bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction of Human Liver X Receptor α Gene Expression Via an Autoregulatory Loop Mechanism
Authors: Li Yu , Bolten Charles , Bhat B. Ganesh , Woodring-Dietz Jessica , Li Suzhen , Prayaga Sudhirdas K. , Xia Chunsheng , Lala Deepak S.
Published: January 2014

The liver X receptors (LXRs), members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, play an important role in controlling lipid homeostasis by activating several genes involved in reverse cholesterol transport. These include members of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of transporter proteins ABCA1 and ABCG1, surface constituents of plasma lipoproteins like apolipoprotein E, and cholesterol ester transport protein. They also play an important role in fatty acid metabolism by activating the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c gene. Here, we identify human LXRα (hLXRα) as an autoinducible gene. Induction in response to LXR ligands is observed in multiple human cell types including macrophages and occurs within 2–4 h. Analysis of the hLXRα promoter revealed three LXR response elements (LXREs); one exhibits strong affinity for both LXRα:RXR and LXRβ:RXR (a type I LXRE), and deletion and mutational studies indicate it plays a critical role in LXR-mediated induction. The other two LXREs are identical to each other, exist within highly conserved Alu repeats, and exhibit selective binding to LXRα:RXR (type II LXREs). In transfections, the type I LXRE acts as a strong mediator of both LXRα and LXRβ activity, whereas the type II LXRE acts as a weaker and selective mediator of LXRα activity. Our data suggest a model in which LXR ligands trigger an autoregulatory loop leading to selective induction of hLXRα gene expression. This would lead to increased hLXRα levels and transcription of its downstream target genes such as ABCA1, providing a simple yet exquisite mechanism for cells to respond to LXR ligands and cholesterol loading.
The Amino Terminus of the Human AR Is Target for Corepressor Action and Antihormone Agonism
Authors: Dotzlaw Helmut , Moehren Udo , Mink Sigrun , Cato Andrew C. B. , Iñiguez Lluhí Jorge A. , Baniahmad Aria
Published: January 2014

Antiandrogens inhibit the ligand-induced transactivation by the androgen receptor (AR) and have a widespread use in the treatment of prostate cancer but their mode of action is not fully understood. Here we show that the ability of the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate (CPA) to inhibit transactivation by the human AR (hAR) involves the corepressor SMRT (silencing mediator for retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptor). We detect binding of SMRT to hAR when treating with the antiandrogen CPA, but not with the antihormones casodex or hydroxyflutamide. Interestingly, we find that SMRT binds to the N terminus of the hAR. Thereby, SMRT modulates the activity of hAR in receptor-negative CV1 cells. In addition, we have used receptor point mutants that exhibit normal transactivation potential and unchanged partial agonistic activity when treated with CPA, but lack both SMRT binding and SMRT-mediated inhibition of CPA-bound AR. This indicates that mechanisms involved in hAR-mediated transactivation are distinct from antihormone-induced receptor inactivation. Furthermore, we show that treatment of transfected cells with a cAMP analog or coexpression of the catalytic subunit of PKA, known to activate hAR, inhibits the binding of SMRT to the AR.

This suggests that the association of SMRT with hAR is regulated at the level of cross-talk mechanisms and that ligand-independent receptor activation is due to corepressor dissociation. Taken together, we provide novel insights in AR regulation, antihormone action, and functional nuclear receptor-corepressor interaction.
Minireview: Genomics Versus Orphan Nuclear Receptors—A Half-Time Report
Authors: Willson Timothy M. , Moore John T.
Published: January 2014

Following the successful cloning of the orphan nuclear receptors during the 1990s we entered the 21st century with knowledge of the full complement of human nuclear receptors. Many of these proteins are ligand-activated transcription factors that act as the cognate receptors for steroid, retinoid, and thyroid hormones. In addition to these well characterized endocrine hormone receptors, there are a large number of orphan receptors of which less is known about the nature and function of their ligands. The task of deciphering the physiological function of these orphan receptors has been aided by a new generation of genomic technologies. Through application of chemical, structural, and functional genomics, several orphan nuclear receptors have emerged as pharmaceutical drug targets for the treatment of important human diseases. The significant progress that has been made in the functional analysis of more than half of the nuclear receptor gene family provides an opportunity to review the impact of genomics in this endeavor.
Coupling of GnRH Concentration and the GnRH Receptor-Activated Gene Program
Authors: Yuen Tony , Wurmbach Elisa , Ebersole Barbara J. , Ruf Frederique , Pfeffer Robert L. , Sealfon Stuart C.
Published: January 2014

The initial waves of gene induction caused by GnRH in the LβT2 gonadotrope cell line have recently been identified using microarrays. We now investigate the relationship of the concentration of GnRH to the level of biosynthesis induced. Using an optimized custom cDNA microarray, we show that a large number of genes are induced in a concentration-dependent fashion. Detailed time course studies of the induction of six induced transcripts using quantitative real-time PCR suggest that the amplitude, but not the temporal pattern, depends on the concentration of GnRH. The early genes appear to show a delay in gene induction, followed by a linear phase of increase. The relationship of rate of synthesis and GnRH concentration was studied by mathematical modeling of the induction of two genes, gly96 and tis11. In both cases, only the rates of increase, but not the lag times, are influenced by the concentration of GnRH exposure. Western blot analyses for c-Jun and Egr1 show that the levels of nuclear protein for these transcription factors also depend on the concentration of GnRH. These studies indicate that, despite the complex signaling network connecting the receptor to the activated genes, the biosynthetic rate of RNA polymerase at induced genes is correlated with the concentration of GnRH at the GnRH receptor.
Growth Hormone (GH) Deficiency Type II: A Novel GH-1 Gene Mutation (GH-R178H) Affecting Secretion and Action
Authors: Petkovic Vibor , Godi Michela , Pandey Amit V. , Lochmatter Didier , Buchanan Charles R. , Dattani Mehul T. , Eblé Andrée , Flück Christa E. , Mullis Primus E.
Published: January 2014

Context and Objective

Main features of the autosomal dominant form of GH deficiency (IGHD II) include markedly reduced secretion of GH combined with low concentrations of IGF-I leading to short stature.

Design, Setting, and Patients

A female patient presented with short stature (height −6.0 sd score) and a delayed bone age of 2 yr at the chronological age of 5 yr. Later, at the age of 9 yr, GHD was confirmed by standard GH provocation test, which revealed subnormal concentrations of GH and a very low IGF-I. Genetic analysis of the GH-1 gene revealed the presence of a heterozygous R178H mutation.

Interventions and Results

AtT-20 cells coexpressing both wt-GH and GH-R178H showed a reduced GH secretion after forskolin stimulation compared with the cells expressing only wt-GH, supporting the diagnosis of IGHD II. Because reduced GH concentrations found in the circulation of our untreated patient could not totally explain her severe short stature, functional characterization of the GH-R178H performed by studies of GH receptor binding and activation of the Janus kinase-2/signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 pathway revealed a reduced binding affinity of GH-R178H for GH receptor and signaling compared with the wt-GH.

Conclusion

This is the first report of a patient suffering from short stature caused by a GH-1 gene alteration affecting not only GH secretion (IGHD II) but also GH binding and signaling, highlighting the necessity of functional analysis of any GH variant, even in the alleged situation of IGHD II.
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Elicits an Angiogenic Phenotype in Human Ectopic Endometrial Cells and Triggers the Production of Major Angiogenic Factors via CD44, CD74, and MAPK Signaling Pathways
Authors: Veillat Véronique , Carli Cédric , Metz Christine N. , Al-Abed Yousef , Naccache Paul H. , Akoum Ali
Published: January 2014

Context: An active angiogenesis is required for ectopic endometrial tissue growth. Our previous studies led to the identification of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which is markedly elevated in active, vascularized, and early-stage endometriotic lesions, as a potent mitogenic factor for endothelial cells.

Objective: Our objective was to study the mechanisms by which MIF may stimulate angiogenesis in ectopic endometrial implantation sites.

Design: Primary cultures of ectopic endometrial cells were exposed to MIF, and the release of major angiogenic factors with targeted disruption of MIF signaling pathways was assessed.

Patients: Patients were women found to have endometriosis during laparoscopy.

Setting: The study was conducted at a hospital and reproduction research laboratory.

Interventions: Biopsies were removed from endometriotic lesions.

Main Outcome Measures: Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA and protein levels and expression and small interfering RNA silencing of MIF CD74/CD44 receptor complex and phosphorylation of ERK and p38 MAPKs were evaluated.

Results: MIF markedly up-regulated VEGF, IL-8, and MCP-1 expression in endometriotic cells. Such an effect was abolished by (S,R)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazole acetic acid methyl ester (ISO-1), a specific inhibitor of MIF, and significantly down-regulated after specific small interfering RNA silencing of CD44 or CD74. MIF treatment strongly activated ERK and p38 MAPKs, and specific inhibitors of both pathways completely blocked basal and MIF-induced VEGF, IL-8, and MCP-1 synthesis.

Conclusions: These results show for the first time that MIF exerts a potent indirect angiogenic effect by interacting with ectopic endometrial cells and inducing the secretion of major angiogenic factors via CD44, CD74, and MAPK signaling pathways and provide evidence for a possible new mechanism underlying endometriosis development and pathophysiology.
Demethylation of TMS1 Gene Sensitizes Thyroid Cancer Cells to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Siraj Abdul K. , Hussain Azhar R. , Al-Rasheed Maha , Ahmed Maqbool , Bavi Prashant , Alsobhi Saif Al-Deen Suliman , Al-Nuaim Abdurahman , Uddin Shahab , Al-Kuraya Khawla
Published: January 2014

Context: TMS1 is a tumor suppressor gene that encodes for caspase recruitment domain containing regulatory protein and has been shown to be hypermethylated in various cancers. However, its methylation status has not been investigated in thyroid cancer. Therefore, we studied the methylation of TMS1 and its functional consequence in thyroid cancer.

Design: The methylation status of the promoter region of the TMS1 gene was determined using methylation-specific PCR in 40 papillary thyroid cancer samples, 10 normal thyroid tissue, and seven thyroid cancer cell lines. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to assess the expression levels. 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine was used to demethylate the thyroid cancer cell lines. Cell viability and apoptosis was determined by dimethylthiazoldiphenyltetra-zoliumbromide and flow cytometry.

Results: Twenty-three percent of the papillary thyroid carcinoma samples were found to be methylated for the TMS1 gene. Two of seven thyroid cell lines were either completely or partially methylated for the TMS1 gene. The treatment of methylated thyroid cancer cell lines with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine resulted in the demethylation of the TMS1 gene leading to the restoration of its expression. After demethylation, treatment of cells with TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) led to the induction of apoptosis via activation of caspases-8, caspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Interestingly, gene silencing of TMS1 using TMS1-specific small interfering RNA prevented TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that the TMSI gene is methylated in thyroid cancer cells and repression of methylation by 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine restored expression of the TMS1 gene and sensitized cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that the TMS1 gene can be targeted by combination of demethylating agents with TRAIL to induce efficient apoptosis in thyroid cancer cells.
Elevated FGF23 Levels Are Associated with Impaired Calcium-Mediated Suppression of PTH in ESRD
Authors: Wetmore James B. , Santos Peter , Mahnken Jonathan D. , Krebill Ron , Menard Rochelle , Gutta Hema , Quarles L. Darryl
Published: January 2014

Context: The positive association of elevated fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) with PTH levels in the setting of secondary hyperparathyroidism is paradoxical to the purported effects of FGF23 to suppress PTH secretion.

Objective: We used dynamic calcium-mediated suppression of PTH levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients to determine the relationship between FGF23 levels and parathyroid gland function.

Design: HD patients with elevated PTH were washed out of vitamin D analogs and/or calcimimetics and then exposed them to a high-calcium dialysate bath designed to suppress PTH.

Setting: The study was conducted at an outpatient HD unit of an academic medical center.

Participants: Eighteen maintenance HD patients with elevated PTH levels participated in the study.

Main Outcome Measures: Ionized calcium (iCa), PTH, and FGF23 levels were measured during HD. The slope of the relationship between iCa and PTH (a marker of parathyroid gland mass) and the iCa level required for a 50% reduction in PTH were determined, and the association of these with FGF23 levels was determined.

Results: Increased baseline log FGF23 levels were associated with putative alterations in gland mass as estimated by significantly shallower slopes of the iCa/PTH suppression curves (P = 0.0004), but there was no association between FGF23 and calcium sensing as measured by ionized Ca associated with a 50% suppression of PTH (P = 0.38). FGF23 levels decreased significantly during HD, but this change was not correlated with decrements in either renal phosphate or PTH.

Conclusions: High FGF23 levels may be a marker for parathyroid gland hyperplasia in HD patients. Acute reductions in neither PTH nor renal phosphate during dialysis correlated with PTH suppression.
Chemerin, A Novel Adipokine in the Regulation of Angiogenesis
Authors: Bozaoglu Kiymet , Curran Joanne E. , Stocker Claire J. , Zaibi Mohamed S. , Segal David , Konstantopoulos Nicky , Morrison Shona , Carless Melanie , Dyer Thomas D. , Cole Shelley A. , Goring Harald H. H. , Moses Eric K. , Walder Ken , Cawthorne Michael A. , Blangero John , Jowett Jeremy B. M.
Published: January 2014

Context: Chemerin is a new adipokine associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Gene expression levels of chemerin were elevated in the adipose depots of obese compared with lean animals and was markedly elevated during differentiation of fibroblasts into mature adipocytes.

Objective: To identify factors that affect the regulation and potential function of chemerin using a genetics approach.

Design, setting, patients and intervention: Plasma chemerin levels were measured in subjects from the San Antonio Family Heart Study (SAFHS), a large family-based genetic epidemiological study including 1354 Mexican American individuals. Individuals were randomly sampled without regard to phenotype or disease status.

Main Outcome Measures: A genome wide association analysis using 542,944 SNPs in a subset of 523 of the same subjects was undertaken. The effect of chemerin on angiogenesis was measured using human endothelial cells and interstitial cells in co-culture in a specially formulated medium.

Results: Serum chemerin levels were found to be highly heritable (h2 = 0.25; P = 1.4 x 10−9). The SNP showing strongest evidence of association (rs347344; P = 1.4 x 10−6) was located within the gene encoding EDIL3, which has a known role in angiogenesis. Functional angiogenesis assays in human endothelial cells confirmed that chemerin significantly mediated the formation of blood vessels to a similar extent as VEGF.

Conclusion: Here we demonstrate for the first time that plasma chemerin levels are significantly heritable and identified a novel role for chemerin as a stimulator of angiogenesis.
Insulin Stimulates Human Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis via an Indirect Mechanism Involving Endothelial-Dependent Vasodilation and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 Signaling
Authors: Timmerman Kyle L. , Lee Jessica L. , Dreyer Hans C. , Dhanani Shaheen , Glynn Erin L. , Fry Christopher S. , Drummond Micah J. , Sheffield-Moore Melinda , Rasmussen Blake B. , Volpi Elena
Published: January 2014

Objective: Our objective was to determine whether endothelial-dependent vasodilation is an essential mechanism by which insulin stimulates human skeletal muscle protein synthesis and anabolism.

Subjects: Subjects were healthy young adults (n = 14) aged 31 ± 2 yr.

Design: Subjects were studied at baseline and during local leg infusion of insulin alone (control, n = 7) or insulin plus the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (L-NMMA, n = 7) to prevent insulin-induced vasodilation.

Methods: We measured skeletal muscle protein metabolism with stable isotope tracers, blood flow with indocyanine green, capillary recruitment with contrast enhanced ultrasound, glucose metabolism with stable isotope tracers, and phosphorylation of proteins associated with insulin (Akt) and amino acid-induced mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling (mTOR, S6 kinase 1, and eukaryotic initiation factor 4Ebinding protein 1) with Western blot analysis.

Results: No basal differences between groups were detected. During insulin infusion, blood flow and capillary recruitment increased in the control (P < 0.05) group only; Akt phosphorylation and glucose uptake increased in both groups (P < 0.05), with no group differences; and mTORC1 signaling increased more in control (P < 0.05) than in l-NMMA. Phenylalanine net balance increased (P < 0.05) in both groups, but with opposite mechanisms: increased protein synthesis (basal, 0.051 ± 0.006%/h; insulin, 0.077 ± 0.008%/h; P < 0.05) with no change in proteolysis in control and decreased proteolysis (P < 0.05) with no change in synthesis (basal, 0.061 ± 0.004%/h; insulin, 0.050 ± 0.006%/h; P value not significant) in l-NMMA.

Conclusions: Endothelial-dependent vasodilation and the consequent increase in nutritive flow and mTORC1 signaling, rather than Akt signaling, are fundamental mechanisms by which insulin stimulates muscle protein synthesis in humans. Additionally, these data underscore that insulin modulates skeletal muscle proteolysis according to its effects on nutritive flow.
A simple Henkin-style completeness proof for Gödel 3-valued logic G3
Authors: Robles Gemma
Published: January 2014

A simple Henkin-style completeness proof for Gödel 3-valued propositional logic G3 is provided. The idea is to endow G3 with an under-determined semantics (u-semantics) of the type defined by Dunn. The key concept in u-semantics is that of “under-determined interpretation” (u-interpretation). It is shown that consistent prime theories built upon G3 can be understood as (canonical) u-interpretations. In order to prove this fact we follow Brady by defining G3 as an extension of Anderson and Belnap’s positive fragment of First Degree Entailment Logic.
Infra-Slow EEG Fluctuations Are Correlated with Resting-State Network Dynamics in fMRI
Authors: Hiltunen Tuija , Kantola Jussi , Abou Elseoud Ahmed , Lepola Pasi , Suominen Kalervo , Starck Tuomo , Nikkinen Juha , Remes Jukka , Tervonen Osmo , Palva Satu , Kiviniemi Vesa , Palva J. Matias
Published: January 2014

Ongoing neuronal activity in the CNS waxes and wanes continuously across widespread spatial and temporal scales. In the human brain, these spontaneous fluctuations are salient in blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals and correlated within specific brain systems or “intrinsic-connectivity networks.” In electrophysiological recordings, both the amplitude dynamics of fast (1–100 Hz) oscillations and the scalp potentials per se exhibit fluctuations in the same infra-slow (0.01–0.1 Hz) frequency range where the BOLD fluctuations are conspicuous. While several lines of evidence show that the BOLD fluctuations are correlated with fast-amplitude dynamics, it has remained unclear whether the infra-slow scalp potential fluctuations in full-band electroencephalography (fbEEG) are related to the resting-state BOLD signals. We used concurrent fbEEG and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) recordings to address the relationship of infra-slow fluctuations (ISFs) in scalp potentials and BOLD signals. We show here that independent components of fbEEG recordings are selectively correlated with subsets of cortical BOLD signals in specific task-positive and task-negative, fMRI-defined resting-state networks. This brain system-specific association indicates that infra-slow scalp potentials are directly associated with the endogenous fluctuations in neuronal activity levels. fbEEG thus yields a noninvasive, high-temporal resolution window into the dynamics of intrinsic connectivity networks. These results support the view that the slow potentials reflect changes in cortical excitability and shed light on neuronal substrates underlying both electrophysiological and behavioral ISFs.
Spatial Organization of AMPAR Subtypes in ON RGCs
Authors: Jones Rebecca S. , Pedisich Marina , Carroll Reed C. , Nawy Scott
Published: January 2014

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) receive glutamatergic input from bipolar cells through NMDA- and AMPA-type glutamate receptors. Both GluA2-containing, Ca2+-impermeable AMPA receptors (CI-AMPARs) and GluA2-lacking, Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) contribute to light-evoked responses in ON RGCs; however, specific roles for each subtype are not well understood. Here, we present evidence that light intensity determines the subtype of AMPAR that is activated during the synaptic response in ON RGCs. Using current voltage analysis of the EPSC we show that light intensities near RGC threshold, intensities that travel through the well described primary rod pathway, evoke synaptic currents that are preferentially mediated by CP-AMPARs. Synaptic responses evoked by spontaneous release of transmitter from bipolar cell terminals also preferentially activate CP-AMPARs. Conversely, higher light intensities, most likely carried by secondary rod pathways, activate CI-AMPARs. The same pattern of CP-AMPAR and CI-AMPAR activation was observed in mice containing only functional rods, suggesting that the recruitment of CI-AMPARs at higher light intensity does not require cone stimulation. When glutamate spillover was induced by blocking transporters with TBOA, both the near threshold and spontaneous EPSCs contained a significant CI-AMPAR component. We propose that CI-AMPARs are activated by “spillover” of synaptic glutamate only during bright illumination, or when glutamate uptake is blocked. Glutamate may spill over to more distant sites at the same synapse, or perhaps as far as neighboring synapses. Together, our data suggest that the spatial organization of AMPARs at ON RGCs synapses allows for selective, intensity-dependent activation of AMPARs with distinct subunit composition.
Transient Pupil Response Is Modulated by Contrast-Based Saliency
Authors: Wang Chin-An , Boehnke Susan E. , Itti Laurent , Munoz Douglas P.
Published: January 2014

The sudden appearance of a novel stimulus in the environment initiates a series of orienting responses that include coordinated shifts of gaze and attention, and also transient changes in pupil size. Although numerous studies have identified a significant effect of stimulus saliency on shifts of gaze and attention, saliency effects on pupil size are less understood. To examine salience-evoked pupil responses, we presented visual, auditory, or audiovisual stimuli while monkeys fixated a central visual spot. Transient pupil dilation was elicited after visual stimulus presentation regardless of target luminance relative to background, and auditory stimuli also evoked similar pupil responses. Importantly, the evoked pupil response was modulated by contrast-based saliency, with faster and larger pupil responses following the presentation of more salient stimuli. The initial transient component of pupil dilation was qualitatively similar to that evoked by weak microstimulation of the midbrain superior colliculus. The pupil responses elicited by audiovisual stimuli were well predicted by a linear summation of each modality response. Together, the results suggest that the transient pupil response, as one component of orienting, is modulated by contrast-based saliency, and the superior colliculus is likely involved in its coordination.
Distinct Neural Mechanisms for Body Form and Body Motion Discriminations
Authors: Vangeneugden Joris , Peelen Marius V. , Tadin Duje , Battelli Lorella
Published: January 2014

Actions can be understood based on form cues (e.g., static body posture) as well as motion cues (e.g., gait patterns). A fundamental debate centers on the question of whether the functional and neural mechanisms processing these two types of cues are dissociable. Here, using fMRI, psychophysics, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), all within the same human participants, we show that mechanisms underlying body form and body motion processing are functionally and neurally distinct. Multivoxel fMRI activity patterns in the extrastriate body area (EBA), but not in the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), carried cue invariant information about the body form of an acting human. Conversely, multivoxel patterns in pSTS, but not in EBA, carried information about the body motion of the same actor. In a psychophysical experiment, we selectively impaired body form and body motion discriminations by manipulating different visual cues: misaligning the ellipses that made up a dynamic walker stimulus selectively disrupted body form discriminations, while varying the presentation duration of the walker selectively affected body motion discriminations. Finally, a TMS experiment revealed causal evidence for a double-dissociation between neural mechanisms underlying body form and body motion discriminations: TMS over EBA selectively disrupted body form discrimination, whereas TMS over pSTS selectively disrupted body motion discrimination. Together, these findings reveal complementing but dissociable functions of EBA and pSTS during action perception. They provide constraints for theoretical and computational models of action perception by showing that action perception involves at least two parallel pathways that separately contribute to the understanding of others' behavior.
The Reference Genome Sequence ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae: Then and Now
Authors: Engel Stacia R , Dietrich Fred S , Fisk Dianna G , Binkley Gail , Balakrishnan Rama , Costanzo Maria C , Dwight Selina S , Hitz Benjamin C , Karra Kalpana , Nash Robert S , Weng Shuai , Wong Edith D , Lloyd Paul , Skrzypek Marek S , Miyasato Stuart R , Simison Matt , Cherry J Michael
Published: January 2014

The genome of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the first completely sequenced from a eukaryote. It was released in 1996 as the work of a worldwide effort of hundreds of researchers. In the time since, the yeast genome has been intensively studied by geneticists, molecular biologists, and computational scientists all over the world. Maintenance and annotation of the genome sequence have long been provided by the Saccharomyces Genome Database, one of the original model organism databases. To deepen our understanding of the eukaryotic genome, the S. cerevisiae strain S288C reference genome sequence was updated recently in its first major update since 1996. The new version, called “S288C 2010,” was determined from a single yeast colony using modern sequencing technologies and serves as the anchor for further innovations in yeast genomic science.
Prevalencia de deficits nutricionais em criancas menores de cinco anos em Angola
Authors: Fernandes Ema Candida Branco , Monteiro Rosane Aparecida , Ribeiro Luciana Cisoto , Sartorelli Daniela Saes
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO Estimar a prevalência de déficits nutricionais entre crianças angolanas. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal de base populacional. Para classificação do estado nutricional, foram empregados os critérios da Organização Mundial da Saúde (2006). RESULTADOS Observou-se elevada prevalência de déficits de estatura-para-idade, peso-para-estatura e peso-para-idade (22%, 13% e 7%, respectivamente) entre as crianças. CONCLUSÕES Déficits nutricionais de crianças representam sério problema de saúde pública em Bom Jesus, Angola.
Creating associative memory distortions - a Polish adaptation of the DRM paradigm
Authors: Ulatowska Joanna , Olszewska Justyna
Published: January 2014

One of the most widely applied techniques used to examine associative memory errors is the Deese-Roediger- McDermott (DRM) paradigm. The aim of the present studies was to demonstrate a Polish version of the DRM paradigm and to test the characteristics of memory illusions evoked by this procedure for both recall and recognition. A normative study was conducted to prepare Polish stimuli material sharing similar characteristics as the lists in the English language version. Subsequently, the lists were applied to examine the effect of prior recall on recognition, as well as the influence of retention interval on recall. The results revealed that the Polish version of the DRM paradigm induced a robust effect of false recall and recognition. Moreover, it was revealed that immediate recall of a single list led to a higher rate of both correct and false recall and that prior recall positively influenced recognition, leading to a higher rate of hits.
The Effects of Adolescent Health-Related Behavior on Academic Performance
Authors: Busch Vincent , Loyen Anne , Lodder Mandy , Schrijvers Augustinus J. P. , van Yperen Tom A. , de Leeuw Johannes R. J.
Published: January 2014

Schools are increasingly involved in efforts to promote health and healthy behavior among their adolescent students, but are healthier students better learners? This synthesis of the empirical, longitudinal literature investigated the effects of the most predominant health-related behaviors—namely, alcohol and marijuana use, smoking, nutrition, physical activity, sexual intercourse, bullying, and screen time use (television, Internet, video games)—on the academic performance of adolescents. Thirty studies dating back to 1992 were retrieved from the medical, psychological, educational, and social science literature. Healthy nutrition and team sports participation were found to have a positive effect on academic performance, whereas the effects of alcohol use, smoking, early sexual intercourse, bullying, and certain screen time behaviors were overall negative. Generally, all relations of health-related behaviors and academic performance were dependent on contextual factors and were often mediated by psychosocial problems, social structures, and demographics. Findings were interpreted with use of sociological theories.
Depression among the Geriatric Population is a Matter of Concern: A Community Based Study in a Rural Area of West Bengal
Authors: Dasgupta A , Ray D , Roy S , Sarkar T , Ghosal A , Das A , Pal J
Published: January 2014

Background   Depression is commonest psychiatric disorder in elderly; it is often misdiagnosed and undertreated. People with depression suffer from impairment of all major areas of functioning ranging from personal care to social capability, which in turn decreases individuals’ quality of life and increases dependency on others Elderly patients with depression are more prone in developing chronic diseases like ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension. This problem may be more severe in rural population. Objective of this study is to find out the magnitude of depression and its correlates among a rural geriatric population. Materials and Methods Population based cross sectional study was done in Singur, West Bengal with a sample size of 85 with the help of a pretested semi structured schedule and a geriatric depression scale (short form).  Results Majority 61.2(%) of the study population were in the age group of 60 to 69 years and most belonged to joint Hindu family. Cardiovascular disease (67.05%) especially hypertension followed by musculoskeletal problems (42.35%) were the two major health related conditions suffered by this population and they usually made avail of government health facilities during illness. About 58.8% of the population suffered from depression and this was associated with nuclear family AOR(95%CI)=8.625(1.697-43.831), with poor income AOR(95%CI)=7.628(1.862-31.847), financial dependence AOR(95%CI)=4.948 (1.044-23.554)and living without spouse AOR(95%CI)=7.422 (1.513-36.418) and also presence of disease OR =5.423 (1.348-21.81). Conclusion Alarmingly, the prevalence of depression was observed to be quite high in this rural population and so was prevalence of different morbidities. All these will hasten the isolation of this vulnerable population from general community and increase burden on younger generation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v3i4.9515 Keywords:
Alcohol consumption is a leading risk for morbidity and mortality; public health initiatives needed
Authors: Lakhan Ram
Published: January 2014

I read the article authored by Dasgupta et al “Alcohol Consumption by workers in automobile repair shops of a slum of Kolkata: An assessment with AUDIT instrument” with great interest. This article was published in the Nepal Journal of Epidemiology in volume 3, issue 3, 2013. Alcoholism leads several health, economic and social problems in the lives of people who consume it. It also affects their families and community. Social issues such as violence, suicide, child neglect, work place absent, conflict in relationship, and divorce are some common outcomes of alcohol consumption.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v3i4.9520
Low Molecular Weight Heparin versus Aspirin plus Intermittent Compression Devices for Thromboprophylaxis in Indian Patients Undergoing Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Paudel Sushil
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Thromboembolic complications is common after arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to find out the incidences of deep vein thrombosis, symptomatic, and fatal pulmonary embolism in Indian patients undergoing arthroplasties and to compare the effectiveness and safety of thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin versus aspirin plus intermittent pneumatic compression device. Methods: Patients who had a total hip and knee arthroplasty were randomized to receive prophylaxis with LMWH or aspirin plus intermittent pneumatic compression device. After four to six days, all patients underwent bilateral lower-extremity color Doppler ultrasonography to screen for deep venous thrombi in the calf and thigh. Any clinical symptoms of pulmonary embolism were evaluated with pulmonary CT angiography. Bleeding events in both groups were documented. The patients were followed up at 6 week and 3 months with Color Doppler to look for the evidence of deep venous thrombi. Results: 300 patients (409 joints) were randomized into 2 groups and studied regarding the incidence of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, safety of the thromboprophylaxis in regard to its efficacy. Demographics were similar clinically between the groups. The rate of major bleeding events was 0.67% in the aspirin and compression group and 6% in the low-molecular-weight heparin group. Overall, prevalence of DVT and PE in Indian patients who underwent total hip or knee arthroplasty was 0.67% and 0.33% respectively. The rates of deep venous thrombosis were 1.33%, in the aspirin plus compression group compared 0% in the LMWH group. The rates of pulmonary embolism were 0.67% in the Aspirin plus compression group and 0% in the heparin group, and there were no fatal pulmonary emboli. Within the six week and three month follow-up period, no events occurred. There was no difference between the groups with regard to the prevalence of venous thromboembolism. Conclusions: An inexpensive multimodal protocol, consisting of aspirin, exercises, and the use of intermittent compression devices, was associated with relatively higher thromboembolic complications. However, major bleeding events were significantly lower in Aspirin group. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/noaj.v3i2.9525   NOAJ July-December 2013, Vol 3, Issue 2, 26-32
Conservative treatment of TB Spondylitis in Dorsolumbar and Lumbar spine
Authors: Pradhan Rabindra Lal , Pandey Bimal Kumar , Sharma Sashmit , Lakhey Shishir , Manadhar Rajiv Raj , Rijal Kiran Prasad , Prasai Tanup
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is endemic in South Asia including Nepal. TB spine is the most common musculoskeletal manifestations and can have devastating complications. Early diagnosis by proper history, physical and radiological examination is mandatory. Chemotherapy is effective in most cases while some require surgical treatment. Methods: Forty-four patients with clinico-radiological evidence of TB were treated with four drug regime for 18 months and all patients were followed up till the end of the chemotherapy. Results: All 44 patients (M-28/ F-16) had back pain not responding to analgesics and physiotherapy while few had constitutional symptoms. Localized tenderness and paravertebral muscle spasm was present in 32/44 (72.7%) and the rest had palpable swelling at the dorsolumbar and lumbar regions. According to the classification by Oguz et al. the majority of the patients were in the Type I B. Six patients who did not show any improvement in pain and resolution of swelling were admitted and two more drugs (Steptomycin and Ofloxacin) were added. Conclusions: Conservative treatment of TB spondylitis of the lumbar spine can be treated with chemotherapy and appropriate investigations should be performed in patients with back pain who do not respond to rest, analgesics and physiotherapy. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/noaj.v3i2.9526   NOAJ July-December 2013, Vol 3, Issue 2, 33-37
Fracture Dislocation of Shoulder
Authors: Manandhar Hemanta Kumar , Devkota Pramod , Khadka Padam Bahadur , Randey Chakra Raj
Published: January 2014

Simultaneous dislocation of shoulder with fracture of the ipsilateral humerus is extremely rare and very little reported in the literature. We report a case of forty three year old man who got right shoulder dislocation with proximal humerus fracture. The patient was treated with open reduction and internal fixation by three 4.5mm screws. The operation went uneventful and has good range of motion of the shoulder after six months of follow up. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/noaj.v3i2.9529   NOAJ July-December 2013, Vol 3, Issue 2, 44-45
'Not A Drop of Water...': State, Modernity and the Production of Nature in Spain, 1898-2010
Authors: Swyngedouw Erik
Published: January 2014

In this paper, I excavate the socio-environmental production of Spanish society during the twentieth century through the lens of the central role water politics, economics, culture and engineering played in Spain's tumultuous modernisation process. I explore first the origins of Spain's early-twentieth-century modernisation process (1890-1930) and the production of a national modernising imaginary as expressed in debates and actions around the hydrological condition. In the second part, I focus on how Spain's modernisation process after the Civil War became a profoundly scalar geographical project, articulated through the production of a specific technonatural hydraulic edifice during Franco's authoritarian rule (1939-1975). In the third part, I explore how the desalination of seawater has become one of the key contested terrains for managing hydro-scarcities since the transition to democracy. The broader intellectual objective of the paper is, first, to show how diverse political projects, social visions, physical matter, ecological concerns, cultural imaginaries, discursive formations, institutional practices, economic strategies of competitiveness and engineering technologies fuse together and articulate around specific hydro-technical imaginaries and infrastructures. Second, the paper documents how human and non-human actants become enrolled in such processes of hydro-social transformation. Third, the paper considers how the networks of actors sustaining hydro-social transformations mark the transition from a state-centred hydro-structural to a decentralised region-centred market environmentalist water framework.
The Aesthetics of the Volga and National Narratives in Russia
Authors: Zeisler-Vralsted Dorothy
Published: January 2014

Simon Schama's provocative work, Landscape and Memory , reveals the role that nature has historically played in shaping culture. Although much of Schama's focus predates the twentieth century, this essay on the historical development of the Volga River extends up to the present. The thesis, however, of demonstrating the continuity of earlier nature myths with the present, is an ongoing theme in this recounting of the effects of modernisation on the Volga while a nationalist rhetoric touts its aesthetic qualities. These aesthetics - symbolised through literary and artistic representations of Mother Volga - contributed to an emerging national narrative in Russia in the nineteenth century. This national identity is articulated through a rich visual culture that includes the work of Russian artists such as Isaac Levitan and Ilya Repin with their landscape portrayals of the Volga. As a result, the river assumed an iconic status which enhanced the story of its transformation. By the 1930s, the Volga underwent a major engineering project that rerouted part of the river into the Moscow Volga Canal. Construction of the project took four years, during which an array of journals, photographic essays and newspaper articles chronicled progress, celebrating this symbolic foray into the modern nation-state. Overlooking the beginning of the project were two towering statues of Lenin and Stalin, reinforcing the nationalist attributes of the project. In the 1930s Soviet Union, literature is rife with references to the conquest of nature in service of socialism. Harnessing rivers was especially attractive to Stalin in his push to modernise. But the Moscow Volga Canal was not just a showpiece - although in some instances the architecture rivaled the newly built metro stations - as it connected Moscow to the Caspian Sea, provided hydropower and supplied drinking water to Moscow. In conclusion, this essay will expand on nature's integral role in shaping culture with twentieth-century examples of how the Volga River continued to serve a nationalist discourse for a country in the throes of modernisation. The story of the Moscow Volga Canal is also a reminder that nature is often the repository to which nations look when crafting their identity.
Nature and Identity in the Construction of the Romanian Concept of Nation
Authors: Nicolescu Valentin Quintus
Published: January 2014

In this article I explore the role played by nature in the construction of the discourse of Romanian national identity. What was the perceived relation between the human community and the natural realm? How was the natural landscape transformed into a constitutive part of the national discourse? Could nature be seen as an essential identity marker for Romanian nationhood, thus shaping a form of Romanian exceptionalism? What form does this exceptionalist view take in the Romanian case? I highlight how the concept of an imagined national community was developed by the Romanian political and intellectual elite of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and the role played by nature in the shaping of this discourse of identity.
GENETIC VARIABILITY, CORRELATION AND PATH ANALYSIS IN POTATO (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Authors: Sattar M. A. , Sultana N. , Hossain M. M. , Rashid M. H. , Islam A. K. M. Aminul
Published: January 2014

Genotypic and phenotypic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation coefficients and path coefficients analysis were done for yield and its contributing characters in 28 genotypes of potato. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean and high genotypic coefficients of variation were observed for number of tubers per plant, yield per plant and average weight of a tuber suggesting selection for these traits would give good response. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation of the number of tubers per plant and weight of tubers per plant were highly significant. Plant vigour, number of compound leaves per plant and number of tubers per plant, average weight of a tuber and dry matter content of tuber had high degree of positive association with tuber yield per plant. As per path analysis, average weight of tuber and total number of tubers per plant contributed maximum direct effect to tuber yield indicating their importance as selection index for yield improvement.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v20i1.17023
EVALUATION OF TRANSGENIC INDICA RICE (Oryza sativa L.) THROUGH REPORTER AND DESIRED GENE
Authors: Prodhan Shamsul H. , Nagamiya K. , Komamine A. , Morishima H.
Published: January 2014

Rice is one of the most important food crops in the world. It is greatly affected by various abiotic stresses. Among them, to improve the complex stress salinity we introduced a desired gene katE, a catalase gene of Escherichia coli, and reporter gene GUS into the indica rice cultivar Kasalath. Plant survival under different salt water concentration was checked. Transformation was carried out using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA101 harboring a binary vector pIES6/Hm/katE and pIG121/ Hm/ GUS which contains genes for catalase katE, GUS gene, hygromycine resistance gene HPT and kanamycine resistance gene NPTII in the T-DNA region. Transformation was confirmed by PCR with katE and GUS primer. Transgenic plants at very young stage (3 days) were able to grow up to 15 days in 100 mM NaCl solution and 7 days in 250 mM NaCl solution where as non transgenic plants could not survive even up top 5 days in 100 mM condition and 7 days in 250 mM NaCl concentration. Twenty eight days matured plants could survive and were able to form iflorescence. Here a single gene introduction significantly improved the salt tolerance of this crop rice. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v20i2.17029
EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS FOR INDUCTION OF PARTHENOCARPIC FRUIT IN KAKROL (Momordica dioica Roxb.)
Authors: Chowdhury R. N. , Rasul M. G. , Islam A. K. M. Aminul , Mian M. A. K. , Ahmed J. U.
Published: January 2014

An experiment was conducted to find out the suitable plant growth regulator(s) for inducing parthenocarpic fruit in kakrol (Momordica dioicia Roxb). Four plant growth regulators, viz. NAA and 2, 4-D (Auxins), Fulmet (Cytokinine) and GA3 (Gibberellic acid) were sprayed at three stages (a day before anthesis, at anthesis, a day after anthesis). Out of four growth regulators 2, 4-D and fulmet induced parthenocarpic fruit development. Fruit set percent, final fruit weight, fruit length and fruit diameter varied significantly with different treatment combinations. 2, 4-D at 50 ppm when applied at anthesis showed better performance in inducing parthenocarpy.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v20i2.17030