TASK DEFINITION: Given a passage classify if the passage has a definite objective/aim/goal or not. Output '1' if the passage has a defininte objective/aim/goal and output '0' if the passage does not have a definite objective/aim/goal.
PROBLEM: Transcription of plastid-encoded genes requires two different DNA-dependent RNA polymerases, a nuclear-encoded polymerase (NEP) and plastid-encoded polymerase (PEP). Recent studies identified two related pfkB-type carbohydrate kinases, named FRUCTOKINASE-LIKE PROTEIN (FLN1 and FLN2), as components of the thylakoid bound PEP complex in both Arabidopsis thaliana and Sinapis alba (mustard). Additional work demonstrated that RNAi-mediated reduction in FLN expression specifically diminished transcription of PEP-dependent genes.', 'Here, we report the characterization of Arabidopsis FLN knockout alleles to examine the contribution of each gene in plant growth, chloroplast development, and in mediating PEP-dependent transcription. We show that fln plants have severe phenotypes with fln1 resulting in an albino phenotype that is seedling lethal without a source of exogenous carbon. In contrast, fln2 plants display chlorosis prior to leaf expansion, but exhibit slow greening, remain autotrophic, can grow to maturity, and set viable seed. fln1 fln2 double mutant analysis reveals haplo-insufficiency, and fln1 fln2 plants have a similar, but more severe phenotype than either single mutant. Normal plastid development in both light and dark requires the FLNs, but surprisingly skotomorphogenesis is unaffected in fln seedlings. Seedlings genetically fln1-1 with dexamethasone-inducible FLN1-HA expression at germination are phenotypically indistinguishable from wild-type. Induction of FLN-HA after 24 hours of germination cannot rescue the mutant phenotype, indicating that the effects of loss of FLN are not always reversible. Examination of chloroplast gene expression in fln1-1 and fln2-1 by qRT-PCR reveals that transcripts of PEP-dependent genes were specifically reduced compared to NEP-dependent genes in both single mutants.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Triterpene alcohols and acids are multifunctional compounds widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom that exhibit a variety of beneficial health properties, being synthetic analogs of oleanolic acid under clinical evaluation as anti-tumoral therapeutic agents. However, the antineoplastic activity of two natural occurring triterpenoid alcohols extracted from olive oil, erythrodiol (an intermediate from oleanolic acid), and its isomer, uvaol, has barely been reported, particularly on brain cancer cells. Astrocytomas are among the most common and aggressive type of primary malignant tumors in the neurological system lacking effective treatments, and in this study, we addressed the effect of these two triterpenic diols on the human 1321N1 astrocytoma cell line.', 'Erythrodiol and uvaol effectively affected cell proliferation, as well as cell cycle phases and induced 1321N1 cell death. Both triterpenes successfully modulated the apoptotic response, promoting nuclear condensation and fragmentation. They caused retraction and rounding of cultured cells, which lost adherence from their supports, while F-actin and vimentin filaments disappeared as an organized cytoplasmic network. At molecular level, changes in the expression of surface proteins associated with adhesion or death processes were also observed. Moreover, triterpene exposure resulted in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and correlated with the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK). The presence of catalase reversed the triterpenic diols-induced mitochondrial depolarization, JNK activation, and apoptotic death, indicating the critical role of ROS in the action of these compounds.

SOLUTION: 0

PROBLEM: Changes in vascular permeability are well-known and important consequences of cerebral ischemia. The development of edema and of petechial hemorrhage is connected to altered vascular integrity. A major part in microvascular integrity is played by the basal lamina.', 'The fates of the basal lamina components laminin, fibronectin, and type IV collagen during middle cerebral artery occlusion (2 hours, n = 3) and occlusion (3 hours) with reperfusion (1 hour, n = 3; 4 hours, n = 3; and 24 hours, n = 4) were evaluated in the nonhuman primate. Specific monoclonal antibodies against these components were used. The number and size distribution of the microvessels in each specimen were determined by video-imaging microscopy, and the relative fluorescence intensity of laminin was semiquantified by laser confocal microscopy. Basal lamina antigen presentations were compared by double-stain immunofluorescence histochemistry.', 'The number of microvascular structures defined by the presence of each basal lamina antigen decreased significantly up to 24 hours of reperfusion (P < .0001). The ratio of laminin-containing vessels between the ischemic and nonischemic territories decreased significantly from control (0.98 +/- 0.04) to 2 hours of ischemia (0.83 +/- 0.09) and 1 hour (0.79 +/- 0.08), 4 hours (0.77 +/- 0.06), and 24 hours of reperfusion (0.55 +/- 0.07). The ratio of fibronectin (cellular) and of collagen (IV)-containing vessels decreased from 0.98 +/- 0.04 to 0.75 +/- 0.1 and from 1.02 +/- 0.03 to 0.57 +/- 0.1, respectively. Mean laminin fluorescence intensity decreased from 76.1 +/- 6.0 U (controls) to 52.0 +/- 14.6 U (24 hours of reperfusion; P < .001).

SOLUTION:
1