Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IQGAP 1 Integrates Ca 2 1 / Calmodulin and Cdc 42 Signaling

Calmodulin regulates diverse Ca-dependent cellular processes, including cell cycle progression and cytoskeletal rearrangement. A recently identified calmodulin-binding protein, IQGAP1, interacts with both actin and Cdc42. In this study, evidence is presented that, in the absence of Ca, IQGAP1 bound to Cdc42, which maintained Cdc42 in the active GTP-bound state. Addition of Ca both directly abrogated the effect of IQGAP1 on the intrinsic GTPase activity of Cdc42 and, in the presence of calmodulin, dissociated Cdc42 from IQGAP1. In addition, in vitro binding assays revealed that calmodulin associated with both the calponin homology domain and the IQ motifs of IQGAP1. Moreover, F-actin competed with Ca/calmodulin for binding to the calponin homology domain, but not the IQ motifs, of IQGAP1. Analysis of cell lysates revealed that calmodulin bound to IQGAP1 in a ternary complex with Cdc42. Increasing the Ca concentration enhanced the interaction between calmodulin and IQGAP1, with a concomitant decrease in the association of IQGAP1 with Cdc42. Our data suggest that IQGAP1 functions as a scaffolding protein, providing a molecular link between Ca/calmodulin and Cdc42 signaling.
Trophic shift in young-of-the-year Mugilidae during salt-marsh colonization.

This study investigated the trophic shift of young-of-the-year (YOY) thinlip grey mullet Liza ramada and golden grey mullet Liza aurata during their recruitment in a salt marsh located on the European Atlantic Ocean coast. Stable-isotope signatures (δ(13) C and δ(15) N) of the fishes followed a pattern, having enrichments in (13) C and (15) N with increasing fork length (LF ): δ(13) C in fishes < 30 mm ranged from -19.5 to -15.0‰, whereas in fishes > 30 mm δ(13) C ranged from -15.8 to -12.7‰, closer to the level in salt-marsh food resources. Large differences between the δ(15) N values of mugilids and those of food sources (6·0‰ on average) showed that YOY are secondary consumers, similar to older individuals, when feeding in the salt marsh. YOY mugilids shift from browsing on pelagic prey to grazing on benthic resources from the salt marsh before reaching 30 mm LF. The results highlight the role of European salt marshes as nurseries for juvenile mugilids.
Provoked models of asthma: what have we learnt?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by physiological abnormalities of variable airflow obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to a wide variety of physical and inhaled chemical stimuli and the presence of symptoms. AHR is measured by challenging the airways with a variety of agonists and naturally occurring stimuli, which results in constriction of the airway smooth muscle, leading to airway narrowing and airflow limitation. There are two distinct mechanisms by which the airways can narrow to a constrictor stimulus and these are defined by the pathways they take to induce AHR. Direct stimuli are pharmacological agents administered exogenously (such as histamine or methacholine) that act ‘directly’ on specific receptors on the bronchial smooth muscle to cause constriction. The other mechanism by which the airway can narrow is via the inhalation of indirect stimuli, which include natural stimuli, such as allergen or exercise, and pharmacological agents such as adenosine monophosphate and hyper‐osmotic agents (e.g. hypertonic saline or dry powder mannitol). These stimuli induce airway narrowing ‘indirectly’ by causing the endogenous release of mediators of bronchoconstriction from airway inflammatory cells. Provoked models of asthma have been extremely valuable in understanding the pathobiology of asthma, in aiding diagnosis, in helping to clarify the mechanisms of actions of effective drugs and in the development of new entities to treat asthma. Some provoked models are valuable clinically, particularly those that measure direct AHR, while others, particularly allergen challenge, have been used in animal models and in humans to study the mechanisms of allergen‐induced airway inflammation and the associated physiological changes, as well in the development of new drugs for asthma. An emerging role for measurements of AHR is in the evaluation of the optimal treatment for patients with asthma.
Altered VEGF‐A and receptor mRNA expression profiles, and identification of VEGF144 in foetal rat calvaria cells, in coculture with microvascular endothelial cells

Cellular proliferation and differentiation during angiogenesis and osteogenesis require the communication of different cell types through growth factors and their receptors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF‐A) plays an important role in osteoblast and endothelial cell intercommunication. We have investigated the effect of monocultures and indirect coculture of foetal rat calvarial (FRC) osteoblasts and microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) on nodule formation, proliferation, and mRNA‐expression of VEGF‐A and its receptors during culturing. Despite increased nodule formation in the presence of dexamethasone (Dex) in monocultures, the number of nodules and alkaline phosphatise activity were decreased in cocultured FRCs. VEGF mRNA expression over the differentiation period showed the expression of most Vegf isoforms is biphasic in both FRCs and ECs, whereas receptor expression was quite variable; however, that of Np‐2 in FRCs increased steadily and significantly from 8 h to 14 days after an initial drop in expression. Significant changes in the proportion of Vegfa by Day 14 were noted mainly in the matrix‐bound variants Vegf144 and Vegf188 in ECs and osteoblasts, respectively. Less striking results were seen in the expression of the soluble isoforms in either cell type. These results have identified expression of Vegf144 in osteoblasts, suggesting a possible autocrine and/or paracrine role that is affecting osteoblast mineralisation along with Vegf188, as well as possible early roles of these isoforms in initial cell attachment. Further study of VEGF expression in coculture and Vegf144 will lead to better understanding of its role in cell–cell communication and bone development.
From scientific article to press release to media coverage: advocating alcohol abstinence and democratising risk in a story about alcohol and pregnancy

In this article, we follow the approach taken by Riesch and Spiegalhalter in “Careless pork costs lives’: Risk stories from science to press release to media’ published in this journal, and offer an assessment of one example of a ‘risk story’. Using content and thematic qualitative analysis, we consider how the findings of an article ‘Fetal Alcohol Exposure and IQ at Age 8: Evidence from a Population-Based Birth-Cohort Study’ were framed in the article itself, the associated press release, and the subsequent extensive media coverage. We contextualise this consideration of a risk story by discussing a body of work that critically engages with the development and global proliferation of efforts to advocate for alcohol abstinence to pregnant (and pre-pregnant) women. This work considers the ‘democratisation’ of risk, a term used to draw attention to the expansion of the definition of the problem of drinking in pregnancy to include any drinking and all women. We show here how this risk story contributed a new dimension to the democratisation of risk through claims that were made about uncertainty and certainty. A central argument we make concerns the contribution of the researchers themselves (not just lobby groups or journalists) to this outcome. We conclude that the democratisation of risk was advanced in this case not simply through journalists exaggerating and misrepresenting research findings, but that communication to the press and the initial interpretation of findings played their part. We suggest that this risk story raises concerns about the accuracy of reporting of research findings, and about the communication of unwarrantedly worrying messages to pregnant women about drinking alcohol.
Membrane Potential-generating Transport of Citrate and Malate Catalyzed by CitP of Leuconostoc mesenteroides(*)

Citrate uptake in Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides 19D is catalyzed by a secondary citrate carrier (CitP). The kinetics and mechanism of CitP were investigated in membrane vesicles of L. mesenteroides. The transporter is induced by the presence of citrate in the medium and transports both citrate and malate. In spite of sequence homology to the Na-dependent citrate carrier of Klebsiella pneumoniae, CitP is not Na- dependent, nor is CitP Mg-dependent. The pH gradient (ΔpH) is a driving force for citrate and malate uptake into the membrane vesicles, whereas the membrane potential (Δ) counteracts transport. An inverted membrane potential (inside positive) generated by thiocyanide diffusion can drive citrate and malate uptake in membrane vesicles. Analysis of the forces involved showed that a single unit of negative charge is translocated during transport. Kinetic analysis of citrate counterflow at different pH values indicated that CitP transports the dianionic form of citrate (Hcit) with an affinity constant of 20 μM. It is concluded that CitP catalyzes Hcit/H symport. Translocation of negative charge into the cell during citrate metabolism results in the generation of a membrane potential that contributes to the protonmotive force across the cytoplasmic membrane, i.e. citrate metabolism in L. mesenteroides generates metabolic energy. Efficient exchange of citrate and D-lactate, a product of citrate/carbohydrate co-metabolism, is observed, suggesting that under physiological conditions, CitP may function as an electrogenic precursor/product exchanger rather than a symporter. The mechanism and energetic consequences of citrate uptake are similar to malate uptake in lactic acid bacteria.
Effect of dietary high levels of heat treated locally produced flaxseeds on body weight gain and immune response of pre-layer local chicken.

The effects of dietary high levels of heat treated locally produced flaxseeds on body weight gain, and immune response were evaluated using local Saudi chicken during the pre-laying period (17-23 wk). Diets were formulated included locally produced heat treated flaxseed roasted at 60 C for 5 minutes to have 5 dietary levels 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 % of flaxseed. Each diet was fed to 50 experimental birds randomly assigned in 5 replicates from 17 to 23 wk of age. Dietary treatments had no significant effect on body weight, or delayed hypersensitivity response to bovine serum albumin (BSA). The effect of flaxseeds level on body weight gain at the end of the experimental period was significant (P<0.05), especially when effect of the bird sex was concerned. Antibody production against Sheep red blood cells (SRBC) at 3d post injection was significantly (P≤ 0.05) affected by 40% level flaxseed diet. Late antibody production at 10d post injection recorded significantly lower antibody titer (P≤ 0.05) against SRBC of the birds fed 10% heat treated flaxseed when compared to the control group. Correlation coefficient between body weight and antibody response to SRBC showed a general negative trend of correlation allover experimental period with significant values (P≤ 0.05) at some of the experimental measuring points. It is concluded that dietary high levels of heat treated locally produced flaxseeds has a limited pronounced effect on antibody response against SRBC and weight gain on local Saudi chicken at the prelaying period.
Toxic Compound, Anti-Nutritional Factors and Functional Properties of Protein Isolated from Detoxified Jatropha curcas Seed Cake

Jatropha curcas is a multipurpose tree, which has potential as an alternative source for biodiesel. All of its parts can also be used for human food, animal feed, fertilizer, fuel and traditional medicine. J. curcas seed cake is a low-value by-product obtained from biodiesel production. The seed cake, however, has a high amount of protein, with the presence of a main toxic compound: phorbol esters as well as anti-nutritional factors: trypsin inhibitors, phytic acid, lectin and saponin. The objective of this work was to detoxify J. curcas seed cake and study the toxin, anti-nutritional factors and also functional properties of the protein isolated from the detoxified seed cake. The yield of protein isolate was approximately 70.9%. The protein isolate was obtained without a detectable level of phorbol esters. The solubility of the protein isolate was maximal at pH 12.0 and minimal at pH 4.0. The water and oil binding capacities of the protein isolate were 1.76 g water/g protein and 1.07 mL oil/g protein, respectively. The foam capacity and stability, including emulsion activity and stability of protein isolate, had higher values in a range of basic pHs, while foam and emulsion stabilities decreased with increasing time. The results suggest that the detoxified J. curcas seed cake has potential to be exploited as a novel source of functional protein for food applications.
The voltage‐gated proton channel Hv1/VSOP inhibits neutrophil granule release

Neutrophil granule exocytosis is crucial for host defense and inflammation. Neutrophils contain 4 types of granules, the exocytotic release of which is differentially regulated. This exocytosis is known to be driven by diverse mediators, including calcium and nucleotides, but the precise molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. We show in the present study that voltage‐gated proton (Hv) channels are necessary for the proper release of azurophilic granules in neutrophils. On activation of NADPH oxidase by PMA and IgG, neutrophils derived from Hvcn1 gene knockout mouse exhibited greater secretion of MPO and elastase than WT cells. In contrast, release of LTF enriched in specific granules was not enhanced in these cells. The excess release of azurophilic granules in Hv1/VSOP‐deficient neutrophils was suppressed by inhibiting NADPH oxidase activity and, in part, by valinomycin, a potassium ionophore. In addition, Hv1/VSOP‐deficient mice exhibited more severe lung inflammation after intranasal Candida albicans infection than WT mice. These findings suggest that the Hv channel acts to specifically dampen the release of azurophilic granules through, in part, the suppression of increased positive charges at the plasma membrane accompanied by the activation of NADPH oxidase in neutrophils.
Characterization of DNA methyltransferase specificities using single-molecule, real-time DNA sequencing

DNA methylation is the most common form of DNA modification in prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. We have applied the method of single-molecule, real-time (SMRT®) DNA sequencing that is capable of direct detection of modified bases at single-nucleotide resolution to characterize the specificity of several bacterial DNA methyltransferases (MTases). In addition to previously described SMRT sequencing of N6-methyladenine and 5-methylcytosine, we show that N4-methylcytosine also has a specific kinetic signature and is therefore identifiable using this approach. We demonstrate for all three prokaryotic methylation types that SMRT sequencing confirms the identity and position of the methylated base in cases where the MTase specificity was previously established by other methods. We then applied the method to determine the sequence context and methylated base identity for three MTases with unknown specificities. In addition, we also find evidence of unanticipated MTase promiscuity with some enzymes apparently also modifying sequences that are related, but not identical, to the cognate site.
Teacher Efficacy and School and Teacher Characteristics.

MFOI/PCO2 Plus Postage. Correlation; *Educational Environmnt; Elementary School Teachers; Elemerary Secondary Education; Individual Characteristics; *Insti.tutional Characteristics; Predictor Variables; *School Culture; Secondary School Teachers; *Self Efficacy; Suburban Schools; Surveys; Teacher Attitudes; *Teacher Characteristics; *Teacher Effectiveness; Teaching Experience This study assessed the relationship between teacher efficacy and teacher conceptual level, teacher empowerment, and school culture. Teacher participants (N=430) were primarily Caucasian females who taught in grades K-12, with the majority at the elementary (83 percent) or middle school (11 percent) level. They were evenly represented in the socioeconomic levels of the schools in which they taught. Analyses of the four surveys administered indicated: higher scores in teaching efficacy for female elementary school teachers with a negative correspondence to years of experience; no correlation to educational level; and significant correlation between efficacy and empowerment, conceptual level, and school culture. Personal teaching efficacy was the most closely related to motivation and teacher professionalism, while teaching efficacy was related to professional treatment by administrators, perceived potency, and values. School administrators had the highest level of personal teaching efficacy. Findings gave a possible profile of a low efficacy teacher as more likely to be male, a high school teacher, with fewer years of teaching experience, functioning at a lower conceptual level, and working in a less professional environment. Seven tables provide data on teacher and administrator characteristics, teacher efficacy, school culture, teacher experience and satisfaction, and correlation between teacher efficacy and other factors. (Contains 74 references.) (CK) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. * *********************************************************************** Teacher Efficacy and School and Teacher Characteristics Jennifer L. Edwards, PhD The Fielding Institute Kathy E. Green, PhD Univetsity of Denver Cherie A. Lyons, PhD University of Colorado at Denver U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Once of Elocahonal Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) (7) ThIs document has been reproduced as retehied from the person or orgemzation ongmatmg Mmor changes have been made to trttprove recnoduchon Quality Points of view or opmons staled In that docu trent do nol necessaray represent onictal OE RI posmon or pohty kt.1! SSION TO RE:PRODUCE AND 1.11,SLMINATE 1H6 MATE R,AL HAS LIE EN GRANTEE) U.Y rt -10 1HE FLAPAT IONAL RESOURCE 011t.1AHOTJ IF LrF.P kI Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association April, 1996 New York, New York
Health Insurance as a Productive Factor

In this paper, we present a less-explored channel through which health insurance impacts productivity: by offering health insurance, employers reduce the expected time workers spend out of work in sick days. Using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), we show that a worker with health coverage misses on average 76.54% fewer workdays than uninsured workers, after controlling for endogeneity. We develop a model that embodies this impact of health coverage in productivity. In our model, health insurance reduces the probability that a healthy worker gets sick, missing workdays, and it increases the probability that a sick worker recovers and returns to work. In our model, firms that offer health insurance are larger and pay higher wages in equilibrium, a pattern observed in the data. We calibrated the model using US data for 2004 and show the impact of increases in health costs, as well as of changes in tax benefits of health insurance expenses, on labor force health coverage and productivity.
Instantons on the Taub-NUT Space

We present a construction for self-dual Yang-Mills connections on the Taub-NUT space. We illustrate it by finding explicit expressions for all SU(2) instantons of instanton number one and generic monodromy at infinity. Dedicated to the memory of Raphael Siev HMI 09-04 TCDMATH 09-08 ∗e-mail: cherkis@maths.tcd. ie
Nucleotide and Predicted Amino Acid Sequence-Based Analysis of the Avian Metapneumovirus Type C Cell Attachment Glycoprotein Gene: Phylogenetic Analysis and Molecular Epidemiology of U.S. Pneumoviruses

ABSTRACT A serologically distinct avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) was isolated in the United States after an outbreak of turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT) in February 1997. The newly recognized U.S. virus was subsequently demonstrated to be genetically distinct from European subtypes and was designated aMPV serotype C (aMPV/C). We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the cell attachment glycoprotein (G) of aMPV/C (Colorado strain and three Minnesota isolates) and predicted amino acid sequence by sequencing cloned cDNAs synthesized from intracellular RNA of aMPV/C-infected cells. The nucleotide sequence comprised 1,321 nucleotides with only one predicted open reading frame encoding a protein of 435 amino acids, with a predicted Mr of 48,840. The structural characteristics of the predicted G protein of aMPV/C were similar to those of the human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) attachment G protein, including two mucin-like regions (heparin-binding domains) flanking both sides of a CX3C chemokine motif present in a conserved hydrophobic pocket. Comparison of the deduced G-protein amino acid sequence of aMPV/C with those of aMPV serotypes A, B, and D, as well as hRSV revealed overall predicted amino acid sequence identities ranging from 4 to 16.5%, suggesting a distant relationship. However, G-protein sequence identities ranged from 72 to 97% when aMPV/C was compared to other members within the aMPV/C subtype or 21% for the recently identified human MPV (hMPV) G protein. Ratios of nonsynonymous to synonymous nucleotide changes were greater than one in the G gene when comparing the more recent Minnesota isolates to the original Colorado isolate. Epidemiologically, this indicates positive selection among U.S. isolates since the first outbreak of TRT in the United States.
Monte carlo simulations of protein folding. II. Application to protein A, ROP, and crambin

The hierarchy of lattice Monte Carlo models described in the accompanying paper (Kolinski, A., Skolnick, J. Monte Carlo simulations of protein folding. I. Lattice model and interaction scheme. Proteins 18:338–352, 1994) is applied to the simulation of protein folding and the prediction of 3‐dimensional structure. Using sequence information alone, three proteins have been successfully folded: the B domain of staphylococcal protein A, a 120 residue, monomeric version of ROP dimer, and crambin. Starting from a random expanded conformation, the model proteins fold along relatively well‐defined folding pathways. These involve a collection of early intermediates, which are followed by the final (and rate‐determining) transition from compact intermediates closely resembling the molten globule state to the native‐like state. The predicted structures are rather unique, with native‐like packing of the side chains. The accuracy of the predicted native conformations is better than those obtained in previous folding simulations. The best (but by no means atypical) folds of protein A have a coordinate rms of 2.25 Å from the native Cα trace, and the best coordinate rms from crambin is 3.18 Å. For ROP monomer, the lowest coordinate rms from equivalent Cαs of ROP dimer is 3.65 Å. Thus, for two simple helical proteins and a small α/β protein, the ability to predict protein structure from sequence has been demonstrated. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.