expressed, and the degree of expression, both of which are critical issue for safety and clinical efficacy. Many current studies are based on 'suicide gene therapy' of cancer. Cells modified to express these genes commit metabolic suicide in the presence of an enzyme encoded by the transferred gene and a specifically-convertible pro drug. Pro drug metabolism can lead to selective metabolic trapping, required for scintigraphy. Herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (H S V-1 t k + ) has been use for 'suicide' in vivo tumor gene therapy. It has been proposed that radiolabelled nucleosides can be used as radiopharmaceuticals to detect H S V-1 t k + gene expression where the H S V-1 t k + gene serves a reporter or therapeutic function. Animal gene therapy models have been studied using purine-([ 18 F]F H P G; [ 18 F]-A C V), and pyrimidine- ([ 123 / 131 I]I V R F U; [ 124 / 131I ]) antiviral nucleosides. Principles of gene therapy and gene therapy imaging will be reviewed and experimental data for [ 123 / 131I ]I V R F U imaging with the H S V-1 t k + reporter gene will be presented

Rice Snl6, a cinnamoyl-CoA reductase-like gene family member, is required for NH1-mediated immunity to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rebecca S Bart

2010-09-01

Full Text Available Rice NH1 (NPR1 homolog 1 is a key mediator of innate immunity. In both plants and animals, the innate immune response is often accompanied by rapid cell death at the site of pathogen infection. Over-expression of NH1 in rice results in resistance to the bacterial pathogen, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo, constitutive expression of defense related genes and enhanced benzothiadiazole (BTH- mediated cell death. Here we describe a forward genetic screen that identified a suppressor of NH1-mediated lesion formation and resistance, snl6. Comparative genome hybridization and fine mapping rapidly identified the genomic location of the Snl6 gene. Snl6 is a member of the cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR-like gene family. We show that Snl6 is required for NH1-mediated resistance to Xoo. Further, we show that Snl6 is required for pathogenesis-related gene expression. In contrast to previously described CCR family members, disruption of Snl6 does not result in an obvious morphologic phenotype. Snl6 mutants have reduced lignin content and increased sugar extractability, an important trait for the production of cellulosic biofuels. These results suggest the existence of a conserved group of CCR-like genes involved in the defense response, and with the potential to alter lignin content without affecting development.

Opće i posebno ograničenje odgovornosti za pomorske tražbine u novijoj stranoj sudskoj praksi

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jasenko Marin

2011-12-01

Full Text Available Tema rada je proučavanje tumačenja i primjene međunarodnih propisa o općem i posebnom ograničenju odgovornosti za pomorske tražbine u novijoj sudskoj praksi. U uvodnom dijelu objašnjava se gospodarska i pravna svrha instituta ograničenja odgovornosti te se daje prikaz njegova uređenja na međunarodnoj razini. Naglašava se njegova ključna uloga u razvitku brodarstva i međunarodne trgovine. Kritički se analiziraju novije ilustrativne odluke stranih sudova u kojima su protumačene i primijenjene nerijetko dvojbene odredbe međunarodnih ugovora kojima je uređena ova materija. Iznose se zaključci o trenutnoj kvaliteti pravnog uređenja toga instituta, uočavaju tendencije njegova budućeg razvitka te predlažu mjere potrebne za njegovu daljnju nadogradnju.

fog-2 and the evolution of self-fertile hermaphroditism in Caenorhabditis.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sudhir Nayak

2005-01-01

Full Text Available Somatic and germline sex determination pathways have diverged significantly in animals, making comparisons between taxa difficult. To overcome this difficulty, we compared the genes in the germline sex determination pathways of Caenorhabditis elegans and C. briggsae, two Caenorhabditis species with similar reproductive systems and sequenced genomes. We demonstrate that C. briggsae has orthologs of all known C. elegans sex determination genes with one exception: fog-2. Hermaphroditic nematodes are essentially females that produce sperm early in life, which they use for self fertilization. In C. elegans, this brief period of spermatogenesis requires FOG-2 and the RNA-binding protein GLD-1, which together repress translation of the tra-2 mRNA. FOG-2 is part of a large C. elegans FOG-2-related protein family defined by the presence of an F-box and Duf38/FOG-2 homogy domain. A fog-2-related gene family is also present in C. briggsae, however, the branch containing fog-2 appears to have arisen relatively recently in C. elegans, post-speciation. The C-terminus of FOG-2 is rapidly evolving, is required for GLD-1 interaction, and is likely critical for the role of FOG-2 in sex determination. In addition, C. briggsae gld-1 appears to play the opposite role in sex determination (promoting the female fate while maintaining conserved roles in meiotic progression during oogenesis. Our data indicate that the regulation of the hermaphrodite germline sex determination pathway at the level of FOG-2/GLD-1/tra-2 mRNA is fundamentally different between C. elegans and C. briggsae, providing functional evidence in support of the independent evolution of self-fertile hermaphroditism. We speculate on the convergent evolution of hermaphroditism in Caenorhabditis based on the plasticity of the C. elegans germline sex determination cascade, in which multiple mutant paths yield self fertility.

G-NEST: A gene neighborhood scoring tool to identify co-conserved, co-expressed genes

Science.gov (United States)

In previous studies, gene neighborhoods--spatial clusters of co-expressed genes in the genome--have been defined using arbitrary rules such as requiring adjacency, a minimum number of genes, a fixed window size, or a minimum expression level. In the current study, we developed a Gene Neighborhood Sc...

Técnico de enfermagem: o perfil traçado por profissionais da área

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Beatriz Lemos Stutz

1999-12-01

Full Text Available A presente investigação tem por finalidade destacar as bases em que se efetivam a qualificação e as nuances que permeiam a atuação do Técnico de Enfermagem na atualidade, no Município de Uberlândia. Optou-se por realizar uma pesquisa qualitativa, tendo como referencial a análise de discurso, utilizando-se como técnica de coleta de dados um roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturado. Foram definidas, quatro categorias básicas de análise: educação-trabalho, currículo, identidade profissional e expectativas. A partir do estudo detalhado destas categorias, é possível refletir sobre a relação educação-trabalho no ensino médio; os aspectos ligados à regulamentação e ao exercício da enfermagem no Brasil; a importância do currículo na organização de experiências do conhecimento; o significado e as influências do trabalho na construção da identidade profissional. Busca-se traçar, em última instância, o perfil do técnico de enfermagem partindo da análise das funções por ele desempenhadas e do modo como vê seu processo de profissionalização.

Pour le plaisir de la chose : analyse de contenu des conceptions et des usages du Kâmasûtra dans l'Occident contemporain

OpenAIRE

Robidas, Josiane

2010-01-01

Ce mémoire a pour but de retracer comment le Kāmasūtra, traité classique hindou sur l'art de vivre et d'aimer, est présenté et véhiculé dans l'Occident depuis sa première traduction, tant pour son interprétation, sa diffusion et sa réception que pour ce qu'il permet comme regards sur les représentations des sexualités occidentales. L'analyse de contenu a été faite à partir d'un corpus très hétérogène, contenant à la fois des traductions, des ouvrages scientifiques (qui permettent notamment la...

Traços Atitudinais da Imagem Corporal e Qualidade de Vida em Indivíduos com Vitiligo Sedentários e Fisicamente Ativos

OpenAIRE

Ferreira, Lucilene

2018-01-01

O vitiligo é uma doença cutânea crônica caracterizada por máculas de cor branca pura e com bordos nítidos de diferentes tamanhos e formas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se há diferenças entre pessoas com vitiligo que são fisicamente ativas e sedentárias em relação à qualidade de vida e traços atitudinais da imagem corporal – ansiedade físico social, autoestima e apreciação do corpo. Seguidamente, se a frequência da prática de exercícios provoca diferenças nas mesmas variáveis. A amo...

Genetic Determinants Associated With in Vivo Survival of Burkholderia cenocepacia in the Caenorhabditis elegans Model

KAUST Repository

Wong, Yee-Chin

2018-05-29

A Burkholderia cenocepacia infection usually leads to reduced survival and fatal cepacia syndrome in cystic fibrosis patients. The identification of B. cenocepacia essential genes for in vivo survival is key to designing new anti-infectives therapies. We used the Transposon-Directed Insertion Sequencing (TraDIS) approach to identify genes required for B. cenocepacia survival in the model infection host, Caenorhabditis elegans. A B. cenocepacia J2315 transposon pool of ∼500,000 mutants was used to infect C. elegans. We identified 178 genes as crucial for B. cenocepacia survival in the infected nematode. The majority of these genes code for proteins of unknown function, many of which are encoded by the genomic island BcenGI13, while other gene products are involved in nutrient acquisition, general stress responses and LPS O-antigen biosynthesis. Deletion of the glycosyltransferase gene wbxB and a histone-like nucleoid structuring (H-NS) protein-encoding gene (BCAL0154) reduced bacterial accumulation and attenuated virulence in C. elegans. Further analysis using quantitative RT-PCR indicated that BCAL0154 modulates B. cenocepacia pathogenesis via transcriptional regulation of motility-associated genes including fliC, fliG, flhD, and cheB1. This screen has successfully identified genes required for B. cenocepacia survival within the host-associated environment, many of which are potential targets for developing new antimicrobials.

Genetic Determinants Associated With in Vivo Survival of Burkholderia cenocepacia in the Caenorhabditis elegans Model

KAUST Repository

Wong, Yee-Chin; Abd El Ghany, Moataz; Ghazzali, Raeece N. M.; Yap, Soon-Joo; Hoh, Chee-Choong; Pain, Arnab; Nathan, Sheila

2018-01-01

A Burkholderia cenocepacia infection usually leads to reduced survival and fatal cepacia syndrome in cystic fibrosis patients. The identification of B. cenocepacia essential genes for in vivo survival is key to designing new anti-infectives therapies. We used the Transposon-Directed Insertion Sequencing (TraDIS) approach to identify genes required for B. cenocepacia survival in the model infection host, Caenorhabditis elegans. A B. cenocepacia J2315 transposon pool of ∼500,000 mutants was used to infect C. elegans. We identified 178 genes as crucial for B. cenocepacia survival in the infected nematode. The majority of these genes code for proteins of unknown function, many of which are encoded by the genomic island BcenGI13, while other gene products are involved in nutrient acquisition, general stress responses and LPS O-antigen biosynthesis. Deletion of the glycosyltransferase gene wbxB and a histone-like nucleoid structuring (H-NS) protein-encoding gene (BCAL0154) reduced bacterial accumulation and attenuated virulence in C. elegans. Further analysis using quantitative RT-PCR indicated that BCAL0154 modulates B. cenocepacia pathogenesis via transcriptional regulation of motility-associated genes including fliC, fliG, flhD, and cheB1. This screen has successfully identified genes required for B. cenocepacia survival within the host-associated environment, many of which are potential targets for developing new antimicrobials.

Imaging gene expression in gene therapy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wiebe, Leonard I. [Alberta Univ., Edmonton (Canada). Noujaim Institute for Pharmaceutical Oncology Research

1997-12-31

Full text. Gene therapy can be used to introduce new genes, or to supplement the function of indigenous genes. At the present time, however, there is non-invasive test to demonstrate efficacy of the gene transfer and expression processes. It has been postulated that scintigraphic imaging can offer unique information on both the site at which the transferred gene is expressed, and the degree of expression, both of which are critical issue for safety and clinical efficacy. Many current studies are based on `suicide gene therapy` of cancer. Cells modified to express these genes commit metabolic suicide in the presence of an enzyme encoded by the transferred gene and a specifically-convertible pro drug. Pro drug metabolism can lead to selective metabolic trapping, required for scintigraphy. Herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (H S V-1 t k{sup +}) has been use for `suicide` in vivo tumor gene therapy. It has been proposed that radiolabelled nucleosides can be used as radiopharmaceuticals to detect H S V-1 t k{sup +} gene expression where the H S V-1 t k{sup +} gene serves a reporter or therapeutic function. Animal gene therapy models have been studied using purine-([{sup 18} F]F H P G; [{sup 18} F]-A C V), and pyrimidine- ([{sup 123}/{sup 131} I]I V R F U; [{sup 124}/{sup 131I}]) antiviral nucleosides. Principles of gene therapy and gene therapy imaging will be reviewed and experimental data for [{sup 123}/{sup 131I}]I V R F U imaging with the H S V-1 t k{sup +} reporter gene will be presented

Padrão de oviposição e tabela de vida da traça-do-tomateiro Tuta absoluta (Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae Oviposition pattern and life table of South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae

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Maria Alice de Medeiros

2009-01-01

Full Text Available A traça-do-tomateiro apresentou maior oviposição ao colonizar tomateiros cultivados em sistema convencional em relação ao orgânico em estudos prévios realizados no campo. Visando confirmar e entender o padrão observado no campo, aspectos bioecológicos como oviposição e mortalidade de imaturos foram comparados em condições semi-controladas de casa de vegetação com plantas cultivadas em vasos com solo proveniente do sistema orgânico e convencional. Adultos da traça-do-tomateiro foram liberados na casa de vegetação e após 24h, as plantas infestadas foram transferidas para outra casa de vegetação, para acompanhamento de coortes horizontais. Os ovos naturalmente depositados pela traça-do-tomateiro foram localizados na planta e demarcados. Em seguida, a folha foi ensacada. Diariamente as plantas foram observadas, registrando a fase de desenvolvimento do inseto e a ocorrência de morte, até que todos os insetos completassem seu ciclo de vida. A oviposição pela traça-do-tomateiro em plantas com solos oriundos do sistema convencional foi duas vezes maior do que em plantas com solos do sistema orgânico. A curva de sobrevivência da fase imatura e a tabela de vida da traça-do-tomateiro em casa de vegetação mostraram que a sobrevivência em plantas com solo orgânico e convencional não apresentaram diferenças. Assim as diferenças no comportamento de padrão de oviposição observadas a campo provavelmente não estão relacionadas com o desempenho da progênie e podem ser influenciado pelo ambiente proporcionado pelo sistema orgânico de produção.The tomato pinworm presented higher oviposition when colonizing tomato plants cropped in conventional system than in organic system, in previous field studies. Aiming to confirm and to understand the observed pattern in the field, bioecological processes, such as oviposition and mortality of immatures, were compared on ploted plants in soil from organic and conventional systems in

Ethylene-induced senescence-related gene expression requires protein synthesis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lawton, K.A.; Raghothama, K.G.; Woodson, W.R.

1990-01-01

We have investigated the effects of inhibiting protein synthesis on the ethylene-induced expression of 3 carnation senescence-related genes, pSR5, pSR8, and pSR12. Treatment of preclimacteric carnation petal discs with 1μg/ml of cycloheximide, a cytoplasmic protein synthesis inhibitor, for 3h inhibited protein synthesis by >80% as quantitated by the incorporation of [35S]methionine into protein. Pre-treatment of petal discs with cycloheximide prevented ethylene-induced SR transcript accumulation. Cycloheximide treatment of petal discs held in air did not result in increased levels of SR mRNA. These results indicate that ethylene does not interact with pre-formed factors but rather that the activation of SR gene expression by ethylene is mediated by labile protein factor(s) synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes. Experiments are currently underway to determine if cycloheximide exerts its effect at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level

Activation of germline-specific genes is required for limb regeneration in the Mexican axolotl

Science.gov (United States)

Zhu, Wei; Pao, Gerald M; Satoh, Akira; Cummings, Gillian; Monaghan, James R; Harkins, Timothy T; Bryant, Susan V; Voss, S Randal; Gardiner, David M; Hunter, Tony

2013-01-01

The capacity for tissue and organ regeneration in humans is dwarfed by comparison to that of salamanders. Emerging evidence suggests that mechanisms learned from the early phase of salamander limb regeneration – wound healing, cellular dedifferentiation and blastemal formation – will reveal therapeutic approaches for tissue regeneration in humans. Here we describe a unique transcriptional fingerprint of regenerating limb tissue in the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) that is indicative of cellular reprogramming of differentiated cells to a germline-like state. Two genes that are required for self-renewal of germ cells in mice and flies, Piwi-like 1 (PL1) and Piwi-like 2 (PL2), are expressed in limb blastemal cells, the basal layer keratinocytes and the thickened apical epithelial cap in the wound epidermis in the regenerating limb. Depletion of PL1 and PL2 by morpholino oligonucleotides decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death in the blastema leading to a significant retardation of regeneration. Examination of key molecules that are known to be required for limb development or regeneration further revealed that FGF8 is transcriptionally downregulated in the presence of the morpholino oligos, indicating PL1 and PL2 might participate in FGF signaling during limb regeneration. Given the requirement for FGF signaling in limb development and regeneration, the results suggest that PL1 and PL2 function to establish a unique germline-like state that is associated with successful regeneration. PMID:22841627

ato-Gal4 fly lines for gene function analysis: Eya is required in late progenitors for eye morphogenesis.

Science.gov (United States)

Yu, Linlin; Zhou, Qingxiang; Pignoni, Francesca

2015-06-01

The Gal4/UAS system is one of the most powerful tools for the study of cellular and developmental processes in Drosophila. Gal4 drivers can be used to induce targeted expression of dominant-negative and dominant-active proteins, histological markers, activity sensors, gene-specific dsRNAs, modulators of cell survival or proliferation, and other reagents. Here, we describe novel atonal-Gal4 lines that contain regions of the regulatory DNA of atonal, the proneural gene for photoreceptors, stretch receptors, auditory organ, and some olfactory sensilla. During neurogenesis, the atonal gene is expressed at a critical juncture, a time of transition from progenitor cell to developing neuron. Thus, these lines are particularly well suited for the study of the transcription factors and signaling molecules orchestrating this critical transition. To demonstrate their usefulness, we focus on two visual organs, the eye and the Bolwig. We demonstrate the induction of predicted eye phenotypes when expressing the dominant-negative EGF receptor or a dsRNA against Notch in the developing eye disc. In another example, we show the deletion of the Bolwig's organ using the proapoptotic factor Hid. Finally, we investigate the function of the eye specification factor Eyes absent or Eya in late retinal progenitors, shortly before they begin morphogenesis. We show that Eya is still required in these late progenitors to promote eye formation, and show failure to induce the target gene atonal and consequent lack of neuron formation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Resistência à traça-do-tomateiro em plantas com altos teores de acilaçúcares nas folhas Resistance to the South American tomato pinworm in tomato plants with high foliar acylsugar contents

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Álvaro C Gonçalves Neto

2010-06-01

Full Text Available A traça-do-tomateiro foi constatada pela primeira vez no Brasil em 1980 estando hoje dentre as principais pragas da tomaticultura nacional. O controle desta praga é feito principalmente por inseticidas, sendo realizada em casos extremos, até três pulverizações semanais. Acessos silvestres de tomateiro como S. pennellii LA-716 possuem resistência a pragas, mediada pela presença de acilaçúcares nos folíolos. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram obter genótipos de tomateiro com características comerciais e altos teores foliares de acilaçúcares (AA, e avaliar seus níveis de resistência à traça do tomateiro Tuta absoluta. Os genótipos foram obtidos a partir de populações segregantes (F2 oriundas do cruzamento entre AF-8665 (linhagem elite com baixos teores de AA e as linhagens BPX370E-30-275-11-7, BPX370E-30-275-11-8, BPX370E-30-380-68-6 e BPX370E-30-380-68-8 (linhagens pré-comerciais com altos teores, obtidas a partir do cruzamento interespecífico S. lycopersicum x S. pennellii LA-716. Plantas F2 previamente selecionadas com base nos teores de AA foram clonadas e em seguida testadas quanto à resistência à traça-do-tomateiro. Genótipos selecionados para altos teores de AA expressaram menor ovoposição da traça e níveis inferiores de danos causados à planta pela infestação do microlepidóptero do que genótipos (comerciais ou não com baixos teores de AA. Embora genótipos com altos teores de AA tenham sido mais resistentes à traça do que os demais, seus níveis de resistência podem ser dependentes do background genotípico: clones BPX-410H (alto teor de AA mostraram-se em geral ligeiramente mais resistentes do que o dos clones BPX-370G (também alto teor de AA. Os clones BPX-410H-01pl#281, BPX-410H-04pl#348 e BPX-410H-04pl#481 foram superiores nas avaliações de resistência à traça e são recomendados para a continuidade do programa de melhoramento.The South American tomato pinworm was first detected in Brazil

Discovering genes underlying QTL

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vanavichit, Apichart [Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen, Nakorn Pathom (Thailand)

2002-02-01

A map-based approach has allowed scientists to discover few genes at a time. In addition, the reproductive barrier between cultivated rice and wild relatives has prevented us from utilizing the germ plasm by a map-based approach. Most genetic traits important to agriculture or human diseases are manifested as observable, quantitative phenotypes called Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL). In many instances, the complexity of the phenotype/genotype interaction and the general lack of clearly identifiable gene products render the direct molecular cloning approach ineffective, thus additional strategies like genome mapping are required to identify the QTL in question. Genome mapping requires no prior knowledge of the gene function, but utilizes statistical methods to identify the most likely gene location. To completely characterize genes of interest, the initially mapped region of a gene location will have to be narrowed down to a size that is suitable for cloning and sequencing. Strategies for gene identification within the critical region have to be applied after the sequencing of a potentially large clone or set of clones that contains this gene(s). Tremendous success of positional cloning has been shown for cloning many genes responsible for human diseases, including cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy as well as plant disease resistance genes. Genome and QTL mapping, positional cloning: the pre-genomics era, comparative approaches to gene identification, and positional cloning: the genomics era are discussed in the report. (M. Suetake)

Isolation of NBS-LRR class resistant gene (I2 gene) from tomato ...

African Journals Online (AJOL)

aghomotsegin

2013-10-16

Oct 16, 2013 ... type of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici observed commonly which require presence of I1 gene in tomato plant for the incompatibility ... Key words: Fusarium wilt, race, R-gene, resistance, tomato. ... MATERIALS AND METHODS.

Transcription factor VdCmr1 is required for pigment production, protection from UV irradiation, and regulates expression of melanin biosynthetic genes in Verticillium dahliae.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Yonglin; Hu, Xiaoping; Fang, Yulin; Anchieta, Amy; Goldman, Polly H; Hernandez, Gustavo; Klosterman, Steven J

2018-04-01

Verticillium dahliae is a soilborne fungus that causes vascular wilt diseases on numerous plant species worldwide. The production of darkly melanized microsclerotia is crucial in the disease cycle of V. dahliae, as these structures allow for long-term survival in soil. Previously, transcriptomic and genomic analysis identified a cluster of genes in V. dahliae that encodes some dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin biosynthetic pathway homologues found in related fungi. In this study, we explored the roles of cluster-specific transcription factor VdCmr1, as well as two other genes within the cluster encoding a polyketide synthase (VdPKS1) and a laccase (VdLac1), enzymes at initial and endpoint steps in DHN melanin production. The results revealed that VdCmr1 and VdPKS1 are required for melanin production, but neither is required for microsclerotia production. None of the three genes were required for pathogenesis on tobacco and lettuce. Exposure of ΔVdCmr1 and wild-type strains to UV irradiation, or to high temperature (40 °C), revealed an approx. 50 % reduction of survival in the ΔVdCmr1 strain, relative to the wild-type strain, in response to either condition. Expression profiles revealed that expression of some melanin biosynthetic genes are in part dependent on VdCmr1. Combined data indicate VdCmr1 is a key regulator of melanin biosynthesis, and that via regulation of melanogenesis, VdCmr1 affects survival of V. dahliae in response to abiotic threats. We conclude with a model showing regulation of VdCmr1 by a high osmolarity glycerol response (Hog)-type MAP kinase pathway.

Impacto de inseticidas sobre parasitóides da traça-das-crucíferas em repolho, no Distrito Federal

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Castelo Branco Marina

2001-01-01

Full Text Available Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar os parasitóides da Plutella xylostella(L. presentes em áreas de cultivo do Distrito Federal, tratadas ou não com inseticidas, onde larvas do inseto foram coletadas. Foram identificados quatro parasitóides: Apantelessp. (Braconidae, Oomyzus sokolowiskii (Kurdjumov (Eulophidae, Diadegmasp. (Ichneumonidae e Actiasp. (Tachinidae. Onível de parasitismo nas áreas não tratadas com inseticidas variou de 5% a 94%, enquanto em áreas tratadas variou de 11% a 87%. A maior parte das larvas de traça-das-crucíferas foram encontradas nas cabeças de repolho ou na parte inferior das folhas da saia das plantas. Esta distribuição de larvas sobre as plantas deve permitir que estas escapem do contato com o inseticida, e, conseqüentemente, os parasitóides podem sobreviver nas plantas tratadas.

Genome-wide screening of the genes required for tolerance to vanillin, which is a potential inhibitor of bioethanol fermentation, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Science.gov (United States)

Endo, Ayako; Nakamura, Toshihide; Ando, Akira; Tokuyasu, Ken; Shima, Jun

2008-04-15

Lignocellulosic materials are abundant and among the most important potential sources for bioethanol production. Although the pretreatment of lignocellulose is necessary for efficient saccharification and fermentation, numerous by-products, including furan derivatives, weak acids, and phenolic compounds, are generated in the pretreatment step. Many of these components inhibit the growth and fermentation of yeast. In particular, vanillin is one of the most effective inhibitors in lignocellulose hydrolysates because it inhibits fermentation at very low concentrations. To identify the genes required for tolerance to vanillin, we screened a set of diploid yeast deletion mutants, which are powerful tools for clarifying the function of particular genes. Seventy-six deletion mutants were identified as vanillin-sensitive mutants. The numerous deleted genes in the vanillin-sensitive mutants were classified under the functional categories for 'chromatin remodeling' and 'vesicle transport', suggesting that these functions are important for vanillin tolerance. The cross-sensitivity of the vanillin-sensitive mutants to furan derivatives, weak acids, and phenolic compounds was also examined. Genes for ergosterol biosynthesis were required for tolerance to all inhibitory compounds tested, suggesting that ergosterol is a key component of tolerance to various inhibitors. Our analysis predicts that vanillin tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is affected by various complicated processes that take place on both the molecular and the cellular level. In addition, the ergosterol biosynthetic process is important for achieving a tolerance to various inhibitors. Our findings provide a biotechnological basis for the molecular engineering as well as for screening of more robust yeast strains that may potentially be useful in bioethanol fermentation.

Determinação da redução da resistência à tração em corpos de prova com Weld Line

OpenAIRE

Bom,R.P.; Kalin,A.F.

2008-01-01

Neste trabalho objetivou-se determinar a redução da resistência à tração de corpos de prova com linhas de solda. Os corpos de prova ASTM foram moldados pelo processo de injeção com diferentes temperaturas de plastificação (180 ºC a 280 ºC). O material utilizado foi o polímero termoplástico Polystyrol 158 K da Basf. Este estudo relaciona as linhas de solda em produtos moldados por injeção com a redução da resistência mecânica devido a fragilização na região da linha de solda. Para o desenvolvi...

Developmentally-Regulated Excision of the SPβ Prophage Reconstitutes a Gene Required for Spore Envelope Maturation in Bacillus subtilis

Science.gov (United States)

Abe, Kimihiro; Kawano, Yuta; Iwamoto, Keito; Arai, Kenji; Maruyama, Yuki; Eichenberger, Patrick; Sato, Tsutomu

2014-01-01

Temperate phages infect bacteria by injecting their DNA into bacterial cells, where it becomes incorporated into the host genome as a prophage. In the genome of Bacillus subtilis 168, an active prophage, SPβ, is inserted into a polysaccharide synthesis gene, spsM. Here, we show that a rearrangement occurs during sporulation to reconstitute a functional composite spsM gene by precise excision of SPβ from the chromosome. SPβ excision requires a putative site-specific recombinase, SprA, and an accessory protein, SprB. A minimized SPβ, where all the SPβ genes were deleted, except sprA and sprB, retained the SPβ excision activity during sporulation, demonstrating that sprA and sprB are necessary and sufficient for the excision. While expression of sprA was observed during vegetative growth, sprB was induced during sporulation and upon mitomycin C treatment, which triggers the phage lytic cycle. We also demonstrated that overexpression of sprB (but not of sprA) resulted in SPβ prophage excision without triggering the lytic cycle. These results suggest that sprB is the factor that controls the timing of phage excision. Furthermore, we provide evidence that spsM is essential for the addition of polysaccharides to the spore envelope. The presence of polysaccharides on the spore surface renders the spore hydrophilic in water. This property may be beneficial in allowing spores to disperse in natural environments via water flow. A similar rearrangement occurs in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42, where a SPβ-like element is excised during sporulation to reconstitute a polysaccharide synthesis gene, suggesting that this type of gene rearrangement is common in spore-forming bacteria because it can be spread by phage infection. PMID:25299644

Transcriptomic dissection of sexual differences in Bemisia tabaci, an invasive agricultural pest worldwide.

Science.gov (United States)

Xie, Wen; Guo, Litao; Jiao, Xiaoguo; Yang, Nina; Yang, Xin; Wu, Qingjun; Wang, Shaoli; Zhou, Xuguo; Zhang, Youjun

2014-02-14

Sex difference involving chromosomes and gene expression has been extensively documented. In this study, the gender difference in the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci was investigated using Illumina-based transcriptomic analysis. Gender-based RNAseq data produced 27 Gb reads, and subsequent de novo assembly generated 93,948 transcripts with a N50 of 1,853 bp. A total of 1,351 differentially expressed genes were identified between male and female B. tabaci, and majority of them were female-biased. Pathway and GO enrichment experiments exhibited a gender-specific expression, including enriched translation in females, and enhanced structural constituent of cuticle in male whiteflies. In addition, a putative transformer2 gene (tra2) was cloned, and the structural feature and expression profile of tra2 were investigated. Sexually dimorphic transcriptome is an uncharted territory for the agricultural insect pests. Molecular understanding of sex determination in B. tabaci, an emerging invasive insect pest worldwide, will provide potential molecular target(s) for genetic pest control alternatives.

Gene-based Association Approach Identify Genes Across Stress Traits in Fruit Flies

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Rohde, Palle Duun; Edwards, Stefan McKinnon; Sarup, Pernille Merete

Identification of genes explaining variation in quantitative traits or genetic risk factors of human diseases requires both good phenotypic- and genotypic data, but also efficient statistical methods. Genome-wide association studies may reveal association between phenotypic variation and variation...... approach grouping variants accordingly to gene position, thus lowering the number of statistical tests performed and increasing the probability of identifying genes with small to moderate effects. Using this approach we identify numerous genes associated with different types of stresses in Drosophila...... melanogaster, but also identify common genes that affects the stress traits....

Monitoramento da contaminação por elementos traço em ostras comercializadas em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil

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Cavalcanti André Dias

2003-01-01

Full Text Available Amostras de ostras comercializadas em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, foram monitoradas em relação ao conteúdo de elementos traço (Hg, Zn, Fe, Cu e Mn durante o período de um ano (março/2001 a fevereiro/2002. Mercúrio foi o principal contaminante encontrado nas ostras e o elemento que apresenta maior risco à saúde pública. Foram encontrados valores de concentração de Hg em ostras de até 551,12µg/kg (peso úmido. Esses valores sugerem que a ingestão de ostras deve ser feita com restrições, principalmente, pela população que vive de sua coleta como forma de subsistência, por crianças, e mulheres grávidas. A avaliação dos níveis de mercúrio em frutos do mar é um importante fator para avaliar o risco de contaminação por mercúrio em pessoas não ocupacionalmente expostas.

Monitoramento da contaminação por elementos traço em ostras comercializadas em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil

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André Dias Cavalcanti

Full Text Available Amostras de ostras comercializadas em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, foram monitoradas em relação ao conteúdo de elementos traço (Hg, Zn, Fe, Cu e Mn durante o período de um ano (março/2001 a fevereiro/2002. Mercúrio foi o principal contaminante encontrado nas ostras e o elemento que apresenta maior risco à saúde pública. Foram encontrados valores de concentração de Hg em ostras de até 551,12µg/kg (peso úmido. Esses valores sugerem que a ingestão de ostras deve ser feita com restrições, principalmente, pela população que vive de sua coleta como forma de subsistência, por crianças, e mulheres grávidas. A avaliação dos níveis de mercúrio em frutos do mar é um importante fator para avaliar o risco de contaminação por mercúrio em pessoas não ocupacionalmente expostas.

BI TRA, Doubi. Banque, finance & bourse. Lexique des termes usuels. París: L’harmattan, 2011. 367 p.

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Elena Alcalde Peñalver

2014-07-01

Full Text Available http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7968.2014v1n33p348 Esta obra lexicográfica monolingüe en francés constituye una forma de hacer llegar al público de forma transparente el conocimiento de un campo tan importante y de gran actualidad como es el de la banca, las finanzas y la bolsa. Contar con las últimas novedades en el léxico de este campo es de gran importancia por su continuo dinamismo y grado de innovación. Esto se observa a diario en los diferentes medios de comunicación, que en muchos casos deben ofrecer una explicación que acompañe al término financiero por su alto nivel de especialidad. En este sentido, consideramos de gran utilidad contar con obras como el léxico del profesor Tra, que ofrece explicaciones claras y concisas sobre un gran número de términos del ámbito financiero que aparecen de forma recurrente en los diferentes medios de comunicación

Synthetic promoter libraries- tuning of gene expression

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Hammer, Karin; Mijakovic, Ivan; Jensen, Peter Ruhdal

2006-01-01

knockout and strong overexpression. However, applications such as metabolic optimization and control analysis necessitate a continuous set of expression levels with only slight increments in strength to cover a specific window around the wildtype expression level of the studied gene; this requirement can......The study of gene function often requires changing the expression of a gene and evaluating the consequences. In principle, the expression of any given gene can be modulated in a quasi-continuum of discrete expression levels but the traditional approaches are usually limited to two extremes: gene...

The identification of new genes related to cisplatin resistance in ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line A2780

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Solar, P.; Fedorocko, P.; Sytkowski, A.; Hodorova, I.

2006-01-01

Ovarian cancer cells are usually sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy, such as cisplatin (CDDP), initially but typically become resistant to the drug over time. The phenomenon of clinical drug resistance represents a serious problem for successful disease treatment, and the molecular mechanism(s) are not fully understood. In search of novel mechanisms that may lead to the development of CDDP chemoresistance we have applied subtractive hybridization based on the PCR-select cDNA subtraction. In current study we have used subtractive hybridization to identify differentially-expressed genes in CDDP resistant CP70 and C200 cells versus CDDP-sensitive A2780 human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells. We have analyzed 256 randomly selected clones. Subtraction efficiency was determined by dot blot and DNA sequencing. Confirmation of differentially expressed cDNAs was done by virtual northern blot analysis, and 17 genes that were differentially expressed in both CDDP resistant cell lines versus CDDP sensitive A2780 cells were identified. The expression of 10 of these genes was undetectable or detected with low expression in sensitive A2780 cells in comparison to resistant ones. These genes included ARHGDIB, RANBP2, ASPH, PRTFDC1, SSX2IP, MBNL1, DNAJC15, MMP10, TCTE1L and one unidentified sequence. Additional 7 genes that were more highly expressed in resistant CP70 and C200 vs. A2780 cells included ANXA2, USP8, HSPCA, TRA1, CNAP1, ATP2B1 and COX2. Interestingly, multi-drug resistance associated p-glycoprotein (p170) was not detected by the western blot in CDDP resistant CP70 and C200 cells. Our identified genes are involved in diverse processes, such as stress response, chromatin condensation, protection from protein degradation, invasiveness of cells, alterations of Ca 2+ homeostasis and others which may contribute to CDDP resistance of ovarian adenocarcinoma cells. Further characterization of these genes and gene products should yield important insights into the biology of

Minimal and contributing sequence determinants of the cis-acting locus of transfer (clt) of streptomycete plasmid pIJ101 occur within an intrinsically curved plasmid region.

Science.gov (United States)

Ducote, M J; Prakash, S; Pettis, G S

2000-12-01

Efficient interbacterial transfer of streptomycete plasmid pIJ101 requires the pIJ101 tra gene, as well as a cis-acting plasmid function known as clt. Here we show that the minimal pIJ101 clt locus consists of a sequence no greater than 54 bp in size that includes essential inverted-repeat and direct-repeat sequences and is located in close proximity to the 3' end of the korB regulatory gene. Evidence that sequences extending beyond the minimal locus and into the korB open reading frame influence clt transfer function and demonstration that clt-korB sequences are intrinsically curved raise the possibility that higher-order structuring of DNA and protein within this plasmid region may be an inherent feature of efficient pIJ101 transfer.

La vocazione territoriale tra approccio sistemico e situazionista: analisi di una collaborazione culture driven tra aziende del made in Italy attraverso il caso del Contratto di Rete Polo Alta Moda Area Vestina / The territorial vocation between the “systemic” approach and the “situationist” approach: analysis of a culture-driven collaboration between Made-in-Italy firms. The case of the network contract of “Polo Alta Moda Area Vestina

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Elena Cedrola

2014-06-01

Full Text Available Il presente lavoro si propone di mostrare come una collaborazione culture driven tra aziende del made in Italy possa innescare un processo virtuoso capace di alimentare la competitività d’impresa. Nello specifico, intende verificare la validità di una nuova chiave di lettura dei processi di governance del territorio, detta situazionista, che affianca la concezione prevalente in letteratura, definita unitaria o sistemica. Il punto di discrepanza principale tra le due visioni sembra essere quello della vocazione territoriale. Pur riconoscendo entrambe la presenza di interessi condivisi tra gli attori, la visione situazionista non riconosce alla vocazione la funzione “razionalizzante” riscontrabile nell’approccio sistemico. A seguito di una sintetica review della letteratura sui temi del territorio come cultura condivisa, sulla dimensione reticolare territoriale ed extraterritoriale e sul contratto di rete, verrà introdotto lo studio di un contratto di rete stipulato l’8 giugno 2010 tra le aziende che costituiscono il Polo Alta Moda Area Vestina. Attraverso le evidenze emerse da alcune interviste in profondità, sarà indagato il ruolo dell’azienda Brioni nella duplice veste di key player del territorio e di impresa capofila del contratto di rete analizzato e saranno esaminati gli altri attori che compongono il Polo Alta Moda. Le interviste realizzate hanno coinvolto i manager dell’impresa capofila del contratto di rete, il vice presidente Confindustria Pescara e presidente della Sezione Unificata Sistema Moda Chieti Pescara e il direttore delle fondazioni partecipanti al contratto.   This case study aims to validate how a culture-driven collaboration between firms could trigger the competitiveness of a Country, starting from a specific territorial culture. Specifically, it intends to investigate the validity of a new interpretation of the territorial governance processes, named “situationist”, that supports the prevailing

The Heat Shock Protein 26 Gene is Required for Ethanol Tolerance in Drosophila

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Awoyemi A. Awofala

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Stress plays an important role in drug- and addiction-related behaviours. However, the mechanisms underlying these behavioural responses are still poorly understood. In the light of recent reports that show consistent regulation of many genes encoding stress proteins including heat shock proteins following ethanol exposure in Drosophila , it was hypothesised that transition to alcohol dependence may involve the dysregulation of the circuits that mediate behavioural responses to stressors. Thus, behavioural genetic methodologies were used to investigate the role of the Drosophila hsp26 gene, a small heat shock protein coding gene which is induced in response to various stresses, in the development of rapid tolerance to ethanol sedation. Rapid tolerance was quantified as the percentage difference in the mean sedation times between the second and first ethanol exposure. Two independently isolated P-element mutations near the hsp26 gene eliminated the capacity for tolerance. In addition, RNAi-mediated functional knockdown of hsp26 expression in the glial cells and the whole nervous system also caused a defect in tolerance development. The rapid tolerance phenotype of the hsp26 mutants was rescued by the expression of the wild-type hsp26 gene in the nervous system. None of these manipulations of the hsp26 gene caused changes in the rate of ethanol absorption. Hsp26 genes are evolutionary conserved, thus the role of hsp26 in ethanol tolerance may present a new direction for research into alcohol dependency.

Gene therapy prospects--intranasal delivery of therapeutic genes.

Science.gov (United States)

Podolska, Karolina; Stachurska, Anna; Hajdukiewicz, Karolina; Małecki, Maciej

2012-01-01

Gene therapy is recognized to be a novel method for the treatment of various disorders. Gene therapy strategies involve gene manipulation on broad biological processes responsible for the spreading of diseases. Cancer, monogenic diseases, vascular and infectious diseases are the main targets of gene therapy. In order to obtain valuable experimental and clinical results, sufficient gene transfer methods are required. Therapeutic genes can be administered into target tissues via gene carriers commonly defined as vectors. The retroviral, adenoviral and adeno-associated virus based vectors are most frequently used in the clinic. So far, gene preparations may be administered directly into target organs or by intravenous, intramuscular, intratumor or intranasal injections. It is common knowledge that the number of gene therapy clinical trials has rapidly increased. However, some limitations such as transfection efficiency and stable and long-term gene expression are still not resolved. Consequently, great effort is focused on the evaluation of new strategies of gene delivery. There are many expectations associated with intranasal delivery of gene preparations for the treatment of diseases. Intranasal delivery of therapeutic genes is regarded as one of the most promising forms of pulmonary gene therapy research. Gene therapy based on inhalation of gene preparations offers an alternative way for the treatment of patients suffering from such lung diseases as cystic fibrosis, alpha-1-antitrypsin defect, or cancer. Experimental and first clinical trials based on plasmid vectors or recombinant viruses have revealed that gene preparations can effectively deliver therapeutic or marker genes to the cells of the respiratory tract. The noninvasive intranasal delivery of gene preparations or conventional drugs seems to be very encouraging, although basic scientific research still has to continue.

Dynein Heavy Chain, Encoded by Two Genes in Agaricomycetes, Is Required for Nuclear Migration in Schizophyllum commune.

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Melanie Brunsch

Full Text Available The white-rot fungus Schizophyllum commune (Agaricomycetes was used to study the cell biology of microtubular trafficking during mating interactions, when the two partners exchange nuclei, which are transported along microtubule tracks. For this transport activity, the motor protein dynein is required. In S. commune, the dynein heavy chain is encoded in two parts by two separate genes, dhc1 and dhc2. The N-terminal protein Dhc1 supplies the dimerization domain, while Dhc2 encodes the motor machinery and the microtubule binding domain. This split motor protein is unique to Basidiomycota, where three different sequence patterns suggest independent split events during evolution. To investigate the function of the dynein heavy chain, the gene dhc1 and the motor domain in dhc2 were deleted. Both resulting mutants were viable, but revealed phenotypes in hyphal growth morphology and mating behavior as well as in sexual development. Viability of strain Δdhc2 is due to the higher expression of kinesin-2 and kinesin-14, which was proven via RNA sequencing.

Theoretical Study of Molecular Determinants Involved in Signal Binding to the TraR Protein of Agrobacterium tumefaciens

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N. Kumar

2005-10-01

Full Text Available N-acylated homoserine lactone (AHL mediated cell-cell communication in bacteria is dependent on the recognition of the cognate signal by its receptor. This interaction allows the receptor-ligand complex to act as a transcriptional activator, controlling the expression of a range of bacterial phenotypes, including virulence factor expression and biofilm formation. One approach to determine the key features of signal- binding is to model the intermolecular interactions between the receptor and ligand using computational-based modeling software (LigandFit. In this communication, we have modeled the crystal structure of the AHL receptor protein TraR and its AHL signal N-(3- oxooctanoyl-homoserine lactone from Agrobacterium tumefaciens and compared it to the previously reported antagonist behaviour of a number of AHL analogues, in an attempt to determine structural constraints for ligand binding. We conclude that (i a common conformation of the AHL in the hydrophobic and hydrophilic region exists for ligand-binding, (ii a tail chain length threshold of 8 carbons is most favourable for ligand-binding affinity, (iii the positive correlation in the docking studies could be used a virtual screening tool.

Escolha do (a parceiro (a ideal por heterossexuais: são seus valores e traços de personalidade uma explicação? Choice of ideal partner by heterosexuals: are their values and personality traits an explanation?

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Ana Isabel A. S. de Brito Gomes

2013-01-01

Full Text Available O presente estudo objetivou conhecer em que medida os valores humanos e os traços de personalidade se correlacionam com atributos desejáveis do (a parceiro (a ideal entre heterossexuais. Participaram 205 pessoas (100 mulheres e 105 homens da população geral de João Pessoa (PB. Estes responderam aos seguintes instrumentos: Questionário dos Valores Básicos, Inventário dos Cinco Grandes Fatores e Escala de Atributos do Parceiro Ideal, além de perguntas sociodemográficas. Os valores se correlacionaram de forma teoricamente esperada com os atributos, sendo mais preponderantes do que os traços de personalidade. Quando comparados, homens e mulheres diferiram na importância dada a tais atributos. Finalmente, mostrou-se adequado o modelo hierárquico traços de personalidade → valores → atributos. Estes resultados foram discutidos tomando como referência a perspectiva evolucionista da escolha de parceiro e a teoria funcionalista dos valores humanos.This study aimed to know to which extent human values and personality traits are correlated with desirable attributes of an ideal partner among heterosexuals. Participants were 205 people (100 women and 105 men from the general population of João Pessoa-PB, Brazil. They answered the following instruments: Basic Values Survey, Big Five Inventory, Attributes of Ideal Partner Scale as well as socio-demographic questions. The values were correlated in a theoretically expected way with the attributes of an ideal partner, being more relevant than the personality traits. When they were compared, men and women differed in the importance given to these attributes. Finally, the hierarchical model of personality traits → values → attributes showed to be adequate. The findings were discussed based on the evolutionary perspective on mate choices and the functionalist theory of human values.

La certezza della pena tra lavoro nero e problematiche di integrazione / La certitude de la sanction entre travail au noir et problèmes d'intégration / Sanction Certainty between Illegal Work and Immigration Problems

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Bisi Roberta

2010-07-01

Full Text Available L’immissione di nuove popolazioni in una società provoca inevitabilmente sfide a carattere sociale. Affrontare i problemi che la popolazione immigrata pone significa, tra l’altro, considerare che si tratta di un attore sociale che, con i propri comportamenti, le proprie scelte, i propri orientamenti mette in continua discussione i meccanismi logici e le politiche presenti nelle società.

RNAi-Based Identification of Gene-Specific Nuclear Cofactor Networks Regulating Interleukin-1 Target Genes

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Johanna Meier-Soelch

2018-04-01

Full Text Available The potent proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL-1 triggers gene expression through the NF-κB signaling pathway. Here, we investigated the cofactor requirements of strongly regulated IL-1 target genes whose expression is impaired in p65 NF-κB-deficient murine embryonic fibroblasts. By two independent small-hairpin (shRNA screens, we examined 170 genes annotated to encode nuclear cofactors for their role in Cxcl2 mRNA expression and identified 22 factors that modulated basal or IL-1-inducible Cxcl2 levels. The functions of 16 of these factors were validated for Cxcl2 and further analyzed for their role in regulation of 10 additional IL-1 target genes by RT-qPCR. These data reveal that each inducible gene has its own (quantitative requirement of cofactors to maintain basal levels and to respond to IL-1. Twelve factors (Epc1, H2afz, Kdm2b, Kdm6a, Mbd3, Mta2, Phf21a, Ruvbl1, Sin3b, Suv420h1, Taf1, and Ube3a have not been previously implicated in inflammatory cytokine functions. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that they are components of complex nuclear protein networks that regulate chromatin functions and gene transcription. Collectively, these data suggest that downstream from the essential NF-κB signal each cytokine-inducible target gene has further subtle requirements for individual sets of nuclear cofactors that shape its transcriptional activation profile.

Deletion and Gene Expression Analyses Define the Paxilline Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Penicillium paxilli

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Emily J. Parker

2013-08-01

Full Text Available The indole-diterpene paxilline is an abundant secondary metabolite synthesized by Penicillium paxilli. In total, 21 genes have been identified at the PAX locus of which six have been previously confirmed to have a functional role in paxilline biosynthesis. A combination of bioinformatics, gene expression and targeted gene replacement analyses were used to define the boundaries of the PAX gene cluster. Targeted gene replacement identified seven genes, paxG, paxA, paxM, paxB, paxC, paxP and paxQ that were all required for paxilline production, with one additional gene, paxD, required for regular prenylation of the indole ring post paxilline synthesis. The two putative transcription factors, PP104 and PP105, were not co-regulated with the pax genes and based on targeted gene replacement, including the double knockout, did not have a role in paxilline production. The relationship of indole dimethylallyl transferases involved in prenylation of indole-diterpenes such as paxilline or lolitrem B, can be found as two disparate clades, not supported by prenylation type (e.g., regular or reverse. This paper provides insight into the P. paxilli indole-diterpene locus and reviews the recent advances identified in paxilline biosynthesis.

Murine craniofacial development requires Hdac3-mediated repression of Msx gene expression.

Science.gov (United States)

Singh, Nikhil; Gupta, Mudit; Trivedi, Chinmay M; Singh, Manvendra K; Li, Li; Epstein, Jonathan A

2013-05-15

Craniofacial development is characterized by reciprocal interactions between neural crest cells and neighboring cell populations of ectodermal, endodermal and mesodermal origin. Various genetic pathways play critical roles in coordinating the development of cranial structures by modulating the growth, survival and differentiation of neural crest cells. However, the regulation of these pathways, particularly at the epigenomic level, remains poorly understood. Using murine genetics, we show that neural crest cells exhibit a requirement for the class I histone deacetylase Hdac3 during craniofacial development. Mice in which Hdac3 has been conditionally deleted in neural crest demonstrate fully penetrant craniofacial abnormalities, including microcephaly, cleft secondary palate and dental hypoplasia. Consistent with these abnormalities, we observe dysregulation of cell cycle genes and increased apoptosis in neural crest structures in mutant embryos. Known regulators of cell cycle progression and apoptosis in neural crest, including Msx1, Msx2 and Bmp4, are upregulated in Hdac3-deficient cranial mesenchyme. These results suggest that Hdac3 serves as a critical regulator of craniofacial morphogenesis, in part by repressing core apoptotic pathways in cranial neural crest cells. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Genome-wide screening of the genes required for tolerance to vanillin, which is a potential inhibitor of bioethanol fermentation, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

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Tokuyasu Ken

2008-04-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Lignocellulosic materials are abundant and among the most important potential sources for bioethanol production. Although the pretreatment of lignocellulose is necessary for efficient saccharification and fermentation, numerous by-products, including furan derivatives, weak acids, and phenolic compounds, are generated in the pretreatment step. Many of these components inhibit the growth and fermentation of yeast. In particular, vanillin is one of the most effective inhibitors in lignocellulose hydrolysates because it inhibits fermentation at very low concentrations. To identify the genes required for tolerance to vanillin, we screened a set of diploid yeast deletion mutants, which are powerful tools for clarifying the function of particular genes. Results Seventy-six deletion mutants were identified as vanillin-sensitive mutants. The numerous deleted genes in the vanillin-sensitive mutants were classified under the functional categories for 'chromatin remodeling' and 'vesicle transport', suggesting that these functions are important for vanillin tolerance. The cross-sensitivity of the vanillin-sensitive mutants to furan derivatives, weak acids, and phenolic compounds was also examined. Genes for ergosterol biosynthesis were required for tolerance to all inhibitory compounds tested, suggesting that ergosterol is a key component of tolerance to various inhibitors. Conclusion Our analysis predicts that vanillin tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is affected by various complicated processes that take place on both the molecular and the cellular level. In addition, the ergosterol biosynthetic process is important for achieving a tolerance to various inhibitors. Our findings provide a biotechnological basis for the molecular engineering as well as for screening of more robust yeast strains that may potentially be useful in bioethanol fermentation.

PRMT1 mediated methylation of TAF15 is required for its positive gene regulatory function

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jobert, Laure; Argentini, Manuela [Institut de Genetique et de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), CNRS UMR 7104, INSERM U 596, Universite Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg, BP 10142 - 67404 Illkirch Cedex, CU de Strasbourg (France); Tora, Laszlo, E-mail: laszlo@igbmc.u-strasbg.fr [Institut de Genetique et de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), CNRS UMR 7104, INSERM U 596, Universite Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg, BP 10142 - 67404 Illkirch Cedex, CU de Strasbourg (France)

2009-04-15

TAF15 (formerly TAF{sub II}68) is a nuclear RNA-binding protein that is associated with a distinct population of TFIID and RNA polymerase II complexes. TAF15 harbours an N-terminal activation domain, an RNA recognition motif (RRM) and many Arg-Gly-Gly (RGG) repeats at its C-terminal end. The N-terminus of TAF15 serves as an essential transforming domain in the fusion oncoprotein created by chromosomal translocation in certain human chondrosarcomas. Post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs) of proteins are known to regulate their activity, however, nothing is known on how PTMs affect TAF15 function. Here we demonstrate that endogenous human TAF15 is methylated in vivo at its numerous RGG repeats. Furthermore, we identify protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) as a TAF15 interactor and the major PRMT responsible for its methylation. In addition, the RGG repeat-containing C-terminus of TAF15 is responsible for the shuttling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm and the methylation of RGG repeats affects the subcellular localization of TAF15. The methylation of TAF15 by PRMT1 is required for the ability of TAF15 to positively regulate the expression of the studied endogenous TAF15-target genes. Our findings demonstrate that arginine methylation of TAF15 by PRMT1 is a crucial event determining its proper localization and gene regulatory function.

PRMT1 mediated methylation of TAF15 is required for its positive gene regulatory function

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jobert, Laure; Argentini, Manuela; Tora, Laszlo

2009-01-01

TAF15 (formerly TAF II 68) is a nuclear RNA-binding protein that is associated with a distinct population of TFIID and RNA polymerase II complexes. TAF15 harbours an N-terminal activation domain, an RNA recognition motif (RRM) and many Arg-Gly-Gly (RGG) repeats at its C-terminal end. The N-terminus of TAF15 serves as an essential transforming domain in the fusion oncoprotein created by chromosomal translocation in certain human chondrosarcomas. Post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs) of proteins are known to regulate their activity, however, nothing is known on how PTMs affect TAF15 function. Here we demonstrate that endogenous human TAF15 is methylated in vivo at its numerous RGG repeats. Furthermore, we identify protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) as a TAF15 interactor and the major PRMT responsible for its methylation. In addition, the RGG repeat-containing C-terminus of TAF15 is responsible for the shuttling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm and the methylation of RGG repeats affects the subcellular localization of TAF15. The methylation of TAF15 by PRMT1 is required for the ability of TAF15 to positively regulate the expression of the studied endogenous TAF15-target genes. Our findings demonstrate that arginine methylation of TAF15 by PRMT1 is a crucial event determining its proper localization and gene regulatory function.

Potências animadas do traço: fixidez e animação da caricatura no humor gráfico

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Benjamim Picado

2012-06-01

Full Text Available Este artigo pretende examinar certos aspectos das relações entre o desenho e a representação de ações, a partir de um exame sobre tirinhas diárias. Estamos especialmente preocupados com a complementaridade entre os traços estilísticos da caricatura e a questão da compreensão sobre a animação potencial de sua apresentação plástica. Trabalhada a partir do sentido de mudança e de expressividade de seus motivos, a representação fisionômica na caricatura cumpre funções preparatórias para os regimes de significação narrativa na arte sequencial. Numa tal perspectiva, a morfologia dos caracteres do humor gráfico seria mais bem explanada se sua graça cômica fosse considerada como parte do problema geral de um estilo “lacunar” ou “expressivo” da caricatura.

Efeito da incorporação de hipoclorito de cálcio em gesso tipo III sobre a estabilidade dimensional, resistência à tração diametral e a compressão

OpenAIRE

Lucas, Matheus Guilherme; Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara - UNESP; Ribeiro, João Augusto Rabelo; Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara - UNESP; Butignon, Luis Eduardo; Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara - UNESP; Arioli Filho, João Neudenir; Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara - UNESP

2010-01-01

Neste trabalho foram analisadas as possíveis alterações promovidas pela incorporação de agentes desinfetantes na resistência à compressão, estabilidade dimensional linear e resistência à tração diametral de modelos em gesso. As amostras foram confeccionadas em gesso pedra tipo III e divididas nos seguintes grupos: Grupo 1- controle (espatulado de acordo com as recomendações do fabricante); Grupo 2-...

Situação epidemiológica da anemia infecciosa equina em equídeos de tração do Distrito Federal

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Daniella D.A. Moraes

Full Text Available RESUMO: A anemia infecciosa equina (AIE é uma doença causada por um lentivirus que possui distribuição mundial. Essa enfermidade é um entrave ao desenvolvimento da equinocultura no Brasil devido à obrigatoriedade de eutanásia dos animais positivos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar a prevalência de AIE em equídeos de tração no Distrito Federal, assim como identificar fatores de risco associados à doença. Foram sorteados aleatoriamente 350 proprietários (Unidades Primárias de Amostragem- UPA e foram amostrados todos os equídeos (Unidades secundárias de Amostragem de cada proprietário sorteado, totalizando 496 animais. As amostras sanguíneas foram analisadas no Lanagro/MG por meio da técnica de imunodifusão em ágar gel (IDGA. No momento da coleta de sangue, também foi aplicado um questionário epidemiológico para a análise de possíveis fatores de risco. A prevalência de AIE nas UPA foi estimada em 2,29%, (IC 95%: 1,01-4,2% e nos animais foi de 1,81% (IC 95%: 0,55-3,07%. A prevalência foi significativamente maior em muares do que em equinos. Não foi possível comprovar a presença de nenhum outro fator de risco associado à doença. Este estudo demonstra que a prevalência da AIE em equídeos de tração é baixa no Distrito Federal, porém mais alta do que os dados de vigilância de rotina sugerem, o que justifica a eutanásia dos equídeos reagentes, com a finalidade de promover a erradicação da enfermidade. Ratifica-se a importância da realização de exames periódicos nesses animais e a manutenção das atividades de vigilância.

RNAi-Mediated Knock-Down of transformer and transformer 2 to Generate Male-Only Progeny in the Oriental Fruit Fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel).

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Guiqing; Wu, Qiang; Li, Jianwei; Zhang, Guifen; Wan, Fanghao

2015-01-01

The transformer (tra) gene appears to act as the genetic switch that promotes female development by interaction with the transformer2 (tra-2) gene in several dipteran species including the Medfly, housefly and Drosophila melanogaster. In this study, we describe the isolation, expression and function of tra and tra-2 in the economically important agricultural pest, the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). Bdtra and Bdtra-2 are similar to their homologs from other tephritid species. Bdtra demonstrated sex-specific transcripts: one transcript in females and two transcripts in males. In contrast, Bdtra-2 only had one transcript that was common to males and females, which was transcribed continuously in different adult tissues and developmental stages. Bdtra-2 and the female form of Bdtra were maternally inherited in eggs, whereas the male form of Bdtra was not detectable until embryos of 1 and 2 h after egg laying. Function analyses of Bdtra and Bdtra-2 indicated that both were indispensable for female development, as nearly 100% males were obtained with embryonic RNAi against either Bdtra or Bdtra-2. The fertility of these RNAi-generated males was subsequently tested. More than 80% of RNAi-generated males could mate and the mated females could lay eggs, but only 40-48.6% males gave rise to progeny. In XX-reversed males and intersex individuals, no clear female gonadal morphology was observed after dissection. These results shed light on the development of a genetic sexing system with male-only release for this agricultural pest.

Estudo da síndrome de tração macular vítreo-retiniana idiopática por meio da tomografia de coerência óptica: relato de casos A study of idiophatic vitreomacular traction syndrome with optical coherence tomography images: cases report

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Hélio Paulo Primiano Júnior

2007-02-01

Full Text Available OBJETIVOS: Avaliar alterações estruturais observadas na síndrome de tração macular vítreo-retiniana idiopática (STMI pela tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT, antes e depois da vitrectomia; identificar situações em que a tomografia de coerência óptica fornece informações adicionais da morfologia e patogênese desta doença. MÉTODOS: Imagens tomográficas (OCT Stratus comparativas da estrutura vítreo-retiniana foram realizadas em quatro pacientes, em estágios variados da síndrome de tração macular vítreo-retiniana idiopática. RESULTADOS: A tomografia de coerência óptica Stratus apresenta imagens vítreo-retinianas que auxiliam na conduta e tratamento da síndrome de tração macular vítreo-retiniana idiopatica. CONCLUSÃO: O exame da tomografia de coerência óptica permite boa visualização da arquitetura morfológica do vítreo e da retina na síndrome de tração macular vítreo-retiniana idiopática. Este exame nos auxilia na compreensão da patogênese, no planejamento do tratamento, clínico ou cirúrgico, e na avaliação pós-operatória das alterações estruturais retinianas.PURPOSE: To evaluate the features of idiophatic vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMT with ocular coherence tomography (OCT - Stratus, before and after vitrectomy; to identify situations where ocular coherence tomography provides additional information on disease morphology and pathogenesis. METHODS: Comparative retinal ocular coherence tomography imaging was performed in four patients with different stages of vitreomacular traction syndrome. RESULTS: Standard-resolution ocular coherence tomography Stratus provides vitreous-retinal images that help the management and treatment of vitreomacular traction syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Standard-resolution ocular coherence tomography allows good visualization of the architectural morphology of the vitreous and retina in vitreomacular traction syndrome. It helps understanding its pathogenesis, planning

A new component of the Nasonia sex determining cascade is maternally silenced and regulates transformer expression.

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Verhulst, Eveline C; Lynch, Jeremy A; Bopp, Daniel; Beukeboom, Leo W; van de Zande, Louis

2013-01-01

Although sex determination is a universal process in sexually reproducing organisms, sex determination pathways are among the most highly variable genetic systems found in nature. Nevertheless, general principles can be identified among the diversity, like the central role of transformer (tra) in insects. When a functional TRA protein is produced in early embryogenesis, the female sex determining route is activated, while prevention of TRA production leads to male development. In dipterans, male development is achieved by prevention of female-specific splicing of tra mRNA, either mediated by X-chromosome dose or masculinizing factors. In Hymenoptera, which have haplodiploid sex determination, complementary sex determination and maternal imprinting have been identified to regulate timely TRA production. In the parasitoid Nasonia, zygotic transformer (Nvtra) expression and splicing is regulated by a combination of maternal provision of Nvtra mRNA and silencing of Nvtra expression in unfertilized eggs. It is unclear, however, if this silencing is directly on the tra locus or whether it is mediated through maternal silencing of a trans-acting factor. Here we show that in Nasonia, female sex determination is dependent on zygotic activation of Nvtra expression by an as yet unknown factor. This factor, which we propose to term womanizer (wom), is maternally silenced during oogenesis to ensure male development in unfertilized eggs. This finding implicates the upstream recruitment of a novel gene in the Nasonia sex determining cascade and supports the notion that sex determining cascades can rapidly change by adding new components on top of existing regulators.

A New Component of the Nasonia Sex Determining Cascade Is Maternally Silenced and Regulates Transformer Expression

Science.gov (United States)

Bopp, Daniel; Beukeboom, Leo W.; van de Zande, Louis

2013-01-01

Although sex determination is a universal process in sexually reproducing organisms, sex determination pathways are among the most highly variable genetic systems found in nature. Nevertheless, general principles can be identified among the diversity, like the central role of transformer (tra) in insects. When a functional TRA protein is produced in early embryogenesis, the female sex determining route is activated, while prevention of TRA production leads to male development. In dipterans, male development is achieved by prevention of female-specific splicing of tra mRNA, either mediated by X-chromosome dose or masculinizing factors. In Hymenoptera, which have haplodiploid sex determination, complementary sex determination and maternal imprinting have been identified to regulate timely TRA production. In the parasitoid Nasonia, zygotic transformer (Nvtra) expression and splicing is regulated by a combination of maternal provision of Nvtra mRNA and silencing of Nvtra expression in unfertilized eggs. It is unclear, however, if this silencing is directly on the tra locus or whether it is mediated through maternal silencing of a trans-acting factor. Here we show that in Nasonia, female sex determination is dependent on zygotic activation of Nvtra expression by an as yet unknown factor. This factor, which we propose to term womanizer (wom), is maternally silenced during oogenesis to ensure male development in unfertilized eggs. This finding implicates the upstream recruitment of a novel gene in the Nasonia sex determining cascade and supports the notion that sex determining cascades can rapidly change by adding new components on top of existing regulators. PMID:23717455

The milkweed pod1 gene encodes a KANADI protein that is required for abaxial/adaxial patterning in maize leaves.

Science.gov (United States)

Candela, Héctor; Johnston, Robyn; Gerhold, Abigail; Foster, Toshi; Hake, Sarah

2008-08-01

Leaf primordia initiate from the shoot apical meristem with inherent polarity; the adaxial side faces the meristem, while the abaxial side faces away from the meristem. Adaxial/abaxial polarity is thought to be necessary for laminar growth of leaves, as mutants lacking either adaxial or abaxial cell types often develop radially symmetric lateral organs. The milkweed pod1 (mwp1) mutant of maize (Zea mays) has adaxialized sectors in the sheath, the proximal part of the leaf. Ectopic leaf flaps develop where adaxial and abaxial cell types juxtapose. Ectopic expression of the HD-ZIPIII gene rolled leaf1 (rld1) correlates with the adaxialized regions. Cloning of mwp1 showed that it encodes a KANADI transcription factor. Double mutants of mwp1-R with a microRNA-resistant allele of rld1, Rld1-N1990, show a synergistic phenotype with polarity defects in sheath and blade and a failure to differentiate vascular and photosynthetic cell types in the adaxialized sectors. The sectored phenotype and timing of the defect suggest that mwp1 is required late in leaf development to maintain abaxial cell fate. The phenotype of mwp1; Rld1 double mutants shows that both genes are also required early in leaf development to delineate leaf margins as well as to initiate vascular and photosynthetic tissues.

The Vaccinium corymbosum FLOWERING LOCUS T-like gene (VcFT): a flowering activator reverses photoperiodic and chilling requirements in blueberry.

Science.gov (United States)

Song, Guo-qing; Walworth, Aaron; Zhao, Dongyan; Jiang, Ning; Hancock, James F

2013-11-01

The blueberry FLOWERING LOCUS T ( FT )-like gene ( VcFT ) cloned from the cDNA of a tetraploid, northern highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is able to reverse the photoperiodic and chilling requirements and drive early and continuous flowering. Blueberry is a woody perennial bush with a longer juvenile period than annual crops, requiring vernalization to flower normally. Few studies have been reported on the molecular mechanism of flowering in blueberry or other woody plants. Because FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) from Arabidopsis thaliana plays a multifaceted role in generating mobile molecular signals to regulate plant flowering time, isolation and functional analysis of the blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) FT-like gene (VcFT) will facilitate the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of flowering in woody plants. Based on EST sequences, a 525-bpVcFT was identified and cloned from the cDNA of a tetraploid, northern highbush blueberry cultivar, Bluecrop. Ectopic expression of 35S:VcFT in tobacco induced flowering an average of 28 days earlier than wild-type plants. Expression of the 35S:VcFT in the blueberry cultivar Aurora resulted in an extremely early flowering phenotype, which flowered not only during in vitro culture, a growth stage when nontransgenic shoots had not yet flowered, but also in 6-10-week old, soil-grown transgenic plants, in contrast to the fact that at least 1 year and 800 chilling hours are required for the appearance of the first flower of both nontransgenic 'Aurora' and transgenic controls with the gusA. These results demonstrate that the VcFT is a functional floral activator and overexpression of the VcFT is able to reverse the photoperiodic and chilling requirements and drive early and continuous flowering.

ROS signalling - specificity is required

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Møller, Ian M; Sweetlove, Lee J

2010-01-01

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increases in plants under stress. ROS can damage cellular components, but they can also act in signal transduction to help the cell counteract the oxidative damage in the stressed compartment. H2O2 might induce a general stress response, but it does not have...... the required specificity to selectively regulate nuclear genes required for dealing with localized stress, e.g. in chloroplasts or mitochondria. Here we argue that peptides deriving from proteolytic breakdown of oxidatively damaged proteins have the requisite specificity to act as secondary ROS messengers...... and regulate source-specific genes and in this way contribute to retrograde ROS signalling during oxidative stress. Likewise, unmodified peptides deriving from the breakdown of redundant proteins could help coordinate organellar and nuclear gene expression...

Traços identitários da enfermeira-gerente em hospitais privados de Belo Horizonte, Brasil The nurse manager's identity features in private hospitals of Belo Horizonte, Brazil

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Maria José Menezes Brito

2008-06-01

Full Text Available Com o propósito de compreender aspectos subjetivos do trabalho da enfermeira-gerente, buscou-se, por meio deste estudo, analisar os traços identitários da enfermeira-gerente no contexto de instituições hospitalares a partir do questionamento fundamentado na apresentação que os sujeitos fazem de si mesmos. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, com abordagem qualitativa, do qual participaram nove enfermeiras-gerente que atuam em quatro instituições hospitalares privadas de médio e grande porte, no município de Belo Horizonte. Os traços identitários foram organizados de acordo com os planos profissional, organizacional e individual, os quais abrangem: preservação e reforço de identidade social da enfermeira, a trajetória profissional como uma evolução da prática da assistência para o exercício da gerência, valorização da experiência prática e permanência em atividades ligadas à prestação da assistência direta ao paciente; identificação com a organização; e questões relativas à vida privada e auto-imagem positiva expressa pelas gerentes. O estudo permitiu a identificação de traços marcantes de um grupo profissional específico, evidenciando a influência das questões de gênero, das relações de poder e da cultura na identidade social dos sujeitos pesquisados.Aiming to understand subjective aspects of the work of nurse managers, this study analyzed their identity features in the context of hospital institutions. These were obtained through a questioning based on the introduction that the subjects make of themselves. It is a case study carried out according to the qualitative approach, in which nine nurse managers participated. They worked at four large- and medium-sized private hospitals in the city of Belo Horizonte. The identity features were organized in accordance with the professional, institutional and individual planes, which encompass: the preservation and reinforcement of the nurse's social identity

Gene cluster statistics with gene families.

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Raghupathy, Narayanan; Durand, Dannie

2009-05-01

Identifying genomic regions that descended from a common ancestor is important for understanding the function and evolution of genomes. In distantly related genomes, clusters of homologous gene pairs are evidence of candidate homologous regions. Demonstrating the statistical significance of such "gene clusters" is an essential component of comparative genomic analyses. However, currently there are no practical statistical tests for gene clusters that model the influence of the number of homologs in each gene family on cluster significance. In this work, we demonstrate empirically that failure to incorporate gene family size in gene cluster statistics results in overestimation of significance, leading to incorrect conclusions. We further present novel analytical methods for estimating gene cluster significance that take gene family size into account. Our methods do not require complete genome data and are suitable for testing individual clusters found in local regions, such as contigs in an unfinished assembly. We consider pairs of regions drawn from the same genome (paralogous clusters), as well as regions drawn from two different genomes (orthologous clusters). Determining cluster significance under general models of gene family size is computationally intractable. By assuming that all gene families are of equal size, we obtain analytical expressions that allow fast approximation of cluster probabilities. We evaluate the accuracy of this approximation by comparing the resulting gene cluster probabilities with cluster probabilities obtained by simulating a realistic, power-law distributed model of gene family size, with parameters inferred from genomic data. Surprisingly, despite the simplicity of the underlying assumption, our method accurately approximates the true cluster probabilities. It slightly overestimates these probabilities, yielding a conservative test. We present additional simulation results indicating the best choice of parameter values for data

Sequence analysis and molecular characterization of genes required for the biosynthesis of type 1 capsular polysaccharide in Staphylococcus aureus.

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Lin, W S; Cunneen, T; Lee, C Y

1994-11-01

We previously cloned a 19.4-kb DNA region containing a cluster of genes affecting type 1 capsule production from Staphylococcus aureus M. Subcloning experiments showed that these capsule (cap) genes are localized in a 14.6-kb region. Sequencing analysis of the 14.6-kb fragment revealed 13 open reading frames (ORFs). Using complementation tests, we have mapped a collection of Cap- mutations in 10 of the 13 ORFs, indicating that these 10 genes are involved in capsule biosynthesis. The requirement for the remaining three ORFs in the synthesis of the capsule was demonstrated by constructing site-specific mutations corresponding to each of the three ORFs. Using an Escherichia coli S30 in vitro transcription-translation system, we clearly identified 7 of the 13 proteins predicted from the ORFs. Homology search between the predicted proteins and those in the data bank showed very high homology (52.3% identity) between capL and vipA, moderate homology (29% identity) between capI and vipB, and limited homology (21.8% identity) between capM and vipC. The vipA, vipB, and vipC genes have been shown to be involved in the biosynthesis of Salmonella typhi Vi antigen, a homopolymer polysaccharide consisting of N-acetylgalactosamino uronic acid, which is also one of the components of the staphylococcal type 1 capsule. The homology between these sets of genes therefore suggests that capL, capI, and capM may be involved in the biosynthesis of amino sugar, N-acetylgalactosamino uronic acid. In addition, the search showed that CapG aligned well with the consensus sequence of a family of acetyltransferases from various prokaryotic organisms, suggesting that CapG may be an acetyltransferase. Using the isogenic Cap- and Cap+ strains constructed in this study, we have confirmed that type 1 capsule is an important virulence factor in a mouse lethality test.

Evolution of New cis-Regulatory Motifs Required for Cell-Specific Gene Expression in Caenorhabditis.

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Michalis Barkoulas

2016-09-01

Full Text Available Patterning of C. elegans vulval cell fates relies on inductive signaling. In this induction event, a single cell, the gonadal anchor cell, secretes LIN-3/EGF and induces three out of six competent precursor cells to acquire a vulval fate. We previously showed that this developmental system is robust to a four-fold variation in lin-3/EGF genetic dose. Here using single-molecule FISH, we find that the mean level of expression of lin-3 in the anchor cell is remarkably conserved. No change in lin-3 expression level could be detected among C. elegans wild isolates and only a low level of change-less than 30%-in the Caenorhabditis genus and in Oscheius tipulae. In C. elegans, lin-3 expression in the anchor cell is known to require three transcription factor binding sites, specifically two E-boxes and a nuclear-hormone-receptor (NHR binding site. Mutation of any of these three elements in C. elegans results in a dramatic decrease in lin-3 expression. Yet only a single E-box is found in the Drosophilae supergroup of Caenorhabditis species, including C. angaria, while the NHR-binding site likely only evolved at the base of the Elegans group. We find that a transgene from C. angaria bearing a single E-box is sufficient for normal expression in C. elegans. Even a short 58 bp cis-regulatory fragment from C. angaria with this single E-box is able to replace the three transcription factor binding sites at the endogenous C. elegans lin-3 locus, resulting in the wild-type expression level. Thus, regulatory evolution occurring in cis within a 58 bp lin-3 fragment, results in a strict requirement for the NHR binding site and a second E-box in C. elegans. This single-cell, single-molecule, quantitative and functional evo-devo study demonstrates that conserved expression levels can hide extensive change in cis-regulatory site requirements and highlights the evolution of new cis-regulatory elements required for cell-specific gene expression.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEXUAL DIMORPHISM: STUDIES OF THE C. ELEGANS MALE

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Emmons, Scott W.

2014-01-01

Studies of the development of the C. elegans male have been carried out with the aim of understanding the basis of sexual dimorphism. Postembryonic development of the two C. elegans sexes differs extensively. Development along either the hermaphrodite or male pathway is specified initially by the X to autosome ratio. The regulatory events initiated by this ratio include a male-determining paracrine intercellular signal. Expression of this signal leads to different consequences in three regions of the body: the non-gonadal soma, the somatic parts of the gonad, and the germ line. In the non-gonadal soma, activity of the key Zn-finger transcription factor TRA 1 determines hermaphrodite development; in its absence, the male pathway is followed. Only a few genes directly regulated by TRA 1 are currently known, including members of the evolutionarily conserved, male-determining DM domain Zn-finger transcription factors. In the somatic parts of the gonad and germ line, absence of TRA 1 activity is not sufficient for full expression of the male pathway. Several additional transcription factors involved have been identified. In the germ line, regulatory genes for sperm development that act at the level of RNA in the cytoplasm play a prominent role. PMID:25262817

The Acinetobacter baumannii Two-Component System AdeRS Regulates Genes Required for Multidrug Efflux, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence in a Strain-Specific Manner

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Grace E. Richmond

2016-04-01

Full Text Available The opportunistic pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii is able to persist in the environment and is often multidrug resistant (MDR, causing difficulties in the treatment of infections. Here, we show that the two-component system AdeRS, which regulates the production of the AdeABC multidrug resistance efflux pump, is required for the formation of a protective biofilm in an ex vivo porcine mucosal model, which mimics a natural infection of the human epithelium. Interestingly, deletion of adeB impacted only on the ability of strain AYE to form a biofilm on plastic and only on the virulence of strain Singapore 1 for Galleria mellonella. RNA-Seq revealed that loss of AdeRS or AdeB significantly altered the transcriptional landscape, resulting in the changed expression of many genes, notably those associated with antimicrobial resistance and virulence interactions. For example, A. baumannii lacking AdeRS displayed decreased expression of adeABC, pil genes, com genes, and a pgaC-like gene, whereas loss of AdeB resulted in increased expression of pil and com genes and decreased expression of ferric acinetobactin transport system genes. These data define the scope of AdeRS-mediated regulation, show that changes in the production of AdeABC mediate important phenotypes controlled by AdeRS, and suggest that AdeABC is a viable target for antimicrobial drug and antibiofilm discovery.

Genes required for Lactococcus garvieae survival in a fish host.

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Menéndez, Aurora; Fernández, Lucia; Reimundo, Pilar; Guijarro, José A

2007-10-01

Lactococcus garvieae is considered an emergent pathogen in aquaculture and it is also associated with mastitis in domestic animals as well as human endocarditis and septicaemia. In spite of this, the pathogenic mechanisms of this bacterium are poorly understood. Signature-tagged mutagenesis was used to identify virulence factors and to establish the basis of pathogen-host interactions. A library of 1250 L. garvieae UNIUD074-tagged Tn917 mutants in 25 pools was screened for the ability to grow in fish. Among them, 29 mutants (approx. 2.4 %) were identified which could not be recovered from rainbow trout following infection. Sequence analysis of the tagged Tn917-interrupted genes in these mutants indicated the participation in pathogenesis of the transcriptional regulatory proteins homologous to GidA and MerR; the metabolic enzymes asparagine synthetase A and alpha-acetolactate synthase; the ABC transport system of glutamine and a calcium-transporting ATPase; the dltA locus involved in alanylation of teichoic acids; and hypothetical proteins containing EAL and Eis domains, among others. Competence index experiments in several of the selected mutants confirmed the relevance of the Tn917-interrupted genes in the development of the infection process. The results suggested some of the metabolic routes and enzymic systems necessary for the complete virulence of this bacterium. This work is believed to represent the first report of a genome-wide scan for virulence factors in L. garvieae. The identified genes will further our understanding of the pathogenesis of L. garvieae infections and may provide targets for intervention or lead to the development of novel therapies.

Characterization of epidemic IncI1-Iγ plasmids harboring ambler class A and C genes in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica from animals and humans.

Science.gov (United States)

Smith, Hilde; Bossers, Alex; Harders, Frank; Wu, Guanghui; Woodford, Neil; Schwarz, Stefan; Guerra, Beatriz; Rodríguez, Irene; van Essen-Zandbergen, Alieda; Brouwer, Michael; Mevius, Dik

2015-09-01

The aim of the study was to identify the plasmid-encoded factors contributing to the emergence and spread of epidemic IncI1-Iγ plasmids obtained from Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica isolates from animal and human reservoirs. For this, 251 IncI1-Iγ plasmids carrying various extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) or AmpC β-lactamase genes were compared using plasmid multilocus sequence typing (pMLST). Thirty-two of these plasmids belonging to different pMLST types were sequenced using Roche 454 and Illumina platforms. Epidemic IncI1-Iγ plasmids could be assigned to various dominant clades, whereas rarely detected plasmids clustered together as a distinct clade. Similar phylogenetic trees were obtained using only the plasmid backbone sequences, showing that the differences observed between the plasmids belonging to distinct clades resulted mainly from differences between their backbone sequences. Plasmids belonging to the various clades differed particularly in the presence/absence of genes encoding partitioning and addiction systems, which contribute to stable inheritance during cell division and plasmid maintenance. Despite this, plasmids belonging to the various phylogenetic clades also showed marked resistance gene associations, indicating the circulation of successful plasmid-gene combinations. The variation in traY and excA genes found in IncI1-Iγ plasmids is conserved within pMLST sequence types and plays a role in incompatibility, although functional study is needed to elucidate the role of these genes in plasmid epidemiology. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Effects of Addition of Systemic Tramadol or Adjunct Tramadol to Lidocaine Used for Intravenous Regional Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Hand Surgery

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Abdulkadir Yektaş

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA is used in outpatient hand surgery as an easily applicable and cost-effective technique with clinical advantages. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of addition of systemic tramadol or adjunct tramadol to lidocaine for IVRA in patients undergoing hand surgery. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA I-II patients (n=60 who underwent hand surgery were included. For this purpose, only lidocaine (LDC, lidocaine+adjunct tramadol (LDC+TRA group, or lidocaine+systemic tramadol (LDC+SysTRA group was administered to the patients for IVRA and the groups were compared in terms of onset and recovery time of sensory and motor blocks, quality of anesthesia, and the degree of intraoperative and postoperative pain. The onset time of sensorial block was significantly shorter in the LDC+TRA group than that in the LDC+SysTRA group. The motor block recovery time was significantly shorter in the LDC+SysTRA group than that in the LDC+TRA and LDC groups. Administration of tramadol as an adjunct showed some clinical benefits by providing a shorter onset time of sensory and motor block, decreasing pain and analgesic requirement, and improving intraoperative conditions during IVRA. It was determined that systemic tramadol administration had no superiority.

A genetic screen for modifiers of UFO meristem activity identifies three novel FUSED FLORAL ORGANS genes required for early flower development in Arabidopsis.

Science.gov (United States)

Levin, J Z; Fletcher, J C; Chen, X; Meyerowitz, E M

1998-06-01

In a screen to identify novel genes required for early Arabidopsis flower development, we isolated four independent mutations that enhance the Ufo phenotype toward the production of filamentous structures in place of flowers. The mutants fall into three complementation groups, which we have termed FUSED FLORAL ORGANS (FFO) loci. ffo mutants have specific defects in floral organ separation and/or positioning; thus, the FFO genes identify components of a boundary formation mechanism(s) acting between developing floral organ primordia. FFO1 and FFO3 have specific functions in cauline leaf/stem separation and in first- and third-whorl floral organ separation, with FFO3 likely acting to establish and FFO1 to maintain floral organ boundaries. FFO2 acts at early floral stages to regulate floral organ number and positioning and to control organ separation within and between whorls. Plants doubly mutant for two ffo alleles display additive phenotypes, indicating that the FFO genes may act in separate pathways. Plants doubly mutant for an ffo gene and for ufo, lfy, or clv3 reveal that the FFO genes play roles related to those of UFO and LFY in floral meristem initiation and that FFO2 and FFO3 may act to control cell proliferation late in inflorescence development.

Uso de traçadores fluorescentes para determinar características de transporte e dispersão no Rio Piabanha (RJ) para a modelagem quali-quantitativa pelo HEC-RAS

OpenAIRE

Silva, Paulo Vitor Ribeiro Marques da; Pecly, José Otávio Goulart; Azevedo, José Paulo Soares de

2017-01-01

RESUMO Um estudo de campo foi realizado em um trecho de aproximadamente 70 km do rio Piabanha, localizado entre Petrópolis e Areal, na região serrana do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, para estimar as características de transporte e dispersão de contaminantes usando técnicas de traçadores fluorescentes. A análise dos resultados de dois trabalhos de campo, realizados no outono de 2012, permitiu determinar os valores de tempo de trânsito, vazão líquida, velocidade média e coeficiente de dispersão lon...

VID22 is required for transcriptional activation of the PSD2 gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

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Miyata, Non; Miyoshi, Takuya; Yamaguchi, Takanori; Nakazono, Toshimitsu; Tani, Motohiro; Kuge, Osamu

2015-12-15

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is synthesized through decarboxylation of phosphatidylserine (PS), catalysed by PS decarboxylase 1 (Psd1p) and 2 (Psd2p) and the cytidine 5'-diphosphate (CDP)-ethanolamine (CDP-Etn) pathway. PSD1 null (psd1Δ) and PSD2 null (psd2Δ) mutants are viable in a synthetic minimal medium, but a psd1Δ psd2Δ double mutant exhibits Etn auxotrophy, which is incorporated into PE through the CDP-Etn pathway. We have previously shown that psd1Δ is synthetic lethal with deletion of VID22 (vid22Δ) [Kuroda et al. (2011) Mol. Microbiol. 80: , 248-265]. In the present study, we found that vid22Δ mutant exhibits Etn auxotrophy under PSD1-depressed conditions. Deletion of VID22 in wild-type and PSD1-depressed cells caused partial defects in PE formation through decarboxylation of PS. The enzyme activity of PS decarboxylase in an extract of vid22Δ cells was ∼70% of that in wild-type cells and similar to that in psd2Δ cells and the PS decarboxylase activity remaining in the PSD1-depressed cells became almost negligible with deletion of VID22. Thus, the vid22Δ mutation was suggested to cause a defect in the Psd2p activity. Furthermore, vid22Δ cells were shown to be defective in expression of the PSD2 gene tagged with 6×HA, the defect being ameliorated by replacement of the native promoter of the PSD2 gene with a CYC1 promoter. In addition, an α-galactosidase reporter assay revealed that the activity of the promoter of the PSD2 gene in vid22Δ cells was ∼5% of that in wild-type cells. These results showed that VID22 is required for transcriptional activation of the PSD2 gene. © 2015 Authors; published by Portland Press Limited.

Down-regulation of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase during fasting requires that a gene, separate from the lipase gene, is switched on.

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Bergö, Martin; Wu, Gengshu; Ruge, Toralph; Olivecrona, Thomas

2002-04-05

During short term fasting, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in rat adipose tissue is rapidly down-regulated. This down-regulation occurs on a posttranslational level; it is not accompanied by changes in LPL mRNA or protein levels. The LPL activity can be restored within 4 h by refeeding. Previously, we showed that during fasting there is a shift in the distribution of lipase protein toward an inactive form with low heparin affinity. To study the nature of the regulatory mechanism, we determined the in vivo turnover of LPL activity, protein mass, and mRNA in rat adipose tissue. When protein synthesis was inhibited with cycloheximide, LPL activity and protein mass decreased rapidly and in parallel with half-lives of around 2 h, and the effect of refeeding was blocked. This indicates that maintaining high levels of LPL activity requires continuous synthesis of new enzyme protein. When transcription was inhibited by actinomycin, LPL mRNA decreased with half-lives of 13.3 and 16.8 h in the fed and fasted states, respectively, demonstrating slow turnover of the LPL transcript. Surprisingly, when actinomycin was given to fed rats, LPL activity was not down-regulated during fasting, indicating that actinomycin interferes with the transcription of a gene that blocks the activation of newly synthesized LPL protein. When actinomycin was given to fasted rats, LPL activity increased 4-fold within 6 h, even in the absence of refeeding. The same effect was seen with alpha-amanitin, another inhibitor of transcription. The response to actinomycin was much less pronounced in aging rats, which are obese and insulin-resistant. These data suggest a default state where LPL protein is synthesized on a relatively stable mRNA and is processed into its active form. During fasting, a gene is switched on whose product prevents the enzyme from becoming active even though synthesis of LPL protein continues unabated.

Chemical characteristics and Kraft pulping of tension wood from Eucalyptus globulus labill Características químicas e polpação Kraft de madeira de tração de Eucalyptus globulus labill

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María Graciela Aguayo

2012-12-01

Full Text Available Tension (TW and opposite wood (OW of Eucalyptus globulus trees were analyzed for its chemical characteristics and Kraft pulp production. Lignin content was 16% lower and contained 32% more syringyl units in TW than in OW. The increase in syringyl units favoured the formation of β-O-4 bonds that was also higher in TW than in OW (84% vs. 64%, respectively. The effect of these wood features was evaluated in the production of Kraft pulps from both types of wood. At kappa number 16, Kraft pulps obtained from TW demanded less active alkali in delignification and presented slightly higher or similar pulp yield than pulps made with OW. Fiber length, coarseness and intrinsic viscosity were also higher in tension than in opposite pulps. When pulps where refined to 30°SR, TW pulps needed 18% more revolutions in the PFI mill to achieve the same beating degree than OW pulps. Strength properties (tensile, tear and burst indexes were slightly higher or similar in tension as compared with opposite wood pulps. After an OD0(EOD1 bleaching sequence, both pulps achieved up to 89% ISO brightness. Bleached pulps from TW presented higher viscosity and low amount of hexenuronic acids than pulps from OW. Results showed that TW presented high xylans and low lignin content that caused a decrease in alkali consumption, increase pulp strength properties and similar bleaching performance as compared with pulps from OW.Madeira de tração e oposta de árvores de Eucalyptus globulus foram analisadas quanto a suas características químicas e produção de polpa Kraft. A caracterização química da madeira de tração (TW de Eucalyptus globulus Labill. mostrou um conteúdo similar de celulose, alto conteúdo de xilanas e baixo conteúdo de lignina quando comparada com a madeira oposta (OW de uma mesma árvore. O conteúdo de lignina foi 16% menor e contém 32% mais unidades siringila em TW que em OW. O aumento das unidades siringila favoreceu a formação de ligações �

Riscos e benefícios da triagem genética: o traço falciforme como modelo de estudo em uma população brasileira

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Silva Roberto Benedito de Paiva e

1997-01-01

Full Text Available A triagem populacional de heterozigotos assintomáticos para fins de orientação genética é um procedimento bastante controvertido, por envolver o risco de rotulação, discriminação, estigmatização, perda de auto-estima e invasão de privacidade. Assim sendo, investigou-se no presente trabalho os efeitos da orientação genética fornecida a indivíduos diagnosticados como heterozigotos do gene da hemoglobina S (heterozigotos AS, portadores do traço falciforme durante a triagem de doadores de sangue. Foram convidados por carta 92 doadores AS para receber orientação genética gratuita e individualizada, 66 dos quais (72% aceitaram o convite. Cerca de 50% dos indivíduos trouxeram a parceira e/ou os filhos para investigação laboratorial das hemoglobinopatias, identificando-se assim alguns casais de risco e algumas crianças com anemia hemolítica crônica. Seis meses após o fornecimento da orientação genética, foi possível avaliar por entrevista pessoal ou por carta-questionário 43 doadores AS (65%, constatando-se uma boa assimilação das informações fornecidas. A orientação genética não produziu mudanças significativas na vida da maioria dos indivíduos e os riscos teóricos da orientação genética não aparecem de forma preocupante na casuística examinada. Foram constatados de forma esporádica, no entanto, indícios de estigmatização, rotulação, discriminação, perda da auto-estima e invasão de privacidade.

The Arabidopsis NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 genes are functionally redundant and are required in early embryogenesis.

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Monica Fornari

Full Text Available Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y is a trimeric transcription factor composed of three distinct subunits called NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC. In Arabidopsis thaliana, NF-Y subunits are known to play roles in many processes, such as gametogenesis, embryogenesis, seed development, drought resistance, ABA signaling, flowering time, primary root elongation, Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER stress response and blue light responses. Here, we report that the closely related NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 genes control early embryogenesis. Detailed GUS and in situ analyses showed that NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 are expressed in vegetative and reproductive tissues with the highest expression being during embryo development from the globular to the torpedo embryo stage. Plants from the nf-ya3 and nf-ya8 single mutants do not display any obvious phenotypic alteration, whereas nf-ya3 nf-ya8 double mutants are embryo lethal. Morphological analyses showed that the nf-ya3 nf-ya8 embryos fail to undergo to the heart stage and develop into abnormal globular embryos with both proembryo and suspensor characterized by a disordered cell cluster with an irregular shape, suggesting defects in embryo development. The suppression of both NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 gene expression by RNAi experiments resulted in defective embryos that phenocopied the nf-ya3 nf-ya8 double mutants, whereas complementation experiments partially rescued the abnormal globular nf-ya3 nf-ya8 embryos, confirming that NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 are required in early embryogenesis. Finally, the lack of GFP expression of the auxin responsive DR5rev::GFP marker line in double mutant embryos suggested that mutations in both NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 affect auxin response in early developing embryos. Our findings indicate that NF-YA3 and NF-YA8 are functionally redundant genes required in early embryogenesis of Arabidopsis thaliana.

The milkweed pod1 Gene Encodes a KANADI Protein That Is Required for Abaxial/Adaxial Patterning in Maize Leaves[W

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Candela, Héctor; Johnston, Robyn; Gerhold, Abigail; Foster, Toshi; Hake, Sarah

2008-01-01

Leaf primordia initiate from the shoot apical meristem with inherent polarity; the adaxial side faces the meristem, while the abaxial side faces away from the meristem. Adaxial/abaxial polarity is thought to be necessary for laminar growth of leaves, as mutants lacking either adaxial or abaxial cell types often develop radially symmetric lateral organs. The milkweed pod1 (mwp1) mutant of maize (Zea mays) has adaxialized sectors in the sheath, the proximal part of the leaf. Ectopic leaf flaps develop where adaxial and abaxial cell types juxtapose. Ectopic expression of the HD-ZIPIII gene rolled leaf1 (rld1) correlates with the adaxialized regions. Cloning of mwp1 showed that it encodes a KANADI transcription factor. Double mutants of mwp1-R with a microRNA-resistant allele of rld1, Rld1-N1990, show a synergistic phenotype with polarity defects in sheath and blade and a failure to differentiate vascular and photosynthetic cell types in the adaxialized sectors. The sectored phenotype and timing of the defect suggest that mwp1 is required late in leaf development to maintain abaxial cell fate. The phenotype of mwp1; Rld1 double mutants shows that both genes are also required early in leaf development to delineate leaf margins as well as to initiate vascular and photosynthetic tissues. PMID:18757553

Genomic analysis of CD8+ NK/T cell line, ‘SRIK-NKL’, with array-based CGH (aCGH), SKY/FISH and molecular mapping

Science.gov (United States)

Rossi, Michael; LaDuca, Jeff; Cowell, John; Srivastava, Bejai I.S.; Matsui, Sei-ichi

2010-01-01

We performed aCGH, SKY /FISH, molecular mapping and expression analyses on a permanent CD8+ NK/T cell line, ‘SRIK-NKL’ established from a lymphoma (ALL) patient, in attempt to define the fundamental genetic profile of its unique NK phenotypes. aCGH revealed hemizygous deletion of 6p containing genes responsible for hematopoietic functions. The SKY demonstrated that a constitutive reciprocal translocation, rcpt(5;14)(p13.2;q11) is a stable marker. Using somatic hybrids containing der(5) derived from SRIK-NKL, we found that the breakpoint in one homologue of no. 5 is located upstream of IL7R and also that the breakpoint in no. 14 is located within TRA@. The FISH analysis using BAC which contains TRA@ and its flanking region further revealed a ~231 kb deletion within 14q11 in the der(5) but not in the normal homologue of no. 14. The RT-PCR analysis detected mRNA for TRA@ transcripts which were extending across, but not including, the deleted region. IL7R was detected at least at mRNA levels. These findings were consistent with the immunological findings that TRA@ and IL7R are both expressed at mRNA levels and TRA@ at cytoplasmic protein levels in SRIK-NKL cells. In addition to rept(5;14), aCGH identified novel copy number abnormalities suggesting that the unique phenotype of the SRIK-NKL cell line is not solely due to the TRA@ rearrangement. These findings provide supportive evidence for the notion that SRIK-NKL cells may be useful for studying not only the function of NK cells but also genetic deregulations associated with leukemiogenesis. PMID:17640729

The pbrB gene encodes a laccase required for DHN-melanin synthesis in conidia of Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei.

Science.gov (United States)

Sapmak, Ariya; Boyce, Kylie J; Andrianopoulos, Alex; Vanittanakom, Nongnuch

2015-01-01

Talaromyces marneffei (Basionym: Penicillium marneffei) is a significant opportunistic fungal pathogen in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus in Southeast Asia. T. marneffei cells have been shown to become melanized in vivo. Melanins are pigment biopolymers which act as a non-specific protectant against various stressors and which play an important role during virulence in fungi. The synthesis of the two most commonly found melanins in fungi, the eumelanin DOPA-melanin and the allomelanin DHN-melanin, requires the action of laccase enzymes. The T. marneffei genome encodes a number of laccases and this study describes the characterization of one of these, pbrB, during growth and development. A strain carrying a PbrB-GFP fusion shows that pbrB is expressed at high levels during asexual development (conidiation) but not in cells growing vegetatively. The pbrB gene is required for the synthesis of DHN-melanin in conidia and when deleted results in brown pigmented conidia, in contrast to the green conidia of the wild type.

Essential Bacillus subtilis genes

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kobayashi, K.; Ehrlich, S.D.; Albertini, A.

2003-01-01

To estimate the minimal gene set required to sustain bacterial life in nutritious conditions, we carried out a systematic inactivation of Bacillus subtilis genes. Among approximate to4,100 genes of the organism, only 192 were shown to be indispensable by this or previous work. Another 79 genes were...... predicted to be essential. The vast majority of essential genes were categorized in relatively few domains of cell metabolism, with about half involved in information processing, one-fifth involved in the synthesis of cell envelope and the determination of cell shape and division, and one-tenth related...... to cell energetics. Only 4% of essential genes encode unknown functions. Most essential genes are present throughout a wide range of Bacteria, and almost 70% can also be found in Archaea and Eucarya. However, essential genes related to cell envelope, shape, division, and respiration tend to be lost from...

Epstein-Barr Virus BKRF4 Gene Product Is Required for Efficient Progeny Production.

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Masud, H M Abdullah Al; Watanabe, Takahiro; Yoshida, Masahiro; Sato, Yoshitaka; Goshima, Fumi; Kimura, Hiroshi; Murata, Takayuki

2017-12-01

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of human gammaherpesvirus, infects mainly B cells. EBV has two alternative life cycles, latent and lytic, and is reactivated occasionally from the latent stage to the lytic cycle. To combat EBV-associated disorders, understanding the molecular mechanisms of the EBV lytic replication cycle is also important. Here, we focused on an EBV lytic gene, BKRF4. Using our anti-BKRF4 antibody, we revealed that the BKRF4 gene product is expressed during the lytic cycle with late kinetics. To characterize the role of BKRF4, we constructed BKRF4-knockout mutants using the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and CRISPR/Cas9 systems. Although disruption of the BKRF4 gene had almost no effect on viral protein expression and DNA synthesis, it significantly decreased progeny virion levels in HEK293 and Akata cells. Furthermore, we show that BKRF4 is involved not only in production of progeny virions but also in increasing the infectivity of the virus particles. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that BKRF4 interacted with a virion protein, BGLF2. We showed that the C-terminal region of BKRF4 was critical for this interaction and for efficient progeny production. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that BKRF4 partially colocalized with BGLF2 in the nucleus and perinuclear region. Finally, we showed that BKRF4 is a phosphorylated, possible tegument protein and that the EBV protein kinase BGLF4 may be important for this phosphorylation. Taken together, our data suggest that BKRF4 is involved in the production of infectious virions. IMPORTANCE Although the latent genes of EBV have been studied extensively, the lytic genes are less well characterized. This study focused on one such lytic gene, BKRF4, which is conserved only among gammaherpesviruses (ORF45 of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus or murine herpesvirus 68). After preparing the BKRF4 knockout virus using B95-8 EBV-BAC, we demonstrated that the BKRF4 gene was involved in infectious

Book review. Un veterinario a spasso per il mondo tra guerre, colonialismo e apartheid. Attilio Pini

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Manuel Graziani

2014-12-01

fascista, del fratello maggiore Tebaldo come il padre militare di carriera e poi veterinario. E ancora, le prime docce con l'acqua di mare, la "festa delle bastonate" (una vera battaglia tra somali con finalità propiziatorie di fertilità, fino al viaggio in nave con Filippo Tommaso Marinetti che pare si fosse invaghito della madre Anna. Quello del dott. Pini è un libro ben scritto, dallo stile lineare, fatto di parole pesate col misurino, a volte anche musicali ("Non c'era più il fascio, ma si assisteva all'inizio dello sfascio" e argute (si legga pag. 35 sugli italiani "popolo plaudente" che rendono la lettura assai godibile. Nonostante l'autore si schernisca dicendo di non aver ereditato nessuna delle doti paterne, evidentemente ha ereditato eccome la verve narrativa dal padre Ugo autore, tra l'altro, del libro di memorie Sotto le ceneri dell'impero. Dalle rive del Giuba alle falde del monte Kenya, edito nel 1967 e ancora oggi nel catalogo dell'Editore Mursia.

Bcıı--RFLP profiles for serum amiloid A1 and mutated MEFV gene prevalence in chronic renal failure patients requiring long-term hemodialysis.

Science.gov (United States)

Ozdemir, Ozturk; Kayatas, Mansur; Cetinkaya, Selma; Yildirim, Malik Ejder; Silan, Fatma; Kurtulgan, Hande Kucuk; Koksal, Binnur; Urfali, Mine; Candan, Ferhan

2015-03-01

There is an increased mortality risk in long-term hemodialysis patients of renal failure due to the chronic inflammation. The relationship between the chronic renal failure (CRF) and the role of familial genetic markers remains incompletely understood. In the current study, it was aimed to find out the prevalence of common MEFV gene mutations and BcII polymorphism in serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) gene in chronic renal patients (CRF) who require long-term hemodialysis. Current cohort includes 242 CRF patients and 245 healthy individuals from the same population. Total genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood-EDTA samples and genotyping of target MEFV gene was carried out by reverse hybridization Strip Assay and real-time techniques. The SAA1 gene was genotyped by the BclI-RFLP method. Increased mutated MEFV genotypes were found in current CRF patients when compared with the control group from the same ethnicity and the difference was statistically significant (Table 2) (OR: 4.9401, 95% CI: 3.0694-7.9509), pchronic inflammation.

Gene profile analysis of osteoblast genes differentially regulated by histone deacetylase inhibitors

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Lamblin Anne-Francoise

2007-10-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Osteoblast differentiation requires the coordinated stepwise expression of multiple genes. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs accelerate the osteoblast differentiation process by blocking the activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs, which alter gene expression by modifying chromatin structure. We previously demonstrated that HDIs and HDAC3 shRNAs accelerate matrix mineralization and the expression of osteoblast maturation genes (e.g. alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin. Identifying other genes that are differentially regulated by HDIs might identify new pathways that contribute to osteoblast differentiation. Results To identify other osteoblast genes that are altered early by HDIs, we incubated MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts with HDIs (trichostatin A, MS-275, or valproic acid for 18 hours in osteogenic conditions. The promotion of osteoblast differentiation by HDIs in this experiment was confirmed by osteogenic assays. Gene expression profiles relative to vehicle-treated cells were assessed by microarray analysis with Affymetrix GeneChip 430 2.0 arrays. The regulation of several genes by HDIs in MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts was verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Nine genes were differentially regulated by at least two-fold after exposure to each of the three HDIs and six were verified by PCR in osteoblasts. Four of the verified genes (solute carrier family 9 isoform 3 regulator 1 (Slc9a3r1, sorbitol dehydrogenase 1, a kinase anchor protein, and glutathione S-transferase alpha 4 were induced. Two genes (proteasome subunit, beta type 10 and adaptor-related protein complex AP-4 sigma 1 were suppressed. We also identified eight growth factors and growth factor receptor genes that are significantly altered by each of the HDIs, including Frizzled related proteins 1 and 4, which modulate the Wnt signaling pathway. Conclusion This study identifies osteoblast genes that are regulated early by HDIs and indicates pathways that

The PCP genes Celsr1 and Vangl2 are required for normal lung branching morphogenesis

Science.gov (United States)

Yates, Laura L.; Schnatwinkel, Carsten; Murdoch, Jennifer N.; Bogani, Debora; Formstone, Caroline J.; Townsend, Stuart; Greenfield, Andy; Niswander, Lee A.; Dean, Charlotte H.

2010-01-01

The lungs are generated by branching morphogenesis as a result of reciprocal signalling interactions between the epithelium and mesenchyme during development. Mutations that disrupt formation of either the correct number or shape of epithelial branches affect lung function. This, in turn, can lead to congenital abnormalities such as cystadenomatoid malformations, pulmonary hypertension or lung hypoplasia. Defects in lung architecture are also associated with adult lung disease, particularly in cases of idiopathic lung fibrosis. Identifying the signalling pathways which drive epithelial tube formation will likely shed light on both congenital and adult lung disease. Here we show that mutations in the planar cell polarity (PCP) genes Celsr1 and Vangl2 lead to disrupted lung development and defects in lung architecture. Lungs from Celsr1Crsh and Vangl2Lp mouse mutants are small and misshapen with fewer branches, and by late gestation exhibit thickened interstitial mesenchyme and defective saccular formation. We observe a recapitulation of these branching defects following inhibition of Rho kinase, an important downstream effector of the PCP signalling pathway. Moreover, epithelial integrity is disrupted, cytoskeletal remodelling perturbed and mutant endoderm does not branch normally in response to the chemoattractant FGF10. We further show that Celsr1 and Vangl2 proteins are present in restricted spatial domains within lung epithelium. Our data show that the PCP genes Celsr1 and Vangl2 are required for foetal lung development thereby revealing a novel signalling pathway critical for this process that will enhance our understanding of congenital and adult lung diseases and may in future lead to novel therapeutic strategies. PMID:20223754

Machine Learning Analysis Identifies Drosophila Grunge/Atrophin as an Important Learning and Memory Gene Required for Memory Retention and Social Learning.

Science.gov (United States)

Kacsoh, Balint Z; Greene, Casey S; Bosco, Giovanni

2017-11-06

High-throughput experiments are becoming increasingly common, and scientists must balance hypothesis-driven experiments with genome-wide data acquisition. We sought to predict novel genes involved in Drosophila learning and long-term memory from existing public high-throughput data. We performed an analysis using PILGRM, which analyzes public gene expression compendia using machine learning. We evaluated the top prediction alongside genes involved in learning and memory in IMP, an interface for functional relationship networks. We identified Grunge/Atrophin ( Gug/Atro ), a transcriptional repressor, histone deacetylase, as our top candidate. We find, through multiple, distinct assays, that Gug has an active role as a modulator of memory retention in the fly and its function is required in the adult mushroom body. Depletion of Gug specifically in neurons of the adult mushroom body, after cell division and neuronal development is complete, suggests that Gug function is important for memory retention through regulation of neuronal activity, and not by altering neurodevelopment. Our study provides a previously uncharacterized role for Gug as a possible regulator of neuronal plasticity at the interface of memory retention and memory extinction. Copyright © 2017 Kacsoh et al.

Concurrent growth rate and transcript analyses reveal essential gene stringency in Escherichia coli.

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Shan Goh

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Genes essential for bacterial growth are of particular scientific interest. Many putative essential genes have been identified or predicted in several species, however, little is known about gene expression requirement stringency, which may be an important aspect of bacterial physiology and likely a determining factor in drug target development. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Working from the premise that essential genes differ in absolute requirement for growth, we describe silencing of putative essential genes in E. coli to obtain a titration of declining growth rates and transcript levels by using antisense peptide nucleic acids (PNA and expressed antisense RNA. The relationship between mRNA decline and growth rate decline reflects the degree of essentiality, or stringency, of an essential gene, which is here defined by the minimum transcript level for a 50% reduction in growth rate (MTL(50. When applied to four growth essential genes, both RNA silencing methods resulted in MTL(50 values that reveal acpP as the most stringently required of the four genes examined, with ftsZ the next most stringently required. The established antibacterial targets murA and fabI were less stringently required. CONCLUSIONS: RNA silencing can reveal stringent requirements for gene expression with respect to growth. This method may be used to validate existing essential genes and to quantify drug target requirement.

Primetime for Learning Genes.

Science.gov (United States)

Keifer, Joyce

2017-02-11

Learning genes in mature neurons are uniquely suited to respond rapidly to specific environmental stimuli. Expression of individual learning genes, therefore, requires regulatory mechanisms that have the flexibility to respond with transcriptional activation or repression to select appropriate physiological and behavioral responses. Among the mechanisms that equip genes to respond adaptively are bivalent domains. These are specific histone modifications localized to gene promoters that are characteristic of both gene activation and repression, and have been studied primarily for developmental genes in embryonic stem cells. In this review, studies of the epigenetic regulation of learning genes in neurons, particularly the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene ( BDNF ), by methylation/demethylation and chromatin modifications in the context of learning and memory will be highlighted. Because of the unique function of learning genes in the mature brain, it is proposed that bivalent domains are a characteristic feature of the chromatin landscape surrounding their promoters. This allows them to be "poised" for rapid response to activate or repress gene expression depending on environmental stimuli.

Molecular requirements for radiation-activated recombination

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stevens, Craig W.; Zeng Ming; Stamato, Thomas; Cerniglia, George

1997-01-01

% of treated cells) into cellular DNA. The mechanism of radiation enhanced stable gene transfer requires effector proteins to accomplish the recombination. The Ku proteins, which are required for V(D)J recombination, account for at least 90% of radiation induced recombination. There is also an absolute requirement for the Ataxia Telangiectasia gene (ATM) for any radiation induced recombination to occur, although the transfection efficiency in unirradiated cells is unaffected by ATM. Removal of p53 by transfection of E6 (Human Papilloma Virus) significantly inhibits radiation activated recombination, and this is confirmed in nuclear extract recombination assays. Conclusions: Ionizing radiation activates a recombination pathway which may be useful in gene therapy. The molecular mechanism of radiation activated recombination requires a number of DNA-damage-repair proteins

In Lactobacillus pentosus, the olive brine adaptation genes are required for biofilm formation.

Science.gov (United States)

Perpetuini, G; Pham-Hoang, B N; Scornec, H; Tofalo, R; Schirone, M; Suzzi, G; Cavin, J F; Waché, Y; Corsetti, A; Licandro-Seraut, H

2016-01-04

Lactobacillus pentosus is one of the few lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species capable of surviving in olive brine, and thus desirable during table olive fermentation. We have recently generated mutants of the efficient strain L. pentosus C11 by transposon mutagenesis and identified five mutants unable to survive and adapt to olive brine conditions. Since biofilm formation represents one of the main bacterial strategy to survive in stressful environments, in this study, the capacity of adhesion and formation of biofilm on olive skin was investigated for this strain and five derivative mutants which are interrupted in metabolic genes (enoA1 and gpi), and in genes of unknown function ("oba" genes). Confocal microscopy together with bacteria count revealed that the sessile state represented the prevailing L. pentosus C11 life-style during table olive fermentation. The characterization of cell surface properties showed that mutants present less hydrophobic and basic properties than the wild type (WT). In fact, their ability to adhere to both abiotic (polystyrene plates) and biotic (olive skin) surfaces was lower than that of the WT. Confocal microscopy revealed that mutants adhered sparsely to the olive skin instead of building a thin, multilayer biofilm. Moreover, RT-qPCR showed that the three genes enoA1, gpi and obaC were upregulated in the olive biofilm compared to the planktonic state. Thus enoA1, gpi and "oba" genes are necessary in L. pentosus to form an organized biofilm on the olive skin. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genome-Wide Search for Genes Required for Bifidobacterial Growth under Iron-Limitation

Science.gov (United States)

Lanigan, Noreen; Bottacini, Francesca; Casey, Pat G.; O'Connell Motherway, Mary; van Sinderen, Douwe

2017-01-01

Bacteria evolved over millennia in the presence of the vital micronutrient iron. Iron is involved in numerous processes within the cell and is essential for nearly all living organisms. The importance of iron to the survival of bacteria is obvious from the large variety of mechanisms by which iron may be acquired from the environment. Random mutagenesis and global gene expression profiling led to the identification of a number of genes, which are essential for Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 survival under iron-restrictive conditions. These genes encode, among others, Fe-S cluster-associated proteins, a possible ferric iron reductase, a number of cell wall-associated proteins, and various DNA replication and repair proteins. In addition, our study identified several presumed iron uptake systems which were shown to be essential for B. breve UCC2003 growth under conditions of either ferric and/or ferrous iron chelation. Of these, two gene clusters encoding putative iron-uptake systems, bfeUO and sifABCDE, were further characterised, indicating that sifABCDE is involved in ferrous iron transport, while the bfeUO-encoded transport system imports both ferrous and ferric iron. Transcription studies showed that bfeUO and sifABCDE constitute two separate transcriptional units that are induced upon dipyridyl-mediated iron limitation. In the anaerobic gastrointestinal environment ferrous iron is presumed to be of most relevance, though a mutation in the sifABCDE cluster does not affect B. breve UCC2003's ability to colonise the gut of a murine model. PMID:28620359

Genome-Wide Search for Genes Required for Bifidobacterial Growth under Iron-Limitation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Noreen Lanigan

2017-05-01

Full Text Available Bacteria evolved over millennia in the presence of the vital micronutrient iron. Iron is involved in numerous processes within the cell and is essential for nearly all living organisms. The importance of iron to the survival of bacteria is obvious from the large variety of mechanisms by which iron may be acquired from the environment. Random mutagenesis and global gene expression profiling led to the identification of a number of genes, which are essential for Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 survival under iron-restrictive conditions. These genes encode, among others, Fe-S cluster-associated proteins, a possible ferric iron reductase, a number of cell wall-associated proteins, and various DNA replication and repair proteins. In addition, our study identified several presumed iron uptake systems which were shown to be essential for B. breve UCC2003 growth under conditions of either ferric and/or ferrous iron chelation. Of these, two gene clusters encoding putative iron-uptake systems, bfeUO and sifABCDE, were further characterised, indicating that sifABCDE is involved in ferrous iron transport, while the bfeUO-encoded transport system imports both ferrous and ferric iron. Transcription studies showed that bfeUO and sifABCDE constitute two separate transcriptional units that are induced upon dipyridyl-mediated iron limitation. In the anaerobic gastrointestinal environment ferrous iron is presumed to be of most relevance, though a mutation in the sifABCDE cluster does not affect B. breve UCC2003's ability to colonise the gut of a murine model.

Genes e epilepsia I: epilepsia e alterações genéticas Genes and epilepsy I: epilepsy and genetic alterations

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Daniel L. G. Gitaí

2008-06-01

Full Text Available INTRODUÇÃO: Epilepsia é uma desordem neurológica caracterizada por crises espontâneas e recorrentes, que afeta de 2% a 3 % da população mundial. As crises epilépticas refletem atividade elétrica anormal e paroxística, preferencialmente em uma ou várias áreas do córtex cerebral, que podem ser causadas por inúmeras patologias estruturais ou neuroquímicas. Dentre os importantes estudos das últimas décadas no campo da epileptologia, destaca-se a identificação de genes associados a certos tipos de epilepsia. OBJETIVO: Nesta revisão, descrevemos as principais alterações genéticas associadas ao processo epileptogênico, discutindo as mais recentes descobertas e suas contribuições para a compreensão das bases genéticas das epilepsias idiopáticas monogênicas (EIM e das epilepsias geneticamente complexas. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÃO: Estudos de ligação e associação mostram que alterações em genes que codificam canais iônicos são as principais causas genéticas das epilepsias idiopáticas monogênicas e de predisposição nas epilepsias geneticamente complexas. Além disso, as síndromes nas quais a epilepsia é um aspecto importante do quadro clínico podem ser provocadas por genes envolvidos em diferentes vias celulares, tais como: migração neuronal, metabolismo de glicogênio e cadeia respiratória. Portanto, acredita-se que diferentes categorias de genes possam atuar na determinação do traço epiléptico. A identificação de tais famílias de genes não apenas nos ajudará a entender as vias moleculares associadas à hiperexcitabilidade neuronal e ao processo epileptogênico, mas também poderá conduzir ao desenvolvimento de novas e mais precisas estratégias de tratamento da epilepsia.INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by spontaneous and recurrent seizures with an estimated prevalence of 2-3 % in the world population. Epileptic seizures are the result of paroxystic and

A transposon mutant library of Bacillus cereus ATCC 10987 reveals novel genes required for biofilm formation and implicates motility as an important factor for pellicle-biofilm formation.

Science.gov (United States)

Okshevsky, Mira; Louw, Matilde Greve; Lamela, Elena Otero; Nilsson, Martin; Tolker-Nielsen, Tim; Meyer, Rikke Louise

2018-04-01

Bacillus cereus is one of the most common opportunistic pathogens causing foodborne illness, as well as a common source of contamination in the dairy industry. B. cereus can form robust biofilms on food processing surfaces, resulting in food contamination due to shedding of cells and spores. Despite the medical and industrial relevance of this species, the genetic basis of biofilm formation in B. cereus is not well studied. In order to identify genes required for biofilm formation in this bacterium, we created a library of 5000 +  transposon mutants of the biofilm-forming strain B. cereusATCC 10987, using an unbiased mariner transposon approach. The mutant library was screened for the ability to form a pellicle biofilm at the air-media interface, as well as a submerged biofilm at the solid-media interface. A total of 91 genes were identified as essential for biofilm formation. These genes encode functions such as chemotaxis, amino acid metabolism and cellular repair mechanisms, and include numerous genes not previously known to be required for biofilm formation. Although the majority of disrupted genes are not directly responsible for motility, further investigations revealed that the vast majority of the biofilm-deficient mutants were also motility impaired. This observation implicates motility as a pivotal factor in the formation of a biofilm by B. cereus. These results expand our knowledge of the fundamental molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation by B. cereus. © 2017 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Genome-wide Screening Identifies Phosphotransferase System Permease BepA to Be Involved in Enterococcus faecium Endocarditis and Biofilm Formation

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Paganelli, Fernanda L.; Huebner, Johannes; Singh, Kavindra V.; Zhang, Xinglin; Van Schaik, Willem; Wobser, Dominique; Braat, Johanna C.; Murray, Barbara E.; Bonten, Marc J M; Willems, Rob J L; Leavis, Helen L.

2016-01-01

Enterococcus faecium is a common cause of nosocomial infections, of which infective endocarditis is associated with substantial mortality. In this study, we used a microarray-based transposon mapping (M-TraM) approach to evaluate a rat endocarditis model and identified a gene, originally annotated

Transcriptional control of the tissue-specific, developmentally regulated osteocalcin gene requires a binding motif for the Msx family of homeodomain proteins.

Science.gov (United States)

Hoffmann, H M; Catron, K M; van Wijnen, A J; McCabe, L R; Lian, J B; Stein, G S; Stein, J L

1994-12-20

The OC box of the rat osteocalcin promoter (nt -99 to -76) is the principal proximal regulatory element contributing to both tissue-specific and developmental control of osteocalcin gene expression. The central motif of the OC box includes a perfect consensus DNA binding site for certain homeodomain proteins. Homeodomain proteins are transcription factors that direct proper development by regulating specific temporal and spatial patterns of gene expression. We therefore addressed the role of the homeodomain binding motif in the activity of the OC promoter. In this study, by the combined application of mutagenesis and site-specific protein recognition analysis, we examined interactions of ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cell nuclear proteins and purified Msx-1 homeodomain protein with the OC box. We detected a series of related specific protein-DNA interactions, a subset of which were inhibited by antibodies directed against the Msx-1 homeodomain but which also recognize the Msx-2 homeodomain. Our results show that the sequence requirements for binding the Msx-1 or Msx-2 homeodomain closely parallel those necessary for osteocalcin gene promoter activity in vivo. This functional relationship was demonstrated by transient expression in ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells of a series of osteocalcin promoter (nt -1097 to +24)-reporter gene constructs containing mutations within and flanking the homeodomain binding site of the OC box. Northern blot analysis of several bone-related cell types showed that all of the cells expressed msx-1, whereas msx-2 expression was restricted to cells transcribing osteocalcin. Taken together, our results suggest a role for Msx-1 and -2 or related homeodomain proteins in transcription of the osteocalcin gene.

Control of Virulence Gene Expression by the Master Regulator, CfaD, in the Prototypical Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Strain, H10407

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Carla Hodson

2017-08-01

Full Text Available Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC is the most common bacterial cause of diarrhea in children in developing countries, as well as in travelers to these countries. To cause disease, ETEC needs to produce a series of virulence proteins including enterotoxins, colonization factors and secretion pathways, which enable this pathogen to colonize the human small intestine and deliver enterotoxins to epithelial cells. Previously, a number of studies have demonstrated that CfaD, an AraC-like transcriptional regulator, plays a key role in virulence gene expression by ETEC. In this study, we carried out a transcriptomic analysis of ETEC strain, H10407, grown under different conditions, and determined the complete set of genes that are regulated by CfaD. In this way, we identified a number of new target genes, including rnr-1, rnr-2, etpBAC, agn43, flu, traM and ETEC_3214, whose expression is strongly activated by CfaD. Using promoter-lacZ reporters, primer extension and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we characterized the CfaD-mediated activation of several selected target promoters. We also showed that the gut-associated environmental signal, sodium bicarbonate, stimulates CfaD-mediated upregulation of its virulence target operons. Finally, we screened a commercial small molecule library and identified a compound (CH-1 that specifically inhibited the regulatory function of CfaD, and by 2-D analoging, we identified a second inhibitor (CH-2 with greater potency.

Gene Circuit Analysis of the Terminal Gap Gene huckebein

Science.gov (United States)

Ashyraliyev, Maksat; Siggens, Ken; Janssens, Hilde; Blom, Joke; Akam, Michael; Jaeger, Johannes

2009-01-01

The early embryo of Drosophila melanogaster provides a powerful model system to study the role of genes in pattern formation. The gap gene network constitutes the first zygotic regulatory tier in the hierarchy of the segmentation genes involved in specifying the position of body segments. Here, we use an integrative, systems-level approach to investigate the regulatory effect of the terminal gap gene huckebein (hkb) on gap gene expression. We present quantitative expression data for the Hkb protein, which enable us to include hkb in gap gene circuit models. Gap gene circuits are mathematical models of gene networks used as computational tools to extract regulatory information from spatial expression data. This is achieved by fitting the model to gap gene expression patterns, in order to obtain estimates for regulatory parameters which predict a specific network topology. We show how considering variability in the data combined with analysis of parameter determinability significantly improves the biological relevance and consistency of the approach. Our models are in agreement with earlier results, which they extend in two important respects: First, we show that Hkb is involved in the regulation of the posterior hunchback (hb) domain, but does not have any other essential function. Specifically, Hkb is required for the anterior shift in the posterior border of this domain, which is now reproduced correctly in our models. Second, gap gene circuits presented here are able to reproduce mutants of terminal gap genes, while previously published models were unable to reproduce any null mutants correctly. As a consequence, our models now capture the expression dynamics of all posterior gap genes and some variational properties of the system correctly. This is an important step towards a better, quantitative understanding of the developmental and evolutionary dynamics of the gap gene network. PMID:19876378

Feixes de fibras Lignocelulósicas refinadas mecanicamente em compósitos cimentícios para avaliação da resistência à tração

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Flávio Airton knuth

2017-07-01

Full Text Available As fibras vegetais têm características particulares em relação a outros tipos de fibras usadas em compósitos. Os estudos utilizam, em sua maioria, fibras cuja lignina fora previamente removida pelo processo de polpação. Segundo a literatura, a lignina prejudica a ancoragem fibra-matriz. No entanto, sem a lignina, é necessário que seja feito tratamento superficial no conjunto fibroso. Isso por que as fibras sofrem processo de inchamento e retração no interior da matriz devido a seu caráter hidrofílico, o que diminui sua vida útil. No entanto, a despeito das considerações literárias, esse trabalho se propõe a fazer uso da vantagem de proteção, estruturação e impermeabilização que a lignina exerce sobre as fibras vegetais. Isso implica na necessidade de suprir a redução da resistência do compósito, especialmente à tração, que a lignina causa pela sua atuação negativa na ancoragem fibra-matriz. Para tanto, fibras lignocelulósicas extraídas de talos de banana foram submetidas a processo de refinamento mecânico. Segundo a literatura, a fibra sofre modificações na sua parede externa quando submetida a esse refinamento. Ao final do processo, foram obtidas fibras com formato helicoidal e superfície corrugada o que resultou em maior aderência no conjunto fibra-matriz. As fibras submetidas ao maior grau de refinamento aumentaram a resistência do compósito à tração na compressão diametral em 40% em relação a corpo de prova de cimento puro.

Risco de tração excessiva nas lesões tipo distração-flexão da coluna cervical baixa Risk of excessive traction on distraction-flexion-type injuries of the low cervical spine

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Tarcísio Eloy Pessoa de Barros Filho

2006-01-01

Full Text Available O estudo em questão visa avaliar a relação entre risco e benefício do uso de tração com halo craniano como alternativa para estabilização nas fraturas-luxações por mecanismo de distração-flexão tipo IV de Allen e Ferguson, considerando a natureza da lesão, seu extenso dano ligamentar e o risco de apresentar distração excessiva e conseqüente lesão da medula espinhal. Para tanto, realizamos uma análise retrospectiva no IOT-HC-FMUSP envolvendo um período de 10 anos, quando 34 casos foram diagnosticados como fratura-luxação por distração-flexão da coluna cervical baixa, sendo 12 deles do tipo IV. Todos foram submetidos à tração esquelética com halo craniano num momento inicial. Durante o controle radiográfico seqüencial, observou-se distração excessiva em sete casos, mesmo com baixo peso inicial (4 kg. Em dois pacientes houve surgimento de nistagmo. Em todos os casos a tração foi retirada e seguiu-se normalização do quadro clínico.This study aims to evaluate the risk/ benefit ratio in the use of traction with cranial halo as an alternative to stabilize fractures-dislocations by Allen & Ferguson's type IV- distraction-flexion mechanism, considering the nature of the injury, its extensive ligament damage and the risk of presenting excessive distraction and resultant spinal cord injury. Thus, we performed a retrospective analysis at IOT-HC-FMUSP comprising a period of 10 years, when 34 cases were diagnosed as fractures-dislocations due to distraction-flexion of the low cervical spine, of which 12 were IV-type. All individuals have been submitted to skeletal traction with cranial halo at an early phase. During sequential X-ray management, an excessive distraction was seen in seven cases, even with initial light weight (4 kg. In two patients, the onset of nistagmus was seen. In all cases, traction was removed, which was followed by stabilization of the clinical picture.

Gene Therapy with the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System.

Science.gov (United States)

Kebriaei, Partow; Izsvák, Zsuzsanna; Narayanavari, Suneel A; Singh, Harjeet; Ivics, Zoltán

2017-11-01

The widespread clinical implementation of gene therapy requires the ability to stably integrate genetic information through gene transfer vectors in a safe, effective, and economical manner. The latest generation of Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon vectors fulfills these requirements, and may overcome limitations associated with viral gene transfer vectors and transient nonviral gene delivery approaches that are prevalent in ongoing clinical trials. The SB system enables high-level stable gene transfer and sustained transgene expression in multiple primary human somatic cell types, thereby representing a highly attractive gene transfer strategy for clinical use. Here, we review the most important aspects of using SB for gene therapy, including vectorization as well as genomic integration features. We also illustrate the path to successful clinical implementation by highlighting the application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells in cancer immunotherapy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Teoría Reformulada de la Asimilación (TRA): análisis, interpretación, coincidencias y diferencias con la Teoría de la Asimilación de Ausubel

OpenAIRE

Paniagua Pardo, Adriana; Meneses Villagrá, Jesús Ángel

2006-01-01

Se ha realizado un análisis de la Teoría de la Asimilación de Ausubel, la cual constituye la sustentación teórica del aprendizaje significativo. Como producto de dicho análisis se ha planteado una Teoría Reformulada de la Asimilación (TRA). Se establecieron puntos de vista, precisando las coincidencias y diferencias entre la Teoría de la Asimilación de Ausubel y la Teoría Reformulada de la Asimilación. Esta reformulación se concreta en la representación gráfica del comportam...

Characterization of dapB, a gene required by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci BR2.024 for lysine and tabtoxinine-beta-lactam biosynthesis.

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, L; Shaw, P D

1997-01-01

The dapB gene, which encodes L-2,3-dihydrodipicolinate reductase, the second enzyme of the lysine branch of the aspartic amino acid family, was cloned and sequenced from a tabtoxin-producing bacterium, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci BR2.024. The deduced amino acid sequence shared 60 to 90% identity to known dapB gene products from gram-negative bacteria and 19 to 21% identity to the dapB products from gram-positive bacteria. The consensus sequence for the NAD(P)H binding site [(V/I)(A/G)(V/I)XGXXGXXG)] and the proposed substrate binding site (HHRHK) were conserved in the polypeptide. A BR2.024 dapB mutant is a diaminopimelate auxotroph and tabtoxin negative. The addition of a mixture of L-,L-, D,D-, and meso-diaminopimelate to defined media restored growth but not tabtoxin production. Cloned DNA fragments containing the parental dapB gene restored the ability to grow in defined media and tabtoxin production to the dapB mutant. These results indicate that the dapB gene is required for both lysine and tabtoxin biosynthesis, thus providing the first genetic evidence that the biosynthesis of tabtoxin proceeds in part along the lysine biosynthetic pathway. These data also suggest that L-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrodipicolinate is a common intermediate for both lysine and tabtoxin biosynthesis. PMID:8990304

Velocidade de onda ultrassônica longitudinal e transversal em concretos estruturais de variadas resistências submetidos à compressão simples e à tração por compressão diametral.

OpenAIRE

Andreza Vera Pyrrho de Araújo

2015-01-01

O trabalho discute o padrão de comportamento de ondas ultrassônicas longitudinais (compression waves) e transversais (shear waves) em concretos de variadas resistências submetidos a compressão axial e diametral. Foram ensaiados 112 corpos de prova confeccionados de concretos com variadas resistências a compressão, dentro do intervalo atualmente contemplado pela NBR 6118/2014. Os corpos de provas foram submetidos ao ensaio de compressão simples, tração por compressão diametral e módulo de e...

A random matrix analysis

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

in a wide variety of disciplines ranging from physics to psychology to economics and attempts to draw the .... ferences, differences in internal environment, biological activities, modes of functioning in those species .... tra of the gene coexpression network of Zebrafish generated for different environmental perturbations, is ...

Genome-wide transposon mutagenesis of Proteus mirabilis: Essential genes, fitness factors for catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and the impact of polymicrobial infection on fitness requirements

Science.gov (United States)

Smith, Sara N.; Zhao, Lili; Wu, Weisheng

2017-01-01

The Gram-negative bacterium Proteus mirabilis is a leading cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which are often polymicrobial. Numerous prior studies have uncovered virulence factors for P. mirabilis pathogenicity in a murine model of ascending UTI, but little is known concerning pathogenesis during CAUTI or polymicrobial infection. In this study, we utilized five pools of 10,000 transposon mutants each and transposon insertion-site sequencing (Tn-Seq) to identify the full arsenal of P. mirabilis HI4320 fitness factors for single-species versus polymicrobial CAUTI with Providencia stuartii BE2467. 436 genes in the input pools lacked transposon insertions and were therefore concluded to be essential for P. mirabilis growth in rich medium. 629 genes were identified as P. mirabilis fitness factors during single-species CAUTI. Tn-Seq from coinfection with P. stuartii revealed 217/629 (35%) of the same genes as identified by single-species Tn-Seq, and 1353 additional factors that specifically contribute to colonization during coinfection. Mutants were constructed in eight genes of interest to validate the initial screen: 7/8 (88%) mutants exhibited the expected phenotypes for single-species CAUTI, and 3/3 (100%) validated the expected phenotypes for polymicrobial CAUTI. This approach provided validation of numerous previously described P. mirabilis fitness determinants from an ascending model of UTI, the discovery of novel fitness determinants specifically for CAUTI, and a stringent assessment of how polymicrobial infection influences fitness requirements. For instance, we describe a requirement for branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis by P. mirabilis during coinfection due to high-affinity import of leucine by P. stuartii. Further investigation of genes and pathways that provide a competitive advantage during both single-species and polymicrobial CAUTI will likely provide robust targets for therapeutic intervention to reduce P. mirabilis

Genome-wide transposon mutagenesis of Proteus mirabilis: Essential genes, fitness factors for catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and the impact of polymicrobial infection on fitness requirements.

Science.gov (United States)

Armbruster, Chelsie E; Forsyth-DeOrnellas, Valerie; Johnson, Alexandra O; Smith, Sara N; Zhao, Lili; Wu, Weisheng; Mobley, Harry L T

2017-06-01

The Gram-negative bacterium Proteus mirabilis is a leading cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which are often polymicrobial. Numerous prior studies have uncovered virulence factors for P. mirabilis pathogenicity in a murine model of ascending UTI, but little is known concerning pathogenesis during CAUTI or polymicrobial infection. In this study, we utilized five pools of 10,000 transposon mutants each and transposon insertion-site sequencing (Tn-Seq) to identify the full arsenal of P. mirabilis HI4320 fitness factors for single-species versus polymicrobial CAUTI with Providencia stuartii BE2467. 436 genes in the input pools lacked transposon insertions and were therefore concluded to be essential for P. mirabilis growth in rich medium. 629 genes were identified as P. mirabilis fitness factors during single-species CAUTI. Tn-Seq from coinfection with P. stuartii revealed 217/629 (35%) of the same genes as identified by single-species Tn-Seq, and 1353 additional factors that specifically contribute to colonization during coinfection. Mutants were constructed in eight genes of interest to validate the initial screen: 7/8 (88%) mutants exhibited the expected phenotypes for single-species CAUTI, and 3/3 (100%) validated the expected phenotypes for polymicrobial CAUTI. This approach provided validation of numerous previously described P. mirabilis fitness determinants from an ascending model of UTI, the discovery of novel fitness determinants specifically for CAUTI, and a stringent assessment of how polymicrobial infection influences fitness requirements. For instance, we describe a requirement for branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis by P. mirabilis during coinfection due to high-affinity import of leucine by P. stuartii. Further investigation of genes and pathways that provide a competitive advantage during both single-species and polymicrobial CAUTI will likely provide robust targets for therapeutic intervention to reduce P. mirabilis

Developing strategies for detection of gene doping.

Science.gov (United States)

Baoutina, Anna; Alexander, Ian E; Rasko, John E J; Emslie, Kerry R

2008-01-01

It is feared that the use of gene transfer technology to enhance athletic performance, the practice that has received the term 'gene doping', may soon become a real threat to the world of sport. As recognised by the anti-doping community, gene doping, like doping in any form, undermines principles of fair play in sport and most importantly, involves major health risks to athletes who partake in gene doping. One attraction of gene doping for such athletes and their entourage lies in the apparent difficulty of detecting its use. Since the realisation of the threat of gene doping to sport in 2001, the anti-doping community and scientists from different disciplines concerned with potential misuse of gene therapy technologies for performance enhancement have focused extensive efforts on developing robust methods for gene doping detection which could be used by the World Anti-Doping Agency to monitor athletes and would meet the requirements of a legally defensible test. Here we review the approaches and technologies which are being evaluated for the detection of gene doping, as well as for monitoring the efficacy of legitimate gene therapy, in relation to the detection target, the type of sample required for analysis and detection methods. We examine the accumulated knowledge on responses of the body, at both cellular and systemic levels, to gene transfer and evaluate strategies for gene doping detection based on current knowledge of gene technology, immunology, transcriptomics, proteomics, biochemistry and physiology. (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Organization of a library of standard relocatible programmes, or a processing measurement data module based on computers of the TRA types

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dadi, K.; Dadi, L.; Mateeva, A.; Salamatin, I.M.

1976-01-01

The paper describes the organization of a library of standard programs with binary cade. The library was developed for a measurement module on the basis of a TRA-1001-i computer (Elektronika-100, PDP-8). The library is placed on a external memory (magnetic disk) and has a module structure. The external memory assigned for the library is divided into pages. When loaded into the computer internal memory, several pages are taken as one whole to represent the loading module. The magnetic disk storage capacity being 1.25 million words, the library has a total of ca. 50 10 thousand words (eight cylinders). The work provides regulations for compiling standard programs in SLANG. The library is characterized by the following main features: possibility of being used in memory dynamic distribution mode; possibility of being used for computers with internal memory capacity 4K; no need for intermediary-language coding of displaced program; and possibility of autonomous shift of standard program. The above library is compared with a comprising DES programs library

Infectious polymorphic toxins delivered by outer membrane exchange discriminate kin in myxobacteria.

Science.gov (United States)

Vassallo, Christopher N; Cao, Pengbo; Conklin, Austin; Finkelstein, Hayley; Hayes, Christopher S; Wall, Daniel

2017-08-18

Myxobacteria are known for complex social behaviors including outer membrane exchange (OME), in which cells exchange large amounts of outer membrane lipids and proteins upon contact. The TraA cell surface receptor selects OME partners based on a variable domain. However, traA polymorphism alone is not sufficient to precisely discriminate kin. Here, we report a novel family of OME-delivered toxins that promote kin discrimination of OME partners. These SitA lipoprotein toxins are polymorphic and widespread in myxobacteria. Each sitA is associated with a cognate sitI immunity gene, and in some cases a sitB accessory gene. Remarkably, we show that SitA is transferred serially between target cells, allowing the toxins to move cell-to-cell like an infectious agent. Consequently, SitA toxins define strong identity barriers between strains and likely contribute to population structure, maintenance of cooperation, and strain diversification. Moreover, these results highlight the diversity of systems evolved to deliver toxins between bacteria.

The Babesia bovis hap2 gene is not required for blood stage replication, but expressed upon in vitro sexual stage induction

Science.gov (United States)

Hussein, Hala E.; Bastos, Reginaldo G.; Schneider, David A.; Johnson, Wendell C.; Adham, Fatma K.; Davis, William C.; Laughery, Jacob M.; Herndon, David R.; Alzan, Heba F.

2017-01-01

Babesia bovis, is a tick borne apicomplexan parasite responsible for important cattle losses globally. Babesia parasites have a complex life cycle including asexual replication in the mammalian host and sexual reproduction in the tick vector. Novel control strategies aimed at limiting transmission of the parasite are needed, but transmission blocking vaccine candidates remain undefined. Expression of HAP2 has been recognized as critical for the fertilization of parasites in the Babesia-related Plasmodium, and is a leading candidate for a transmission blocking vaccine against malaria. Hereby we identified the B. bovis hap2 gene and demonstrated that it is widely conserved and differentially transcribed during development within the tick midgut, but not by blood stage parasites. The hap2 gene was disrupted by transfecting B. bovis with a plasmid containing the flanking regions of the hap2 gene and the GPF-BSD gene under the control of the ef-1α-B promoter. Comparison of in vitro growth between a hap2-KO B. bovis clonal line and its parental wild type strain showed that HAP2 is not required for the development of B. bovis in erythrocytes. However, xanthurenic acid-in vitro induction experiments of sexual stages of parasites recovered after tick transmission resulted in surface expression of HAP2 exclusively in sexual stage induced parasites. In addition, hap2-KO parasites were not able to develop such sexual stages as defined both by morphology and by expression of the B. bovis sexual marker genes 6-Cys A and B. Together, the data strongly suggests that tick midgut stage differential expression of hap2 is associated with the development of B. bovis sexual forms. Overall these studies are consistent with a role of HAP2 in tick stages of the parasite and suggest that HAP2 is a potential candidate for a transmission blocking vaccine against bovine babesiosis. PMID:28985216

Pollen Killer Gene S35 Function Requires Interaction with an Activator That Maps Close to S24, Another Pollen Killer Gene in Rice

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Takahiko Kubo

2016-05-01

Full Text Available Pollen killer genes disable noncarrier pollens, and are responsible for male sterility and segregation distortion in hybrid populations of distantly related plant species. The genetic networks and the molecular mechanisms underlying the pollen killer system remain largely unknown. Two pollen killer genes, S24 and S35, have been found in an intersubspecific cross of Oryza sativa ssp. indica and japonica. The effect of S24 is counteracted by an unlinked locus EFS. Additionally, S35 has been proposed to interact with S24 to induce pollen sterility. These genetic interactions are suggestive of a single S24-centric genetic pathway (EFS–S24–S35 for the pollen killer system. To examine this hypothetical genetic pathway, the S35 and the S24 regions were further characterized and genetically dissected in this study. Our results indicated that S35 causes pollen sterility independently of both the EFS and S24 genes, but is dependent on a novel gene close to the S24 locus, named incentive for killing pollen (INK. We confirmed the phenotypic effect of the INK gene separately from the S24 gene, and identified the INK locus within an interval of less than 0.6 Mb on rice chromosome 5. This study characterized the genetic effect of the two independent genetic pathways of INK–S35 and EFS–S24 in indica–japonica hybrid progeny. Our results provide clear evidence that hybrid male sterility in rice is caused by several pollen killer networks with multiple factors positively and negatively regulating pollen killer genes.

Pollen Killer Gene S35 Function Requires Interaction with an Activator That Maps Close to S24, Another Pollen Killer Gene in Rice.

Science.gov (United States)

Kubo, Takahiko; Yoshimura, Atsushi; Kurata, Nori

2016-05-03

Pollen killer genes disable noncarrier pollens, and are responsible for male sterility and segregation distortion in hybrid populations of distantly related plant species. The genetic networks and the molecular mechanisms underlying the pollen killer system remain largely unknown. Two pollen killer genes, S24 and S35, have been found in an intersubspecific cross of Oryza sativa ssp. indica and japonica The effect of S24 is counteracted by an unlinked locus EFS Additionally, S35 has been proposed to interact with S24 to induce pollen sterility. These genetic interactions are suggestive of a single S24-centric genetic pathway (EFS-S24-S35) for the pollen killer system. To examine this hypothetical genetic pathway, the S35 and the S24 regions were further characterized and genetically dissected in this study. Our results indicated that S35 causes pollen sterility independently of both the EFS and S24 genes, but is dependent on a novel gene close to the S24 locus, named incentive for killing pollen (INK). We confirmed the phenotypic effect of the INK gene separately from the S24 gene, and identified the INK locus within an interval of less than 0.6 Mb on rice chromosome 5. This study characterized the genetic effect of the two independent genetic pathways of INK-S35 and EFS-S24 in indica-japonica hybrid progeny. Our results provide clear evidence that hybrid male sterility in rice is caused by several pollen killer networks with multiple factors positively and negatively regulating pollen killer genes. Copyright © 2016 Kubo et al.

Insights into significant pathways and gene interaction networks underlying breast cancer cell line MCF-7 treated with 17β-estradiol (E2).

Science.gov (United States)

Huan, Jinliang; Wang, Lishan; Xing, Li; Qin, Xianju; Feng, Lingbin; Pan, Xiaofeng; Zhu, Ling

2014-01-01

Estrogens are known to regulate the proliferation of breast cancer cells and to alter their cytoarchitectural and phenotypic properties, but the gene networks and pathways by which estrogenic hormones regulate these events are only partially understood. We used global gene expression profiling by Affymetrix GeneChip microarray analysis, with KEGG pathway enrichment, PPI network construction, module analysis and text mining methods to identify patterns and time courses of genes that are either stimulated or inhibited by estradiol (E2) in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Of the genes queried on the Affymetrix Human Genome U133 plus 2.0 microarray, we identified 628 (12h), 852 (24h) and 880 (48 h) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that showed a robust pattern of regulation by E2. From pathway enrichment analysis, we found out the changes of metabolic pathways of E2 treated samples at each time point. At 12h time point, the changes of metabolic pathways were mainly focused on pathways in cancer, focal adhesion, and chemokine signaling pathway. At 24h time point, the changes were mainly enriched in neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and calcium signaling pathway. At 48 h time point, the significant pathways were pathways in cancer, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), axon guidance and ErbB signaling pathway. Of interest, our PPI network analysis and module analysis found that E2 treatment induced enhancement of PRSS23 at the three time points and PRSS23 was in the central position of each module. Text mining results showed that the important genes of DEGs have relationship with signal pathways, such as ERbB pathway (AREG), Wnt pathway (NDP), MAPK pathway (NTRK3, TH), IP3 pathway (TRA@) and some transcript factors (TCF4, MAF). Our studies highlight the diverse gene networks and metabolic and cell regulatory pathways through which E2 operates to achieve its

The Aspergillus nidulans acuL gene encodes a mitochondrial carrier required for the utilization of carbon sources that are metabolized via the TCA cycle.

Science.gov (United States)

Flipphi, Michel; Oestreicher, Nathalie; Nicolas, Valérie; Guitton, Audrey; Vélot, Christian

2014-07-01

In Aspergillus nidulans, the utilization of acetate as sole carbon source requires several genes (acu). Most of them are also required for the utilization of fatty acids. This is the case for acuD and acuE, which encode the two glyoxylate cycle-specific enzymes, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, respectively, but also for acuL that we have identified as AN7287, and characterized in this study. Deletion of acuL resulted in the same phenotype as the original acuL217 mutant. acuL encodes a 322-amino acid protein which displays all the structural features of a mitochondrial membrane carrier, and shares 60% identity with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae succinate/fumarate mitochondrial antiporter Sfc1p (also named Acr1p). Consistently, the AcuL protein was shown to localize in mitochondria, and partial cross-complementation was observed between the S. cerevisiae and A. nidulans homologues. Extensive phenotypic characterization suggested that the acuL gene is involved in the utilization of carbon sources that are catabolized via the TCA cycle, and therefore require gluconeogenesis. In addition, acuL proves to be co-regulated with acuD and acuE. Overall, our data suggest that AcuL could link the glyoxylate cycle to gluconeogenesis by exchanging cytoplasmic succinate for mitochondrial fumarate. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reranking candidate gene models with cross-species comparison for improved gene prediction

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Pereira Fernando CN

2008-10-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Most gene finders score candidate gene models with state-based methods, typically HMMs, by combining local properties (coding potential, splice donor and acceptor patterns, etc. Competing models with similar state-based scores may be distinguishable with additional information. In particular, functional and comparative genomics datasets may help to select among competing models of comparable probability by exploiting features likely to be associated with the correct gene models, such as conserved exon/intron structure or protein sequence features. Results We have investigated the utility of a simple post-processing step for selecting among a set of alternative gene models, using global scoring rules to rerank competing models for more accurate prediction. For each gene locus, we first generate the K best candidate gene models using the gene finder Evigan, and then rerank these models using comparisons with putative orthologous genes from closely-related species. Candidate gene models with lower scores in the original gene finder may be selected if they exhibit strong similarity to probable orthologs in coding sequence, splice site location, or signal peptide occurrence. Experiments on Drosophila melanogaster demonstrate that reranking based on cross-species comparison outperforms the best gene models identified by Evigan alone, and also outperforms the comparative gene finders GeneWise and Augustus+. Conclusion Reranking gene models with cross-species comparison improves gene prediction accuracy. This straightforward method can be readily adapted to incorporate additional lines of evidence, as it requires only a ranked source of candidate gene models.

In vivo functional requirement of the mouse Ifitm1 gene for germ cell development, interferon mediated immune response and somitogenesis.

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Ingeborg Klymiuk

Full Text Available The mammalian Interferon induced transmembrane protein 1 (Ifitm1 gene was originally identified as a member of a gene family highly inducible by type I and type II interferons. Based on expression analyses, it was suggested to be required for normal primordial germ cell migration. The knockdown of Ifitm1 in mouse embryos provided evidence for a role in somitogenesis. We generated the first targeted knockin allele of the Ifitm1 gene to systematically reassess all inferred functions. Sperm motility and the fertility of male and female mutant mice are as in wild type littermates. Embryonic somites and the adult vertebral column appear normal in homozygous Ifitm1 knockout mice, demonstrating that Ifitm1 is not essential for normal segmentation of the paraxial mesoderm. Proportions of leucocyte subsets, including granulocytes, monocytes, B-cells, T-cells, NK-cells, and NKT-cells, are unchanged in mutant mice. Based on a normal immune response to Listeria monocytogenes infection, there is no evidence for a dysfunction in downstream IFNγ signaling in Ifitm1 mutant mice. Expression from the Ifitm1 locus from E8.5 to E14.5 is highly dynamic. In contrast, in adult mice, Ifitm1 expression is highly restricted and strong in the bronchial epithelium. Intriguingly, IFITM1 is highly overexpressed in tumor epithelia cells of human squamous cell carcinomas and in adenocarcinomas of NSCLC patients. These analyses underline the general importance of targeted in vivo studies for the functional annotation of the mammalian genome. The first comprehensive description of the Ifitm1 expression pattern provides a rational basis for the further examination of Ifitm1 gene functions. Based on our data, the fact that IFITM1 can function as a negative regulator of cell proliferation, and because the gene maps to chromosome band 11p15.5, previously associated with NSCLC, it is likely that IFITM1 in man has a key role in tumor formation.

Recruitment of Mediator Complex by Cell Type and Stage-Specific Factors Required for Tissue-Specific TAF Dependent Gene Activation in an Adult Stem Cell Lineage.

Science.gov (United States)

Lu, Chenggang; Fuller, Margaret T

2015-12-01

Onset of terminal differentiation in adult stem cell lineages is commonly marked by robust activation of new transcriptional programs required to make the appropriate differentiated cell type(s). In the Drosophila male germ line stem cell lineage, the switch from proliferating spermatogonia to spermatocyte is accompanied by one of the most dramatic transcriptional changes in the fly, as over 1000 new transcripts turn on in preparation for meiosis and spermatid differentiation. Here we show that function of the coactivator complex Mediator is required for activation of hundreds of new transcripts in the spermatocyte program. Mediator appears to act in a sequential hierarchy, with the testis activating Complex (tMAC), a cell type specific form of the Mip/dREAM general repressor, required to recruit Mediator subunits to the chromatin, and Mediator function required to recruit the testis TAFs (tTAFs), spermatocyte specific homologs of subunits of TFIID. Mediator, tMAC and the tTAFs co-regulate expression of a major set of spermatid differentiation genes. The Mediator subunit Med22 binds the tMAC component Topi when the two are coexpressed in S2 cells, suggesting direct recruitment. Loss of Med22 function in spermatocytes causes meiosis I maturation arrest male infertility, similar to loss of function of the tMAC subunits or the tTAFs. Our results illuminate how cell type specific versions of the Mip/dREAM complex and the general transcription machinery cooperate to drive selective gene activation during differentiation in stem cell lineages.

Valorizzazione di un patrimonio culturale periferico: il progetto "Cuore Verde tra i due Laghi" / The enhancement of the peripherial cultural heritage: the project “Cuore Verde tra i due laghi” (Green Heart between the two Lakes

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Antonella Capriello

2015-06-01

Full Text Available Lo studio è indirizzato a esplorare le potenzialità dei metodi partecipativi per la valorizzazione di patrimoni culturali periferici. In rapporto al descritto obiettivo, è stato sviluppato un caso-studio concernente le Comunità rurali tra il Lago Maggiore e il Lago d’Orta. L’area rurale è caratterizzata dalla presenza di un patrimonio culturale periferico rispetto al circuito delle attività turistico-culturali in Piemonte, ma il piano di valorizzazione ha attivato iniziative per vivacizzare il territorio e superare la condizione di marginalità. Il caso-studio si basa sull’applicazione della metodologia Participatory Action Research (PAR per favorire il coinvolgimento di stakeholders locali in posizione marginale. Lo studio individua linee guida per la generalizzazione della metodologia nei processi di valorizzazione di un patrimonio culturale periferico.  The article aims to explore the potential of participative methods to enhance the value of peripheral cultural wealth. Consistent with the described aims, a case study was developed with a focus on the rural communities between Lago Maggiore (Maggiore Lake and Lago d’Orta (Orta Lake. The rural area is characterised by the presence of peripheral cultural heritage comparing tourist and cultural proposals in Piedmont, but a cultural plan has been developed to animate the local context and to overcome the condition of isolation. The case study is based on Participatory Action Research (PAR, involving stakeholders in marginal positions. The results identify best practices to generalize the methodology in order to enhance the value of peripheral cultural wealth.

Efeito de altas temperaturas na resistência à compressão, resistência à tração e módulo de deformação do concreto

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A. A. A. de Souza

Full Text Available Este trabalho teve como objetivo a investigação experimental do comportamento do concreto quando submetido a elevadas temperaturas. Um concreto de utilização comum em nossa região, com cimento e agregados usuais, misturados em proporções também usuais (traço, foi submeti- do a temperaturas de 300 °C, 600°C e 900 °C , de maneira a se avaliar prováveis alterações na resistência à compressão, na resistência à tração e no módulo de deformação deste concreto. O efeito do resfriamento rápido do concreto, usual em intervenções de combate a incêndios, foi avaliado; alguns dos corpos-de-prova submetidos às altas temperaturas estipuladas foram resfriados rapidamente e outros foram resfriados len- tamente (ao ambiente. A recuperação provável das propriedades mecânicas analisadas, com a reidratação do concreto - com possível redução após o efeito das altas temperaturas aplicadas - também foi avaliada; corpos-de-prova submetidos às altas temperaturas estipuladas e resfriados lentamente, foram parte imersos em água e parte envoltos em filme plástico e a seguir, cada parte correspondente foi avaliada, em relação às propriedades do concreto pesquisadas, para as idades do concreto de 28, 56, 112 e 224 dias após o resfriamento lento. Ao final deste trabalho, importantes resultados sobre o efeito de altas temperaturas nas propriedades mecânicas do concreto puderam ser obtidos; contribuindo, em muito, para o estabelecimento de parâmetros para o projeto de recuperação de estruturas submetidas ao efeito do fogo.

The CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON3 gene is required for boundary and shoot meristem formation in Arabidopsis

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Vroemen, Casper W; Mordhorst, Andreas P; Albrecht, Cathy

2003-01-01

From an enhancer trap screen for genes expressed in Arabidopsis embryos, we identified a gene expressed from the octant stage onward in the boundary between the two presumptive cotyledons and in a variety of postembryonic organ and meristem boundaries. This gene, CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON3 (CUC3...

A constructive approach to gene expression dynamics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ochiai, T.; Nacher, J.C.; Akutsu, T.

2004-01-01

Recently, experiments on mRNA abundance (gene expression) have revealed that gene expression shows a stationary organization described by a scale-free distribution. Here we propose a constructive approach to gene expression dynamics which restores the scale-free exponent and describes the intermediate state dynamics. This approach requires only one assumption: Markov property

What is a gene? From molecules to metaphysics.

Science.gov (United States)

Rolston, Holmes

2006-01-01

Mendelian genes have become molecular genes, with increasing puzzlement about locating them, due to increasing complexity in genomic webworks. Genome science finds modular and conserved units of inheritance, identified as homologous genes. Such genes are cybernetic, transmitting information over generations; this too requires multi-leveled analysis, from DNA transcription to development and reproduction of the whole organism. Genes are conserved; genes are also dynamic and creative in evolutionary speciation-most remarkably producing humans capable of wondering about what genes are.

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe map1 gene encodes an SRF/MCM1-related protein required for P-cell specific gene expression

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Nielsen, O; Friis, T; Kjaerulff, S

1996-01-01

Cells of Schizosaccharomyces pombe undergo mating and meiosis when starved for a nitrogen source. In this process a P and and M cell first mate to generate a diploid zygote, which subsequently enters meiosis and sporulates. The P mating type is controlled by the mat1-Pc gene at the mating type lo...... cerevisiae MCM1. The Mat1-Pc protein contains a motif characteristic for proteins that interact with MADS-box factors, suggesting that Mat-Pc and Map1 may form a heterodimer that activates the P-specific map3 gene....

The autoregulatory loop: A common mechanism of regulation of key ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

This sex-specific splicing is conserved across insect taxa. The genes involved in the sex determination cascade such as Sex-lethal (Sxl) in Drosophila melanogaster, transformer (tra) in many other dipterans, coleopterans and hymenopterans, Feminizer (fem) in Apis mellifera, and IGF-II mRNA-binding protein (Bmimp) in ...

PPARγ2s A/B-domæne spiller en genspecifik rolle i transaktivering og co-faktor rekruttering

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Bugge, Anne Skovsø; Grøntved, Lars; M. Aagaard, Mads

We have previously shown that adenoviral expression of PPARs leads to rapid establishment of transcriptionally active complexes and activation of target gene expression within 5-8 hours following transduction (Nielsen at al. 2006). Here we have used the adenoviral delivery system to identify nove...... project X-TRA-NET....

Genome-wide identification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes required for tolerance to acetic acid

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Sá-Correia Isabel

2010-10-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Acetic acid is a byproduct of Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcoholic fermentation. Together with high concentrations of ethanol and other toxic metabolites, acetic acid may contribute to fermentation arrest and reduced ethanol productivity. This weak acid is also a present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates, a highly interesting non-feedstock substrate in industrial biotechnology. Therefore, the better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying S. cerevisiae tolerance to acetic acid is essential for the rational selection of optimal fermentation conditions and the engineering of more robust industrial strains to be used in processes in which yeast is explored as cell factory. Results The yeast genes conferring protection against acetic acid were identified in this study at a genome-wide scale, based on the screening of the EUROSCARF haploid mutant collection for susceptibility phenotypes to this weak acid (concentrations in the range 70-110 mM, at pH 4.5. Approximately 650 determinants of tolerance to acetic acid were identified. Clustering of these acetic acid-resistance genes based on their biological function indicated an enrichment of genes involved in transcription, internal pH homeostasis, carbohydrate metabolism, cell wall assembly, biogenesis of mitochondria, ribosome and vacuole, and in the sensing, signalling and uptake of various nutrients in particular iron, potassium, glucose and amino acids. A correlation between increased resistance to acetic acid and the level of potassium in the growth medium was found. The activation of the Snf1p signalling pathway, involved in yeast response to glucose starvation, is demonstrated to occur in response to acetic acid stress but no evidence was obtained supporting the acetic acid-induced inhibition of glucose uptake. Conclusions Approximately 490 of the 650 determinants of tolerance to acetic acid identified in this work are implicated, for the first time, in tolerance to

ROS signalling – Specificity is required

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Møller, Ian Max; Sweetlove, Lee J

2011-01-01

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases in plants under stress. ROS can damage cellular components, but they can also act in signal transduction to help the cell counteract the oxidative damage in the stressed compartment. H2O2 may induce a general stress response, but it does...... messengers and regulate source-specific genes and in this way contribute to retrograde ROS signalling during oxidative stress. (This is a new project funded by FNU) References: Møller, I.M. & Sweetlove, L.J. 2010. ROS signalling – Specificity is required. Trends Plant Sci. 15: 370-374...... not have the required specificity to selectively regulate nuclear genes required for dealing with localized stress, e.g., in chloroplasts or mitochondria. We here argue that peptides deriving from proteolytic breakdown of oxidatively damaged proteins have the requisite specificity to act as secondary ROS...

Regulated expression of the human cytomegalovirus pp65 gene: Octamer sequence in the promoter is required for activation by viral gene products

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Depto, A.S.; Stenberg, R.M.

1989-01-01

To better understand the regulation of late gene expression in human cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected cells, the authors examined expression of the gene that codes for the 65-kilodalton lower-matrix phosphoprotein (pp65). Analysis of RNA isolated at 72 h from cells infected with CMV Towne or ts66, a DNA-negative temperature-sensitive mutant, supported the fact that pp65 is expressed at low levels prior to viral DNA replication but maximally expressed after the initiation of viral DNA replication. To investigate promoter activation in a transient expression assay, the pp65 promoter was cloned into the indicator plasmid containing the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). Transfection of the promoter-CAT construct and subsequent superinfection with CMV resulted in activation of the promoter at early times after infection. Cotransfection with plasmids capable of expressing immediate-early (IE) proteins demonstrated that the promoter was activated by IE proteins and that both IE regions 1 and 2 were necessary. These studies suggest that interactions between IE proteins and this octamer sequence may be important for the regulation and expression of this CMV gene

Uma abordagem centrada no usuário para o projeto de máquinas agrícolas de tração animal An user centered approach to the design of animal traction agricultural machinery

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Eduardo Romeiro Filho

2012-01-01

Full Text Available Este artigo apresenta um estudo realizado como parte do projeto de uma semeadora-adubadora à tração animal, utilizando princípios relacionados a disciplinas como Usabilidade, Ergonomia e Antropotecnologia, dentro de uma perspectiva de Design para Sustentabilidade (DfS e desenvolvimento de produtos adequados à Base da Pirâmide (BoP. O estudo forneceu subsídios para uma série de alterações a serem introduzidas no equipamento, tendo em vista a melhoria das condições de trabalho em pequenas propriedades de agricultura familiar. A partir desta abordagem na análise de um implemento existente, são sugeridas formas de adequação do produto e apresentada uma proposta para uma nova semeadora-adubadora à tração animal.This paper presents a study conducted as a part of the design of an Animal Traction Sewing Machine using principles related to Usability, Ergonomics, and Antropotechnology focusing on Design for Sustainability (DfS and product development suitable for the Base of the Pyramid (BoP. The present study provided information for a series of design changes in the equipment in order to improve working conditions in small family farming properties. From this approach to the analysis of an existing implement, ways of adjusting the product are suggested, and a proposal for a novel Animal Traction Sowing Machine is presented.

Isolation and characterization of PEP3, a gene required for vacuolar biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

OpenAIRE

Preston, R A; Manolson, M F; Becherer, K; Weidenhammer, E; Kirkpatrick, D; Wright, R; Jones, E W

1991-01-01

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae PEP3 gene was cloned from a wild-type genomic library by complementation of the carboxypeptidase Y deficiency in a pep3-12 strain. Subclone complementation results localized the PEP3 gene to a 3.8-kb DNA fragment. The DNA sequence of the fragment was determined; a 2,754-bp open reading frame predicts that the PEP3 gene product is a hydrophilic, 107-kDa protein that has no significant similarity to any known protein. The PEP3 predicted protein has a zinc finger (CX...

Mutated genes as research tool

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1981-01-01

Green plants are the ultimate source of all resources required for man's life, his food, his clothes, and almost all his energy requirements. Primitive prehistoric man could live from the abundance of nature surrounding him. Man today, dominating nature in terms of numbers and exploiting its limited resources, cannot exist without employing his intelligence to direct natural evolution. Plant sciences, therefore, are not a matter of curiosity but an essential requirement. From such considerations, the IAEA and FAO jointly organized a symposium to assess the value of mutation research for various kinds of plant science, which directly or indirectly might contribute to sustaining and improving crop production. The benefit through developing better cultivars that plant breeders can derive from using the additional genetic resources resulting from mutation induction has been assessed before at other FAO/IAEA meetings (Rome 1964, Pullman 1969, Ban 1974, Ibadan 1978) and is also monitored in the Mutation Breeding Newsletter, published by IAEA twice a year. Several hundred plant cultivars which carry economically important characters because their genes have been altered by ionizing radiation or other mutagens, are grown by farmers and horticulturists in many parts of the world. But the benefit derived from such mutant varieties is without any doubt surpassed by the contribution which mutation research has made towards the advancement of genetics. For this reason, a major part of the papers and discussions at the symposium dealt with the role induced-mutation research played in providing insight into gene action and gene interaction, the organization of genes in plant chromosomes in view of homology and homoeology, the evolutionary role of gene duplication and polyploidy, the relevance of gene blocks, the possibilities for chromosome engineering, the functioning of cytroplasmic inheritance and the genetic dynamics of populations. In discussing the evolutionary role of

Cloning of genes required for hypersensitivity and pathogenicity in Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata.

Science.gov (United States)

Minardi, P

1995-01-01

A genomic library of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata strain NCPPB 2664, which causes bacterial blight of sugar beet, lettuce and other plants, was constructed in the cosmid vector pCPP31. The 13.4 kb EcoRI fragment of the cosmid pHIR11, containing the hrp (hypersensitive response and pathogenicity) gene cluster of the closely related bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae strain 61, was used as a probe to identify a homologous hrp gene cluster in P. syringae pv. aptata. Thirty of 2500 cosmid clones, screened by colony hybridization, gave a strong hybridization signal with the probe, but none of these conferred to the non-pathogenic bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, the ability to elicit the hypersensitive response (HR) in tobacco. Southern blot analysis of EcoRI-digested genomic DNA of P. syringae pv. aptata showed hybridizing bands of 12 kb and 4.4 kb. Only a 12 kb fragment hybridized in digests of the cosmids. Cosmid clone pCPP1069 was mutagenized with Tn10-minitet and marker-exchanged into the genome of P. syringae pv. aptata. Three resulting prototrophic mutant strains failed to elicit the HR in tobacco and to cause disease in lettuce. The DNA flanking the Tn10-minitet insertions from mutated derivatives of pCPP1069 hybridized with the 10.6 kb Bg/II fragment of pHIR11. These results indicate that P. syringae pv. aptata harbours hrp genes that are similar to, but arranged differently from, homologous hrp genes of P. syringae pv. syringae.

Identification of genes specifically required for the anaerobic metabolism of benzene in Geobacter metallireducens

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zhang, Tian; Tremblay, Pier-Luc; Chaurasia, Akhilesh Kumar

2014-01-01

Although the biochemical pathways for the anaerobic degradation of many of the hydrocarbon constituents in petroleum reservoirs have been elucidated, the mechanisms for anaerobic activation of benzene, a very stable molecule, are not known. Previous studies have demonstrated that Geobacter...... metallireducens can anaerobically oxidize benzene to carbon dioxide with Fe(III) as the sole electron acceptor and that phenol is an intermediate in benzene oxidation. In an attempt to identify enzymes that might be involved in the conversion of benzene to phenol, whole-genome gene transcript abundance...... was compared in cells metabolizing benzene and cells metabolizing phenol. Eleven genes had significantly higher transcript abundance in benzene-metabolizing cells. Five of these genes had annotations suggesting that they did not encode proteins that could be involved in benzene metabolism and were not further...

AGO1, QDE-2, and RDE-1 are related proteins required for post-transcriptional gene silencing in plants, quelling in fungi, and RNA interference in animals.

Science.gov (United States)

Fagard, M; Boutet, S; Morel, J B; Bellini, C; Vaucheret, H

2000-10-10

Introduction of transgene DNA may lead to specific degradation of RNAs that are homologous to the transgene transcribed sequence through phenomena named post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in plants, quelling in fungi, and RNA interference (RNAi) in animals. It was shown previously that PTGS, quelling, and RNAi require a set of related proteins (SGS2, QDE-1, and EGO-1, respectively). Here we report the isolation of Arabidopsis mutants impaired in PTGS which are affected at the Argonaute1 (AGO1) locus. AGO1 is similar to QDE-2 required for quelling and RDE-1 required for RNAi. Sequencing of ago1 mutants revealed one amino acid essential for PTGS that is also present in QDE-2 and RDE-1 in a highly conserved motif. Taken together, these results confirm the hypothesis that these processes derive from a common ancestral mechanism that controls expression of invading nucleic acid molecules at the post-transcriptional level. As opposed to rde-1 and qde-2 mutants, which are viable, ago1 mutants display several developmental abnormalities, including sterility. These results raise the possibility that PTGS, or at least some of its elements, could participate in the regulation of gene expression during development in plants.

Identification of a cis-regulatory region of a gene in Arabidopsis thaliana whose induction by dehydration is mediated by abscisic acid and requires protein synthesis.

Science.gov (United States)

Iwasaki, T; Yamaguchi-Shinozaki, K; Shinozaki, K

1995-05-20

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the induction of a dehydration-responsive gene, rd22, is mediated by abscisic acid (ABA) but the gene does not include any sequence corresponding to the consensus ABA-responsive element (ABRE), RYACGTGGYR, in its promoter region. The cis-regulatory region of the rd22 promoter was identified by monitoring the expression of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) activity in leaves of transgenic tobacco plants transformed with chimeric gene fusions constructed between 5'-deleted promoters of rd22 and the coding region of the GUS reporter gene. A 67-bp nucleotide fragment corresponding to positions -207 to -141 of the rd22 promoter conferred responsiveness to dehydration and ABA on a non-responsive promoter. The 67-bp fragment contains the sequences of the recognition sites for some transcription factors, such as MYC, MYB, and GT-1. The fact that accumulation of rd22 mRNA requires protein synthesis raises the possibility that the expression of rd22 might be regulated by one of these trans-acting protein factors whose de novo synthesis is induced by dehydration or ABA. Although the structure of the RD22 protein is very similar to that of a non-storage seed protein, USP, of Vicia faba, the expression of the GUS gene driven by the rd22 promoter in non-stressed transgenic Arabidopsis plants was found mainly in flowers and bolted stems rather than in seeds.

The autoregulatory loop: A common mechanism of regulation of key ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

2016-08-26

Aug 26, 2016 ... The genes involved in the sex determination cascade such as Sex-lethal (Sxl) in Drosophila melanogaster, transformer (tra) in many other dipterans, coleopterans and hymenopterans, Feminizer (fem) in Apis mellifera, and IGF-II mRNA-binding protein (Bmimp) in Bombyx mori are reported to be regulated ...

Gene expression studies of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR: an overview in insects.

Science.gov (United States)

Shakeel, Muhammad; Rodriguez, Alicia; Tahir, Urfa Bin; Jin, Fengliang

2018-02-01

Whenever gene expression is being examined, it is essential that a normalization process is carried out to eliminate non-biological variations. The use of reference genes, such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, actin, and ribosomal protein genes, is the usual method of choice for normalizing gene expression. Although reference genes are used to normalize target gene expression, a major problem is that the stability of these genes differs among tissues, developmental stages, species, and responses to abiotic factors. Therefore, the use and validation of multiple reference genes are required. This review discusses the reasons that why RT-qPCR has become the preferred method for validating results of gene expression profiles, the use of specific and non-specific dyes and the importance of use of primers and probes for qPCR as well as to discuss several statistical algorithms developed to help the validation of potential reference genes. The conflicts arising in the use of classical reference genes in gene normalization and their replacement with novel references are also discussed by citing the high stability and low stability of classical and novel reference genes under various biotic and abiotic experimental conditions by employing various methods applied for the reference genes amplification.

Evaluating the consistency of gene sets used in the analysis of bacterial gene expression data

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tintle Nathan L

2012-08-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Statistical analyses of whole genome expression data require functional information about genes in order to yield meaningful biological conclusions. The Gene Ontology (GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG are common sources of functionally grouped gene sets. For bacteria, the SEED and MicrobesOnline provide alternative, complementary sources of gene sets. To date, no comprehensive evaluation of the data obtained from these resources has been performed. Results We define a series of gene set consistency metrics directly related to the most common classes of statistical analyses for gene expression data, and then perform a comprehensive analysis of 3581 Affymetrix® gene expression arrays across 17 diverse bacteria. We find that gene sets obtained from GO and KEGG demonstrate lower consistency than those obtained from the SEED and MicrobesOnline, regardless of gene set size. Conclusions Despite the widespread use of GO and KEGG gene sets in bacterial gene expression data analysis, the SEED and MicrobesOnline provide more consistent sets for a wide variety of statistical analyses. Increased use of the SEED and MicrobesOnline gene sets in the analysis of bacterial gene expression data may improve statistical power and utility of expression data.

Recruitment of Mediator Complex by Cell Type and Stage-Specific Factors Required for Tissue-Specific TAF Dependent Gene Activation in an Adult Stem Cell Lineage.

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Chenggang Lu

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Onset of terminal differentiation in adult stem cell lineages is commonly marked by robust activation of new transcriptional programs required to make the appropriate differentiated cell type(s. In the Drosophila male germ line stem cell lineage, the switch from proliferating spermatogonia to spermatocyte is accompanied by one of the most dramatic transcriptional changes in the fly, as over 1000 new transcripts turn on in preparation for meiosis and spermatid differentiation. Here we show that function of the coactivator complex Mediator is required for activation of hundreds of new transcripts in the spermatocyte program. Mediator appears to act in a sequential hierarchy, with the testis activating Complex (tMAC, a cell type specific form of the Mip/dREAM general repressor, required to recruit Mediator subunits to the chromatin, and Mediator function required to recruit the testis TAFs (tTAFs, spermatocyte specific homologs of subunits of TFIID. Mediator, tMAC and the tTAFs co-regulate expression of a major set of spermatid differentiation genes. The Mediator subunit Med22 binds the tMAC component Topi when the two are coexpressed in S2 cells, suggesting direct recruitment. Loss of Med22 function in spermatocytes causes meiosis I maturation arrest male infertility, similar to loss of function of the tMAC subunits or the tTAFs. Our results illuminate how cell type specific versions of the Mip/dREAM complex and the general transcription machinery cooperate to drive selective gene activation during differentiation in stem cell lineages.

A Toolbox for Quantitative Gene Expression in Varroa destructor: RNA Degradation in Field Samples and Systematic Analysis of Reference Gene Stability.

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Ewan M Campbell

Full Text Available Varroa destructor is the major pest of Apis mellifera and contributes to the global honey bee health crisis threatening food security. Developing new control strategies to combat Varroa will require the application of molecular biology, including gene expression studies by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR. Both high quality RNA samples and suitable stable internal reference genes are required for accurate gene expression studies. In this study, ten candidate genes (succinate dehydrogenase (SDHA, NADH dehydrogenase (NADH, large ribsosmal subunit, TATA-binding protein, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, 18S rRNA (18S, heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90, cyclophilin, α-tubulin, actin, were evaluated for their suitability as normalization genes using the geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, and comparative ΔCq algorithims. Our study proposes the use of no more than two of the four most stable reference genes (NADH, 18S, SDHA and HSP90 in Varroa gene expression studies. These four genes remain stable in phoretic and reproductive stage Varroa and are unaffected by Deformed wing virus load. When used for determining changes in vitellogenin gene expression, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR for the relatively unstable genes actin and α-tubulin was much lower than for the stable gene combinations (NADH + HSP90 +18S; NADH + HSP90; or NADH. Using both electropherograms and RT-qPCR for short and long amplicons as quality controls, we demonstrate that high quality RNA can be recovered from Varroa up to 10 days later stored at ambient temperature if collected into RNAlater and provided the body is pierced. This protocol allows the exchange of Varroa samples between international collaborators and field sample collectors without requiring frozen collection or shipping. Our results make important contributions to gene expression studies in Varroa by proposing a validated sampling protocol to obtain high quality Varroa

Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE)

NARCIS (Netherlands)

van Ruissen, Fred; Baas, Frank

2007-01-01

In 1995, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was developed as a versatile tool for gene expression studies. SAGE technology does not require pre-existing knowledge of the genome that is being examined and therefore SAGE can be applied to many different model systems. In this chapter, the SAGE

I lectores medioevali tra il libro e il testo

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Federica Riviello

2012-06-01

Full Text Available L’intento del lavoro è di problematizzare alcuni aspetti, generalmente ritenuti emblematici, della relazione tra i litterati medievali e il libro – nelle sue declinazioni di Testo sacro, Libro della natura e auctoritates. L’impiego, come strumenti di lavoro, di concetti di recente elaborazione e di osservazioni di pensatori contemporanei sull’argomento, non è finalizzato ad attualizzare tale relazione, quanto piuttosto ad ampliare i punti di vista su di essa e a metterne alla prova la capacità di offrire originali spunti di riflessione. Le proposte teoriche di Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault e Roland Barthes sono qui adoperate come esemplificazioni di un’interpretazione che ha storicamente reso quasi paradigmatico il modo di leggere dei docti, specialmente altomedievali. Tuttavia, alcune definizioni della Scrittura – il libro per eccellenza – proposte da questi ultimi, nonché la teorizzazione del suo quadruplice senso sembrano smussare la radicalità di queste osservazioni. Concetti quali “funzione-autore” di Foucault e “testo” di Barthes sono invece adottati per considerare all’interno di una diversa cornice teorica il confronto dei doctores, in particolare bassomedievali, con le cosiddette auctoritates. Nella visione ordinaria la reverenza nei confronti dell’autore, divino o umano, la ricerca e la riproposizione fedele di un significato univoco dell’opera aldilà dei segni, naturali o culturali, che lo veicolano costituiscono tratti tipici dell’atteggiamento dei lettori medievali. A fronte di questi aspetti, tuttavia, è possibile sottolinearne altri eterodossi e perlopiù trascurati, quali la rilevanza attribuita all’interpretazione, prassi ineludibile e da disciplinare, al ruolo del lettore e alla sua fruizione attiva e produttiva dei testi. The aim of the work is to problematize some aspects generally considered representative of the relationship between medieval savants and the book - in its variations

Association of the multidrug resistance-1 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms with the tacrolimus dose requirements in renal transplant recipients.

Science.gov (United States)

Anglicheau, Dany; Verstuyft, Céline; Laurent-Puig, Pierre; Becquemont, Laurent; Schlageter, Marie-Hélène; Cassinat, Bruno; Beaune, Philippe; Legendre, Christophe; Thervet, Eric

2003-07-01

The immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus, whose pharmacokinetic characteristics display large interindividual variations, is a substrate for P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the product of the multidrug resistance-1 (MDR1) gene. Some of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of MDR1 reported correlated with the in vivo activity of P-gp. Because P-gp is known to control tacrolimus intestinal absorption, it was postulated that these polymorphisms are associated with tacrolimus pharmacokinetic variations in renal transplant recipients. The objective of this study was to evaluate in a retrospective study of 81 renal transplant recipients the effect on tacrolimus dosages and concentration/dose ratio of four frequent MDR1 SNP possibly associated with P-gp function (T-129C in exon 1b, 1236C>T in exon 12, 2677G>T,A in exon 21, and 3435C>T in exon 26). As in the general population, the SNP in exons 12, 21, and 26 were frequent (16, 17.3, and 22.2% for the variant homozygous genotype, respectively) and exhibited incomplete linkage disequilibrium. One month after tacrolimus introduction, exon 21 SNP correlated significantly with the daily tacrolimus dose (P < or = 0.05) and the concentration/dose ratio (P < or = 0.02). Tacrolimus dose requirements were 40% higher in homozygous than wild-type patients for this SNP. The concentration/dose ratio was 36% lower in the wild-type patients, suggesting that, for a given dose, their tacrolimus blood concentration is lower. Haplotype analysis substantiated these results and suggested that exons 26 and 21 SNP may be associated with tacrolimus dose requirements. Genotype monitoring of the MDR1 gene reliably predicts the optimal dose of tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients and may predict the initial daily dose needed by individual patients to obtain adequate immunosuppression.

A Genome-Wide Screen for Dendritically Localized RNAs Identifies Genes Required for Dendrite Morphogenesis

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Mala Misra

2016-08-01

Full Text Available Localizing messenger RNAs at specific subcellular sites is a conserved mechanism for targeting the synthesis of cytoplasmic proteins to distinct subcellular domains, thereby generating the asymmetric protein distributions necessary for cellular and developmental polarity. However, the full range of transcripts that are asymmetrically distributed in specialized cell types, and the significance of their localization, especially in the nervous system, are not known. We used the EP-MS2 method, which combines EP transposon insertion with the MS2/MCP in vivo fluorescent labeling system, to screen for novel localized transcripts in polarized cells, focusing on the highly branched Drosophila class IV dendritic arborization neurons. Of a total of 541 lines screened, we identified 55 EP-MS2 insertions producing transcripts that were enriched in neuronal processes, particularly in dendrites. The 47 genes identified by these insertions encode molecularly diverse proteins, and are enriched for genes that function in neuronal development and physiology. RNAi-mediated knockdown confirmed roles for many of the candidate genes in dendrite morphogenesis. We propose that the transport of mRNAs encoded by these genes into the dendrites allows their expression to be regulated on a local scale during the dynamic developmental processes of dendrite outgrowth, branching, and/or remodeling.

Renal Gene Expression Database (RGED): a relational database of gene expression profiles in kidney disease.

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Zhang, Qingzhou; Yang, Bo; Chen, Xujiao; Xu, Jing; Mei, Changlin; Mao, Zhiguo

2014-01-01

We present a bioinformatics database named Renal Gene Expression Database (RGED), which contains comprehensive gene expression data sets from renal disease research. The web-based interface of RGED allows users to query the gene expression profiles in various kidney-related samples, including renal cell lines, human kidney tissues and murine model kidneys. Researchers can explore certain gene profiles, the relationships between genes of interests and identify biomarkers or even drug targets in kidney diseases. The aim of this work is to provide a user-friendly utility for the renal disease research community to query expression profiles of genes of their own interest without the requirement of advanced computational skills. Website is implemented in PHP, R, MySQL and Nginx and freely available from http://rged.wall-eva.net. http://rged.wall-eva.net. © The Author(s) 2014. Published by Oxford University Press.

Renal Gene Expression Database (RGED): a relational database of gene expression profiles in kidney disease

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Qingzhou; Yang, Bo; Chen, Xujiao; Xu, Jing; Mei, Changlin; Mao, Zhiguo

2014-01-01

We present a bioinformatics database named Renal Gene Expression Database (RGED), which contains comprehensive gene expression data sets from renal disease research. The web-based interface of RGED allows users to query the gene expression profiles in various kidney-related samples, including renal cell lines, human kidney tissues and murine model kidneys. Researchers can explore certain gene profiles, the relationships between genes of interests and identify biomarkers or even drug targets in kidney diseases. The aim of this work is to provide a user-friendly utility for the renal disease research community to query expression profiles of genes of their own interest without the requirement of advanced computational skills. Availability and implementation: Website is implemented in PHP, R, MySQL and Nginx and freely available from http://rged.wall-eva.net. Database URL: http://rged.wall-eva.net PMID:25252782

Genes and inheritance.

Science.gov (United States)

Middelton, L A; Peters, K F

2001-10-01

The information gained from the Human Genome Project and related genetic research will undoubtedly create significant changes in healthcare practice. It is becoming increasingly clear that nurses in all areas of clinical practice will require a fundamental understanding of basic genetics. This article provides the oncology nurse with an overview of basic genetic concepts, including inheritance patterns of single gene conditions, pedigree construction, chromosome aberrations, and the multifactorial basis underlying the common diseases of adulthood. Normal gene structure and function are introduced and the biochemistry of genetic errors is described.

The Babesia bovis hap2 gene is not required for blood stage replication, but expressed upon in vitro sexual stage induction.

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Hala E Hussein

2017-10-01

Full Text Available Babesia bovis, is a tick borne apicomplexan parasite responsible for important cattle losses globally. Babesia parasites have a complex life cycle including asexual replication in the mammalian host and sexual reproduction in the tick vector. Novel control strategies aimed at limiting transmission of the parasite are needed, but transmission blocking vaccine candidates remain undefined. Expression of HAP2 has been recognized as critical for the fertilization of parasites in the Babesia-related Plasmodium, and is a leading candidate for a transmission blocking vaccine against malaria. Hereby we identified the B. bovis hap2 gene and demonstrated that it is widely conserved and differentially transcribed during development within the tick midgut, but not by blood stage parasites. The hap2 gene was disrupted by transfecting B. bovis with a plasmid containing the flanking regions of the hap2 gene and the GPF-BSD gene under the control of the ef-1α-B promoter. Comparison of in vitro growth between a hap2-KO B. bovis clonal line and its parental wild type strain showed that HAP2 is not required for the development of B. bovis in erythrocytes. However, xanthurenic acid-in vitro induction experiments of sexual stages of parasites recovered after tick transmission resulted in surface expression of HAP2 exclusively in sexual stage induced parasites. In addition, hap2-KO parasites were not able to develop such sexual stages as defined both by morphology and by expression of the B. bovis sexual marker genes 6-Cys A and B. Together, the data strongly suggests that tick midgut stage differential expression of hap2 is associated with the development of B. bovis sexual forms. Overall these studies are consistent with a role of HAP2 in tick stages of the parasite and suggest that HAP2 is a potential candidate for a transmission blocking vaccine against bovine babesiosis.

Resistance to organic hydroperoxides requires ohr and ohrR genes in Sinorhizobium meliloti

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Dufour Virginie

2011-05-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Sinorhizobium meliloti is a symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium that elicits nodules on roots of host plants Medicago sativa. During nodule formation bacteria have to withstand oxygen radicals produced by the plant. Resistance to H2O2 and superoxides has been extensively studied in S. meliloti. In contrast resistance to organic peroxides has not been investigated while S. meliloti genome encodes putative organic peroxidases. Organic peroxides are produced by plants and are highly toxic. The resistance to these oxygen radicals has been studied in various bacteria but never in plant nodulating bacteria. Results In this study we report the characterisation of organic hydroperoxide resistance gene ohr and its regulator ohrR in S. meliloti. The inactivation of ohr affects resistance to cumene and ter-butyl hydroperoxides but not to hydrogen peroxide or menadione in vitro. The expression of ohr and ohrR genes is specifically induced by organic peroxides. OhrR binds to the intergenic region between the divergent genes ohr and ohrR. Two binding sites were characterised. Binding to the operator is prevented by OhrR oxidation that promotes OhrR dimerisation. The inactivation of ohr did not affect symbiosis and nitrogen fixation, suggesting that redundant enzymatic activity exists in this strain. Both ohr and ohrR are expressed in nodules suggesting that they play a role during nitrogen fixation. Conclusions This report demonstrates the significant role Ohr and OhrR proteins play in bacterial stress resistance against organic peroxides in S. meliloti. The ohr and ohrR genes are expressed in nodule-inhabiting bacteroids suggesting a role during nodulation.

Identification of new genes required for meiotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ajimura, M.; Lee, S.H.; Ogawa, H.

1993-01-01

Mutants defective in meiotic recombination were isolated from a disomic haploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by examining recombination within the leu2 and his4 heteroalleles located on chromosome III. The mutants were classified into two new complementation groups (MRE2 and MRE11) and eight previously identified groups, which include SPO11, HOP1, REC114, MRE4/MEK1 and genes in the RAD52 epistasis group. All of the mutants, in which the mutations in the new complementation groups are homozygous and diploid, can undergo premeiotic DNA synthesis and produce spores. The spores are, however, not viable. The mre2 and mre11 mutants produce viable spores in a spo13 background, in which meiosis I is bypassed, suggesting that these mutants are blocked at an early step in meiotic recombination. The mre2 mutant does not exhibit any unusual phenotype during mitosis and it is, thus, considered to have a mutation in a meiosis-specific gene. By contrast, the mre11 mutant is sensitive to damage to DNA by methyl methanesulfonate and exhibits a hyperrecombination phenotype in mitosis. Among six alleles of HOP1 that were isolated, an unusual pattern of intragenic complementation was observed

Pan-genome and phylogeny of Bacillus cereus sensu lato

OpenAIRE

Bazinet, Adam L.

2017-01-01

Background Bacillus cereus sensu lato (s. l.) is an ecologically diverse bacterial group of medical and agricultural significance. In this study, I use publicly available genomes and novel bioinformatic workflows to characterize the B. cereus s. l. pan-genome and perform the largest phylogenetic and population genetic analyses of this group to date in terms of the number of genes and taxa included. With these fundamental data in hand, I identify genes associated with particular phenotypic tra...

Multiple BiP genes of Arabidopsis thaliana are required for male gametogenesis and pollen competitiveness.

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Maruyama, Daisuke; Sugiyama, Tomoyuki; Endo, Toshiya; Nishikawa, Shuh-Ichi

2014-04-01

Immunoglobulin-binding protein (BiP) is a molecular chaperone of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) family. BiP is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and plays key roles in protein translocation, protein folding and quality control in the ER. The genomes of flowering plants contain multiple BiP genes. Arabidopsis thaliana has three BiP genes. BIP1 and BIP2 are ubiquitously expressed. BIP3 encodes a less well conserved BiP paralog, and it is expressed only under ER stress conditions in the majority of organs. Here, we report that all BiP genes are expressed and functional in pollen and pollen tubes. Although the bip1 bip2 double mutation does not affect pollen viability, the bip1 bip2 bip3 triple mutation is lethal in pollen. This result indicates that lethality of the bip1 bip2 double mutation is rescued by BiP3 expression. A decrease in the copy number of the ubiquitously expressed BiP genes correlates well with a decrease in pollen tube growth, which leads to reduced fitness of mutant pollen during fertilization. Because an increased protein secretion activity is expected to increase the protein folding demand in the ER, the multiple BiP genes probably cooperate with each other to ensure ER homeostasis in cells with active secretion such as rapidly growing pollen tubes.

40 CFR 174.513 - Potato Leaf Roll Virus Resistance Gene (also known as orf1/orf2 gene); exemption from the...

Science.gov (United States)

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Potato Leaf Roll Virus Resistance Gene... REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANT-INCORPORATED PROTECTANTS Tolerances and Tolerance Exemptions § 174.513 Potato Leaf Roll... protectant Potato Leaf Roll Virus Resistance Gene (also known as orf1/orf2 gene) in or on all food...

Application of HSVtk suicide gene to X-SCID gene therapy: Ganciclovir treatment offsets gene corrected X-SCID B cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uchiyama, Toru; Kumaki, Satoru; Ishikawa, Yoshinori; Onodera, Masafumi; Sato, Miki; Du, Wei; Sasahara, Yoji; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Sugamura, Kazuo; Tsuchiya, Shigeru

2006-01-01

Recently, a serious adverse effect of uncontrolled clonal T cell proliferation due to insertional mutagenesis of retroviral vector was reported in X-SCID gene therapy clinical trial. To offset the side effect, we have incorporated a suicide gene into therapeutic retroviral vector for selective elimination of transduced cells. In this study, B-cell lines from two X-SCID patients were transduced with bicistronic retroviral vector carrying human γc chain cDNA and Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene. After confirmation of functional reconstitution of the γc chain, the cells were treated with ganciclovir (GCV). The γc chain positive cells were eliminated under low concentration without cytotoxicity on untransduced cells and have not reappeared at least for 5 months. Furthermore, the γc chain transduced cells were still sensitive to GCV after five months. These results demonstrated the efficacy of the suicide gene therapy although further in vivo studies are required to assess feasibility of this approach in clinical trial

SIGNATURE: A workbench for gene expression signature analysis

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Chang Jeffrey T

2011-11-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background The biological phenotype of a cell, such as a characteristic visual image or behavior, reflects activities derived from the expression of collections of genes. As such, an ability to measure the expression of these genes provides an opportunity to develop more precise and varied sets of phenotypes. However, to use this approach requires computational methods that are difficult to implement and apply, and thus there is a critical need for intelligent software tools that can reduce the technical burden of the analysis. Tools for gene expression analyses are unusually difficult to implement in a user-friendly way because their application requires a combination of biological data curation, statistical computational methods, and database expertise. Results We have developed SIGNATURE, a web-based resource that simplifies gene expression signature analysis by providing software, data, and protocols to perform the analysis successfully. This resource uses Bayesian methods for processing gene expression data coupled with a curated database of gene expression signatures, all carried out within a GenePattern web interface for easy use and access. Conclusions SIGNATURE is available for public use at http://genepattern.genome.duke.edu/signature/.

DNA-binding proteins regulating pIP501 transfer and replication

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Elisabeth Grohmann

2016-08-01

Full Text Available pIP501 is a Gram-positive broad-host-range model plasmid intensively used for studying plasmid replication and conjugative transfer. It is a multiple antibiotic resistance plasmid frequently found in clinical Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolates. Replication of pIP501 proceeds unidirectionally by a theta mechanism. The minimal replicon of pIP501 is composed of the repR gene encoding the essential rate-limiting replication initiator protein RepR and the origin of replication, oriR, located downstream of repR. RepR is similar to RepE of related streptococcal plasmid pAMβ1, which has been shown to possess RNase activity cleaving free RNA molecules in close proximity of the initiation site of DNA synthesis. Replication of pIP501 is controlled by the concerted action of a small protein, CopR, and an antisense RNA, RNAIII. CopR has a dual role: It acts as transcriptional repressor at the repR promoter and prevents convergent transcription of RNAIII and repR mRNA (RNAII, thereby indirectly increasing RNAIII synthesis. CopR binds asymmetrically as a dimer at two consecutive binding sites upstream of and overlapping with the repR promoter. RNAIII induces transcriptional attenuation within the leader region of the repR mRNA (RNAII. Deletion of either control component causes a 10- to 20-fold increase of plasmid copy number, while simultaneous deletions have no additional effect. Conjugative transfer of pIP501 depends on a type IV secretion system (T4SS encoded in a single operon. Its transfer host-range is considerably broad, as it has been transferred to virtually all Gram-positive bacteria including filamentous streptomycetes and even the Gram-negative Escherichia coli. Expression of the 15 genes encoding the T4SS is tightly controlled by binding of the relaxase TraA, the transfer initiator protein, to the operon promoter, which overlaps with the origin of transfer (oriT. The T4SS operon encodes the DNA-binding proteins TraJ (VirD4

Identification of housekeeping genes as references for quantitative ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

XIAOHUA XIA

2017-11-27

Nov 27, 2017 ... required for the maintenance of basic cellular function. Generally, housekeeping genes are ... out to assess different housekeeping genes in Misgur- ... Data were eval- uated by three methods, geNorm (Vandesompele et al.

Assessment of technical risks and R and D requirements for a magnetic confinement fusion fuel system. Final report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

DeFreece, D.A.

1983-11-01

This report documents a specific use and results of a novel technique for assessing the technical risks associated with the hardware development of a possible future commercial fusion power plant fuel system. Technical risk is defined as the risk that a particular technology or component which is currently under development will not achieve a set of required technical specifications. A technical risk assessment is the quantification of this risk. This Technical Risk Assessment (TRA) methodology was applied to a deuterium-tritium fuel system for a magnetic-confinement fusion power plant. The fuel system is defined to support a generic commercial reactor with at least two viable options for each critical subsystem. Each subsystem option is defined in detail including nominal performance requirements and subsystem interfaces. Subsystem experts were canvassed to obtain values for past, present and future technical performance parameters for each of the subsystem options. These forecasts are presented as probabilities of achieving given levels of performance in specific time periods for assumed funding scenarios. Several funding scenarios were examined to discern whether performance limitations are caused by funding or technology. A computerized Fuel System simulation is described which uses these subsystem performance parameter forecasts as inputs

Mutations in sit B and sit D genes affect manganese-growth requirements in Sinorhizobium meliloti.

Science.gov (United States)

Platero, Raúl A; Jaureguy, Melina; Battistoni, Federico J; Fabiano, Elena R

2003-01-21

Two transposon-induced mutants of Sinorhizobium meliloti 242 were isolated based on their inability to grow on rich medium supplemented with the metal chelator ethylenediamine di-o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (EDDHA) and either heme-compounds or siderophores as iron sources. Tagged loci of these mutants were identified as sit B and sit D genes. These genes encode components of an ABC (ATP-binding cassette) metal-type permease in several Gram-negative bacteria. In this work, the phenotypes of these two mutants were compared with those of two siderophore-mediated iron transport mutants. The results strongly implicate a role of the sit genes in manganese acquisition when this metal is limiting in S. meliloti.

A primeira obra de linguística produzida no Brasil: Traços Geraes de Linguistica (1880 de Júlio Ribeiro

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José Edicarlos de Aquino

2018-03-01

Full Text Available Trazemos para análise um texto até agora apagado na história das ideias linguísticas no Brasil, o livro Traços Geraes de Linguistica (1880, de Júlio Ribeiro, que tem como fato significativo ter sido a primeira obra de linguística produzida no país. Apresentamos Júlio Ribeiro como um autor de linguística a par das questões do seu tempo, que trata de temas como a sede da linguagem articulada, o aparelho da fonação, a origem, a evolução e a tipologia das línguas e a história das ciências da linguagem, retomando e inovando a gramática histórica, e também como um historiador das ciências da linguagem, que apresenta interpretações particulares da história do conhecimento sobre a linguagem e as línguas. Mostramos que, por esse gesto de reformular as teorias linguísticas e a sua história, Júlio Ribeiro insere a língua portuguesa e as línguas indígenas brasileiras nas questões gerais do conhecimento científico sobre a linguagem no século XIX.

A genetic screen in Myxococcus xanthus identifies mutants that uncouple outer membrane exchange from a downstream cellular response.

Science.gov (United States)

Dey, Arup; Wall, Daniel

2014-12-01

Upon physical contact with sibling cells, myxobacteria transiently fuse their outer membranes (OMs) and exchange OM proteins and lipids. From previous work, TraA and TraB were identified to be essential factors for OM exchange (OME) in donor and recipient cells. To define the genetic complexity of OME, we carried out a comprehensive forward genetic screen. The screen was based on the observation that Myxococcus xanthus nonmotile cells, by a Tra-dependent mechanism, block swarm expansion of motile cells when mixed. Thus, mutants defective in OME or a downstream responsive pathway were readily identified as escape flares from mixed inocula seeded on agar. This screen was surprisingly powerful, as we found >50 mutants defective in OME. Importantly, all of the mutations mapped to the traAB operon, suggesting that there may be few, if any, proteins besides TraA and TraB directly required for OME. We also found a second and phenotypically different class of mutants that exhibited wild-type OME but were defective in a responsive pathway. This pathway is postulated to control inner membrane homeostasis by covalently attaching amino acids to phospholipids. The identified proteins are homologous to the Staphylococcus aureus MprF protein, which is involved in membrane adaptation and antibiotic resistance. Interestingly, we also found that a small number of nonmotile cells were sufficient to block the swarming behavior of a large gliding-proficient population. This result suggests that an OME-derived signal could be amplified from a few nonmotile producers to act on many responder cells. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Small RNA-based feedforward loop with AND-gate logic regulates extrachromosomal DNA transfer in Salmonella.

Science.gov (United States)

Papenfort, Kai; Espinosa, Elena; Casadesús, Josep; Vogel, Jörg

2015-08-25

Horizontal gene transfer via plasmid conjugation is a major driving force in microbial evolution but constitutes a complex process that requires synchronization with the physiological state of the host bacteria. Although several host transcription factors are known to regulate plasmid-borne transfer genes, RNA-based regulatory circuits for host-plasmid communication remain unknown. We describe a posttranscriptional mechanism whereby the Hfq-dependent small RNA, RprA, inhibits transfer of pSLT, the virulence plasmid of Salmonella enterica. RprA employs two separate seed-pairing domains to activate the mRNAs of both the sigma-factor σ(S) and the RicI protein, a previously uncharacterized membrane protein here shown to inhibit conjugation. Transcription of ricI requires σ(S) and, together, RprA and σ(S) orchestrate a coherent feedforward loop with AND-gate logic to tightly control the activation of RicI synthesis. RicI interacts with the conjugation apparatus protein TraV and limits plasmid transfer under membrane-damaging conditions. To our knowledge, this study reports the first small RNA-controlled feedforward loop relying on posttranscriptional activation of two independent targets and an unexpected role of the conserved RprA small RNA in controlling extrachromosomal DNA transfer.

G-NEST: a gene neighborhood scoring tool to identify co-conserved, co-expressed genes

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Lemay Danielle G

2012-09-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background In previous studies, gene neighborhoods—spatial clusters of co-expressed genes in the genome—have been defined using arbitrary rules such as requiring adjacency, a minimum number of genes, a fixed window size, or a minimum expression level. In the current study, we developed a Gene Neighborhood Scoring Tool (G-NEST which combines genomic location, gene expression, and evolutionary sequence conservation data to score putative gene neighborhoods across all possible window sizes simultaneously. Results Using G-NEST on atlases of mouse and human tissue expression data, we found that large neighborhoods of ten or more genes are extremely rare in mammalian genomes. When they do occur, neighborhoods are typically composed of families of related genes. Both the highest scoring and the largest neighborhoods in mammalian genomes are formed by tandem gene duplication. Mammalian gene neighborhoods contain highly and variably expressed genes. Co-localized noisy gene pairs exhibit lower evolutionary conservation of their adjacent genome locations, suggesting that their shared transcriptional background may be disadvantageous. Genes that are essential to mammalian survival and reproduction are less likely to occur in neighborhoods, although neighborhoods are enriched with genes that function in mitosis. We also found that gene orientation and protein-protein interactions are partially responsible for maintenance of gene neighborhoods. Conclusions Our experiments using G-NEST confirm that tandem gene duplication is the primary driver of non-random gene order in mammalian genomes. Non-essentiality, co-functionality, gene orientation, and protein-protein interactions are additional forces that maintain gene neighborhoods, especially those formed by tandem duplicates. We expect G-NEST to be useful for other applications such as the identification of core regulatory modules, common transcriptional backgrounds, and chromatin domains. The

RNA interference and retinoblastoma-related genes are required for repression of endogenous siRNA targets in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Science.gov (United States)

Grishok, Alla; Hoersch, Sebastian; Sharp, Phillip A

2008-12-23

In Caenorhabditis elegans, a vast number of endogenous short RNAs corresponding to thousands of genes have been discovered recently. This finding suggests that these short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) may contribute to regulation of many developmental and other signaling pathways in addition to silencing viruses and transposons. Here, we present a microarray analysis of gene expression in RNA interference (RNAi)-related mutants rde-4, zfp-1, and alg-1 and the retinoblastoma (Rb) mutant lin-35. We found that a component of Dicer complex RDE-4 and a chromatin-related zinc finger protein ZFP-1, not implicated in endogenous RNAi, regulate overlapping sets of genes. Notably, genes a) up-regulated in the rde-4 and zfp-1 mutants and b) up-regulated in the lin-35(Rb) mutant, but not the down-regulated genes are highly represented in the set of genes with corresponding endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs). Our study suggests that endogenous siRNAs cooperate with chromatin factors, either C. elegans ortholog of acute lymphoblastic leukemia-1 (ALL-1)-fused gene from chromosome 10 (AF10), ZFP-1, or tumor suppressor Rb, to regulate overlapping sets of genes and predicts a large role for RNAi-based chromatin silencing in control of gene expression in C. elegans.

Nucleolin is required for DNA methylation state and the expression of rRNA gene variants in Arabidopsis thaliana.

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Frédéric Pontvianne

2010-11-01

Full Text Available In eukaryotes, 45S rRNA genes are arranged in tandem arrays in copy numbers ranging from several hundred to several thousand in plants. Although it is clear that not all copies are transcribed under normal growth conditions, the molecular basis controlling the expression of specific sets of rRNA genes remains unclear. Here, we report four major rRNA gene variants in Arabidopsis thaliana. Interestingly, while transcription of one of these rRNA variants is induced, the others are either repressed or remain unaltered in A. thaliana plants with a disrupted nucleolin-like protein gene (Atnuc-L1. Remarkably, the most highly represented rRNA gene variant, which is inactive in WT plants, is reactivated in Atnuc-L1 mutants. We show that accumulated pre-rRNAs originate from RNA Pol I transcription and are processed accurately. Moreover, we show that disruption of the AtNUC-L1 gene induces loss of symmetrical DNA methylation without affecting histone epigenetic marks at rRNA genes. Collectively, these data reveal a novel mechanism for rRNA gene transcriptional regulation in which the nucleolin protein plays a major role in controlling active and repressed rRNA gene variants in Arabidopsis.

Newer Gene Editing Technologies toward HIV Gene Therapy

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Premlata Shankar

2013-11-01

Full Text Available Despite the great success of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART in ameliorating the course of HIV infection, alternative therapeutic approaches are being pursued because of practical problems associated with life-long therapy. The eradication of HIV in the so-called “Berlin patient” who received a bone marrow transplant from a CCR5-negative donor has rekindled interest in genome engineering strategies to achieve the same effect. Precise gene editing within the cells is now a realistic possibility with recent advances in understanding the DNA repair mechanisms, DNA interaction with transcription factors and bacterial defense mechanisms. Within the past few years, four novel technologies have emerged that can be engineered for recognition of specific DNA target sequences to enable site-specific gene editing: Homing Endonuclease, ZFN, TALEN, and CRISPR/Cas9 system. The most recent CRISPR/Cas9 system uses a short stretch of complementary RNA bound to Cas9 nuclease to recognize and cleave target DNA, as opposed to the previous technologies that use DNA binding motifs of either zinc finger proteins or transcription activator-like effector molecules fused to an endonuclease to mediate sequence-specific DNA cleavage. Unlike RNA interference, which requires the continued presence of effector moieties to maintain gene silencing, the newer technologies allow permanent disruption of the targeted gene after a single treatment. Here, we review the applications, limitations and future prospects of novel gene-editing strategies for use as HIV therapy.

A stochastic approach to multi-gene expression dynamics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ochiai, T.; Nacher, J.C.; Akutsu, T.

2005-01-01

In the last years, tens of thousands gene expression profiles for cells of several organisms have been monitored. Gene expression is a complex transcriptional process where mRNA molecules are translated into proteins, which control most of the cell functions. In this process, the correlation among genes is crucial to determine the specific functions of genes. Here, we propose a novel multi-dimensional stochastic approach to deal with the gene correlation phenomena. Interestingly, our stochastic framework suggests that the study of the gene correlation requires only one theoretical assumption-Markov property-and the experimental transition probability, which characterizes the gene correlation system. Finally, a gene expression experiment is proposed for future applications of the model

HU participates in expression of a specific set of genes required for growth and survival at acidic pH in Escherichia coli.

Science.gov (United States)

Bi, Hongkai; Sun, Lianle; Fukamachi, Toshihiko; Saito, Hiromi; Kobayashi, Hiroshi

2009-05-01

The major histone-like Escherichia coli protein, HU, is composed of alpha and beta subunits respectively encoded by hupA and hupB in Escherichia coli. A mutant deficient in both hupA and hupB grew at a slightly slower rate than the wild type at pH 7.5. Growth of the mutant diminished with a decrease in pH, and no growth was observed at pH 4.6. Mutants of either hupA or hupB grew at all pH levels tested. The arginine-dependent survival at pH 2.5 was diminished approximately 60-fold by the deletion of both hupA and hupB, whereas the survival was slightly affected by the deletion of either hupA or hupB. The mRNA levels of adiA and adiC, which respectively encode arginine decarboxylase and arginine/agmatine antiporter, were low in the mutant deficient in both hupA and hupB. The deletion of both hupA and hupB had little effect on survival at pH 2.5 in the presence of glutamate or lysine, and expression of the genes for glutamate and lysine decarboxylases was not impaired by the deletion of the HU genes. These results suggest that HU regulates expression of the specific set of genes required for growth and survival in acidic environments.

Delimiting Coalescence Genes (C-Genes) in Phylogenomic Data Sets.

Science.gov (United States)

Springer, Mark S; Gatesy, John

2018-02-26

coalescence methods have emerged as a popular alternative for inferring species trees with large genomic datasets, because these methods explicitly account for incomplete lineage sorting. However, statistical consistency of summary coalescence methods is not guaranteed unless several model assumptions are true, including the critical assumption that recombination occurs freely among but not within coalescence genes (c-genes), which are the fundamental units of analysis for these methods. Each c-gene has a single branching history, and large sets of these independent gene histories should be the input for genome-scale coalescence estimates of phylogeny. By contrast, numerous studies have reported the results of coalescence analyses in which complete protein-coding sequences are treated as c-genes even though exons for these loci can span more than a megabase of DNA. Empirical estimates of recombination breakpoints suggest that c-genes may be much shorter, especially when large clades with many species are the focus of analysis. Although this idea has been challenged recently in the literature, the inverse relationship between c-gene size and increased taxon sampling in a dataset-the 'recombination ratchet'-is a fundamental property of c-genes. For taxonomic groups characterized by genes with long intron sequences, complete protein-coding sequences are likely not valid c-genes and are inappropriate units of analysis for summary coalescence methods unless they occur in recombination deserts that are devoid of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). Finally, it has been argued that coalescence methods are robust when the no-recombination within loci assumption is violated, but recombination must matter at some scale because ILS, a by-product of recombination, is the raison d'etre for coalescence methods. That is, extensive recombination is required to yield the large number of independently segregating c-genes used to infer a species tree. If coalescent methods are powerful

The noncoding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 is required for differentiation of the murine retina.

Science.gov (United States)

Young, T L; Matsuda, T; Cepko, C L

2005-03-29

With the advent of genome-wide analyses, it is becoming evident that a large number of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are expressed in vertebrates. However, of the thousands of ncRNAs identified, the functions of relatively few have been established. In a screen for genes upregulated by taurine in developing retinal cells, we identified a gene that appears to be a ncRNA. Taurine Upregulated Gene 1 (TUG1) is a spliced, polyadenylated RNA that does not encode any open reading frame greater than 82 amino acids in its full-length, 6.7 kilobase (kb) RNA sequence. Analyses of Northern blots and in situ hybridization revealed that TUG1 is expressed in the developing retina and brain, as well as in adult tissues. In the newborn retina, knockdown of TUG1 with RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in malformed or nonexistent outer segments of transfected photoreceptors. Immunofluorescent staining and microarray analyses suggested that this loss of proper photoreceptor differentiation is a result of the disregulation of photoreceptor gene expression. A function for a newly identified ncRNA, TUG1, has been established. TUG1 is necessary for the proper formation of photoreceptors in the developing rodent retina.

Comparative mapping of powdery mildew resistance gene Pm21 and functional characterization of resistance-related genes in wheat.

Science.gov (United States)

He, Huagang; Zhu, Shanying; Jiang, Zhengning; Ji, Yaoyong; Wang, Feng; Zhao, Renhui; Bie, Tongde

2016-04-01

The powdery mildew resistance gene Pm21 was physically and comparatively mapped by newly developed markers. Seven candidate genes were verified to be required for Pm21 -mediated resistance to wheat powdery mildew. Pm21, a gene derived from wheat wild relative Dasypyrum villosum, has been transferred into common wheat and widely utilized in wheat resistance breeding for powdery mildew. Previously, Pm21 has been located to the bin FL0.45-0.58 of 6VS by using deletion stocks. However, its fine mapping is still a hard work. In the present study, 30 gene-derived 6VS-specific markers were obtained based on the collinearity among genomes of Brachypodium distachyon, Oryza and Triticeae, and then physically and comparatively mapped in the bin FL0.45-0.58 and its nearby chromosome region. According to the maps, the bin FL0.45-0.58 carrying Pm21 was closely flanked by the markers 6VS-03 and 6VS-23, which further narrowed the orthologous regions to 1.06 Mb in Brachypodium and 1.38 Mb in rice, respectively. Among the conserved genes shared by Brachypodium and rice, four serine/threonine protein kinase genes (DvMPK1, DvMLPK, DvUPK and DvPSYR1), one protein phosphatase gene (DvPP2C) and two transcription factor genes (DvGATA and DvWHY) were confirmed to be required for Pm21-mediated resistance to wheat powdery mildew by barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing (BSMV-VIGS) and transcriptional pattern analyses. In summary, this study gives new insights into the genetic basis of the Pm21 locus and the disease resistance pathways mediated by Pm21.

Desempenho na barra de tração de um trator agrícola de pneus, alimentado com misturas de óleo diesel e óleo de soja reutilizado

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Wagner da Cunha Siqueira

2013-12-01

Full Text Available O petróleo é a principal fonte de energia para motores de combustão interna, possibilitando sua transformação em energia mecânica. A dependência do petróleo conduz à necessidade de alternativas, mediante o cultivo de matérias-primas renováveis. Os problemas atuais são os custos dos biocombustíveis, que são maiores que dos derivados do petróleo, e o fato de que não existem muitos motores de combustão adequados ao uso de óleos vegetais. Em vista disso, são necessárias mais investigações quanto às técnicas de produção e de refino dos biocombustíveis e, ainda, à adequação de motores ao uso de óleos vegetais, para que estes possam ser uma alternativa viável. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar as diferentes misturas e avaliar o desempenho de um trator agrícola de pneus, utilizando misturas de óleo Diesel (OD com óleo de soja reutilizável (OSR. Primeiramente, foi realizado um estudo de densidade, viscosidade das misturas e comportamento da temperatura do OD no sistema de alimentação de combustível no motor. Após as análises, verificou-se, por meio de ensaios na barra de tração, o desempenho das misturas de OD e OSR. As principais conclusões deste trabalho foram: a densidade e viscosidade das misturas sofrem variações com o aumento da quantidade de OSR e com a variação da temperatura. Para as avaliações na barra de tração, os melhores resultados observados no rendimento do trator foram verificados com o aumento das percentagens de mistura (25% OSR, para carga N, 25, 75 e 100% OSR, para a quarta marcha, como carga, e 75 e 100% OSR, para a terceira, segunda e primeira marcha, como carga.

Identification of suitable reference genes for gene expression studies of shoulder instability.

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Mariana Ferreira Leal

Full Text Available Shoulder instability is a common shoulder injury, and patients present with plastic deformation of the glenohumeral capsule. Gene expression analysis may be a useful tool for increasing the general understanding of capsule deformation, and reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR has become an effective method for such studies. Although RT-qPCR is highly sensitive and specific, it requires the use of suitable reference genes for data normalization to guarantee meaningful and reproducible results. In the present study, we evaluated the suitability of a set of reference genes using samples from the glenohumeral capsules of individuals with and without shoulder instability. We analyzed the expression of six commonly used reference genes (ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, HPRT1, TBP and TFRC in the antero-inferior, antero-superior and posterior portions of the glenohumeral capsules of cases and controls. The stability of the candidate reference gene expression was determined using four software packages: NormFinder, geNorm, BestKeeper and DataAssist. Overall, HPRT1 was the best single reference gene, and HPRT1 and B2M composed the best pair of reference genes from different analysis groups, including simultaneous analysis of all tissue samples. GenEx software was used to identify the optimal number of reference genes to be used for normalization and demonstrated that the accumulated standard deviation resulting from the use of 2 reference genes was similar to that resulting from the use of 3 or more reference genes. To identify the optimal combination of reference genes, we evaluated the expression of COL1A1. Although the use of different reference gene combinations yielded variable normalized quantities, the relative quantities within sample groups were similar and confirmed that no obvious differences were observed when using 2, 3 or 4 reference genes. Consequently, the use of 2 stable reference genes for normalization, especially

Symbiotic Burkholderia Species Show Diverse Arrangements of nif/fix and nod Genes and Lack Typical High-Affinity Cytochrome cbb3 Oxidase Genes.

Science.gov (United States)

De Meyer, Sofie E; Briscoe, Leah; Martínez-Hidalgo, Pilar; Agapakis, Christina M; de-Los Santos, Paulina Estrada; Seshadri, Rekha; Reeve, Wayne; Weinstock, George; O'Hara, Graham; Howieson, John G; Hirsch, Ann M

2016-08-01

Genome analysis of fourteen mimosoid and four papilionoid beta-rhizobia together with fourteen reference alpha-rhizobia for both nodulation (nod) and nitrogen-fixing (nif/fix) genes has shown phylogenetic congruence between 16S rRNA/MLSA (combined 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multilocus sequence analysis) and nif/fix genes, indicating a free-living diazotrophic ancestry of the beta-rhizobia. However, deeper genomic analysis revealed a complex symbiosis acquisition history in the beta-rhizobia that clearly separates the mimosoid and papilionoid nodulating groups. Mimosoid-nodulating beta-rhizobia have nod genes tightly clustered in the nodBCIJHASU operon, whereas papilionoid-nodulating Burkholderia have nodUSDABC and nodIJ genes, although their arrangement is not canonical because the nod genes are subdivided by the insertion of nif and other genes. Furthermore, the papilionoid Burkholderia spp. contain duplications of several nod and nif genes. The Burkholderia nifHDKEN and fixABC genes are very closely related to those found in free-living diazotrophs. In contrast, nifA is highly divergent between both groups, but the papilionoid species nifA is more similar to alpha-rhizobia nifA than to other groups. Surprisingly, for all Burkholderia, the fixNOQP and fixGHIS genes required for cbb3 cytochrome oxidase production and assembly are missing. In contrast, symbiotic Cupriavidus strains have fixNOQPGHIS genes, revealing a divergence in the evolution of two distinct electron transport chains required for nitrogen fixation within the beta-rhizobia.

Horizontal acquisition of multiple mitochondrial genes from a parasitic plant followed by gene conversion with host mitochondrial genes

Science.gov (United States)

2010-01-01

that transferred genes may be evolutionarily important in generating mitochondrial genetic diversity. Finally, the complex relationships within each lineage of transferred genes imply a surprisingly complicated history of these genes in Plantago subsequent to their acquisition via HGT and this history probably involves some combination of additional transfers (including intracellular transfer), gene duplication, differential loss and mutation-rate variation. Unravelling this history will probably require sequencing multiple mitochondrial and nuclear genomes from Plantago. See Commentary: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/8/147. PMID:21176201

Horizontal acquisition of multiple mitochondrial genes from a parasitic plant followed by gene conversion with host mitochondrial genes

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Hao Weilong

2010-12-01

mitochondrial copies suggests that transferred genes may be evolutionarily important in generating mitochondrial genetic diversity. Finally, the complex relationships within each lineage of transferred genes imply a surprisingly complicated history of these genes in Plantago subsequent to their acquisition via HGT and this history probably involves some combination of additional transfers (including intracellular transfer, gene duplication, differential loss and mutation-rate variation. Unravelling this history will probably require sequencing multiple mitochondrial and nuclear genomes from Plantago. See Commentary: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/8/147.

A Partial Least Square Approach for Modeling Gene-gene and Gene-environment Interactions When Multiple Markers Are Genotyped

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Tao; Ho, Gloria; Ye, Kenny; Strickler, Howard; Elston, Robert C.

2008-01-01

Genetic association studies achieve an unprecedented level of resolution in mapping disease genes by genotyping dense SNPs in a gene region. Meanwhile, these studies require new powerful statistical tools that can optimally handle a large amount of information provided by genotype data. A question that arises is how to model interactions between two genes. Simply modeling all possible interactions between the SNPs in two gene regions is not desirable because a greatly increased number of degrees of freedom can be involved in the test statistic. We introduce an approach to reduce the genotype dimension in modeling interactions. The genotype compression of this approach is built upon the information on both the trait and the cross-locus gametic disequilibrium between SNPs in two interacting genes, in such a way as to parsimoniously model the interactions without loss of useful information in the process of dimension reduction. As a result, it improves power to detect association in the presence of gene-gene interactions. This approach can be similarly applied for modeling gene-environment interactions. We compare this method with other approaches: the corresponding test without modeling any interaction, that based on a saturated interaction model, that based on principal component analysis, and that based on Tukey’s 1-df model. Our simulations suggest that this new approach has superior power to that of the other methods. In an application to endometrial cancer case-control data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), this approach detected AKT1 and AKT2 as being significantly associated with endometrial cancer susceptibility by taking into account their interactions with BMI. PMID:18615621

A partial least-square approach for modeling gene-gene and gene-environment interactions when multiple markers are genotyped.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Tao; Ho, Gloria; Ye, Kenny; Strickler, Howard; Elston, Robert C

2009-01-01

Genetic association studies achieve an unprecedented level of resolution in mapping disease genes by genotyping dense single nucleotype polymorphisms (SNPs) in a gene region. Meanwhile, these studies require new powerful statistical tools that can optimally handle a large amount of information provided by genotype data. A question that arises is how to model interactions between two genes. Simply modeling all possible interactions between the SNPs in two gene regions is not desirable because a greatly increased number of degrees of freedom can be involved in the test statistic. We introduce an approach to reduce the genotype dimension in modeling interactions. The genotype compression of this approach is built upon the information on both the trait and the cross-locus gametic disequilibrium between SNPs in two interacting genes, in such a way as to parsimoniously model the interactions without loss of useful information in the process of dimension reduction. As a result, it improves power to detect association in the presence of gene-gene interactions. This approach can be similarly applied for modeling gene-environment interactions. We compare this method with other approaches, the corresponding test without modeling any interaction, that based on a saturated interaction model, that based on principal component analysis, and that based on Tukey's one-degree-of-freedom model. Our simulations suggest that this new approach has superior power to that of the other methods. In an application to endometrial cancer case-control data from the Women's Health Initiative, this approach detected AKT1 and AKT2 as being significantly associated with endometrial cancer susceptibility by taking into account their interactions with body mass index.

The Aspergillus flavus Spermidine Synthase (spds Gene, Is Required for Normal Development, Aflatoxin Production, and Pathogenesis During Infection of Maize Kernels

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Rajtilak Majumdar

2018-03-01

Full Text Available Aspergillus flavus is a soil-borne saprophyte and an opportunistic pathogen of both humans and plants. This fungus not only causes disease in important food and feed crops such as maize, peanut, cottonseed, and tree nuts but also produces the toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites (SMs known as aflatoxins. Polyamines (PAs are ubiquitous polycations that influence normal growth, development, and stress responses in living organisms and have been shown to play a significant role in fungal pathogenesis. Biosynthesis of spermidine (Spd is critical for cell growth as it is required for hypusination-mediated activation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A, and other biochemical functions. The tri-amine Spd is synthesized from the diamine putrescine (Put by the enzyme spermidine synthase (Spds. Inactivation of spds resulted in a total loss of growth and sporulation in vitro which could be partially restored by addition of exogenous Spd. Complementation of the Δspds mutant with a wild type (WT A. flavus spds gene restored the WT phenotype. In WT A. flavus, exogenous supply of Spd (in vitro significantly increased the production of sclerotia and SMs. Infection of maize kernels with the Δspds mutant resulted in a significant reduction in fungal growth, sporulation, and aflatoxin production compared to controls. Quantitative PCR of Δspds mutant infected seeds showed down-regulation of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes in the mutant compared to WT A. flavus infected seeds. Expression analyses of PA metabolism/transport genes during A. flavus-maize interaction showed significant increase in the expression of arginine decarboxylase (Adc and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (Samdc genes in the maize host and PA uptake transporters in the fungus. The results presented here demonstrate that Spd biosynthesis is critical for normal development and pathogenesis of A. flavus and pre-treatment of a Δspds mutant with Spd or Spd uptake from the

Validation of commonly used reference genes for sleep-related gene expression studies

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Castro Rosa MRPS

2009-05-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Sleep is a restorative process and is essential for maintenance of mental and physical health. In an attempt to understand the complexity of sleep, multidisciplinary strategies, including genetic approaches, have been applied to sleep research. Although quantitative real time PCR has been used in previous sleep-related gene expression studies, proper validation of reference genes is currently lacking. Thus, we examined the effect of total or paradoxical sleep deprivation (TSD or PSD on the expression stability of the following frequently used reference genes in brain and blood: beta-actin (b-actin, beta-2-microglobulin (B2M, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH, and hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT. Results Neither TSD nor PSD affected the expression stability of all tested genes in both tissues indicating that b-actin, B2M, GAPDH and HPRT are appropriate reference genes for the sleep-related gene expression studies. In order to further verify these results, the relative expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase1 (GPD1 was evaluated in brain and blood, respectively. The normalization with each of four reference genes produced similar pattern of expression in control and sleep deprived rats, but subtle differences in the magnitude of expression fold change were observed which might affect the statistical significance. Conclusion This study demonstrated that sleep deprivation does not alter the expression stability of commonly used reference genes in brain and blood. Nonetheless, the use of multiple reference genes in quantitative RT-PCR is required for the accurate results.

Lutte contre les cerscosporioses du bananier aux Antilles françaises : Banatrace, un système d'information géographique multi-acteurs pour la gestion et la traçabilité des épandages aériens

OpenAIRE

DUMAS, Marine; DUMAS, Marine

2011-01-01

Comment un système d’information géographique peut-il aider à améliorer la fiabilité des traitements aériens contre les maladies fongiques du bananier tout en réduisant leur impact environnemental ? Des réponses aux Antilles françaises avec l’outil informatique multi-acteurs Banatrace, conçu pour aider les gestionnaires à répondre aux différents besoins de traçabilité imposée par la réglementation récente sur les épandages aériens.

GeneTopics - interpretation of gene sets via literature-driven topic models

Science.gov (United States)

2013-01-01

Background Annotation of a set of genes is often accomplished through comparison to a library of labelled gene sets such as biological processes or canonical pathways. However, this approach might fail if the employed libraries are not up to date with the latest research, don't capture relevant biological themes or are curated at a different level of granularity than is required to appropriately analyze the input gene set. At the same time, the vast biomedical literature offers an unstructured repository of the latest research findings that can be tapped to provide thematic sub-groupings for any input gene set. Methods Our proposed method relies on a gene-specific text corpus and extracts commonalities between documents in an unsupervised manner using a topic model approach. We automatically determine the number of topics summarizing the corpus and calculate a gene relevancy score for each topic allowing us to eliminate non-specific topics. As a result we obtain a set of literature topics in which each topic is associated with a subset of the input genes providing directly interpretable keywords and corresponding documents for literature research. Results We validate our method based on labelled gene sets from the KEGG metabolic pathway collection and the genetic association database (GAD) and show that the approach is able to detect topics consistent with the labelled annotation. Furthermore, we discuss the results on three different types of experimentally derived gene sets, (1) differentially expressed genes from a cardiac hypertrophy experiment in mice, (2) altered transcript abundance in human pancreatic beta cells, and (3) genes implicated by GWA studies to be associated with metabolite levels in a healthy population. In all three cases, we are able to replicate findings from the original papers in a quick and semi-automated manner. Conclusions Our approach provides a novel way of automatically generating meaningful annotations for gene sets that are directly